Targeting Myeloperoxidase Ameliorates Gouty Arthritis: A Virtual Screening Success Story.

This study presents a new approach for identifying myeloperoxidase (MPO) inhibitors with strong in vivo efficacy. By combining inhibitor-like rules and structure-based virtual screening, the pipeline achieved a 70% success rate in discovering diverse, nanomolar-potency reversible inhibitors and hypochlorous acid (HOCl) scavengers. Mechanistic analysis identified RL6 as a genuine MPO inhibitor and RL7 as a potent HOCl scavenger.

A pilot-scale study of a novel system for simultaneous nitrogen and carbon removal: technological advancement of a structured bed reactor with intermittent aeration (SBRIA) in real domestic sewage treatment.

This study outlines the development of an effective pilot-scale simultaneous denitrification and nitrification (SDN) system using intermittent aeration for the removal of carbon and nitrogen from real domestic sewage. Given the limited research in this area, the main objective was to evaluate the overall performance of the SBRIA system on a pilot scale and show its benefits in domestic wastewater treatment. The structured bed reactor with intermittent aeration (SBRIA) notably achieved 57% efficiency in removing total nitrogen without requiring external carbon sources.

Beneficial effects of mate-herb, St. Hil. against potassium dichromate-induced oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity.

Chimarrão is a typical beverage made from the infusion of dried and ground leaves and stems of Ilex paraguariensis (popularly known as Yerba mate or mate herb) which is widely consumed in parts of South America. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the chimarrão against nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by the potassium dichromate (PD) salt in male Wistar rats. The experiment lasted 17 days, and in the first 15 days animals ingested a chimarrão infusion or control drinking water and then submitted to an intraperitoneal injection (15 mg/kg) of PD (or saline solution) and euthanized after 48 hr at which time animals still received infusion or drinking water.

Catalogue of living crinoids (Echinodermata: Crinoidea) from Brazil.

Knowledge of living crinoids from Brazil is chiefly restricted to the contributions of Dr Luis Roberto Tommasi between the decades of 1950 and 1970. Herein we present an updated catalogue of the crinoids occurring along the Brazilian coast, including data on synonyms, type localities, type material, geographical distribution, bathymetric ranges, and occurrences of species along the coast. The data is based on an extensive revision of the literature and on a survey of several databases.

Optimization of airflow and aeration cycles in a new structured bed reactor configuration for carbon and nitrogen removal.

The Structured Bed Reactor with Recirculation and Intermittent Aeration (SBRRIA) is a reactor configuration that presents high efficiency of organic matter and nitrogen removal, besides low sludge production. However, operational parameters, as the recirculation rate, aeration time, and airflow, are not fully established. A bench-scale structured bed reactor with intermittent aeration was fed with synthetic effluent simulating the characteristics of sanitary sewage.

Taxonomic guide and historical review of echinoids (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) from northeastern Brazil.

The class Echinoidea contains among the best-known echinoderms. The group has left the most complete fossil record of this phylum, and contains about 1000 living species, of which 51 are recorded along the Brazilian coast. Although the first record of echinoids in Brazil was made 369 years ago, the knowledge of this fauna remains quite unsatisfactory from a taxonomic and ecological point of view, particularly in the north and northeastern regions of the country.

Behavior of Pigs Reared in Enriched Environment: Alternatives to Extend Pigs Attention.

Three trials were carried out in a completely randomized design aiming to assess the behavior of pigs in growth phase in enriched environments. Trial 1 evaluated the effects of frequency of availability of environmental enrichment. The animals were assigned to four treatments: 1) control with no enrichment object; 2) objects provided for six consecutive days uninterruptedly; 3) objects provided on alternate days, and 4) objects provided for six consecutive days taken away by the end of the afternoon and replaced at dawn.

Antibiotic-modifying activity of riachin, a non-cyanogenic cyanoglycoside extracted from Bauhinia pentandra.

Background: The search for new active compounds from the Brazilian flora has intensified in recent years, especially for new drugs with antibiotic potential. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to determine whether riachin has antibiotic activity in itself or is able to modulate the activity of conventional antibiotics.

Methods: A non-cyanogenic cyanoglycoside known as riachin was isolated from Bauhinia pentandra, and was tested alone and in combination with three antibiotics (clindamycin, amikacin, and gentamicin) against multiresistant bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus).