Green technologies applied to low-NaCl fresh sausages production: Impact on oxidative stability, color formation, microbiological properties, volatile compounds, and sensory profile.

The influence of different concentrations of NaCl (2.5% and 1.75%), basic electrolyzed water (BEW), and ultrasound (US, 25 kHz, 159 W) on the quality of fresh sausages was studied. During storage at 5 °C, TBARS, pH, Eh, aw, nitrous pigments, and bacterial evolution were evaluated at three specific time intervals: 1d, 15d, and 30d. At the same time, the volatile compounds and sensory profile were specifically assessed on both the 1d and 30d. Notably, sausages with 1.75% NaCl and BEW displayed higher pH values (up to 6.30) and nitrous pigment formation, alongside reduced Eh (as low as 40.55 mV) and TBARS values (ranging from 0.016 to 0.134 mg MDA/kg sample), compared to the 2.5% NaCl variants. Protein content ranged between 13.01% and 13.75%, while lipid content was between 18.23% and 18.86%, consistent across all treatments. Psychrotrophic lactic bacteria showed a significant increase in low-NaCl sausages, ranging from 5.77 to 7.59 log CFU/g, indicative of potential preservative benefits. The sensory analysis favored the TUSBEW70 treatment for its salty flavor on the 30th day, reflecting a positive sensory acceptance. The study highlights that employing US and BEW in sausage preparation with reduced NaCl content (1.75%) maintains quality comparable to higher salt (2.5%) counterparts. These findings are crucial for meat processing, presenting a viable approach to producing healthier sausages with reduced sodium content without compromising quality, aligning with consumer health preferences and industry standards.

Encapsulated pepper blend in the diet of confined Holstein bullocks: effect on ruminal volatile fatty acid profiles, growth performance, and animal health.

Dairy bulls in feedlots have been a viable alternative for dairy producers to reinforce the family's income. Aspects such as balanced diets and proper management are essential for these animals to develop and allow an economic return fully. Plant extracts are performance enhancers and ruminal and intestinal health promoters. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate whether the addition of encapsulated pepper (EP) blend (Capsicum annuum, Capsicum frutescens, and Capsicum chinense - rich in capsaicin) interferes with the volatile fatty acid profile in the rumen and enhances the growth performance of Holstein bullocks in a feedlot. For the experiment, 24 whole bullocks were used, distributed into three treatments, with eight replicates per treatment (one animal as an experimental unit, kept in an individual stall): groups T0, T200, and T400, receiving 0 mg, 200 mg, and 400 mg EP/kg of concentrate, respectively. Knowing the intake of concentrate and the average body weight during the experiment, we calculated the dose in mg/kg/day of the EP; that is, the T200 animals consumed 2.45 mg EP/kg (body weight -BW)/day; and T400 consumed 4.9 mg EP/kg BW/day. The animals from T400 presented a more significant weight gain between days 15 and 45 of confinement compared to T0 (P=0.05). This same treatment (T400) had a trend of lower weight gain between days 46 and 90 (P=0.09). Likewise, the T400 group had higher feed efficiency than T0 between days 15 and 45. Furthermore, the treatments affected the white blood cell count, with the T400 bullocks showing a higher number of neutrophils and lymphocytes. Higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in the serum of steers from both groups that consumed pepper (P<0.01). Interaction between treatment × day was observed for the activity of glutathione enzymes (GST and GPx) and levels of lipoperoxidation (LPO) (characterized by antioxidant stimulation) associated with the reduction in serum LPO; similar antioxidant enzymes behavior was observed in the liver. In the small intestine (jejunum), the activities of antioxidant enzymes (GST and GPx) were lower in the two groups of cattle that consumed EP, and LPO was lower. The treatments affected the concentration of acetic acid in the rumen fluid, presenting lower levels in T400 compared to T200 and similar T0 (P≤0.05). There was an interaction of day vs. treatment for propionic acid, presenting a higher concentration on day 45 at T400 than T0. These results, therefore, allow us to conclude that adding 400 mg of pepper extract can be an excellent additive for weight gain at the beginning of the experiment; however, over time, this dose of additive negatively affects weight gain. Both EP doses stimulated serum and tissue antioxidant responses, reducing lipoperoxidation. However, the 400 mg EP/kg concentrate suggests a pro-inflammatory response (leukocytosis and elevated CRP), s probably related to the high dose (i.e., between 1.7 and 2.4 g/animal/day).

Heating Capacity and Biocompatibility of Hybrid Nanoparticles for Magnetic Hyperthermia Treatment.

Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases worldwide and has been responsible for millions of deaths. However, developing a satisfactory smart multifunctional material combining different strategies to kill cancer cells poses a challenge. This work aims at filling this gap by developing a composite material for cancer treatment through hyperthermia and drug release. With this purpose, magnetic nanoparticles were coated with a polymer matrix consisting of poly (L-co-D,L lactic acid-co-trimethylene carbonate) and a poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymer. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction confirmed magnetite to be the only iron oxide in the sample. Cytotoxicity and heat release assays on the hybrid nanoparticles were performed here for the first time. The heat induction results indicate that these new magnetic hybrid nanoparticles are capable of increasing the temperature by more than 5 °C, the minimal temperature rise required for being effectively used in hyperthermia treatments. The biocompatibility assays conducted under different concentrations, in the presence and in the absence of an external alternating current magnetic field, did not reveal any cytotoxicity. Therefore, the overall results indicate that the investigated hybrid nanoparticles have a great potential to be used as carrier systems for cancer treatment by hyperthermia.

Preparation of Aspergillus niger 426 naringinases for debittering citrus juice utilization of agro-industrial residues / Preparación de naringinasas de Aspergillus niger 426 para el desamargado de jugo de cítricos aprovechamiento de residuos agroindustriales

Naringin, considered as the main bitter component of grapefruit, requires the use of enzymes to reduce the level of this substance during juice processing. For this reason, it has been the focus of many studies. In this study, to increase the production of naringinase by Aspergillus niger cultivated in solid-state fermentation (SSF), a three-component simplex-centric mixing design along with a response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to generate statistical models and analyze the dataset. First, grapefruit peel, rice bran, and wheat bran were used for substrate selection for naringinase production and, finally, selected the best of the three inducers or their mixtures to remove the bitterness of grapefruit juice. Cultivation with 2.3 g of grapefruit peel, 2.5 g of rice bran, and 5.2 g of wheat bran and medium supplementation with a mixture of naringin, rutin, and hesperidin in the concentration of 2, 5, 4.5, and 3.0 g/L, respectively, resulted in a maximum activity of 28 U/mL. The results indicate that the sequencing procedure, which allowed the definition of an optimal mixture of components, is a new way for microorganisms to have a high naringinase yield, in particular by SSF, since our data showed a 96% increase in the production of naringinase. This dataset can help other researchers apply a mixing design to increase enzyme production.(AU)

[Intersectionality, discrimination, and quality of life in the adult population in Florianópolis, Southern Brazil]. / Interseccionalidade, discriminação e qualidade de vida na população adulta de Florianópolis, Sul do Brasil.

The study investigated how the interaction between axes of marginalization based on race/color, gender, schooling, and interpersonal discrimination affect different dimensions of quality of life in adult individuals. This is a cross-sectional study with data from the second wave of the EpiFloripa Adult Study in Florianópolis, southern Brazil, in 2012. We estimated linear regression models for each domain and for overall quality of life, measured with WHOQOL-Bref. The KHB method was used to estimate the mediating role of perceived discrimination in the associations between the axes of marginalization and quality of life. The analysis showed that schooling and gender operate additivelly, but not intersectionally, on overall quality of life and on the physical domain, with a disadvantage for women and individuals with 11 years of schooling or less. Schooling and race/color were predictors of the environmental domain, with lower mean values for blacks and individuals with 11 years of schooling or less. In the psychological domain, the intersection between gender and schooling resulted in a mean value 2.9 points higher for women with 12 or more years of schooling. Gender and race/color were predictors of quality of life in the social domain, reducing the mean value for black women by 11.3 points. Mediation analyses showed that 29.6% of the effect of the intersection between schooling and gender on the psychological domain and 4.3% of the effect of the intersection between race/color and gender on the social domain were mediated by interpersonal discrimination. These results confirmed the study hypotheses, pointing to the importance and contribution of an intersectional analysis for studying inequities in quality of life.

Este estudo investigou como a interação entre os eixos de marginalização raça/cor, gênero, escolaridade e discriminação interpessoal afeta distintas dimensões da qualidade de vida de indivíduos adultos. Trata-se de uma análise transversal, realizada com dados da segunda onda do Estudo EpiFloripa Adulto, conduzida em Florianópolis, Sul do Brasil, em 2012. Estimamos modelos de regressão linear para cada domínio e para a qualidade de vida geral, aferida com o WHOQOL-Bref. O método KHB foi utilizado para estimar o papel mediador da discriminação percebida nas associações dos eixos de marginalização com qualidade de vida. A análise demonstrou que escolaridade e gênero operam em conjunto, mas não interseccionalmente, sobre a qualidade de vida geral e sobre o domínio físico, com prejuízo para as mulheres e indivíduos com até 11 anos de estudo. Escolaridade e raça/cor foram preditores do domínio meio ambiente, com médias inferiores para negros e indivíduos com até 11 anos de estudo. No domínio psicológico, a intersecção entre gênero e escolaridade resultou em uma média 2,9 pontos maior para mulheres com 12+ anos de estudo. Gênero e raça/cor foram preditores da qualidade de vida no domínio social, reduzindo em 11,3 pontos a média das mulheres negras. Análises de mediação demonstraram que 29,6% do efeito da interseccção entre escolaridade e gênero sobre o domínio psicológico e 4,3% do efeito da intersecção entre raça/cor e gênero sobre o domínio social foram mediados pela discriminação interpessoal. Esses resultados confirmam as hipóteses do estudo, apontando a importância e a contribuição da análise interseccional para a investigação das iniquidades na qualidade de vida.

Este estudio investigó cómo la interacción entre los ejes de marginalización raza/color, género, escolaridad y discriminación interpersonal afecta distintas dimensiones de la calidad de vida de los individuos adultos. Se trata de un análisis transversal, realizado con datos de la segunda ola del Estudio EpiFloripa Adulto, realizado en Florianópolis, sur de Brasil, en 2012. Estimamos modelos de regresión lineal para cada dominio y para la calidad de vida general, evaluada con el WHOQOL-Bref. El método KHB se utilizó para estimar el papel mediador de la discriminación percibida en las asociaciones de los ejes de marginalización con calidad de vida. El análisis demostró que la escolaridad y género operan en conjunto, pero no interseccionalmente, sobre la calidad de vida general y sobre el dominio físico, con prejuicio para las mujeres e individuos con hasta 11 años de estudio. Escolaridad y raza/color fueron predictores del dominio medio ambiente, con medias inferiores para negros e individuos con hasta 11 años de estudio. En el dominio psicológico, la intersección entre género y escolaridad resultó en una media 2,9 puntos mayor para mujeres con 12+ años de estudio. Género y raza/color fueron predictores de la calidad de vida en el dominio social, reduciendo en 11,3 puntos la media de las mujeres negras. Los análisis de mediación demostraron que un 29,6% del efecto de la intersección entre escolaridad y género, sobre el dominio psicológico, y 4,3% del efecto de la intersección entre raza/color y género, sobre el dominio social, fueron mediados por la discriminación interpersonal. Esos resultados confirman las hipótesis del estudio, apuntando la importancia y la contribución del análisis interseccional para la investigación de inequidades en la calidad de vida.

The isolated or combined effects of dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA) and 1-MCP on the chemical composition of cuticular wax and metabolism of 'Maxi Gala' apples after long-term storage.

Apples have a continuous hydrophobic layer that covers the surface of the fruit, which is called the cuticle. The effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on the cuticular wax layer of apples were reported after cold storage, although the interaction between 1-MCP and dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA) is not yet known. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the effects of 1-MCP on the wax composition and metabolism of 'Maxi Gala' apples after storage in a controlled atmosphere (CA) and dynamic controlled atmosphere based on chlorophyll fluorescence (DCA-CF) and respiratory quotient (DCA-RQ; RQ = 1.3 and 1.5). The 1-MCP treatment effectively decreased ethylene production for CA and DCA-CF treatments, while in DCA-RQ treatments produced no effect. The average extracted cuticular wax content of 'Maxi Gala' apples was 16.65 g m-2 and no differences in storage conditions or 1-MCP application were observed. Alkanes, alcohols, fatty acids, aldehydes, and terpenoids were identified in the chemical composition of the cuticular waxes, being alkanes and fatty acids the predominant ones. Moreover, 1-MCP decreased fatty acid and 10-nonacosanol concentrations in the fruit. Fruit with the 1-MCP application and stored in DCA had lower α-farnesene concentrations. The wax compositions of the DCA-stored apples with and without 1-MCP were similar. However, 1-MCP treatment resulted in a greater mass loss in fruit stored in DCA.

Interseccionalidade, discriminação e qualidade de vida na população adulta de Florianópolis, Sul do Brasil / Intersectionality, discrimination, and quality of life in the adult population in Florianópolis, Southern Brazil / Interseccionalidad, discriminación y calidad de vida en la población adulta de Florianópolis, sur de Brasil

Este estudo investigou como a interação entre os eixos de marginalização raça/cor, gênero, escolaridade e discriminação interpessoal afeta distintas dimensões da qualidade de vida de indivíduos adultos. Trata-se de uma análise transversal, realizada com dados da segunda onda do Estudo EpiFloripa Adulto, conduzida em Florianópolis, Sul do Brasil, em 2012. Estimamos modelos de regressão linear para cada domínio e para a qualidade de vida geral, aferida com o WHOQOL-Bref. O método KHB foi utilizado para estimar o papel mediador da discriminação percebida nas associações dos eixos de marginalização com qualidade de vida. A análise demonstrou que escolaridade e gênero operam em conjunto, mas não interseccionalmente, sobre a qualidade de vida geral e sobre o domínio físico, com prejuízo para as mulheres e indivíduos com até 11 anos de estudo. Escolaridade e raça/cor foram preditores do domínio meio ambiente, com médias inferiores para negros e indivíduos com até 11 anos de estudo. No domínio psicológico, a intersecção entre gênero e escolaridade resultou em uma média 2,9 pontos maior para mulheres com 12+ anos de estudo. Gênero e raça/cor foram preditores da qualidade de vida no domínio social, reduzindo em 11,3 pontos a média das mulheres negras. Análises de mediação demonstraram que 29,6% do efeito da interseccção entre escolaridade e gênero sobre o domínio psicológico e 4,3% do efeito da intersecção entre raça/cor e gênero sobre o domínio social foram mediados pela discriminação interpessoal. Esses resultados confirmam as hipóteses do estudo, apontando a importância e a contribuição da análise interseccional para a investigação das iniquidades na qualidade de vida.

The study investigated how the interaction between axes of marginalization based on race/color, gender, schooling, and interpersonal discrimination affect different dimensions of quality of life in adult individuals. This is a cross-sectional study with data from the second wave of the EpiFloripa Adult Study in Florianópolis, southern Brazil, in 2012. We estimated linear regression models for each domain and for overall quality of life, measured with WHOQOL-Bref. The KHB method was used to estimate the mediating role of perceived discrimination in the associations between the axes of marginalization and quality of life. The analysis showed that schooling and gender operate additivelly, but not intersectionally, on overall quality of life and on the physical domain, with a disadvantage for women and individuals with 11 years of schooling or less. Schooling and race/color were predictors of the environmental domain, with lower mean values for blacks and individuals with 11 years of schooling or less. In the psychological domain, the intersection between gender and schooling resulted in a mean value 2.9 points higher for women with 12 or more years of schooling. Gender and race/color were predictors of quality of life in the social domain, reducing the mean value for black women by 11.3 points. Mediation analyses showed that 29.6% of the effect of the intersection between schooling and gender on the psychological domain and 4.3% of the effect of the intersection between race/color and gender on the social domain were mediated by interpersonal discrimination. These results confirmed the study hypotheses, pointing to the importance and contribution of an intersectional analysis for studying inequities in quality of life.

Este estudio investigó cómo la interacción entre los ejes de marginalización raza/color, género, escolaridad y discriminación interpersonal afecta distintas dimensiones de la calidad de vida de los individuos adultos. Se trata de un análisis transversal, realizado con datos de la segunda ola del Estudio EpiFloripa Adulto, realizado en Florianópolis, sur de Brasil, en 2012. Estimamos modelos de regresión lineal para cada dominio y para la calidad de vida general, evaluada con el WHOQOL-Bref. El método KHB se utilizó para estimar el papel mediador de la discriminación percibida en las asociaciones de los ejes de marginalización con calidad de vida. El análisis demostró que la escolaridad y género operan en conjunto, pero no interseccionalmente, sobre la calidad de vida general y sobre el dominio físico, con prejuicio para las mujeres e individuos con hasta 11 años de estudio. Escolaridad y raza/color fueron predictores del dominio medio ambiente, con medias inferiores para negros e individuos con hasta 11 años de estudio. En el dominio psicológico, la intersección entre género y escolaridad resultó en una media 2,9 puntos mayor para mujeres con 12+ años de estudio. Género y raza/color fueron predictores de la calidad de vida en el dominio social, reduciendo en 11,3 puntos la media de las mujeres negras. Los análisis de mediación demostraron que un 29,6% del efecto de la intersección entre escolaridad y género, sobre el dominio psicológico, y 4,3% del efecto de la intersección entre raza/color y género, sobre el dominio social, fueron mediados por la discriminación interpersonal. Esos resultados confirman las hipótesis del estudio, apuntando la importancia y la contribución del análisis interseccional para la investigación de inequidades en la calidad de vida.

Multifunctional T cell response in convalescent patients two years after ZIKV infection.

Zika is an important emerging infectious disease in which the role of T cells remains elusive. This study aimed to evaluate the phenotype of multifunctional T cells in individuals 2 yr after exposure to Zika virus (ZIKV). We used a library of 671 synthetic peptides covering the whole polyprotein of ZIKV in pools corresponding to each viral protein (i.e., capsid, membrane precursor or prM, envelope, NS1 [nonstructural protein], NS2A + NS2B, NS3, NS4A + NS4B, and NS5) to stimulate PBMCs from individuals previously exposed to ZIKV. We observed an increased frequency of ZIKV-specific IFNγ, IL-17A, TNF, and IL-10 production by T cell populations. IFNγ and TNF production were especially stimulated by prM, capsid, or NS1 in CD8+ T cells and by capsid or prM in CD4+ T cells. In addition, there was an increase in the frequency of IL-10+ CD8+ T cells after stimulation with prM, capsid, NS1, NS3, or NS5. Multifunctional properties were observed in ZIKV-specific T cells responding especially to prM, capsid, NS1 or, to a smaller extent, NS3 antigens. For example, we found a consistent IFNγ + TNF+ CD8+ T cell population in response to most virus antigens and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that were IFNγ + IL-17A+ and IL-17A+IL-10+, which could also produce TNF, in response to capsid, prM, NS1, or NS3 stimulation. Interestingly, CD8+ T cells were more prone to a multifunctional phenotype than CD4+ T cells, and multifunctional T cells were more efficient at producing cytokines than single-function cells. This work provides relevant insights into the quality of ZIKV-specific T cell responses and ZIKV immunity.

Capacidade funcional e qualidade de vida na doença renal crônica / Functional capacity and quality of life in chronic kidney disease

A doença renal crônica (DRC) é caracterizada por alterações heterogêneas, que afetam tanto a estrutura quanto a função renal, poderá decorrer com redução da capacidade funcional e da qualidade de vida dessa população. OBJETIVO: avaliar a capacidade funcional e qualidade de vida de pacientes com DRC hospitalizados. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Estudo de natureza observacional, quantitativo, descritivo, transversal. Utilizou três questionários: um clínico, o SF36 para a avaliação da qualidade de vida, e o Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), para avaliação da capacidade funcional. Os dados foram analisados através de estatística descritiva, considerando média, desvio padrão e porcentagem. RESULTADOS: A amostra foi composta por 11 pacientes com DRC (63,63% homens). Os piores scores no SF36, em ambos os gêneros, foram relacionados aos aspectos físicos (0) e emocionais (0). O HAQ evidenciou maior déficit funcional no sexo feminino (1,80). Em relação à idade, em todas as faixas etárias o SF-36 apontou "aspectos físicos" (0) e "emocionais" (0) com piores índices. O HAQ encontrou pior escore na faixa de 30-59 anos e nos indivíduos com mais de três doenças associadas, Doença Renal Crônica, Hipertensão Arterial e Diabetes (deficiência moderada 1,09/1,70, respectivamente). Também foram encontrados nesses indivíduos piores scores no SF36 para os domínios de "capacidade funcional" (66,20), "estado geral" (56,50), "vitalidade" (55,00) e "aspectos sociais" (43,50). CONCLUSÃO: Os indivíduos analisados com DRC apresentaram baixos escores relacionados à qualidade de vida, e capacidade funcional moderada nas mulheres e leve nos homens.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by heterogeneous changes, which affect both the structure and the renal function, may result in a reduction in the functional capacity and quality of life of this population. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional capacity and quality of life of patients with CKD hospitalized. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational, quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study. It used three questionnaires: a clinical one, the SF36 for assessing quality of life, and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), for assessing functional capacity. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, considering mean, standard deviation and percentage. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 11 patients with CKD (63.63% men). The worst scores in SF36, in both genders, were related to the physical (0) and emotional (0) aspects. The HAQ showed a greater functional deficit in females (1.80). Regarding age, in all age groups, the SF-36 pointed to "physical aspects" (0) and "emotional" (0) with the worst indexes. The HAQ found the worst score in the 30-59 age group and in individuals with more than three associated diseases, Chronic Kidney Disease, Arterial Hypertension and Diabetes and (moderate deficiency 1.09 / 1.70 respectively). These individuals also found worse scores in the SF36 for the domains of "functional capacity" (66.20), "general state" (56.50), "vitality" (55.00) and "social aspects" (43.50). CONCLUSION: The individuals analyzed with CKD had low scores related to quality of life, and moderate functional capacity in women and mild in men.

The influence of Tween 80 on laccase production by Pleurotus sajor-caju and the efficiency of crude enzyme broth in the removal of bisphenol-A / Influência do Tween 80 na produção de lacases de Pleurotus sajor-caju e eficiência do caldo enzimático bruto na remoção de bisfenol-A

Bisphenol-A is currently considered an environmental pollutant, capable of interfering in the endocrine system of organisms and causing alterations in its development and reproductive system. An alternative method to the chemical treatment of this pollutant has been the use of oxidative enzymes, especially laccases produced by fungi. In order to reduce production costs, agro-industrial waste can be used in the culture medium composition. Nonionic surfactants, which are only slightly toxic to biological membranes, can be applied, as well as Tween 80, to facilitate the excretion of these enzymes into the culture medium. The objectives of this work were: a) characterize the immersion water of banana straw used in the formulation of the culture medium; b) evaluate laccase production by Pleurotus sajor-caju in culture medium with and without addition of Tween 80, through shaken flasks; c) evaluate the efficiency of the crude enzyme broth in degrading bisphenol-A. The shaken flasks were incubated at 30°C for 12 days. The immersion water had a C:N ratio of 13.8, ash percentage of 28.6%, and pH close to neutrality. The addition of Tween 80 on the culture medium (7.5%, m/v) yielded laccase activity and productivity values equal to 3,016.47 U L-1 and 502.7 U L-1 day-1, respectively. These values were 50 and 33.5 times higher than those obtained in the culture medium without addition of Tween 80 for laccase activity and productivity, respectively. The crude enzyme broth degraded 100% of bisphenol-A after 48 hours, regardless of concentration (500, 750 and 1,000 mg L-1).(AU)

O bisfenol-A é considerado um poluente ambiental capaz de interferir no sistema endócrino dos organismos, ocasionando alterações em seu desenvolvimento e sistema de reprodução. Um método alternativo ao tratamento químico desse tipo de poluente tem sido a utilização de enzimas oxidativas, especialmente as lacases, produzidas por fungos. A fim de diminuir custos de produção, resíduos agroindustriais podem compor o meio de cultivo. Assim, surfactantes não iônicos e pouco tóxicos para as membranas biológicas, como o Tween 80, podem ser utilizados para facilitar a excreção dessas enzimas para o meio de cultivo. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram: caracterizar quimicamente o resíduo água de imersão de palha de bananeira, usado na formulação do meio de cultivo; avaliar a produção de lacase por Pleurotus sajor-caju em meio de cultivo líquido (frascos Erlenmeyer) com e sem adição de Tween 80; e avaliar a eficiência do caldo enzimático bruto em degradar bisfenol-A. Os frascos foram incubados a 30°C, por 12 dias. A água de imersão apresentou relação C:N 13,8, percentual de cinzas 28,6% e pH próximo da neutralidade. O cultivo adicionado de Tween 80 (7,5%, m/v) propiciou valores de atividade e produtividade em lacase iguais a 3.016,47 U L-1 e 502,7 U L-1 dia-1, respectivamente. Esses valores são 50 e 33,5 vezes maiores que os obtidos no cultivo sem adição de Tween 80, para atividade e produtividade em lacase, respectivamente. O caldo enzimático bruto degradou 100% do bisfenol-A após 48 horas, independentemente da concentração (500, 750 e 1.000 mg L-1).(AU)

Evaluation of the antibacterial and modulatory potential of α-bisabolol, ß-cyclodextrin and α-bisabolol/ß-cyclodextrin complex.

The present study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial and modulatory potential of α-bisabolol, ß-cyclodextrin and α-bisabolol/ß-cyclodextrin complex. The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined through the broth microdilution technique using the bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The drugs norfloxacin, imipenem and gentamicin were used in the tests, and the compounds α-bisabolol and ß-cyclodextrin; all the compounds were diluted in DMSO. To obtain the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) a serial microdilution of the substances in volumes corresponding to the sub-inhibitory concentration (MIC/8), and microdilution with the antibiotic until the penultimate well were performed. The results showed that ß-cyclodextrin did not present synergistic effects when combined with the antibiotics. It was found that α-bisabolol presented a synergistic effect against S. aureus, when combined with the antibiotic norfloxacin. Moreover, α-bisabolol presented synergism against E. coli when combined with gentamicin. The results of this study show that α-bisabolol presents a modulatory synergistic effect for some antibiotics, as gentamicin, and this is an interesting result against multidrug resistant bacteria (MDR). By other side, the complexation of α-bisabolol with ß-cyclodextrin apparently reduces the modulatory effect, maybe due the polarity enhancement of the polarity of α-bisabolol, affecting the interaction of this compound with the cell membrane bilayer. However, more studies are necessary to demonstrate or not these interactions.

Prorocentrum lima from the South Atlantic: Morphological, molecular and toxicological characterization.

Morphological descriptions using light and scanning electron microscopy and molecular characterization of two Prorocentrum lima strains (UNR-01 and UNR-09) isolated from Armação dos Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil are provided. Okadaic acid (OA), dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX1) and DTX2 production by strain UNR-01 was investigated using liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. Toxins were extracted from heat-treated (boiled) and non-boiled cell pellets to obtain respective quantities of free and total OA and DTX1. Growth parameters (growth rate and mean generation time) were determined for strain UNR-01. Prorocentrum lima cells were oblong-to-ovate in shape, broad in the middle region, and narrow at the anterior end. The periflagellar area was triangular, set into a V-shaped depression and was composed of eight periflagellar platelets of different sizes. The morphology fits well the characterization of the species isolated from elsewhere. Phylogenetic analysis based on internal transcribed spacer - ITS - and D1-D3 large subunit - LSU - of ribosomal RNA gene sequences revealed that both strains were identical and closely related to P. lima isolates from the Caribbean Sea and USA. The growth rate of strain UNR-01 was 0.24divday-1. OA concentrations were on average 15.2 and 38.5pg[OA]cell-1 for heat-treated and non-treated cells respectively, while DTX1 mean concentration was 0.5pg[DTX1]cell-1 for both heat-treated and non-treated cells. DTX2 was not detected. To date, these are the first strains of P. lima from the south Atlantic that have been characterized.

Estudo do perfil de morbimortalidade entre idosos / Morbimortality study profile amongst elderly

Objetivo: identificar o perfil de morbimortalidade em idosos entre 1996 e 2007, nos estados de Santa Catarina e Bahia - Brasil. Método: estudo quantitativo, ecológico de série temporal. Os dados foram coletados nos meses de setembro a novembro de 2010, acessados diretamente no Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade e Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do Ministério da Saúde. Os dados foram analisados por estatística descritiva, pela proporção das doenças identificadas temporalmente e pela comparação percentual entre os dois estados estudados. Resultados: apesar da predominância das doenças crônicas degenerativas, ainda é elevada a proporção de óbitos por causas mal definidas e doenças infecciosas e parasitárias. Conclusão: em relação à morbidade, há poucas diferenças entre os grupos de causas. Quanto à mortalidade, em Santa Catarina prevalecem as doenças do aparelho circulatório e neoplasias; na Bahia sintomas, sinais e achados anormais no exame clínico e laboratorial, seguido pelas doenças do aparelho circulatório.

Aim: to identify the morbimortality profile amongst elderly between 1996 and 2007 in the States of Santa Catarina and Bahia – Brazil. Method: a quantitative, ecological time-series study. Data were collected during the months of September to November 2010, directly accessed from the Information System on Mortality and Hospital Information System from the Ministry of Health. Data were analysed by descriptive statistic, by proportion of diseases temporarily identified and by percentage comparison between both States under study. Results: despite predominance of chronic degenerative diseases, deaths by ill-defined causes and both infectious and parasitic diseases are still proportionally high. Conclusion: regarding morbidity, there are small differences between groups of causes. As to mortality, circulatory system and neoplasms diseases prevail in Santa Catarina; abnormal symptoms, signs and findings during clinical and lab exams, followed by circulatory system diseases prevail in Bahia.

Objetivo: identificar el perfil de morbimortalidad en ancianos entre 1996 a 2007, en Santa Catarina y Bahia. Método: estudio cuantitativo, ecológico de serie temporal. Los datos fueron cosechados entre septiembre a noviembre de 2010, accedidos en el Sistema de Informaciones sobre Mortalidad y Sistema de Informaciones Hospitalarias del Ministerio de Salud. Los datos fueron analizados por estadística descriptiva, por la proporción de las enfermedades identificadas temporalmente y por la comparación porcentual entre los estados estudiados. Resultados: aunque de la predominancia de las enfermedades crónicas degenerativas, la proporción de óbitos por causas mal definidas y enfermedades infecciosas y parasitarias aún es elevada. Conclusión: con relación a la morbilidad, hay pocas diferencias entre los grupos de causas. Cuanto a la mortalidad, en Santa Catarina prevalecen las enfermedades del aparato circulatorio y neoplasias; en Bahia síntomas, señales y hallazgos anormales en examen clínico y laboratorial seguido por las enfermedades del aparato circulatorio.