The absence of aluminum compromises the root integrity and reduces leaf hydration and Rubisco performance in Qualea grandiflora, an Al-accumulating species

Aluminum (Al) is toxic to most plant species. Nevertheless, Al-accumulating species accumulate Al without showing toxicity symptoms. Previous studies have evidenced Al in chloroplasts of Al-accumulating species from the Cerrado vegetation in South America. Therefore, we ask whether Al increases the carbon assimilation through enhanced apparent efficiency of ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco). Seedlings of the Al-accumulator Qualea grandiflora (Vochysiaceae) were grown in nutrient solution with 0, 740, and 1480 μM Al. Plant growth parameters, relative leaf water content, Al concentration in plant organs, gas exchange rates and apparent carboxylation efficiency (measured from A/Ci curves) were evaluated for 60 days. Aluminum untreated plants showed no root growth, necrotic roots, and low gas exchange rates with decreased apparent carboxylation efficiency. Al-treated plants, however, showed new white roots, increased root biomass leading to higher leaf hydration. Apparent carboxylation efficiency was higher in these plants. The more Al available in the nutrient solution, the more Al was accumulated by plant organs. The absence of Al compromises the root integrity leading to limited leaf hydration. No positive direct effect of Al on the Rubisco performance was evidenced in Al-treated plants.

Low-cost luminescent scaffolds-based on thiol chitosans by microwave radiation for vertebral disc repair/theragnostic

This study introduces a new 3D scaffold based on thiolated chitosans with luminescence by microwave radiation using cysteine (Chi_CT_Cys) and 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (Chi_CT_MUA) for vertebral disc regeneration/theragnostic. These scaffolds were characterized by Raman, PL spectroscopy, swelling, gel-fraction, and morphologies. Cytocompatibility and mechanical behavior were evaluated. Raman showed that disulfide bonds improved the grafting degree (Chi_CT_Cys (1072 ± 136) μmol·g^-1 and Chi_CT_MUA (3245 ± 105) μmol·g^-1). Morphologies showed interesting characteristics. Swelling behavior showed that Chi_CT_MUA presented a slight minor swelling (2101 ± 251) % compared to Chi_CT_Cys (2589 ± 188) %. Differently, gel-fraction showed that the chemical stability of Chi_CT_Cys was worse (29 ± 4) % than Chi_CT_MUA (15 ± 3) %. PL showed a possibility to use theragnostic evaluation of points of greater compression in a vertebral disc. The mechanical behavior of Chi_CT_MUA presented better results ((70 ± 3) MPa) than Chi_CT_Cys ((37 ± 3) MPa). Cytocompatible showed that the scaffolds presented cell viability >90%. Thusly, these 3D scaffolds presented an incredible potential for tissue engineering applications.

Antifungal susceptibility profile of Candida clinical isolates from 22 hospitals of São Paulo State, Brazil

This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of cryptic Candida species from candidemia cases in 22 public hospitals in São Paulo State, Brazil, and their antifungal susceptibility profiles. During 2017 and 2018, 144 isolates were molecularly identified as 14 species; C. parapsilosis (32.6%), C. albicans (27.7%), C. tropicalis (14.6%), C. glabrata (9.7%), C. krusei (2.8%), C. orthopsilosis (2.8%), C. haemulonii var. vulnera (2.1%), C. haemulonii (1.4%), C. metapsilosis (1.4%), C. dubliniensis (1.4%), C. guilliermondii (1.4%), C. duobushaemulonii (0.7%), C. kefyr (0.7%), and C. pelliculosa (0.7%). Poor susceptibility to fluconazole was identified in 6.4% of C. parapsilosis isolates (0.12 to >64 µg/mL), 50% of C. guilliermondii (64 µg/mL), 66.6% of C. haemulonii var. vulnera (16-32 µg/mL), and C. duobushaemulonii strain (MIC 64 µg/mL). Our results corroborated the emergence of C. glabrata in Brazilian cases of candidemia as previously reported. Importantly, we observed a large proportion of non-wild type C. glabrata isolates to voriconazole (28.6%; <0.015 to 4 µg/mL) all of which were also resistant to fluconazole (28.6%). Of note, C. haemulonii, a multidrug resistant species, has emerged in the Southeast region of Brazil. Our findings suggested a possible epidemiologic change in the region with an increase in fluconazole-resistant species causing candidemia. We stress the relevance of routine accurate identification to properly manage therapy and monitor epidemiologic trends.

Biological effects of a chayotte extract in Wistar rats with induced diabetes: a radiopharmaceutically analysis

The present research evaluated the influence of a chayotte (Sechium edule) extract (macerated) on the bioavailability of 99TcO4Na as well as in the mass of the organs. In this study, in the biodistribution analysis, the 99mTcO4Na was administrated into female Wistar rats (diabetes and no diabetes induced) which had drunk or not the extract for 7 days. After 10 min, animals were sacrificed, the organs were isolated, the radioactivity determined in a well counter and the percentages of radioactivity per gram (%ATI/g) in the organs and mass of them (g) were calculated. The analysis of the results has indicated that in the diabetes group had been an increase in the uptake of 99mTcO4Na the in pancreas as well as in the diabetes groups treated with chayotte extract. The mass of the spleen, stomach, pancreas, heart and kidney has been altered due to the comparison of the groups. It is possible to suggest that some components of chayotte extracts present an oxidant power able to alter the biodistribution of 99mTcO4Na, as a tip, we speculate that the referred extract when metabolized in the liver may produce reactive metabolites with oxidant properties linked to the stress which is generated by diabetic status, this fact could justify by the increase of %ATI/g in the pancreas which probably may be due to the producing of AGEs in diabetes status as well as by the different molecular and cellular mechanisms related to the effects of the extract and diabetes would promote differences in the mass of the organs.

Effects of a chayotte (Sechium edule) extract (macerated) on the biochemistry of blood of Wistar rats and on the action against the stannous chloride effect

The use of natural products as medicines has been growing in the entire world. There are concerns that these products may contain potentially toxic ingredients and contaminants such as heavy metals. The labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m has been influenced by the presence of natural extracts. We evaluated the influence of a chayotte (Sechium edule) extract (100% v/v macerated) on the labeling of blood elements with 99mTc. The animals were treated with the extract during 15 days. Samples of blood were carried out with specific blood biochemistry kits. The present study analyzed the influence ofchayotte in the survival of the strain of Escherichia coli AB1157 submitted to reactive oxygen species induced by stannous chloride. There was a reduction of the lethal effect induced by stannous chloride on the survival of the E. coli culture in the presence of chayotte. The results indicated a decrease in the level of glucose and globulin The effect of the extract could be explained by its metabolic transformation inducing the generation of oxidant metabolites. The culture of bacteria when was treated with stannous chloride and chayotte simultaneously, the extract could be reacting with stannous chloride ions, protecting them against the oxidation avoiding the generation of reactive oxygen species.

Utilization of magnetic and electrostatic separation in the recycling of printed circuit boards scrap

The progress of the technology is directly related to the growth of production and consumption of electrical/electronics equipment, especially of personal computers. This type of equipment has a relatively short average lifetime, 2-3 years. The amount of defective or obsolete equipment has been increasing substantially; consequently its disposition and/or recycling should be studied. In this work, printed circuit boards, which are used in personal computers, were studied in order to recover the metals in the circuit boards through mechanical processing, such as crushing, screening, as well as magnetic and electrostatic separation. The results obtained demonstrate the feasibility of using these processes to separate metal fractions from polymers and ceramics, and that it is possible to obtain a fraction concentrated in metals containing more than 50% on average of copper, 24% of tin and 8% of lead.

Novel core(polyester)-shell(polysaccharide) nanoparticles: protein loading and surface modification with lectins

This study describes new lectin-decorated or protein-loaded nanoparticles with a hydrophobic poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) core and a hydrophilic dextran (Dex) corona. In this view, a family of block Dex-PCLn copolymers was first synthesized, consisting of a Dex backbone to which n preformed PCL blocks were grafted. The ability of these new copolymers to form nanoparticles was evaluated in comparison with a series of PCL homopolymers of various molecular weights (2000, 10,000 and 40,000 g/mole). Two different nanoparticle preparation methods have been developed and tested for their efficacy to incorporate proteins. For this, three proteins were used: a model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), a lectin from leaves of Bauhinia monandra (BmoLL) and Lens culinaris (LC) lectin. All these proteins were successfully incorporated in nanoparticles with a mean diameter around 200 nm. Lectins could also be adsorbed onto the surface of Dex-PCLn nanoparticles. Surface-bound BmoLL conserved its hemagglutinating activity, suggesting the possible application of this type of surface-modified nanoparticles for targeted oral administration. Caco-2 cellular viability was higher than 70% when put in contact with Dex-PCLn nanoparticles, even at concentrations as high as 660 microg/ml.

[Security of healthcare data networks used for epidemiological studies]

Record linkage, for compiling sameperson records from various source files, can improve the feasibility of epidemiological research using populationbased studies. The question is comply with the European legislation on data privacy and data security. For example, a computerized record hash coding and linkage procedure is described to link medical information within the framework of epidemiological followup. Before their extraction, files are rendered anonymous using a oneway hash coding based on the standard hash algorithm (SHA) function. Once rendered anonymous using the software ANONYMAT, the linkage of patient information can be accomplished by means of a mixture model, taking into account several identification variables. An application of this anonymous record linkage procedure was carried out in order to link medical files on cancer, from 3 hospitals of the French RhôneAlpes region. This application stresses how the use of the ANONYMAT software allows compliance with the legislation on data confidentiality without entailing problems on data availability.

An epidemiological study on the prevalence of dental caries and treatment need in 12-15 year old children in Bhiwandi (Maharashtra)

An epidemiological survey of the prevalence of dental caries and treatment need in the powerloom township of Bhiwandi revealed a prevalence level of 56.93%. The overall mean DMFT score was 1.25 +/- 1.34. Decayed teeth accounted for the largest component of the reported DMF teeth followed by an almost equal proportion of missing and filled teeth. Single surface restorations were the most frequent type of treatment required, followed by the two or more surface restorations, extractions and pulp therapy.

Prevalence of dental caries and treatment need in 12-15 year old municipal school children of Mumbai

This epidemiological survey attempted to establish the level of dental caries and treatment need among the municipal school children of Mumbai. The prevalence of dental caries was 68.02% which increased with age. The lowest DMFT score was recorded in the 12 year age group while the highest DMFT Score was recorded in 15 year age group. Decayed teeth accounted for the greatest percentage of DMF teeth followed by the missing and filled components in all the age groups. Single surface restorations accounted for the greatest percentage of treatment need followed by two or more surface restorations and extractions.

A new surgical instrument for fixing and positioning esophagoplasties in the thorax and neck

A description is made of a new surgical instrument which is introduced through a Mousseau tube, which is extremely simple to use and which greatly facilitates the placing of plasties after esophageal resections.

[Surgical treatment of carcinoma of the esophagus: automatic suture versus manual suture]

The authors have reviewed the anastomosis and sutures utilized for the surgical treatment of 38 patients with carcinoma of the esophagus and cardia. They have compared results following the stapled anastomosis and sutures with those following hand sutured procedures (30 anastomosis and 13 sutures) performed by the same group of surgeons. The stapled anastomosis were performed utilizing a new circular stapling device and gastric and jejunal stapled sutures, utilizing Nakayama's clamp. When anastomosis and sutures were performed by hand suturing, standard techniques were utilized. Patients were grouped in three categories: Group I if the gastric or jejunal sutures or the esophagogastric or esophagojejunal anastomosis were hand sutured; Group II wherein both stapled and hand sutures were performed; Group III when the esophageal anastomosis and related sutures were all performed by stapling devices. Different factors with possible adverse effect on suture healing were also studied. The incidence of suture related complications ranged between 4,2 and 29,1% for Group I; 1,8 and 19,2% for Group II; 0 and 16,2% for Group III. The 60-day operative mortality rate was 23% for Group I (8,4-50,9%), 17,64% for Group II (6,4-25,9%) and 0% (0-28,3%) for Group III. It is felt that better results were obtained with stapled sutures.