UV-Visible Spectroscopy Study of Oxidative Degradation of Sunflower Biodiesel

In this study, three antioxidants (blend (hydrogenated cardanol + 5-n-pentadecyl-2-tert-butylphenol), 5-n-pentadecyl-2-tert-butylphenol and ionol BF200) were evaluated for their potential to reduce the degree of oxidation of sunflower biodiesel under thermal stress condition. Each antioxidant was added at a concentration of 1000 ppm. The oxidative degradation was investigated by UV-visible spectroscopy and iodometry were used to monitor the changes using peroxide values. The results showed that, blend and 5-n-pentadecyl-2-tert-butylphenol possess significant potentiality when compared with ionol BF200. The blend and 5-n-pentadecyl-2-tert-butylphenol reduced the absorbance around 31%. The peroxide value showed that, the formulations: sunflower biodiesel/A2, sunflower biodiesel/A3 and sunflower biodiesel/AC showed better results when compared with sunflower biodiesel without antioxidant.Keywords: Antioxidants; Peroxide value; Accelerated oxidation tes

UNATI/FOSJC/UNESP: Promobiendo la ciudadania y la salud de las personas de la tercera edad

Objetivou-se avaliar a autopercepção dos idosos pertencentes à UNATI/FOSJC/UNESP quanto as condições da saúde bucal, por meio da entrevista semidiretiva e da aplicação do Índice de Gohai. O resultado obtido mostra uma condição bucal considerada de “regular” para “boa”. Esse resultado deriva da autopercepção que os entrevistados têm da própria boca, gengivas e dentes, e que justificam pelo fato de 59,26% não usarem próteses totais, apenas 20,40% portarem próteses parciais e 55,56% manterem, por seus critérios, boas condições das gengivas. Quando se relaciona a condição bucal à classe social a qual o idoso pertence, reafirma-se que ela é satisfatória, assim como relatam os diferentes estudos revisados. Apenas 5,26% dos pertencentes à classe média se auto-avaliam como “excelente”, enquanto 34,22% dessa classe e 10,53% dos pertencentes à chamada classe trabalhadora se auto-avaliam com “boa” condição bucal. Quanto ao perfil do entrevistado, 16,67% pertencem ao gênero masculino e 83,33% ao feminino e 51,85% são casados. Com relação à UNATI, 40,74% dos idosos a reconhecem como um centro de convivência, como espaço de atualização do conhecimento e rede de auxílio para novas amizades. Concluiu-se que: (1) o conhecimento sobre a autopercepção dos idosos da UNATI se revela pelo Índice de Gohai como “satisfatória”, segundo os critérios subjetivos, e pela ausência de qualquer incômodo nos últimos meses, devido a bons hábitos bucais, higienização e escolha do creme e da escova dental; (2) é necessário o conhecimento dos fatores epidemiológicos, por meio de exames clínicos, para colaborar na compreensão da auto-avaliação e também para identificar qualquer discrepância entre os critérios subjetivos e os técnicos e, assim, facilitar a elaboração de um programa e de ações educativas direcionando ao autodiagnóstico e autocuidado.The objective was to evaluate the self-perception of the elderly pertaining ones tothe UNATI/FOSJC/UNESP regarding buccal health, by means of the half-directiveinterview and of the application of the Index of Gohai. The result is that the oralhealth was considered as between "regular" and "good". This result comes fromthe self-perception that the interviewed ones have of their own mouths, gingivasand teeth and justified by the fact that 59,26% do not to use complete denture, only20.40% to carry partial dentures; 55,56% to keep, at their discretion, goodcondition of gingiva. Regarding to oral health to the social classroom which theelderly belongs, it is reaffirmed that it is satisfactory, as well as tell the differentrevised studies. But 5.26% of the pertaining ones to the middle classes if selfassessmentas being "excellent", while 34.22% in these classrooms and 10.53% ofpertaining to the calls the diligent classrooms if auto-assessment as having "good"oral health. As of the profile of the interviewed ones, 16.67% are from male genderand 83.33% to the female, and 51.85% are married. With relation to UNATI,40.74% of elder consider it as a aging center, as space of update of theirknowledge and network for new friendships. One concluded that: (1) theknowledge on the self-perception of the aged ones of the UNATI is considered"satisfactory" according to the Index of Gohai, subjective criteria, and for theabsence of any bother in the last months, for the factors as good buccal habits, forthe hygienic cleaning and the choice of the dental cream and the dental brush; (2)the epidemiologistic factors knowledge by means of clinical examinations isnecessary to help understanding of the self-assessment, as well to identify anydiscrepancies between subjective and technician criteria, thus to facilitate theelaboration of a program and educative actions directing to the self-diagnosis andself-care.El objetivo es evaluar la autopercepción de las personas de la tercera edad, pertenecientes a UNATI/FOSJC/UNESP, en relación a las condiciones de la salud bucal, realizado por médio de una entrevista semidirecta y de la aplicación del Índice de Gohai. El resultado obtenido muestra una condición bucal considerada de "regular" para "buena". Ese resultado deriba de la autopercepción que los entrevistados tienen de la propia boca, encias y dientes, y justifican por el hecho de que 59.26% no usaron prótesis total, apenas 20.4% usaron prótesis parcial y 55.56% mantubieron, por sus propios criterios buenas condiciones de las encias. Cuando se relaciona la condición bucal a la clase social a la cual el idoso pertenece, se afirma que ella es satisfactoria, como describen los diferentes estudios analisados. Apenas 5.26% de los pertenecientes a la clase media se autoevaluan como "excelentes", en cuanto que 34.22% de esa clase y 10.53% delos pertenecientes a la llamada clase trabajadora se autoevaluan como condición bucal "buena". En relación al perfil del entrevistado, 16.67% pertenecen al género masculino y 83.33% al femenino y 51.85% son casados. En relación al UNATI, 40,74% de los de la tercera edad lo reconocen como un centro de convivência, como espacio de actualización del conocimiento y red de auxilio para nuevas amistades. Concluimos que: (1) el conocimiento sobre la autopercepción de los dela tercera edad de la UNATI se rebela por el índice de Gohai como "satisfactoria", según los criterios subjetivos, y por la ausencia de cualquier incómodo en los últimos meses, debido a buenos hábitos bucales, higiene y elección de la crema dental y cepillo de dientes; (2) es necesario el conocimiento de los factores epidemiológicos por medio de exames clínicos, para colaborar en la comprensiónde la auto-avaliación y tambien para identificar cualquier conflicto entre los criterios subjetivos y los técnicos y, facilitar la colaboración de un programa y de acciones educativas direccionadas al autodiagnóstico y autocuidado

UNATI/FOSJC/UNESP: Promobiendo la ciudadania y la salud de las personas de la tercera edad

Objetivou-se avaliar a autopercepção dos idosos pertencentes à UNATI/FOSJC/UNESP quanto as condições da saúde bucal, por meio da entrevista semidiretiva e da aplicação do Índice de Gohai. O resultado obtido mostra uma condição bucal considerada de “regular” para “boa”. Esse resultado deriva da autopercepção que os entrevistados têm da própria boca, gengivas e dentes, e que justificam pelo fato de 59,26% não usarem próteses totais, apenas 20,40% portarem próteses parciais e 55,56% manterem, por seus critérios, boas condições das gengivas. Quando se relaciona a condição bucal à classe social a qual o idoso pertence, reafirma-se que ela é satisfatória, assim como relatam os diferentes estudos revisados. Apenas 5,26% dos pertencentes à classe média se auto-avaliam como “excelente”, enquanto 34,22% dessa classe e 10,53% dos pertencentes à chamada classe trabalhadora se auto-avaliam com “boa” condição bucal. Quanto ao perfil do entrevistado, 16,67% pertencem ao gênero masculino e 83,33% ao feminino e 51,85% são casados. Com relação à UNATI, 40,74% dos idosos a reconhecem como um centro de convivência, como espaço de atualização do conhecimento e rede de auxílio para novas amizades. Concluiu-se que: (1) o conhecimento sobre a autopercepção dos idosos da UNATI se revela pelo Índice de Gohai como “satisfatória”, segundo os critérios subjetivos, e pela ausência de qualquer incômodo nos últimos meses, devido a bons hábitos bucais, higienização e escolha do creme e da escova dental; (2) é necessário o conhecimento dos fatores epidemiológicos, por meio de exames clínicos, para colaborar na compreensão da auto-avaliação e também para identificar qualquer discrepância entre os critérios subjetivos e os técnicos e, assim, facilitar a elaboração de um programa e de ações educativas direcionando ao autodiagnóstico e autocuidado.The objective was to evaluate the self-perception of the elderly pertaining ones tothe UNATI/FOSJC/UNESP regarding buccal health, by means of the half-directiveinterview and of the application of the Index of Gohai. The result is that the oralhealth was considered as between "regular" and "good". This result comes fromthe self-perception that the interviewed ones have of their own mouths, gingivasand teeth and justified by the fact that 59,26% do not to use complete denture, only20.40% to carry partial dentures; 55,56% to keep, at their discretion, goodcondition of gingiva. Regarding to oral health to the social classroom which theelderly belongs, it is reaffirmed that it is satisfactory, as well as tell the differentrevised studies. But 5.26% of the pertaining ones to the middle classes if selfassessmentas being "excellent", while 34.22% in these classrooms and 10.53% ofpertaining to the calls the diligent classrooms if auto-assessment as having "good"oral health. As of the profile of the interviewed ones, 16.67% are from male genderand 83.33% to the female, and 51.85% are married. With relation to UNATI,40.74% of elder consider it as a aging center, as space of update of theirknowledge and network for new friendships. One concluded that: (1) theknowledge on the self-perception of the aged ones of the UNATI is considered"satisfactory" according to the Index of Gohai, subjective criteria, and for theabsence of any bother in the last months, for the factors as good buccal habits, forthe hygienic cleaning and the choice of the dental cream and the dental brush; (2)the epidemiologistic factors knowledge by means of clinical examinations isnecessary to help understanding of the self-assessment, as well to identify anydiscrepancies between subjective and technician criteria, thus to facilitate theelaboration of a program and educative actions directing to the self-diagnosis andself-care.El objetivo es evaluar la autopercepción de las personas de la tercera edad, pertenecientes a UNATI/FOSJC/UNESP, en relación a las condiciones de la salud bucal, realizado por médio de una entrevista semidirecta y de la aplicación del Índice de Gohai. El resultado obtenido muestra una condición bucal considerada de "regular" para "buena". Ese resultado deriba de la autopercepción que los entrevistados tienen de la propia boca, encias y dientes, y justifican por el hecho de que 59.26% no usaron prótesis total, apenas 20.4% usaron prótesis parcial y 55.56% mantubieron, por sus propios criterios buenas condiciones de las encias. Cuando se relaciona la condición bucal a la clase social a la cual el idoso pertenece, se afirma que ella es satisfactoria, como describen los diferentes estudios analisados. Apenas 5.26% de los pertenecientes a la clase media se autoevaluan como "excelentes", en cuanto que 34.22% de esa clase y 10.53% delos pertenecientes a la llamada clase trabajadora se autoevaluan como condición bucal "buena". En relación al perfil del entrevistado, 16.67% pertenecen al género masculino y 83.33% al femenino y 51.85% son casados. En relación al UNATI, 40,74% de los de la tercera edad lo reconocen como un centro de convivência, como espacio de actualización del conocimiento y red de auxilio para nuevas amistades. Concluimos que: (1) el conocimiento sobre la autopercepción de los dela tercera edad de la UNATI se rebela por el índice de Gohai como "satisfactoria", según los criterios subjetivos, y por la ausencia de cualquier incómodo en los últimos meses, debido a buenos hábitos bucales, higiene y elección de la crema dental y cepillo de dientes; (2) es necesario el conocimiento de los factores epidemiológicos por medio de exames clínicos, para colaborar en la comprensiónde la auto-avaliación y tambien para identificar cualquier conflicto entre los criterios subjetivos y los técnicos y, facilitar la colaboración de un programa y de acciones educativas direccionadas al autodiagnóstico y autocuidado

IFNAR1-Signalling Obstructs ICOS-mediated Humoral Immunity during Non-lethal Blood-Stage Plasmodium Infection

Funding: This work was funded by a Career Development Fellowship (1028634) and a project grant (GRNT1028641) awarded to AHa by the Australian National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC). IS was supported by The University of Queensland Centennial and IPRS Scholarships. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Prevalence of transfusion-transmitted Chagas disease among multitransfused patients in Brazil

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Blood transfusion has always been an important route for Chagas Disease (CD) transmission. The high prevalence of CD in Latin America and its lifelong asymptomatic clinical picture pose a threat for the safety of the blood supply. The outcome of measures designed to improve transfusion safety can be assessed by evaluating the prevalence of CD among multitransfused patients</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In order to assess the impact of CD control measures on the safety of the blood supply, an observational cross-sectional study was designed to determine the prevalence of CD in 351 highly transfused patients, in which vectorial transmission was excluded. This study compared patients that received transfusion products before (n = 230) and after (n = 121) 1997, when measures to control transfusion-transmitted CD were fully implemented in Brazil.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The study group consisted of 351 patients exposed to high numbers of blood products during their lifetime (median number of units transfused = 51, range 10–2086). A higher prevalence of transfusion-transmitted CD (1.30%) was observed among multitransfused patients that received their first transfusion before 1997, compared with no cases of transfusion-transmitted CD among multitransfused patients transfused after that year. The magnitude of the exposure to blood products was similar among both groups (mean number of units transfused per year of exposure = 25.00 ± 26.46 and 23.99 ± 30.58 respectively; P = 0.75, Mann-Whitney test).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Multiple initiatives aimed to control vector and parental transmission of CD can significantly decrease transfusion-transmitted CD in Brazil. Our data suggest that mandatory donor screening for CD represents the most important measure to interrupt transmission of CD by blood transfusions.</p

High throughput screening of hydrolytic enzymes from termites using a natural substrate derived from sugarcane bagasse

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The description of new hydrolytic enzymes is an important step in the development of techniques which use lignocellulosic materials as a starting point for fuel production. Sugarcane bagasse, which is subjected to pre-treatment, hydrolysis and fermentation for the production of ethanol in several test refineries, is the most promising source of raw material for the production of second generation renewable fuels in Brazil. One problem when screening hydrolytic activities is that the activity against commercial substrates, such as carboxymethylcellulose, does not always correspond to the activity against the natural lignocellulosic material. Besides that, the macroscopic characteristics of the raw material, such as insolubility and heterogeneity, hinder its use for high throughput screenings.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this paper, we present the preparation of a colloidal suspension of particles obtained from sugarcane bagasse, with minimal chemical change in the lignocellulosic material, and demonstrate its use for high throughput assays of hydrolases using Brazilian termites as the screened organisms.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Important differences between the use of the natural substrate and commercial cellulase substrates, such as carboxymethylcellulose or crystalline cellulose, were observed. This suggests that wood feeding termites, in contrast to litter feeding termites, might not be the best source for enzymes that degrade sugarcane biomass.</p

Antioxidant activities of sulfated polysaccharides from brown and red seaweeds

The in vitro antioxidant activities of the following six sulfated polysaccharides were investigated: iota, kappa and lambda carrageenans, which are widely used in the food industry, fucoidan (homofucan) from the edible seaweed Fucus vesiculosus and fucans (heterofucans) F0.5 and F1.1 from the seaweed Padina gymnospora. With respect to the inhibition of superoxide radical formation, fucoidan had an IC50 (the half maximal inhibitory concentration) of 0.058 mg·mL−1, while the IC50 for the kappa, iota and lambda carrageenans were 0.112, 0.332 and 0.046 mg·mL−1, respectively. All of the samples had an inhibitory effect on the formation of hydroxyl radicals. The results of peroxidation tests showed that fucoidan had an IC50 of 1.250 mg·mL−1 and that the kappa, iota and lambda carrageenans had an IC50 of 2.753 and 2.338 and 0.323 mg·mL−1, respectively. Fucan fractions showed low antioxidant activity relative to fucoidan. These results clearly indicate the beneficial effect of algal polysaccharides as antioxidants