Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of a class P-III metalloproteinase (BmMP-III) from the venom of Bothrops moojeni

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Crystal structure of hemoglobin from the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) using synchrotron radiation

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

Crystallization, preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis and Patterson search of oxyhaemoglobin I from the wolf (Chrysocyon brachiurus)

Oxyhaemoglobin I isolated from the Brazilian wolf Chrysocyon brachiurus has been crystallized and X-ray diffraction data has been collected to 2.06 A resolution using a synchrotron-radiation source. Crystals were determined to belong to the space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) and preliminary structural analysis revealed the presence of one tetramer in the asymmetric unit. The structure was determined using standard molecular-replacement techniques and is currently being refined using maximum-likelihood protocols. This is the first haemoglobin isolated from a member of the Canidae family to be crystallized and it will provide further insights in the comparative biochemistry of vertebrate haemoglobins.

Microestrutura e resistência à corrosão do Ti c.p. soldado a laser utilizando em prótese sobre implantes

Foram realizados estudos para avaliar a microestrutura, a dureza e a resistência à corrosão do titânio comercialmente puro-Ti c.p. soldado por laser e utilizado na confecção de prótese sobre implantes. Verificou-se que na soldagem a laser a microestrutura apresentou três regiões distintas: o cordão de solda, a zona afetada pelo calor - ZAC e o metal base. O Ti c.p. possui microestrutura granular, a microestrutura do cordão de solda é mais refinada e de maior dureza do que o metal base. A ZAC obtida por este processo de soldagem foi relativamente pequena quando comparada com o processo de soldagem por brasagem. Os ensaios eletroquímicos mostraram que a região da solda apresentou menor resistência à corrosão em meio de NaCl 0,15 molL-1 à temperatura ambiente.

Estudo microestrutural e resistência à corrosão de uma liga de Au soldada a laser, empregada em prótese sobre implantes

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

Comparação do ajuste dos modelos de morgan-mercer-flodin e de johnson-mehl-avrami na reação de precipitação na liga cu-3%al-5%ag

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

Joint Experimental and Theoretical Analysis of Order Disorder Effects in Cubic BaZrO3 Assembled Nanoparticles under Decaoctahedral Shape

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

Cacaso não é bem o caso do acaso

À partir de la lecture de quelques poèmes de Lero-lero, l'ensemble de l'oeuvre poétique de Cacaso, cet article interroge sur la vision que la poésie marginale n'a pas de valeur du point de vue littéraire, ayant été construite seulement par l'expressivité spontanée des événements quotidiens, se passant de l'élaboration poétique. Au contraire, on constate que les poèmes de Cacaso visent la construction d'un simulacre de spontanéité soutenu pas par une négligence formelle, mais par une dépuration du langage qui possibilite mettre sur la corde raide les valeurs dites littéraires.

Geração de finos no branqueamento de pasta kraft de eucalipto e seu efeito nas propriedades do papel

Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a quantidade de finos gerada por diferentes reagentes de branqueamento e seu efeito nas propriedades físicas e mecânicas da celulose kraft de eucalipto. A polpa foi branqueada por quatro sequências diferentes. Parte das amostras foi classificada em equipamento Bauer-McNett, sendo a parte não classificada (global) refinada para 40 ºSR, em moinho laboratorial PFI. As duas maiores porções de cada amostra proveniente da classificação foram também refinadas com o mesmo número de revoluções que a sua amostra global. Realizaram-se ensaios físicos e mecânicos das amostras refinadas, e suas fibras foram analisadas em equipamento FQA (Fiber Quality Analyser), antes e depois do refino. A maior quantidade de finos foi observada nas polpas refinadas e na sequência-referência. Os resultados de tração foram mais elevados e significativos nas amostras globais; as polpas classificadas não apresentaram diferença entre si, sendo atribuída a maior resistência à tração na presença de finos. A resistência ao rasgo foi afetada pelo comprimento das fibras e não pelo teor de finos. Os maiores valores de ascensão capilar Klemm ocorreram nas amostras classificadas em razão da ausência de finos e do maior comprimento de fibras.

Estabilidade oxidativa de óleos vegetais utilizados em frituras de mandioca palito congelada

O presente estudo teve como objetivo determinar a medida da estabilidade oxidativa e a alteração total dos óleos de algodão, girassol e palma durante a fritura descontínua de mandioca palito congelada. As frituras foram conduzidas em uma fritadeira elétrica doméstica, onde o óleo foi aquecido, à temperatura de 180°C, por 25 h, com reposição de óleo fresco. Para a análise da estabilidade oxidativa das amostras de óleos, obtidas durante as frituras, foram realizadas a medida do período de indução (horas) e determinação de compostos polares totais (%). Os resultados mostraram uma diminuição do período de indução, independente do tipo de óleo. O óleo de palma refinado apresentou um maior período de indução quando comparado ao óleo de algodão e girassol, o que pode ser atribuído à diferença da composição em ácidos graxos. Todos os óleos em estudo apresentaram valores de compostos polares totais abaixo do limite de descarte para óleos de fritura, exigido pela legislação internacional (24-27%). Verificou-se também que, à medida que se formaram os compostos de degradação, diminuiu a estabilidade oxidativa dos óleos.

Crystal structure of myotoxin-II: A myotoxic phospholipase A2 - Homologue from Bothrops moojeni venom.

The crystal structure of Myotoxin-II (MjTX-II), a Lys49 PLA(2)-homologue from Bothrops moojeni venom has been determined and refined at 2.0 Angstrom to a crystallographic residual of 19.7% (R-free = 28.1%). MjTX-II is a dimer in the crystal, with the monomers in the asymmetric unit related by a two-fold symmetry axis running through the dimer interface. The dimers of MjTX-II and the Lys49 PLA(2) from B. asper venom are similar, however the relative orientations of the monomers suggests a flexible dimer interface, which serves as a hinge between the two molecules.

Structure of a lectin from Canavalia gladiata seeds: new structural insights for old molecules

Background: Lectins are mainly described as simple carbohydrate- binding proteins. Previous studies have tried to identify other binding sites, which possible recognize plant hormones, secondary metabolites, and isolated amino acid residues. We report the crystal structure of a lectin isolated from Canavalia gladiata seeds ( CGL), describing a new binding pocket, which may be related to pathogen resistance activity in ConA- like lectins; a site where a non- protein amino- acid, aaminobutyric acid ( Abu), is bound.Results: the overall structure of native CGL and complexed with alpha- methyl- mannoside and Abu have been refined at 2.3 angstrom and 2.31 angstrom resolution, respectively. Analysis of the electron density maps of the CGL structure shows clearly the presence of Abu, which was confirmed by mass spectrometry.Conclusion: the presence of Abu in a plant lectin structure strongly indicates the ability of lectins on carrying secondary metabolites. Comparison of the amino acids composing the site with other legume lectins revealed that this site is conserved, providing an evidence of the biological relevance of this site. This new action of lectins strengthens their role in defense mechanisms in plants.

THE CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE OF BENZOYL-HISTIDINE MONOHYDRATE

The crystal structure of benzoyl-histidine monohydrate (BYLH hereafter), C-13H-12N-3O-3. H2O was determined from three dimensional data of 3012 independent reflections measured on a Enraf-Nonius (CAD4) single crystal diffractometer. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with cell dimensions alpha = 7.102(1) angstrom, b = 13.783(3) angstrom, c = 14.160(4) angstrom, V = 1385.92 angstrom-3, F.W. = 277.28, F(000) = 584 Q(calc) = 1.32 g cm-3 and Z = 4.The structure was solved with direct methods. All positional and anisotropic thermal parameters were refined by full-matrix least-squares calculations. The final reliability factor was R = 0.040, while the weighted one was Rw = 0.034. The H atoms found in the difference Fourier map were refined isotropically.The compound consists of a histidine molecule bound to a benzoyl group. There is also a cocrystallized water molecule stabilized through a hydrogen bridge.The 5-membered ring of the histidine has its tautomeric form, after the transfer of the H atom from the N(delta) to the N(epsilon) atom of the ring. There is an sp2 conformation around C6 while the conformation around C3 is that of sp3. The histidine ring forms with the benzene ring a dihedral angle of 109.8(1)-degree.All angle values and bond distances agree very well with the expected values in the literature.

Indium tin oxide films prepared via wet chemical route

In this work, indium tin oxide (ITO) films were prepared using a wet chemical route, the Pechini method. This consists of a polyesterification reaction between an alpha-hydroxicarboxylate complex (indium citrate and tin citrate) with a polyalcohol (ethylene glycol) followed by a post annealing at 500 degrees C. A 10 at.% of doping of Sn4+ ions into an In2O3 matrix was successfully achieved through this method. In order to characterize the structure, the morphology as well as the optical and electrical properties of the produced ITO films, they were analyzed using different experimental techniques. The obtained films are highly transparent, exhibiting transmittance of about 85% at 550 nm. They are crystalline with a preferred orientation of [222]. Microscopy discloses that the films are composed of grains of 30 nm average size and 0.63 nm RMS roughness. The films' measured resistivity, mobility and charge carrier concentration were 5.8 x 10(-3) Omega cm, 2.9 cm(2)/V s and -3.5 x 10(20)/cm(3), respectively. While the low mobility value can be related to the small grain size, the charge carrier concentration value can be explained in terms of the high oxygen concentration level resulting from the thermal treatment process performed in air. The experimental conditions are being refined to improve the electrical characteristics of the films while good optical, chemical, structural and morphological qualities already achieved are maintained. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Estudo Comparativo de Juntas Soldadas a TIG e Laser Empregando-se Ti com Pureza Comercial Utilizado em Prótese sobre Implantes

Welding in the dentistry has been used for great part of the specialized dentist-surgeons in the implants area to solve prosthesis supported by implant adaptation problems. The development of new equipments Laser and TIG allowed a larger use of these processes in the prosthesis production. In this work, it was studied welded joints made by Laser and TIG, using commercial purity titanium, cpTi, applied in prosthesis supported by implants. The weld characterizations were carried out by light microscopy, EDS_elementary mapping, microhardness and tensile test. Through metallographic characterization, the weld bead presented a martensitic microstructure in the Laser welding process, originated from shear provoked by deformations in the lattice. This caused structural changes of the transformed area, which determines a fine plate-like morphology. In the weld bead from TIG, besides presenting higher hardness, was observed formation of Widmansttaten structure, which is characteristic of a geometric model, resulted of new phase formation along of the crystallographic plans. The martensitic structure is more refined than Widmansttaten structure, due to the high-speed cooling (10(3)degrees C/s) imposed by the Laser process.