Synergistic Effect of Composite Nickel Phosphide Nanoparticles and Carbon Fiber on the Enhancement of Salivary Enzyme-Free Glucose Sensing.

An electrospinning method was used for the preparation of an in situ composite based on Ni2P nanoparticles and carbon fiber (FC). The material was tested for the first time against direct glucose oxidation reaction. The Ni2P nanoparticles were distributed homogeneously throughout the carbon fibers with a composition determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of 40 wt% Ni2P and 60 wt% carbon fiber without impurities in the sample. The electrochemical measurement results indicate that the GCE/FC/Ni2P in situ sensor exhibits excellent catalytic activity compared to the GCE/Ni2P and GCE/FC/Ni2P ex situ electrodes. The GCE/FC/Ni2P in situ sensor presents a sensitivity of 1050 µAmM-1cm-2 in the range of 5-208 µM and a detection limit of 0.25 µM. The sensor was applied for glucose detection in artificial saliva, with a low interference observed from normally coexisting electroactive species. In conclusion, our sensor represents a novel and analytical competitive alternative for the development of non-enzymatic glucose sensors in the future.

NGO Partnerships in Using Ecotourism for Conservation: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

We analyse 214 cases worldwide where non-governmental organisations (NGOs) use ecotourism for conservation. Other stakeholders in these initiatives include local communities, the private sector, and government agencies. Stakeholder relationships determine NGO roles and project management structures and governance. We classified cases into 10 structural categories based on the initiating stakeholder and the NGO role, and used these categories to analyze geographic patterns and success factors. Most of the 214 cases are community-based (~170; 79%); most are in developing countries (190; 89%); and most are in protected areas (196; 91%). Frequencies of structural categories differ between continents. More cases in Latin America and Asia are initiated by NGOs and local communities, and more in Africa by the private sector. Case-study authors used a range of economic, socio-cultural and environmental criteria to judge whether projects were successful. At global scale, we found no significant association between project success and the involvement of private tourism entrepreneurs. Projects involving either local or international NGOs had higher success rates than those that involved both simultaneously. Future research could adopt political ecology approaches to examine: the factors that lead NGOs to adopt ecotourism enterprises; their internal decision-making processes and strategies; their interactions with the stakeholders involved; and their conservation goals and outcomes.

Development of a nanoparticle-based oral vaccine for Atlantic salmon against ISAV using an alphavirus replicon as adjuvant.

Adjuvants used in vaccine aquaculture are frequently harmful for the fish, causing melanosis, granulomas and kidney damage. Along with that, vaccines are mostly administered by injection, causing pain and stress to the fish. We used the DNA coding for the replicase of alphavirus as adjuvant (Ad) of a vaccine against ISAV. The Ad and an inactivated ISAV (V) were loaded in chitosan nanoparticles (NPs) to be administered orally to Atlantic salmon. NP-Ad was able to deliver the DNA ex vivo and in vivo. Oral administration of the NPs stimulated the expression of immune molecules, but did not stimulate the humoral response. Although the vaccination with NP-V results in a modest protection of fish against ISAV, NP-V administered together with NP-Ad caused a protection of 77%. Therefore, the DNA coding for the replicase of alphavirus could be administered orally and can potentiate the immuneprotection of a virine against infection.

Avaliação de erros em exames radiográficos intrabucais realizada por acadêmicos de odontologia/UFAM / Evaluation of errors in intraoral radiographs by students of dentistry/UFAM

O objetivo deste estudo é analisar as radiografi as intrabucais realizadas no Setor de Radiologia, determinando o tipo de erro mais comum e relacionando-o com o tempo e região radiografada. Para tal, dois examinadores previamente calibrados entre si (Kappa= 0,83) observaram as radiografi as quanto ao erro de técnica e erro de processamento. Os dados foram analisados pela estatística descritiva e através teste do Qui-quadrado de Pearson e Fisher, quando aplicável. Os resultados demonstraram que, do total de 281 radiografi as analisadas, em 224 (79,7%) foi identifi cado algum tipo de erro. Quanto aos erros de técnica, a maior porcentagem ocorreu por angulagem vertical incorreta em 79 (28,1%) e, dos erros de processamento, em 42 (14,9%) por manchas. Quando avaliada a relação do tipo de erro com a arcada radiografada, a angulagem vertical manteve-se como o erro mais comum na arcada superior em 58 (41,1%), porém, na arcada inferior, o erro mais comum foi por corte do dente/parte dele em 39 (35,5%). Quando avaliado tempo da disciplina e tipo de erro, observou-se diferença estatisticamente signifi cante entre o início e o término da Disciplina quanto à presença de erro de angulagem vertical (p=0,001). Pode-se concluir que o erro de técnica mais comum foi angulagem vertical e de processamento, radiografi as manchadas, havendo diminuição durante a prática do ensino

The aim of this study is to analyze the intraoral radiographs performed in the Radiology, determining the most common type of error and relating it to the time and region imaged. To this fi nality, two calibrated examiners together (Kappa = 0.83) observed radiographs as technical error and processing error. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test of Pearson and Fisher, when applicable. The results showed that from the total of 281 analyzed radiographs, in 224 (79.7%) was identifi ed some type of error. Among the errors of technique, the highest percentage was incorrect vertical angulation in 79 (28.1%), and processing errors, in 42 (14.9%) of spots. When evaluating the relationship of the type of error with the arcade imaged, the vertical angulation remained as the most common mistake in the upper 58 (41.1%), however, in the lower arch was the most common mistake by cutting the tooth / 39 part of it (35.5%). When measured time of discipline and type of error, there was a statistically signifi cant difference between the beginning and end of the Discipline for the presence of vertical angulation error (p = 0.001). It can be concluded that the most common errors were vertical angulation technique and processing, stained radiographs, with decreased during teaching practice

Ensayo inmunoenzimático en fase sólida para la detección de antígenos de Giardia lamblia / Immunoenzymatic assay in solid phase for the detection of Giardia lamblia antigens

Se normalizó un sandwich ELISA para la detección de antígenos de Giardia lamblia en heces humanas. Se estudiaron 175 muestras: 77 positivas, 61 negativas a quistes y/o trofozoítos por el examen directo de las heces y 19 muestras positivas a otros parásitos diferentes de G. lamblia. La sensibilidad de la técnica fue de 94,8 por ciento y la especificidad de 98,3 por ciento, el método detecta una concentración de antígenos de 31 ng. El procedimiento es simple, sensible y específico, por lo que pudiera ser útil para el diagnóstico y en estudios epidemiológicos

Ensayo inmunoenzimático en fase sólida para la detección de antígenos de Giardia lamblia / Immunoenzymatic assay in solid phase for the detection of Giardia lamblia antigens

Se normalizó un sandwich ELISA para la detección de antígenos de Giardia lamblia en heces humanas. Se estudiaron 175 muestras: 77 positivas, 61 negativas a quistes y/o trofozoítos por el examen directo de las heces y 19 muestras positivas a otros parásitos diferentes de G. lamblia. La sensibilidad de la técnica fue de 94,8 por ciento y la especificidad de 98,3 por ciento, el método detecta una concentración de antígenos de 31 ng. El procedimiento es simple, sensible y específico, por lo que pudiera ser útil para el diagnóstico y en estudios epidemiológicos(AU)