• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.405-417
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• 2023

Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, is a significant but neglected tropical public health issue in Latin America due to the diversity of its genotypes and pathogenic profiles. This complexity is compounded by the adverse effects of current treatments, underscoring the need for new therapeutic options that employ medicinal plant extracts without negative side effects. Our research aimed to evaluate the trypanocidal activity of Bidens pilosa fractions against epimastigote and trypomastigote stages of T. cruzi, specifically targeting the Brener and Nuevo León strains-the latter isolated from Triatoma gerstaeckeri in General Terán, Nuevo León, México. We processed the plant's aerial parts (stems, leaves, and flowers) to obtain a methanolic extract (Bp-mOH) and fractions with varying solvent polarities. These preparations inhibited more than 90% of growth at concentrations as low as 800 ㎍/ml for both parasite stages. The median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) values for the Bp-mOH extract and its fractions were below 500 ㎍/ml. Tests for cytotoxicity using Artemia salina and Vero cells and hemolytic activity assays for the extract and its fractions yielded negative results. The methanol fraction (BPFC3MOH1) exhibited superior inhibitory activity. Its functional groups, identified as phenols, enols, alkaloids, carbohydrates, and proteins, include compounds such as 2-hydroxy-3-methylbenzaldehyde (50.9%), pentadecyl prop-2-enoate (22.1%), and linalool (15.4%). Eight compounds were identified, with a match confirmed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST-MS) software through mass spectrometry analysis.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.560-563
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• 1990

A.c. susceptibility for $Bi_{1.4}Pb_{0.6}Sr_2Ca_2Cu_{3.6}O_x$ superconductor is measured as a function of temperature at different value of a.c. magnetic field amplitude. Two transition steps are attributed to the intergranular and intragranular properties. Based on Bean's critical state model, intergranular critical current density, $J_c^{gb}$ (11 $A/cm^2$ at 77 K) and intragranular critical current density, $J_c^g (7{\times}10^3\;A/cm^2$ at 100 K) are estimated. The low values of $J_c^{gb}$and $J_c^g$ reflect a poor nature of coupling between grains and the low pinning force density of intragrain in $Bi_{1.4}Pb_{0.6}Sr_2Ca_2Cu_{3.6}O_x$ superconductor.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.30.1-30.6
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• 2022

This report aims to describe the first case of muscular and collagenous choristoma in a dog. A 10-yr-old female mixed-breed dog presented with lateral recumbence, vocalization, positional vertical nystagmus, divergent strabismus, anisocoria, and status epilepticus. The clinical condition evolved to stupor and ultimately, death. Necropsy revealed a white mass causing an irregular increase in the volume of the cerebellar vermis. In histological analysis, a well circumscribed, unencapsulated mass was observed in the cerebellum, consisting of fibers of striated skeletal muscle and collagen fibers, mostly mineralized. Based on the histopathological and histochemical findings, a diagnosis of muscular and collagenous cerebellar choristoma was made.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.213-226
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• 2018

This paper focuses on the seismic protection of slender old masonry structures by the implementation of prestressing devices at key locations. The devices are vertically and externally located inside the towers in order to be reversible and calibrated. An extensive parametric study on a selected slender tower is carried out based on more than 100 nonlinear static simulations aimed at investigating the impact of different parameters on the seismic performance: (i) different prestressing levels; (ii) shape memory alloy superelasticity and (iii) changes in prestressing-forces in all the stages of the analysis until failure and masonry toe crushing. The tendon materials under analysis are conventional prestressing steel, fiber-reinforced polymers of different fibers and shape memory alloys. The parametric study serves to select the most suitable prestressing device and optimal prestressing level able to dissipate more earthquake energy. The seismic energy dissipation is evaluated by comparing the structural capacity curves in original state and retrofitted.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.82-89
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• 2016

In this work, a ruthenium dioxide electrode has been prepared by thermal decomposition at 400 ℃ then used for the oxidation of commercial amoxicillin. The physical characterization showed that RuO₂ electrode presents a mud cracked structure. Its electrochemical characterization has revealed an increase of the voltammetric charge in acid electrolyte compared to neutral electrolyte indicating the importance of protons in its surface redox processes. The voltammetric study of the oxidation of amoxicillin has been investigated. It has been obtained that the oxidation of amoxicillin is controlled by both adsorption and diffusion processes. Moreover, the oxidation of amoxicillin occurs via direct and indirect processes in free or electrolyte containing chlorides. Through preparative electrolysis, enhancement of amoxicillin oxidation was observed in the presence of chloride where the amoxicillin degradation yield reached more than 50 % compared to less than 5% in the absence of chlorides. Spectrophotometric investigations have revealed the degradation of intermediates absorbing at 350 nm.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.426-429
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• 2004

Eleven fungal strains previously isolated from the Mexican desert were evaluated for their capacity to use catechin as carbon source in submerged cultures. At 2 g/l of catechin, all strains grew better than the control strains, Aspergillus niger Aa-20. Aspergillus niger PSH and Penicillium commune EH2 degraded 79.33％ and 76.35％ with degradation rates of 0.0065 and 0.0074 g/l/h, respectively, when an initial catechin concentration of 3 g/l was used. Obtained results demonstrated the potential biotechnological capacity of these fungal strains to use condensed tannins as carbon source.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.308-320
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• 2022

The high internal resistance (R_int) that develops across the sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFC) limits their power production (~4/10 mW m^-2) that can be recovered from an initial oil-contaminated sediment (OCS). In the anolyte, R_int is related to poor biodegradation activity, quality and quantity of contaminant content in the sediment and anode material. While on the catholyte, R_int depends on the properties of the catholyte, the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and the cathode material. In this work, the main factors limiting the power output of the SMFC have been minimized. The power output of the SMFC was increased (47 times from its initial value, ~4 mW m^-2) minimizing the SMFC R_int (28 times from its initial value, 5000 ohms), following the main modifications. Anolyte: the initial OCS was amended with several amounts of gasoline and kerosene. The best anaerobic microbial activity of indigenous populations was better adapted (without more culture media) to 3 g of kerosene. Catholyte: ORR was catalyzed in birnessite/carbon fabric (CF)-cathode at pH 2, 0.8M Na₂SO₄. At the class level, the main microbial groups (Gammaproteobacteria, Coriobacteriia, Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria) with electroactive members were found at C-anode and were associated with the high-power densities obtained. Gasoline is more difficult to biodegrade than kerosene. However, in both cases, SMFC biodegradation activity and power output are increased when ORR is performed on birnessite/CF in 0.8 M Na₂SO₄ at pH 2. The work discussed here can focus on bioremediation (in heavy OCS) or energy production in future work.

• Iberoamérica
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.65-89
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• 2009

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo proporcionar una explicación simplificada pero suficiente sobre el uso de las formas pronominales de tratamiento en los países de habla española, y hacer una propuesta para la enseñanza de los pronombres de tratamiento en la enseñanza del español en Corea. En la actualidad, en el mundo hispánico existen varios sistemas de tratamiento pronominal. La distribución dialectal de sus formas es bastante complicada. En la norma de España se usa el tú para el trato informal en oposición con el usted para el trato formal. Mientras tanto, en Hispanoamérica se usan el tú y el vos para el trato informal, y el usted para el trato formal. Sin embargo, la mayoría de las gramáticas didácticas y manuales no ofrece una explicación suficiente en cuanto a las diferencias de las formas y el uso de los pronombres de tratamiento. En Corea, en la mayoría de las clases de español se enseñan sólo la norma de España, que es minoitaria entre la comunidad global de hispanohablantes. Eso no les permitiría a los estudiantes tener una interacción exitosa con personas que dominen otras normas del tratamiento pronominal. Para que los alumnos tengan una competencia comunicativa que sea lo más universalmente válida, es necesario ofrecer una perspectiva de los fenómenos lingüísticos y culturales que toman en cuenta las variedades del sistema del tratamiento pronominal que se usan hoy en día en el dominio hispánico. Por último, los intereses y el nivel de los alumnos son variables que determinan qué o cuánto hacer en la enseñanza de las formas pronominales de tratamiento.

• BMB Reports
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.220-227
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• 2002

Two aspartate aminoransferase (EC 2.6.1.1) isoenzymes (AAT-1 and AAT-2) from Lupinus albus L. cv Estoril were separated, purified, and characterized. The molecular weight, pI value, optimum pH, optimum temperature, and thermodynamic parameters for thermal inactivation of both isoenzymes were obtained. Studies of the kinetic mechanism, and the kinetics of product inhibition and high substrate concentration inhibition, were performed. The effect of some divalent ions and irreversible inhibitors on both AAT isoenzymes was also studied. Native PAGE showed a higher molecular weight for AAT-2 compared with AAT-1. AAT-1 appears to be more anionic than AAT-2, which was suggested by the anion exchange chromatography. SDS-PAGE showed a similar sub-unit molecular weight for both isoenzymes. The optimum pH (between 8,0 and 9.0) and temperature ($60-65^{\circ}C$) were similar for both isoenzymes. In the temperature range of $45-65^{\circ}C$, AAT-2 has higher thermostability than AAT-1. Both isoenzymes showed a high affinity for keto-acid substrates, as well as a higher affinity to aspartate than glutamate. Manganese ions induced an increase in both AAT isoenzymes activities, but no cooperative effect was detected. Among the inhibitors tested, hydroxylamine affected both isoenzymes activity by an irreversible inhibition mechanism.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.245-250
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• 2006

The effects of aliphatic hydrocarbons (n-hexadecane and n-dodecane) on the volumetric oxygen mass transfer coefficient $(k_L\;a)$ were studied in flat alveolar airlift reactor and continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs). In the flat alveolar airlift reactor, high aeration rates (>2vvm) were required in order to obtain efficient organic-aqueous phase dispersion and reliable $k_La$ measurements. Addition of 1% (v/v) n-hexadecane or n-dodecane increased the $k_La$ 1.55- and 1.33-fold, respectively, compared to the control (superficial velocity: $25.8{\times}10^{-3}m/s$, sparger orifice diameter: 0.5 mm). Analysis of the gas-liquid interfacial area a and the liquid film mass transfer coefficient $k_L$ suggests that the observed $k_La$ increase was a function of the media's liquid film mass transfer. Addition of 1% (v/v) n-hexadecane or n-dodecane to analogous setups using CSTRs led to a $k_La$ increase by a factor of 1.68 and 1.36, respectively (superficial velocity: $2.1{\times}10^{-3}m/s$, stirring rate: 250 rpm). These results propose that low-concentration addition of oxygen-vectors to aerobic microbial cultures has additional benefit relative to incubation in purely aqueous media.