Location and stability of a recombinant ovine prion protein in synthetic humic-like mineral complexes

Location and stability of a recombinant prion protein (recPrP) and its interaction with humic-like complexes were investigated by low-temperature ashing (LTA), thermal gravimetric (TG), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. Humic-like complexes were obtained by abiotic polymerization of catechol, one of the possible precursors of soil humic matter, through the catalysis of birnessite, a manganese oxide common in soil environment. The recPrP was immobilized in organomineral complexes via sorption or entrapment. Complexes were treated by LTA, allowing the controlled removal of organic matter layer by layer, from the external to the internal side, with minimal disturbance of mineral constituents. Thermal gravimetric and SEM analyses were performed on specimens before and after LTA treatment. Entrapped recPrP, compared with sorbed, resulted less easily accessible to LTA treatment and showed a higher thermal stability by TGA analyses. On the basis of these findings, we hypothesize that the processes leading to newly formed organic complexes can enhance prion stability in soil and thus influence the environmental diffusion of infectivity.     

Extraction of essential oil and pigments from Curcuma longa [L] by steam distillation and extraction with volatile solvents

Curcuma longa [Linn] (turmeric), of the Zingiberaceae family, has a great importance in the food, textile, and pharmaceutical industries. The aim of this work was to identify the best processing conditions to maximize the yields of essential oil and pigments, as well as their content of ar-turmerone, (alpha and beta)-turmerone, and the curcuminoids, respectively. Autoclave pressure and distillation time were the variables studied for the steam distillation process. The highest yields of essential oil (0.46 wt %) and pigment (0.16 wt %)-expressed as curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin-were obtained at a pressure of 1.0 x 10(5) Pa and a time of 2 h. On the other hand, with extraction by volatile solvents, the best yield of essential oil (5.49 wt %) was obtained when using 0.175, 0.124, 0.088 mm particles (Foust, A. S.; Wenzel, L. A.; Clump, C. W.; Maus, L.; Andersen, L. B. Princípios das Opera??es Unitárias; Editora Guanabara Dois S.A.: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1982), at 40 degrees C, and 6 h of extraction. However, the best yield of pigment (7.98 wt %) was obtained under the same conditions, except for the temperature (30 degrees C).     

Multifaceted Approach for Characterization of Solid Residues from Sludge Incineration

The Italian Water Research Institute (IRSA) carried out sludge incineration tests on a demonstrative plant equipped with a circulating fluidized bed furnace. Aim of this paper is to present the potential applicability of non-conventional techniques for solid residues characterization. Results of five tests performed under different operating conditions are discussed. Incineration solid residues were sampled from the cyclone, downstream the furnace (cyclone ash, CA), and from the bag filter (filter ash, FA). Different techniques were used by the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department of the Roma TRE University, which cooperated with IRSA in the research project, to characterize incineration products and to correlate with process parameters. The X-ray Diffraction (XRD) technique was used to estimate the amount of sand, lost from the furnace, in CA and FA samples. Particle size distribution was measured using Low Angle Laser Light Scattering (LALLS). Scanning Electron Microscopy associated with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) was used to correlate size and shape of individual particles with chemical composition.This multifaceted approach to characterize incineration residues appears promising, providing additional and complementary information to the traditional chemical characterization.     

Breakdown of cortical effective connectivity during sleep

When we fall asleep, consciousness fades yet the brain remains active. Why is this so? To investigate whether changes in cortical information transmission play a role, we used transcranial magnetic stimulation together with high-density electroencephalography and asked how the activation of one cortical area (the premotor area) is transmitted to the rest of the brain. During quiet wakefulness, an initial response (approximately 15 milliseconds) at the stimulation site was followed by a sequence of waves that moved to connected cortical areas several centimeters away. During non-rapid eye movement sleep, the initial response was stronger but was rapidly extinguished and did not propagate beyond the stimulation site. Thus, the fading of consciousness during certain stages of sleep may be related to a breakdown in cortical effective connectivity.     

Traditional knowledge, genetic and morphological diversity in populations of Spondias tuberosa Arruda (Anacardiaceae)

Plant domestication is an evolutionary process whose artificial selection and management change the landscape, modeling plants to satisfy the human needs, affecting the phenotype component(s) of the species under manipulation. This study aimed at examining and comparing two rural communities: Malhada de Areia e Carão, municipally of Altinho, Pernambuco regarding the knowledge, perception of morphological variations (size fruit, flavor fruit, shape fruit, yield pulp and fruit color), morphological characteristics of preference at the time of collection; evaluation on the inter- and intrapopulation morphological differences of species and assessment of diversity, variability and local genetic structure of Spondias tuberosa populations under different management regimes based on the ISSR analysis. The results pointed to the maintenance of local genetic and morphological diversity, being it strongly related to the management practices of the species, especially the S. tuberosa tolerance in open areas for farming and pasture. Thus, it is emphasized the importance of this study in Brazil by being the first time that aspects related to management and perceived diversity, morphology and genetics of a highlighted perennial species from the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil are evaluated from the perspective of domestication studies on its incipient status. Moreover, it provides interesting data that will contribute to the conservation strategies and breeding programs.     

Thirty Years of Chemical Changes in Alpine Acid-Sensitive Lakes in the Alps

The Pennask Creek watershed in British Columbia (BC), Canada has been contaminated with acid rock drainage (ARD) and associated metal leaching (ML) as a result of highway construction. By combining existing and newly gathered information, this study determined the extent of metal contamination of the water and sediments, the potential biological impacts of this contamination, the influence of local geology, and estimated the potential risk to aquatic organisms. Surface water and sediment samples from the watershed were analyzed for general chemical parameters and trace metals. Rock samples were analyzed for mineralogy and chemical composition. Metal concentrations in water and sediments downstream of the ARD/ML source were higher than elsewhere in the watershed. Metals of concern include aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). Analysis of historical water quality data indicated that the concentrations of these metals have decreased markedly since 2004, due to remediation efforts. Rock samples collected from the streambeds and banks were not found to be potentially acid generating, but did contain significant levels of metals. Al, Cu, and Zn levels consistently exceeded BC water and sediment quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life, indicating that adverse biological effects are probable at stations downstream of the ARD/ML source. Benthic invertebrate monitoring over a 10-year period showed low abundance and diversity and a complete absence of sensitive taxa at downstream stations. Risk quotients indicated a likelihood of adverse biological effects for aquatic organisms, including rainbow trout, due to metal contamination in the watershed.     

Electrically conductive and hydrophobic cotton fabrics by polypyrrole-oleic acid coating

Hydrophobic polypyrrole-coated fabrics with improved electrical conductivity were produced embedding oleic acid as counter-ion. Hydrophobisation of polypyrrole was carried out by means of an ion exchange process after deposition of polypyrrole on cotton fabrics. The fabrics coated with oleic acid-doped polypyrrole showed contact angle of 111°, drop absorption time of 7 minutes and high water repellence, while electrical conductivity increased of ～2 times and heat generation improved, too. Moreover, oleic acid demonstrated a great stability as counter-ion in polypyrrole matrix being present also after washing.