Validação de metodologia analítica para doseamento de soluções de lapachol por CLAE

Lapachol is a naphthoquinone found in several species of the Bignoniaceae family possessing mainly anticancer activity. The present work consists of the development and validation of analytical methodology for lapachol and its preparations. The results here obtained show that lapachol has a low quantification limit, that the analytical methodology is accurate, reproducible, robust and linear over the concentration range 0.5-100 µg/mL of lapachol.

Síntese e caracterização de dispersões aquosas de poliuretanos à base de copolímeros em bloco de poli(glicol etilênico) e poli(glicol propilênico)

Non-polluting polyurethane aqueous dispersions, with 40% of solids content, were synthesized based on block copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(propylene glycol) (PEG-b-PPG), with PEG hydrophilic segments content of 7 and 25%, poly(propylene glycol) (PPG), dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), and hydrazine. Different formulations were synthesized by varying the equivalent-grams ratios between isocyanate and hydroxyl groups (NCO/OH) and PPG and (PEG-b-PPG). The presence of high amounts of PEG in the formulations provoked the formation of gels. Average particle size and viscosity of the dispersions were determined. Mechanical properties and water absorption resistance of cast films were evaluated.

NOVOS FLAVONOIDES DE Margaritopsis carrascoana COM ATIVIDADE ANTIOXIDANTE

EtOH extracts of the stems and leaves of Margaritopsis carrascoana were found to contain new flavonoids luteolin 7-O-{β-D-apiofuranosil-(1→6)-[β-Lrhamnopyranosyl-( 1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranosyl} (5) and luteolin 7-O-{α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-[β-L-rhamnopyranosyl- (1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranosyl} (6), in addition to the known dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 4-O-b-D-glucopyranoside (1), luteolin 7-O-b-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl (2), luteolin 7-O-[b-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), and chrysoeriol 7-O-[b-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (4). All isolated compounds presented higher antioxidant activities than the controls, BHT and quercetin, while the extract of the stems showed strong AChE inhibition.

Sensitive spectrophotometric assessment of carbofuran using dapsone as a new chromogenic reagent in formulations and environmental samples

A simple, sensitive and selective spectrophotometric method for the assessment of carbofuran in various formulations and in environmental water samples is described. The method is based on the coupling of hydrolyzed carbofuran with diazotized dapsone in alkaline medium at 0 ­ 4° C which gives orange red colored product having the absorption maximum at 480 nm. The product is stable for 48 h. Beer's law is obeyed in the concentration range of 0.1 ­ 4.0 µg ml-1. The molar absorptivity and Sandell's Sensitivity are 5.0 x 10(4) L mol-1 cm-1 and 4.4 ng cm-2 respectively. The method is highly reproducible and is confirmed by RSD values (1.144 %). From the recovery studies it is found that this method is accurate and it can be successfully employed for the determination of carbofuran.

Estimation of standard enthalpy of formation of alkanes in gaseous state by calculating size, structural and electronic parameters in the molecules

A quantitative analysis is made on the correlation ship of thermodynamic property, i.e., standard enthalpy of formation (ΔH fº) with Kier's molecular connectivity index(¹Xv),vander waal's volume (Vw) electrotopological state index (E) and refractotopological state index (R) in gaseous state of alkanes. The regression analysis reveals a significant linear correlation of standard enthalpy of formation (ΔH fº) with ¹Xv, Vw, E and R. The equations obtained by regression analysis may be used to estimate standard enthalpy of formation (ΔH fº) of alkanes in gaseous state.

Uso da termografia infravermelha na análise da termorregulação de cavalo em treinamento

O estresse térmico em equinos aciona mecanismos termorregulatórios, como mudanças no fluxo sanguíneo periférico, para a manutenção da homeostase corporal. A termografia infravermelha permite detectar estas alterações, sendo uma ferramenta útil para avaliar o estresse em animais. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o uso da termografia infravermelha na termorregulação de equino em condição de treinamento. Foi utilizado um cavalo anglo-árabe, exercitado uma vez ao dia. Foram captadas imagens termográficas da axila, garupa, peito e virilha do cavalo e registrados os parâmetros fisiológicos antes e após exercício e 0; 5 e 10 minutos após o banho, durante 8 dias. A temperatura, a umidade relativa e a velocidade do ar foram monitoradas. A temperatura de superfície da garupa e do peito não diferiu entre os tratamentos, indicando baixa participação destas partes na termorregulação. Em contrapartida, a temperatura superficial da axila e da virilha aumentou após o exercício e diminuiu após o banho, sugerindo evidência dos mecanismos vasomotores para a troca térmica do cavalo. Comportamento semelhante foi observado para as variáveis fisiológicas, o que demonstra tentativas orgânicas do organismo para sair das condições de estresse térmico. Concluiu-se que a termografia infravermelha permitiu determinar com precisão a temperatura de superfície corporal do cavalo, sendo possível inferir sobre a termorregulação.

Influences of two CO2 concentrations and water availability on bean crop

This study was carried out to determine some physiological and phenological responses of the bean under high [CO2] and drought stress. The experiment was conducted from April to July 2009 in Viçosa, Brazil. The open-top chambers were used to enrich the air with CO2, whereas the drought stress was applied between the flowering and the ripening. The randomized block design was used, with four replicates in the subplots. The following plots were [CO2] at 700ppm (F1) and [CO2] environmental (F2) and the subplots were well watering (S1) and drought stress (S2). The results were subjected to Anova and the Tukey test (P < 0.05). For the treatments F1S1 and F1S2 the photosynthetic rate showed increments of 59% and the transpiration reduction of 12%. The yield, leaf temperature and stomatal conductance were not significant different to high [CO2], different from the dry matter, who showed increment of 20% (F1S1) and the water use efficiency who showed increase of 90% for high [CO2]. The osmotic potential was lower in plants under drought stress (F2S2 and F1S2), followed by plants under high [CO2] (F1S1). Despite the increment in photosynthesis, high [CO2] does not guarantee higher yield.

Corn production for silage intercropped with forage in the farming-cattle breeding integration

Corn cropping for silage, due to the plant material exportation, intercropping with forage provides greater ground cover and straw formation for the Direct Planting System (DPS) continuity. The objective of this study was to evaluate corn production for silage in DPS intercropped with four forages (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu, U. ruziziensis cv. Ruziziensis, Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia and P. maximum cv. Áries). We applied three sowing methods (in row together with corn fertilizer; by no-till sowing simultaneously to corn sowing and at V4 corn stage) and corn without intercropping. The experiment was conducted in autumn/ winter of 2010, in Selvíria - MS, in a randomized block design in factorial arrangement (4 x 3 + 1) and 4 replications. For corn, we evaluated plant height, basal stem diameter, initial and final stand and silage production and for forage dry matter production. Morphological characteristics and corn yield were not affected by intercropping when compared to sole corn crop. Forage dry matter production sown in corn row with fertilizer is a highlight, which in addition to providing greater productivity, harnesses the operation during sowing.

Uso da geoestatística na avaliação de variáveis ambientais em galpão de suínos criados em sistema "wean to finish" na fase de terminação

O "wean to finish" é um sistema de criação de suínos que ainda é novo no Brasil, e não existem muitos estudos a respeito do ambiente onde estes animais são criados. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o ambiente térmico e aéreo por meio da técnica da geoestatística em galpão de suínos criados no sistema "wean to finish", na fase de terminação, nos horários das 09h, 12h e 15h. A variabilidade dos atributos foi baseada na estatística descritiva dos dados de temperatura, umidade relativa, velocidade do ar, concentrações de amônia e dióxido de carbono, obtendo-se: média, mediana, coeficiente de variação, assimetria e curtose, com o teste de normalidade de Kolmogorov-Smirnov, através do programa estatístico Minitab 15. Para a determinação da existência ou não da dependência espacial, utilizou-se do exame de semivariograma, através do programa GS+, e, na elaboração dos mapas de distribuição espacial das variáveis, foi utilizado o programa Surfer. Os atributos de velocidade do ar e as concentrações dos gases NH3 e CO2 apresentaram alto coeficiente de variação devido aos dados serem heterogêneos, pois a instalação apresentava ventilação natural. O uso dos mapas de krigagem permitiu observar a diferença espacial da distribuição das variáveis avaliadas com diferentes números de animais/baia e em diferentes horários.

Características comportamentais de suínos em crescimento e terminação em sistema “wean to finish”

RESUMOO “wean to finish” é um sistema de criação de suínos, no qual os animais permanecem em uma mesma instalação do desmame até à fase de abate. Objetivou-se estudar o comportamento dos animais em alojamento exclusivo de 26 machos suínos (T1), misto (T2), contendo 13 machos e 13 fêmeas, e o tratamento único de fêmeas (T3), com 26 animais. Para isso, utilizou-se da análise multivariada, por meio da análise dos gráficos de componentes principais, por ser um artifício interessante utilizado por diversos pesquisadores para identificar quais variáveis são fortemente ou não correlatas. Assim, indica-se que o aumento da temperatura ambiental predispõe ao comportamento deitado em todos os tratamentos avaliados. No tratamento exclusivo de suínos machos castrados cirurgicamente, o comportamento de monta relaciona-se com vício, já o agrupamento misto, monta associa-se com lúdico. Todavia, fêmeas suínas alojadas unicamente não tendem a praticar o comportamento de monta.

Métodos de tratamento utilizados na incontinência urinária de esforço genuína: um estudo comparativo entre cinesioterapia e eletroestimulação endovaginal

Objetivos: comparar pacientes portadoras de incontinência urinária de esforço genuína (IUEG) que se submeteram a um protocolo de cinesioterapia para reforço perineal àquelas que se submeteram a eletroestimulação endovaginal (EEEV). O objetivo foi traçar uma conduta de tratamento fisioterápico mais adequada para tal enfermidade. Métodos: foram selecionadas 14 pacientes portadoras de IUEG, com idade entre 31 e 64 anos, sendo divididas em dois grupos de 7 mulheres cada. Cada grupo foi submetido a um dos protocolos de tratamento ambulatorial diário durante 10 dias consecutivos. As pacientes foram avaliadas e reavaliadas por somente uma fisioterapeuta. Para as análises estatísticas foram utilizados testes não-paramétricos. Resultados: todas pacientes obtiveram uma melhora parcial ou total da IUEG com 10 sessões fisioterápicas consecutivas, considerando os critérios objetivos e subjetivos de avaliação. Conclusão: tanto a cinesioterapia quanto a EEEV se mostraram efetivas no tratamento da IUEG, porém, a cinesioterapia para reforço perineal apresentou uma tendência para ser o tratamento de escolha.

Laparoscopic versus open splenectomy in dogs

In the last few years, the use of laparoscopy in veterinary medicine has expanded and consequently so was the need for studies that establish the advantages, disadvantages and possible complications of each procedure. The purpose of the current study was to describe a laparoscopic splenectomy technique and the alterations due to this access, and compare it to the open procedure in dogs. A total of 15 healthy female mongrel dogs were used, with mean weight of 17.4±2.5kg. The animals were distributed into three groups: Group IA of open splenectomy (laparotomy) using double ligation of the vessels of the splenic hilum with poliglicolic acid, Group IB of open splenectomy (laparotomy) with bipolar electrocoagulation of the splenic hilum, and Group II of laparoscopic access with bipolar electrocoagulation of the splenic hilum. Operative time, blood loss, size of incisions, complications during and after surgery were evaluated. Other parameters included pain scores, white blood cell (WBC) counts and postoperative serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK), C-reactive protein (CRP), glucose and cortisol. No differences were found in the evaluation of parameters between both open splenectomy techniques employed. Laparoscopic access presented significant differences (p<0,05) when compared with open surgery: Longer operative time, smaller abdominal access, decrease in blood loss, lower concentrations of CRP, higher levels of CK and ALP, and lower scores in the pain scale. Laparoscopic surgery showed fewer complications of the surgical wound. No significant differences were observed between groups in the postoperative temperature, WBC, ALT, cortisol and glucose concentrations. In conclusion, the laparoscopic technique is useful for splenectomy in dogs, being advantageous in terms of blood loss, surgical stress and surgical wounds. However, it expends more operative time and causes transitory increase in hepatic and muscular enzymes.

Integrins in vascular development

Many growth factors and their protein kinase receptors play a role in regulating vascular development. In addition, cell adhesion molecules, such as integrins and their ligands in the extracellular matrix, play important roles in the adhesion, migration, proliferation, survival and differentiation of the cells that form the vasculature. Some integrins are known to be regulated by angiogenic growth factors and studies with inhibitors of integrin functions and using strains of mice lacking specific integrins clearly implicate some of these molecules in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. However, the data are incomplete and sometimes discordant and it is unclear how angiogenic growth factors and integrin-mediated adhesive events cooperate in the diverse cell biological processes involved in forming the vasculature. Consideration of the results suggests working hypotheses and raises questions for future research directions.

Development of an operational substrate for ZapA, a metalloprotease secreted by the bacterium Proteus mirabilis

The protease ZapA, secreted by Proteus mirabilis, has been considered to be a virulence factor of this opportunistic bacterium. The control of its expression requires the use of an appropriate methodology, which until now has not been developed. The present study focused on the replacement of azocasein with fluorogenic substrates, and on the definition of enzyme specificity. Eight fluorogenic substrates were tested, and the peptide Abz-Ala-Phe-Arg-Ser-Ala-Ala-Gln-EDDnp was found to be the most convenient for use as an operational substrate for ZapA. A single peptide bond (Arg-Ser) was cleaved with a Km of 4.6 µM, a k cat of 1.73 s-1, and a catalytic efficiency of 376 (mM s)-1. Another good substrate for ZapA was peptide 6 (Abz-Arg-Pro-Pro-Gly-Phe-Ser-Pro-Phe-Arg-Gln-EDDnp) which was cleaved at a single bond (Phe-Ser) with a Km of 13.6 µM, a k cat of 3.96 s-1 and a catalytic efficiency of 291 (mM s)-1. The properties of the amino acids flanking the scissile bonds were also evaluated, and no clear requirement for the amino acid residue at P1 was found, although the enzyme seems to have a preference for a hydrophobic residue at P2.

ZapA, a possible virulence factor from Proteus mirabilis exhibits broad protease substrate specificity

The opportunistic bacterium Proteus mirabilis secretes a metalloprotease, ZapA, considered to be one of its virulence factors due to its IgA-degrading activity. However, the substrate specificity of this enzyme has not yet been fully characterized. In the present study we used fluorescent peptides derived from bioactive peptides and the oxidized ß-chain of insulin to determine the enzyme specificity. The bradykinin- and dynorphin-derived peptides were cleaved at the single bonds Phe-Ser and Phe-Leu, with catalytic efficiencies of 291 and 13 mM/s, respectively. Besides confirming already published cleavage sites, a novel cleavage site was determined for the ß-chain of insulin (Val-Asn). Both the natural and the recombinant enzyme displayed the same broad specificity, demonstrated by the presence of hydrophobic, hydrophilic, charged and uncharged amino acid residues at the scissile bonds. Native IgA, however, was resistant to hydrolysis by ZapA.