Green Hydrogen: Perspectives and Challenges in Using the Natural Gas Network in Ceará/Brazil

Climate change, mainly caused by the use of non-renewable fuels, has raised global concerns and led to the search for less polluting energy sources, making hydrogen a promising energy alternative with the potential to contribute to changes in the energy mix of various countries through the use of technologies that enable its production and use with low or zero carbon emissions. In this context, Brazil has aroused great interest from other countries in exploring its renewable resources for the production of hydrogen (green hydrogen). In this sense, the use of natural gas pipelines and the use of hydrogen in mixtures with natural gas have become the subject of studies due to their economically viable alternative for the immediate use of this energy vector. However, there are still technical and regulatory challenges regarding the integration of hydrogen into the existing natural gas pipeline network. In this context, the present study aims to address the effects of hydrogen interaction with the structure of natural gas pipeline steel and the regulatory barriers to the use of this network for the transportation of green hydrogen, particularly in the state of Ceará/Brazil. After extensive analysis of literature and regulatory documents, it was concluded that: 1) Ceará/Brazil has strong potential to meet the demand for green hydrogen through the use of solar and wind energy sources;2) there is feasibility for the adaptation or conversion of natural gas infrastructure for the transportation of green hydrogen;3) discussions regarding the regulatory competence of green hydrogen transportation and distribution through the natural gas network in Brazil are still incipient;4) the current regulation of the natural gas industry can serve as a subsidy for the regulation of green hydrogen and natural gas transportation.

Antidiabetic effects of galactomannans from Adenanthera pavonina L.in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Objective: To evaluate the antidiabetic effect of galactomannans extracted from Adenanthera pavonina's L.seeds(GAP) in streptozotocin(STZ) induced diabetic mice.Methods:The preliminary galactomannan yield from Adenanthera pavonina L.plant and extraction products composition were evaluated.Various chemical characterization methods like thin layer chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ~1H and ^(13)C nuclear magnetic resonance, and molecular weight by gel permeation chromatography have been employed to characterize the extracted galactomannan.The mice were divided in four groups: Normal control, diabetic control, GAP(1% and 2%) treated and standard drug treated groups.Diabetic mice received treatment daily for 30 d.Diabetes was induced by STZ at a single dose of 120 mg/kg.Body weight, water and food intake, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides were measured.Histopathological analysis of pancreas and liver were performed to evaluate STZ-induced tissue injuries.Results: The isolated and extracted galactomannan from Adenanthera pavonina was confirmed by various chemical characterization methods.GAP exhibited a 1.46:1 mannose: galactose ratio, and high molar weight.Both GAP enriched food decreased glycaemia, total cholesterol and triacylglycerol.GAP didn't interfere on food intakes or body weight, although it increased water intake.Furthermore, the relative liver weight indicated toxic galactomannan effects on the histopathological changes of the pancreas in STZ induced diabetes.Conclusions: It is concluded that GAP is a natural product that contains potent galactomannan and is useful in preventing and treating diabetes.

Biological and chemical attributes of soils under forest species in Northeast Brazil

Timber forests contribute to the sustainable development of the biomes in tropical regions.The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological and chemical properties of the soil as a consequence of the cover with native and non-native species in the Acarau basin,a transition area from the coast to the Brazilian semi-arid region.Areas planted with four native species(Anadenanthera colubrina,Astronium fraxinifolium,Handroanthus impetiginosus,Colubrina glandulosa)and three exotic species(Acacia mangium,Casuarina equisetifolia,Eucalyptus urophylla)plus a non-forested agricultural area were evaluated for organic carbon contents,and microbial and chemical soil properties.The levels of soil organic carbon were highest in A.colubrina and C.equisetifolia plantations.Low basal soil respiration was observed but the microbial biomass was particularly low in the non-forested area.In the C.equisetifolia,E.urophylla,and H.impetiginosus plantations,elevated soil metabolic quotients were found.The A.colubrina and H.impetiginosus plantations had the highest levels of easily extracted-glomalin related soil protein.Tree species affect concentrations of essential nutrients and the biological quality of the soil in different ways.They can also improve the biological and chemical properties of the soil in the coastal plains of tropical regions.

Chlamydoconidium-producing Trichophyton tonsurans: Atypical morphological features of strains causing tinea capitis in Ceará, Brazil

Objective: To report atypical morphological features of Trichophyton(T.) tonsurans strains associated with tinea capitis. Methods: Eighty-two T. tonsurans strains isolated in Ceará, Brazil, were analyzed regarding macro and micromorphological features and nutritional patterns. Results: Fifty-two samples presented abundant chlamydoconidia, which were produced in chains. Macroscopically, these strains developed small glabrous colonies that were firmly attached to the surface of the culture medium, with few or no aerial mycelia and intense rusty yellow pigmentation. Seven strains did not grow with stimulus from thiamine. Samples were heterogeneous regarding urease production and none presented in vitro hair perforation. Conclusions: The observation of T. tonsurans strains with distinct phenotypic features indicates the need to revise the taxonomic criteria for routine identification of this dermatophyte.

Diversity of mycorrhizal fungi and soil indicative species in coastal plantations of northeast Brazil

The aim of this work was to evaluate arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM)fungi as soil indicators and the mycorrhization of native and exotic tree species planted in the Acaraúbasin,a transition area from the coast to the Brazilian semiarid region.Plots with 6-year-old trees of four native and three non-native species as well as one non-forested area were evaluated in terms of the diversity of AM fungi in the mycorrhizosphere and the root colonization by AM and ectomycorrhizal(EcM)fungi.Twenty-four AM fungi were identified;Claroideoglomus etunicatum,Glomus sinuosum,Paraglomus albidum,Acaulospora laevis,and Acaulospora brasiliensis were abundant in the forest soil.Diversity,dominance,evenness and richness indices of AM fungi were higher in plots with native trees.All root samples were colonized by AM fungi and only A nadenanthera colubrina,Acacia mangium,Casuarina equisetifolia and Eucalyptus urophylla formed associations with EcM fungi.Acaulospora morphotypes served as soil indicators for coverings with the native species Astronium fraxinifolium and Colubrina glandulosa.Exotic species may favor the proliferation of rarer AM fungi.These fungi–plant relationships may be important in the management of forest systems,and the evidence with mycorrhizal associations allows the inclusion of Brazilian species in tropical reforestation.

Challenges for the Characterization of Genetically Modified Animals by the qPCR Technique in the Era of Genomic Editing

Characterization of genetically modified organisms through determina­tion of zygosity and transgene integration concerning both copy number and genome site is important for breeding a transgenic line and the use of these organisms in the purpose for which it was obtained.Southern blot,fluorescence in situ hybridization or mating are demanding and time-consuming techniques traditionally used in the characterization of transgenic organisms and,with the exception of mating,give ambiguous results.With the emergence of the real-time quantitative PCR technology,different applications have been described for the analysis of transgenic organisms by determination of several parameters to transgenic analysis.However,the accuracy in quantitation by this method can be influenced in all steps of analysis.This review focuses on the aspects that influence pre-analytical steps(DNA extraction and DNA quantification methods),quantification strategies and data analysis in quantification of copy num­ber and zygosity in transgenic animals.