Investigation of whole blood of SJL/J mice using neutron activation analysis

The Br (0.0022 +/- A 0.0006 gL(-1)), Ca (0.113 +/- A 0.012 gL(-1)), Cl (3.07 +/- A 0.36 gL(-1)), K (2.63 +/- A 0.14 gL(-1)), Mg (0.045 +/- A 0.002 gL(-1)) and Na (2.09 +/- A 0.10 gL(-1)) concentrations were determined in whole blood of SJL/J mice using the Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) technique. Eleven whole blood samples were analyzed in the IEA-R1 nuclear reactor at IPEN (So Paulo, Brazil). These data contribute for applications in veterinary medicine related to biochemistry analyses using whole blood. Moreover, the correlation with human blood estimation allows to checking the similarities for studying muscular dystrophy using this model animal.

Evaluation of mechanical, physical and thermal performance of cement-based tiles reinforced with vegetable fibers

The objective of this work was to analyze mechanical, physical and thermal performance of roofing tiles produced with several formulations of cement-based matrices reinforced with sisal and eucalyptus fibers. The physical properties of the tiles were more influenced by the fiber content of the composite than by the type of reinforcement. The type of the fiber was the main variable for the achievement of the best results of mechanical properties. Exposure to tropical climate has caused a severe reduction in the mechanical properties of the composites. After approximately four months of age under external weathering the toughness of the vegetable fiber-cement fell to 53-68% of the initial toughness at 28 days of age. The thermal performance showed that roofing tiles reinforced with vegetable fiber are acceptable as substitutes of asbestos-cement sheets. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Kinetic resolution of iodophenylethanols by Candida antarctica lipase and their application for the synthesis of chiral biphenyl compounds

The kinetic resolution of (+/-)-iodophenylethanols was carried out using lipase from Candida antarctica and in some cases the enantiomeric excesses were high (up to >98%). Enantiomerically enriched (S)-iodophenylethanols produced by the enzymatic resolution process were used in the synthesis of chiral biphenyl compounds by the Suzuki reaction with good yields (63-65%). (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Lymphocytes transfer [(14)C]-labeled fatty acids to skeletal muscle in culture; modulation by exercise

Previous studies have shown that lipids are transferred from lymphocytes (Ly) to different cell types including macrophages. enterocytes, and pancreatic beta cells in co-culture This study investigated whether [(14)C]-labeled fatty acids (FA) can be transferred from Ly to skeletal muscle (SM), and the effects of exercise on such phenomenon Ly obtained from exercised (EX) and control (C) male Wistar rats were preloaded with the [(14)C]-labeled free FA palmitic (PA), oleic (OA), linoleic (LA), or arachidonic (AA) Radioactively loaded Ly were then co-cultured with SM from the same Ly donor animals Substantial amounts of FA were transferred to SM being the profile PA = OA > AA > LA to the C group. and PA > OA > LA > AA to the EX group These FA were incorporated predominantly as phospholipids (PA = 66 75%: OA = 63 09%, LA = 43 86%, AA - 47 40%) in the C group and (PA = 63 99% OA = 52 72%, LA = 55 99%, AA = 63 40%) in the EX group Also in this group, the remaining radioactivity from AA, LA, and OA acids was mainly incorpoiated in structural and energetic lipids These results support the hypothesis that Ly are able to export lipids to SM in co-culture Furthermore. exercise modulates the lipid transference profile, and its incorporation on SM The overall significance of this phenomenon in vivo remains to be elucidated. Copyright (C) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

CHRONOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION OF BRAZILIAN GLYPTODON SP REMAINS: A DIRECT (14)C DATE FOR A SPECIMEN FROM IPORANGA, SAO PAULO, BRAZIL

Glyptodon sp. fossil remains can be found throughout Brazil. However, little information is available about their chronological distribution. With the intention to contribute to this issue, we present, as far as we know, the first direct radiocarbon date for 1 specimen of this genus found in Brazil. The osteoderm MZSP-PV660 found in Abismo do Fossil Cave (SP-145), Iporanga, Sao Paulo, Brazil, was dated by accelerator mass spectrometry at the Beta Analytic Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory. The (14)C date obtained was between 20,680 and 21,370 calibrated years before the present. Unfortunately, the scant (and often imprecise or unreliable) chronological data regarding this species and genus in Brazil and elsewhere in South America precludes a robust comparison among the dates available and the one presented here. Nevertheless, our finding supports the existence of this genus in South America at least until the Last Glacial Maximum.