Advantages of treating sponge-gourd waste by mechanical refining on the properties of fiber-based poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)/polylactide biocomposites

Abstract This study compares the morphology, thermal, and dynamic-mechanical properties of composites based on polybutylene adipate terephthalate/polylactide biocomposites with sponge gourd waste treated code as R, and non-treated sponge gourd, coded as NR, by mechanical disc refining after milled process. Extrusion followed by compression molding was used to produce biocomposites with fiber contents of 0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 15% wt/wt for R and NR sponge gourd fibers. Scanning electron microscopy analysis reveals that NR has the morphology of a rigid tubular shape, whereas R is a thinner, twisted, and fibrillated fiber. Regardless of the type of sponge gourd fiber used, the thermal stability of the composite decreases as the sponge gourd content increases. At 25°C, the biocomposite with 10%wt/wt R fiber has the highest storage modulus value. The comparison of Tangent peak values reveals that the presence of sponge gourd fibers reduces the energy dissipation of the biocomposites. The analysis of the loss modulus at 25°C reveals that R fiber contributes more to the reduction of energy dissipation of the biocomposites than NR. Furthermore, the Cole-Cole plot shows that R and NR fibers are dispersed and do not significantly change the homogeneity of the biopolymer systems

Purification of a lectin from Cratylia mollis crude extract seed by a single step PEG/phosphate aqueous two-phase system

The partitioning and purification of lectins from the crude extract of Cratylia mollis seeds (Cramoll 1,4) was investigated in aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS). A factorial design model (24) was used to evaluate the influence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) molar mass (15008000g/mol), PEG concentration (12.517.5% w/w), phosphate (1015% w/w) concentration, and pH (68) on the differential partitioning, purification factor, and yield of the lectin. Polymer and salt concentration were the most important variables affecting partition of lectin and used to find optimum purification factor by experimental BoxBehnken design together with the response surface methodology (RSM). ATPS showed best conditions composed by 13.9% PEG1500, 15.3% phosphate buffer at pH 6, which ensured purification factor of 4.70. Sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a single band of protein with 26.1kDa. Furthermore, results demonstrated a thermostable lectin presenting activity until 60°C and lost hemagglutinating activity at 80°C. According to the obtained data it can be inferred that the ATPS optimization using RSM approach can be applied for recovery and purification of lectins.We are grateful to the following bodies for the grants awarded: CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Level Personnel Superior); FACEPE (Pernambuco Science and Technology Foundation): Researcher's scholarship grant: BFP-0017-5.05/18 CNPq (National Council for Scientific Development and Technological) process: 427153/2016-6 and we also thank the reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions as these helped us to improve the manuscript.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The last piece of the puzzle: a broad population genomics study in Globicephala macrorhynchus

34th European Cetacean Society Conference, O Grove, 16-20 April 2023The short-finned pilot whale (SFPW), Globicephala macrorhynchus, has a pan-tropical and -temperate distribution. The existence of two morphologically and genetically distinct forms (Naisa and Shiho) suggests a complex speciation process, which remains to be deciphered. Here, we used whole genome data of 56 individuals from three poorly surveyed regions (Macaronesian islands - Eastern central Atlantic, China and Brazil) to assess the patterns of population structure and genetic diversity of the SFPW. We inferred population structure from admixture and principal component analyses. Additionally, we determined patterns of differentiation of the maternally-inherited mitogenomes. We estimated changes in population size through time using the Pairwise Sequentially Markovian Coalescent (PSMC) analysis. Finally, we searched for genomic regions of high differentiation in each assigned population using the population branch statistics and performed a windows-based analysis to uncover the top outliers of genetic differentiation, corresponding to regions that are potentially under selection. Our results provide evidence for three main genetic clusters of SPFW populations across the analysed individuals, emphasizing the genomic distinctiveness of Atlantic individuals compared with other individuals belonging to the Naisa form – known to be present in the western/central Pacific and Indian Oceans. The exception to this pattern is a Naisa mitochondrial and nuclear genotype found in one individual from Brazil. Moreover, PSMC suggests a shared recent evolutionary history in all three assigned populations. Our study provides a significant contribution to the overall understanding of the demographic history and spatial patterns of genetic diversity in SPFW, by complementing data previously describedN

2 nd Brazilian Consensus on Chagas Disease, 2015

Abstract Chagas disease is a neglected chronic condition with a high burden of morbidity and mortality. It has considerable psychological, social, and economic impacts. The disease represents a significant public health issue in Brazil, with different regional patterns. This document presents the evidence that resulted in the Brazilian Consensus on Chagas Disease. The objective was to review and standardize strategies for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control of Chagas disease in the country, based on the available scientific evidence. The consensus is based on the articulation and strategic contribution of renowned Brazilian experts with knowledge and experience on various aspects of the disease. It is the result of a close collaboration between the Brazilian Society of Tropical Medicine and the Ministry of Health. It is hoped that this document will strengthen the development of integrated actions against Chagas disease in the country, focusing on epidemiology, management, comprehensive care (including families and communities), communication, information, education, and research

Sciades herzbergii oxidative stress biomarkers: an in situ study of an estuarine ecosystem (São Marcos' Bay, Maranhão, Brazil)

In order to study the effects of environmental contamination on wild fish, sites were sampled in São Marcos' Bay. The first is located near the ALUMAR/ALCOA port, a potentially contaminated area. The second, located near the Coqueiro beach, was used as a reference area. The activity of antioxidant defence catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in S. herzbergii was compared with the biometric data and gonadosomatic index (GSI). The result showed that GSI decreased significantly in females (p<0.05) at the contaminated site. The activity of CAT was higher in fish caught at the contaminated site. A significant difference was observed in GST activity in the liver of S. herzbergii in the comparison between fish from the contaminated site and those from the reference site (p<0.05). GSI provides new insights into the nature of the detoxification response in this catfish species because it is not correlated with the enzymes at the potentially contaminated site. We are, therefore, in a position to suggest that the elevated GST/CAT activity might well be related to the reproduction of the animals at the reference site but not at the potentially contaminated site. If that be the case, one may conclude that GST/CAT and GSI are useful biomarkers of aquatic contamination.<br>O objetivo desse trabalho foi estudar os efeitos da contaminação ambiental em peixes amostrados em dois locais da Baía de São Marcos. O primeiro ponto está localizado próximo ao porto da ALUMAR/ALCOA, considerado como uma área potencialmente contaminada. O segundo ponto, situado na praia do Coqueiro, foi usado como uma área de referência. Dados da atividade da enzima de defesa antioxidante catalase (CAT) e da glutationa S-transferase (GST) em S. herzbergii foram comparados com os dados biométricos e o índice gonadossomático (GSI). Resultados mostraram que o GSI diminuiu significativamente em fêmeas (p <0.05) no local contaminado. A atividade da CAT foi mais alta nos peixes do local contaminado. Uma diferença significativa foi observada na atividade de GST de S. herzbergii no local contaminado e no local de referência (p <0.05). GSI possibilitou uma nova abordagem quanto à natureza da resposta de destoxificação nessa espécie de bagre porque este índice não apresentou correlação com as enzimas no local potencialmente contaminado, mas apresentou no local de referência. Assim, sugere-se que a boa correlação da GST/CAT e GSI poderia estar relacionada à reprodução dos animais no local de referência, mas não no local potencialmente contaminado. Se esse for o caso, pode-se concluir que GST/CAT e GSI podem ser utilizados como bons biomarcadores para avaliar contaminação aquática