QUIMILUMINESCENCIA: ASPECTOS QUIMICOS E FISICOS

The history, the chemistry and the physic aspects of luminescence phenomenon are approached, essentially in relation to chemiluminescence, chemical reactions which emit light, discussing about its importance, definition, classification and application.

Small-scale method for the determination of selected organochlorine pesticides in soil

A small-scale method was developed for the simultaneous determination of γ-HCH, heptachlor, aldrin, dicofol, mirex, endosulfan I, endosulfan II and endosulfan sulphate in soil. The extraction and clean-up steps were combined into one step by transferring soil samples to chromatographic columns prepacked with neutral alumina. The pesticides elution was processed with n-hexane : dichloromethane (7:3) and the concentrated eluate was analysed using gas-liquid chromatography with electron capture detection. Analyses of the in vitro fortified samples with the selected pesticides were performed at three different levels. Mean recoveries for aldrin, γ-HCH and heptachlor, at levels of 2, 10 and 20 ng/g, ranged from 71 to 87%; for dicofol, at levels of 8, 40 and 80 ng/g, ranged from 97 to 103%; for endosulfan I and II, at levels of 5, 25 and 50 ng/g, ranged from 88 to 96%; for mirex, at levels of 6, 30 and 60 ng/g, ranged from 86 to 110%; and for endosulfan sulphate, at levels of 15, 75 and 150 ng/g, ranged from 93 to 104%. The method can be used for rapid determination of these pesticides in soil. © Springer-Verlag 1996.

Cardiorespiratory, endocrine and metabolic changes in ponies undergoing intravenous or inhalation anaesthesia

Six Welsh gelding ponies (weight 246 ± 6 kg) were premedicated with 0.03 mg/kg of acepromazine intravenously (i.v.) followed by 0.02 mg/kg of detomidine i.v. Anaesthesia was induced with 2 mg/kg of ketamine i.v. Ponies were intubated and lay in left lateral recumbency. On one occasion anaesthesia was maintained for 2 h using 1.2% halothane in oxygen. The same group of ponies were anaesthetized 1 month later using the same induction regime and anaesthesia was maintained with a combination of detomidine, ketamine and guaiphenesin, while the ponies breathed oxygen-enriched air. Electrocardiogram, heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, cardiac output, respiratory rate, blood gases, temperature, haematocrit, glucose, lactate and cortisol were measured and cardiac index and systemic vascular resistance were calculated in both groups. Beta-endorphin, met-enkephalin, dynorphin, arginine vasopressin (AVP), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and catecholamines were measured in the halothane anaesthesia group only and 11-deoxycortisol during total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) only. Cardiorespiratory depression was more marked during halothane anaesthesia. Hyperglycaemia developed in both groups. Lactate and AVP increased during halothane anaesthesia. Cortisol increased during halothane and decreased during TIVA. There were no changes in the other hormones during anaesthesia. Recovery was smooth in both groups. TIVA produced better cardiorespiratory performance and suppressed the endocrine stress response observed during halothane anaesthesia.

Assessment of vitamin A status in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and healthy smokers

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Middle Proterozoic vein-hosted gold deposits in the Pontes e Lacerda region, southwestern Amazonian craton, Brazil

Structural, geochemical, and isotope studies were carried out on the gold deposits of the Pontes e Lacerda region (Mato Grosso state, Brazil), where rocks of the Aguapei and Rondoniano mobile belts (southwestern Amazonian craton) occur. The orebodies are hosted in metavolcanic, gneiss-granite, quartzite, tonalite, and granite units. Tectonics involve oblique overthrusting (from northeast to southwest), which led to the formation of recumbent folds and thrusts (pathways for the mineralizing fluids), upright folds, and faults with dominant strike-slip component. These unconformities represent potential sites for mineralization. During geological mapping, it was observed that the orebodies consist of quartz, pyrite, and gold, and that the hydrothermal alteration zone contains quartz, sericite, pyrite (altered to limonite), and magnetite (altered to hematite). Chalcopyrite, galena, and sphalerite occur only in the Onça deposit. Chemical analysis of sulfides indicates high contents of Bi, Se, and Te in sulfides and gold, suggesting plutonic involvement in the origin of hydrothermal solutions. K-Ar dating of hydrothermal sericites from gold veins yielded ages in the range from 960 to 840 Ma, which may indicate the age of original crystallization of sericite. Pb-Pb dating in galenas yielded model ages in the range from 1000 to 800 Ma for the Onça deposit, which is in agreement with K-Ar ages. Pb-isotopic ratios indicate high U/Pb and low Th/Pb for the upper-crustal Pb source before incorporation in galena crystals. The Pontes e Lacerda gold deposits yielded ages correlated to the Aguapei event and probably were formed during a Proterozoic contractional tectonic period in the southwestern part of the Amazon craton, which may characterize an important metallogenic epoch in the Pontes e Lacerda region.

Preparation and characterization of uniform, spherical particles of Y2O2S and Y2O2S:Eu

The preparation of spherical Y2O2S and Y2O2S:Eu particles using a solid-gas reaction of monodispersed precursors with elemental sulfur vapor under an argon atmosphere has been investigated. The precursors, undoped and doped yttrium basic carbonates, are synthesized by aging a stock solution containing the respective cation chloride and urea at 82-84 °C. Y2O2S and Y2O2S:Eu were characterized in terms of their composition, crystallinity and morphology by chemical analysis, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), IR spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Eu-doped oxysulfide was also characterized by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and luminescence spectroscopy. The spherical morphology of oxysulfide products and of basic carbonate precursors suggests a topotatic inter-relationship between both compounds.

Caracterizacion metalografica de aleaciones metalicas utilizadas como biomateriales en implantes quirurgicos

In this work, the chemical structure, the microstructure and the surface morphology of two non-ferrous materials used in dental implants (Ti-6Al-4V and Co-Cr-Mo) were studied. This was done by chemical analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy disperse spectroscopy (EDS), and strength measurements (HV). Metallographic studies reveal that titanium alloy surface present a fine granular binary phase structure, while cobalt alloy present cast dendrite structures with an intense precipitation of carbides. To correlate the macro and microstructure with the mechanical behavior of the material, microhardness measurements were performed. Using the Vickers hardening method, the Ti-6Al-4V alloy yielded strength mean values smaller than the Co-Cr-Mo alloy. Their values are associated to the chemical composition and to the microstructural distribution of these materials. The Ti-6Al-4V alloy presents hardness similar to dental enamel, which suggests better performance as dental implant.

Synthesis, characterization and spectroscopy of the europium doped lanthanum trimetaphosphate

Orthorhombic modification of europium doped lanthanum trimetaphosphate has been prepared. The compound was obtained by precipitation of rare earth chloride solution with trimetaphosphoric acid. The characterizations were made using X-ray diffractometry, chemical analysis and infrared spectroscopy. Excitation and emission spectra were recorded at liquid nitrogen and room temperatures. Assignments of the 5D0→7FJ (J=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) transitions were made and an unusual high 5D0→7F4 transition intensity with six split lines has been observed. Structural distortion of the crystal lattice may be caused by the Eu3+ ion inclusion. The simple overlap model was applied for the calculation of the total splitting of the 5D0→7F1 transition, the 5D0→7F0/5D 0→7F2 transition intensity ratio and the Ωλ (λ=2.4) intensity parameters. Theoretical predictions showed to be in good accordance with the experimental data. © 1988 Elsevier Science S.A.

Measuring fluoride concentration in mineral waters in the Araraquara region, Brazil

It has been shown that people of all ages can benefit from the topical and systemic effects of water fluoridation. However, the increase in consumption of bottled water, either to substitute for or supplement consumption of water from public sources, has implications for safe fluoride supplementation. Taking that into consideration, in 1995 we analyzed the fluoride content in 31 commercial brands of mineral water in the region of Araraquara, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Fluoride concentration as determined by our analysis was compared to the concentration of fluoride specified on each label. Only 25% of the products studied listed the fluoride concentration on their labels. In addition, among 31 mineral water brands, 26 listed the date when the chemical analysis to determine chemical composition had been performed. Of these, 20 had not been put through the annual chemical analysis determined by Brazilian law. Based on these results, if the mineral waters tested had been the only source of drinking water, fluoride supplementation would have been necessary in 69% of the samples analyzed. In the case of children up to 6 years of age who use products containing fluoride, such as topical gels, mouthwashes or toothpastes, supplementation should be recommended only if commercially bottled water is the only source of water used, not only for drinking but for cooking as well.

Influencia de la refusion en las propiedades mecanicas y composicion quimica de aleaciones odontologicas

The objective of the study presented in this article was to analyze the influence of remelting of two odontological alloys: Dentorium and Steeldent, on the mechanical properties and on the chemical composition. For the two alloys, samples, containing 10% and 50% new alloy, were subjected to tensile test, micrography and chemical analysis. The alloys presented similar mechanical properties, except for the elongation, which presented higher values for the Dentorium 50% new alloy. This is due to the smaller carbides formed in this sample. The remelting itself seems not to be responsible for these differences, but they are probably due to the lack of a good control of the casting process. The micrography showed a dendritic column matrix, with carbides in the interdentric region and inside dendritic grain. In the chemical composition was observed few elements percentage change.

Phytochemical evidence for the plant origin of Brazilian propolis from Sao Paulo state

Propolis and plant secretions from three species, most frequently mentioned as botanical sources of the bee glue in Brazil (Baccharis dracunculifolia, Araucaria angustifolia and Eucalyptus citriodora) have been investigated using GC-MS. Based on chemical evidence, B. dracunculifolia was shown to be the main propolis source in Sao Paulo state. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of all four materials were also tested, the most active being propolis and Baccharis leaf exudate.

Is chronic hypoxemia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with more marked nutritional deficiency?: A study of the fat-free mass evaluated by anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance methods

In order to determine wheter blood gases abnormalities, specially hypoxemia, are associated with more marked changes in fat-free mass in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (CPOD), nutritional assessment was performed on 16 normoxemic (PaO 2 > 55 mm Hg) and 16 hypoxemic (PaO 2 < 55 mm Hg) COPD patients in stable clinical condition. Body weight was expressed as percentage of the ideal body weight. Fat-free mass was estimated by anthropometry (FFM-Anthr) and by bioelectrical impedance (FFM- BI). Handgrip-strength was assessed as a measure of peripheral skeletal muscle strength. Patients were age-matched and presented similar degree of airway obstruction. Malnutrition, defined as body weight less than 90% of the ideal, was observed in 19% of the normoxemic patients and in 25% of the hypoxemic patients (p>0,05). FFM values in hypoxemic patients, estimated by both methods, were not different from those observed in normoxemic patients. No significant difference was observed on handgrip values between the two groups. No correlation was found between nutritional indices and pulmonary function and gases exchange parameters. FFM correlated positively with values of peripheral muscle function in normoxemic and hypoxemic patients. These data add further evidence to the hypothesis that hypoxemia is not a primary cause of the nutritional deficiency observed in COPD patients.

The effect of changing the mode of ventilation on the arterial-to-end-tidal CO2 difference and physiological dead space in laterally and dorsally recumbent horses during halothane anesthesia

Objective - To evaluate the effect of changing the mode of ventilation from spontaneous to controlled on the arterial-to-end-tidal CO2 difference [P(a-ET)CO2] and physiological dead space (VD(phys)/VT) in laterally and dorsally recumbent halothane-anesthetized horses. Study Design - Prospective, experimental, nonrandomized trial. Animals - Seven mixed breed adult horses (1 male and 6 female) weighing 320 ± 11 kg. Methods - Horses were anesthetized in 2 positions - right lateral and dorsal recumbency - with a minimum interval of 1 month. Anesthesia was maintained with halothane in oxygen for 180 minutes. Spontaneous ventilation (SV) was used for 90 minutes followed by 90 minutes of controlled ventilation (CV). The same ventilator settings were used for both laterally and dorsally recumbent horses. Arterial blood gas analysis was performed every 30 minutes during anesthesia. End-tidal CO2 (PETCO2) was measured continuously. P(a-ET)CO2 and VD(phys)/VT were calculated. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance for repeated measures over time, followed by Student-Newman-Keuls test. Comparison between groups was performed using a paired t test; P < .05 was considered significant. Results - P(a-ET)CO2 and VD(phys)/VT increased during SV, whereas CV reduced these variables. The variables did not change significantly throughout mechanical ventilation in either group. Dorsally recumbent horses showed greater P(a-ET)CO2 and VD(phys)/VT values throughout. PaCO2 was greater during CV in dorsally positioned horses. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance - Changing the mode of ventilation from spontaneous to controlled was effective in reducing P(a-ET)CO2 and physiological dead space in both laterally and dorsally recumbent halothane-anesthetized horses. Dorsal recumbency resulted in greater impairment of effective ventilation. Capnometry has a limited value for accurate estimation of PaCO, in anesthetized horses, although it may be used to evaluate pulmonary function when paired with arterial blood gas analysis. © Copyright 2000 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Influência de cinco temperaturas de secagem no rendimento e composição do óleo essencial de citronela (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt)

The Influence of Drying Temperatures on the Yield Composition of Citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) essential oil. The studies were carried out to establish more precise parameters for citronella (C. winterianus Jowitt) post-harvest, and to optimize drying time and essential oil quantitative/qualitative yield. Five treatments were designed (30°C, 40°C, 50°C, 60°C and 70°C), with 14 repetitions of the drying process and 12 of the essential oil extraction. Drying at 60°C gave the best results for drying time (48 hours until weight stabilization), and also for extracted oil quantity (1.228 ± 0.127% over dry weight). Essential oil content showed high quantitative variations. The main compound found was neral, except in the 50°C treatment, where citronelal was the main compound.