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Bioethanol production from urban cellulosic waste employing Alcaligenes faecalis HI-1 isolated from gut of termite Heterotermes indicola
Get PDFThis study assessed the potential of termite gut inhabiting bacteria towards bioconversion of cellulosic waste into biofuel. Total seven bacterial isolates from the gut of Heterotermes indicola were isolated. Among all the isolates, HI-1 produced the largest zone upon primary screening. Untreated paper had more cellulose content (73.03%) than acid (0.5%) treated paper that was used as a lignocellulosic substrate for saccharification. Among all the isolates tested, glucose yield (1.08mg/mL) was high for HI-1 isolate. Several factors were considered for optimizing augmented glucose yield (8.57mg/mL) and growth (8.07×108cfu/mL), such as temperature 37°C, pH 4.5, 5% (w/v) substrate concentration, 6 % bacterial inoculum size, agitation 150 rpm with PEG 0.25 % and Ca2+ ions 0.002 g/L. Overall 8-fold increase in glucose yield was achieved. Enzyme activity of HI-1 showed higher endoglucanase 0.29 ± 0.01 (U/mL/min) and exoglucanase 0.15±0.01 (U/mL/min) activity under optimum conditions, mentioned above. temperature 37°C, pH 4.5, substrate concentration 5%, inoculum size 6%, surfactants PEG 0.01%, ions Ca2+(0.002g/L) and agitation (120 rpm). Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of hydrolyzed office paper yielded 5.43mg/mL bioethanol. According to 16S rRNA sequence homology, the bacterial isolate H1 was identified as Alcaligenes faecalis. Bioethanol production from office paper untreated waste proved an effective strategy. Bacteria having natural tendency towards cellulosic waste consumption are promising for bioconversion of cellulosic waste to valuable products
Increasing population density reduces soybean yield components and productivity
Get PDFStudies addressing the interaction of different spatial arrangement in soybean are needed in order to achieve management that leads to higher grain yield associated with rational seed use. The objective of this work was to evaluate the yield components and productivity of an undetermined growth type soybean as a function of different row spacing and plant densities. The treatments consisted of three row spaces (0.25, 0.35 and 0.45 m) and three plant population densities (30, 40 and 50 plants/m²). There was no interaction of row spaces and plant population on soybean yield. Regarding the overall spacing average, the grain yield of the population of 30/m² plants was higher than the productivity of the populations of 40 and 50/m² plants. The largest populations reduce plant sizes due to greater competition between plants. In addition, smaller populations promote higher individual plant yields due to the increase components of the production. This characteristic is defined as the ability of the plant to change its morphology and yield components in order to adapt to the conditions imposed by the spatial arrangement
Gas exchanges and chlorophyll content in green pepper plants under bio-fertilization and times of application
Get PDFThis study aimed to determine the gas exchange and the chlorophyll content of green pepper plants under doses and times of application of bio-fertilizers based on manure and enriched organic compost. Two experiments were carried out simultaneously with applications of bio-fertilizers prepared from manure and enriched organic compost, one using cattle manure (CBF) and the other sheep manure (SBF). For these, four doses of biological fertilizers (100, 200, 300 and 400 dm³ ha-1), three application times (0, 30 and 60 days after transplantation - DAT) and absolute control, referring to the absence of fertilization, were used. treatments. were arranged in a randomized block design, totaling 13 treatments. The variables evaluated were: the relative chlorophyll a, b and total content; liquid photosynthesis (A); stomatal conductance (gs); internal CO2 concentration (Ci); instant carboxylation efficiency (iCE - A/Ci); transpiration rate (T); intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE - A/gs); and water use efficiency (WUE - A/E). Gs, A and T, showed significant effect at 60 DAT with the application of SBF and Ci at 30 DAT with CBF. The dose of 400 dm³ ha-1 of SBF provided greater gas results, and the doses of 200 and 300 dm³ ha-1 of CBF promoted a greater Ci, greater stomatal conductance, greater liquid photosynthesis and better water use efficiency, which results in a greater plant fresh weight at the time of flowering induction
Allometric equations to estimate the leaf area of Psychotria colorata (Willd. Ex Schult.) Müll.Arg.
Get PDFEstimating leaf area using non-destructive methods from regression equations has become a more efficient, quick, and accurate way. Thus, this study aimed to propose an equation that significantly estimates the leaf area of Psychotria colorata (Rubiaceae) through linear leaf dimensions. For this purpose, 200 leaves of different shapes were collected, and length (L), width (W), product of length by width (L.W), and real leaf area (LA) of each leaf blade were determined. Then, equations were adjusted for predicting leaf area using simple linear, linear (0.0), quadratic, cubic, power, and exponential regression models. The proposed equation was selected according to the coefficient of determination (R²), Willmott\u27s agreement index (d), Akaike\u27s information criterion (AIC), mean absolute error (MAE), mean squared error (RMSE) and BIAS index. It was noted that the equations adjusted using L.W met the best criteria for estimating leaf area, but the equation LA = 0.59 * L.W from linear regression without intercept was the most suitable. This equation predicts that 59% of leaf area is explained by L.W. Concluding, the leaf area of P. colorata can be estimated using an allometric equation that uses linear leaf blade dimensions
Methods of macrophages activation and their modulation for the prospection of new antileishmania drugs: a review
Get PDFLeishmaniasis are a group of parasitic zoonoses provoked by protozoa from Leishmania genus and belonging to the group of neglected tropical diseases. The search and development for new drugs is necessary not only to investigate the activity against only the parasite, but also to investigate the possible synergistic effect of new drugs with the immune response of the host. In the present review, macrophages are pointed out as potential targets of the investigation of new antileishmanial drugs, and some methodologies in order to assess their activation as response to Leishmania-infected cells are presented. Macrophages are an important role in the cellular immune response, since they are cells from mononuclear phagocytic system, the first line of defense of the host, against parasites from Leishmania genus. Phagocytic capacity, lysosomal activity, increase of nitric oxide and intracellular calcium levels are parameters regarding assessment of macrophages activation which allow them to be more hostile in order to solve the infection and lead the patient to cure. In this context, we bring 19 substances already investigated and that activate macrophages, what makes them promising in the antileishmanial treatment. Therefore, assessment of macrophages activation, are important tools for discovery of immunomodulatory compounds which have potential to act in synergism with host immune response. Such compounds might be promising as monotherapy in the treatment of leishmaniasis, as well as being used as adjuvants in vaccines and/or in combination with conventional drugs
Influence of dental erosion on shear bond strength of ceramic brackets bonded with two different adhesive systems: an in vitro study
Get PDFThis study aimed to analyze the shear bond strength (SBS) of ceramic orthodontic brackets bonded with two different adhesive systems to intact and eroded teeth. Ceramic brackets were bonded to 72 bovine central incisors divided into four groups, defined by two study factors: enamel condition (control group, kept in artificial saliva; and experimental group, eroded by using immersion cycles in Coke™ for 90 seconds, every six hours for five days), and adhesive system type (Transbond™ XT or Transbond™ Plus Color Change). Polycrystalline ceramic brackets were adhesively fixed on all specimens using the same light curing protocol. SBS was tested using 0.5 mm/min and the failure mode was classified. SBS data was analyzed using two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey test. The adhesive remnant index (ARI) scores were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn\u27s post-hoc pairwise comparison (α=0.05). Percentages of ARI scores between the groups were compared by Fisher’s exact test. Spearman\u27s correlation coefficient was applied to investigate the correlation between ARI scores and SBS values. Only the adhesive system factor had significant effect on SBS (p=0.014), Transbond™ Plus Color Change showing higher values. No significance was found for enamel condition (p=0.665) or the interaction between adhesive system and enamel condition (p=0.055). ARI scores frequencies differed between groups (p<0.001). The median ARI scores were statistically different for most comparisons among the groups. However, no significant correlation was found between ARI scores and SBS. In conclusion, the type of adhesive system affected the SBS of ceramic brackets to dental enamel, but the enamel condition, intact or eroded, had no significant effect. There was no correlation between ARI scores and SBS values, although eroded enamel tended to retain more adhesive after bracket removal.Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a resistência ao cisalhamento de braquetes cerâmicos colados em esmalte hígido e erodido utilizando dois diferentes sistemas adesivos. Setenta e dois incisivos centrais bovinos foram divididos em quatro grupos, definidos por dois fatores: condição do esmalte (grupo controle, mantido em saliva artificial; e grupo experimental, submetido ao desafio erosivo pela imersão em Coca-cola® por 90 segundos, a cada seis horas, durante cinco dias) e tipo de sistema adesivo (Transbond® XT ou Transbond® Plus Color Change). Braquetes cerâmicos policristalinos foram colados às coroas dos dentes bovinos hígidos e erodidos, seguindo as recomendações dos fabricantes de cada material e utilizando o mesmo protocolo de polimerização. As variáveis de resposta foram resistência ao cisalhamento e índice de remanescente adesivo (IRA). Os dados de resistência ao cisalhamento foram analisados utilizando ANOVA dois critérios, seguido pelo teste de Tukey. Os valores do IRA foram analisados por meio do teste Kruskal-Wallis seguido pelo teste de comparação de Dunn (α=0,05) e seus percentuais entre os grupos foram comparados pelo teste exato de Fisher. O coeficiente de correlação de Spearman foi aplicado para avaliar a correlação entre os valores do IRA e da resistência ao cisalhamento. Os resultados mostraram que apenas o sistema adesivo teve influência significativa na resistência ao cisalhamento (p=0,014), sendo que o Transbond® Plus Color Change apresentou valores mais elevados. Não houve diferença significativa relacionada à condição do esmalte (p=0.665) ou à interação entre o sistema adesivo e a condição do esmalte (p=0,055). Houve diferença quanto aos percentuais dos valores do IRA (p<0,001) e seus valores médios também apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significante na maioria das comparações entre os grupos. Contudo, nenhuma correlação significativa foi encontrada entre os valores do IRA e da resistência ao cisalhamento. Assim, conclui-se que o tipo de sistema adesivo afetou a resistência ao cisalhamento de braquetes cerâmicos colados ao esmalte dentário, mas a condição do esmalte, se hígido ou erodido, não demonstrou influência significativa. Não houve correlação entre os valores do IRA e da resistência ao cisalhamento, embora tenha havido tendência de maior retenção do adesivo, após a remoção do braquete, ao esmalte erodido
HEMOPARASITOS EM AVES CATIVAS DO ZOOLÓGICO DE UBERLÂNDIA, MINAS GERAIS, BRASIL
No full textHaemoparasites are one of the most important groups of bird parasites, with emphasis on the genera Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon and Trypanosoma. Zoos sustain different wild animals and are valuable tools for the education and conservation of species. The conditions of captive animals differ from wild animals, as zoos have sufficient availability of food throughout the year, protection against predators and veterinary care for animals. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of haemoparasites in captive birds of the Sabiá Municipal Park Zoo, municipality of Uberlândia, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from the alveolar vein puncture to make blood swabs. This material was fixed with methanol, stained by the GIEMSA technique and examined under optical microscope. A total of 46 birds (19 species) were analyzed and only three individuals (6.52%) were positive for Plasmodium sp. The hosts were Pavo cristatus and Tyto furcata. This low positivity was expected, since haemoparasites do not generally present high infection rates among birds. Even if a parasite is not pathogenic for a given species, these individuals are important reservoirs for the infection of more vulnerable species. Differences in the prevalence and intensity of infection of these hosts depend on the virulence of the parasite, ability of the host to respond to such infections and vector availability. This low prevalence rate suggests a good health status of the captive birds in the study area.Hemoparasitos são um dos principais grupos de parasitos das aves, com destaque para os gêneros Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon e Trypanosoma. Os zoológicos contêm diferentes grupos de animais silvestres e são importantes na educação e conservação das espécies. As condições dos animais em cativeiro diferem dos animais silvestres, pois nos zoológicos há disponibilidade suficiente de alimentos durante todo o ano, proteção contra predadores e cuidados veterinários para os animais. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a positividade de hemoparasitos em aves de cativeiro no Zoológico do Parque Municipal do Sabiá (Uberlândia, MG). Amostras de sangue foram coletadas, a partir da punção da veia alar, para a confecção de esfregaços sanguíneos. Esse material foi fixado com metanol, corado pela técnica de GIEMSA e examinado ao microscópio óptico. Foram analisadas 46 aves (19 espécies) e apenas três indivíduos (6,52%) foram positivos para Plasmodium sp. As espécies parasitadas foram Pavo cristatus e Tyto furcata, não sendo observados sinais clínicos de doenças nestas aves. Essa baixa positividade era esperada, uma vez que os hemoparasitos geralmente não apresentam altas taxas de infecção entre as aves. Mesmo que um parasito não seja patogênico para uma dada espécie, estes indivíduos são reservatórios importantes para a infecção de espécies mais vulneráveis. Diferenças na prevalência e intensidade da infecção desses hospedeiros dependem da virulência do parasito, habilidade do hospedeiro em responder a tais infecções e disponibilidade de vetores. A baixa parasitemia e o quadro clínico das aves pesquisadas evidencia o bom estado de saúde do plantel do zoológico pesquisado
Measurements of coherence in eeg signal in brazilian people: a comparison of different consciousness states
Get PDFCritically ill patients admitted to intensive care units require special care and the early diagnosis of the possible outcome of this coma is clinically important. Electroencephalographic signals are collected daily in critically ill patients and can be used to aid in the early diagnosis of neurological pathologies in such patients. Therefore, this study aimed to quantitatively describe the coherence values measured by the EEG signal of Brazilian individuals. The first group with comatose patients (N = 75), favorable (to live) or unfavorable (dying) outcomes, and various etiology. The second group was made by neurologically normal people, named the control group (N = 100). In addition, a number of statistical comparisons were made in order to verify the difference in coherence behavior according to the levels of consciousness. The coherence index of the comatose group is smaller than the control group. Besides, different hospitalization results, living or dying, as well as different etiologies, may be associated with particular values of cerebral coherence. It was observed that the etiology of coma does not influence the measured values of coherence in terms of diagnosis due to brain death, which may become a biomarker of this outcome. Another important consideration was that neurologically healthy patients did not present high values of cerebral coherence at all electrodes, as seen in the temporal region of the brain
Chemical management of Cyperus rotundus L. and other weeds at sugarcane in PSS system
Get PDFAmong the main weeds with difficult to control in the sugarcane fields can be cited purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.). This specie was observed in the seed bank in sugarcane fields harvested with or without burning. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of herbicides in pre-sprouted seedlings (PSS) of sugarcane in the control of C. rotundus and other weeds. The work was carried out in the field, in a randomized complete block design, and four replications. The treatments corresponded to the herbicides applied in pre-planting: sulfentrazone (800 g a.i. ha-1), diclosulam (193.17 g a.i. ha-1), imazapic (133 g a.i. ha-1) and imazapyr (500 g a.e. ha-1); post-planting: halosulfuron (112.5 g a.i. ha-1), ethoxysulfuron (135 g a.i. ha-1), MSMA (1,975 g a.i. ha-1) and 2,4-D (1,340 g a.e. ha-1); besides a control treatment weeding and another without weeding. The symptoms of injury on sugarcane plants, percentage of weed control, variables related to agronomic performance of sugarcane, and yield were evaluated. The herbicides diclosulam, imazapic, and imazapyr caused serious damage to the crop. The halosulfuron, ethoxysulfuron, MSMA, and 2,4-D did not cause symptoms of injury to sugarcane, however, the treatments had a reduced yield due to the low weed control. The sulfentrazone treatment obtained the second highest yield but with effective weed control (>70%) up to 45 days after planting. The best controls were obtained with pre-planting treatments; however, herbicide positioning studies should be performed in relation to PSS
Oral health-related quality of life of athletes with disabilities: a cross sectional study
Get PDFSeveral studies have suggested that athletes with disabilities experience more difficulties having access to oral health care than the population in general. The aim of this study was to estimate the impact of socio-demographic/socio-economic factors, oral hygiene habits and clinical oral health conditions on the OHRQoL – Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (assessed with the Oral Health Impact Profile 14 – OHIP-14) on a sample of athletes with heterogeneous types of disabilities. Altogether, 105 athletes with disabilities were evaluated. Cross-sectional data was collected including interviews to obtain socio-demographic/socio-economic data, the OHIP-14 and clinical oral examinations parameters. The outcome variable was the OHIP-14 severity score. The explanatory variables were sex, age, monthly household income, level of schooling, frequency of toothbrushing and flossing, gingival bleeding, periodontal disease, trauma in incisors, prosthesis wearing and needs, number of sound teeth, DFMT (decayed, filled and missing teeth) index and its isolate components. Mann-Whitney, Kruskall-Wallis and Spearman tests used to compare OHIP-14 severity scores associated with the explanatory variables. The mean OHIP-14 severity score for the sample was 9.32 (SD 8.99) and the most affected domain was Physical Pain (mean 2.63; SD 1.97), followed by Psychological Discomfort (mean 1.81; SD 2.02). Significant differences in mean OHIP-14 scores were found for periodontal disease, need for complete dentures, number of sound teeth, DFMT index and its components. These results suggest that these clinical parameters can be related to impaired OHRQoL for this population.Vários estudos sugerem que atletas com deficiência experimentam mais dificuldades em ter acesso à assistência à saúde bucal do que a população em geral. O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar o impacto de fatores sociodemográficos / socioeconômicos, hábitos de higiene bucal e condições clínicas de saúde bucal no ORRQoL - Qualidade de Vida Relacionada à Saúde Bucal (Oral Health Impact Profile - 14 - OHIP -14) em uma amostra de atletas com tipos heterogêneos de deficiência. Foram avaliados 105 atletas com deficiência. Os dados transversais foram coletados, incluindo entrevistas para coleta de dados sócio-demográficos / socioeconômicos, o OHIP-14 e os parâmetros dos exames clínicos bucais. A variável de resultado foi o escore de severidade do OHIP-14. As variáveis explicativas foram sexo, idade, renda familiar mensal, escolaridade, frequência de escovação e uso do fio dental, sangramento gengival, doença periodontal, trauma nos incisivos, uso e necessidade de próteses, número de dentes sadios, CPO-D (dentes cariados, perdidos e perdidos) ) e seus componentes isolados. O teste de Mann-Whitney foi utilizado para comparar os escores de severidade do OHIP-14 associados às variáveis explicativas. O escore médio de gravidade do OHIP-14 para a amostra foi de 9,32 (DP 8,99) e o domínio mais afetado foi Dor física (média 2,63; DP 1,97), seguida de desconforto psicológico (média 1,81; DP 2,02). Foram encontradas diferenças significativas nos escores médios do OHIP-14 para doença periodontal, desgaste e necessidade de prótese total, número de dentes sadios, índice DFMT e seus componentes. Esses resultados sugerem que esses parâmetros clínicos são preditores de diminuição da QVRS para essa população. Portanto, há uma necessidade constante de triagem e tratamento de saúde bucal nesse grupo