Hepatoprotective treatment attenuates oxidative damages induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats

The present study evaluated the hepatoprotective effect of an N-acetyl or-methionine + choline chloride + caffeine + thiamine hydrochloride + nicotinamide + pyridoxine hydrochloride compound at doses of 0.2, 0.6 and 1.0 mL/kg of b.w., and the assessment was done by the investigation of serum-enzymatic activity, metabolic functions of the liver and histophatological changes in female Wistar rats, which were subjected to experimental intoxication with CCl4. One hundred and nineteen rats were randomly distributed into 17 groups, performing five different treatments, being evaluated seven animals per treatment in four periods: 2, 4, 6 and 8 days after CCl4-induced intoxication. Treated rats with the hepatoprotective medicine (HM) presented a significant reduction in infiltration of inflammatory cells, steatosis, necrosis and liver congestion when compared to non-treated rats (control). Beside these results, the treatment showed a positive effect on circulatory alterations in the intoxicated animals, with reduction of spleen and renal congestion, as well as, promotion of a significant improvement in ALT, AST, LDH, ALP, GGT enzymatic serum activity reduction and in recovering liver function regarding the metabolism of urea, triglycerides and glucose. These findings indicate therapeutic usefulness of the compound when administered at dose 0.6 and 1.0 mL/kg of b.w. in female Wistar rats. (C) 2010 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Electrochemical Reduction Using Glassy Carbon Electrode in Aqueous Medium of a Potential Anti-Chagas Drug: NFOH

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

Stable isotopes for determining carbon turnover in sheep feces and blood

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

EXOTIC CARBON SYSTEMS IN TWO-NEUTRON HALO THREE-BODY MODELS

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

Phase-Locked loops lock-in range in Frequency Modulated-Atomic Force Microscope nonlinear control system

Since the mid 1980s the Atomic Force Microscope is one the most powerful tools to perform surface investigation, and since 1995 Non-Contact AFM achieved true atomic resolution. The Frequency-Modulated Atomic Force Microscope (FM-AFM) operates in the dynamic mode, which means that the control system of the FM-AFM must force the micro-cantilever to oscillate with constant amplitude and frequency. However, tip-sample interaction forces cause modulations in the microcantilever motion. A Phase-Locked loop (PLL) is used to demodulate the tip-sample interaction forces from the microcantilever motion. The demodulated signal is used as the feedback signal to the control system, and to generate both topographic and dissipation images. As a consequence, a proper design of the PLL is vital to the FM-AFM performance. In this work, using bifurcation analysis, the lock-in range of the PLL is determined as a function of the frequency shift (Q) of the microcantilever and of the other design parameters, providing a technique to properly design the PLL in the FM-AFM system. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of citrate ions on the electrochemical behaviour of low-carbon steel in borate buffer solutions

The electrochemical behaviour of cold-rolled low carbon steel was studied on both active and passive potential regions in borate buffer solutions with and without the addition of sodium citrate (NaCit). In the active region anodic charges increased significantly and RCT values decreased with citrate, due to the formation of soluble complexes. In the passive potential region the film formed at +0.4 V in borate buffer solution with and without 0.010 M NaCit is probably enriched by Fe3O4 oxide, while films formed at +0.8 V are probably enriched by gamma-Fe2O3. The equivalent circuit [R-s(R(CT)Q)] fitted all experimental impedance data. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DETECTION of BISPHENOL A on A SCREEN-PRINTED CARBON ELECTRODE IN CTAB MICELLAR MEDIUM

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Regeneration of poly-L-lysine modified carbon electrodes in the accumulation and cathodic stripping voltammetric determination of the cromoglycate anion

Cromoglycate is accumulated on a poly-L-lysine (PLL) modified carbon electrode best from pH 4 solution, where it is anionic and the PLL is cationic, and at which pH the cromoglycate gives a good reduction peak at -0.82 V. The PLL film can be regenerated readily by washing the electrode with 3 M sodium hydroxide solution, in which the PLL is deprotonated. Regeneration of the film is not required as frequently when larger amounts of PLL are incorporated into it. This allows standard addition procedures to be carried out without regenerating the electrode. Linear calibration graphs have been obtained typically in the range 0.1 - 1.5 mug ml(-1). Detection limits have been calculated to be 10 ng ml(-1). The standard addition method has been applied satisfactorily to diluted urine solutions. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

PALEOCLIMATIC CONTROLS ON STABLE OXYGEN AND CARBON ISOTOPES IN CALICHE OF THE ABO FORMATION (PERMIAN), SOUTH-CENTRAL NEW-MEXICO, USA

The stable oxygen and carbon isotopic composition of caliche in fluvial and supratidal rocks of the Abo Formation (Permian), south-central New Mexico, is controlled by palecoclimate and depositional environment. Fluvial caliche consists of low-Mg calcite nodules and vertically oriented tubules that display stage II texture. Micrite matrix support, brecciation, ooids/pisoliths, aveolar-septal texture, and peloids are common in the fluvial caliche and, along with red color and slickensides in the host shale, indicate pedogenesis in a well-oxidized vadose zone. In contrast, periodic waterlogging of the supratidal paleosols, probably due to high water table, is indicated by drab colors, carbonaceous flecks, horizontal rhizoliths, and the paucity of vadose textures in the stage II caliche nodules.Stable oxygen isotopes are similar in the fluvial and supratidal caliches and range from 21.6 to 30.5 parts per thousand (SMOW). The data exhibit a crude bimodality and delta-O-18 enrichment with a decrease in age (higher in the section). Consideration of these data in the context of delta-temperature relations suggests that 1) surface waters responsible for caliche formation increased in delta-O-18 (from roughly -8 to + 1 parts per thousand) over the 18 m.y. time interval that separated the lowest stratigraphic nodule horizon from the highest, 2) the increasing delta-O-18 values also reflect a warming trend (approximately 15-degrees to nearly 30-degrees-C) in the mean monthly temperature over this same time period, with perhaps an associated increase in Permian ocean temperatures, and 3) the significant variation in delta-O-18 from oldest to youngest caliche was probably enhanced by the amount effect, such that as the temperature increased, the amount of precipitation decreased, resulting in high delta-O-18 values.Caliches in the Abo are enriched in heavy carbon (-7.2 to -1.5 part per thousand PDB) compared to that of soil carbonate derived exclusively from C3 plants (-12 part per thousand PDB), and the supratidal caliches contain somewhat heavier carbon compared to the fluvial caliche. The delta-C-13 values for both environments increase with a decrease in caliche age. These results indicate that as the temperature increased and rainfall decreased with time, the level of C3 plant productivity apparently declined, allowing a greater influx of atmospheric CO2 into the soil. This can only occur when soil respiration rates are quite low or at very shallow depths (less than 10 cm), or both. Atmospheric CO2 seems to have invaded the supratidal soils to a somewhat greater extent than the fluvial soils.

Sulfur and carbon isotopes in scapolite-bearing granulites of the São José do Rio Pardo area, Brazil

Sulfur and carbon isotope compositions of ten scapolites from granulite-facies rocks of the São José do Rio Pardo area, Guaxupé Complex, Brazil, were measured. Scapolite is the primary and major rock-forming mineral in these rocks (up to 40 volume %). The isotopic composition of the sulfate and carbonate group in the scapolite structure has δ34S values of +1.0‰ to +6.7‰, and δ13C values of -14.3‰ to -6.3‰, respectively. The sulfur isotope data may be related to an upper mantle (external) or lower crustal (internal) source for the sulfur, whereas the carbon appears to have been derived from an internal source. Thus, the carbon and sulfur isotope data can be explained without invoking an external (mantle) source. © 1993.

The use of the carbon-13 in the partitioning of photosynthate in vegetative and reproductive twigs of 'Sweet' passion fruit

This study's objective is to evaluate the photosynthates partitioning and source-sink relationships, in vegetative and reproductive twigs of sweet passion fruit, using the carbon-13, stable isotope of carbon. The leaves of vegetative and reproductive twigs were placed in a sealed chamber and 13CO 2 were injected for 30 minutes. After six hours, the different organs of the twig were collected and immersed in liquid nitrogen (-196°C). All plant samples were oven-dried, powdered and combusted in an elemental analyzer. The results showed that the methodology was efficient to evaluate the partitioning of photosynthates. In the vegetative twigs, the new open leaves, the closed leaves and growth meristem were the principal sink for the source leaves enriched with 13CO 2. In the reproductive twigs with only flowers buds, the source-sink relationship was changed and the flowers buds turn to be the principal sink and the growing leaves were secondary sinks. The presence of young fruits changed again the source-sink relationship of the twig, and they were the principal sinks. The apical leaves, with 60% of final leaf area were also a sink for photosynthates.

Dispersing carbon nanotubes in phenolic resin using an aqueous solution

The ability to control the carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersion in polymers is considered the key to most applications of nanotube/polymer composites. The carbon nanotube dispersion into water with different surfactants, as well as its incorporation into phenolic resins, was investigated. Ultrasonication of liquid suspensions was used to prepare stable dispersions. In order to evaluate the best surfactant to be used, light scattering and UV-Visible spectroscopy were employed. The structure of CNT reinforced of phenolic resin was analyzed in function of the concentration and type of surfactant, sonication power and time. It was also evaluated the influence in the dispersion by using the glass temperature transition properties being obtained by dynamic mechanical analyses and impact energy. © 2011 Sociedade Brasileira de Química.

Using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to characterize carbon steel in biodiesel medium

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements using two carbon steel electrodes in soybean biodiesel medium, produced by methylic route, were performed in an electrochemical cell that allows positioning the two electrodes face-to-face. To retain the biodiesel between the electrodes and prevent its leakage a porous membrane soaked in biodiesel was used. The amplitude of the AC potential and the area of the electrodes were varied. The linearity between disturbance and response signals was observed for tests when the amplitude of the AC potential was lower than 1500 mV (rms). The electrical resistance of biodiesel dominates the global response and carbon steel presents low corrosion, which is observed only at low frequency, and was confirmed by chemical tests performed in the membrane. In conclusion the electrical resistance of biodiesel can be estimated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy with two electrodes set up. ©The Electrochemical Society.

Above- and below-ground biomass and carbon dynamics in Brazilian Cerrado wet grasslands

Questions: Grasslands are usually neglected as potential carbon stocks, partially due to the lack of studies on biomass and carbon dynamics in tropical grasslands. What is the importance of Brazilian tropical wet grasslands as carbon sinks? Does fire frequency and season affect biomass and carbon allocation in Brazilian wet grasslands? Location: Wet grasslands, tropical savanna, Jalapão, Tocantins, northern Brazil. Methods: We determined biomass above- and below-ground, estimated carbon stocks in biennially burned plots (B2) and plots excluded from fire for 4 yr (B4). Moreover, we determined biomass in both rainy and dry seasons. Samples were 0.25 m × 0.25 m × 0.2 m (eight samples per treatment, applying a nested design, total of 48 samples). The biomass was classified in above-ground graminoids, forbs and dead matter, and below-ground roots and other below-ground organs. We used ANOVA to compare variables between treatments and seasons. Results: More than 40% of the total biomass and carbon stocks were located below-ground, mostly in roots. A high proportion of dead biomass (B4) was found in the above-ground material, probably due to low decomposition rates and consequent accumulation over the years. Although these grasslands do not experience water stress, we found significant evidence of resource re-allocation from below-ground organs to the above-ground biomass in the rainy season. Conclusions: We found more dead biomass in the rainy season, probably due to low decomposition rates, which can increase fire risk in these grasslands during the following dry season. These tropical wet grasslands stored high amounts of carbon (621 to 716 g C.m-2), mostly in the roots. Thus, policymakers should consider tropical grasslands as potential carbon stocks, since they are one of the most threatened and unprotected ecosystems in Brazil. © 2012 International Association for Vegetation Science.

Use of different carbon sources in cultivation of baker's yeast for production of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase

The physiological state of yeast cells changes during culture growth as a consequence of environmental changes (nutrient limitations, pH and metabolic products). Cultures that grow exponentially are heterogeneous cell populations made up of cells regulated by different metabolic and/or genetic control systems. The strain of baker's yeast selected by plating commercial compressed yeast was used for the production of glycerol-3- phosphate dehydrogenase. Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) has been widely used in the enzyme assays with diverse compounds of industrial interest, such as glycerol or glycerol phosphate, as well as a number of important bioanalytical applications. Each cell state determines the level of key enzymes (genetic control), fluxes through metabolic pathways (metabolic control), cell morphology and size. The present study was carried out to determine the effects of environmental conditions and carbon source on GPD production from baker's yeast. Glucose, glycerol, galactose and ethanol were used as carbon sources. Glycerol and ethanol assimilations required agitation, which was dependent on the medium volume in the fermentation flask for the greatest accumulation of intracellular GPD. Enzyme synthesis was also affected by the initial pH of the medium and inoculum size. The fermentation time required for a high level of enzyme formation decreased with the inoculum size. The greatest amount of enzyme (0.45 U/ml) was obtained with an initial pH of 4.5 in the medium containing ethanol or glycerol. The final pH was maintained in YP-ethanol, but in the YP-glycerol the final pH increased to 6.9 during growth.