Immobilization of CalB Lipase by adsorption on magnetic nanoparticles: A heterogeneous biocatalysis/ Imobilização da lipase CalB por adsorção em nanopartículas magnéticas: um biocatalisador heterogêneo

Iron magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4) were evaluated as adsorption preparative heterofunctional support for the immobilization of lipase B from Candida antarctica (CALB). Heterogeneous magnetic catalysts are easy to recover by the magnetic field, which may optimize operational cost and enhance the purity of the products. The nanoparticles were produced by the co-precipitation method. Modifications were carried out on the nanoparticles’ surfaces with aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS). The adsorption was evaluated for 3.0 mg protein/g of support in the presence of 5mM sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, at 25 °C and 0.5h of immobilization. In a solvent-free medium, under 37 °C, the biocatalyst prepared has shown activity of 2.2 U/g for the esterification of oleic acid after 0.5h, 37 kHz, and 300 W. The results obtained with CALB adsorbed onto magnetic iron nanoparticles were compared with those of lipase B from Candida antartica adsorbed onto acrylic resin (Novozym® 435). In this regard, under the same reactional conditions, Novozym® 435 has presented activity of 2.9 U/g

Rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Alveolar recruitment followed by ventilation at optimal titrated PEEP may reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS, but the effects on mortality and other clinical outcomes remain unknown. This article reports the rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART). Methods/Design: ART is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized (concealed), controlled trial, which aims to determine if maximum stepwise alveolar recruitment associated with PEEP titration is able to increase 28-day survival in patients with ARDS compared to conventional treatment (ARDSNet strategy). We will enroll adult patients with ARDS of less than 72 h duration. The intervention group will receive an alveolar recruitment maneuver, with stepwise increases of PEEP achieving 45 cmH(2)O and peak pressure of 60 cmH2O, followed by ventilation with optimal PEEP titrated according to the static compliance of the respiratory system. In the control group, mechanical ventilation will follow a conventional protocol (ARDSNet). In both groups, we will use controlled volume mode with low tidal volumes (4 to 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) and targeting plateau pressure <= 30 cmH2O. The primary outcome is 28-day survival, and the secondary outcomes are: length of ICU stay; length of hospital stay; pneumothorax requiring chest tube during first 7 days; barotrauma during first 7 days; mechanical ventilation-free days from days 1 to 28; ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month survival. ART is an event-guided trial planned to last until 520 events (deaths within 28 days) are observed. These events allow detection of a hazard ratio of 0.75, with 90% power and two-tailed type I error of 5%. All analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: If the ART strategy with maximum recruitment and PEEP titration improves 28-day survival, this will represent a notable advance to the care of ARDS patients. Conversely, if the ART strategy is similar or inferior to the current evidence-based strategy (ARDSNet), this should also change current practice as many institutions routinely employ recruitment maneuvers and set PEEP levels according to some titration method.Hospital do Coracao (HCor) as part of the Program 'Hospitais de Excelencia a Servico do SUS (PROADI-SUS)'Brazilian Ministry of Healt

Modafinil Prevents Inhibitory Avoidance Memory Deficit Induced by Sleep Deprivation in Rats

Study Objectives: Evaluation of modafinil effects on the inhibitory avoidance task (IA). Design: Rats were trained on a multiple trial IA task after receiving modafinil or vehicle injections. In experiment 1 they were trained with a weak protocol under baseline condition and in experiment 2, with a stronger protocol under sleep-deprivation condition. Results: In experiment 1 modafinil improved rats' acquisition whereas the retention test remained unaffected. In Experiment 2 modafinil did not interfere with training performance, but the lower dose prevented the retention impairment in sleep-deprived animals. Conclusions: Modafinil is able to improve acquisition in normal rats and reverse the long-term memory impairment induced by sleep-deprivation

Percepção de risco no uso de agrotóxicos em cinco comunidades rurais no município de Pombal, PB

The indiscriminate use of pesticides in Brazil has been growing over time and the consequences of food contamination, environmental pollution and health problems of rural workers. For the foregoing held lectures in five rural communities in the municipality of Pombal-PB, with goals to inform farmers about correct ways of applying pesticides, the health risks by excessive exposure of these substances and the proper way of disposal of empty containers of pesticides. The knowledge about the subject in question was conducted through a questionnaire administered before the lectures and found that 93% of respondents reported using pesticides on their crops, 83% responded that they use pesticides to more than five years, 40% reported agricultural pesticides applied once a week, was diagnosed also that 54% of respondents did not receive technical information on application and handling of pesticides, and 51% reported that they do not know the personal protective equipment (PPE) and 96% of respondents not properly designed empty containers of pesticides.O uso indiscriminado de agrotóxicos no Brasil vem crescendo ao longo do tempo e cujas consequências são a contaminação de alimentos, a poluição ambiental e problemas de saúde dos trabalhadores rurais. Diante do exposto realizou-se palestras em cinco comunidades rurais do município de Pombal-PB, com objetivos de informar aos agricultores as formas corretas de aplicação dos defensivos agrícolas, os riscos à saúde pela exposição excessiva dessas substâncias e a correta maneira da destinação final das embalagens vazias dos agrotóxicos. O conhecimento sobre o assunto em questão foi realizado por meio de um questionário aplicado antes das palestras e verificou-se que 93% dos entrevistados informaram que utilizam agrotóxicos em suas lavouras, 83% responderam que utilizam produtos fitossanitários a mais de cinco anos, 40% reportaram aplicar defensivos agrícolas uma vez por semana, diagnosticou-se também que 54% dos entrevistados não receberam informação técnica sobre aplicação e manejo de agrotóxico, bem como 51% relataram que não conhecem os equipamentos de proteção individual (EPI) e 96 % dos entrevistados não destinam corretamente as embalagens vazias dos agrotóxicos

Corn distillers dried grains with solubles in the feed of broilers and their effects on the performance, carcass yield, and gastrointestinal characteristics

This study has as an objective to determine the effect of different inclusion levels of dried distillery grain with soluble (DDGS) on meat chicken diet to its performance, carcass yield and cuts and gastrointestinal tract biometry. A mixed lot of 700 one-day-old chickens from COOB 500 linage was used, distributed in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments, 7 repetitions and 20 broilers per experimental unit, were 10 was male and 10 female. The studied levels of DDGS were 4; 8; 12 and 16% of inclusion on experimental rations, plus the control treatment (0%). At the 1st and the 42nd days of life, the broilers were weighted, as the remains of ration to obtain variables of performance. For performance it was evaluated weight gain (WG) (g/bird/day), ration consumption (RC) (g/bird/day), feed conversion (FC), medium weight (MW), productive efficiency index (PEI), and viability (V). At 42 days of age 2 broilers from each lot was selected, weighted and identified with medium weight from the experimental unit for slaughtering and evaluation of cuts yield, carcass and gastrointestinal biometry. The evaluated parameters were submitted to variance analyses with 5% of probability using the statistical program SAS. Effects of inclusion of DDGS were estimated through variable analyses via linear regression models and the contrasts by the Dunnett test with 5% of probability. For the variables WG, FC, MW and PEI on the period of 1-42 days of production, it was obtained values of better performance on the level of 7,28%; 10,60%; 12;10% e 12;92% respectively. There was a reduction of carcass weight, of breast and fat of the broilers when using 12 and 16% of DDGCS. Therefore, it has indicated the inclusion of until 11, 02% and 7, 44% on the diet so there is no loss on carcass yield and breast weight, respectively.This study was conducted to determine the effect of different levels of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in the diet of broilers, with regard to the performance, carcass yield, and gastrointestinal characteristics. A mixed lot of 700 one-day-old broilers from the COOB 500 lineage were used. It was distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments, seven repetitions, and twenty broilers per experimental unit — ten male and ten female. The DDGS levels studied were inclusion of 4%, 8%, 12%, and 16% on experimental diets, plus the control treatment (0%). The period of 1–42 days were considered for performance evaluation. For performance, the following factors were evaluated weight gain (WG) (g/bird/day), ration consumption (RC) (g/bird/day), feed conversion (FC), medium weight (MW), productive efficiency index (PEI), and viability (V). At 42 days of age, two broilers from each lot were selected, weighed, and the ones with medium weight were identified from the experimental unit, for slaughtering and evaluation of cut yield, carcass, and gastrointestinal biometry. The evaluated parameters were submitted to variance analyses with a 5% probability, using the statistical program SAS-2012. The effects of the inclusion of DDGS were estimated through variable analyses via regression models and the contrasts by the Dunnett test, with a 5% probability. In the period of 1–42 days of production, the values of better performance obtained for the variables WG, FC, MW, and PEI were at levels of 7.28%; 10.60%; 12.10%, and 12.92%, respectively. There was a reduction in carcass weight, breast, and fat of the broilers, when using 12% and 16% of DDGS. Therefore, it indicated the inclusion of up to 11.02%, and 7.44% in the diet, so there was no loss on carcass yield and breast weight, respectively

CORN DISTILLERS' DRIED GRAINS WITH SOLUBLES ON PERFORMANCE AND GASTROINTESTINAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BROILERS

This study has as an objective to determine the effect of different inclusion levels of dried distillery grain with soluble (DDGS) on meat chicken diet to its performance, carcass yield and cuts and gastrointestinal tract biometry. A mixed lot of 700 one-day-old chickens from COOB 500 linage was used, distributed in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments, 7 repetitions and 20 broilers per experimental unit, were 10 was male and 10 female. The studied levels of DDGS were 4; 8; 12 and 16% of inclusion on experimental rations, plus the control treatment (0%). At the 1st and the 42nd days of life, the broilers were weighted, as the remains of ration to obtain variables of performance. For performance it was evaluated weight gain (WG) (g/bird/day), ration consumption (RC) (g/bird/day), feed conversion (FC), medium weight (MW), productive efficiency index (PEI), and viability (V). At 42 days of age 2 broilers from each lot was selected, weighted and identified with medium weight from the experimental unit for slaughtering and evaluation of cuts yield, carcass and gastrointestinal biometry. The evaluated parameters were submitted to variance analyses with 5% of probability using the statistical program SAS. Effects of inclusion of DDGS were estimated through variable analyses via linear regression models and the contrasts by the Dunnett test with 5% of probability. For the variables WG, FC, MW and PEI on the period of 1-42 days of production, it was obtained values of better performance on the level of 7,28%; 10,60%; 12;10% e 12;92% respectively. There was a reduction of carcass weight, of breast and fat of the broilers when using 12 and 16% of DDGCS. Therefore, it has indicated the inclusion of until 11, 02% and 7, 44% on the diet so there is no loss on carcass yield and breast weight, respectively

Antioxidant Activity Of Indigo And Its Preventive Effect Against Ethanol-induced Dna Damage In Rat Gastric Mucosa.

Ethanol-induced oxidative damage is commonly associated with the generation of reactive oxygen molecules, leading to oxidative stress. Considering that antioxidant activity is an important mechanism of action involved in cytoprotection, the aim of this work was to evaluate the antioxidant properties of the alkaloid indigo (1) (2 mg/kg, P. O.), obtained from the leaves of Indigofera truxillensis Kunth (Fabaceae), on rat gastric mucosa submitted to ethanol-induced (100%, 1 mL, P. O.) gastric ulcer. Enzymatic assays and DNA fragmentation analysis were performed. When ethanol was administered to the control group, the sulfhydryl content (SH) and the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity decreased by 41% and 50%, respectively; in contrast, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities increased by 56% and 67%, respectively. Additionally, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, a marker for free radical generation caused by polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) tissue infiltration, also increased 4.5-fold after ethanol treatment. Rat gastric mucosa exposed to ethanol showed DNA fragmentation. Indigo alkaloid pretreatment protected rats from ethanol-induced gastric lesions. This effect was determined by the ulcerative lesion area (ULA), indicating an inhibition of around 80% at 2 mg/kg. This alkaloid also diminished GPx activity, which was higher than that observed with ethanol alone. However, this effect was counterbalanced by increased GR activity. Indigo was unable to restore alterations in SOD activity promoted by ethanol. After indigo pretreatment, SH levels and MPO activity remained normal and gastric mucosa DNA damage caused by ethanol was also partially prevented by indigo. These results suggest that the gastroprotective mechanisms of indigo include non-enzymatic antioxidant effects and the inhibition of PMN infiltration which, in combination, partially protect the gastric mucosa against ethanol-induced DNA damage.731241-

Antioxidant activity of indigo and its preventive effect against ethanol-induced DNA damage in rat gastric mucosa

Ethanol-induced oxidative damage is commonly associated with the generation of reactive oxygen molecules, leading to oxidative stress. Considering that antioxidant activity is an important mechanism of action involved in cytoprotection, the aim of this work was to evaluate the antioxidant properties of the alkaloid indigo (1) (2 mg/kg, p. o.), obtained from the leaves of Indigofera truxillensis Kunth (Fabaceae), on rat gastric mucosa submitted to ethanol-induced (100%, 1 mL, p.o.) gastric ulcer. Enzymatic assays and DNA fragmentation analysis were performed. When ethanol was administered to the control group, the sulfhydryl content (SH) and the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity decreased by 41% and 50%, respectively; in contrast, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities increased by 56% and 67%, respectively. Additionally, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, a marker for free radical generation caused by polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) tissue infiltration, also increased 4.5-fold after ethanol treatment. Rat gastric mucosa exposed to ethanol showed DNA fragmentation. Indigo alkaloid pretreatment protected rats from ethanol-induced gastric lesions. This effect was determined by the ulcerative lesion area (ULA), indicating an inhibition of around 80% at 2 mg/kg. This alkaloid also diminished GPx activity, which was higher than that observed with ethanol alone. However, this effect was counterbalanced by increased GR activity. Indigo was unable to restore alterations in SOD activity promoted by ethanol. After indigo pretreatment, SH levels and MPO activity remained normal and gastric mucosa DNA damage caused by ethanol was also partially prevented by indigo. These results suggest that the gastroprotective mechanisms of indigo include non-enzymatic antioxidant effects and the inhibition of PMN infiltration which, in combination, partially protect the gastric mucosa against ethanol-induced DNA damage