Effects of phenol, glycerin and acetic acid on the liver of guinea pigs

OBJETIVO: Investigar a ação histolítica da solução composta de fenol, glicerina e ácido acético para os casos de metástases hepáticas não ressecáveis. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizadas 32 cobaias, distribuídas, por sorteio, em quatro grupos: experimental (24 horas e quatro semanas) e controle (24 horas e quatro semanas); todos os animais foram submetidos a laparotomia mediana e realizada a injeção da solução E (grupo experimental) ou solução fisiológica (grupo controle). Foram estudadas as alterações bioquímicas e anatomopatológicas (fígado) com 24 horas e quatro semanas de evolução. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se que a solução E produz necrose delimitada à área infiltrada apos 24 horas e que ao final de quatro semanas ocorreu regeneração do tecido hepático com formação de discreta área de fibrose. Não foram observadas quaisquer alterações bioquímicas tanto no grupo experimental como controle. CONCLUSÃO: Frente aos resultados obtidos, é válido considerar-se a possibilidade do emprego da solução proposta, nos casos de metástases hepáticas não ressecáveis.

Effects of intraperitoneal injection of phenol, glycerin and acetic acid on neoplastic ascitis in guinea pigs

OBJETIVO: Investigar a ação hìstolítica de uma solução composta de fenol, glicerina e ácido acético na ascite neoplásica em cobaias. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizadas 32 cobaias, distribuídas por sorteio, em grupos experimentais e controles e estudados os efeitos da injeção peritonial da solução teste. Nos grupos controles empregou-se solução fisiológica. Foram estudadas alterações bioquímicas, anatomopatológicas (coração, pulmões, rins, baço e serosa peritonial), com 24 horas e 4 semanas de evolução. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se que a solução E quando instilada na cavidade peritonial não provocou nenhuma alteração clinica, histologica ou laboratorial nestes animais, quando comparados com o grupo controle. CONCLUSÃO: Frente aos resultados obtidos, consideramos interessante estudar os efeitos da solução proposta em casos de ascite neoplásica experimental em animais, com posterior estudo em seres humanos.

Effects of corn meal and sulphuric acid on the production of cachaça

Avaliou-se o efeito da adição do fubá de milho no mosto de xarope de cana e o tratamento ácido do pé-de-cuba sobre a microbiota do processo fermentativo, acidez do vinho, grau alcoólico, rendimento e composição da cachaça. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, no esquema fatorial 2x3 e cinco repetições. A metodologia empregada e as análises foram as recomendadas pelo setor aguardenteiro. Os resultados permitiram concluir que a adição do ácido sulfúrico no pé-de-cuba transferiu a acidez para o vinho, não influenciando na viabilidade das leveduras, rendimento e composição da cachaça. Por outro lado, a acidificação do meio controlou as bactérias láticas no pé-de-cuba. A adição do fubá aumentou a concentração de bactérias lácticas ao final do processo fermentativo e dos álcoois homólogos superiores na cachaça, particularmente, os álcoois propílico e isobutílico.

Multivariate quality control studies applied to Ca(II) and Mg(II) determination by a portable method

A portable or field test method for simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of calcium and magnesium in water using multivariate partial least squares (PLS) calibration methods is proposed. The method is based on the reaction between the analytes and methylthymol blue at pH 11. The spectral information was used as the X-block, and the Ca(II) and Mg(II) concentrations obtained by a reference technique (ICP-AES) were used as the Y-block. Two series of analyses were performed, with a month's difference between them. The first series was used as the calibration set and the second one as the validation set. Multivariate statistical process control (MSPC) techniques, based on statistics from principal component models, were used to study the features and evolution with time of the spectral signals. Signal standardization was used to correct the deviations between series. Method validation was performed by comparing the predictions of the PLS model with the reference Ca(II) and Mg(II) concentrations determined by ICP-AES using the joint interval test for the slope and intercept of the regression line with errors in both axes. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Simple and fast spectrophotometric determination of H2O2 in photo-Fenton reactions using metavanadate

This work proposes a spectrophotometric method for the determination of hydrogen peroxide during photodegradation reactions. The method is based on the reaction of H2O2 with amonium metavanadate in acidic medium, which results in the formation of a red-orange color peroxovanadium cation, with maximum absorbance at 450 nm. The method was optimized using the multivariate analysis providing the minimum concentration of vanadate (6.2 mmol L-1) for the maximum absorbance signal. Under these conditions, the detection limit is 143 mu mol L-1. The reaction product showed to be very stable for samples of peroxide concentrations up to 3 mmol L-1 at room temperature during 180 h. For higher concentrations however, samples must be kept refrigerated (4 degrees C) or diluted. The method showed no interference of Cl- (0.2-1.3 mmol L-1), NO3- (0.3-1.0 mmol L-1), Fe3+, (0.2-1.2 mmol L-1) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP) (0.2-1.0 mmol L-1). When compared to iodometric titration, the vanadate method showed a good agreament. The method was applied for the evaluation of peroxide consumption during photo-Fenton degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol using blacklight irradiation. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha in gestation and puerperium of women with gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia

Problem High plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in pregnant women have been associated with the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia (PE). This study evaluated TNF-alpha plasma levels and monocyte production in gestational hypertension (GH) and PE during gestation and at puerperium.Method of study This study included 128 women, of whom 20 were non-pregnant (NP) normotensive (NT), and 108 were pregnant: 36 NT, 27 with GH, and 45 with PE. Peripheral blood plasma was used for TNF-alpha and uric acid determination. TNF-alpha was determined in plasma and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated and non-stimulated monocyte supernatants by L929 bioassay.Results Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and uric acid plasma levels were higher in PE than in GH pregnancies. In both hypertensive groups, these parameters positively correlated and were significantly more elevated than in NT and NP women. TNF-alpha plasma levels and monocyte production were higher in hypertensive than in NT women during gestation, and significantly decreased at puerperium. Although decreased, TNF-alpha release in LPS-stimulated PE monocytes, was still significantly higher than in the other pregnant groups.Conclusion In vivo monocyte activation in GH and PE pregnant women was characterized by in vitro TNF-alpha production. The fact that higher circulating concentrations of TNF-alpha and uric acid were observed in PE than in GH suggests an association with disease severity.

Pore structure characterization of kaolin, metakaolin, and their acid-treated products using small-angle X-ray scattering

Pore structure of dealuminated kaolin and metakaolin was studied by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Both parent kaolin and metakaolin have about 10% of the total pore volume provided by globular pores with 105 Å mean pore size. Their surface area is about 14 m2/g. Acid dealumination of kaolin causes an increase of its globular pore volume without an appreciable change in the mean pore size, its surface area increasing up to about 90 m2/g. Acid dealumination of metakaolin enhances the globular pore volume, although there is generation of slit-shaped pores with a narrow thickness distribution whose mean value is 14 Å. This interlayer spacing causes an increase in surface area of about 190 m2/g by SAXS. © 1994.

Effect of type of cuttings and indolbutyric acid on the rooting of rose (Rosa sp. 'Red success') leafy cuttings during two seasons

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of type of cuttings (apical, intermediate and basal) and different concentrations of IBA (indole-3-butyric acid) on rooting of Red success rose (Rosa sp.) leafy cuttings, during two season of cuttings collection (summer and winter). The investigation was carried out in the farm Irmaos Van Schaik in Holambra-SP, Brazil, from February to April and August to October/1993. The experimental design was a randomized block in a factorial arrangement. It consisted of 12 treatments (3 types of cuttings combined with IBA powder in 4 different concentrations - 0, 1000, 2000 and 4000 ppm) with 3 replicates during 2 seasons. The investigation permitted the following conclusions: the apical and intermediate cuttings showed better results in general when compared to the basal ones in both seasons; the average rooting at the transplanting time were 76%, 70% and 47% (summer) and 80%, 69% and 33% (winter) for apical, intermediate and basal cuttings, respectively; the utilization of IBA did not stimulate rooting. The average rooting for the control cuttings reached 85% (summer) and 78% (winter), regardless the type of cuttings.

Lipoic acid and ascorbic acid affect plasma free amino acids selectively in the teleost fish pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus)

Most studies on the antioxidants, lipoic acid (LA) and ascorbic acid (AA), focused on species that, unlike teleost fish, are not scurvy-prone, and are able to synthesize AA. The antioxidant properties of LA may make it useful in aquaculture nutrition, but several effects must first be investigated, and we address here plasma free amino acids (FAA). In mammals, LA and AA in high doses were claimed to alter plasma FAA profile; to our knowledge, however, no data are available in fish. We therefore studied the effects of dietary LA and AA on plasma FAA in the South American teleost fish pacu, which is being used increasingly in aquaculture. LA treatment decreased concentrations of 18 of 23 individual FAA; specifically, dispensable and total FAA were significantly affected. Ornithine was elevated (+26%) in LA-treated fish and significantly decreased ratios of plasma [Arg]/[Orn] and other individual [FAA]/[Orn] were observed. LA and AA both affected sulfur FAA concentrations. Plasma cystine levels were significantly increased in the LA-supplemented groups. AA had little effect on most amino acids, and no interaction with LA was detected. AA supplementation did, however, significantly lower taurine (-42%) and cystathionine (-31%) levels in plasma. No effect on the branched chain:aromatic amino acid ratios was observed. The data indicate that at the dietary level studied, LA and AA independently affect selected plasma FAA in pacu, and suggest that any use of LA in particular as a dietary supplement should take into account an altered plasma FAA profile.

Influence of IBA and boric acid on rooting of stem-cuttings of Aloysia triphylla (L'Hérit) Britton

Aloysia triphylla (L'Hérit) Britton is a perennial and bushy plant, with simple, entire, lanceolate and whorl shaped leaves and originally from South America. It is used as medicinal plant in Brazil with stomatic and sedative properties. The employment of stem cuttings for propagation of pre-selected plants, acquired great importance, because it eliminates the juvenile phase of seedlings, which can be produced in a shorter period of time. The rooting of stem cuttings is stimulated by auxin and, boric acid supply is essential for growth and development of initial rootlets. This micronutrient is required 48 hours after plant segments have been placed into auxin solution and it can be supplied any time, including the seedling growth period. The experiment was carried out in the Department of Plant Production, UNESP-Botucatu-SP-Brazil, with stem-cuttings of Aloysia triphylla (L'Hérit) Britton, Verbenaceae obtained from the Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Garden. The aim of the work was to verify the influence of growth regulators and boric acid on stem cutting rooting of this species. The 15 cm-stem cuttings, without leaves, were submerged during 24 hs in the following solutions: water; 150 mg.L-1 of IBA; 150 mg.L-1 of IBA+ Boric acid; 250 mg.L-1 of IBA; 250 mg.L-1 of IBA + Boric acid. The statistical design was entirely randomized with 5 treatments and 3 replications, totalizing 15 plots with 10 stem cuttings each. They were planted on propylene trays with vermiculite and kept under spraying condition during twenty five days. The best results were observed in treatment 250 mg.L -1 of IBA+ Boric acid on number of roots, length of roots, rooting percentage, fresh and dry weight of leaves when compared with all other treatments. We can conclude that this treatment is the most suitable for stem cutting rooting of this species.

Benzyladenine and Gibberellic acid pulse on postharvest of Calathea louisae cut foliage

Calathea louisae is an herbaceous ornamental plant native of Brazil whose cut foliage has potential to be used as a new product for the local ornamental market, as well as the international market, due to its decorative dark green leaves with greenish white splotches along midrib, and purple undersides. The objective of this study was to evaluate pulse treatments of benzyladenine and gibberellic acid for maintaining quality and extending keepability of foliage. The experiment was conducted in a complete randomized design with three replications (three stems in each vase) and seven treatments: distilled water (control) and pulsing cut petioles in benzyladenine or gibberellic acid for 4 h at 100, 250 and 500 mg L-1. The senescence symptoms were characterized by leaf rolling and a decrease in the angle formed between leaf and petiole as a response to water stress. Gibberellic acid or benzyladenine pulse treatments (250 and 500 mg L-1) significantly extended the longevity of cut foliage compared to the control. Gibberellic acid pulse (250 and 500 mg L-1) maintained leaves' green coloration and brightness for a longer time compared to control and benzyladenine pulse. Pulsing with gibberellic acid or benzyladenine (at all tested concentrations) maintained upright leaves for a longer time, showing a significantly higher angle between leaf and petiole compared to control. Foliage pulsed with gibberellic acid (500 mg L-1) showed a significantly higher leaf relative water content, a significantly smaller loss of accumulated fresh mass percentage compared to control and other gibbberellic acid and benzyladenine treatments.

Intraspecific variability of dihydrochalcone, chromenes and benzoic acid derivatives in leaves of Piper aduncum L. (Piperaceae)

Chemical analysis carried out in leaves of 18 specimens of Piper aduncum L. (Piperaceae) occurring at Ripasa Reserve, Araraquara, SP, Brazil indicated two distinct populations when investigated over a period of 14 months (January 2000 to February 2001) and then submitted to cluster analysis. The two groups were characterized by accumulation of prenylated benzoic acids, chromenes and dihydrochalcone, respectively. A total of seven compounds were identified by HPLC analysis and compared with standards including two prenylated benzoic acid [aduncumene (1) and 3-(3′-7′-dimethyl-2′-6′-octadienyl)- 4-methoxy-benzoic acid (5)], four chromenes [methyl 2,2-dimethyl-8-(3′- methyl-2′-butenyl)-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylate (4), methyl 2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylate (2b), methyl 8-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H- 1-chromene-6-carboxylate (3) and 2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylic acid (2a)] and one dihydrochalcone [2′,6′-dihydroxy-4′-methoxy- dihydrochalcone (6)]. © 2009 Academic Journals.