Extenders and cryosolutions for Grumata (Prochilodus vimboides) sperm preservation.

BACKGROUND: Prochilodus vimboides populations are being reduced in rivers due to changes in their habitat, overfishing, urbanization, and pollution. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of sperm extender solutions for short-term storage and cryosolutions for freezing sperm of Prochilodus vimboides. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For short-term storage, the sperm was diluted in 0.9% NaCl, 1.2% NaCl, 5% glucose, 5% BTS, or 6% MIII. Sperm motility was evaluated after 0, 24, 48, and 72 h of short-term storage at 4-6 degree C. For cryopreservation, sperm samples were diluted in the same extenders and factorially combined with three cryoprotectants (dimethylsulfoxide, methyl glycol, and ethylene glycol). After thawing, sperm motility and oxidative stress parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: Dilution of samples in BTS preserved sperm motility >40% for up to 48 h. Samples cryopreserved in 5% glucose and methylglycol presented higher sperm motility, lower catalase, and lipid peroxidation activities. CONCLUSION: Prochilodus vimboides sperm can be cooled for up to 48 h in an extender solution of 5% BTS and cryopreserved in 5% glucose and methyl glycol. doi.org/10.54680/fr22410110612.

Transfer of CVD-grown graphene for room temperature gas sensors.

An easy transfer procedure to obtain graphene-based gas sensing devices operating at room temperature (RT) is presented. Starting from chemical vapor deposition-grown graphene on copper foil, we obtained single layer graphene which could be transferred onto arbitrary substrates. In particular, we placed single layer graphene on top of a SiO2/Si substrate with pre-patterned Pt electrodes to realize a chemiresistor gas sensor able to operate at RT. The responses to ammonia (10, 20, 30 ppm) and nitrogen dioxide (1, 2, 3 ppm) are shown at different values of relative humidity, in dark and under 254 nm UV light. In order to check the sensor selectivity, gas response has also been tested towards hydrogen, ethanol, acetone and carbon oxide. Finally, a model based on linear dispersion relation characteristic of graphene, which take into account humidity and UV light effects, has been proposed.

Growth of graphene on cylindrical copper conductors as an anticorrosion coating: a microscopic study.

We have successfully grown graphene film on the surface of cylindrical copper conductors by chemical vapour deposition. The quality and number of graphene layers have been investigated using Raman spectroscopy, Raman mapping and scanning electron microscopy, as a function of methane gas flow rate and of growth temperature. Transmission electron microscopy analysis has been performed to verify the number of graphene layers, confirming the results obtained by Raman spectroscopy. The results open up the possibility of using graphene as an anticorrosion coating for copper cables and earth grids.

Effect of substrate polishing on the growth of graphene on 3C-SiC(111)/Si(111) by high temperature annealing.

We analyse the effects of substrate polishing and of the epilayer thickness on the quality of graphene layers grown by high temperature annealing on 3C-SiC(111)/Si(111) by scanning tunnelling microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, low energy electron diffraction and high resolution angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy. The results provide a comprehensive set of data confirming the superior quality of the graphene layers obtained on polished substrates, and the limitations of the growth obtained on unpolished surfaces.

Influence of indoor airflow on particle spread of a single breath and cough in enclosures: Does opening a window really 'help'?

The spread of respiratory diseases via aerosol particles in indoor settings is of significant concern. The SARS-CoV-2 virus has been found to spread widely in confined enclosures like hotels, hospitals, cruise ships, prisons, and churches. Particles exhaled from a person indoors can remain suspended long enough for increasing the opportunity for particles to spread spatially. Careful consideration of the ventilation system is essential to minimise the spread of particles containing infectious pathogens. Previous studies have shown that indoor airflow induced by opened windows would minimise the spread of particles. However, how outdoor airflow through an open window influences the indoor airflow has not been considered. The aim of this study is to provide a clear understanding of the indoor particle spread across multiple rooms, in a situation similar to what is found in quarantine hotels and cruise ships, using a combination of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning) ventilation and an opening window. Using a previously validated mathematical model, we used 3D CFD (computational fluid dynamics) simulations to investigate to what extent different indoor airflow scenarios contribute to the transport of a single injection of particles ( 1 . 3 µ m ) in a basic 3D multi-room indoor environment. Although this study is limited to short times, we demonstrate that in certain conditions approximately 80% of the particles move from one room to the corridor and over 60% move to the nearby room within 5 to 15 s. Our results provide additional information to help identifying relevant recommendations to limit particles from spreading in enclosures.

Analysis of food habits of skate Rioraja agassizii (Elasmobranchii, Rajidae) from southern Brazil.

Catches and exports of skate Rioraja agassizii place this species as "vulnerable to extinction" on the IUCN Red List; therefore, biological and ecological knowledge becomes an important instrument for its conservation control. This study described and quantified the diet composition of R. agassizii by means of stomach analysis contents in the periods 2005-2006 and 2012-2013. We analyzed and quantified stomach contents in terms of abundance (%N), weight (%M), frequency of occurrence (% FO), and index of relative importance (IRI). The results showed differences in the food rates between the periods. However, the groups of food items were the same: Teleostei fish, decapods, and mollusks. In 2005-2006, the diet consisted mainly of shrimp, however, in 2012-2013 it consisted of fish, followed by decapods, especially shrimps. The differences in diets may be attributed to shrimp abundance, which do not characterize a change in the eating habits in 2012-2013, because, in addition to fish, shrimps were also important food sources. The presence of a certain prey is more related to its availability rather than the feeding preference of skate. The amount of ingested items is associated to biological and environmental factors, so that further studies relating diet with capture area, seasonality, depth, and other factors should be conducted.

Fractionated half-body irradiation (HBI) for the rapid palliation of widespread, symptomatic, metastatic bone disease: a randomized Phase III trial of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

PURPOSE: To find the fastest and most effective/efficient method to economically deliver fractionated half-body irradiation (HBI) for widespread (WS), symptomatic, metastatic bone cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A Phase III trial with 3 HBI arms: (Arm A) Control (15 Gy/5 fractions/5 days); (Arm B) Hyperfractionation (HF) (8 Gy/2 fractions/1 day); (Arm C) Accelerated HF (12 Gy/4 fractions/2 days). Six countries randomized 156 patients (all with WS bone metastases): 51, 56, and 49 patients to Arms A, B, and C, respectively. There were 72 (46%) breast, 50 (32%) prostate, 9 (6%) lung, and 25 (16%) miscellaneous primary tumors. Initial performance status (PS) was 1-2 in 101 (65%) and PS 3-4 in 55 (35%). The lower, upper, and middle halves of the body were treated 79, 68, and 9 times. RESULTS: Pain relief was seen in 91% of patients (45% complete [CR] and 46% partial [PR]) within 3-8 days. Overall (OS), median (MST), and pain-free (PFS) survival was 174, 150, and 122 days. Breast tumors had a higher OS (279 days) than that of other primary tumors, but when analyzed by treatment, was not significantly different than prostate tumors in Arm A. No survival differences were found in patients with PS 1-2 vs. 3-4, CR vs. PR, bone with/without visceral metastases, or by the number of metastases (< or > 15 bone lesions). Quality of life (QOL) assessed by the percent of the remaining life free of pain was 71%; furthermore significant improvements in PS, pain, and narcotic scores were seen after HBI. Toxicity was very acceptable (41% none, 50% mild/moderate, 12% severe but transitory); more was seen with upper HBI. CONCLUSION: In terms of response, time to response, OS, MST, PFS, QOL, and toxicity, schedules for Arms A and C were similar for all but prostate primaries. Schedule for Arm B, which delivered the lowest biologic dose in the shortest time, had significantly worse results in pain relief, OS, MST, PFS, and QOL. Results indicate that, for most primary tumor types (except prostate), delivering two HBI daily doses of 3 Gy in 2 consecutive days is as effective as delivering a daily dose of 3 Gy for 5 consecutive days. Thus, this is a faster and much more convenient HBI schedule for the palliation of pain in widespread cancer.

Urticaria from Trichomonas vaginalis infection.

We report the case of a 32-year-old woman who had pruritic urticarial skin lesions associated with episodes of arthralgia. The first site affected by the eruption was the inside surface of the thighs; the patient also reported the presence of leukorrhea. The woman had previously been treated with H1 antagonist with moderate and transitory results; skin lesions reappeared just after the interruption of the treatment. Her biochemical data showed increased levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, blood eosinophilia and hypocomplementemia. Antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor, cryoglobulins and serological diagnosis for hepatitis or mononucleosis viruses resulted negative. Considering the initial site of the cutaneous features and the presence of leukorrhea, we requested a vaginal smear and a culture of the cervical secretion, which revealed the presence of a Trichomonas infection. Furthermore, the SDS-PAGE revealed the presence of a molecular mass of 230,000 Da (230-kDa) in the serum, which indicated a Trichomonas surface protein. The following treatment with oral metronidazole caused the eradication of the Trichomonas infection after 3 weeks and subsequently the resolution of the urticarial clinical features. We wish to underline that in the presence of a case of urticaria vasculitis syndrome which seems to be without cause, it is important to investigate every diagnostic suspicion scrupulously.

Biological screening of plants of the Venezuelan Amazons.

A total of 21 extracts derived from 17 different plant species collected in Venezuelan Amazons have been tested for the following biological activities: cardiovascular activity, brine shrimp lethality, and inhibitory effects on the hydrolysis of glucose-6-phosphate in intact and disrupted microsomes. Eight extracts diminished rat blood pressure with or without changes in heart rate. The fruit extract of Swartzia leptopetala and the leaf and twig extract of Connarus lambertii resulted in death of experimental animals. The majority of extracts (17 extracts) showed significant toxicity against Artemia salina. Concerning the hydrolysis of glucose-6-phosphate, better inhibitory effects were observed in intact microsomes than in disrupted ones for all the extracts, suggesting that these extracts intervene with variable potency in glucose-6-phosphate transport through the microsomal membrane.

Effects of Bauhinia megalandra aqueous leaf extract on intestinal glucose absorption and uptake by enterocyte brush border membrane vesicles.

Aqueous extract of Bauhinia megalandra leaves was able to inhibit the intestinal glucose absorption in a concentration-dependent way and additive to phlorizine. Moreover, B. megalandra leaf extract drastically reduced the 14C-glucose uptake by enterocyte brush border membrane vesicles. The B. megalandra leaf extract administrated orally, simultaneously with glucose improved the glucose tolerance with a significant reduction of the 30-min peak. The extract did not have an effect on the glucose tolerance when glucose was administrated subcutaneously.

Analysis of food habits of skate Rioraja agassizii (Elasmobranchii, Rajidae) from southern Brazil / Análise quantitativa dos hábitos alimentares da raia Rioraja agassizii (Elasmobranchii, Rajidae) do Sudeste e Sul do Brasil

Abstract Catches and exports of skate Rioraja agassizii place this species as “vulnerable to extinction” on the IUCN Red List; therefore, biological and ecological knowledge becomes an important instrument for its conservation control. This study described and quantified the diet composition of R. agassizii by means of stomach analysis contents in the periods 2005-2006 and 2012-2013. We analyzed and quantified stomach contents in terms of abundance (%N), weight (%M), frequency of occurrence (% FO), and index of relative importance (IRI). The results showed differences in the food rates between the periods. However, the groups of food items were the same: Teleostei fish, decapods, and mollusks. In 2005-2006, the diet consisted mainly of shrimp, however, in 2012-2013 it consisted of fish, followed by decapods, especially shrimps. The differences in diets may be attributed to shrimp abundance, which do not characterize a change in the eating habits in 2012-2013, because, in addition to fish, shrimps were also important food sources. The presence of a certain prey is more related to its availability rather than the feeding preference of skate. The amount of ingested items is associated to biological and environmental factors, so that further studies relating diet with capture area, seasonality, depth, and other factors should be conducted.

Resumo A raia-santa, Rioraja agassizii é uma espécie endêmica da qual pouco se conhece sobre sua biologia e ecologia, o que a leva a ser classificada como “vulnerável a extinção”. O objetivo foi identificar e quantificar a composição da dieta alimentar da R. agassizii através da análise do conteúdo estomacal de exemplares capturados nos períodos de 2005-2006 e 2012-2013. Foram analisados os conteúdos alimentares e quantificados em abundância (N%), peso (M%), frequência de ocorrência (FO%) e índice de importância relativa (IRI) de cada item. Os resultados mostraram que em 2012-13 a dieta foi composta por peixes, seguido de decápodes, especialmente camarões, entretanto em 2005-06 foi composta basicamente por camarões. A diferença nas dietas não quer dizer que os hábitos alimentares mudaram, pois em 2012-13 além dos peixes, os camarões também foram classificados como maior importância alimentar. Considerando que a quantidade e variedade dos itens ingeridos está relacionada, principalmente, a fatores ambientais são necessários mais estudos que relacionem áreas de captura, sazonalidade e profundidade.