Interfacial stress and container failure during freezing of bulk protein solutions can be prevented by local heating

Lisboa 2020_Project 17653_CryocubeBottles and carboys are used for frozen storage and transport of biopharmaceutical formulations under a wide range of conditions. The quality of freezing and thawing in these systems has been questioned due to the formation of heterogeneous ice structures and deformation of containers. This work shows that during freezing of bulk protein solutions, the liquid at the air-liquid interface freezes first, forming an ice crust and enclosing the liquid phase. As the enclosed liquid freezes, internal pressure rises, pushing the liquid phase through the porous ice crust towards the air interface, leading to interfacial stress and protein aggregation. The aggregation of bovine serum albumin was more intense in the foam-like ice mound that was formed at the top, where bubbles were entrapped. This was characterized experimentally with the assistance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An isothermal cover is proposed to prevent the early freezing of the liquid at the air interface, attenuating substantially interfacial stress to proteins and releasing hydrostatic pressure, preserving the shape and integrity of the containers.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Incidence of canine leptospirosis in the metropolitan area of Curitiba, State of Parana, Southern Brazil

Introduction The incidence of canine leptospirosis in Brazil needs to be assessed Methods The same dogs in southern Brazil were sampled over two years to determine the prevalence, incidence and association of canine leptospirosis with various risk factors. Results In 2009, the prevalence was 33 (14.4%) of 228 dogs, with a predominance of serovar Canicola (33.4%). In 2010, 90 dogs were re-evaluated (the remaining dogs were lost to deaths, address changes and donations), and the prevalence was found to be 35 (38.9%) of 90, with the predominant serovar being Icterohaemorrhagiae (51.4%). Moreover, the incidence was 26 of 90 (28.9%), and the disease was statistically associated with age (2009) and street access (2010). Conclusions Our findings revealed instability in the dog population and age to be relevant risk factors for canine leptospirosis

Fatores de risco para leptospirose, relacionados à atividade laboral em agricultores de arroz em uma cidade do nordeste do Brasil, 2008.

<p>Em 07/2008 o município de Várzea Alegre/CE notificou 350 casos suspeitos de leptospirose em agricultores de arroz e uma investigação foi realizada para identificar os fatores de risco. Um estudo de caso controle (1:2) de base populacional foi conduzido de janeiro a julho de 2008. O caso foi o individuo que apresentou titulo de anticorpos para leptospirose maior ou igual a 1:100 pelo método da soroaglutinação microscópica e o controle foi o individuo saudável que não apresentou títulos de anticorpos para leptospirose selecionado aleatoriamente. Entre os 85 casos identificados, 73(86%) eram do sexo masculino; a mediana de idade foi de 19 anos (10-74) e mais de 60% dos casos referiram febre, mialgia, cefaleia e calafrios. No primeiro modelo teórico, ser do sexo masculino (OR:4;IC_95%:2.3-9.4) e trabalhar na lavoura de arroz (OR:2.9;IC_95%:2.1-6.8) foram associados a doença. No segundo modelo, usar roupas curtas (OR:5.3;IC_95%:1.6-17.5) e mais de 8 horas trabalhados na lavoura (OR:3.9;IC_95%:1.1-14.6) foram associados. Os principais fatores de risco identificados foram relacionados à atividade ocupacional e ao não uso de roupas de proteção individual e exposição prolongada ao ambiente de trabalho. Recomendamos o fortalecimento das políticas de saúde do trabalhador rural, aprimoramento do acesso desses agricultores às informações sobre os riscos e incentivá-los ao uso de equipamentos de proteção individual nas atividades de campo.</p