Physical and mechanical properties of thermally modified wood from E. grandis

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

Mobilização de água e conservação da viabilidade de embriões de sementes recalcitrantes de ingá (Inga vera Willd. subsp. affinis (DC.) T. D. Pennington)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Influência do estresse hídrico e salino na germinação de urochloa decumbens e urochloa ruziziensis

Studies of the germination response of seeds subjected to artificial stresses are provided tools for better understanding of the survivability and adaptation of these species in natural stress conditions such as drought or saline soils, common in agricultural and forest regions, contributing significantly to the development of management strategies. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible effects of water and salt stress on germination of Urochloa decumbens and Urochloa ruziziensis. The test was conducted at the Faculty of Technology of São Paulo, campus of Capon Bonito. The seeds were sown with four replicates of 50 seeds in paper soaked in solutions with the potentials of 0.0, -0.2, -0.4 and -0.8 MPa, induced with polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) and NaCl. The germination test was conducted at 25 degrees C in the presence of light, evaluating the first test score at seven days after sowing, and weekly germination (normal seedlings) until 35 days. We calculated the index of germination rate. The results allowed the conclusion that water stress causes a greater reduction in force, speed of germination and cumulative germination of seeds of U. decumbens and U. ruziziensis than salt stress. The species U. decumbens showed higher tolerance to water and salt stresses.

Panels Produced from Thermoplastic Composites Reinforced with Peach Palm Fibers for Use in the Civil Construction and Furniture Industry

In order to cooperate in minimizing the problems of the current and growing volume of waste, this work aim at the production of panels made from industrial waste -thermoplastic (polypropylene; polyethylene and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) reinforced with agro-industrial waste - peach palm waste (shells and sheaths). The properties of the panels like density, thickness swelling, water absorption and moisture content were evaluated using the ASTM D1037; EN 317; and ANSI A208.1 standards regarding particle boards. Good results were obtained with formulations of 100% plastic waste; 70% waste plastics and 30% peach palm waste; and 60% waste plastics and 40% peach palm waste.

Physical and chemical changes in juvenile and mature woods of Pinus elliottii var. elliottii by thermal modification

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

Numerical solution of the eXtended Pom-Pom model for viscoelastic free surface flows

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

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of a primaquine prodrug without red blood cell membrane destabilization property

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

Assessment of DNA damage induced by extracts, fractions and isolated compounds of Davilla nitida and Davilla elliptica (Dilleniaceae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Recombinant expression of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase using the Pichia pastoris system

In the present study, the GPD2 gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which codifies for the enzyme glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH), was cloned from the pPICZ-alpha expression vector and used with the purpose of inducing the extracellular expression of the glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase under the control of the methanol-regulated AOX promoter. The presence of the GPD2 insert was confirmed by PCR analysis. Pichia pastoris X-33 (Mut(+)) was transformed with linearized plasmids by electroporation and transformants were selected on YPDS plates containing 100 mu g/mL of zeocin. Several clones were selected and the functionality of this enzyme obtained in a culture medium was assayed. Among the mutants tested, one exhibited 3.1 x 10(-2) U/mg of maximal activity. Maximal enzyme activity was achieved at 6 days of growth. Medium composition and pre-induction osmotic stress influenced protein production. Pre-induction osmotic stress (culturing cells in medium with either 0.35 M sodium chloride or 1.0 M sorbitol for 4h prior to induction) led to an increase in cell growth with sorbitol and resulted in a significant increase in GPDH productivity with sodium chloride in 24h of induction approximately fivefold greater than under standard conditions (without pre-induction). (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of isocoumarins isolated from Paepalanthus bromelioides on mitochondria: Uncoupling, and induction/inhibition of mitochondrial permeability transition

Isolated mitochondria may undergo uncoupling, and in presence of Ca2+ at different conditions, a mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) linked to protein,thiol oxidation, and demonstrated by CsA-sensitive mitochondrial swelling; these processes may cause cell death either by necrosis or by apoptosis. Isocoumarins isolated from the Brazilian plant Paepalanthus bromelioides (Eriocaulaceae) paepalantine (9,10-dihydroxy-5,7-dimethoxy-1H-naptho(2,3c)pyran-1-one), 8,8'-paepalantine dimer, and vioxanthin were assayed at 1-50 mu M on isolated rat liver mitochondria, for respiration, MPT, protein thiol oxidation, and interaction with the mitochondrial membrane using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH). The isocoumarins did not significantly affect state 3 respiration of succinate-energized mitochondria; they did however, stimulate 4 respiration, indicating mitochondrial uncoupling. Induction of MPT and protein thiol oxidation were assessed in succinate-energized mitochondria exposed to 10 mu M Ca2+; inhibition of these processes was assessed in non-energized organelles in the presence of 300 mu M t-butyl hydroperoxide plus 500 mu M Ca2+. Only paepalantine was an effective MPT/protein thiol oxidation inducer, also releasing cytochrome c from mitochondria; the protein thiol oxidation, unlike mitochondrial swelling, was neither inhibited by CsA nor dependent on the presence of Ca2+. Vioxanthin was an effective inhibitor of MPT/protein thiol oxidation. All isocoumarins inserted deeply into the mitochondrial membrane, but only paepalantine dimer and vioxantin decreased the membrane's fluidity. A direct reaction with mitochondrial membrane protein thiols, involving an oxidation of these groups, is proposed to account for MPT induction by paepalantine, while a restriction of oxidation of these same thiol groups imposed by the decrease of membrane fluidity, is proposed to account for MPT inhibition by vioxanthin. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V..

Preparation and characterisation of Dextran-70 hydrogel for controlled release of praziquantel

Um hidrogel foi desenvolvido a partir de dextrano 70 kDa (DEX-70) e praziquantel incorporado (PZQ) como fármaco modelo. Propriedades biofarmacêuticas, como solubilidade e velocidade de dissolução, foram analisadas no desenvolvimento do hidrogel. Além disso, o hidrogel também foi caracterizado por espectroscopia na região do infravermelho e calorimetria diferencial exploratória (DSC). Testes da taxa de intumescimento mostraram que o hidrogel intumesce lentamente, embora tenha sido mais rápido do que a taxa do polímero livre. Nos testes de dissolução, o hidrogel liberou o fármaco lenta e continuamente. Esta liberação lenta foi semelhante a observada nos testes de intumescimento e resultou em uma liberação controlada do fármaco. Assim, o dextrano 70 kDa é um polímero adequado para o desenvolvimento de hidrogéis como veículos para a liberação controlada de fármacos.

Alginate-chitosan systems: In vitro controlled release of triamcinolone and in vivo gastrointestinal transit

The aim of this study was to develop multiparticulate therapeutic systems of alginate (AL) and chitosan (CS) containing triamcinolone (TC) to colonic drug delivery. Multiparticulate systems of AL-CS, prepared by a complex coacervation/ionotropic gelation method, were characterized for morphological and size aspects, swelling degree, encapsulation content and efficiency, in vitro release profile in different environments simulating the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and in vivo gastrointestinal transit. The systems showed suitable morphological characteristics with particle diameters of approximately 1.6 mm. In simulated gastric environment, at pH 1.2, the capsules presented low degree of swelling and in vitro release of drug. A higher swelling degree was observed in simulated enteric environment, pH 7.5, followed by erosion. Practically all the drug was released after 6 h of in vitro assay. The in vivo analysis of gastrointestinal transit, carried out in rats, showed that the systems passed practically intact through the stomach and did not show the same profile of swelling observed in the in vitro tests. It was possible to verify the presence of capsules in the colonic region of GIT. The results indicate that AL-CS multiparticulate systems can be used as an adjuvant for the preparation of therapeutic systems to colonic delivery of drugs. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

In vitro drug permeation from chitosan pellets

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Modeling a system of phosphated cross-linked high amylose for controlled drug release. Part 2: Physical parameters, cross-linking degrees and drug delivery relationships

High amylose cross-linked to different degrees with sodium trimetaphosphate by varying base strength (2% or 4%) and contact time (0.5-4 h) was evaluated as non-compacted systems for sodium diclophenac controlled release. The physical properties and the performance of these products for sodium diclophenac controlled release from non-compacted systems were related to the structures generated at each cross-linking degree. For samples at 2% until 2 h the swelling ability, G' and eta* values increased with the cross-linking degree, because the longer polymer chains became progressively more entangled and linked. This increases water uptake and holding, favoring the swelling and resulting in systems with higher viscosities. Additionally, the increase of cross-linking degree should contribute for a more elastic structure. The shorter chains with more inter-linkages formed at higher cross-linking degrees (2%4h and 4%) make water caption and holding difficult, decreasing the swelling, viscosity and elasticity. For 2% samples, the longer drug release time exhibited for 2%4h sample indicates that the increase of swelling and viscosity contribute for a more sustained drug release, but the mesh size of the polymeric network seems to be determinant for the attachment of drug molecules. For the 4% samples, smaller meshes size should determine less sustained release of drug. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In vitro characterization of coevaporates containing chitosan for colonic drug delivery

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)