Capsulated essential oil in gel spheres for the protection of cellulosic cultural heritage.

In this paper we present a possible application of cinnamon essential oil to be encapsulated into gel drops of psyllium and of psyllium-alginate mixtures and to be released by the beads. It could act as green biocide for the protection of antique books, old documents and, generally, of any cellulosic material (paper, wood, textiles) object of cultural interest from biological attack. The components of the cinnamon essential oil, released by alginate, psyllium-alginate and purified psyllium-alginate beads, were determined by GC-MS analysis. Moreover, an evaluation of the cinnamon essential oil release during the time was carried out by in time HS-SPME-GS-MS so to obtain in time semi-quantitative information about the emitted gaseous species. Last by, in order to confirm the ability of the beads to perform an antimicrobial action, respirometric tests were carried out on Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells looking at the reduction of their breathing activity, when in presence of the above beads.

Electrochemical monitoring of plastic artefacts degradation.

Plastic materials are being used in art: in Italy, for instance, two Art Museums are already presenting only plastic artefacts. As organic matter, plastic suffers degradation and chemical and biological attacks beyond obvious ageing process. Here, we propose an electrochemical approach aiming at the evaluation of the conditions of a plastic object, so giving the opportunity of protection and conservation strategies. The method is very cheap, easy to be handled and absolutely non-invasive, and is based on the monitoring of acidity emitted by a degrading plastic basing on corrosion potential of target metals acting as sensors.

The HLA DRB1*03:01 allele is associated with NMO regardless of the NMO-IgG status in Brazilian patients from Rio de Janeiro.

The aim of this study was to analyze the HLA class II alleles in neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and MS patients from Rio de Janeiro to clarify whether the pattern of genetic predisposition in NMO is different from the one seen in MS or whether it is possible to determine specific alleles of susceptibility or resistance. The DR3 haplotype was over represented in NMO while the DR15 was over represented in MS. The HLA-DRB1*03:01 allele was associated with NMO regardless the NMO-IgG status but did not influence the long term disability. The comparison of the allele and haplotype frequencies significantly discriminated patients with NMO vs. MS.

Efeito da suplementação de óleo de cártamo sobre o peso corporal, perfil lipídico, glicídico e antioxidante de ratos wistar induzidos a obesidade / Effects of safflower oil supplementation on body weight, glucose and lipid profile and antioxidant capacity in rats with diet-induced obesity

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da suplementação de óleo de cártamo sobre peso corporal, perfis lipídico e glicídico e capacidade da atividade antioxidante enzimática em ratos Wistar induzidos à obesidade por dieta hiperlipídica. Utilizaram-se 28 ratos adultos, machos, distribuídos em quatro grupos experimentais: Grupo Controle e dieta normolipídica (GCN); Grupo controle e dieta hiperlipídica (GCH); Grupo Óleo de cártamo e dieta normolipídica (GNOC) e Grupo Óleo de cártamo e dieta hiperlipídica (GHOC). Durante 30 dias, observaram-se consumo alimentar e peso corporal e, ao final do experimento, glicemia, perfil lipídico, formação de Substâncias Reativas ao Ácido Tiobarbitúrico (TBARS) e atividade das enzimas antioxidantes: Catalase (CAT), Glutationa Peroxidase (GHS-Px) e Superóxido dismutase (SOD). Os resultados demonstraram que o consumo alimentar foi menor nos grupos tratados com óleo de cártamo e a média do peso corporal foi inferior no GNOC e superior no GCH. Houve aumento das concentrações de Lipoproteína de Alta Densidade (HDL-colesterol) no GNOC. Os grupos GCH e GHOC demonstraram médias de TBARS superiores a dos grupos GCN e GNOC. O GCH apresentou menor GSH-Px e o GHOC, menor atividadede CAT quando comparado aos grupos GCN e GNOC. Concluiu-se que a suplementação com óleo de cártamo reduziu consumo alimentar e o ganho de peso corporal dos animais aumentou o HDL-colesterol no grupo com dieta normolipídica, mas não foi capaz de prevenir o aumento da peroxidação lipídica induzida pela dieta hiperlipídica, embora tenha evitado a redução da atividade antioxidante enzimática representada pela GHS-Px...

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of safflower oil supplementation on body weight, glucose and lipid profiles and the antioxidant enzyme activities in Wistar rats with high-fat diet-induced obesity. The 28 adult male rats were divided into four groups: Control Group fed on Standard (low-fat) Diet (GCN); Control Group fed on High-fat Diet (GCH); Safflower Oil Group with Standard Diet (GNOC) and Safflower Oil Group with High-fat Diet (GHOC). Food intake and body weight were monitored for 30 days. At the end of the experiment, blood was collected for assays of blood glucose, lipid profile, formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and antioxidant enzyme activities: viz. catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The results showed that food intake was lower in the groups treated with safflower oil and that the average body weight was lower in GNOC and higher in GCH. There were increased concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL cholesterol) in GNOC. Both high-fat groups (GCH and GHOC) showed higher average TBARS than GCN and GNOC. GCH showed lower GSH-Px activity and GHOC showed lower CAT activity than GCN and GNOC. It was concluded that supplementation with safflower oil reduced the food intake and body weight of the animals, and increased the HDL-cholesterol in the normal diet group, but did not prevent the increase in lipid peroxidation induced by the high-fat diet, despite having prevented the reduction of the antioxidant enzyme activity of GSH-Px...

Biosensors for monitoring the isothermal breakdown kinetics of peanut oil heated at 180°C. Comparison with results obtained for extra virgin olive oil.

The present research was devoted to studying the kinetics of the artificial rancidification of peanut oil (PO) when a sample of this oil was isothermally heated at 180°C in an air stream. The formation of radical species due to heating was evaluated using a radical index whose value was determined using a biosensor method based on a superoxide dismutase (SOD), while the increasing toxicity was monitored using a suitable toxicity measuring probe based on the Clark electrode and immobilized yeast cells. An extra virgin olive oil was isothermally rancidified under the same experimental conditions and the corresponding data were used for the purpose of comparison. Both the so-called "model-fitting" and the classical kinetic methods were applied to the isothermal process biosensor data in order to obtain the kinetic constant rate value at 180°C.

Side-to-side cavocavostomy in adult piggyback liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to perform a retrospective study that described the anastomosis technique as well as the complications of side-to-side cavo-caval reconstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From June 1998 to April 2011, we performed 284 liver transplantations including 10 adults with live donor organs. In all cases but 2 (272), cavo-caval reconstruction was performed using side-to-side cavo-caval (STSCC) anastomosis. In 19 cases (6.9%), we also carried out an end-to-side temporary porto-caval shunt (TPCS). In 17 cases (6.2%) the technique was performed for retransplantation. RESULTS: STSCC anastomosis was technically feasible in all but 2 cases, regardless of the recipient's vena cava, anatomic factors, or graft size. Mean operative time for the STSCC was 13 minutes (range, 6-25). Routine Doppler ultrasonography was performed intraoperatively at the end of the surgery. There was no case of cava stump thrombosis. Complications associated with this technique were limited to 2 patients. One complication was torsion due to donor graft/recipient mismatch, which was successfully treated surgically by falciform ligament fixation. The second complication was only evident by sinusoidal congestion and was managed nonoperatively. Seventeen cases were uneventful for retransplant recipients. CONCLUSIONS: STSCC during piggyback liver transplantation is safe and can be performed in the retransplantation setting, with a low incidence of venous outflow obstruction that can be associated with the traditional piggyback technique. Our data suggest that donor graft to recipient mismatch is not an absolute contraindication when proper body size match is considered. A wide anastomosis with typical recipient hepatic vein inclusion is warranted with routine postanastomotic Doppler ultrasonography.

Multiorgan retrieval and horseshoe kidney: case report.

Horseshoe kidney, a congenital anatomic condition with fusion of the kidney poles, causes the organ to be placed around the aorta usually below the origin of the mesenteric artery. This congenital disorder affects about 1 in 400 people. Retrieval for multiorgan transplantation dissects and canulates major abdominal vessels, aorta and vena cava, below the renal vessels to infuse refrigerated preservation solution. The presence of a horseshoe kidney could be a hazard for the retrieval team when cannulating when following standard techniques. We have described herein a surgical maneuver exposing the anterior surface of the aorta for canulation. We transected the horseshoe kidney in the midline with the use of a linear cutter stapler GIA 60 mm (Ethicon), after previously ligating both kidney pedicles. This technique was safely performed without the need for cannulation through the iliac vessels.

Development of microbial engineered whole-cell systems for environmental benzene determination.

This paper reports the development of two recombinant bacterial systems that can be used to monitor environmental benzene contamination based on Escherichia coli, which carry genes coding for benzene dioxygenase and benzene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas putida MST. E. coli strains express these two enzymes under the control of the Ptac promoter or without any induction. These activities can be detected electrochemically or colorimetrically and used to monitor benzene pollution in environmental air samples collected from an oil refinery assessing benzene by different laboratory experimental procedures. The procedures involving whole-cell bioassays determine the concentration of benzene through benzene dioxygenase activity, which allows for direct correlation of oxygen consumption, and through the benzene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase that causes catechol accumulation and restores NADH necessary for the activity of the first enzyme. Oxygen consumption and catechol production deriving from both enzymatic activities are related to benzene concentration and their measurements determined the sensitivity of the system. The results indicated that the sensitivity was enough to detect the benzene vapor at a lower concentration level of 0.01 mM in about 30 min. The possibility for on-line monitoring of benzene concentration by our new recombinant cells results from the fact that no particular treatment of environmental samples is required. This is a major advantage over other biosensors or assays. Moreover, the development of microbial cells that did not require any addition or effectors for the transcription of the specific enzymes, allowed these systems to be more versatile in automated environmental benzene monitoring.

Cytomegalovirus infection after liver transplantation: prophylaxis and preemptive treatment--a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection represents one of the most frequent opportunistic infections following solid-organ transplantation. The incidence and severity of CMV infection depend on the immunosuppressive regimen, the CMV serostatus of donor and recipient, and the type of transplant. METHODS: We evaluated CMV infection rates during the last 2 years in our center: March 2007 to March 2009. We enrolled 55 patients-13 females and 42 males-who underwent liver transplantation (OLT) due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) cirrhosis (n = 9), hepatitis B virus (HBV) cirrhosis (n = 5) HCC both on HCV and HBV cirrhosis (n = 37), or autoimmune disease (n = 4). Fifty percent of the patients received tacrolimus (TRL) and the others cyclosporine (CsA), both dosed according to weight. All patients received oral acyclovir (400 mg/td or less, adapted to renal function) as herpes simplex prophylaxis for 6 months. CMV prophylaxis prescribed CMV- hyperimmunoglobulin on postoperative days 1 and 7. CMV infection was monitored using polymerase chain reaction (PCR <1000 IU/mL) according to the following schedule: every week for the first month, every 2 weeks from month 2 to 3 and monthly from month 4 to 6. Patients were treated when three positive PCR results not affected by immunosuppressive dose reduction or when the PCR showed DNA greater than three times the limit of detection. CMV treatment stipulated valgancyclovir (900 mg twice daily) until three consecutive PCRs were negative or for 3 months dosed according to renal function. PCR was measured every 2 weeks during treatment. RESULTS: Among the patients who were all D(+)/R(+) (CMV-Immunoglobulin G [IgG](+)/IgG(+)). 10 required treatment (18%) within 3 months from OLT. There subjects were prescribed TRL (n = 4) or CsA (n = 6). No renal impairment was observed among treated patients. Of those having the infection, one died due to other causes-sepsis from candida at 5 months after OLT. CONCLUSION: CMV-hyperimmunoglobulin on postoperative days 1 and 7 did not confer protection for CMV among OLT patients. Preemptive treatment with intravenous gancyclovir plus valgancyclovir per os seemed to be useful and safe in infected patients requiring treatment.

Organophosphorus and carbamate pesticide analysis using an inhibition tyrosinase organic phase enzyme sensor; comparison by butyrylcholinesterase+choline oxidase opee and application to natural waters.

Recent research performed in our laboratory (using a butyrylcholinesterase+choline oxidase enzyme electrode) suggested the validity of the biosensor approach using enzyme inhibition OPEEs (i.e. enzyme electrodes working in organic phase) in the case of organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides, which are poorly soluble in aqueous solutions. Since these pesticides are generally much more soluble in chloroform than in water, the present research aimed at analysing this class of pesticides using a tyrosinase inhibition OPEE operating in water-saturated chloroform medium. The tyrosinase biosensor was assembled using an oxygen amperometric transducer coupled to the tyrosinase enzyme, immobilized in kappa-carrageenan gel. Lastly a detailed comparison between the inhibition monoenzymatic tyrosinase and inhibition bienzymatic (butyrylcholinesterase+choline oxidase) OPEEs was performed and discussed in this work.

Salicylic acid determination in cow urine and drugs using a bienzymatic sensor.

An enzymatic biosensor was developed for salicylic acid (salicylate ion) determined using a Clark type gas diffusion electrode and two enzymes (tyrosinase and salicylate hydroxylase) entrapped in a cellulose triacetate membrane. After optimization, the method was applied to the determination of salicylic acid in cow urine. Relatively good recoveries were achieved, between about 83% and 109%, using the calibration curve, and acceptable precision (R.S.D. about 8%). The method is now being tested for the determination of salicylic acid contained in commercially available drug specialities or galenic products. So far agreement with nominal values has been found to be between 75% and 110% with a R.S.D. of less than 8%.

Tyrosinase inhibition organic phase biosensor for triazinic and benzotriazinic pesticide analysis (part two).

Several triazine pesticides, such as atrazine, are much more soluble in several organic solvents, such as chloroform, than in water. Our recent research was aimed at analyzing this class of pesticides using tyrosinase OPEE (organic phase enzyme electrodes), exploiting their inhibiting action on the tyrosinase enzyme when operating in water-saturated chloroform medium. In this work we studied the response of a tyrosinase inhibition enzyme sensor to several triazinic (simazine, propazine, terbuthylazine) and benzotriazinic (azinphos-ethyl and azinphos-methyl) pesticides (LOD=0.5x10(-9) mol l(-1)). Recovery trials were also performed in vegetal matrixes (corn, barley, lentils). Lastly, the effect of the solvent (chloroform or water) on the inhibition process was investigated via Hill's equation and the diffusion of analyte from the solvent to the enzyme membrane.

Antioxidant capacity of the algae using a biosensor method.

Three different methods, i.e. a biosensor method, a voltammetric method and a spectrophotometric method, have been used to evaluate the total antioxidant capacity of certain types of algae. In the final evaluation of the data also the variation in time of the antioxidant capacity of cultivated algae was considered and some experimental factors, such as the use of different solvent mixtures to extract the antioxidant substances contained in the algae, were discussed.

Further applications of a new biosensor method for dating cellulosic finds.

Using a cellulosic material dating method recently proposed by three of the authors of the present article further applications to real samples are discussed. In the first instance, to wood samples, that is, to a type of sample for which the method was specifically developed but with the samples differing widely in age, and then to textile or paper samples. Of course in the latter two cases the results obtained are still quite preliminary, above all because of the difficulty of procuring certainly dated samples of this type.

Effects of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) on the toxicity of a mixture of pharmaceuticals.

The possibility of applying main AOP techniques, namely ozonation, H2O2/UV photolysis and TiO2 photocatalysis to provide a significant reduction of toxicity of pharmaceutical mixtures has been evaluated. For the preparation of the mixture six pharmaceuticals were chosen among those found at highest concentrations in Sewage Treatment Plant effluents, namely carbamazepine, clofibric acid, diclofenac, sulfamethoxazole, ofloxacin and propranolol. The blue-green alga Synechococcus leopoliensis and the rotifer Brachyonus calyciflorus were utilised to assess the toxicity of the mixtures after AOP treatments. All the toxicity tests were performed using chronic standardized bioassays. The best results were obtained with ozonation. With this type of treatment a complete removal of mixture toxicity on S. leopolensis was obtained even after the shortest time of application (1 min). The ozonation treatment leads also to removal of all the pharmaceutical mixture toxicity on B. calyciflorus, by applying the oxidizing agent for at least for 2 minutes.

Comparison of fluorimetric, voltammetric and biosensor methods for the determination of total antioxidant capacity of drug products containing acetylsalicylic acid.

Antioxidant capacity of several drug specialities containing as mean component acetylsalicylic acid were experimentally evaluated using an enzymatic electrode, recently developed by the present authors, based on superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme. The precision of this method of analysis was found to be good (for drug samples RSD < or = 5%). The results were also compared with those ones by a traditional spectrofluorimetric method and by two other methods, respectively, based on cyclic and pulsed voltammetry, recently trialled by the present authors.

Biosensors for determination of total antioxidant capacity of phytotherapeutic integrators: comparison with other spectrophotometric, fluorimetric and voltammetric methods.

Enzymatic electrodes based on superoxide dismutase (SOD) biosensors, working both in aqueous and non-aqueous solutions, recently developed by the present authors, were used to experimentally evaluate the antioxidant capacity of several phytotherapeutic diet integrators. The precision of this method of analysis was found to be reasonable (R. S. D. < or = 10%). The results were also compared with those obtained using a traditional spectrophotometric method as well as a spectrofluorimetric method described in literature. Lastly, the comparison was extended to another method based on cyclic voltammetry currently being trialled by the present authors.

Determination of choline containing phospholipids in serum, bile and amniotic fluids by the derivative enzymatic-spectrophotometric method.

A comparison was performed of the analytical results obtained by applying a well-known enzymatic-spectrophotometric method for the determination of choline containing phospholipids in biological human fluids (sera, bile and amniotic fluids) following the standard procedure method, or else using the first or second derivative methods. In terms of result reproducibility the comparison was extended to include also a biosensor-based method developed in recent years by the present authors. Some advantages are associated with using the first derivative method in the case of serum samples containing blood traces, especially via the 'Gran's plot' method.

Biosensors for determination of total and natural antioxidant capacity of red and white wines: comparison with other spectrophotometric and fluorimetric methods.

Research was carried out to experimentally evaluate the antioxidant capacity of several red and white wines using a superoxide dismutase (SOD) biosensor recently developed by the present authors. Measurements were performed by comparing the biosensor response to increasing concentration of the superoxide radical produced in solution by the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system, both in the presence and absence of the test sample.The results were compared with those of two traditional spectrophotometric methods and of a spectrofluorimetric method described in literature.Lastly, also the polyphenol, sulfite and ascorbic acid contents of the different wine samples examined were measured using a tyrosinase biosensor, a sulfite oxidase biosensor and an ascorbate oxidase biosensor, respectively.

Determination of the antioxidant capacity of samples of different types of tea, or of beverages based on tea or other herbal products, using a superoxide dismutase biosensor.

Research was performed to experimentally evaluate the antioxidant capacity of different plant products sold by herbalists (ginger, dog rose, ginseng and camomile) and of several types of tea (ordinary tea, green tea, detheinated tea, lemon and peach flavoured tea) using a superoxide dismutase (SOD) biosensor recently developed by the present authors. Measurements were carried out by comparing biosensor response to the superoxide radical produced in solution using the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system, both in the presence and absence of the antioxidant sample considered. Precision of antioxidant capacity measures for herbal products and for non diluted samples was good, generally with a R.S.D.%< or =10% and a LOD value about 0.1 for relative antioxidant capacity. Also a "pool" of polyphenols from different tea samples was measured using a tyrosinase biosensor (LOD approximately 2 microM).