Economic Analysis of the Production of Amylases and Other Hydrolases by Aspergillus awamori in Solid-State Fermentation of Babassu Cake

Amylases are one of the most important industrial enzymes produced worldwide, with their major application being in ethanol manufacturing. This work investigated the production of amylases by solid-state fermentation of babassu cake, using the filamentous fungus Aspergillus awamori IOC-3914. Lab-scale experiments were carried out to generate input data for simulations of an industrial plant for amylase production. Additionally to the target enzymes, other hydrolases (cellulases, xylanases, and proteases) were also produced, enriching the final product. The most suitable fermentation time was 144 hours, when exoamylase and endoamylase activities of 40.5 and 42.7 U g−1 were achieved, respectively. A first evaluation showed a large impact of the inoculum propagation medium on production costs. Therefore, five propagation media were compared, and PDA medium presented the best cost-benefit ratio. The credits obtained from sales of fermented cake as a coproduct enabled a significant decrease in the production cost of the enzyme product, down to 10.40 USD kg−1

Clinical and x-ray oral evaluation in patients with congenital Zika Virus

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate possible malformations in the soft, bone and/or dental tissues in patients with congenital Zika Virus (ZIKV) by clinical and x-ray evaluation. Methodology: Thirty children born with ZIKV and 30 children born without ZIKV (control group) were included in the study. Patients were evaluated over 24 consecutive months according to the variables: sex, age, cleft palates, soft tissue lesions, alveolar ridge hyperplasia, short labial and lingual frenums, inadequate posture of the lingual and perioral muscles at rest, micrognathia, narrow palatine vaults, changes in the teeth shape and/or number, sequence eruption, spasms, seizures and eruption delay were evaluated. Chi-square test, Student’s t-test and nominal logistic regression were used (p<0.05). Results: Among the 30 babies examined, the mean age of the first dental eruption was 10.8±3.8 with almost two-thirds of the children (n=18, 60%) experiencing eruptions of their first tooth after 9 months of age, nine children (30%) had inadequate lingual posture at rest, more than half of the children (n=18, 60%) had short labial or lingual frenums. ZIKV babies showed a high prevalence of clef palate (p<0.001), inadequate lingual posture at rest (p=0.004), micrognathia (p=0.002), changes in the shape and/or number of teeth (p=0.006), alteration in sequence of dental eruption (p<0.001) and muscles spasms (p=0.002). The delay eruption was associated with inadequate lingual posture at rest (p=0.047), micrognathia (p=0.002) and changes in the shape and/or number of teeth (p=0.021). The delayed eruption (p=0.006) and narrow palatine vaults (p=0.008) were independently associated with ZIKV. Moreover, female patients showed the most narrow palatine vaults (p=0.010). Conclusions: The children with ZIKV showed a greater tendency to have delayed eruption of the first deciduous tooth, inadequate lingual posture and short labial and lingual frenums

Infantile hypothyroidism and its relationship with delayed tooth eruption : a case report

Hypothyroidism is characterized as a systemic endocrine disorder that is caused by a dysfunction of the thyroid gland. This produces the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 that are responsible for carrying out the normal functions of the physical body, that is,

OPCIONES EN CONTABILIDAD PARA INVERSIONES INMOBILIARIAS

Este artigo tem por objetivo analisar as escolhas contábeis de empresas listadas na BM&FBOVESPA, quando da adoção do CPC 28 – Propriedade para Investimento – norma correlacionada a IAS 40 – Investment Property. A norma possibilita a escolha de métodos alternativos para avaliação das propriedades para investimento: método do valor justo ou método de custo. Desse modo, empresas semelhantes poderão ter demonstrações contábeis diferenciadas. Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva, documental e predominantemente quantitativa. Os dados coletados foram analisados por meio da estatística descritiva e da técnica multivariada de análise de regressão logística. Das 39 empresas selecionadas, 17 (44%) adotaram o método do valor justo e as 22 empresas restantes (56%) optaram pelo método de custo. As análises descritivas permitiram observar, também, o montante que ficou fora do balanço (off balance sheet), no caso das empresas que escolheram o método de custo. No que se refere à análise multivariada, ficou evidenciado que, das variáveis selecionadas para o estudo, nenhuma pareceu apresentar relação estatisticamente significativa com o método de avaliação escolhido pelas empresas. Devem-se levar em consideração que 2009 e 2010 foram os primeiros anos da utilização do CPC 28, assim como, dos demais Pronunciamentos Contábeis, de forma plena, e tal fato pode ter influenciado no resultado encontrado. Outro ponto importante é quanto ao mercado de capitais brasileiro, que é bastante diferente dos mercados estrangeiros, nos quais estudos similares já foram conduzidos. Por isso conclusões e comparações com os resultados encontrados devem ser feitas com cautela. This article aims to analyze the accounting choices of companies listed on the BM&FBOVESPA, upon adoption of CPC 28 - Investment Property - correlated standard IAS 40 - Investment Property. The standard allows the choice of alternative methods for assessment of investment properties: fair value method or the cost method. Thus companies similar may have statements differentiated. This is a descriptive, documentary and predominantly quantitative research. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate technique of logistic regression analysis. Of the 39 companies selected, 17 (44%) adopted the fair value method and the remaining 22 companies (56%) opted for the cost method. The descriptive analysis allowed us to observe, also, the amount that was off balance sheet in the case of companies that have chosen the cost method. With regard to multivariate analysis, it was evidence that the variables selected for the study, seemed to present no statistically significant relationship with the valuation method chosen by the companies. You should take into consideration that 2009 and 2010 were the first years of using CPC 28, as well as the other Accounting Pronouncements, fully, and this fact may have influenced the results found. Another important point is about the Brazilian capital market, which is quite different from foreign markets, where similar studies have been conducted. Therefore conclusions and comparisons with the results should be made with caution.Este artículo tiene como objetivo analizar las opciones de contabilidad de las empresas que cotizan en la BM&FBOVESPA, previa aprobación del CPC 28 - Propiedad de inversión - correlacionada norma NIC 40 - Propiedad de inversión. La norma permite la elección de métodos alternativos para la evaluación de las propiedades de inversión: método de valor razonable o el método del costo. Así, las similares empresas  pueden tener declaraciones diferenciadas. Este es un documental descriptivo y cuantitativo en su mayor parte. Los datos obtenidos fueron analizados mediante estadística descriptiva y la técnica multivariante de regresión logística. De las 39 empresas seleccionadas, 17 (44%) adoptó el método de valor razonable y los restantes 22 empresas (56%) optaron por el método del costo. El análisis descriptivo nos permitió observar, también, la cantidad que estaba fuera de balance en el caso de las empresas que han optado por el método del costo. Con respecto al análisis multivariado, era se evidencia que las variables seleccionadas para el estudio, parecía presentar ninguna relación estadísticamente significativa con el método de valoración elegido por las empresas. Usted debe tomar en cuenta que 2009 y 2010 fueron los primeros años de uso CPC 28, así como los otros pronunciamientos de contabilidad, totalmente, y este hecho puede haber influido en los resultados. Otro punto importante es sobre el mercado de capitales brasileño, que es muy diferente de los mercados extranjeros, donde los estudios similares se han llevado a cabo. Por lo tanto las conclusiones y las comparaciones con los resultados deben hacerse con cautela

Multiresponse Optimization of Inoculum Conditions for the Production of Amylases and Proteases by Aspergillus awamori in Solid-State Fermentation of Babassu Cake

This work aimed at investigating the simultaneous production of amylases and proteases by solid-state fermentation (SSF) of babassu cake using Aspergillus awamori IOC-3914. By means of experimental design techniques and the desirability function, optimum inoculum conditions (C/N ratio of propagation medium, inoculum age, and concentration of inoculum added to SSF medium) for the production of both groups of enzymes were found to be 25.8, 28.4 h, and 9.1 mg g−1, respectively. Significant influence of both initial C/N ratio and inoculum concentration was observed. Optimum amylolytic activities predicted by this multiresponse analysis were validated by independent experiments, thus indicating the efficacy of this approach

THE USE OF GEOTECHNOLOGY, AS A PROPOSAL FOR THE DISSEMINATION, INTERACTIVITY, AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE PANTANAL BIOME, IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The search for an integrated school to an increasingly dynamic reality has been perhaps the greatest challenge faced by education professionals nowadays. In this context; technological innovations have played an important role to obtain more effective results in the process of understanding and possible spreading of knowledge. That demand has made possible in recent decades, the development of several work proposals using new technologies, such as Remote Sensing. In this sense, this work is characterized as a development of the project on Psychomotor activities and Animation Remote Sensing for the 5th and 6th grades of elementary school - the Case Study was carried out at the Municipal School Rondon (VIEIRA, 2011), in which foundations and Remote Sensing activities were combined with a playful and interactive approach. This new step aimed at identifying the major biomes of Brazil, with emphasis on the Pantanal. The use of computer animation was maintained with the same characters from previous work, at this stage, focusing on the interpretation of satellite images in the presentation and identification of the biome with its diversities and changes, covering the impacts generated by human activities. It is hoped that this work generates educational material that serves as support to educators in the use of new technologies for the study of this and other Brazilian environment

Association between Genetic Variants in NOS2 and TNF Genes with Congenital Zika Syndrome and Severe Microcephaly

Zika virus (ZIKV) causes Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) in individuals exposed prenatally. Here, we investigated polymorphisms in VEGFA, PTGS2, NOS3, TNF, and NOS2 genes as risk factors to CZS. Forty children with CZS and forty-eight children who were in utero exposed to ZIKV infection, but born without congenital anomalies, were evaluated. Children with CZS were predominantly infected by ZIKV in the first trimester (p < 0.001) and had mothers with lower educational level (p < 0.001) and family income (p < 0.001). We found higher risk of CZS due the allele rs2297518[A] of NOS2 (OR = 2.28, CI 95% 1.17–4.50, p = 0.015). T allele and TT/CT genotypes of the TNF rs1799724 and haplotypes associated with higher expression of TNF were more prevalent in children with CZS and severe microcephaly (p = 0.029, p = 0.041 and p = 0.030, respectively). Our findings showed higher risk of CZS due ZIKV infection in the first trimester and suggested that polymorphisms in NOS2 and TNF genes affect the risk of CZS and severe microcephaly

Functional polymorphisms in the p53 pathway genes on the genetic susceptibility to zika virus teratogenesis

Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) occurs in up to 42% of individuals exposed to ZIKV prenatally. Deregulation in gene expression and protein levels of components of the p53 signaling pathway, such as p53 and MDM2, due to ZIKV infection has been reported. Here, we evaluate functional polymorphisms in genes of the p53 signaling pathway as risk factors to CZS. Forty children born with CZS and forty-eight children exposed to ZIKV, but born without congenital anomalies were included in this study. Gestational and sociodemographic information as well as the genotypic and allelic frequencies of functional polymorphisms in TP53, MDM2, MIR605 and LIF genes were compared between the two groups. We found children with CZS exposed predominantly in the first trimester and controls in the third trimester (p<0.001). Moreover, children with CZS were predominantly from families with a lower socioeconomic level (p=0.008). We did not find a statistically significant association between the investigated polymorphisms and development of CZS; however, by comparing individuals with CZS and lissencephaly or without lissencephaly, we found a significative difference in the allelic frequencies of the TP53 rs1042522, which is associated with a more potent p53-induced apoptosis (p=0.007). Our findings suggest that the TP53 rs1042522 polymorphism should be better investigate as a genetic risk factor for the development of lissencephaly in children with CZS

Eugenia uniflora

Eugenia uniflora L. is a member of the Myrtaceae family and is commonly known as Brazilian cherry tree. In this study, we evaluated the chemical composition of Eugenia uniflora L. essential oil (EuEO) by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and assessed its anti-Leishmania activity. We also explored the potential mechanisms of action and cytotoxicity of EuEO. Thirty-two compounds were identified, which constituted 92.65% of the total oil composition. The most abundant components were sesquiterpenes (91.92%), with curzerene (47.3%), γ-elemene (14.25%), and trans-β-elemenone (10.4%) being the major constituents. The bioactivity shown by EuEO against promastigotes (IC50, 3.04 μg·mL−1) and amastigotes (IC50, 1.92 μg·mL−1) suggested significant anti-Leishmania activity. In the cytotoxicity determination, EuEO was 20 times more toxic to amastigotes than to macrophages. Hemolytic activity was 63.22% at the highest concentration tested (400 μg·mL−1); however, there appeared to be no toxicity at 50 μg·mL−1. While the data show that EuEO activity is not mediated by nitric oxide production, they do suggest that macrophage activation may be involved in EuEO anti-Leishmania activity, as evidenced by increases in both the phagocytic capacity and the lysosomal activity. More studies are needed to determine in vivo activity as well as additional mechanisms of the anti-Leishmania activity

Self-medication in adolescents of the systemeducatinalin the city of Picos/Piauí / Automedicação em adolescentes da rede estadual de ensino na cidade de Picos/Piauí

Objetivo: Analisar a prática de automedicação por adolescentes da rede estadual de ensino de Picos-PI. Método: Estudo descritivo e transversal, realizado com 209 adolescentes. A coleta de dados ocorreu em encontros semanais por meio de um questionário. Resultados: A faixa etária mais prevalente foi de 17 anos 94 (44,9%), 122 (58,4%) do sexo feminino, moravam com a família 129 (61,7%), na zona urbana 179 (85,7%), e católticos149 (71,2%). 209(100%) praticam a automedicação, sendo a febre o principal sintoma 120 (57,4%), e o comprimido a forma farmacêutica mais consumida 168 (57,4%). A principal motivação para automedicação foi a facilidade de conseguir medicamentos fora dos estabelecimentos de saúde 103 (49,3%), e 141 (67,5%) concordam que propagandas influenciam este comportamento. Conclusão: Os adolescentes praticam automedicação com elevada frequência, o que remete à necessidade de ações estratégicas a nível local com vistas à redução dessa prática