Polyacrylamide Electrogeneration at High-Current Densities and Different Water Content in DMF/NaN03 Solutions

ABSTRACT Polyacrylamide was electrogenerated in dimethyl formamide at high current densities and different water content. The polymerization rate (Rp) was proportional to i 1.2 [H20]-04 over current densities between 40 and 140 mA 9 cm -2, and water content between 0.12 and 5.7M. Polymerization begins after an induction time for the current flow. The formation and growth of a polyaerylamide film on the electrode during the induction period was followed by microgravimetry and identified by FTIR specular reflectance spectroscopy. The oxidation of water through the polyacrylamide film is proposed as the origin of the water's order dependence and the diminution of the average viscosimetric molar mass when the water content rises. Those aspects are included in a partial model of the interracial reactions

A Prototype Device to Measure and Supervise Urine Output of Critical Patients

Non

Infrared Excess in the Be Star Delta Scorpii

We present infrared photometric observations of the Be binary system delta Scorpii obtained in 2006. The J,H and K magnitudes are the same within the errors compared to observations taken 10 months earlier. We derive the infrared excess from the observation and compare this to the color excess predicted by a radiative equilibrium model of the primary star and its circumstellar disk. We use a non-LTE computational code to model the gaseous envelope concentrated in the star's equatorial plane and calculate the expected spectral energy distribution and Halpha emission profile of the star with its circumstellar disk. Using the observed infrared excess of delta Sco, as well as Halpha spectroscopy bracketing the IR observations in time, we place constraints on the radial density distribution in the circumstellar disk. Because the disk exhibits variability in its density distribution, this work will be helpful in understanding its dynamics.Comment: 12 pages, 14 figures, to be published in PASP May 200

Aspergillus ocratoxigênicos em uvas e no solo de cultivo da variedade Sauvignon Blanc no Nordeste brasileiro.

A ocratoxina A (OTA) é um metabólito secundário de fungos freqüentemente encontrado como contaminante de uvas, vinhos e suco de uva, sendo considerada uma das micotoxinas mais prejudiciais para a saúde humana. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a incidência de Aspergillusocratoxigênicos em uvas e no solo de cultivo da variedade Sauvignon Blanc utilizada para produção de vinho no nordeste brasileiro. As amostras de uva e de solo foram coletadas em uma região vitivinícola do Submédio São Francisco (Casa Nova, Bahia). Para o isolamento de fungos das uvas e sementes utilizou-se a Técnica de Plaqueamento Direto em meio de cultura DRBC (Dicloran Rosa Bengal Cloranfenicol); para a amostra de solo foi utilizada a técnica de espalhamento superficial, em DG 18 (Dichloran 18% Glycerol Agar), a partir de diluições seriadas. Selecionou-se para obtenção de culturas puras apenas os fungos do gênero Aspergillus que foram identificados por características morfológicas e avaliados, quanto à produção de OTA, pelo Método Plug Agar. Das uvas foram isoladas e identificadas as seguintes espécies A. foetidus, A. tubingensis e A. sp.. Destes isolados nenhum foi ocratoxigênico. Dos vinte e nove isolados obtidos do solo, quatro foram ocratoxigênicos (A. niger agregado (1), A. carbonarius agregado (2) e A. carbonarius (1)), o que realça a importância de evitar durante a colheita o contato das uvas com o solo, visto que este pode representar uma fonte de contaminação com esta micotoxina para as uvas e vinhos. Palavras-chaves: Fungos ocratoxigênicos, Uvas, Aspergillus, Ocratoxina A, Solo, Sauvignon Blan

Fungos ocratoxigênicos em solo de cultivo de uvas viníferas no Nordeste brasileiro.

Ocratoxina A (OTA) é um metabólito secundário de origem fúngica que tem recebido atenção crescente devido ao potencial perigo para os seres humanos e animais. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a incidência de fungos ocratoxigênicos do gênero Aspergillus em solos de cultivo de uvas viníferas no nordeste brasileiro. Foram coletadas amostras de solo de cultivo de três variedades de uvas viníferas, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache e Petit Verdot de uma região vitivinícola do nordeste brasileiro. Para o isolamento de fungos foi utilizada a técnica de espalhamento superficial, em DG 18 (Dichloran 18% Glycerol Agar), a partir de diluições seriadas. Selecionou-se para obtenção de culturaspuras apenas os fungos do gênero Aspergillus que foram identificados por características morfológicas e avaliados, quanto à produção de OTA, pelo Método Plug Agar. Das amostras de solo foram isoladas e identificadas as seguintes espécies A. foetidus, A. aculeatus, A. niger, A. tubingensis, A. carbonariuse A. ibericus. Dos vinte e quatro isolados fúngicos obtidos quatro foram ocratoxigênicos (A. niger (1), A. tubingensis (1) e A. carbonarius (2)), o que evidência a importância de evitar durante a colheita o contato das uvas com o solo, visto que este pode representar uma fonte de contaminação com esta micotoxina para as uvas e vinhos.Palavras-chaves: Fungos ocratoxigênicos, Uvas viníferas, Aspergillus, Ocratoxina A, Sol

6-Deoxyhexoses froml-Rhamnose in the Search for Inducers of the Rhamnose Operon: Synergy of Chemistry and Biotechnology

In the search for alternative non‐metabolizable inducers in the l ‐rhamnose promoter system, the synthesis of fifteen 6‐deoxyhexoses from l ‐rhamnose demonstrates the value of synergy between biotechnology and chemistry. The readily available 2,3‐acetonide of rhamnonolactone allows inversion of configuration at C4 and/or C5 of rhamnose to give 6‐deoxy‐d ‐allose, 6‐deoxy‐d ‐gulose and 6‐deoxy‐l ‐talose. Highly crystalline 3,5‐benzylidene rhamnonolactone gives easy access to l ‐quinovose (6‐deoxy‐l ‐glucose), l ‐olivose and rhamnose analogue with C2 azido, amino and acetamido substituents. Electrophilic fluorination of rhamnal gives a mixture of 2‐deoxy‐2‐fluoro‐l ‐rhamnose and 2‐deoxy‐2‐fluoro‐l ‐quinovose. Biotechnology provides access to 6‐deoxy‐l ‐altrose and 1‐deoxy‐l ‐fructose

Altered drug susceptibility during host adaptation of a <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> strain in a non-human primate model

Infections with Plasmodium falciparum, the most pathogenic of the Plasmodium species affecting man, have been reduced in part due to artemisinin-based combination therapies. However, artemisinin resistant parasites have recently emerged in South-East Asia. Novel intervention strategies are therefore urgently needed to maintain the current momentum for control and elimination of this disease. In the present study we characterize the phenotypic and genetic properties of the multi drug resistant (MDR) P. falciparum Thai C2A parasite strain in the non-human Aotus primate model, and across multiple passages. Aotus infections with C2A failed to clear upon oral artesunate and mefloquine treatment alone or in combination, and ex vivo drug assays demonstrated reduction in drug susceptibility profiles in later Aotus passages. Further analysis revealed mutations in the pfcrt and pfdhfr loci and increased parasite multiplication rate (PMR) across passages, despite elevated pfmdr1 copy number. Altogether our experiments suggest alterations in parasite population structure and increased fitness during Aotus adaptation. We also present data of early treatment failures with an oral artemisinin combination therapy in a pre-artemisinin resistant P. falciparum Thai isolate in this animal model

Increased Activities against Biofilms of the Pathogenic Yeast Candida albicans of Optimized Pom-1 Derivatives

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are an alternative group for the therapy of infectious diseases, with activity against a wide range of diverse pathogens. However, classical AMPs have significant side effects in human cells due to their unspecific pore formation in biomembranes. Nevertheless, AMPs are promising therapeutics and can be isolated from natural sources, which include sea and freshwater molluscs. The AMPs identified in these organisms show promising antimicrobial activities, as pathogens are mainly fought by innate defence mechanisms. An auspicious candidate among molluscs is the Cuban freshwater snail Pomacea poeyana, from which the peptides Pom-1 and Pom-2 have been isolated and studied. These studies revealed significant antimicrobial activities for both AMPs. Based on the activities determined, Pom-1 was used for further optimization. In order to meet the emerging requirements of improved anti-biofilm activity against naturally occurring Candida species, the six derivatives Pom-1A to F were developed and investigated. Analysis of the derivatives acting on the most abundant naturally occurring Candida yeast Candida albicans (C. albicans) revealed a strong anti-biofilm activity, especially induced by Pom-1 B, C, and D. Furthermore, a moderate decrease in the metabolic activity of planktonic yeast cells was observed

Combination of Six Individual Derivatives of the Pom-1 Antibiofilm Peptide Doubles Their Efficacy against Invasive and Multi-Resistant Clinical Isolates of the Pathogenic Yeast Candida albicans

In previous studies, derivatives of the peptide Pom-1, which was originally extracted from the freshwater mollusk Pomacea poeyana, showed an exceptional ability to specifically inhibit biofilm formation of the laboratory strain ATCC 90028 as a model strain of the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans. In follow-up, here, we demonstrate that the derivatives Pom-1A to Pom-1F are also active against biofilms of invasive clinical C. albicans isolates, including strains resistant against fluconazole and/or amphotericin B. However, efficacy varied strongly between the isolates, as indicated by large deviations in the experiments. This lack of robustness could be efficiently bypassed by using mixtures of all peptides. These mixed peptide preparations were active against biofilm formation of all the isolates with uniform efficacies, and the total peptide concentration could be halved compared to the original MIC of the individual peptides (2.5 µg/mL). Moreover, mixing the individual peptides restored the antifungal effect of fluconazole against fluconazole-resistant isolates even at 50% of the standard therapeutic concentration. Without having elucidated the reason for these synergistic effects of the peptides yet, both the gain of efficacy and the considerable increase in efficiency by combining the peptides indicate that Pom-1 and its derivatives in suitable formulations may play an important role as new antibiofilm antimycotics in the fight against invasive clinical infections with (multi-) resistant C. albicans