Optimisation of conditions for the extraction of casearins from Casearia sylvestris using response surface methodology

Optimal conditions for the extraction of casearins from Casearia sylvestris were determined using response surface methodology. The maceration and sonication extraction techniques were performed using a 3 x 3 x 3 full factorial design including three acidity conditions, three solvents of different polarities and three extraction times. The yields and selectivities of the extraction of casearins were significantly influenced by acidity conditions. Taking into account all variables tested, the optimal conditions for maceration extraction were estimated to involve treatment with dichloromethane saturated with ammonium hydroxide for 26 h. Similar yields and selectivities for casearins were determined for sonication extraction using the same solvent but for the much shorter time of I h. The best results for stabilisation of the fresh plant material were obtained using leaves that had been oven dried at 40 degrees C for 48 h. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Melanocytes in the testes of Eupemphix nattereri (Anura, Leiuperidae): Histological, stereological, and ultrastructural aspects

Ectothermic vertebrates have a well-developed system of melanin-containing cells, which localize in several organs and tissues and compose an extracutaneous pigmentary system. This research aimed at characterizing histological and ultrastructural patterns of pigmented cells in the testes of the anura Eupemphix nattereri (Steindachner, 1963), including the stereological and quantitative evaluation of this cell type in the gonads. Ten adult males were collected in Nova Itapirema, São Paulo, Brazil, and submitted to morphological studies with light and transmission electron microscopy. The testis presents a great number of large cells with many brown granules and long cytoplasmic processes. The pigmented cells found in the testis are structurally similar to melanocytes, characterized by large amounts of melanosomes. The cells may be in intimate contact with the same cell type, with myoid cells surrounded by a large amount of collagen fibers, Leydig cells, and next to fibroblasts. The distribution and amount of extracutaneous melanocytes is variable when other organs and membranes are analyzed, allowing the establishment of species-specific patterns for the extracutaneous pigmentary system.

Anatomy of the frontal gland and ultramorphology of the frontal tube in the soldier caste of species of Nasutitermitinae (Isoptera, Termitidae)

is a predominant characteristic, conditioned by the presence of castes with different morphology, ontogeny, and development. The soldier caste is unique among social insects and it is responsible for colony defense. Soldiers belonging to the Nasutitermitinae subfamily are very peculiar, since they may be polymorphic and present a nasus in addition to either developed or vestigial mandibles. The defensive secretions of soldiers of the neotropical Nasutitermitinae have been the aim of several chemical studies, but few data exist concerning the anatomy and histology of the exocrine glands. This article presents a comparative study on the anatomy of the frontal gland of soldiers of several Nasutitermitinae species: Syntermes dirus (Burmeister), Syntermes nanus (Constantino), Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Silvestri), Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky) and Velocitermes heteropterus (Silvestri), with emphasis on the ultramorphology and ultrastructure of the frontal tube.

Angiogenesis and skin carcinomas with skull base invasion: A case-control study

Background. Some skin carcinomas may be very aggressive. Intensity of angiogenesis, measured by intratumoral vessel density using expression of CD34, has been associated with tumor aggressiveness. In this study, the expression of CD34 in basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) with skull base invasion was compared with that in tumors with good outcome.Methods. Expression of CD34 was graded as mild, moderate, and intense, in 24 BCCs and 11 SCCs with skull base invasion. The control group included 23 BCCs and 10 SCCs.Results. Intense expression of CD34 was noted in 25.00% of BCCs with skull base invasion, compared with 4.35% in the control group (p =.058). Regarding SCCs, intense expression of CD34 was found in 54.55% of aggressive tumors, compared with 10.00% in the control group (p = 133).Conclusions. A trend toward denser microvascular angiogenesis was observed in both BCCs and SCCs with skull base invasion compared with less aggressive controls. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Adhesive performance of dentin bonding agents applied in vivo and in vitro. Effect of intrapulpal pressure and dentin depth

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of intrapulpal pressure and dentin depth on bond strengths of an etch-and-rinse and a self-etching bonding agent to dentin in vitro and in vivo. Twenty-four pairs of premolars were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6) according to the dentin bonding agent, Single Bond and Clearfil SE Bond, and intrapulpal pressure, null or positive. Each tooth of the pair was further designated to be treated in vivo or in vitro. The intrapulpal pressure was controlled in vivo by the delivery of local anesthetics containing or not a vasoconstrictor, while in vitro, it was achieved by keeping the teeth under hydrostatic pressure. Class I cavities were prepared and the dentin bonding agents were applied followed by incremental resin restoration. For the teeth treated in vitro, the same restorative procedures were performed after a 6 month-storage period. Beams with I mm 2 cross-sectional area were prepared and, microtensile tested. Clearfil SE Bond was not influenced by any of the variables of the study, while bond strengths produced in vitro were significatly higher for Single Bond. Overall, lower bond strengths were produced in deep dentin, which reached statistical significance when Single Bond was applied under physiological or simulated intrapulpal pressure. In conclusion, in vitro bonding may overestimate the immediate adhesive performance of more technique-sensitive dentin bonding systems. The impact of intrapulpal pressure on bond strength seems to be more adhesive dependent than dentin morphological characteristics related to depth. (C) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Development of a graphical interface for the Rietveld refinement program DBWS

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Spectrophotometric determination of phosphite in fertilizers in a flow injection system with online sample preparation

A flow injection system with online sample preparation is proposed for the determination of phosphite in liquid fertilizers by spectrophotometry. After loop-based injection, phosphite is oxidized by an acidic permanganate solution (1.0 10(-2) mol L-1 KMnO4 + 1.0 mol L-1 H2SO4) in a heated reactor (50 degreesC). The phosphate generated is then determined by the molybdenum blue method. Influence of flow rates, temperature, and concentration and order of addition of reagents, sample volume, and reactor configuration for the blue complex formation on recorded signals were investigated. The pow system was applied to phosphite determination in commercial samples of liquid fertilizers. The proposed system handles about 80 samples per hour [0.05-0.40% (w/v) H3PO3; R = 0,9998], consuming about 80 muL sample, 1 mg KMnO4, 25 mg (NH)(6)Mo7O24, and Ia mg ascorbic acid per determination. Results are precise [relative standard deviation less than or equal to 3.5% for 0.1% (w/v) H3PO3, n = 12] and in agreement with those obtained by gravimetry at 95% confidence level. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Cephalosporin C production by immobilized Cephalosporium acremonium cells in a repeated batch tower bioreactor

The industrial production of antibiotics with filamentous fungi is usually carried out in conventional aerated and agitated tank fermentors. Highly viscous non-Newtonian broths are produced and a compromise must be found between convenient shear stress and adequate oxygen transfer. In this work, cephalosporin C production by bioparticles of immobilized cells of Cephalosporium acremonium ATCC 48272 was studied in a repeated batch tower bioreactor as an alternative to the conventional process. Also, gas-liquid oxygen transfer volumetric coefficients, k(L)a, were determined at various air flow-rates and alumina contents in the bioparticle. The bioparticles were composed of calcium alginate (2.0% w/w), alumina (<44 micra), cells, and water. A model describing the cell growth, cephalosporin C production, oxygen, glucose, and sucrose consumption was proposed. To describe the radial variation of oxygen concentration within the pellet, the reaction-diffusion model forecasting a dead core bioparticle was adopted. The k(L)a measurements with gel beads prepared with 0.0, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0% alumina showed that a higher k(L)a value is attained with 1.5 and 2.0%. An expression relating this coefficient to particle density, liquid density, and air velocity was obtained and further utilized in the simulation of the proposed model. Batch, followed by repeated batch experiments, were accomplished by draining the spent medium, washing with saline solution, and pouring fresh medium into the bioreactor. Results showed that glucose is consumed very quickly, within 24 h, followed by sucrose consumption and cephalosporin C production. Higher productivities were attained during the second batch, as cell concentration was already high, resulting in rapid glucose consumption and an early derepression of cephalosporin C synthesizing enzymes. The model incorporated this improvement predicting higher cephalosporin C productivity. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

An investigation of cadmium(II) and nickel(II) adsorption by chitin graft covolymer

Chitin hydrogels of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (VP) were prepared by means of the hydrogen peroxide graft copolymerization process. The effect of the VP grafted chain on water diffusion through the biopolymer was studied. Fourier transform infrared spectra of the VP-g-Ch showed an increase in the intensities of the hydroxyl and carbonyl stretching bands indicating a reduction in the hydrogen bonding of chitin. An investigation was undertaken regarding the adsorption of nickel(II) and cadmium(II) ions from aqueous solutions by the VP grafted chitin and the effects of the grafting degree on the Cd2+ and Ni2+ sorption were studied. The Cd2+ and Ni2+ adsorption equilibrium data correlate well with the Freundlich equation. The results indicate that the Ch-g-VP graft copolymer under investigation is a potentially powerful chelating material that can be employed for Ni2+ and Cd2+ ion removal from wastewater effluents. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

In vitro biocompatibility of a novel membrane of the composite poly(vinylidene-trifluoroethylene)/barium titanate

This study was aimed at investigating the in vitro biocompatibility of a novel membrane of the composite poly(vinylidene-trifluoroethylene)/barium titanate (P(VDF-TrFE)/BT). Osteoblastic cells were obtained from human alveolar bone fragments and cultured under standard osteogenic condition until subconfluence. First passaged cells were cultured on P(VDF-TrFE)/BT and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE - control) membranes in 24-well plates. Cell adhesion and spreading were evaluated at 30 min, and 4 and 24 h. For proliferation assay, cells were cultured for 1, 7, and 10 days. Cell viability was detected by trypan blue at 7 and 10 days. Total protein content and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were measured at 7, 14, and 21 days. Cultures were stained with Alizarin red at 21 days, for detection of mineralized matrix. Data were compared by ANOVA and Student t test. Cell attachment (p = 0.001), cell number (p = 0.001), and ALP activity (p = 0.0001) were greater on P(VDF-TrFE)/BT. Additionally, doubling time was greater on P(VDF-TrFE)/BT (p = 0.03), indicating a decreased proliferation rate. Bone-like nodule formation took place only on P(VDF-TrFE)/BT. The present results showed that both membranes are biocompatible. However, P(VDF-TrFE)/BT presented a better in vitro biocompatibility and allowed bone-like nodule formation. Therefore, P(VDF-TrFE)/BT could be an alternative membrane to be used in guided tissue regeneration. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Fibrin adhesive implant in wound healing repair of dental sockets with topical application of epsilon aminocaproic acid: Histological analysis

The aim of the study was to evaluate wound healing repair of dental sockets after topical application of 5% epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) and the use of fibrin adhesive implant in rats under anticoagulant therapy with warfarin. Sixty Albinus wistar rats were used, divided into three groups of 20. In Group I, the animals were given 0.1 mL/100 mg of 0.9% saline solution per day, beginning 6 days before dental extraction and continuing throughout the experimental period. In Group II, the animals received 0.03 mL of sodium warfarin daily, beginning 6 days before the surgery and continuing until the day of sacrifice; after tooth extractions, the sockets were filled with fibrin adhesive material. In Group III the animals were treated as in Group II, and after extractions, the sockets were irrigated with 5 mL of 5% EACA and filled with the same fibrin adhesive material. All groups presented biological phases of wound healing repair, the differences being evident only in the chronology. The results obtained in Group III were very similar to those of Group I in the last period of wound repair, whereas Group II presented a late chronology compared to the other groups. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.