Evidentiation of Paramyosin (Sm-97) as a Modulating Antigen on Granulomatous Hypersensitivity to Schistosoma mansoni Eggs

A Schistosoma mansoni adult worm anionic fraction (PIII) has previously been shown to protect mice against challenge infection and to reduce pulmonary and hepatic granulomatous hypersensitivity. Serum from PIII-immunized rabbit was used to screen a lgt11 cDNA library from S. mansoni adult worm in order to identify antigens capable of modulating granulomatous hypersensitivity. We obtained four clones with 400 (Sm-III.11), 900 (Sm-III.16), 1100 (Sm-III.10) and 1300 (Sm-III.12) bp of length. All clone-specific antibodies were able to recognize most of the PIII components. The sequence analysis showed that these clones presented high homology with S. mansoni paramyosin (Sm-97). These findings ascribe a new function to this antigen with an important role in modulation of granulomatous hypersensitivity to S. mansoni eggs

Basic Surface Properties of Mononuclear Cells from Didelphis marsupialis

The electrostatic surface charge and surface tension of mononuclear cells/monocytes obtained from young and adult marsupials (Didelphis marsupialis) were investigated by using cationized ferritin and colloidal iron hydroxyde, whole cell electrophoresis, and measurements of contact angles. Anionic sites were found distributed throughout the entire investigated cell surfaces. The results revealed that the anionic character of the cells is given by electrostatic charges corresponding to -18.8 mV (cells from young animals) and -29.3 mV (cells from adult animals). The surface electrostatic charge decreased from 10 to 65.2% after treatment of the cells with each one of trypsin, neuraminidase and phospholipase C. The hydrophobic nature of the mononuclear cell surfaces studied by using the contact angle method revealed that both young and adult cells possess cell surfaces of high hidrofilicity since the angles formed with drops of saline water were 42.5°and 40.8°, respectively. Treatment of the cells with trypsin or neuraminidase rendered their surfaces more hydrophobic, suggesting that sialic acid-containing glycoproteins are responsible for most of the hydrophilicity observed in the mononuclear cell surfaces from D. marsupialis.

The effects of drugs, ions, and poly-l-lysine on the excretory system of Schistosoma mansoni

We have been able to label the excretory system of cercariae and all forms of schistosomula, immature and adult worms with the highly fluorescent dye resorufin. We have shown that the accumulation of the resorufin into the excretory tubules and collecting ducts of the male adult worm depends on the presence of extracellular calcium and phosphate ions. In the adult male worms, praziquantel (PZQ) prevents this accumulation in RPMI medium and disperses resorufin from tubules which have been prelabelled. Female worms and all other developmental stages are much less affected either by the presence of calcium and phosphate ions, or the disruption caused by PZQ. The male can inhibit the excretory system in paired female. Fluorescent PZQ localises in the posterior gut (intestine) region of the male adult worm, but not in the excretory system, except for the anionic carboxy fluorescein derivative of PZQ, which may be excreted by this route. All stages of the parasite can recover from damage by PZQ treatment in vitro. The excretory system is highly sensitive to damage to the surface membrane and may be involved in vesicle movement and damage repair processes. In vivo the adult parasite does not recover from PZQ treatment, but what is inhibiting recovery is unknown, but likely to be related to immune effector molecules.

Lepromatous leprosy patients produce antibodies that recognise non-bilayer lipid arrangements containing mycolic acids

Non-bilayer phospholipid arrangements are three-dimensional structures that form when anionic phospholipids with an intermediate structure of the tubular hexagonal phase II are present in a bilayer of lipids. Antibodies that recognise these arrangements have been described in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome and/or systemic lupus erythematosus and in those with preeclampsia; these antibodies have also been documented in an experimental murine model of lupus, in which they are associated with immunopathology. Here, we demonstrate the presence of antibodies against non-bilayer phospholipid arrangements containing mycolic acids in the sera of lepromatous leprosy (LL) patients, but not those of healthy volunteers. The presence of antibodies that recognise these non-bilayer lipid arrangements may contribute to the hypergammaglobulinaemia observed in LL patients. We also found IgM and IgG anti-cardiolipin antibodies in 77% of the patients. This positive correlation between the anti-mycolic-non-bilayer arrangements and anti-cardiolipin antibodies suggests that both types of antibodies are produced by a common mechanism, as was demonstrated in the experimental murine model of lupus, in which there was a correlation between the anti-non-bilayer phospholipid arrangements and anti-cardiolipin antibodies. Antibodies to non-bilayer lipid arrangements may represent a previously unrecognised pathogenic mechanism in LL and the detection of these antibodies may be a tool for the early diagnosis of LL patients.

Phosphorus extracted by ion exchange resins and mehlich-1 from oxisols (latosols) treated with different phosphorus rates and sources for varied soil-source contact periods

Despite the large number of studies addressing the quantification of phosphorus (P) availability by different extraction methods, many questions remain unanswered. The aim of this paper was to compare the effectiveness of the extractors Mehlich-1, Anionic Resin (AR) and Mixed Resin (MR), to determine the availability of P under different experimental conditions. The laboratory study was arranged in randomized blocks in a [(3 x 3 x 2) + 3] x 4 factorial design, with four replications, testing the response of three soils with different texture: a very clayey Red Latosol (LV), a sandy clay loam Red Yellow Latosol (LVA), and a sandy loam Yellow Latosol (LA), to three sources (triple superphosphate, reactive phosphate rock from Gafsa-Tunisia; and natural phosphate from Araxá-Minas Gerais) at two P rates (75 and 150 mg dm-3), plus three control treatments (each soil without P application) after four contact periods (15, 30, 60, and 120 days) of the P sources with soil. The soil acidity of LV and LVA was adjusted by raising base saturation to 60 % with the application of CaCO3 and MgCO3 at a 4:1 molar ratio (LA required no correction). These samples were maintained at field moisture capacity for 30 days. After the contact periods, the samples were collected to quantify the available P concentrations by the three extractants. In general, all three indicated that the available P-content in soils was reduced after longer contact periods with the P sources. Of the three sources, this reduction was most pronounced for triple superphosphate, intermediate for reactive phosphate, while Araxá phosphate was least sensitive to the effect of time. It was observed that AR extracted lower P levels from all three soils when the sources were phosphate rocks, while MR extracted values close to Mehlich-1 in LV (clay) and LVA (medium texture) for reactive phosphate. For Araxá phosphate, much higher P values were determined by Mehlich-1 than by the resins, because of the acidity of the extractor. For triple superphosphate, both resins extracted higher P levels than Mehlich-1, due to the consumption of this extractor, particularly when used for LV and LVA.

Structural quality of polyacrylamide-treated cohesive soils in the coastal tablelands of Pernambuco

Water-soluble polymers are characterized as effective flocculating agents due to their molecular features. Their application to soils with horizons with structural problems, e.g, a cohesive character, contributes to improvements in the physical quality and thus to the agricultural suitability of such soils. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the structural quality of soils with cohesive horizons of coastal tablelands in the State of Pernambuco treated with polyacrylamide (PAM) as chemical soil conditioner. To this end, three horizons (one cohesive and two non-cohesive) of a Yellow Argisol (Ultisol) were evaluated and to compare cohesive horizons, the horizon of a Yellow Latosol (Oxisol) was selected. The treatments consisted of aqueous PAM solutions (12.5; 50.0; 100.0 mg kg-1) and distilled water (control). The structural aspects of the horizons were evaluated by the stability (soil mass retained in five diameter classes), aggregate distribution per size class (mean weight diameter- MWD, geometric mean diameter - GMD) and the magnitude of the changes introduced by PAM by measuring the sensitivity index (Si). Aqueous PAM solutions increased aggregate stability in the largest evaluated diameter class of the cohesive and non-cohesive horizons, resulting in higher MWD and GMD, with highest efficiency of the 100 mg kg-1 solution. The cohesive horizon Bt1 in the Ultisol was most sensitive to the action of PAM, where highest Si values were found, but the structural quality of the BA horizon of the Oxisol was better in terms of stability and aggregate size distribution.

Thermodynamic Characterization of Humic Acid-surfactant Interaction: New Insights into the Characteristics and Structure of Humic Acids

ABSTRACT Humic acids (HA) are a component of humic substances (HS), which are found in nearly all soils, sediments, and waters. They play a key role in many, if not most, chemical and physical properties in their environment. Despite the importance of HA, their high complexity makes them a poorly understood system. Therefore, understanding the physicochemical properties and interactions of HA is crucial for determining their fundamental role and obtaining structural details. Cationic surfactants are known to interact electrostatically and hydrophobically with HA. Because they are a very well-known and characterized system, they offer a good choice as molecular probes for studying HA. The objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction between cationic surfactants and HA through isothermal titration calorimetry in a thermodynamic manner, aiming to obtain information about the basic structure of HA, the nature of this interaction, and if HA from different origins show different basic structures. Contrary to what the supramolecular model asserts, HA structure is not loosely held, though it may separate depending on the conditions the HA are subjected to in their milieu. It did not show any division or conformational change when interacting with surfactants. The basic structure of the HA remains virtually the same regardless of the different sources and compositions of these HA.

Compósitos colágeno aniônico: fosfato de cálcio. Preparação e caracterização

Anionic collagen: calcium phosphate composite was obtained by controlled mixing of collagen and calcium phosphate until the consistence of a past. Material was characterized by a Ca/P ratio of 1.55, with a X-ray diffraction pattern similar to that for hydroxyapatite. Differential Scanning Calorimetry showed that the protein is not denatured under the processing conditions. Scanning Electronic Microscopy showed that the mineral phase are regularly covered with collagen fibers, indicating that anionic collagen is efficient in the preparation of stable form of calcium phosphate ceramic paste.

Preparo de óxido de nióbio suportado em alumina por deposição química em fase vapor: caracterização por espectroscopia vibracional e termogravimetria

Alumina supported niobium oxide was prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of NbCl5. The alumina was calcined and pretreated at differents temperatures in order to vary the density of OH groups on the surface which was determined by thermogravimetric analysis. A good correlation was found between the amount of anchored niobium and the total number of anionic sites (oxide and hydroxyl groups) on the surface of the alumina. The infrared spectra on the OH stretching region indicate that OH groups coordinated to at least one tetrahedral aluminum were more reactive towards NbCl5.

Hidrólise seletiva de carboxiamidas de resíduos de asparagina e glutamina em colágeno: preparação e caracterização de matrizes aniônicas para uso como biomateriais

This work describes the selective hydrolysis of carboxyamide groups of asparagine and glutamine of collagen matrices for the preparation of negatively charged collagen biomaterials. The reaction was performed in the presence of chloride and sulfate salts of alkaline and alkaline earth metals in aqueous dimethylsulfoxide solution and, selectively hydrolysis of carboxyamide groups of collagen matrices was promoted without cleavage of the peptide bond. The result is a new collagen material with controlled increase in negative charge content. Although triple helix secondary structure of tropocollagen was preserved, significative changes in thermal stabilities were observed in association with a new pattern of tropocollagen macromolecular association, particularly in respect microfibril assembly, thus providing at physiological pH a new type of collagen structure for biomaterial preparation, characterized by different charge and structural contents .

Hidróxidos duplos lamelares: síntese, estrutura, propriedades e aplicações

The layered double hydroxides, known as anionic clays and represented by the general formula [M2+1-x M3+x (OH) 2]x+ Am-x/m·nH 2O, are a group of materials which are of much interest currently. They present a variety of potential applications as adsorbents, catalysts and catalyst support, ion-exchangers, antacids and as a polymer stabilizer. It is possible to obtain a broad variety of layered double hydroxides (LDHs), depending on the identity and ratio of the cations M2+ and M3+, as well as the interlamelar anion. The aim of this review is to give out some information about this class of materials, concerning to the synthesis, characterization, properties and applications.

Determinações multi-elementares de metais, Sulfato e Cloreto em amostras de águas por espectrometria de massas com fonte de plasma (ICP-MS)

The multi-element determination of Al, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ba, Pb, SO4= and Cl- in riverine water samples was accomplished by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The sample passed through a column containing the anionic resin AG1-X8 and the metals were determined directly. The retained anionic species were eluted and SO4= and Cl- were determined at m/z 48 and 35 correspondent to the ions SO+ and Cl+ formed at the plasma. Accuracy for metals was assessed by analysing the certified reference TM-26 (National Water Research Institute of Canada). Results for SO4= and Cl- were in agreement with those obtained by turbidimetry and spectrophotometry. LOD's of 0.1 µg l-1 for Cd, Ba and Pb; 0.2 µg l-1 for Al, Mn and Cu; 0.5 µg l-1 for Cr; 0.9 for Zn; 2.0 µg l-1for Ni , 60 µg l-1 for S and 200 µg l-1 Cl were attained.

Ciência de espumas - aplicação na extinção de incêndios

The structural characteristics of foams are responsible for a broad range of applications of this system. Foams produced by aqueous solutions of surfactant concentrates are used in fire-fighting due to their special properties as extinguishing agents. In the present paper we discuss the main aspects involved in fire-fighting, based on some properties of foams. Thermal and chemical stability, good wetting of surfaces, cooling effect by water drained from the bubbles, isolation of the air from the burning surface and suppression of flammable vapors are some of the factors involved in the extinguishment of fire by foams.

Organo-gel de heptano: diagrama de fases e aplicações sintéticas

The phase diagram formation of microemulsion-based gels composed of an anionic surfactant aerosol-OT sodium bis (2-ethylhexyl)-sulphosuccinate), water, gelatin and an organic solvent is presented for heptane. The stability of this organo- gel, when an enzyme is immobilized is discussed in terms of its reutilization in various esters synthesis.

The wide synthetic versatility of five membered rings containing phosphorus

The chemistry of cyclopentadiene rings has been widely studied. This review article deals with a similar chemistry of new compounds containing from 1 to 5 phosphorus atoms on the ring substituting the carbon atoms. The neutral rings containing one, two and three phosphorus atoms can be used as building blocks for the synthesis of new organic compounds containing phosphorus. These rings plus the anionic ones also show great potential as ligands in coordination chemistry. The aim of this article is to show how important this new area is and how diverse the chemistry related to a single type of ring can be.