The surface charge of trypanosomatids of the genus trypanosoma

Cell electrophoresis was used for determionation of the electrophoretic mobility (EPM) of epimastigo and trypamastigote forms of several isolates of Trypanosoma cruzi and some stocks of other members of the Schizotrypanum subgenus, such as T. dionisii, T. vespertilionis and T. myoti. The EPM of T. bruceli, T. rangeli, and T. conorhini was also determined. The results obtained show that the EPM values con be useful to distinguish the parasites.

Field trials of an improved cost-effective device for detecting peridomestic populations of Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in rural Argentina

An improved device for detecting peridomestic Triatoma infestans consisting of one-liter recycled Tetra Brik milk boxes with a central structure was tested using a matched-pair study design in two rural areas in Argentina. In Olta (La Rioja), the boxes were installed beneath the thatched roofs and on the vertical wooden posts of each peridomestic structure. After a 5-month exposure, at least one of the recovered boxes detected 88% of the 24 T. infestans-positive sites, and 86% of the 7 negative sites by timed manual collections at baseline. In Amamá (Santiago del Estero), the boxes were paired with the best performing prototype tested before (shelter unit). After 3 months, some evidence of infestation was detected in 89% (boxes) and 79% (shelters) of 18-19 sites positive by timed collections, whereas 19% and 16% of 32 negative sites were positive, respectively. Neither device differed significantly in the qualitative or quantitative collection of every sign of infestation. The installation site did not modify significantly the boxes' sampling efficiency in both study areas. As the total cost of each box was half as expensive as each shelter unit, the boxes are thus the most cost-effective and easy-to-use tool for detecting peridomestic T. infestans currently available.

A new miracidia hatching device for diagnosing schistosomiasis

It is still imperative to develop a parasitological technique highly sensitive for diagnosing schistosomiasis in epidemiological and individual surveys. A simple and cheap hatching device with a collecting container was manufactured and tested under experimental conditions. Twelve Kato-Katz slides were performed as golden standard for comparison. Quantitative results can be carried out by counting miracidia in a plate and parasite load can be calculated (miracidia/gram of feces). Statistically significant values were higher in the hatching test. More sensitive results, with statistical significance, were achieved using 1.5 g of feces (which corresponds to 36 Kato-Katz slides) than by using the Kato-Katz method. Advantages of this technique and its limitations are presented.

Surface Complexation Modeling in Variable Charge Soils: Charge Characterization by Potentiometric Titration

ABSTRACT Intrinsic equilibrium constants of 17 representative Brazilian Oxisols were estimated from potentiometric titration measuring the adsorption of H+ and OH− on amphoteric surfaces in suspensions of varying ionic strength. Equilibrium constants were fitted to two surface complexation models: diffuse layer and constant capacitance. The former was fitted by calculating total site concentration from curve fitting estimates and pH-extrapolation of the intrinsic equilibrium constants to the PZNPC (hand calculation), considering one and two reactive sites, and by the FITEQL software. The latter was fitted only by FITEQL, with one reactive site. Soil chemical and physical properties were correlated to the intrinsic equilibrium constants. Both surface complexation models satisfactorily fit our experimental data, but for results at low ionic strength, optimization did not converge in FITEQL. Data were incorporated in Visual MINTEQ and they provide a modeling system that can predict protonation-dissociation reactions in the soil surface under changing environmental conditions.

Surface Complexation Modeling in Variable Charge Soils: Prediction of Cadmium Adsorption

ABSTRACT Intrinsic equilibrium constants for 22 representative Brazilian Oxisols were estimated from a cadmium adsorption experiment. Equilibrium constants were fitted to two surface complexation models: diffuse layer and constant capacitance. Intrinsic equilibrium constants were optimized by FITEQL and by hand calculation using Visual MINTEQ in sweep mode, and Excel spreadsheets. Data from both models were incorporated into Visual MINTEQ. Constants estimated by FITEQL and incorporated in Visual MINTEQ software failed to predict observed data accurately. However, FITEQL raw output data rendered good results when predicted values were directly compared with observed values, instead of incorporating the estimated constants into Visual MINTEQ. Intrinsic equilibrium constants optimized by hand calculation and incorporated in Visual MINTEQ reliably predicted Cd adsorption reactions on soil surfaces under changing environmental conditions.

Raspberry Pi: a 35-dollar device for viewing DICOM images

Raspberry Pi is a low-cost computer created with educational purposes. It uses Linux and, most of times, freeware applications, particularly a software for viewing DICOM images. With an external monitor, the supported resolution (1920 × 1200 pixels) allows for the set up of simple viewing workstations at a reduced cost.

Análise de extratos de plantas por CCD: uma metodologia aplicada à disciplina "química orgânica"

extracts of the regional plants Annona squamosa and Annona muricata were analysed by silica gel thin-layer chromatography using adequate systems of solvents and spray reagents. Carbohydrates, amino acids, alkaloids, flavonoids and terpenoids were detected in both species. These data agree with those on the literature about phytochemistry of the Annonaceae.

Extração e pré-concentração de compostos orgânicos voláteis por permeação em membrana para análise cromatográfica

This work discusses sample preparation processes for gas chromatography (GC) based on the technique of extraction through membrane permeation (MPE). The MPE technique may be easily coupled to GC via a relatively simple device, which is a module that holds the membrane and is directly connected to the GC column. The possibility of operational errors due to sample handling is substantially reduced in an MPE-GC system because the sample preparation and the chemical analysis are accomplished as a one-step process. The MPE technique is of relatively wide application as it can be used for aqueous samples, solid samples and gaseous samples. Depending on the type of sample the extraction is performed with the membrane in direct contact with the sample or in contact with its headspace. The MPE-GC technique is very useful in trace analysis, due to the time-dependent enrichment of the analyte. A typical application of MPE-GC is the analysis of VOCs present in water that may be accomplished with detection limits at the low ppb (mugL-1) level.

Desenvolvimento de um micro-aquecedor para sistemas de análise química em fluxo: determinação espectrofotométrica de manganês em plantas

In this work a micro-heater device to be used as an integral part of the flow analysis manifold is described. The usefulness of the device was demonstrated using it in the development of a multicommutated flow analysis procedure for the spectrophotometric determination of manganese in plant digest. The method was based on the manganese oxidation by periodate in phosphoric acid medium to form the permanganate anion. The reaction development is dependent on the temperature and it was observed that at 25 °C a time interval of ca. 15 min was necessary for the reaction to attain equilibrium. Setting the temperature to 70 ºC, this time interval could be decreased to ca. 30 s. This condition was easily attained employing the proposed micro-heater device coupled to the manifold. The procedure was applied to manganese determination in soybean digests and results compared with those obtained by inductively coupled argon plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). No significant difference at 90% confidence level was observed. A linear response for sample concentrations ranging from 5.0 to 30.00 mg L-1 Mn2+; a relative standard deviation of 1.3% (n = 6) for a typical sample containing 6.3 mg L-1 Mn2+; a sampling rate of 22 determinations per hour; a low reagent consumption, of 12.0 mg NaIO4 per determination; and a detection limit of 1.2 mg L-1 were achieved.

Ultra-trace monitoring of copper in environmental and biological samples by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry after separation and preconcentration by using octadecyl silica membrane disks modified by a new schiff's base

Ultra-trace amounts of Cu(II) were separated and preconcentrated by solid phase extraction on octadecyl-bonded silica membrane disks modified with a new Schiff,s base (Bis- (2-Hydroxyacetophenone) -2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediimine) (SBTD) followed by elution and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometric detection. The method was applied as a separation and detection method for copper(II) in environmental and biological samples. Extraction efficiency and the influence of sample matrix, flow rate, pH, and type and minimum amount of stripping acid were investigated. The concentration factor and detection limit of the proposed method are 500 and 12.5 pg mL-1, respectively.

Flow analysis by using solenoid valves for As(III) determination in natural waters by an on-line separation and pre-concentration system coupled to a tungsten coil atomizer

A flow system coupled to a tungsten coil atomizer in an atomic absorption spectrometer (TCA-AAS) was developed for As(III) determination in waters, by extraction with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (NaDDTC) as complexing agent, and by sorption of the As(III)-DDTC complex in a micro-column filled with 5 mg C18 reversed phase (10 µL dry sorbent), followed by elution with ethanol. A complete pre-concentration/elution cycle took 208 s, with 30 s sample load time (1.7 mL) and 4 s elution time (71 µL). The interface and software for the synchronous control of two peristaltic pumps (RUN/ STOP), an autosampler arm, seven solenoid valves, one injection valve, the electrothermal atomizer and the spectrometer Read function were constructed. The system was characterized and validated by analytical recovery studies performed both in synthetic solutions and in natural waters. Using a 30 s pre-concentration period, the working curve was linear between 0.25 and 6.0 µg L-1 (r = 0.9976), the retention efficiency was 94±1% (6.0 µg L-1), and the pre-concentration coefficient was 28.9. The characteristic mass was 58 pg, the mean repeatability (expressed as the variation coefficient) was 3.4% (n=5), the detection limit was 0.058 µg L-1 (4.1 pg in 71 µL of eluate injected into the coil), and the mean analytical recovery in natural waters was 92.6 ± 9.5 % (n=15). The procedure is simple, economic, less prone to sample loss and contamination and the useful lifetime of the micro-column was between 200-300 pre-concentration cycles.

A novel method for fast enrichment and monitoring of hexavalent and trivalent chromium at the ppt level with modified silica MCM-41 and its determination by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

Chromium(III) at the ng L-1 level was extracted using partially silylated MCM-41 modified by a tetraazamacrocyclic compound (TAMC) and determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emision spectrometry (ICP OES). The extraction time and efficiency, pH and flow rate, type and minimum amount of stripping acid, and break- through volume were investigated. The method's enrichment factor and detection limit are 300 and 45.5 pg mL-1, respectively. The maximum capacity of the 10 mg of modified silylated MCM-41 was found to be 400.5±4.7 µg for Cr(III). The method was applied to the determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in the wastewater of the chromium electroplating industry and in environmental and biological samples (black tea, hot and black pepper).

Determination of etoricoxib in human plasma using automated on-line solid-phase extraction coupled with LC-APCI/MS/MS

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (LC-APCI/MS/MS) was validated for the determination of etoricoxib in human plasma using antipyrin as internal standard, followed by on-line solid-phase extraction. The method was performed on a Luna C18 column and the mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile:water (95:5, v/v)/ammonium acetate (pH 4.0; 10 mM), run at a flow rate of 0.6 mL/min. The method was linear in the range of 1-5000 ng/mL (r²>0.99). The lower limit of quantitation was 1 ng/mL. The recoveries were within 93.72-96.18%. Moreover, method validation demonstrated acceptable results for the precision, accuracy and stability studies.

Espectrofotometria de longo caminho óptico em espectrofotômetro de duplo-feixe convencional: uma alternativa simples para investigações de amostras com densidade óptica muito baixa

We describe the design and tests of a set-up mounted in a conventional double beam spectrophotometer, which allows the determination of optical density of samples confined in a long liquid core waveguide (LCW) capillary. Very long optical path length can be achieved with capillary cell, allowing measurements of samples with very low optical densities. The device uses a custom optical concentrator optically coupled to LCW (TEFLON® AF). Optical density measurements, carried out using a LCW of ~ 45 cm, were in accordance with the Beer-Lambert Law. Thus, it was possible to analyze quantitatively samples at concentrations 45 fold lower than that regularly used in spectrophotometric measurements.

Nanocompósitos semicondutores ZnO/TiO2: testes fotocatalíticos

Titanium dioxide is an efficient photocatalist, being possible to improve its efficiency with better charge separation which occurs when it is coupled with other semiconductors. Nanometric particles of ZnO were used to impregnate TiO2 P25 in order to optimize its photocatalytic properties. ZnO/TiO2 composites were obtained at different proportions and were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), micro-Raman and diffuse reflectance spectroscopies, measurement of surface area (BET) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Raman spectroscopy data revealed a change on the TiO2 surface due the presence of ZnO which was observed by an enlargement of TiO2 peaks and a change on the relation rate between anatase and rutile phases of the composites. The photodegradation of azo-dye Drimaren red revealed better efficiency for ZnO/TiO2 3% nanocomposite and for ZnO pure.