Individual variability in Tityus serrulatus (Scorpiones,Buthidae) venom elicited by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Venom variability in specimens of Tityus serrulatus scorpion was assessed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) analyses. An expanded time lag venom extraction protocol was carried out using ten scorpions to study individual variations that might occur due to different rates in protein expression and/or processing. The first extraction of venom was made from the animals after 20 days of starvation, which allowed the venom gland to be filled up. The second extraction event was carried out 24 hours after the first one. The third was 8 days after the first extraction. By means of MALDI-TOF analyses, important variations were observed in venoms of a single specimen extracted at different times, especially in latter extraction events. These variations are most probably related to dynamics in cell gland production. Since T. serrulatus is a parthenogenetic species, sexual variations are naturally excluded and we did not expect intra-specific variations, which was confirmed. Knowledge of individual venom variability is extremely important to avoid misunderstandings in the use of venom proteomic analysis as a taxonomic tool.     

A global Riesz decomposition theorem on trees without positive potentials

We study the potential theory of trees with nearest-neighbortransition probability that yields a recurrent random walk andshow that, although such trees have no positive potentials,many of the standard results of potential theory can be transferredto this setting. We accomplish this by defining a non-negativefunction H, harmonic outside the root e and vanishing only ate, and a substitute notion of potential which we call H-potential.We define the flux of a superharmonic function outside a finiteset of vertices, give some simple formulas for calculating theflux and derive a global Riesz decomposition theorem for superharmonicfunctions with a harmonic minorant outside a finite set. Wediscuss the connection of the H-potentials with other notionsof potentials for recurrent Markov chains in the literature.     

Adulteration of diesel/biodiesel blends by vegetable oil as determined by Fourier transform (FT) near infrared spectrometry and FT-Raman spectroscopy

In this work it has been shown that the routine ASTM methods (ASTM 4052, ASTM D 445, ASTM D 4737, ASTM D 93, and ASTM D 86) recommended by the ANP (the Brazilian National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels) to determine the quality of diesel/biodiesel blends are not suitable to prevent the adulteration of B2 or B5 blends with vegetable oils. Considering the previous and actual problems with fuel adulterations in Brazil, we have investigated the application of vibrational spectroscopy (Fourier transform (FT) near infrared spectrometry and FT-Raman) to identify adulterations of B2 and B5 blends with vegetable oils. Partial least square regression (PLS), principal component regression (PCR), and artificial neural network (ANN) calibration models were designed and their relative performances were evaluated by external validation using the F-test. The PCR, PLS, and ANN calibration models based on the Fourier transform (FT) near infrared spectrometry and FT-Raman spectroscopy were designed using 120 samples. Other 62 samples were used in the validation and external validation, for a total of 182 samples. The results have shown that among the designed calibration models, the ANN/FT-Raman presented the best accuracy (0.028%, w/w) for samples used in the external validation.     

Artificial transmembrane ion channels from commercial surfactants

Sodium ion transport across a phospholipid bilayer has been demonstrated by a new class of transmembrane ion channel mimetic compounds in which the filtering effect of a calixarene has been coupled to the membrane penetrating qualities of a commercial surfactant.     

Thermal–Statistical Odd–Even Fermions’ Staggering Effect and the Order–Disorder Disjunction

We review thermal–statistical considerations on the odd–even staggering effect (OES) in fermions. There is a well known OES in nuclear binding energies at zero temperature. We discuss here a thermal OES (finite temperatures) that establishes links with the order–disorder disjunction. The present thermal considerations cannot be found in the nuclear literature.     

Essential Oils as In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation Manipulators to Mitigate Methane Emission by Beef Cattle Grazing Tropical Grasses

There is increasing pressure to identify natural feed additives to mitigate methane emissions from livestock systems. Our objective was to investigate the effects of essential oils (EO) extracts star anise (Illicium verum), citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus), clove bud (Eugenia caryophyllus), staigeriana eucalyptus (Eucalyptus staigeriana), globulus eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), ginger (Zingiber officinale), ho wood (Cinnamomum camphora), melaleuca (Melaleuca alternifolia), oregano (Origanum vulgare) and white thyme (Thymus vulgaris) on in vitro methane emissions from four rumen-cannulated Nellore cattle grazing a tropical grass pasture as inoculum donors. The semi-automated gas production technique was used to assess total gas production, dry matter degradability, partitioning factor, ammoniacal nitrogen, short-chain fatty acids and methane production. All essential oils were tested in four doses (0, 50, 250 and 500 mg/L) in a randomized block design, arranged with four blocks, 10 treatments, four doses and two replicates. Within our study, oregano and white Thyme EO reduced net methane production at 250 mg/L, without affecting substrate degradation. Essential oils from oregano and white thyme have the potential to modify ruminal fermentation and suppress rumen methanogenesis without negative effects on feed digestibility, indicating promise as alternatives to ionophores for methane reduction in beef cattle.     

Chiral azole derivatives. Part 5: Synthesis of enantiomerically pure 1-[α-(benzofuran-2-yl)arylmethyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazoles, antifungal and antiaromatase agents

Racemic and enantiopure benzofuranmethanamines 5a–c have been reacted with N-Boc-3-(4-cyanophenyl)oxaziridine to give N-Boc-hydrazines 7a–c, which have in turn been transformed by deprotection and cyclisation into triazoles 4a–c, potent antiaromatase agents, in good overall yield and with high enantiomeric excess.     

Should We ‘Eat a Rainbow’? An Umbrella Review of the Health Effects of Colorful Bioactive Pigments in Fruits and Vegetables

Health promotion campaigns have advocated for individuals to ‘eat a rainbow’ of fruits and vegetables (FV). However, the literature has only focused on individual color pigments or individual health outcomes. This umbrella review synthesized the evidence on the health effects of a variety of color-associated bioactive pigments found in FV (carotenoids, flavonoids, betalains and chlorophylls), compared to placebo or low intakes. A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and CENTRAL was conducted on 20 October 2021, without date limits. Meta-analyzed outcomes were evaluated for certainty via the GRADE system. Risk of bias was assessed using the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine critical appraisal tools. A total of 86 studies were included, 449 meta-analyzed health outcomes, and data from over 37 million participants were identified. A total of 42% of health outcomes were improved by color-associated pigments (91% GRADE rating very low to low). Unique health effects were identified: n = 6 red, n = 10 orange, n = 3 yellow, n = 6 pale yellow, n = 3 white, n = 8 purple/blue and n = 1 green. Health outcomes associated with multiple color pigments were body weight, lipid profile, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, mortality, type 2 diabetes and cancer. Findings show that color-associated FV variety may confer additional benefits to population health beyond total FV intake.     

Energetic Cost of Statistical Order-Degree Change in a Fermions’ Set

We discuss novel many-fermions thermodynamics’ features. They refer to the energy cost associated to order-disorder changes. Our thermal quantum statistical scenario is controlled by suitable fermion-fermion interactions. We deal with two well-known quantum interactions that operate within an exactly solvable model. This model is able to adequately describe some aspects of fermion-dynamics, particularly level-crossings. We describe things via employment of Gibbs’ canonical ensemble strictures. We show that judicious manipulation of the energy cost associated to statistical order (disorder) variations generates useful information-quantifiers. The underlying idea is that changes in the degree of order are intimately linked to level-crossings energetic costs.     

Neuroprotective Effect of Yucca schidigera Roezl ex Ortgies Bark Phenolic Fractions,Yuccaol B and Gloriosaol A on Scopolamine-Induced Memory Deficits in Zebrafish

Y. schidigera contains a number of unusual polyphenols, derivatives of resveratrol and naringenin, called spiro-flavostilbenoids, which have potent in vitro anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and moderate cholinesterase inhibitory activities. To date, these compounds have not been tested in vivo for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of both single spiro-flavostilbenoids (yuccaol B and gloriosaol A) and phenolic fractions derived from Y. schidigera bark on scopolamine-induced anxiety and memory process deterioration using a Danio rerio model. Detailed phytochemical analysis of the studied fractions was carried out using different chromatographic techniques and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). The novel tank diving test was used as a method to measure zebrafish anxiety, whereas spatial working memory function was assessed in Y-maze. In addition, acetylcholinesterase/butyrylcholinesterase (AChE/BChE) and 15-lipooxygenase (15-LOX) inhibition tests were performed in vitro. All pure compounds and fractions under study exerted anxiolytic and procognitive action. Moreover, strong anti-oxidant capacity was observed, whereas weak inhibition towards cholinesterases was found. Thus, we may conclude that the observed behavioral effects are complex and result rather from inhibition of oxidative stress processes and influence on cholinergic muscarinic receptors (both 15-LOX and scopolamine assays) than effects on cholinesterases. Y. schidigera is a source of substances with desirable properties in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.