A NOVEL POLYACRYLAMIDE-BASED HYDROGEL CROSSLINKED WITH CELLULOSE ACETATE AND PREPARED BY PRECIPITATION POLYMERIZATION

The synthesis of polyacrylamide-cellulose acetate hydrogels by precipitation polymerization in acetone solution is reported herein. These hydrogels exhibit smaller swelling ratios and larger compression moduli than homo polyacrylamide hydrogels. For cellulose acetate concentrations above 20 wt.%, hydrogels with N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinker exhibit swelling ratios and compression moduli similar to those of the hydrogels without the crosslinker. A possible explanation for this behavior is that cellulose acetate crosslinks polyacrylamide via free-radical reaction. The hydrogels obtained without the N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide crosslinker exhibit compression moduli up to 1.7 MPa, making them suitable for tissue engineering applications such as cartilage replacement.

SYNTHESIS AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF NEW SERIES OF ORGANOTIN(IV) ESTERS WITH N,N-DIACETYLGLYCINE

A bioactive N,N-diacetylglycine (NNDAG) and new organotin(IV) complexes (OTCs) (1-7) were synthesized. Spectroscopic techniques were employed to characterize NNDAG and OTCs. FTIR was employed to verify N,N protection of glycine by acetyl groups. The disappearance of υ(OH) at 3000-2600 cm-1 showed de-protonation of free ligand. The Δυ 150<200 cm-1 of OTCs 4-7 verified bidentate coordination with tetrahedral geometry. The Δυ of OTCs1 and 3 was <200 cm-1 exhibitingtrans -octahedral geometry while OTC 2 dimer was assigned a unique sinusoidal view. The 1H NMR spectra of OTCs verified their synthesis by de-protonation of NNDAG and no chemical shift was found downfield for carboxylic acid proton. The 13C, 119Sn NMR and Mass spectrometric data also supported FTIR and 1H NMR descriptions. The OTCs 4, 5, 6 and7 (500 ppm) proved twice as active against Escherichia coli as the standard antibiotic enoxacin (1000 ppm). The promising property of the OTCs (4, 5, 6 and7) is clearly due to their tetrahedral. The OTCs 4and 5 exhibited excellent activity against M. minimum and good activity against T. castaneum.LD50 of all the compounds were determined and OTCs4, 5 and 7 were found to be active.

Dietary cellulose has no effect on the regeneration of hemoglobin in growing rats with iron deficiency anemia

The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of cellulose on intestinal iron absorption in rats during recovery from iron deficiency anemia. Twenty-one-day-old male Wistar-EPM rats were fed an iron-free ration for two weeks to induce anemia. At 5 weeks of age, the rats were divided into two groups (both groups receiving 35 mg of elemental iron per kg diet): cellulose group (N = 12), receiving a diet containing 100 g of cellulose/kg and control (N = 12), receiving a diet containing no cellulose. The fresh weight of the feces collected over a 3-day period between the 15th and 18th day of dietary treatment was 10.7 ± 3.5 g in the group receiving cellulose and 1.9 ± 1.2 g in the control group (P<0.001). Total food intake was higher in the cellulose group (343.4 ± 22.0 g) than in the control (322.1 ± 13.1 g, P = 0.009) during the 3 weeks of dietary treatment. No significant difference was observed in weight gain (cellulose group = 132.8 ± 19.2, control = 128.0 ± 16.3 g), hemoglobin increment (cellulose group = 8.0 ± 0.8, control = 8.0 ± 1.0 g/dl), hemoglobin level (cellulose group = 12.3 ± 1.2, control = 12.1 ± 1.3 g/dl) or in hepatic iron levels (cellulose group = 333.6 ± 112.4, control = 398.4 ± 168.0 µg/g dry tissue). We conclude that cellulose does not adversely affect the regeneration of hemoglobin, hepatic iron level or the growth of rats during recovery from iron deficiency anemia.

Dexamethasone and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose prevent postoperative intraperitoneal adhesions in rats

We aimed to evaluate the effects of the barrier agent sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (SCMC) with and without dexamethasone for the prevention of postoperative adhesion formation in a rat model of postoperative peritoneal adhesion. A total of 160 three-month old male and female Wistar rats underwent a laparotomy, and adhesions were induced by ileocecal abrasion. Rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n=40 each): group A, untreated; group B, treated with SCMC only; group C1, treated with SCMC + 3 mg dexamethasone, and group C2, treated with SCMC + 8 mg dexamethasone. After 12 days, adhesion formation and histopathological changes were compared. In groups A, B, C1, and C2, the mortality rates were 10, 5, 5, and 5%, respectively. In groups C1 and C2, the adhesions were filmy and easy to dissect and were milder compared with those in groups A and B. The total adhesion score in group C1 (3.38±0.49) was significantly lower than that of group B (6.01±0.57; P<0.01) or group A (8.01±0.67; P<0.05). There was no significant difference in adhesion formation between groups C1 and C2. Compared with groups A and B, groups C1 and C2 exhibited milder histopathological changes. SCMC in combination with dexamethasone can prevent adhesion formation and is a better barrier agent than SCMC alone. The safety and feasibility of SCMC in combination with dexamethasone to prevent adhesion formation after abdominal surgery warrants further clinical study.

Fatty acid ethyl esters production using a non-commercial lipase in pressurized propane medium

The objective of this work is to investigate the production of fatty acid ethyl esters from soybean oil in compressed propane using a non-commercial lipase from Yarrowia lipolytica and two commercial ones as catalysts, Amano PS and Amano AY30. The experiments were performed in the temperature range of 35-65 °C. at 50 bar, enzyme concentration of 5 wt%, oil to ethanol molar ratio of 1:6 and 1:9, and solvent to substrates mass ratio of 2:1 and 4:1. The results indicated that low reaction conversions were generally obtained with the use of commercial and non-commercial lipases in pressurized propane medium. On the other hand, the aspects of low solvent to substrates mass ratio and mild temperature and pressure operating conditions used to produce ethyl esters justify further investigations to improve reaction yields.

Ultrafiltration performance of PVDF, PES, and cellulose membranes for the treatment of coconut water (Cocos nucifera L.)

Ultrafiltration (UF) inhibits the enzymatic activity which is responsible for color changes of coconut water without the need for heat treatment. In the present study, UF performance in terms of the permeate flux and enzymatic retention of the coconut water was evaluated at laboratory unit (LU) and pilot unit (PU). The membranes studied were polyethersulfone 150 kDa (UP150), polyvinylidene fluoride 150 kDa (UV150) and cellulose 30 kDa (UC030). The UP150 membrane showed the best permeate flux. The UC030 membrane showed the lowest flux, but it resulted in 100% enzymatic retention, while the other membranes showed enzymatic retentions between 71 and 85%. The application of the UC030 in the pilot unit (PU) resulted in a flux value higher than that obtained in the LU due to the tangential velocity effect. The UC030 membrane has proved adequate for industrial applications.

Adsorption capacity of phenolic compounds onto cellulose and xylan

The interaction between three phenolic compounds (catechin, caffeic acid and ferulic acid) onto two dietary fibres (cellulose and xylan) has been evaluated to inquire possible interferences on the biodisponibility of phenolic compounds. The adsorption kinetics were performed using solutions containing 100 mg/L of phenolic compounds during a contact time ranging between 10 and 120 minutes at pH 2.0, 4.5, and 7.0. After the kinetics, isotherms were obtained using phenolic compounds concentration ranging between 10 and 80 mg/L during 60 minutes, at pH 2.0 and 7.0 and temperature of 36 °C. Results indicate that adsorbed quantities mainly changed in function of pH, however the maximum adsorption was only of 0.978 mg of caffeic acid/g of xylan at pH 2 and after 60 min. Redlich-Peterson model were able to predict the adsorption isotherms of all phenolic compounds onto cellulose, except for caffeic acid at pH 7.0. The low adsorption capacities observed suggest that both dietary fibres are unable to compromise the biodisponibility of phenolic compounds, especially in the small intestine, where they are partially absorbed.

Clonal variation within a mucosal isolate derived from a patient with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis infection

Three isolates over 5 years from a patient with persistent relapsing mucosal leishmaniasis due to Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and 7 clones from one of these isolates were studied by zymodemes and scrodemes analysis. Results showed evidences of clonal phenotypic variation. Eight isoenzymes markers demonstrated clear differences on Cellulose Acetate (CA) and thin starch gel electrophoresis. Also a panel of specific monoclonal antibodies showed such differences. Our observations provide additional evidence that Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is composed by subpopulations of parasites with peculiar biochemical and antigenic characteristics.

Evaluation of the enzyme-linked-immuno-electro-diffusion-assay (ELIEDA) for the diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni infection with low worm burden

An immunoprecipitation technique, ELIEDA (enzyme-linked-immuno-electro-diffusion assay), was evaluated for the diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni infection with low worm burden. One hundred of serum samples from patients excreting less than 600 eggs per gram of feces (epg), with unrelated diseases and clinically healthy subjects were studied. In patients with egg counts higher than 200 epg, the sensitivities of IgM and IgG ELIEDA were 1.000 and 0.923, respectively, not differing from other Serologic techniques, such as indirect hemaglutination (IHAT), immunofluorescence (IFT) tests and immuno-electrodiffusion assay (IEDA). However in patients with low egg counts (< 100 epg), the IgG ELIEDA provided better results (0.821) than IgM ELIEDA (0.679), showing sensitivity that did not differ from that of IgG IFT (0.929), but lower than that of IgM IFT (0.964). However, its sensivity was higher than that found with IHAT (0.607) and IEDA (0.536). The specificity of IgG ELIEDA was comparable to that of other techniques. The data indicate that IgG ELIEDA might be useful for the diagnosis of slight S. mansoni infections, and the cellulose acetate membrane strips can be stored for further retrospective studies.

McCoy cell line as a possible model containing CD4+ receptors for the study of HIV-1 replication

Several studies have recently shown the use of recombinant rabies virus as potential vector-viral vaccine for HIV-1. The sequence homology between gp 120 and rabies virus glycoprotein has been reported. The McCoy cell line has therefore been used to show CD4+ or CD4+ like receptors. Samples of HIV-1 were isolated, when plasma of HIV-1 positive patients was inoculated in the McCoy cell line. The virus infection was then studied during successive virus passages. The proteins released in the extra cellular medium were checked for protein activity, by exposure to SDS Electrophoresis and blotting to nitro-cellulose filter, then reacting with sera of HIV positive and negative patients. Successive passages were performed, and showed viral replication, membrane permeabilization, the syncytium formation, and the cellular lysis (cytopathic effect). Flow cytometry analysis shows clear evidence that CD4+ receptors are present in this cell line, which enhances the likelihood of easy isolation and replication of HIV. The results observed allow the use of this cell line as a possible model for isolating HIV, as well as for carrying out studies of the dynamics of viral infection in several situations, including exposure to drugs in pharmacological studies, and possibly studies and analyses of the immune response in vaccine therapies.

Alterations in lipid transfer to High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and activity of paraoxonase-1 in HIV+ patients

HIV+ patients often develop alterations of the plasma lipids that may implicate in development of premature coronary artery disease. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) has an important role in preventing atherogenesis and the aim of this study was to investigate aspects of HDL function in HIV+ patients. HIV+ patients (n = 48) and healthy control subjects (n = 45) of both sexes with similar age were studied. Twenty-five were not being treated with antiretroviral agents, 13 were under reverse transcriptase inhibitor nucleosidic and non-nucleosidic (NRTI+NNRTI) and 10 were under NRTI + protease inhibitors (NRTI+PI) treatment. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity and the transfer of free and esterified cholesterol, tryglicerides and phospholipids from a lipidic nanoemulsion to HDL were analyzed. In comparison with healthy controls, HIV+ patients presented low PON-1 activity and diminished transfer of free cholesterol and tryglicerides. In contrast, phospholipid transfer was increased in those patients, whereas the transfer of cholesteryl esters was unchanged. NRTI+NNRTI increases the transfer of cholesteryl esters and triglycerides but in NRTI+PI there was no difference in respect to non-treated HIV+ patients. HDL from HIV+ patients has smaller antioxidant properties, as shown by lower PON-1 activity, and the transfer of lipids to this lipoprotein fraction is also altered, suggesting that HDL function is defective in those patients.

WATER FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES USED FOR THE IRRIGATION OF VEGETABLES TO BE MARKETED: RESEARCH ON Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp., AND COLIFORMS IN PARANA, BRAZIL

SUMMARY The aim of this work was to compare, from a parasitological ( Cryptosporidiumspp. and Giardia duodenalis), bacteriological (total and thermotolerants coliforms) and physicochemical perspective, water sources used for drinking and irrigation of vegetables intended to be sold for human consumption. From January 2010 to May 2011, samples of different water sources from vegetable producing properties were collected; 100 liters for parasitological analysis, 200 mL for bacteriological analysis, and five liters for physicochemical analysis. Water samples were filtered under vacuum with a kit containing a cellulose acetate membrane filter, 1.2 µm (Millipore(r), Barueri, SP, Brazil). The material retained on the membrane was mechanically extracted and analyzed by direct immunofluorescence (Merifluor(r)kit). From 20 rural properties investigated, 10 had artesian wells (40 samples), 10 had common wells (40 samples), and one had a mine (four samples), the latter contaminated by Cryptosporidiumspp. In samples from artesian wells, 90 to 130 meters depth, 42.5% were positive for total coliforms and 5.0% were identified to have abnormal coloration. From the samples of common wells, 14 to 37 meters depth, 87.5% were contaminated with total coliforms, 82.5% were positive for thermotolerant coliforms, and 12.5% had color abnormalities. We did not detect the presence of Giardiaspp. or Cryptosporidiumspp. in artesian and common wells. The use of artesian or common wells is an important step in the control of the spreading of zoonoses, particularly Cryptosporidiumspp. and Giardiaspp., as well as artesian wells for coliform control in local production of vegetables to be marketed.

Estudos sobre tuberculose

Assim em resumo pensamos que a hipersensibilidade na infeção tuberculosa é a expressão duma reação celular, autonoma e individual, consequente á agressão brusca e á destruição (dijestão) incompleta dos toxicos bacilares (proteinas, globulinas e lipoides), em combinação intima ou isoladamente; a adição aos toxicos bacilares de lipoides diversos (cholesterina, lecitina, esters) e principios mal definidos existentes no oleo de figado de bacalhau, atenua a sua função hipersensibilidade porque torna esses toxicos mais facilmente incorporaveis á celula sensivel por adsorpção da substancia toxica ao lipoide. Esses corpos penetram assim no interior das celulas levando comsigo ativadores dos processos enzimaticos que não so favorecem uma elaboração dijestiva mais perfeita como ainda uma melhor produção de anticorpos. O aparecimento de pequenas modalidades reacionarias no decurso duma immunisação ativa contra os antijenos saturados por lipoides mostra a necessidade dum processo de desintegração para que a função toxica se manifeste.

Quantitative method of viral pollution determination for large volume of water using ferric hydroxide gel impregnated on the surface of glassfibre cartridge

Quantitative method of viral pollution determination for large volume of water using ferric hydroxide gel impregnated on the surface of glassfibre cartridge filter. The use of ferric hydroxide gel, impregnated on the surface of glassfibre cartridge filter enable us to recover 62.5% of virus (Poliomylitis type I, Lsc strain) exsogeneously added to 400 liters of tap-water. The virus concentrator system consists of four cartridge filters, in which the three first one are clarifiers, where the contaminants are removed physically, without significant virus loss at this stage. The last cartridge filter is impregnated with ferric hydroxide gel, where the virus is adsorbed. After the required volume of water has been processed, the last filter is removed from the system and the viruses are recovered from the gel, using 1 liter of glycine/NaOH buffer, at pH 11. Immediately the eluate is clarified through series of cellulose acetate membranes mounted in a 142mm Millipore filter. For the second step of virus concentration, HC1 1N is added slowly to the eluate to achieve pH 3.5-4. MgC1, is added to give a final concentration of 0.05M and the viruses are readsorbed on a 0.45 , porosity (HA) cellulose acetate membrane, mounted in a 90 mm Millipore filter. The viruses are recovered using the same eluent plus 10% of fetal calf serum, to a final volume of 3 ml. In this way, it was possible to concentrate virus from 400 liters of tap-water, into 1 liter in the first stage of virus concentration and just to 3 ml of final volume in a second step. The efficiency, simplicity and low operational cost, provded by the method, make it feasible to study viral pollution of recreational and tap-water sources.

Surface electrical charge of bloodstream trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi strains

Bloodstream trypomastigotes of some Trypanosoma cruzi strains were processed through DEAE-cellulose columns under standardized conditions. The results obtained suggest mainly that these strains present different surface charges, that there are subpopulations of bloodstream trypomastigotes as regards electrical charges and that the broad forms are less negative than the slender ones.