Pacific subduction control on Asian continental deformation including Tibetan extension and eastward extrusion tectonics.

The India-Asia collision has formed the highest mountains on Earth and is thought to account for extensive intraplate deformation in Asia. The prevailing explanation considers the role of the Pacific and Sunda subduction zones as passive during deformation. Here we test the hypothesis that subduction played an active role and present geodynamic experiments of continental deformation that model Indian indentation and active subduction rollback. We show that the synchronous activity and interaction of the collision zone and subduction zones explain Asian deformation, and demonstrate that east-west extension in Tibet, eastward continental extrusion and Asian backarc basin formation are controlled by large-scale Pacific and Sunda slab rollback. The models require 1740 ± 300 km of Indian indentation such that backarc basins form and central East Asian extension conforms estimates. Indentation and rollback produce ~260-360 km of eastward extrusion and large-scale clockwise upper mantle circulation from Tibet towards East Asia and back to India.

Mutational characterization of the P3H1/CRTAP/CypB complex in recessive osteogenesis imperfecta.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disease characterized by bone deformities and fractures. Most cases are caused by autosomal dominant mutations in the type I collagen genes COL1A1 and COL1A2; however, an increasing number of recessive mutations in other genes have been reported. The LEPRE1, CRTAP, and PPIB genes encode proteins that form the P3H1/CRTAP/CypB complex, which is responsible for posttranslational modifications of type I collagen. In general, mutations in these genes lead to severe and lethal phenotypes of recessive OI. Here, we describe sixteen genetic variations detected in LEPRE1, CRTAP, and PPIB from 25 Brazilian patients with OI. Samples were screened for mutations on single-strand conformation polymorphism gels and variants were determined by automated sequencing. Seven variants were detected in patients but were absent in control samples. LEPRE1 contained the highest number of variants, including the previously described West African allele (c.1080+1G>T) found in one patient with severe OI as well as a previously undescribed p.Trp675Leu change that is predicted to be disease causing. In CRTAP, one patient carried the c.558A>G homozygous mutation, predicted as disease causing through alteration of a splice site. Genetic variations detected in the PPIB gene are probably not pathogenic due to their localization or because of their synonymous effect. This study enhances our knowledge about the mutational pattern of the LEPRE1, CRTAP, and PPIB genes. In addition, the results strengthen the proposition that LEPRE1 should be the first gene analyzed in mutation detection studies in patients with recessive OI.

Effect of breeding activity on the microflora of the external genitalia and in the semen of stallions, and the relationship between micro-organisms on the skin and on the external genitalia.

A possible role of breeding activities in the composition of the microbial population in stallions' external genitalia (EG) and the relationship between micro-organisms colonizing the skin of the abdomen and the ones colonizing the EG have not been studied. In experiment 1, EG microbiological samples were collected from 41 stallions used for both natural cover and semen collection (BST) and from 18 non-breeding stallions (NBST). A higher (p < 0.05) frequency of isolation of potentially pathogenic species was found for BST. Age did not influence number of micro-organism species isolated both in BST and NBST. In experiment 2, the microbial content of the EG and semen was compared in 23 BST. Most micro-organisms isolated from the EG were present in semen, albeit with a numerically lower prevalence. In 7 stallions, six microbial species isolated from semen were absent from the EG cultures, suggesting contamination by the operator. In experiment 3, a numerically higher number of micro-organism species was isolated from the EG of 31 stallions, than from their skin of the ventral abdomen in contact with the penis or from the skin of the thorax. With the sole exception of Escherichia coli, potentially pathogenic bacteria were only isolated from the EG but not from the skin. Results suggest that breeding activity increased the number of species colonizing the EG; most species isolated from the EG were also found in semen even if with a lower frequency, and additional semen contamination seemed to occur during its manipulation. Many micro-organism species of the skin were also isolated from the penis, but independently of being or not in contact with the penis, skin did not seem to provide an adequate environment for the growth of potentially pathogenic bacteria that were isolated from EG, with the sole exception for E. coli.

[Treatment of olive mill wastewater by a process combining an intensive treatment (Jet-Loop reactor) followed by an extensive treatment (stabilization ponds)]. / Traitement des effluents d'huileries par un procédé combinant un traitement intensif (Jet-Loop reactor) suivi d'un traitement extensif (bassins de stabilisation).

Olive oil mill wastewater (OMW) is generally recognized as an environmentally troublesome by-product of the olive oil industry as its disposal without any treatment is known to cause serious environmental problems. However, this effluent has a high fertilizing power and constitutes, with urban wastewater, an important low-cost source. Biological treatment of OMW, with a process combining an aerobic reactor, 'Jet-Loop', and waste stabilization ponds, was investigated for possible agricultural reuse. The focus of the present study was to evaluate the contribution and the complementarity of the two systems in the total OMW treatment. Bio-treatment was performed using a 100-litre Jet-Loop reactor working volume achieving a chemical oxygen demand (COD) and phenolic compounds maximum removal rate of 72% and 68%, respectively, at a hydraulic retention time of 10 days. Co-treatment of OMW and domestic wastewater in waste stabilization ponds, with a hydraulic retention time of 22 days, reached a global removal rate of 66% for COD while no trace of phenolic compounds was detected on this level during the entire treatment period. Dynamics of faecal coliforms in stabilization ponds showed a total removal rate of 99.9% (3 logarithmic units (Log.U)). Preliminary results of agronomic tests on the ray-grass have evaluated the fertilizing effect of the final effluent resulting from the co-treatment.

Application of lime and calcium hypochlorite in the dephenolisation and discolouration of olive mill wastewater.

The application of hypochlorite for the removal of soluble COD, phenolic and polyphenolic like compounds, and other organic compounds responsible for the olive mill wastewater (OOWW) colour has been experimentally studied. After the OOWW filtration on a sand column, the effluent was subjected to a fast liming under optimal conditions. Lime application reduced polyphenols, COD and SS contents to half of their initial values but an important blackening of the treated OOWW was observed, especially when adding high concentrations of lime (10% (W/V) and 15% (W/V)). A second stage of treatment was applied using calcium hypochlorite. In this stage, removal of the studied compounds reached as much as 95% at higher concentrations, and particularly the colouring of OOWW which is generally difficult to eliminate was greatly reduced. The OOWW hypochloration acted through coagulation-flocculation and a rapid oxidation of the organic matter proceeded from the first 5min. The kinetic study of the degradation of the waste polluting compounds from liming showed that Ca(ClO)(2) reacts similarly in the elimination of organic compounds, polyphenols, SS and colouration. The analysis of the organochloride compounds generated by the reaction between hypochlorite and the organic compounds showed that DDD, DDT and the heptachlor contents exceeded the values recommended by the International and European drinking water standards.

Titanium dioxide determination in sunscreen by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence methodology.

Nowadays there are many sun-protection cosmetics incorporating chemical and/or physical UV filters as active ingredients and there are no official methods to determine these kinds of compounds in sunscreen cosmetics. The objective of this work is to estimate TiO(2) concentration, without sample preparation, employing a portable energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF), aiming to estimate the sun protection factor (SPF) due to the physical barrier in sunscreen composition, and also identify the metals present in the samples. A portable EDXRF system was used for the analysis of fifteen commercial samples. It was also prepared three formulations estimated in FPS-30 using TiO(2) at 5%. Quantification was performed using calibration curves with standards from 1 to 30%. The physical barrier contribution in the SPF, associated to Ti concentration, was determined for all samples. The presence of some elements, like K, Zn, Br and Sr was detected in the sunscreen, identifying chemical elements that were not cited in the formulations. Three commercial samples were analyzed for total SPF determination and the result shows that the measured value is 10% lower than the nominal one.

Cardiovascular effects of Sida cordifolia leaves extract in rats.

The cardiovascular activity of the aqueous fraction of the hydroalcoholic extract of Sida cordifolia leaves (AFSC) was evaluated. In normotensive non-anaesthetized rats was observed that AFSC (5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 mg/kg, i.v.) induced hypotension (6 +/- 2%; 8 +/- 2%; 11 +/- 2%; 19 +/- 3% and 33 +/- 3%, respectively) and bradycardia (0.3 +/- 3%; 13 +/- 4%; 38 +/- 6%; 64 +/- 7% and 80 +/- 5%, respectively). Hypotensive response was completely abolished after atropine (2 mg/kg; i.v.) but potentialized after hexamethonium (20 mg/kg; i.v.) (12 +/- 2%; 21 +/- 5%; 28 +/- 3%; 32 +/- 2% and 32 +/- 3%, respectively), while bradycardic response was completely abolished after atropine (2 mg/kg; i.v.) and attenuated with hexamethonium (20 mg/kg; i.v.) (1 +/- 0.3%; 5 +/- 1%; 7 +/- 1%; 7 +/- 1% and 10 +/- 1%, respectively). In hexamethonium treated rats, L-NAME significantly attenuated the hypotensive response (9 +/- 2%; 14 +/- 1%; 16 +/- 1%; 16 +/- 2% and 22 +/- 3%, respectively). In normotensive anaesthetized and vagotomized rats, hypotensive and bradycardic responses were significantly attenuated (0.5 +/- 0.2%; 1 +/- 0.4%; 3 +/- 0.6%; 4 +/- 0.8% and 6 +/- 1%, respectively, n = 6, and 7 +/- 2%; 12 +/- 5%; 15 +/- 2%, 17 +/- 2% and 25 +/- 3%, respectively). The anaesthesia with sodium thiopental did not affect the AFSC-induced responses when compared with those induced in non-anaesthetized rats (data not showed). In conclusion, the results obtained so far show that AFSC produce hypotension and bradycardia, mainly due to a direct stimulation of the endothelial vascular muscarinic receptor and indirect cardiac muscarinic activation, respectively.

Molecular characterisation of a versatile peroxidase from a Bjerkandera strain.

The cloning and sequencing of the rbpa gene coding for a versatile peroxidase from a novel Bjerkandera strain is hereby reported. The 1777 bp isolated fragment contained a 1698 bp peroxidase-encoding gene, interrupted by 11 introns. The 367 amino acid-deduced sequence includes a 27 amino acid-signal peptide. The molecular model, built via homology modelling with crystal structures of four fungal peroxidases, highlighted the amino acid residues putatively involved in manganese binding and aromatic substrate oxidation. The potential heme pocket residues (R44, F47, H48, E79, N85, H177, F194 and D239) include both distal and proximal histidines (H48 and H177). RBP possesses potential calcium-binding residues (D49, G67, D69, S71, S178, D195, T197, I200 and D202) and eight cysteine residues (C3, C15, C16, C35, C121, C250, C286, C316). In addition, RBP includes residues involved in substrate oxidation: three acidic residues (E37, E41 and D183)--putatively involved in manganese binding and H83 and W172--potentially involved in oxidation of aromatic substrates. Characterisation of nucleotide and amino acid sequences include RBP in versatile peroxidase group sharing catalytic properties of both LiP and MnP. In addition, the RBP enzyme appears to be closely related with the ligninolytic peroxidases from the Trametes versicolor strain.

Anorectic and behavioural effects of chronic Cissampelos sympodialis treatment in female and male rats.

Male and female rats were treated daily for 13 weeks with an ethanol extract of Cissampelos sympodialis leaves (9, 45 and 225 mg[sol ]kg). The food consumption, body weight and behavioural effects in the open-field test were evaluated by weekly monitoring. The results showed that the extract chronic treatment in female rats (45 and 225 mg[sol ]kg) reduced significantly the food intake and the body weight, and produced several alterations in the open-field test. These findings indicate that repeated oral administration of the extract may produce a sex-dependent difference in anoretic and behavioural effects.

Microflora evaluation of two agro-industrial effluents treated by the JACTO jet-loop type reactor system.

Jet-loop type reactors developed in our group have been successfully used for biological treatment of winery and olive oil wastewaters. The objective of the present work was to study the influence of the reactor hydrodynamics, causing high shear stress applied on the nozzle and its influence on the composition of the microbial population. Winery and olive oil industry effluents were treated and analysed. Microbial consortia were enriched and selected under different bio-treatment conditions of the effluents. In the case of the winery wastewaters, the isolates identified belong to the genera of Pseudomonas and Bacillus. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was also present in the consortia but no filamentous fungi were detected. In the case of the olive oil wastewaters, Bacillus megaterium 2 was the predominant microorganism. It was not detected any type of fungi.

High-rate aerobic treatment of winery wastewater using bioreactors with free and immobilized activated sludge.

COD (chemical oxygen demand) removal rate and efficiency of winery wastewater (WW) aerobic treatments were evaluated in an air-bubble column bioreactor using self-adapted microbial populations either free or immobilized on polyurethane particles and in a packed-bed bioreactor immobilized on Raschig rings. The bioreactors were fed continuously for up to 12 months using WW of different origins and with different pollution loads (COD range, 0.8-11.0 kg.m(-3)): the maximum loading rate was approx. 8.8 kg-COD m(-3).d(-1). The highest COD removal rate (6.6 kg.m(-3).d(-1)) was obtained with free activated sludge in the bubble column bioreactor; treatment efficiency and hydraulic retention time were >90% and approx. 0.8 d, respectively. The microbial populations in the three reactors were characterized.

Bronchodilator activity of an aqueous fraction of an ethanol extract of the leaves of Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl. (Menispermaceae) in the guinea pig.

The bronchodilator activity of an aqueous fraction (AF) of a 70% hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves of Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl. was evaluated in the guinea-pig. The AF inhibited the spontaneous tone of the trachea (IC(50), 13.9 µg/ml), which was potentiated (IC(50), 4.6 µg/ml) by 3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine, blocked by ß(2) adrenoceptor blocking agent timolol, but unaffected by removal of epithelium or addition of NG-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester or methylene blue. The AF also antagonized contractions induced by carbachol, capsaicin and arachidonic acid in normal trachea and by ovalbumin in trachea obtained from sensitized guinea-pigs. The IC(50)-values in these experiments varied from 34.1-70.5 µg/ml. Further, the AF (100 mg/kg) by the more effective i.p. route increased the preconvulsive time of animals exposed to an aerosol of histamine to 63.5 ± 5 s 1 h after administration compared to 28 ± 1 s in the untreated group. In addition, the AF at 100 mg/kg i.p. or i.G. protected the sensitized guinea-pigs against anaphylactic shock induced by ovalbumin aerosol by 78.6 and 86.7% respectively.

Fermentaçäo alcoólica por Zymomonas mobilis CP4 ou por Saccharomyces cerevisiae em caldo de cana com e sem suplemento lipídico / Alcoholic fermentation by Zymomonas mobilis CP4 or Saccharomyces cerevisiae in sugar cane syrup with and without supplement lipid

The effect of soya bean oil deodorizing (SODD) on sugar cane juice fermentation in batch culture by zymomonas mobilis CP4 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae has beens investigated. At 15 per cent (w/v) total reducing sugars and no SODD added, the sugars were not fully metabolized as the results for Zymomonas and Saccharomyces were respectively: conversion efficiency 22.4 per cent and 12,2 per cent; maximum specific groth rate 0,20 h-1 and 0,21 h-1 whereas the biomass formed by the bacteria was about half that formed by the yeast as growth yield was 0,011 for Zymomonas and 0,026 for Saccharomyces. However, when cane juice was added with SODD 0,01 per cent(v/v) the sugars were more efficiency utilised as the results for Zymomonas and Saccharomyces raised respectively: 41,2 per cent and 17,6 per cent which are 84 per cent and 45 per cent higher as cane juice was used without SODD; 0,19 per cent and 0,21 per cent h-1, and Yx/s for zymomonas lowered to 0,008 and Saccharomyces increased to 0,044(AB)