Estimating soil carbon content using easily obtainable parameters.

Introduction Among the many strategies adopted to mitigate climate change is the reduction of atmospheric carbon in a process called carbon sequestration, which consists of the transfer of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to other global pools, such as the soil [1]. Therefore, quantifying the soil carbon is of great importance for successfully measuring the efficiency of carbon sequestration practices and providing accurate reports [2]. The correct measurement of soil carbon is a costly and cumbersome process requiring shipping of samples from the field to laboratories, greatly limiting its applicability [3]. In order to reduce the cost and time required for analyses, several techniques have been developed, such as laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy [4] and online visible and near-infrared spectroscopy with random forests [5]. Even though these new techniques are faster and less expensive, samples still are required to be collected in the field. Developing a method that could provide estimates of the carbon content of farms, using easily obtained variables such as soil texture and practices, would contribute to understanding the relationship between these variables and soil carbon, facilitating carbon sequestration initiatives [6]. Thus, the aim of this project was to train a model on the data available and verify its validity

Bioassay of amoxicillin in rats

Few reports are available about tissue concentration of amoxicillin. The techniques used to measure tissue concentration usually require rupture and are expensive. The objective of the present study is to assess the utility of an animal model to predict tissue concentration of amoxicillin using induced granulomatous tissue. We used 160 rats with four polyurethane sponges previously implanted in their backs. At 7, 14, 21 and 28 d after sponge introduction, groups of eight animals each received 3.5, 7.0, 40.0 or 80.0 mg/kg of amoxicillin (p.o.) or 1 ml of 0.9% NaCl solution (control group). One hour after drug administration, 10 microl of serum and granulomatous tissue were obtained. Tissue and serum were placed on different plates containing Mueller Hinton agar inoculated with 10(8) cfu (colony forming unit) of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), and the diameters of the inhibition zones were measured after 18 h of incubation. Analysis of variance showed no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) among time periods for the same dose of amoxicillin. These results suggest that the pharmacokinetics of amoxicillin did not change in relation to the development of granulomatous tissue; therefore this method is valid to measure the tissue concentration of amoxicillin.Few reports are available about tissue concentration of amoxicillin. The techniques used to measure tissue concentration usually require rupture and are expensive. The objective of the present study is to assess the utility of an animal model to predict tissue concentration of amoxicillin using induced granulomatous tissue. We used 160 rats with four polyurethane sponges previously implanted in their backs. At 7, 14, 21 and 28 d after sponge introduction, groups of eight animals each received 3.5, 7.0, 40.0 or 80.0 mg/kg of amoxicillin (p.o.) or 1 ml of 0.9% NaCl solution (control group). One hour after drug administration, 10 microl of serum and granulomatous tissue were obtained. Tissue and serum were placed on different plates containing Mueller Hinton agar inoculated with 10(8) cfu (colony forming unit) of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), and the diameters of the inhibition zones were measured after 18 h of incubation. Analysis of variance showed no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) among time periods for the same dose of amoxicillin. These results suggest that the pharmacokinetics of amoxicillin did not change in relation to the development of granulomatous tissue; therefore this method is valid to measure the tissue concentration of amoxicillin2391033103

Antimicrobial susceptibility of air-dispersed microorganisms in dental settings

CAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL E NÍVEL SUPERIORTo determine the number and the susceptibility of microorganisms collected in a clinical environment against the antimicrobial agents used commonly in dentistry, petri dishes containing trypticase soy agar were exposed to air in different sites of a multi-chair dental clinic before, during, and after multiple clinical procedures and incubated for 24 hours under aerobic conditions. Colonies were identified by Gram stain technique and biochemical tests. Commercial paper disks containing widely prescribed antimicrobial agents (beta-lactams, macrolides, and clindamycin) were used to perform the antimicrobial susceptibility tests. The groups (colony forming units = cfu/m2/min) were submitted to the Kruskal-Wallis test (alpha = 5.0%), considering different clinical situations and environmental sites. During clinical procedures, the number of microorganisms increased (p < 0.05). This study highlights the need for established strategies to prevent resistant bacterial strains from emerging in dental settings.To determine the number and the susceptibility of microorganisms collected in a clinical environment against the antimicrobial agents used commonly in dentistry, petri dishes containing trypticase soy agar were exposed to air in different sites of a multi-chair dental clinic before, during, and after multiple clinical procedures and incubated for 24 hours under aerobic conditions. Colonies were identified by Gram stain technique and biochemical tests. Commercial paper disks containing widely prescribed antimicrobial agents (beta-lactams, macrolides, and clindamycin) were used to perform the antimicrobial susceptibility tests. The groups (colony forming units = cfu/m2/min) were submitted to the Kruskal-Wallis test (alpha = 5.0%), considering different clinical situations and environmental sites. During clinical procedures, the number of microorganisms increased (p < 0.05). This study highlights the need for established strategies to prevent resistant bacterial strains from emerging in dental settings5313236CAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL E NÍVEL SUPERIORCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL E NÍVEL SUPERIORsem informaçã

J. R. Hay: The Origins of the Liberal Welfare Reforms 1906-1914. Studies in Economic and Social History, ed. M. W. Flinn. MacMillan, London, 1975. 78 s.

CAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL E NÍVEL SUPERIORFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOTraditional medicine of Brazilian central savannah preconizes Dipteryx alata extracts against snakebites venoms. Previous studies have shown the extract of this plant's bark antagonizing the neuromuscular blockade caused by snake venom in isolated mice diaphragm and phrenic nerve models. In the present study, the triterpenoids lupeol, lupenone, 28-OH-lupenone and betulin, which are constituents of the plant, were observed by using in vitro pharmacological tests. These tests showed the efficacy of all tested triterpenoids (1 mg/5mL) against the irreversible neuromuscular blockade caused by snake venom from Bothrops jararacussu (Bjssu, 40 μg/mL, n=19), as following: betulin (68 ± 7%, n=11) ~ lupeol (70 ± 8%, n=5) > lupenone (45 ± 9%, n=7) ~ 28-OH-lupenone (54 ± 5%, n=4). Betulin (39.5 ± 9%, n=9) and lupenone (49.5 ± 8%, n=4) significantly protected against Crotalus durissus terrificus (CDT, 10 μg/mL, n=10) envenomation of neuromuscular junction. The mixture of betulin or lupeol + Bjssu venom and betulin or lupenone + CDT venom showed significant phytochemical protection in morphological analysis. Considering both pharmacological and morphological results, betulin showed the best protective effect against neuromuscular blockade and myotoxicity caused by both snake venoms. In addition, it has a potent short-term excitatory action in the neuromuscular junction. We concluded that the studied triterpenoids, especially betulin, showed antiophidian properties. © 2012 Bentham Science Publishers.Traditional medicine of Brazilian central savannah preconizes Dipteryx alata extracts against snakebites venoms. Previous studies have shown the extract of this plant's bark antagonizing the neuromuscular blockade caused by snake venom in isolated mice diaphragm and phrenic nerve models. In the present study, the triterpenoids lupeol, lupenone, 28-OH-lupenone and betulin, which are constituents of the plant, were observed by using in vitro pharmacological tests. These tests showed the efficacy of all tested triterpenoids (1 mg/5mL) against the irreversible neuromuscular blockade caused by snake venom from Bothrops jararacussu (Bjssu, 40 μg/mL, n=19), as following: betulin (68 ± 7%, n=11) ~ lupeol (70 ± 8%, n=5) > lupenone (45 ± 9%, n=7) ~ 28-OH-lupenone (54 ± 5%, n=4). Betulin (39.5 ± 9%, n=9) and lupenone (49.5 ± 8%, n=4) significantly protected against Crotalus durissus terrificus (CDT, 10 μg/mL, n=10) envenomation of neuromuscular junction. The mixture of betulin or lupeol + Bjssu venom and betulin or lupenone + CDT venom showed significant phytochemical protection in morphological analysis. Considering both pharmacological and morphological results, betulin showed the best protective effect against neuromuscular blockade and myotoxicity caused by both snake venoms. In addition, it has a potent short-term excitatory action in the neuromuscular junction. We concluded that the studied triterpenoids, especially betulin, showed antiophidian properties162227172723CAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL E NÍVEL SUPERIORFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL E NÍVEL SUPERIORFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOsem informação2004/09705-8; 2007/53883-6; 2008/52643-4; 2008/11005-5Nazato, V.S., Rubem-Mauro, L., Vieira, N.A.G., dos Santos Rocha Jr., D., Glauzer Silva, M., Santos Lopes, P., dal-Belo, C.A., Oshima-Franco, Y., In vitro antiophidian properties of Dipteryx alata Vogel bark extracts (2010) Molecules, 15 (9), pp. 5956-5970Puebla, P., Oshima-Franco, Y., Franco, L.M., Dos Santos, M.G., da Silva, R.V., Rubem-Mauro, L., San Feliciano, A., Chemical constituents of the bark of Dipteryx alata Vogel, an active species against Bothrops jararacussu venom (2010) Molecules, 15 (11), pp. 8193-8204Harborne, J.B., (1998) Phytochemical Methods: A Guide to Modern Techniques of Plants Analysis, , Chapman & Hall: London, UKZalewski, C.A., Passero, L.F., Melo, A.S., Corbett, C.E., Laurenti, M.D., Toyama, M.H., Toyama, D.O., Lago, J.H., Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of derivatives from aerial parts of Baccharis uncinella (2011) Pharm Biol, 49 (6), pp. 602-607da Silva, J.O., Fernandes, R.S., Ticli, F.K., Oliveira, C.Z., Mazzi, M.V., Franco, J.J., Giuliatti, S., Sampaio, S.V., Triterpenoid saponins, new metalloprotease snake venom inhibitors isolated from Pentaclethra macroloba (2007) Toxicon, 50 (2), pp. 283-291Chatterjee, I., Chakravarty, A.K., Gomes, A., Daboia russellii and Naja kaouthia venom neutralization by lupeol acetate isolated from the root extract of Indian sarsaparilla Hemidesmus indicus R. Br (2006) J. Ethnopharmacol, 106 (1), pp. 38-43Assafim, M., Ferreira, M.S., Frattani, F.S., Guimarães, J.A., Monteiro, R.Q., Zingali, R.B., Counteracting effect of glycyrrhizin on the hemostatic abnormalities induced by Bothrops jararaca snake venom (2006) Br. J. Pharmacol, 148 (6), pp. 807-813Tseng, H.C., Liu, Y.C., Immobilized betulinic acid column and its interactions with phospholipase A2 and snake venom proteins (2004) J. Sep. Sci, 27 (14), pp. 1215-1220Fatima, N., Tapondjou, L.A., Lontsi, D., Sondengam, B.L., Atta-Ur-Rahman Choudhary, M.I., Quinovic acid glycosides from Mitragyna stipulosa--first examples of natural inhibitors of snake venom phosphodiesterase I (2002) Nat. Prod. 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Pharmacol, 1, pp. 38-61Farrapo, N.M., Silva, G.A.A., Costa, K.N., Silva, M.G., Cogo, J.C., Dal Belo, C.A., dos Santos, M.G., Oshima-Franco, Y., Inhibition of Bothrops jararacussu venom activities by Plathymenia reticulata Benth extracts (2011) J. Venom. Res, 2, pp. 52-58Oshima-Franco, Y., Hyslop, S., Prado-Franceschi, J., Cruz-Höfling, M.A., Rodrigues-Simioni, L., Neutralizing capacity of antisera raised in horses and rabbits against Crotalus durissus terrificus (South American rattlesnake) venom and its main toxin, crotoxin (1999) Toxicon, 37 (10), pp. 1341-1357de Jesus Reis Rosa, L., Silva, G.A.A., Amaral Filho, J., Silva, M.G., Cogo, J.C., Groppo, F.C., Oshima-Franco, Y., The inhibitory effect of Camellia sinensis extracts against the neuromuscular blockade of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom (2010) J. Venom. Res, 1, pp. 1-7Oshima-Franco, Y., Rosa, L.J.R., Silva, G.A.A., Amaral Filho, J., Silva, M.G., Lopes, P.S., Cogo, J.C., da Cruz-Höfling, M.A., (2012) Pharmacology, pp. 469-489. , www.intechopen.com, In, Gallelli, L., Ed.Intech:Croatia, Available inEfferth, T., Koch, E., Complex interactions between phytochemicals. 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Chem, 12 (1), pp. 57-64Murakami, M.T., Vicotia, M.M., Abrego, J.R.B., Lourenzoni, M.R., Cintra, A.C.O., Arruda, E.Z., Tomaz, M.A., Arni, R.K., Interfacial surface charge and free accessibility to the PLA2-active site-like region are essential requirements for the activity of Lys49 PLA2 homologues (2007) Toxicon, 49 (3), pp. 378-387Aird, S.D., Kaiser, I.I., Lewis, R.V., Kruggel, W.G., Rattlesnake presynaptic neurotoxins: Primary structure and evolutionary origin of the acidic subunit (1985) Biochemistry, 24 (25), pp. 7054-7058Aird, S.D., Yates, J.R., Martino, P.A., Shabanowitz, J., Hunt, D.F., Kaiser, I.I., The amino acid sequence of the acidic subunit B-chain of crotoxin (1990) Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1040 (2), pp. 217-22

Ag Nanoparticles/AgX (X=Cl, Br and I) Composites with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity and Low Toxicological Effects

This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article: M. Assis, F. C. Groppo Filho, D. S. Pimentel, T. Robeldo, A. F. Gouveia, T. F. D. Castro, H. C. S. Fukushima, C. C. de Foggi, J. P. C. da Costa, R. C. Borra, J. Andrés, E. Longo. Ag Nanoparticles/AgX (X=Cl, Br and I) Composites with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity and Low Toxicological Effects, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.202000502. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.Periodic structures induced by electron irradiation are a unique phenomenon when electron beams irradiate on the surface of some materials. These periodic structures have potential for technological applications. However, the fuzzy nature of the electron‐induced structuring hinders its further exploration in such applications. In this paper, novel Ag nanoparticle/AgX (X=Cl, Br and I) composites, with enhanced photocatalytic activity and low toxicological effects, were prepared, for the first time, using electron beam irradiation. The remarkable advantage of this approach is that the Ag nanoparticles/AgX composites can be easily prepared in one‐step without the need for high‐pressure conditions, surfactants, ionic liquids, or reducing agents. Furthermore, our method does not involve any toxic substances, which makes the as‐synthesized samples highly applicable for technological applications. The structure, morphology and physicochemical properties of the Ag nanoparticles/AgX composites were studied using various characterization techniques. Using first‐principles calculations based on density functional theory and the quantum theory of atoms in molecules, we reveal how the concentration of excess electrons in the AgX materials induces the formation of the Ag nanoparticles under electron beam irradiation. These results extend the fundamental understanding of the atomic process underlying the mechanism of Ag−X bond rupture observed during the transformation induced via electron irradiation of the AgX crystals by increasing the total number of electrons in the bulk structure. Thus, our findings provide viable guidance for the realization of new materials for the degradation of contaminated wastewater with low toxicity

Effect of betamethasone and diclofenac sodium on serum and tissue concentration of amoxicillin: in vivo study in rats Efeito da betametasona e do diclofenaco sódico na concentração sérica e tecidual da amoxicilina: estudo in vivo em ratos

OBJECTIVE: Antimicrobial agents in combination with anti-inflammatory drugs have been usually prescribed in both Medicine and Dentistry. However, few scientific reports support this clinical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of betamethasone and diclofenac sodium on serum and tissue concentration of amoxicillin in rats. METHODS: Four polyurethane sponges were implanted in the back skin of 48 rats. After seven days the animals were divided into 6 groups (n=8). Group 1: amoxicillin (25 mg/kg); G2: diclofenac sodium (2.5 mg/kg); G3: betamethasone (0.1 mg/kg); G4: diclofenac sodium and amoxicillin; G5: betamethasone and amoxicillin; and G6: 0.9% sodium chloride solution (1.0 mL - control group). All drugs were administered in a single dose. After 90 minutes, the granulomatous tissues of each animal were surgically removed and weighed. Blood was collected from cervical plexus, centrifuged and 10µL of serum was placed on paper discs. In order to estimate amoxicillin concentration, serum and granulomatous tissues were separately submitted to microbiological assay, which used 10(8)cfu/mL of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 (penicillin-susceptible strain). After incubation (18 hours, 37ºC) the inhibition zones were measured and compared to a regression curve. RESULTS: No inhibition zones were observed for groups 2, 3 and 6. Tissue and serum concentrations of both G1 (4.14µg/g and 2.06µg/mL, respectively) and G5 (3.87µg/g and 1.70µg/mL, respectively) showed statistically significant differences (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0.05) in comparison to G4 (1.45µg/g and 0.41µg/mL, respectively). G1 and G5 did not differ significantly (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Considering single doses, betamethasone did not interfere with amoxicillin levels but diclofenac sodium reduced both tissue and serum levels of amoxicillin in rats.<br>OBJETIVO: A prescrição de antimicrobianos associados a antiinflamatórios é uma prática comum em odontologia, embora na maioria das vezes não haja justificativa para tal conduta. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar, em um estudo in vivo em ratos, os efeitos da betametasona e do diclofenaco sódico nas concentrações sérica e tecidual da amoxicilina. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 48 ratos Wistar machos (6 grupos, n=8), com idade de 60 dias. Esponjas de PVC (policlorovinil) foram implantadas em quatro pontos no dorso de cada animal. Após sete dias, foram administrados por via intragástrica ou intramuscular: Grupo 1: amoxicilina (25 mg/kg); G2: diclofenaco sódico (2,5 mg/kg/i.m.); G3: betametasona (0,1 mg/kg/i.m.); G4: diclofenaco sódico e amoxicilina; G5: betametasona e amoxicilina; e G6: solução de cloreto de sódio a 0,9% (1,0 mL - grupo controle). Após 90 minutos, foram colhidos 2 tecidos granulomatosos e amostras séricas de cada animal e colocados em meios de cultura inoculados com 10(8) ufc/mL de Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. Os halos de inibição foram medidos após 18 horas de incubação (37ºC), e através do teste microbiológico foram obtidas as concentrações séricas e teciduais da amoxicilina. RESULTADOS: Não foram observados halos de inibição para os grupos 2, 3 e 6. As concentrações séricas e teciduais de G1 (4,14µg/g e 2,06µg/mL, respectivamente) e G5 (3,87µg/g e 1,70µg/mL, respectivamente) demonstraram diferenças estatisticamente significantes (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0,05) em comparação a G4 (1,45µg/g e 0,41µg/mL, respectivamente). G1 e G5 não apresentaram diferença estatística (p>0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Considerando uma dose única, a betametasona não interferiu nas concentrações sérica e tecidual de amoxicilina, enquanto o diclofenaco sódico reduziu as concentrações sérica e tecidual de amoxicilina em ratos

Produtividade e teor de sólidos solúveis de frutos de cultivares de morangueiro em ambiente protegido Yield and soluble solids contents of fruits of strawberry cultivars in protected cultivation

O cultivo protegido é uma alternativa para controlar variações climáticas em diferentes locais e épocas de plantio, entretanto, seus efeitos e interações com a cultura do morangueiro ainda são pouco conhecidos. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a influência de três sistemas de cultivo (túnel alto, túnel baixo e a campo) na produtividade, massa média de frutos e no teor de sólidos solúveis dos frutos das cultivares de morango Dover, Camarosa, Sweet Charlie e Oso Grande em Guarapuava-PR. Quanto à produtividade e massa média de frutos, a cultivar Camarosa foi a melhor nos cultivos em túnel, tanto alto quanto baixo, pelo seu excelente desempenho. Os frutos da cultivar Sweet Charlie apresentaram o maior teor de sólidos solúveis nos três ambientes de cultivo. A produtividade e a massa média dos frutos foram significativamente superiores nos cultivos em túneis, alto e baixo, quando comparados ao cultivo a campo. O ambiente que propiciou maior acúmulo de sólidos solúveis nos frutos foi o túnel alto, diferindo significativamente dos demais ambientes de cultivo.<br>Protected cultivation is an alternative to control the climatic effects in different places and times of planting, however, its effects and interactions with the strawberry crop are little known. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of three cropping systems (high tunnel, low tunnel and field) on yield, mean fruit mass and the soluble solids contents of strawberry cultivars Dover, Camarosa, Sweet Charlie and Oso Grande in Guarapuava. Camarosa cultivar presents an excellent performance regarding yield and mean fruit mass in high and low tunnel cultivation; hence, these cropping system can be indicated. Fruits of Sweet Charlie cultivar had the highest content of soluble solids in all the cultivation environments. Yield and mean fruit mass obtained from high and low tunnels were significantly higher than in the field. The environment high tunnel allowed greater accumulation of soluble solids, differing significantly from other evaluated environments