Prevention values for copper (low tier approach) in subtropical acidic soils.

Copper is a trace element in plants and animals whose importance can be understood due to its role in different essential metabolic processes. Anthropogenic activities such as agriculture and mining are potential sources of pollution due to the emission of copper into the environment. Brazilian legislation ties soil quality to guideline values, among which the Prevention Value indicates the critical environmental limit for trace elements.

Scalable manufacture of therapeutic mesenchymal stromal cell products on customizable microcarriers in vertical wheel bioreactors that improve direct visualization, product harvest, and cost.

Background Aims: Human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) and their secreted products show great promise for treatment of musculoskeletal injury and inflammatory or immune diseases. However, the path to clinical utilization is hampered by donor-tissue variation and the inability to manufacture clinically relevant yields of cells or their products in a cost-effective manner. Previously we described a method to produce chemically and mechanically customizable gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) microcarriers for culture of hMSCs.

Rapid and label-free Listeria monocytogenes detection based on stimuli-responsive alginate-platinum thiomer nanobrushes.

In this work, we demonstrate the development of a rapid and label-free electrochemical biosensor to detect Listeria monocytogenes using a novel stimulus-response thiomer nanobrush material. Nanobrushes were developed via one-step simultaneous co-deposition of nanoplatinum (Pt) and alginate thiomers (ALG-thiomer). ALG-thiomer/Pt nanobrush platform significantly increased the average electroactive surface area of electrodes by 7 folds and maintained the actuation properties (pH-stimulated osmotic swelling) of the alginate.

One-Step Fabrication of Stimuli-Responsive Chitosan-Platinum Brushes for Detection.

Bacterial contamination in food-processing facilities is a critical issue that leads to outbreaks compromising the integrity of the food supply and public health. We developed a label-free and rapid electrochemical biosensor for detection using a new one-step simultaneous sonoelectrodeposition of platinum and chitosan (CHI/Pt) to create a biomimetic nanostructure that actuates under pH changes. The XPS analysis shows the effective co-deposition of chitosan and platinum on the electrode surface.

In vivo antitumor activity of by-products of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Deg. Rich in medium and long chain fatty acids evaluated through oxidative stress markers, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction.

Antiinflammatory and antitumor activity has been reported in Passiflora edulis (yellow passion fruit) nevertheless the intrinsic mechanisms of action are not fully elucidated. The present study aimeds to perform a comparison between the antitumor activity involving the crude extract (HCE) and the supercritical fluid extract with ethanol as co-solvent (SFEtOH) from P. edulis f.

Laser Scribed Graphene Biosensor for Detection of Biogenic Amines in Food Samples Using Locally Sourced Materials.

In foods, high levels of biogenic amines (BA) are the result of microbial metabolism that could be affected by temperatures and storage conditions. Thus, the level of BA is commonly used as an indicator of food safety and quality. This manuscript outlines the development of laser scribed graphene electrodes, with locally sourced materials, for reagent-free food safety biosensing.

Actuation of chitosan-aptamer nanobrush borders for pathogen sensing.

We demonstrate a sensing mechanism for rapid detection of Listeria monocytogenes in food samples using the actuation of chitosan-aptamer nanobrush borders. The bio-inspired soft material and sensing strategy mimic natural symbiotic systems, where low levels of bacteria are selectively captured from complex matrices. To engineer this biomimetic system, we first develop reduced graphene oxide/nanoplatinum (rGO-nPt) electrodes, and characterize the fundamental electrochemical behavior in the presence and absence of chitosan nanobrushes during actuation (pH-stimulated osmotic swelling).

Concordance and Reliability of Photogrammetric Protocols for Measuring the Cervical Lordosis Angle: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine and interpret the concordance, accuracy, and reliability of photogrammetric protocols available in the literature for evaluating cervical lordosis in an adult population aged 18 to 59 years.

Methods: A systematic search of 6 electronic databases (MEDLINE via PubMed, LILACS, CINAHL, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science) located studies that assessed the reliability and/or concordance and/or accuracy of photogrammetric protocols for evaluating cervical lordosis, compared with radiography. Articles published through April 2016 were selected.

Effect of nanoencapsulation using PLGA on antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of guabiroba fruit phenolic extract.

Guabiroba fruit has been highlighted for its high phytochemical content, particularly of phenolic compounds. The stability, bioavailability, and bioactivity of these compounds can be enhanced by nanoencapsulation, to improve functionality. Poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles containing phenolic extract of guabiroba (GPE) were synthesized by an adapted emulsion-evaporation method and their physico-chemical and functional properties were studied at two lactic to glycolic acid ratios (50:50 and 65:35).

A Comparative Study of Natural Antimicrobial Delivery Systems for Microbial Safety and Quality of Fresh-Cut Lettuce.

Nanoencapsulation can provide a means to effectively deliver antimicrobial compounds and enhance the safety of fresh produce. However, to date there are no studies which directly compares how different nanoencapsulation systems affect fresh produce safety and quality. This study compared the effects on quality and safety of fresh-cut lettuce treated with free and nanoencapsulated natural antimicrobial, cinnamon bark extract (CBE).

Antimicrobial activity and composition profile of grape (Vitis vinifera) pomace extracts obtained by supercritical fluids.

The possibility of increasing the aggregated value of the huge amount of residues generated by wineries around the world foment studies using the grape pomace - the residue from the wine production, composed by seed, skin and stems - to obtain functional ingredients. Nowadays, consumers in general prefer natural and safe products mainly for food and cosmetic fields, where the supercritical fluid extraction is of great importance due to the purity of the extracts provided. Therefore, the objective of this work is to evaluate the global extraction yield, the antimicrobial activity and the composition profile of Merlot and Syrah grape pomace extracts obtained by supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) and CO2 added with co-solvent at pressures up to 300 bar and temperatures of 50 and 60 °C.