Spinnability and characteristics of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based bicomponent fibers with a carbon nanotube (CNT) modified polypropylene core for piezoelectric applications

Biodiesel production has received considerable attention in the recent past as a nonpolluting fuel. However, this assertion has been based on its biodegradability and reduction in exhaust emissions. Assessments of water and soil biodiesel pollution are still limited. Spill simulation with biodiesel and their diesel blends in soils were carried out, aiming at analyzing their cytotoxic and genotoxic potentials. While the cytotoxicity observed may be related to diesel contaminants, the genotoxic and mutagenic effects can be ascribed to biodiesel pollutants. Thus, taking into account that our data stressed harmful effects on organisms exposed to biodiesel-polluted soils, the designation of this biofuel as an environmental-friendly fuel should be carefully reviewed to assure environmental quality. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

The Evaluation of Reactive Textile Dyes Regarding their Potential to Cause Organ-Specific Cyto- and Geno-Toxicity

The textile industry extensively uses synthetic chemicals such as dyes. Several studies report the deleterious effects (e.g., cell death and DNA damage) of dyes on humans. Humans can be exposed to toxic dyes by ingesting contaminated waters or dermal contact with colored garments. Thus, toxicity evaluations of textile dyes using organ-specific cell lines are relevant to estimate their hazard. Cyto- and geno-toxicity of the dyes Reactive Green 19 (RG19), Reactive Blue 2 (RB2), Reactive Blue 19 (RB19), Reactive Red 120 (RR120) and Reactive Orange 16 (RO16) were evaluated by the In Vitro MicroFlow® kit with immortalized human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) and immortalized human hepatic cell line (HepaRG). Concentration-dependent cytotoxicity was observed for HaCaT cells exposed to five of the six tested dyes (RB2, RB19, RR120, RO16), while in HepaRG cells, cytotoxic effects were only verified after exposure to RB19 and RO16 at the highest tested concentration (1000 µg/mL). Genotoxicity was not detected in any tested textile dyes under both test conditions (HaCaT and HepaRG). In conclusion, our data provide evidence that, although the tested reactive dyes are not genotoxic, which is in agreement with published literature, they can cause cytotoxicity in both target tissue, and the effect can be more severe in epidermal cells (HaCaT) than in liver cells (HepaRG). This differential cytotoxicity data emphasizes the need to assess the toxicity of textile dyes to the target organ specificity

Association genetics of phenolic needle compounds in Norway spruce with variable susceptibility to needle bladder rust

Key message Accumulation of phenolic needle metabolites in Norway spruce is regulated by many genes with small and additive effects and is correlated with the susceptibility against fungal attack. Abstract Norway spruce accumulates high foliar concentrations of secondary phenolic metabolites, with important functions for pathogen defence responses. However, the molecular genetic basis underlying the quantitative variation of phenolic compounds and their role in enhanced resistance of spruce to infection by needle bladder rust are unknown. To address these questions, a set of 1035 genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was associated to the quantitative variation of four simple phenylpropanoids, eight stilbenes, nine flavonoids, six related arithmetic parameters and the susceptibility to infection by Chrysomyxa rhododendri in an unstructured natural population of Norway spruce. Thirty-one significant genetic associations for the flavonoids gallocatechin, kaempferol 3-glucoside and quercetin 3-glucoside and the stilbenes resveratrol, piceatannol, astringin and isorhapontin were discovered, explaining 2259% of phenotypic variation, and indicating a regulation of phenolic accumulation by many genes with small and additive effects. The phenolics profile differed between trees with high and low susceptibility to the fungus, underlining the importance of phenolic compounds in the defence mechanisms of Norway spruce to C. rhododendri. Results highlight the utility of association studies in non-model tree species and may enable marker-assisted selection of Norway spruce adapted to severe pathogen attack.(VLID)456580

Cytotoxicity of water-soluble fraction from biodiesel and its diesel blends to human cell lines

The designation of biodiesel as a green fuel has increased its commercialization and use, making its fate in the environment a matter of concern. Fuel spills constitute a major source of aquatic pollution and, like diesel spills, biodiesel can produce adverse effects on aquatic environments, animals and humans. The present study assessed cytotoxic effects of water systems contaminated with neat biodiesel and its diesel blends by means of different procedures on human T cell leukemia (Jurkat) and human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells [detection of changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi(m)) using tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester (TMRE), apoptosis recognition by Annexin V and impedance real-time cell analyzer (xCELLigence (TM) system)]. The data obtained showed concordance across the different bioassays, with cytotoxic effects observed as a dose-dependent response only for waters contaminated with pure diesel (D100) and B5 blend, which is characterized by a mixture of 95% diesel and 5% biodiesel. The data can also lead us to hypothesize that diesel accounts for the harmful effects observed, and that biodiesel does not worsen the impacts caused by diesel pollution. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

New 7‑Methylguanine Derivatives Targeting the Influenza Polymerase PB2 Cap-Binding Domain

The heterotrimeric influenza virus polymerase performs replication and transcription of viral RNA in the nucleus of infected cells. Transcription by “cap-snatching” requires that host-cell pre-mRNAs are bound via their 5′ cap to the PB2 subunit. Thus, the PB2 cap-binding site is potentially a good target for new antiviral drugs that will directly inhibit viral replication. Docking studies using the structure of the PB2 cap-binding domain suggested that 7-alkylguanine derivatives substituted at position <i>N</i>-9 and <i>N</i>-2 could be good candidates. Four series of 7,9-di- and 2,7,9-trialkyl guanine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated by an AlphaScreen assay in competition with a biotinylated cap analogue. Three synthesized compounds display potent in vitro activity with IC₅₀ values lower than 10 μM. High-resolution X-ray structures of three inhibitors in complex with the H5N1 PB2 cap-binding domain confirmed the binding mode and provide detailed information for further compound optimization

Genotoxicity assessment of water soluble fractions of biodiesel and its diesel blends using the Salmonella assay and the in vitro MicroFlow (R) kit (Litron) assay

The designation of biodiesel as an environmental-friendly alternative to diesel oil has improved its commercialization and use. However, most biodiesel environmental safety studies refer to air pollution and so far there have been very few literature data about its impacts upon other biotic systems, e.g. water, and exposed organisms. Spill simulations in water were carried out with neat diesel and biodiesel and their blends aiming at assessing their genotoxic potentials should there be contaminations of water systems. The water soluble fractions (WSF) from the spill simulations were submitted to solid phase extraction with C-18 cartridge and the extracts obtained were evaluated carrying out genotoxic and mutagenic bioassays [the Salmonella assay and the in vitro MicroFlow (R) kit (Litron) assay]. Mutagenic and genotoxic effects were observed, respectively, in the Salmonella/microsome preincubation assay and the in vitro MN test carried out with the biodiesel WSF. This interesting result may be related to the presence of pollutants in biodiesel derived from the raw material source used in its production chain. The data showed that care while using biodiesel should be taken to avoid harmful effects on living organisms in cases of water pollution. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP