Two new species of Synidotea (Crustacea, Isopoda, Valvifera) from Brazil

No presente trabalho são descritas duas novas espécies de isópodes marinhos pertencentes ao gênero Synidotea Harger, 1878, i.e., Synidotea littoralis sp. n. e Synidotea brunnea sp. n.. As espécies foram coletadas nos Estados de Alagoas (S. littoralis sp. n.), Bahia e Espírito Santo (S. brunnea sp. n.), entre algas, na região entre-marés.Two new species of marine isopods referred to the genus Synidotea Harger, 1878, are described from Brazil. The species are Synidotea littoralis sp. n. and Synidotea brunnea sp. n. Both species were collected in the intertidal zone, from amongst seaweeds

Biodegradation of bisphenol A and bisphenol S by labrys portucalensis strain F11

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Resveratrol affects differently rat liver and brain mitochondrial bioenergetics and oxidative stress in vitro: Investigation of the role of gender

Resveratrol (3,5,40-trihydroxy-trans stilbene) is commonly recognized by its antioxidant properties. Despite its beneficial qualities, the toxic effects of this natural compound are still unknown. Since mitochondria are essential to support the energy-dependent regulation of several cell functions, the objective of this study was to evaluate resveratrol effects on rat brain and liver mitochondrial fractions from male and females regarding oxidative stress and bioenergetics. No basal differences were observed between mitochondrial fractions from males and females, except in liver mitochondria, the generation of H2O2 by the respiratory chain is lower for female preparations. Resveratrol inhibited lipid peroxidation in preparations from both genders and organs. Furthermore, brain mitochondria in both gender groups appeared susceptible to resveratrol as seen by a decrease in state 3 respiration and alterations in mitochondrial membrane potential fluctuations during ADP phosphorylation. As opposed, liver mitochondria were less affected by resveratrol. Our data also demonstrates that resveratrol inhibits complex I activity in all mitochondrial preparations. The results suggest that brain mitochondria appear to be more susceptible to resveratrol effects, and gender appears to play a minor role. It remains to be determined if resveratrol effects on brain mitochondria contribute to deterioration of mitochondrial function or instead to mediate hormesis-mediated events.This work is supported by PTDC/AGR-ALI/108326/2008 to M.S.S. from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, FEDER/ Compete/National Funds. A.C.M., A.M.S. and V.A.S. are recipient of SFRH/BD/33892/2009, SFRH/BD/76086/2011 and SFRH/BPD/ 31549/2006 fellowships, respectively

New modified electrochemical conductive paper support for BSA detection

Chemical sensors and biosensors are widely used to detect various kinds of protein target biomolecules. Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) have raised great interest in this area, because these act as antibody-like recognition materials, with high affinity to the template molecule. Compared to natural antibodies, these are also of lower cost and higher stability. There are different types of supports used to carry MIP materials, mostly of these made of gold, favourably assembled on a Screen Printed Electrode (SPE) strategy. For this work a new kind of support for the sensing layer was developed: conductive paper. This support was made by modifying first cellulose paper with paraffin wax (to make it waterproof), and casting a carbon-ink on it afterwards, to turn it conductive. The SPAM approach previously reported in1 was employed herein to assemble to MIP sensing material on the conductive paper. The selected charged monomers were (vinylbenzyl) trimethlammonium chloride (positive charge) or vinylbenzoic acid (negative charge), used to generate binding positions with single-type charge (positive or negative). The non-specific binding area of the MIP layer was assembled by chronoamperometry-assisted polymerization (at 1 V, for 60, 120 or 180 seconds) of vinylbenzoate, cross-linked with ethylene glycol vinyl ether. The BSA biomolecules lying within the polymeric matrix were removed by Proteinase K action. All preparation stages of the MIP assembly were followed by FTIR, Raman spectroscopy and, electrochemical analysis. In general, the best results were obtained for longer polymerization times and positively charged binding sites (which was consistent with a negatively-charged protein under physiological pH, as BSA). Linear responses against BSA concentration ranged from 0.005 to 100 mg/mL, in PBS buffer standard solutions. The sensor was further calibrated in standard solutions that were prepared in synthetic or real urine, and the analytical response became more sensitive and stable. Compared to the literature, the detection capability of the developed device is better than most of the reported electrodes. Overall, the simplicity, low cost and good analytical performance of the BSA SPE device, prepared with positively charged binding positions, seems a suitable approach for practical application in clinical context. Further studies with real samples are required, as well as gathering with electronic-supporting devices to allow on-site readings

Analysis of entrepreneurial propensity of students from the Viseu pole of Portuguese Catholic University

Este artigo pretende mostrar a importância do ensino superior na promoção do empreendedorismo. Assim, começa-se com uma análise teórica dos conceitos de empreendedorismo e de empreendedor e dos principais motivos que conduzem ao empreendedorismo, bem como dos obstáculos que o dificultam. Salienta-se também a importância que o ensino superior tem na promoção do empreendedorismo. Faz-se, por fim, uma breve evolução histórica da educação para o empreendedorismo no ensino superior e do que tem sido feito em Portugal nesta área. Em termos metodológicos, apresentam-se os resultados de um estudo efetuado com 348 alunos do Pólo de Viseu da Universidade Católica Portuguesa. Este estudo teve como principal objetivo conhecer a propensão empreendedora dos seus alunos. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo sugerem que os alunos têm pouca tendência empreendedora, o que se poderá dever aos receios e às dificuldades em desenvolver um negócio próprio, assim como a alguns fatores que condicionam a criação e o sucesso de uma empresa. Assim, é fundamental evidenciar a importância do empreendedorismo, quer para os indivíduos, quer para a sociedade, e, por isso, é indispensável fomentar a sua promoção, sobretudo junto da comunidade escolar.This article aims to show the importance of higher education in promoting entrepreneurship. So, we start with a theoretical analysis of the concepts of entrepreneurship and entrepreneur and the main reasons that lead to entrepreneurship, such as the obstacles to it. Also highlight the importance that higher education has to promote entrepreneurship, and, finally, a brief historical development of entrepreneurship education in higher education and what has been done in this area in Portugal. In methodological terms, we present the results of a study conducted with 348 students from Viseu pole of the Portuguese Catholic University. This study aimed to know the entrepreneurial propensity of their students. The results of this study suggest that students have little entrepreneurial trend, which could be due to the fears and difficulties in developing their own business, as well as some factors that influence the creation and success of a company. Thus, it is crucial to highlight the importance of entrepreneurship, both for individuals and for society, and therefore it is essential to foster its promotion especially among the school community.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sulfide oxidation by heterotrophic P. Koreensis A9 under aerobic conditions

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