Extraction and gas chromatographic evaluation of plasticizers content in food packaging film

Cling films are prepared by adding (5\u201330% w/w) adipates, citrates, and phthalates. The adverse effects on human health of the plasticizers have been demonstrated, and then their content in food contact plastics and possible migration to foodstuffs must be carefully checked. To offer an easier tool to perform these controls, a Soxhlet extraction by ethyl acetate and a multi residue chromatography analysis, with Flame Ionization Detector, have been optimised for the application in evaluating both the real content of plasticizers in films and freezing bags, and their migrated amounts in simulants. The average extraction yield was 95\ub110%. The chromatographic analysis was able to determine 16 different compounds, clearly separated, taking only 25 min to complete the assay. The detection limits ranged from 0.07 to 0.7% (w/w). The total amount of plasticizers in the packaging products was comprised between 3 and 10% (w/w). Extracted and migrated amounts were compared, and they resulted in good agreement. No migration of Phthalates, whose presence has been demonstrated in some samples, has been observed. It has been also demonstrated that a prolonged contact (till 60 days) did not increase the amount of migrated plasticizers, and then the risks for health

Comportamento de monta e características seminais de suínos jovens landrace e large white Mating behavior and seminal characteristics in young landrace and large white boars

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o comportamento de monta e as características seminais de machos Landrace (LD) e Large White (LW) dos 143 aos 232 dias de idade. A partir dos 143 dias de idade, 62 machos suínos foram avaliados quanto ao comportamento de monta. A partir dos 150 dias de idade, o sêmen foi coletado de 33 desses machos durante onze semanas para avaliar a produção e qualidade espermáticas. Não houve diferenças entre as raças em relação ao comportamento de monta (p=0,105). Durante o período de coletas de sêmen, houve aumento do volume de sêmen, da concentração espermática, do número de espermatozóides (SPTZ) ejaculados e da liberação diária de SPTZ (LDE). O percentual de células espermáticas anormais diminuiu durante o período e não houve diferença entre as raças (P=0,523). Os machos LD ejacularam maior volume de sêmen (P=0,016), de espermatozóides totais por ejaculado (P=0,070) e apresentaram maior LDE (P=0,042). Esses dados indicam que machos LD apresentam maior produção espermática e maior potencial para produzir doses de sêmen no período pós-púbere.<br>The aim of this work was to evaluate mating behavior and seminal characteristics of Landrace (LD) and Large White (LW) boars from 143 to 232 days of age. With 143 days of age, LD (n=28) and LW (n=34) boars were evaluated in relation to mating behavior. Being 150 days of age, semen was collected from 33 of these males during eleven weeks to evaluate sperm production and quality. No difference was observed between breeds in relation to mating behavior. During the period of semen collection, there was an increase in semen volume, sperm concentration and motility, total sperm in ejaculate, and in daily sperm output (DSO). The percent of abnormal sperm cells decreased during the period and there was no difference between breeds (P=0.523). The LD boars ejaculated higher semen volume (P=0,016), total sperm in ejaculate (P=0.070), and showed higher DSO (P=0.042). These data indicate that LD boars show higher sperm production, and higher potential to produce semen doses in post pubertal period

Relações entre a concentração de íons e a salinidade de águas subterrâneas e superficiais, visando à irrigação, no sertão de Pernambuco Relationship between ions concentration and salinity of subsurface and surface waters for irrigation in the semi-arid region of Pernambuco State, Brazil

Objetivando-se verificar as relações entre a condutividade elétrica de águas subterrâneas e superficiais (CEa, em dS m-1 a 25ºC) e a concentração dos íons: Na+, Ca++ Mg2+ e Cl-, em mmol c L-1, procedeu-se à análise de regressão desses parâmetros em 175 amostras, sendo 75 de águas subterrâneas e 100 de águas superficiais, em 33 municípios do Sertão de Pernambuco. Os resultados evidenciam que os elementos: Na+, Ca2+ + Mg2+ e Cl-, podem ser estimados com bastante confiabilidade, através de equações do tipo: Y= a + bx, conforme discriminação a seguir: a) águas subterrâneas; (Na+) = - 0,710 + 4,765(CEa), R² = 0,91; (Ca2+ + Mg2+) = 0,287 + 4,673(CEa), R² = 0,83; (Cl-) = - 0,569 + 6,152(CEa), R²= 0,93 e b) águas superficiais; (Na+) = - 0,666 + 5,072(CEa), R² = 0,94; (Ca2+ + Mg2+) = 0,978 + 3,223(CEa), R² = 0,78; (Cl-) = - 0,874 + 6,890(CEa), R² = 0,94.<br>The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between the electrical conductivity of subsurface and surface water (ECw in dS/m at 25ºC) and the ion concentration of Na+, Ca2+ + Mg2+ and C1- (in mmol c L-1). The study was based on 75 and 100 samples collected from subsurface and surface waters, respectively, in 33 counties in the semi-arid region of the Pernambuco State. Results showed that elements Na+, Ca2+ + Mg2+ and C1- may be estimated by a single linear regression of the type, Y = a + bx, as described below: a) subsurface water; (Na+) = - 0.710 + 4.765(ECw), R² = 0.91; (Ca2+ + Mg2+) = 0.287 + 4.673 (ECw), R² = 0.83; (C1-) = - 0.569 + 6.152 (ECw), R² = 0.93 and b) surface water; (Na+) = - 0.666 + 5.072 (ECw), R² = 0.94; (Ca2+ + Mg2+) = 0.978 + 3.223 (ECw), R² = 0 78; (C1-) = - 0.874 + 6.890 (ECw), R²= 0.94

Structural modulation of the biological activity of gold nanoparticles functionalized with a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have gained attention for their potential and application in different fields, e.g. nanomedicine. This study explores the surface functionalization of AuNP with inhibitors of carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1). Some CA transmembrane isoforms have been recognized as therapeutic targets for the treatment of hypoxic tumors. Embedding a CA inhibitory function onto a nanosized unit has been proved to enable selective targeting of transmembrane isoforms. We report the preparation in aqueous media, the characterization and CA inhibition tests of AuNPs coated with a sulfonamide (SA) derivative, already known for its inhibitory activity toward CAs. The physico-chemical characterization of SA-coated AuNPs was performed with a combination of scattering and spectroscopic techniques. We detect a threshold effect of the SA concentration on the final hydrodynamic and core sizes of the capped nanoparticles and on their stability over aggregation. These modified nanoparticles were assayed for inhibition of some CA transmembrane isoforms (CA IX and XII) as well as of two cytosolic isoforms (CA I and II), and show interesting inhibitory efficiency in the submicromolar range and some selectivity for transmembrane isoforms

Dinâmica estrutural da comunidade lenhosa em Floresta Estacional Semidecidual na transição Cerrado-Floresta Amazônica, Mato Grosso, Brasil Structural dynamics of the woody community in a semideciduous forest in the Cerrado-Amazon Forest transition of Mato Grosso, Brazil

O entendimento de processos ecológicos, especialmente das modificações estruturais e florísticas em ecossistemas naturais, é fundamental para embasar ações visando à sua conservação e/ou restauração. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar mudanças ocorridas na estrutura da comunidade lenhosa na transição Cerrado-Floresta Amazônica, no período de 2003 a 2008. Foram estabelecidas 60 parcelas permanentes de 10 x 10 m onde foram amostrados todos os indivíduos com diâmetro à altura do peito > 5 cm. Em 2003 foram registrados 1.140 ind. ha-1 e área basal de 24,35 m² ha-1, enquanto em 2008 foram 1.071 ind. ha-1 e área basal de 22,04 m² ha-1. O recrutamento (2,76% ano-1) não compensou a mortalidade (3,95% ano-1) e o ganho em área basal (0,54% ano-1) não superou a perda (3,77% ano-1). Em função dessa diferença, a meia vida (17,3 anos) foi menor que o tempo de duplicação (29,9 anos), resultando em baixa estabilidade (12,6 anos) e reposição (23,6 anos) em relação a outras florestas estacionais. Os parâmetros de dinâmica da comunidade e das principais espécies sugerem que a floresta está passando por mudanças caracterizadas principalmente pela retração da densidade e biomassa dos indivíduos arbóreos, que podem estar relacionadas ao aumento das lianas, a uma fase de início de reconstrução do ciclo silvigenético da floresta ou ainda à forte seca que ocorreu na região no ano de 2005.<br>Understanding ecological processes, especially the structural and floristic changes in natural ecosystems, is essential before conserving and/or restoring these areas. The aim of this study was to assess the changes that occurred in the woody plant community from 2003 to 2008. Sixty permanent plots of 10 x 10 m were established, in which all individuals with diameter at breast height > 5 cm were sampled. A total of 1,140 ind. ha-1 were recorded in 2003 (basal area 24.35 m² ha-1) and 1,071 ind. ha-1 in 2008 (basal area of 22.04 m² ha-1). The recruitment (2.76% year-1) did not compensate mortality (3.95% year-1) and the basal area gain (0.54% year-1) did not exceed the loss (3.77% year-1). Because of this unbalance, the half-life (17.3 years) was lower than the doubling time (29.9 years), resulting in low stability (12.6 yrs) and replacement (23.6 yrs) in relation to other seasonal forests. The parameters of community and species dynamics suggest that the forest is undergoing changes characterized mainly by the density and biomass reduction of trees, which may be related to an increase in lianas, an early rebuilding phase of the forest silvigenetic cycle or even the severe drought that occurred in the region in 2005

Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) Phase 4 (2018): Change management in allergic rhinitis and asthma multimorbidity using mobile technology

Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) has evolved from a guideline by using the best approach to integrated care pathways using mobile technology in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma multimorbidity. The proposed next phase of ARIA is change management, with the aim of providing an active and healthy life to patients with rhinitis and to those with asthma multimorbidity across the lifecycle irrespective of their sex or socioeconomic status to reduce health and social inequities incurred by the disease. ARIA has followed the 8-step model of Kotter to assess and implement the effect of rhinitis on asthma multimorbidity and to propose multimorbid guidelines. A second change management strategy is proposed by ARIA Phase 4 to increase self-medication and shared decision making in rhinitis and asthma multimorbidity. An innovation of ARIA has been the development and validation of information technology evidence-based tools (Mobile Airways Sentinel Network [MASK]) that can inform patient decisions on the basis of a self-care plan proposed by the health care professional.Public Health and primary carePrevention, Population and Disease management (PrePoD