Improved immobilization of lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus on a new chitosan-based heterofunctional support: Mixed ion exchange plus hydrophobic interactions.

In this study, a new mixed heterofunctional support (Chit-GA-Gly) has been prepared by sequential activation of chitosan hydrogel (Chit) with glutaraldehyde (GA) and further functionalization with glycine (Gly). The immobilization of the lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus (TLL) on this support was compared with that on GA-activated Chit hydrogel (Chit-GA). The supports have been characterized by FT-IR, zeta potential and TG analyses.

Influence of climatic variables on the Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus populations in Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Introduction: Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus are vector species responsible for the transmission of important arboviruses.

Methods: Adult mosquitoes were collected in the urban areas of four municipalities in Mato Grosso within 1 year.

Results: A total of 19,110 mosquitoes were collected.

Synthesis and role of melanin for tolerating rumen digestion in , a nematode-trapping fungus.

We describe the synthesis and a function of melanin in , a nematode-trapping fungus. We tested various culture media treated with L-DOPA, glucose and tricyclazole on fungal growth and melanin distribution using infrared spectroscopy (IS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). rumen digestion was used to test the environmental stress and then to evaluate the capacity of this fungus to trap nematode larvae.

Preparation, functionalization and characterization of rice husk silica for lipase immobilization via adsorption.

Silica has been extracted from rice husks via a simple hydrothermal process and functionalized with triethoxy(octyl)silane -OCTES (Octyl-SiO) and (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane - 3-APTES (Amino-SiO), with the aim of using it as support to immobilize lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus (TLL) via adsorption. The supports have been characterized by particle size distribution and elemental analyses, XRD, TGA, SEM, AFM and N physisorption so as to confirm their functionalization. Effect of pH, temperature, initial protein loading and contact time on the adsorption process has been systematically evaluated.

The clinical measure of forefoot-shank alignment partially reflects mechanical properties of the midfoot joint complex.

Background: The clinical measure of forefoot-shank alignment (FSA) predicts the amount of foot pronation during weight-bearing tasks. This may be mediated by a relationship between FSA and the mechanical resistance of the midfoot joint complex (MFJC) to forefoot inversion, which is a component of weight-bearing foot pronation.

Objective: To investigate if the clinical measure of FSA is associated with MFJC mechanical resistance to inversion.

Foot pronation during walking is associated to the mechanical resistance of the midfoot joint complex.

Background: The demonstration of the relationship between midfoot passive mechanical resistance and foot pronation during gait may guide the development of assessment and intervention methods to modify foot motion during gait and to alter midfoot passive mechanical resistance.

Research Question: Is foot pronation during the stance phase of gait related to the midfoot passive mechanical resistance to inversion?

Methods: The resistance torque and stiffness provided by midfoot soft tissues of 33 participants (21 females and 12 males) with average of 26.21 years were measured.

Estimating of gross primary production in an Amazon-Cerrado transitional forest using MODIS and Landsat imagery.

The acceleration of the anthropogenic activity has increased the atmospheric carbon concentration, which causes changes in regional climate. The Gross Primary Production (GPP) is an important variable in the global carbon cycle studies, since it defines the atmospheric carbon extraction rate from terrestrial ecosystems. The objective of this study was to estimate the GPP of the Amazon-Cerrado Transitional Forest by the Vegetation Photosynthesis Model (VPM) using local meteorological data and remote sensing data from MODIS and Landsat 5 TM reflectance from 2005 to 2008.

Molecular identification of Bartonella henselae in a seronegative cat scratch disease patient with AIDS in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Bartonella henselae is associated with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, including cat scratch disease, endocarditis and meningoencephalitis, in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. We report the first molecularly confirmed case of B. henselae infection in an AIDS patient in state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Molecular identification of the agent of Q fever - Coxiella burnetii - in domestic animals in State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Introduction: Over the last recent years, the number of Q fever cases have has increased throughout the world. An epidemiological investigation was performed in the area in which the first molecular documentation of Q fever in Brazil was previously reported.

Methods: Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and PCR of Coxiella burnetii targeting the htpAB gene were performed in samples from 14 dogs (blood); 1 cat (blood); 10 goats (blood, milk, vaginal swab and anal swab); 3 sheep (blood); and 2 horses (blood).

Detection of serum antibodies against Bartonella species in cats with sporotrichosis from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Cat scratch disease is a zoonosis caused by Bartonella species, transmitted to humans through scratches or bites from infected cats and via direct contact with infected feces. Sporotrichosis, caused by the fungal complex Sporothrix, is transmitted by traumatic inoculation of the fungus. Cats are important in zoonotic transmission.

Coxiella burnetii, the agent of Q fever in Brazil: its hidden role in seronegative arthritis and the importance of molecular diagnosis based on the repetitive element IS1111 associated with the transposase gene.

Coxiella burnetii is the agent of Q fever , an emergent worldwide zoonosis of wide clinical spectrum. Although C. burnetii infection is typically associated with acute infection, atypical pneumonia and flu-like symptoms, endocarditis, osteoarticular manifestations and severe disease are possible, especially when the patient has a suppressed immune system; however, these severe complications are typically neglected.

Fatal spotted fever group rickettsiosis due to Rickettsia conorii conorii mimicking a hemorrhagic viral fever in a South African traveler in Brazil.

The authors present a fatal case of spotted fever group rickettsiosis (SFGR) caused by Rickettsia conorii conorii mimicking a hemorrhagic viral fever in a South African male on a business trip in Brazil. SFGR was confirmed by molecular and immunohistochemical analyses.

Genetic characterization of hantaviruses associated with sigmodontine rodents in an endemic area for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in southern Brazil.

An ecological assessment of reservoir species was conducted in a rural area (Jaborá) in the mid-west of the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil, where hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is endemic, to evaluate the prevalence of hantavirus infection in wild rodents. Blood and tissue samples were collected from 507 rodents during seven field trips from March 2004 to April 2006. Some of the animals were karyotyped to confirm morphological identification.

Prevalence of Bartonella species DNA and antibodies in cats (Felis catus) submitted to a spay/neuter program in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The prevalence of Bartonella species DNA and antibodies for Bartonella henselae were studied in 40 clinically healthy cats (Felis catus, Linnaeus 1758) submitted to a spay/neuter program in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Additionally, the prevalence of Bartonella species DNA was investigated in the fleas found parasitizing the subject cats. For this purpose, blood samples were obtained from all cats, and DNA extraction was performed on the blood, and blood clotted samples, as well as on pools of fleas obtained from them.