The effect of gamma-cyclodextrin addition in the self-assembly behavior of pyrene labeled poly(acrylic) acid with different chain sizes

The interaction between poly(acrylic acid) polymers (PAA) of low- (2000 g/mol) and high- (450,000 g/mol) molecular weight (Mw) hydrophobically modified with pyrene (PAAMePy) and beta- and gamma-cyclodextrins (beta-CD, gamma-CD) was investigated with fluorescent techniques. The interaction with beta-CD promotes little variation in the spectral and photophysical behavior of the polymer, whereas significant changes are observed upon addition of gamma-CD. The degree of inclusion (between the pyrene groups of the polymer and the cyclodextrins) is followed through the observation of the changes in the absorption, excitation (collected in the monomer and excimer emission regions) and emission (IE/IM ratio) spectra and from time-resolved data. Within the studied range of gamma-CD concentration, the fluorescence decays of the long chain (high Mw) PAAMePy polymers were found tri-exponential in the monomer and excimer emission regions in agreement with previous studies. In the case of the low Mw PAAMePy polymers, tri-exponential decays were observed at the monomer and excimer emission wavelengths. However, when a gamma-CD concentration of 0.01 and 0.03 M is reached for, respectively, the low- and high-labeled pyrene short chain (low Mw) polymers, the fluorescence decays in the excimer region become biexponential (two excimers) with no rising component, thus showing that all pyrene groups are encapsulated (and preassociated) into the gamma-CD cavity. In the case of the high Mw polymers, the addition of gamma-CD has been found to change the level of polymer interaction from pure intramolecular (water in the absence of cyclodextrin) to a coexistence of intra- with intermolecular interactions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1402-1415, 200

A checklist of digenean parasites (Platyhelminthes: Digenea) infecting molluscs and fishes in Portuguese waters (Northeast Atlantic)

The present work is a compilation of the digenean parasites infecting molluscs (gastropods and bivalves), crabs and fishes of the Atlantic coast of Portugal and the Archipelagos of Azores and Madeira, based on literature sources, including research conducted by the present authors. A total of 65 digenea taxa were found, belonging to 24 families, infecting gastropods, bivalves, shore crabs and fishes. The most representative families of digeneans were the Hemiuridae (11 taxa), followed by the Bucephalidae (5 taxa), Opecoelidae (5 taxa) and the Zoogonidae (5 taxa). Hosts, site of infection, sampling locality and life cycle strategy are given when available. Further fields of research on the digenean parasites are suggested.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Isolamento de bactérias associadas à palma e prospecção do potencial de solubilizar fosfato e fixar nitrogênio.

Bactérias associadas às cactáceas, adaptadas ao estresse hídrico e a altas temperaturas, podem ser usadas como inoculantes visando aumento de produtividade e recuperação de solos em processos de desertificação. Nesse sentido, visou-se selecionar bactérias endofíticas e rizobactérias de palma (Opuntia ficus-indica) quanto aos atributos de fixar N2 e solubilizar fosfato. Sessenta e nove linhagens de bactérias, isoladas em meio livre de nitrogênio (meio NFb) foram avaliadas quanto à presença dos genes nifH e nifD e à capacidade de solubilizar fosfato. Ficou evidenciado a presença do gene nifH em dez bactérias, sendo os gêneros identificados como Citrobacter, Sphingomonas, Ochrobactrum, Rodococcus, Stenotrophomonas e Enterobacter. Vinte dos isolados bacterianos avaliados foram capazes de solubilizar in vitro fosfato de rocha, sobressaindo-se o gênero Bacillus como hiperprodutor. As espécies B. megaterium e Enterobacter agglomerans apresentaram os maiores níveis de solubilização de fosfato. Estas bactérias, aliadas a outras características benéficas, podem ser usadas para inoculação de plântulas de cacto visando assegurar maior índice de desenvolvimento em solos com déficit hídrico

Molecular identification, phylogeny and geographic distribution of Brazilian mangrove oysters (Crassostrea)

Oysters (Ostreidae) manifest a high degree of phenotypic plasticity, whereby morphology is of limited value for species identification and taxonomy. By using molecular data, the aim was to genetically characterize the species of Crassostrea occurring along the Brazilian coast, and phylogenetically relate these to other Crassostrea from different parts of the world. Sequencing of the partial cytochrome oxidase c subunit I gene (COI), revealed a total of three species of Crassostrea at 16 locations along the Brazilian coast. C. gasar was found from Curuca (Para state) to Santos (Sao Paulo state), and C. rhizophorae from Fortim (Ceara state) to Florianopolis (Santa Catarina state), although small individuals of the latter species were also found at Ajuruteua beach (municipality of Braganca, Para state). An unidentified Crassostrea species was found only on Canela Island, Braganca. Crassostrea gasar and C. rhizophorae grouped with C. virginica, thereby forming a monophyletic Atlantic group, whereas Crassostrea sp. from Canela Island was shown to be more similar to Indo-Pacific oysters, and either arrived in the Atlantic Ocean before the convergence of the Isthmus of Panama or was accidentally brought to Brazil by ship

Magnetic monopole and string excitations in a two-dimensional spin ice

We study the magnetic excitations of a square lattice spin-ice recently produced in an artificial form, as an array of nanoscale magnets. Our analysis, based upon the dipolar interaction between the nanomagnetic islands, correctly reproduces the ground-state observed experimentally. In addition, we find magnetic monopole-like excitations effectively interacting by means of the usual Coulombic plus a linear confining potential, the latter being related to a string-like excitation binding the monopoles pairs, what indicates that the fractionalization of magnetic dipoles may not be so easy in two dimensions. These findings contrast this material with the three-dimensional analogue, where such monopoles experience only the Coulombic interaction. We discuss, however, two entropic effects that affect the monopole interactions: firstly, the string configurational entropy may loose the string tension and then, free magnetic monopoles should also be found in lower dimensional spin ices; secondly, in contrast to the string configurational entropy, an entropically driven Coulomb force, which increases with temperature, has the opposite effect of confining the magnetic defects.Comment: 8 pages. Accepted by Journal of Applied Physics (2009

Identification of the human Lewisa carbohydrate motif in a secretory peroxidase from a plant cell suspension culture (Vaccinium myrtillus L.)

This paper reports for the first time the presence of the human Lewisa type determinant in glycoproteins secreted by plant cells. A single glycopeptide was identified in the tryptic hydrolysis of the peroxidase VMPxCl from Vaccinium myrtillus L. by HPLC/ESI-MS. The oligosaccharide structures were elucidated by ESI-MS-MS and by methylation analysis before and after removal of fucose by mild acid hydrolysis.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Species identification and authentication of hare (Lepus) meat by the use of the mitochondrial cytb gene

Nowadays, consumers are increasingly concerned with issues of food safety and authenticity. In particular, game meat has been much appreciated by consumers for their exotic flavour and texture, low in fat and cholesterol as well as by the absence of steroids or other drugs. Food authenticity assessment is important in that it avoids unfair competition among producers and allows consumers to have accurate information about the products they purchase. Therefore, it is important to ensure that species of high commercial value declared are not replaced by other species of lesser value [I]