Heterogeneous patterns of oligodendroglial differentiation in the forebrain of the opossum: Didelphis marsupialis

The differentiation of oligodendrocytes in the forebrain of the opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) has been studied by the immunohistochemical identification of 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase (CNPase) and by the autoradiographic detection of the uptake of 3H-thymidine. CNPase is expressed early in oligodendroglia somata and fibre sheaths (myelin) in the forebrain and its persistence in the cell bodies is regionally heterogeneous, being ephemeral in cells within the optic pathway, supraoptic decussation, and posterior commissure, of intermediate duration in the mamillo-thalamic fascicle, and stria medullaris, and long-lasting in other diencephalic and in telencephalic tracts. In the cerebral cortex, most CNPase + cells have small somata and multiple processes (types I and II). CNPase-expressing oligodendrocytes are also regionally heterogeneous in terms of proliferative capability, which could not be detected in forebrain tracts or diencephalon, but has appeared in a small proportion of cells in the neocortical white matter and in the fimbria. Our findings provide additional evidence in favour of the heterogeneity of oligodendrocytes.     

Adsorptive separation of fructose and glucose from an agroindustrial waste of cashew industry

Nearly all agroindustrial wastes have appreciable sugar content including cashew apples (Anacardium occidentale, L.), which are an important sub-utilized biomass source in Northeastern Brazil. Adsorption in fixed bed, both in batch and continuous modes, is a low-cost separation technique, which has been widely used in the concentration, separation and purification of bioproducts, such as sugars. The present work is an experimental study aimed at measuring responses in fixed bed, needed for design purposes. Two commercial ion-exchange resins were studied: DOWEX Monosphere 99/Ca and DIAION UBK555. The adsorbents showed linear isotherms for both sugars with marked selectivity for fructose (2.2 for DOWEX and 1.5 for DIAION). A mathematical model was used to estimate kinetic parameters and predict breakthrough behaviour of binary solutions and complex feeds. The kinetics of mass transfer was well described by a linear driving force approximation (LDF) and estimated kinetic constants were around 1 min(-1). The results indicate that the use of independent experiments with synthetic monocomponent solutions leads to reliable parameters, and the model is capable to foresee reasonably well the breakthrough curve of the sugars present in the juice, under different purification conditions. The use of complex feeds led to overshoot behaviour, possibly due to the irreversible adsorption of oligosaccharides.     

Influence of cultivation conditions on xylose-to-xylitol bioconversion by a new isolate of Debaryomyces hansenii

About 270 yeast isolates were screened for xylitol production using xylose as the sole carbon source. The best isolate, Debaryomyces hansenii UFV-170, released 5.84 g L(-1) xylitol from 10 g L(-1) xylose after 24 h, corresponding to a yield of xylitol on consumed substrate (Y(P/S)) of 0.54 g g(-1). This strain was cultivated batch-wise at variable starting concentrations of xylose (S(o)) and biomass (X(o)) and agitation intensity, in order to improve xylitol production and to evaluate, through simple carbon balances, the influence of these conditions on xylose metabolism. Under the best microaerobic conditions (S(o) = 53 g L(-1), X(o) = 1.4 g L(-1), 200 rpm), xylitol production reached 37.0 g L(-1), corresponding to xylitol volumetric productivity of 1.0 g L(-1)h(-1), specific productivity of 0.22 g g(-1)h(-1) and Y(P/S) = 0.76 g g(-1). Almost 83% of xylose was consumed for xylitol production, the rest being consumed for growth, while respiration was negligible. The new isolate appeared to be a promising alternative for industrial xylitol bioproduction.     

Clinical and mycological study of scalp white piedra in the State of Paraíba,Brazil

White piedra is a superficial mycoses characterized by nodules on the hair shaft, caused by the basidiomycetous yeasts. In the present study, clinical and mycological findings of scalp white piedra caused by Trichosporon spp. are related. Twenty three cases of scalp white piedra were observed with a high incidence in women (87%) and preschool children from 2 to 6 (74%) years old. These groups presented a relationship of dependence with this infection. Despite the low socio-economic status, poor standards of hygiene, (48% of the patients) as well as the fact that 30.4% of the children shared the same nursery, these factors were not significant for the transmission of the mycosis. These were the first reports of scalp white piedra in Jo?o Pessoa city, Paraíba, Brazil.     

Influence of temperature upon paralyzing and myotoxic effects of bothropstoxin-I on mouse neuromuscular preparations

Bothropstoxin-I (BthTX-I), from B. jararacussu venom, is a phospholipase A2 (PLA2) homologue devoid of enzymatic activity. Besides inducing severe myonecrosis, BthTX-I promotes paralysis of both directly and indirectly evoked contractions in isolated neuromuscular preparations. We applied an experimental paradigm in order to characterize the steps involved in the toxic effects of BthTX-I on mouse neuromuscular junction. Myotoxicity was assessed by microscopic analysis of extensor digitorum longus muscles; paralyzing activity was evaluated through the recording of isolated contractions indirectly evoked in phrenic-diaphragm preparations. After 90 min at 35 degrees C, BthTX-I induced complete and irreversible paralysis, and damaged 30.3+/-2.7% of muscle fibers. In contrast, no effect was observed when tissues were incubated with BthTX-I at 10 degrees C for 60 min and subsequently washed with toxin-free solution and maintained at 35 degrees C. These results indicate that the binding of BthTX-I to the cellular tissue surface is very weak at low temperature and that an additional factor is necessary. However, when tissues were submitted to BthTX-I (10 degrees C for 60 min), and the temperature was elevated to 35 degrees C, omitting the washing step, it was observed muscle paralysis and damage in 39.04+/-4.2% of muscle fibers. These results indicate that a temperature-dependent step is necessary for BthTX-I to promote both its myotoxic and paralyzing activities.     

Total Mercury Determination in Muscle and Liver Tissue Samples from Brazilian Amazon Fish Using Slurry Sampling

Biological Trace Element Research - This paper presents a slurry sampling method for total mercury determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) in tissue of fish from...     

DNA-hsp65 Vaccine as Therapeutic Strategy to Treat Experimental Chromoblastomycosis Caused by Fonsecaea Pedrosoi

Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a chronic subcutaneous mycosis, caused by several dimorphic, pigmented dematiaceous fungi. Patients with the disease are still considered a therapeutic challenge, mainly due to its recalcitrant nature. There is no “gold standard” treatment for this neglected mycosis, but rather there are several treatment options. Chemotherapy alternatives include 5-flucytosine, itraconazole, terbinafine, fluconazole, thiabendazole, ketoconazole and amphotericin B, although the healing of severe cases is still uncommon. However, several studies have reported the DNA vaccine to be promising in the treatment for fungal infections; this vaccine allows the host to restore depressed cellular immunity, minimizing the toxic effects from conventional antifungal therapies. This work was therefore carried out aiming to establish a suitable model for experimental CBM, suggesting also new therapies, including DNA-hsp65 vaccine. By analyzing the morphometrical and histopathological aspects and by quantifying the fungal burden, the results showed the establishment of a chronic, although transitory, experimental CBM model with lesions similar to those presented in humans. A treatment regimen using intralesional itraconazole or amphotericin B was effective in treating experimental CBM, as was a therapy using naked DNA-hsp65 vaccine. It has also been shown that chemotherapy associated with DNA-hsp65 vaccine is promising in the treatment for CBM.     

Comparative biochemical characterization of soluble and chitosan immobilized β-galactosidase from Kluyveromyces lactis NRRL Y1564

An investigation was conducted on the production of β-galactosidase (β-gal) by different strains of Kluyveromyces, using lactose as a carbon source. The maximum enzymatic activity of 3.8 ± 0.2 U/mL was achieved by using Kluyveromyces lactis strain NRRL Y1564 after 28 h of fermentation at 180 rpm and 30 °C. β-gal was then immobilized onto chitosan and characterized based on its optimal operation pH and temperature, its thermal stability and its kinetic parameters (K_m and V_max) using o-nitrophenyl β-d-galactopyranoside as substrate. The optimal pH for soluble β-gal activity was found to be 6.5 while the optimal pH for immobilized β-gal activity was found to be 7.0, while the optimal operating temperatures were 50 °C and 37 °C, respectively. At 50 °C, the immobilized enzyme showed an increased thermal stability, being 8 times more stable than the soluble enzyme. The immobilized enzyme was reused for 10 cycles, showing stability since it retained more than 70% of its initial activity. The immobilized enzyme retained 100% of its initial activity when it was stored at 4 °C and pH 7.0 for 93 days. The soluble β-gal lost 9.4% of its initial activity when it was stored at the same conditions.     

Isolation and characterization of phenol-degrading yeasts from an oil refinery wastewater in Brazil

This study investigated the aerobic degradation of phenol by yeast strains isolated from an oil refinery wastewater from the Northeast of Brazil. The samples displayed low fungal diversity, as only yeast colonies were detected on Sabouraud dextrose agar containing chloramphenicol 0.05% (w/v). Among the isolates, three yeast strains were selected to be evaluated for their potential for degrading high phenol concentrations. These species were identified through morphological and biochemical characteristics as Candida tropicalis, C. rugosa, and Pichia membranaefaciens. Although the strains were able to degrade the phenol concentration present in the wastewater, which was 7 mg l⁻¹, only C. tropicalis was capable of growing at high concentrations of phenol such as 500 mg l⁻¹ and 1,000 mg l⁻¹ in a mineral medium containing this pollutant as the only carbon source. C. rugosa and P. membranaefaciens were inhibited in the presence of 500 mg l⁻¹ of phenol. However, a longer incubation time was needed for C. tropicalis strain to degrade 1,000 mg l⁻¹ of phenol compared to the time required to degrade 500 mg l⁻¹. Moreover, the strain released a significant amount of polysaccharide biosurfactant in the medium probably to minimize the toxic effect of the high phenol concentration. When challenged with 1,500 and 2,000 mg l⁻¹ of phenol, C. tropicalis was unable to grow at the tested conditions. The results indicate that this strain of C. tropicalis can be considered both a good phenol-degrader and biosurfactant-producer. Application of this strain might be useful in bioremediation activities or treatment of phenol-polluted wastewater.