Spin qubits of Cu(II) doped in Zn(II) metal-organic frameworks above microsecond phase memory time.

With the aim of creating Cu(II) spin qubits in a rigid metal-organic framework (MOF), this work demonstrates a doping of 5 %, 2 %, 1 %, and 0.1 % mol of Cu(II) ions into a perovskite-type MOF [CH6 N3 ][ZnII (HCOO)3 ]. The presence of dopant Cu(II) sites are confirmed with anisotropic g-factors (gx =2.07, gy =2.12, and gz =2.44) in the S=1/2 system by experimentally and theoretically. Magnetic dynamics indicate the occurrence of a slow magnetic relaxation via the direct and Raman processes under an applied field, with a relaxation time (τ) of 3.5 ms (5 % Cu), 9.2 ms (2 % Cu), and 15 ms (1 % Cu) at 1.8 K. Furthermore, pulse-ESR spectroscopy reveals spin qubit properties with a spin-spin relaxation (phase memory) time (T2 ) of 0.21 µs (2 %Cu), 0.39 µs (1 %Cu), and 3.0 µs (0.1 %Cu) at 10 K as well as Rabi oscillation between MS =±1/2 spin sublevels. T2 above microsecond is achieved for the first time in the Cu(II)-doped MOFs. It can be observed at submicrosecond around 50 K. These spin relaxations are very sensitive to the magnetic dipole interactions relating with cross-relaxation between the Cu(II) sites and can be tuned by adjusting the dopant concentration.

Performance evaluation of PdO/ CuO TiO2 photocatalytic membrane on ceramic support for removing pharmaceutical compounds from water.

This study investigated photocatalytic degradation of pharmaceutical compound using CuO or PdO-TiO2 membrane. The synthesized membranes were characterized by some techniques including X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The structural properties confirmed that the photocatalytic membranes were successfully prepared on ceramic supports. The PdO-TiO2 and CuO-TiO2 membranes were employed as photocatalytic membranes to degrade metronidazole (MNZ) and diphenhydramine (DPH) in aqueous solutions, respectively. Some parameters affecting the photocatalytic reaction such as pH, initial concentration, and light source were also investigated. The maximum degradation for both pharmaceutical compounds was obtained at basic pH (pH = 10), low initial concentration (C0 = 10 ppm) under UV irradiation. At high transmembrane pressure (ΔP = 3 bar), the flow rate across the membrane increased up 0.0078 and 0.0082 cc/s.cm2 for CuO-TiO2 and PdO-TiO2 photocatalytic membrane respectively while not affected on degradation efficiency (DE). At the same condition operation (C0 = 10 ppm, pH = 10, ΔP = 2 bar under UV irradiation), the MNZ and DPH degradation of the PdO-TiO2 membrane was 94 and 95% respectively that relatively higher than the CuO-TiO2 membrane. It is probably due to the lower energy band gap of PdO-TiO2 (2.5 eV) than CuO-TiO2 (2.7 eV). The membrane stability tests confirmed the high performance of the prepared membranes.

Enhanced osteoarthritis therapy by nanoengineered mesenchymal stem cells using biomimetic CuS nanoparticles loaded with plasmid DNA encoding TGF-ß1.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy shows the potential benefits to relieve clinical symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA), but it is uncertain if it can repair articular cartilage lesions - the main pathology of OA. Here, we prepared biomimetic cupper sulfide@phosphatidylcholine (CuS@PC) nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with plasmid DNA (pDNA) encoding transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß1) to engineer MSCs for enhanced OA therapy via cartilage regeneration. We found that the NPs not only promoted cell proliferation and migration, but also presented a higher pDNA transfection efficiency relative to commercial transfection reagent lipofectamine 3000. The resultant CuS/TGF-ß1@PC NP-engineered MSCs (termed CTP-MSCs) were better than pure MSCs in terms of chondrogenic gene expression, glycosaminoglycan deposition and type II collagen formation, favoring cartilage repair. Further, CTP-MSCs inhibited extracellular matrix degradation in interleukin-1ß-induced chondrocytes. Consequently, intraarticular administration of CTP-MSCs significantly enhanced the repair of damaged cartilage, whereas pure MSCs exhibited very limited effects on cartilage regeneration in destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgical instability mice. Hence, this work provides a new strategy to overcome the limitation of current stem cell therapy in OA treatment through developing more effective nanoengineered MSCs.

Reduction-Controlled Atomic Migration for Single Atom Alloy Library.

Picturing the atomic migration pathways of catalysts in a reactive atmosphere is of central significance for uncovering the underlying catalytic mechanisms and directing the design of high-performance catalysts. Here, we describe a reduction-controlled atomic migration pathway that converts nanoparticles to single atom alloys (SAAs), which has remained synthetically challenging in prior attempts due to the elusive mechanism. We achieved this by thermally treating the noble-metal nanoparticles M (M = Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Ir, Pt, and Au) on metal oxide (CuO) supports with H2/Ar. Atomic-level characterization revealed such conversion as the synergistic consequence of noble metal-promoted H2 dissociation and concomitant CuO reduction. The observed atomic migration pathway offers an understanding of the dynamic mechanisms study of nanomaterials formation and catalyst design.

Investigation the Effects of Green-Synthesized Copper Nanoparticles on the Performance of Activated Carbon-Chitosan-Alginate for the Removal of Cr(VI) from Aqueous Solution.

In the present investigation, green nano-zerovalent copper (GnZVCu), activated carbon (AC), chitosan (CS) and alginate (ALG) nanocomposites were produced and used for the elimination of chromium (VI) from a polluted solution. The nanocomposites GnZVCu/AC-CS-alginate and AC-CS-alginate were prepared. Analysis and characterization were performed by the following techniques: X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The SEM analysis revealed that the nanocomposites are extremely mesoporous, which leads to the greatest adsorption of Cr+6 (i.e., 97.5% and 95%) for GnZVCu/AC-CS-alginate and AC-CS-alginate, respectively. The adsorption efficiency was enhanced by coupling GnZVCu with AC-CS-alginate with a contact time of 40 min. The maximum elimination of Cr+6 with the two nanocomposites was achieved at pH 2. The isotherm model, Freundlich adsorption isotherm and kinetics model and P.S.O.R kinetic models were discovered to be better suited to describe the exclusion of Cr+6 by the nanocomposites. The results suggested that the synthesized nanocomposites are promising for the segregation of Cr+6 from polluted solutions, specially the GnZVCu/AC-CS-alginate nanocomposite.

Novel multifunctional 18F-labelled PET tracer with prostate-specific membrane antigen-targeting and hypoxia-sensitive moieties.

Prostate cancer is one of the most frequently found cancers in men worldwide. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is typically highly expressed in prostate cancer, and the Glu-Urea-Lys (GUL) structure has recently received considerable attention as a key unit of PSMA-targeting agents. Additionally, one of the common characteristics of many solid tumors, such as prostate cancer, is hypoxia. In this study, novel multifunctional PSMA inhibitors containing a PSMA-targeting moiety either with or without a hypoxia-sensitive moiety (18F-PEG3-ADIBOT-2NI-GUL and 18F-PEG3-ADIBOT-GUL, respectively; ADIBOT: azadibenzocyclooctatriazole, 2NI: 2-nitroimidazole) were designed and synthesized, and their feasibility as PET tracers for prostate cancer imaging studies was examined. The compounds labelled with 18F via the copper-free click reaction were stable in human serum and showed nanomolar binding affinities in in vitro PSMA binding assays. Micro-PET and biodistribution studies indicate that both 18F-labelled inhibitors successfully accumulated in prostate cancer regions, and 18F-PEG3-ADIBOT-2NI-GUL showed a 2-fold higher tumor-to-total non-target organ ratio than that of 18F-PEG3-ADIBOT-GUL, suggesting that the synergistic effects of the PSMA-targeting GUL moiety and the hypoxia-sensitive 2-nitroimidazole moiety can increase tumor uptake of the novel PET tracers in prostate cancer. These findings suggest that this novel multifunctional PET tracer with an 18F-labelled PSMA inhibitor and a 2-nitroimidazole moiety is a potent candidate to provide better diagnosis of prostate cancer via PET imaging studies.

Some heavy metals in the flesh of chub, Squalius cephalus, from Karakaya Dam Lake (Malatya, Turkey).

This research aimed to find out the levels of Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), and Cupper (Cu) in the flesh of Chub (Squalius cephalus) and in the Karakaya Dam Lake water in which they live. The findings were evaluated in terms of the risk of consuming of this fish as human food. In addition, the changes of the heavy metal level of fish with weight, length and sex of them. The accumulation factor for each metal was also found. The level of heavy metals in the flesh of fish were found higher than that in the water. The level of heavy metals changed with the weight, length and sex of fish. The results were compared with acceptable values for heavy metals given by FAO/WHO to detect whether the flesh of chub has any risk for consumption as human food.

Functional comparision between truncated MTT1 and truncated MTT2 from Tetrahyemna thermophila.

Metallothioneins (MTs) are low-molecular-weight proteins with high Cys content and high metal-chelating ability. CdMT and CuMT subfamilies present different characteristics in Tetrahymena. To explore the effect of the cysteine arrangement and sequence length of MTs for binding different metal ions, MTT1, truncated MTT1 (TM1), MTT2, and truncated MTT2 (TM2) were expressed in E. coli. The half-maximal inhibiting concentrations (IC50) of Cd2+ and Cu+ for the recombinant strains were different. Furthermore, E. coli cells expressing MTT1 and TM1 exhibited higher accumulating ability for Cd2+ than cells expressing MTT2 and TM2. However, the opposite is true for Cu+. The binding ability of the different recombinant proteins to Cd2+ and Cu+ were also different. MTT1 and truncated mutant TM1 were the preference for Cd2+, whereas MTT2 and truncated mutant TM2 were the preference for Cu+ coordination. These results showed that metal ion tolerance and accumulation ability not only depended on cysteine arrangement pattern but also on sequence length of MT in Tetrahymena.

Zinc, cobre y vitaminas C, E y A en púberes con exceso de peso y resistencia a la insulina / Zinc, copper and vitamins C, E and A in a pubertal overweight and insulin-resistant population / Zinco, cobre e vitaminas C, E e A em púberes com excesso de peso e resistência à insulina

Las vitaminas (Vit.) C, E y A, junto al zinc (Zn++) y cobre (Cu++) colaboran en la prevención de las comorbilidades asociadas a la obesidad. El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar las concentraciones séricas (Cs) de Vit. C, E y A, así como las del Zn++ y Cu++ en púberes con exceso de peso (EP) y resistencia a la insulina (RI). El estudio fue descriptivo, correlacional, de campo y transversal. Las variables se compararon entre los púberes normopeso (NP)/sin RI y quienes tenían EP (con y sin RI). Se emplearon las pruebas de Pearson y Spearman, test de Student, U de Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis y el estadístico Z. Los adolescentes con EP/RI presentaron Cs de Zn++ menores que aquellos con EP/sin RI, y que el grupo control (p=0,010), siendo probablemente la RI lo que define esta disminución ya que el Zn++ fue similar entre los púberes con y sin EP. El 12,0% de los sujetos con EP/RI presentaron la relación Vit. E/Colesterol Total (CT)< 2,25 mmol/mol, comparados con el 4,8% y 8,0% observado en los adolescentes con EP/sin RI y los controles, respectivamente (p=0,012). Los adolescentes con EP/ RI evidenciaron una menor protección antioxidante y Cs de Zn++ inferiores al resto de los grupos evaluados.

Vitamins (Vit.) C, E and A, together with zinc (Zn++) and copper (Cu++) play an important role in the prevention of comorbidities associated with obesity. The objective of this work was to evaluate serum concentrations (Sc) of Vit. C, E and A, and those of Zn++ and Cu++ in a pubertal overweight (OW) and insulin-resistant (IR) population. The study was descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional. Variables were compared between the normalweight pubescent population, non-IR and those OW (IR or non-IR). Correlations between variables were assessed using Pearson and Spearman tests, the Student t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test and the statistical Z. OW and IR adolescents presented lower Zn++ than those OW non-IR, and the control group (p=0.010). Probably it is being IR what defines this decrease since the Zn++ was similar in the pubertal population with and without OW. In the OW and RI group of adolescents, there was a frequency of alterations in vit. E/CT (<2.25 mmol/mol) of 12.0%, compared to 4.8% and 8.0% in OW and non-IR and control adolescents, respectively (p=0.012) OW and IR adolescents showed a lower antioxidant protection and lower Zn++ than other groups evaluated.

As vitaminas (Vit.) C, E e A, em conjunto com zinco (Zn++) e Cobre (Cu++) desempenham um papel importante na prevenção de comorbidades associadas à obesidade. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar as concentrações séricas (Cs) de Vit. C, E e A, bem como as de Zn++ e de Cu++ em púberes com excesso de peso (EP) e resistência à insulina (RI). O estudo foi descritivo, correlacional, de campo e transversal. As variáveis foram comparadas entre os púberes normopeso (NP)/sem RI e aqueles que tinham EP (com e sem RI). Foram utilizados os testes de Pearson e Spearman, teste de Student, U de Mann- Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis e o estatístico Z. Adolescentes com EP/RI apresentaram Cs de Zn++ menores do que aqueles com EP/sem RI, e que o grupo controle (p=0,010), sendo provavelmente a RI o que define esta diminuição, visto que o Zn++ foi similar entre os púberes com e sem EP. 12,0% de sujeitos com EP/RI apresentaram a relação Vit. E/Colesterol Total (CT) <2,25 mmol/mol, comparados com 4,8% e 8,0% observado nos adolescentes com EP/sem RI e os controles, respectivamente (p=0,012). Adolescentes com EP e RI mostraram menor proteção antioxidante e Cs de Zn++ inferiores ao resto dos grupos avaliados.

[Effect of lipid accumulation after spinal cord injury in autofluorescence intensity of injury site].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between lipid accumulation and autofluorescence intensity of injury site after spinal cord injury (SCI), and explore whether CuSO4 can eliminate autofluorescence in the injury site after SCI. METHODS: Thirty six Wild Type mice at age of 8 to 12 weeks (weight 18 to 24 g) were randomly divided into normal control group (n=4) and SCI group (n=32). Respectively, 8 mice of SCI group were sacrificed randomly at 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after injury. Frozen sections of spinal cord tissue with injury site at the center were made to observe autofluorescence under green channel of fluorescence microscope (Specimens of normal control group were taken from the same segment of the spinal cord, and fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde solution). Oil Red O staining was applied to visualize the lipid accumulation in the injury site, and correlation between lipid accumulation and autofluorescence intensity was analyzed. Furthermore, sections were incubated with CuSO4 buffer to eliminate autofluorescence, and CuSO4 concentration and incubation time was optimized. RESULTS: No obvious autofluorescence or lipid staining was found in normal spinal cord tissue sections. By contrast, autofluorescence appeared in the injury site of spinal cord sections, and the intensity increased with passing time after injury. Oil Red O staining showed that lipid accumulated in the injury site with passing time after injury as well, and the correlation between lipid accumulation and autofluorescence intensity was positive. After incubation with CuSO4 buffer, the autofluorescence in the injury site was significantly reduced, especially after optimizing CuSO4 concentration and incubation time. CONCLUSIONS: Lipid accumulation may play an important role to determine the autofluorescence intensity of injury site after SCI, and the autofluorescence intensity can be used as a simple index for evaluating lipid peroxidation damage. Optimized method of using CuSO4 can significantly reduce the autofluorescence in the injury site after SCI, which will be beneficial to the application of immunofluorescence staining technique in the study of SCI.

Effect of lipid accumulation after spinal cord injury in autofluorescence intensity of injury site / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between lipid accumulation and autofluorescence intensity of injury site after spinal cord injury (SCI), and explore whether CuSO⁴ can eliminate autofluorescence in the injury site after SCI.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty six Wild Type mice at age of 8 to 12 weeks (weight 18 to 24 g) were randomly divided into normal control group (4) and SCI group (32). Respectively, 8 mice of SCI group were sacrificed randomly at 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after injury. Frozen sections of spinal cord tissue with injury site at the center were made to observe autofluorescence under green channel of fluorescence microscope (Specimens of normal control group were taken from the same segment of the spinal cord, and fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde solution). Oil Red O staining was applied to visualize the lipid accumulation in the injury site, and correlation between lipid accumulation and autofluorescence intensity was analyzed. Furthermore, sections were incubated with CuSO⁴ buffer to eliminate autofluorescence, and CuSO⁴ concentration and incubation time was optimized.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No obvious autofluorescence or lipid staining was found in normal spinal cord tissue sections. By contrast, autofluorescence appeared in the injury site of spinal cord sections, and the intensity increased with passing time after injury. Oil Red O staining showed that lipid accumulated in the injury site with passing time after injury as well, and the correlation between lipid accumulation and autofluorescence intensity was positive. After incubation with CuSO⁴ buffer, the autofluorescence in the injury site was significantly reduced, especially after optimizing CuSO⁴ concentration and incubation time.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Lipid accumulation may play an important role to determine the autofluorescence intensity of injury site after SCI, and the autofluorescence intensity can be used as a simple index for evaluating lipid peroxidation damage. Optimized method of using CuSO⁴ can significantly reduce the autofluorescence in the injury site after SCI, which will be beneficial to the application of immunofluorescence staining technique in the study of SCI.</p>

Zn/Cu Levels in the Field of Autism Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: There is probably a relationship between zinc/cupper concentration in individuals with autism. The present review was written to estimate this probability by using meta-analysis method. MARTIALS & METHODS: In this meta-analysis of Fixed Effect Model, by searching PubMed, Scopus and Google scholar databases, 11 articles were selected and verified published in 1978 to 2012. I² statistics were calculated to examine heterogeneity. The information was analyzed by R and STATA Ver. 11.2. RESULTS: Due to non-uniform measurement methods of Zn/Cu concentrations, the concentration of these elements was measured in various subgroups (plasma, hair and general) in both study cases and controls. There was a significant statistical difference between plasma OR=0.252 (95% CI: -0.001-0.504) and hair OR=0.27(95% CI: 0.059-0.481, P=0.01) concentrations of Zn/Cu statuses between controls and autistic patients. Using a Fixed Effects Model, the overall integration of data from the two groups was significant as risk factor OR=0.31(95% CI:0.16-0.46, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Significant correlation existed between Zn/Cu levels and the development of autistic disorders in general analysis. Therefore, Zn/Cu levels could be mentioned as a pathogenesis reason of autism spectrum disorders.

Synthesis and biomedical applications of copper sulfide nanoparticles: from sensors to theranostics.

Copper sulfide (CuS) nanoparticles have attracted increasing attention from biomedical researchers across the globe, because of their intriguing properties which have been mainly explored for energy- and catalysis-related applications to date. This focused review article aims to summarize the recent progress made in the synthesis and biomedical applications of various CuS nanoparticles. After a brief introduction to CuS nanoparticles in the first section, we will provide a concise outline of the various synthetic routes to obtain different morphologies of CuS nanoparticles, which can influence their properties and potential applications. CuS nanoparticles have found broad applications in vitro, especially in the detection of biomolecules, chemicals, and pathogens which will be illustrated in detail. The in vivo uses of CuS nanoparticles have also been investigated in preclinical studies, including molecular imaging with various techniques, cancer therapy based on the photothermal properties of CuS, as well as drug delivery and theranostic applications. Research on CuS nanoparticles will continue to thrive over the next decade, and tremendous opportunities lie ahead for potential biomedical/clinical applications of CuS nanoparticles.

Utilização de minerais iônicos ou complexos orgânicos de minerais no pré-parto de vacas Holandesas / Use of ionic minerals or organic mineral complexes in the dry period of Holsteins cows

Os efeitos do uso de minerais complexados durante o pré-parto sobre a ocorrência de retenção de placenta foram avaliados em 135 vacas Holandesas de dois ou mais partos: grupo mineral iônico (69 animais) e grupo mineral complexado (66 animais). Em 55 desses animais foram também avaliadas as concentrações séricas da imunoglobulina G (IgG), Zn, Cu e a qualidade do colostro. O experimento foi realizado em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, em arranjo em parcelas subdivididas. As concentrações séricas de IgG e dos microminerais foram avaliadas por análise de variância, sendo utilizados, respectivamente, os testes de Duncan e Fisher. A taxa de erro α admitida foi de 7%. Não foram observadas diferenças entre os grupos para ocorrência de retenção de placenta, qualidade do colostro, concentrações séricas de Zn e IgG (P>0,07), sendo observada diferença para a concentração de Cu (P<0,07). As concentrações de IgG foram diferentes nas semanas pré-parto avaliadas (P<0,07).

The effects of the use of complex minerals on the occurrence of retained placenta during pre-partum were valued on 135 Holstein cows from two or more deliveries. The animals were divided in two groups: ionic mineral (69 animals) and complexed mineral (66 animals). In 55 of these animals serum concentrations of imunoglobulin G (IgG), Zn and Cu and colostrum quality were also evaluated. The experiment was conducted in complete randomized split-plot design, serum IgG and trace minerals were evaluated by analysis of variance and used, respectively, Duncan's test and Fisher. The α error rate of 7% was accepted. There were no differences between groups for the occurrence of retained placenta, colostrum quality and serum concentrations of Zn and IgG (P>0.07), a difference was observed for Cu (P<0.07) concentrations. The IgG concentrations were different on the weeks pre partum evaluated (P <0.07).

Concentração de micronutrientes em mães e seus recém-nascidos por ocasião do parto / Mother's and newborn's plasmatic concentration of micronutrients at the moment of childbirth

Trata-se de estudo transversal com uma amostra sequencial de conveniência de 73 gestantes, não fumantes, sem intercorrências durante a gravidez e seus recém-nascidos normais, objetivando comparar concentrações plasmáticas de retinol, β caroteno, licopeno, α tocoferol e cobre entre mães e recém-nascidos. Colheu-se sangue da parturiente e do cordão umbilical (após dequitação) para dosagem dos micronutrientes. Retinol, β caroteno, licopeno e α tocoferol foram dosados por HPLC e o cobre por espectrofotometria de absorção atômica. Para análise foram separados 2 grupos:- grupo 1, 38 gestantes com suplementação vitaminico-mineral pelo menos no último trimestre da gravidez e grupo 2, 35 gestantes que não haviam recebido suplementação. As comparações estatísticas foram pelo teste t de Student ou pelo teste de Wilcoxon, com um α crítico de 0,05. Os dois grupos de mães eram símiles quanto a idade, paridade, IMC e a baixa ingestão de calorias e de micronutrientes. Os grupos de recém-nascidos não evidenciaram diferença quanto a sexo, peso, comprimento e perímetro cefálico. As concentrações plasmáticas maternas do grupo 1 foram maiores para o retinol(p = 0,0034) e a tocoferol(p = 0,0279). β caroteno, licopeno e cobre não evidenciaram diferenças entre os dois grupos de mães. Nos dois grupos de recém-nascidos as concentrações de retinol, tocoferol e cobre foram semelhantes e praticamente não houve concentrações detectáveis de licopeno e α caroteno. Em ambos os grupos retinol, a tocoferol e cobre apresentaram maiores concentrações nas mães do que nos recém-nascidos, p = 0,0003, p = 0,0001, p = 0,0001, respectivamente. Conclui-se que as concentrações nos recém-nascidos foram sempre menores do que as maternas, independentemente da ingestão e da suplementação durante a gravidez.(AU)

Cross sectional study of a sequential convenience sample of 73 non smokers' pregnant women with uncomplicated pregnancies and their normal newborns. The aim of the study was to compare plasmatic concentrations of retinol, β-carotene, licopen and α-tocopherol between mothers and their infants. Blood was obtained from parturient and umbilical cord for micronutrient analysis. HPLC was used for retinol, α-carotene, licopen and α-tocopherol analysis. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used for copper measurements. The sample was divided into 2 groups: group 1, with 38 women that had received vitamin and mineral supplementation during the last gestational trimester and group 2, with 35 women who have had no supplementation. Statistic comparison used Student t test or Wilcoxon test (alpha = 0.05). The groups of mothers were similar regarding age, parity, BMI and ingestion (low) of calories and micronutrients. The newborn groups had no differences according to sex, head circumference, weight and length. Plasmatic concentrations in group 1 of mothers were greater for retinol (p = 0.0034) and α-tocopherol (p = 0.0279). β-carotene, licopen and cupper showed no differences between the groups at mothers. In both newborn groups concentration of retinol, α-tocopherol and copper were quite similar and there was no clearly detectable licopen and ² carotene. In both, retinol, α-tocopherol and cupper showed larger concentration in mothers than in newborns (respectively p = 0.0003 and p = 0.0001). The conclusion is that newborn concentrations were systematically smaller than their mothers', independently of ingestion or supple-mentation during pregnancy.(AU)

Concentração de micronutrientes em mães e seus recém-nascidos por ocasião do parto / Mothers' and newborns' plasmatic concentration of micronutrients at the moment of childbirth

Trata-se de estudo transversal com uma amostra sequencial de conveniência de 73 gestantes, não fumantes, sem intercorrências durante a gravidez e seus recém-nascidos normais, objetivando comparar concentrações plasmáticas de retinol, β caroteno, licopeno, α tocoferol e cobre entre mães e recém-nascidos. Colheu-se sangue da parturiente e do cordão umbilical (após dequitação) para dosagem dos micronutrientes. Retinol, β caroteno, licopeno e α tocoferol foram dosados por HPLC e o cobre por espectrofotometria de absorção atômica. Para análise foram separados 2 grupos:- grupo 1, 38 gestantes com suplementação vitaminico-mineral pelo menos no último trimestre da gravidez e grupo 2, 35 gestantes que não haviam recebido suplementação. As comparações estatísticas foram pelo teste t de Student ou pelo teste de Wilcoxon, com um α crítico de 0,05. Os dois grupos de mães eram símiles quanto a idade, paridade, IMC e a baixa ingestão de calorias e de micronutrientes. Os grupos de recém-nascidos não evidenciaram diferença quanto a sexo, peso, comprimento e perímetro cefálico. As concentrações plasmáticas maternas do grupo 1 foram maiores para o retinol(p = 0,0034) e a tocoferol(p = 0,0279). β caroteno, licopeno e cobre não evidenciaram diferenças entre os dois grupos de mães. Nos dois grupos de recém-nascidos as concentrações de retinol, tocoferol e cobre foram semelhantes e praticamente não houve concentrações detectáveis de licopeno e α caroteno. Em ambos os grupos retinol, a tocoferol e cobre apresentaram maiores concentrações nas mães do que nos recém-nascidos, p = 0,0003, p = 0,0001, p = 0,0001, respectivamente. Conclui-se que as concentrações nos recém-nascidos foram sempre menores do que as maternas, independentemente da ingestão e da suplementação durante a gravidez

Efeito de micronutrientes sobre o crescimento de mudas de mogno (Swietenia Macrophilla King) em Latossolo amarelo / Effect of micronutrients in oxisoil in the growth of seedling mahogany (Swietenia Macrophilla King)

O plantio de espécies florestais nativas é uma atividade que além de repor os recursos florestais também pode atenuar os impactos ambientais decorrentes do extrativismo. Entretanto, seu sucesso depende, entre outros fatores, do conhecimento a cerca das necessidades nutricionais da espécie a ser utilizada. Com o objetivo de obter informações das necessidades de mudas de mogno (Swietenia Macrophilla King) por micronutrientes, foi realizado um experimento em casa de vegetação. Foi utilizado como substrato um Latossolo Amarelo de baixa fertilidade, coletado da camada de 20-40 cm de profundidade, localizado no setor Sul do Campus da Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM). Foram testados sete tratamentos e quatro repetições dispostos em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, sob a técnica do elemento faltante. Os tratamentos foram: Completo (Calagem + N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn e Mo), Testemunha (Calagem + N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S e Mo) e a omissão de um micronutriente catiônico por vez (-B, -Cu, -Fe, -Mn e - Zn). Após quatro meses foram avaliadas as seguintes características: altura da parte aérea, diâmetro do colo, produção de matéria seca da parte aérea e das raízes e conteúdo de nutrientes na matéria seca da parte aérea. Os resultados obtidos nesta pesquisa permitiram concluir que as mudas de mogno tiveram seu crescimento comprometido pela baixa disponibilidade de cobre no substrato, sendo necessária sua aplicação para que as plantas tenham um desenvolvimento normal, compatível com o crescimento da espécie, quando as condições de substrato são adequadas.

The planting of native forest species is an activity which in addition to replacing forest resources can also lessen the environmental impacts resulting from their extraction. However, its success depends, among other things, on the knowledge regarding the nutritional needs of the species to be utilized. An experiment was carried out in a greenhouse aiming to acquire information on the mahogany (Swietenia Macrophilla) seedling micronutrient requirements. A low fertility Yellow Latosol, collected from a 20-40 cm deeplayer, located at the University Federal of Amazonas (UFAM) Campus southern sector, was used as substract. We tested seven treatments an four replicated arranged in a random block experimental design, under the lacking element technique. Treatments were as follows (Liming + N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn and Mo), and the omission of a catiônico micronutrient at a time (-B, -Cu, - Fe, -Mn and - Zn). The following features were assessed after four months: aerial part height, diameter, and aerial part and root dry matter yield. The resulted obtained in this research allowed to conclude that the mahogany seedlings had their growth compromised by the low availability of cooper in the substract, thus its application is necessary so that the plants would a normal growing, compatible with the their usual growth, when the substract conditions were appriate.