The Effects of Two Preservatives on Peroxidase Activity and Total Protein Content in Strelitzia reginae during Cold Storage

Marcos R da S Vieira,Luiz G M Pessoa,Walter S E Junior,Ygor H Leal,Luzia F da Silva,Rafael C Silva,Eduardo S dos Santos,Thialla L Amorim,Damina C de Medeiros 한국원예학회 2016 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.57 No.2

This study aimed to assess changes in peroxidase activity and total protein content of cut flowers of Strelitzia reginae that were treated with the chemical preservatives 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate (8-HQC) or chlorine during cold storage. The bases of the cut flowers were immersed in 1.5 L of tap water with 48 h pulsing treatments (a control with no chemical preservatives (0 mg·L-1, 100 mg·L-1 chlorine, 250 mg·L-1 8-HQC or 500 mg·L-1 8-HQC) during cold storage at 10.5°C and 90% relative humidity. The solutions were then replaced with tap water and the cut flowers remained in cold storage for 12 days. For biochemical characterization of peroxidase activity and total protein content, tissue samples (sepals, petals, stems, and bracts) were collected and analyzed at 0, 4, 8, and 12 days after treatment. There was an increase in peroxidase activity in petals, stems, and bracts and a decrease in total protein content, regardless of the treatment used. In this experiment, therefore, differences in peroxidase activity and total protein content due to treatments with 8-HQC or chlorine were not identified.

Surface modification of Trema orientalis wood biochar using natural coconut vinegar and its potential to remove aqueous calcium ions: column and batch studies

M.M. Udawatta,R.C.L. De Silva,D.S.M. De Silva 대한환경공학회 2023 Environmental Engineering Research Vol.28 No.1

Recent investigations have revealed the harmful health effects of elevated calcium levels in drinking water. Chemically activated biochar is the most popular option for low-cost cation adsorption. However, most of these chemicals are hardly available for rural communities, corrosive, and difficult to handle by unskilled personnel. This study aimed to determine the ability of natural coconut vinegar, a common mild acid, to activate Trema orientalis wood biochar pyrolyzed at 300˚C (BC) as a facile, safe, and low-cost approach for aqueous calcium ion (Ca<SUP>2+</SUP>) removal. Column tests showed a two-fold increase of Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> adsorption capacity and a ten-fold increase of Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> retaining capacity of BC after activation with vinegar. The isotherm results were well correlated with the Langmuir model. The maximum Langmuir adsorption of the activated biochar (BC-A) was 9.96 mg/g. Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> amount was determined using flame photometry. EDX analysis showed that the O/C ratio of BC increased from 0.07 to 0.13 after activation. FTIR and wettability studies showed increased oxygenated functional groups on the BC-A surface. The authors suggest a possible acid-catalyzed hydration of the C-O-C bridges of the biochar, introducing new hydroxyl/carbonyl/ester/carboxylic/lactone groups to the biochar surface due to the vinegar activation, enhancing Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> adsorption through chemisorption.

Analgesic Effects Elicited by Neuroactive Mediators Injected into the ST 36 Acupuncture Point on Inflammatory and Neuropathic Pain in Mice

Ja´dina S. Vieira,Je´ssica A. Toreti,Ravena C. de Carvalho,Joa˜o E. de Arau´jo,Marcelo L. Silva,Josie R.T. Silva 사단법인약침학회 2018 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.11 No.5

The present study evaluates whether the injection of serotonin, acetylcholine, glutamate, bradykinin, histamine, or substance P (SP) into the Zusanli (Stomach 36, ST 36) acupoint can also produce the acupuncture-induced antinociceptive effect on inflammatory or neuropathic pain. In this in vivo experimental study, a total of 450 male Swiss mice were used. Mice were injected with saline or complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) or subjected to sham or chronic constriction injury (CCI) surgery. After the establishment of the inflammatory (4 hours) or the neuropathic pain (3 days), the animals (n = 6) received manual acupuncture, sham acupuncture, or injection of saline, serotonin, acetylcholine, glutamate, bradykinin, histamine, or SP into the ST 36 and were evaluated for up to 24 hours. Mechanical threshold was evaluated, and the L4-L6 dorsal root ganglion was used for analysis of the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 overexpression. The mice from both the CFA and CCI models treated with manual acupuncture had significant increases in the thresholds for more than 24 hours. Sham acupuncture stimulation did not change the thresholds. In the mice injected with each of the mediators, the thresholds were significantly increased for all times in both the CFA and CCI models. Transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 overexpression in CFA and CCI mice was reduced at all times by injection of serotonin, acetylcholine, or SP but not by injection of glutamate, histamine, or bradykinin. Our data suggest that the neuroactive mediators released by acupuncture-induced tissue injury may contribute to acupuncture-induced analgesia.

Effect of Euterpe oleracea Mart. Seeds Extract on Chronic Ischemic Renal Injury in Renovascular Hypertensive Rats

Cristiane Aguiar da Costa,Dayane Teixeira Ognibene,Viviane Silva Cristino Cordeiro,Graziele Freitas de Bem,Izabelle Barcellos Santos,Ricardo Andrade Soares,Letı´cia L. de Melo Cunha,Lenize C. R.M. Car 한국식품영양과학회 2017 Journal of medicinal food Vol.20 No.10

Previously, we have demonstrated that the seeds of Euterpe oleracia Mart. (açaí) are rich in polyphenols with antihypertensive and antioxidant properties. This study evaluated the renal protective effects of the hydroalcoholic extract obtained from the seeds of açaí (ASE) fruits in two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C) renovascular hypertension. Young male Wistar rats were used to obtain 2K1C and sham groups. Animals received ASE (200 mg/(kg·day) in drinking water) or vehicle for 40 days. We evaluated serum and urinary parameters, renal structural changes, and oxidative status. The increase in systolic blood pressure of the 2K1C group was accompanied by a decrease in left kidney volume and number of glomeruli, as well as an increase in glomerular volume and collagen deposition. ASE prevented the alterations of these parameters, except the reduced kidney volume. Serum levels of urea and creatinine and urinary protein excretion were increased in the 2K1C group and treatment with ASE improved all these functional parameters. The increased oxidative damage in the 2K1C group, assessed by lipid and protein oxidation, was prevented by ASE. The nitrite content and both expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase-1, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) were lower in the 2K1C group and restored by ASE. ASE substantially reduced renal injury and prevented renal dysfunction in 2K1C rats probably through its antihypertensive and antioxidant effects, providing a natural resource for treatment and prevention of renovascular hypertension-related abnormalities.

Effects of Castor Meal on the Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Beef Cattle

Diniz, L.L.,Filho, S.C. Valadares,Campos, J.M.S.,Valadares, R.F.D.,Da Silva, L.D.,Monnerat, J.P.I.S.,Benedeti, P.B.,De Oliveira, A.S.,Pina, D.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2010 Animal Bioscience Vol.23 No.10

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of replacing soybean meal with treated castor meal with (CMT) or without lime (CMNT) on the nutrient intake, performance, carcass characteristics, and yield of commercial cuts of beef cattle from a feedlot. Thirty male, castrated, crossbreed zebu cattle were used in the study, with an average initial weight of $360{\pm}30.27\;kg$. Five animals were used as a control group and were slaughtered at the beginning of the experiment; the remaining animals (n = 25) were distributed in random blocks (repetitions), with body weight as the criterion for block assignment. The animals were fed a diet containing 65% corn silage and 35% of concentrate on dry matter (DM) basis. Five diets consisted of four levels of soybean meal (SM) substituted with CMT (0, 33, 67 and 100%) on a DM basis and a diet with 100% of SM replaced with CMNT. At the end of the experiment, all animals were slaughtered, and their gastrointestinal tracts were emptied to determine their empty body weights (EBW). No significant effects were observed (p>0.05) for the substitution of soybean meal with CMT on intake of dietary nutrients, the average daily body weight gain (ADG) or EBW gain (EBWG). In spite of greater (p<0.05) ricin intake for the diet containing CMNT (3.06 mg/kg BW) compared to the CMT diet (0.10 mg/kg BW/d), there were no effects (p>0.05) on intake of dietary nutrients, ADG or EBWG. The average intake of DM and the ADG were 10,664.63 and 1,353.04 g/d, respectively. Regarding carcass characteristics, only carcass yield in relation to body weight was linearly reduced (p<0.05) upon substitution of SM by CMT. There was no effect (p>0.05) of the substitution of SM by CMT or CMNT on the yield of carcass basic cuts. CMT prices that are higher than 85% of the SM price do not economically justify the use of CMT. For CMT prices between 20 and 80% of the SM price, the optimal level was 67% substitution, while for prices below 15% of the SM price, the optimal level was 100% substitution with CMT. It can be concluded that treated castor meal with 6% lime can totally replace soybean meal in beef cattle diets.

Single or Multiple Electroacupuncture Sessions in Nonspecific Low Back Pain: Are We Low-Responders to Electroacupuncture?

Ravena C. de Carvalho,Julia R. Parisi,Wiliam A. Prado,Joa˜o E. de Arau´jo,Andreia M. Silva,Josie R.T. Silva,Marcelo L. Silva 사단법인약침학회 2018 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.11 No.2

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of one or multiple sessions of electroacupuncture (EA) in patients with chronic low back pain. The outcome measures were visual analog score (VAS), pressure pain threshold (PPT), McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ), Roland Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ), low back skin temperature, surface electromyography of longissimus muscle (contraction/rest) and blood cytokines. After examination (AV0), patients were submitted to EA (2 Hz, 30 minutes, bilaterally at the SP6, BL23, BL31, BL32, BL33, and BL60) and were revaluated after one week (AV1). Patients with VAS <3 (VAS <3 group, n = 20) were directed to return after three weeks (AV2). Patients with VAS >3 (VAS >3 group, n = 20) were submitted to one weekly EA-treatment and revaluated after three weeks (AV2). The VAS <3 group showed a significant reduction in VAS and MPQ and increased PPT in AV1, but not in AV2. No significant differences were found in RMDQ. The VAS >3 group showed reduction in VAS and increased PPT in AV1 and a reduction in MPQ and RMDQ only in AV2. No significant differences were found in electromyography, temperature or cytokines. Thus, despite 2Hz-EA is effective reducing low back pain, some patients only experienced reduced pain intensity and improved functional capacity after full treatment.

On the Security Aspects of Internet of Things: A Systematic Literature Review

Evandro L. C. Macedo,Egberto A. R. de Oliveira,Fabio H. Silva,Rui R. Mello Jr,Felipe M. G. França,Flavia C. Delicato,José F. de Rezende,Luís F. M. de Moraes 한국통신학회 2019 Journal of communications and networks Vol.21 No.5

Internet of Things (IoT) has gained increasing visibilityamong emerging technologies and undoubtedly changing our dailylife. Its adoption is strengthened by the growth of connected devices(things) as shown in recent statistics. However, as the numberof connected things grows, responsibility related to security aspectsalso needs to increase. For instance, cyberattacks might happenif simple authentication mechanisms are not implemented on IoTapplications, or if access control mechanisms are weakly defined. Considering the relevance of the subject, we performed a systematicliterature review (SLR) to identify and synthesize security issuesin IoT discussed in scientific papers published within a periodof 8 years. Our literature review focused on four main security aspects,namely authentication, access control, data protection, andtrust. We believe that a study considering these topics has the potentialto reveal important opportunities and trends related to IoTsecurity. In particular, we aim to identify open issues and technologicaltrends that might guide future studies in this field, thusproviding useful material both to researchers and to managers anddevelopers of IoT systems. In this paper, we describe the protocoladopted to perform the SLR and present the state-of-the-art on thefield by describing the main techniques reported in the retrievedstudies. To the best of our knowledge, ours is the first study tocompile information on a comprehensive set of security aspects inIoT. Moreover, we discuss the placement, in terms of architecturaltiers, for deploying security techniques, in an attempt to provideguidelines to help design decisions of security solution developers. We summarize our results showing security trends and researchgaps that can be explored in future studies.

Oxidative Stress in the Heart of Rats Infected with Trypanosoma evansi

Matheus D. Baldissera,Carine de F. Souza,Claudia M. Bertoncheli,Karine L. da Silveira,Thirssa H. Grando,Bianca C. Z. Porto,Daniela B. R. Leal,Aleksandro S. Da Silva,Ricardo E. Mendes,Lenita M. Stefani 대한기생충학열대의학회 2016 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.54 No.3

Behaviour of flush end-plate beam-to-column joints under bending and axial force

Luís Simões da Silva,Luciano R. O. de Lima,Pedro C. G. da S. Vellasco,Sebastião A. L. de Andrade 국제구조공학회 2004 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.4 No.2

Steel beam-to-column joints are often subjected to a combination of bending and axial forces. The level of axial forces in the joint may be significant, typical of pitched-roof portal frames, sway frames or frames with incomplete floors. Current specifications for steel joints do not take into account the presence of axial forces (tension and/or compression) in the joints. A single empirical limitation of 10% of the beam’s plastic axial capacity is the only enforced provision in Annex J of Eurocode 3. The objective of the present paper is to describe some experimental and numerical work carried out at the University of Coimbra to try to extend the philosophy of the component method to deal with the combined action bending moment and axial force.

Single Cupping Thearpy Session Improves Pain, Sleep, and Disability in Patients with Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain

Maria P. Volpato,Izabela C.A. Breda,Ravena C. de Carvalho,Caroline de Castro Moura,Laís L. Ferreira,Marcelo L. Silva,Josie R.T. Silva 사단법인약침학회 2020 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.13 No.2

The objective of this study was to evaluate if a single session of real or placebo cupping therapy in patients with chronic low back pain would be enough to temporarily reduce pain intensity and functional disability, enhancing their mechanical threshold and reducing local skin temperature. The outcome measures were Brief Pain Inventory, pressure pain threshold, RolandeMorris disability questionnaire and low back skin temperature. This is an experimental clinical trial; after examination (AV0), patients were submitted to real or placebo cupping therapy (15 minutes, bilaterally at the points BL23 (Shenshu), BL24 (Qihaishu) and BL25 (Dachangshu) and were revaluated immediately after the session (AV1) and after one week (AV2). The patients showeda significant improvement in all pain severity items and sleep in the Brief Pain Inventory (p < 0.05) and a decrease in disability in RolandeMorris disability questionnaire (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found in pressure pain threshold or skin temperature. No significant differences were found in any outcome of the placebo cupping therapy group. Thus, thecupping therapy is effective in reducing low back pain and decreasing disability after one single session but not in changing skin mechanical threshold or temperature.