Titrimetric assay of lisinopril in aqueous and non-aqueous media

Four simple titrimetric procedures are described for the determination of lisinopril (LNP) in bulk and in pharmaceuticals based on the neutralization of basic-amino and acidic carboxylic acid groups present in LNP. Method A is based on the neutralization of basic amino groups using perchloric acid as titrant in anhydrous acetic acid medium. Method B, method C and method D are based on neutralization of carboxylic acid group using NaOH, sodium methoxide and methanolic KOH, as titrants, respectively. Method A is applicable over 2.0-20.0 mg range and the calculations are based in the molar ratio of 1:2 (LNP:HClO4). Method B, method C and method D are applicable over 2.0-20.0 mg, 1.0-10.0 mg and 5.0-15.0 mg range, respectively, and their respective molar ratios are 1:1 (LNP:NaOH), 1:2 (LNP:CH3ONa) and 1:1 (LNP:KOH). Intraday and inter day accuracy and precision of the methods were evaluated and the results showed intra- and inter-day precision less than 2.7% (RSD), and accuracy of < 2.5 % (RE). The developed methods were applied to determine LNP in tablets and the results were validated statistically by comparing the results with those of the reference method by applying the Student's t-test and F-test. The accuracy was further ascertained by recovery studies via standard addition technique. No interferences from common tablet exipients was observed.

Philosophia prima como repraesentatio na filosofia natural de Hobbes: exame de fundamentos metafísico-cognitivos como complementos teóricos de seu materialismo mecanicista

O ponto de partida da Philosophia prima de Hobbes tem como referência a Física e a Metafísica de Aristóteles. O desenvolvimento posterior de sua Philosophia prima, porém, põe em marcha uma crítica da metafísica aristotélica que conduzirá a um remanejamentoteórico de uma série de princípios e conceitos herdados da tradição. Considerada em seu conjunto, a filosofia primeira hobbesiana é constituída por uma definição ampla, isto é, a metafísica definida como ciência do ente enquanto ente (ao invés da clássica definição de ciência do ser enquanto ser), sobre a qual duas definições strictu sensu são erigidas: a metafísica como física geral - dizer o ente (ens) é dizer o corpo (corpus) - e a metafísica como representação. Este paper é um esforço no sentido de compreender essas e outras questões concernentes aos estudos hobbesianos sobre a forma como conhecemos o mundo, as coisas e nós mesmos.

Avaliação do processo produtivo de uma indústria de manufatura de painéis por meio do balanço de material e do rendimento da matéria-prima

O trabalho foi desenvolvido no setor de manufatura de painéis da Battistella Indústria e Comércio Ltda., localizada em Santa Catarina, e teve como objetivo a avaliação do processo produtivo de painéis, utilizando-se os princípios do balanço de material e do rendimento da matéria-prima. Além disso, pretendeu-se estabelecer uma metodologia para aplicação em outras indústrias madeireiras. Os dados foram obtidos através de visitas, aplicação de questionários e dados de escritório, e elaboraram-se equações e um fluxograma para representar o balanço de material. Concluiu-se que a indústria é integrada, representando vantagem competitiva. O balanço de material indicou que a atividade com maior potencial gerador de resíduos foi a preparação de sarrafos de madeira (55,71% do total de resíduos gerados). As atividades com maiores rendimentos foram a prensagem (97,44%), o seccionamento (93,92%), o esquadrejamento (93,51), o lixamento (90,97%) e a preparação de sarrafos (54,51%). O rendimento geral da manufatura foi de 63,16%, sendo os valores encontrados no trabalho similares aos da literatura. A metodologia desenvolvida para o trabalho é simples e pode ser aplicada em outras indústrias do setor madeireiro.

Utilização de fibras (epicarpo) de babaçu como matéria-prima alternativa na produção de chapas de madeira aglomerada

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a utilização de fibras (epicarpo) de babaçu (Orbignya spp) em combinação com partículas de Pinus elliottii em diferentes proporções na confecção de chapas de madeira aglomerada, bem como avaliar o efeito de dois teores de adesivo à base de uréia-formaldeído. As chapas foram prensadas a 160 ºC, utilizando-se dois níveis de resinas (6 e 8%, base peso seco de partículas) e tempo de prensagem de 10 min, obtendo-se oito tratamentos. Para cada tratamento foram feitas três repetições, totalizando 24 chapas, com densidade nominal de 0,70 g/cm³. As propriedades avaliadas foram: flexão estática - módulo de ruptura (MOR) e módulo de elasticidade (MOE); tração perpendicular-ligação interna (LI); estabilidade dimensional - inchamento em espessura (IE) 2 e 24 horas e absorção de água (AA) 2 e 24 horas, de acordo com a norma ASTM D 1037-91. O aumento do teor de fibras de babaçu associado ao aumento no teor de adesivo contribuiu para a redução nos valores de inchamento em espessura e absorção de água. O aumento do teor de adesivo de 6 para 8% foi fundamental para a melhoria das propriedades inchamento em espessura, absorção em água, módulo de ruptura e módulo de elasticidade. Utilizando até 30% de fibras de babaçu na composição das chapas, os valores de MOR foram superiores aos estabelecidos pela CS 236-66.

DETERMINAÇÃO DO RENDIMENTO DE MATÉRIA-PRIMA DE Eucalyptus benthamii Maiden & Cambage POR MEIO DE DIFERENTES MÉTODOS DE DESDOBRO

RESUMOO objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o rendimento da matéria-prima de Eucalyptus benthamii, por meio dos desdobros tangencial e radial, além da classificação das toras quanto à presença das rachaduras de topo. A classificação das toras quanto às rachaduras foi realizada por meio da análise visual, em que era aplicado um conceito conforme a intensidade do defeito. Posteriormente, as toras foram separadas em duas classes diamétricas (20 a 25 e 25,1 a 30 cm) e processadas em três sistemas de desdobro (tangencial em bloco, radial e tangencial em bloco com face curva), sendo cada tratamento composto por três repetições com 10 toras cada um. Na análise estatística dos dados de rendimento, foram aplicados o teste de Kolmogorov Smirnov, a Análise da Variância e o teste de Tukey. Nos resultados, foi observado que a maioria das toras da classe de menor diâmetro apresentou intensidade mediana, enquanto na maior classe diamétrica a intensidade foi baixa. Os rendimentos médios líquidos encontrados foram de 43,5% e 39,2% nas classes inferior e superior, respectivamente, os quais foram influenciados pelas rachaduras das peças e pelos destopos. Observou-se que o desdobro tangencial em bloco e em face curva foram os métodos que apresentaram maior aproveitamento em madeira serrada na classe de 20 a 25 cm, enquanto na classe de 25,1 a 30 cm o sistema tangencial em bloco e radial foi equivalente.

Evaluation of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis faecal culture protocols and media

Paratuberculosis is an important enteritis of ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map). The disease is officially considered exotic in Brazil, but recent serological surveys and the isolation of the agent suggest it may occur in our herds. The aim of this study was to evaluate three different formulations of Herrold's egg yolk agar with mycobactin J (HEYM) and four faecal culture protocols considering their ability for Map growth as well as cost and ease of application. Three formulations of HEYM were inoculated with two suspensions of Map. Spiked faeces and naturally contaminated faecal samples were treated by the four faecal culture protocols. Centrifugation protocol and HEYM recommended by OIE showed the best results on the recovery of Map.

Culture of equine bone marrow mononuclear fraction and adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction cells in different media

The objective of this study was to evaluate the culture of equine bone marrow mononuclear fraction and adipose tissue - derived stromal vascular fraction cells in two different cell culture media. Five adult horses were submitted to bone marrow aspiration from the sternum, and then from the adipose tissue of the gluteal region near the base of the tail. Mononuclear fraction and stromal vascular fraction were isolated from the samples and cultivated in DMEM medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum or in AIM-V medium. The cultures were observed once a week with an inverted microscope, to perform a qualitative analysis of the morphology of the cells as well as the general appearance of the cell culture. Colony-forming units (CFU) were counted on days 5, 15 and 25 of cell culture. During the first week of culture, differences were observed between the samples from the same source maintained in different culture media. The number of colonies was significantly higher in samples of bone marrow in relation to samples of adipose tissue.

Flows of Bingham Materials Through Ideal Porous Media: an Experimental and Theoretical Study

The flow of Bingham liquids through porous media has been studied. Experiments have been performed to determine the flow rate / pressure drop relationship for the flow of a grease of Binghamian rheological behavior through an array of rods of circular cross section. The yield stress and plastic viscosity of the grease have been determined with the aid of a controlled stress rotational rheometer. To investigate a wider range of the flow parameters, the mass and momentum conservation equations have been solved numerically, in conjunction with the generalized Newtonian constitutive law and the bi-viscosity model. The finite volume method has been employed to obtain the numerical solution. These numerical results also yielded a flow rate / pressure drop relationship, which is in very good agreement with the experimental results. A capillaric theory has been developed to determine an analytical relationship between the flow rate and pressure drop for flows of Bingham liquids through porous media. It is shown that the predictions of this theory are in good agreement with the experimental and numerical results.

Influência de herbicidas na qualidade da matéria-prima de genótipos de cana-de-açúcar

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar os efeitos de ametryn, trifloxysulfuron-sodium e da mistura ametryn + trifloxysulfuron-sodium na qualidade da matéria-prima de genótipos de cana-de-açúcar. O experimento foi realizado em campo, em Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo, no delineamento de blocos casualizados em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições. Os herbicidas ametryn (2.000 g ha-1), trifloxysulfuron-sodium (22,5 g ha-1) e a mistura comercial de ametryn + trifloxysulfuron-sodium (1.463 + 37,0 g ha-1), aplicados em pós-emergência inicial da cultura, mais uma testemunha capinada foram alocados nas parcelas. Nas subparcelas foram dispostos dez genótipos de cana-de-açúcar: RB72454, RB835486, RB855113, RB855156, RB867515, RB925211, RB925345, RB937570, RB947520 e SP80-1816. Foram avaliadas por ocasião da colheita, realizada aos 430 dias após o plantio, as características: sólidos solúveis totais (Brix), pureza do caldo, fibra, sacarose aparente e produtividade de colmos e de açúcar, referentes à qualidade da matéria-prima dos genótipos. Para facilitar a interpretação dos resultados, todas as características avaliadas foram transformadas em porcentagens em relação à testemunha capinada (sem herbicida). Observaram-se efeitos diferenciados dos herbicidas sobre os genótipos, sendo o RB855156 e o RB835486 os que tiveram a produtividade de colmos e de açúcar mais afetada ao se aplicar. Houve queda na produtividade de colmos e de açúcar no genótipo RB855113 quando este foi tratado com a mistura (ametryn + trifloxysulfuron-sodium). Nenhum dos genótipos foi afetado pelo herbicida ametryn em aplicação isolada.

Intima-media thickness evaluation by B-mode ultrasound: Correlation with blood pressure levels and cardiac structures

The aim of this study was to analyze the thickness of the intima-media complex (IMC) using a noninvasive method. The carotid and femoral common arteries were evaluated by noninvasive B-mode ultrasound in 63 normotensive and in 52 hypertensive subjects and the thickness of the IMC was tested for correlation with blood pressure, cardiac structures and several clinical and biological parameters. The IMC was thicker in hypertensive than in normotensive subjects (0.67 ± 0.13 and 0.62 ± 0.16 vs 0.54 ± 0.09 and 0.52 ± 0.11 mm, respectively, P<0.0001). In normotensive patients, the simple linear regression showed significant correlations between IMC and age, body mass index and 24-h systolic blood pressure for both the carotid and femoral arteries. In hypertensives the carotid IMC was correlated with age and 24-h systolic blood pressure while femoral IMC was correlated only with 24-h diastolic blood pressure. Forward stepwise regression showed that age, body mass index and 24-h systolic blood pressure influenced the carotid IMC relationship (r2 = 0.39) in normotensives. On the other hand, the femoral IMC relationship was influenced by 24-h systolic blood pressure and age (r2 = 0.40). In hypertensives, age and 24-h systolic blood pressure were the most important determinants of carotid IMC (r2 = 0.37), while femoral IMC was influenced only by 24-h diastolic blood pressure (r2 = 0.10). There was an association between carotid IMC and echocardiographic findings in normotensives, while in hypertensives only the left posterior wall and interventricular septum were associated with femoral IMC. We conclude that age and blood pressure influence the intima-media thickness, while echocardiographic changes are associated with the IMC.

A single strain of Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) grown in two different media evokes distinct humoral immune responses in mice

Two attenuated bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) preparations derived from the same Moreau strain, Copenhagen but grown in Sauton medium containing starch and bacto-peptone (onco BCG, O-BCG), or asparagine (intradermal BCG, ID-BCG), exhibited indistinguishable DNA sequences and bacterial morphology. The number of viable bacilli recovered from spleen, liver and lungs was approximately the same in mice inoculated with the vaccines and was similarly reduced (over 90%) in mice previously immunized with either BCG vaccine. The humoral immune response evoked by the vaccines was, however, distinct. Spleen cell proliferation accompanying the growth of bacilli in tissue was significantly higher in mice inoculated with O-BCG. These cells proliferated in vitro upon challenge with the corresponding BCG extract. Previous cell treatment with mAb anti-CD4 T cells abolished this effect. Anti-BCG antibodies, as assayed either in serum by ELISA or by determining the number of antibody-producing spleen cells by the spot-ELISA method, were significantly higher in mice inoculated with ID-BCG. Anti-BCG antibodies were detected in all immunoglobulin classes, but they were more prevalent in IgG with the following distribution among its isotypes: IgG1>(IgG2a = IgG2b)>IgG3. When some well-characterized Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens were used as substitutes for BCG extracts in ELISA, although antibodies against the 65-kDa and 96-kDa proteins were detected significantly, antibodies against the 71-kDa, 38-kDa proteins and lipoarabinomannan were only barely detected or even absent. These results indicate that BCG bacilli cultured in Sauton-asparagine medium permitted the multiplication of bacilli, tending to induce a stronger humoral immune response as compared with bacilli grown in Sauton-starch/bacto-peptone-enriched medium.

A time-dependent, two-step binding mode of the nitro dye flavianic acid to trypsin in acid media

Synthetic dyes bind to proteins causing selective coprecipitation of the complexes in acid aqueous solution by a process of reversible denaturation that can be used as an alternative method for protein fractionation. The events that occur before precipitation were investigated by equilibrium dialysis using bovine trypsin and flavianic acid as a model able to cause coprecipitation. A two-step mode of interaction was found to be dependent on the incubation periods allowed for binding, with pronounced binding occurring after 42 h of incubation. The first step seems to involve hydration effects and conformational changes induced by binding of the first dye molecule, following rapid denaturation due to the binding of six additional flavianate anions to the macromolecule.

A third generation regimen VACOP-B with or without adjuvant radiotherapy for aggressive localized non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: report from the Italian Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Co-operative Study Group

The objective of this multicenter prospective study was to determine the clinical efficacy and toxicity of a polychemotherapeutic third generation regimen, VACOP-B, with or without radiotherapy as front-line therapy in aggressive localized non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Ninety-three adult patients (47 males and 46 females, median age 45 years) with aggressive localized non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 43 in stage I and 50 in stage II (non-bulky), were included in the study. Stage I patients received VACOP-B for 6 weeks plus involved field radiotherapy and stage II patients received 12 weeks VACOP-B plus involved field radiotherapy on residual masses. Eighty-six (92.5%) achieved complete remission and 4 (4.3%) partial remission. Three patients (3.2%) were primarily resistant. Ten-year probability of survival, progression-free survival and disease-free survival were 87.3, 79.9 and 83.9%, respectively. Eighty-four patients are surviving at a median observation time of 57 months (range: 6-126). Statistical analysis showed no difference between stages I and II in terms of response, ten-year probability of survival, progression-free survival or disease-free survival. Side effects and toxicity were negligible and were similar in the two patient groups. The results of this prospective study suggest that 6 weeks of VACOP-B treatment plus radiotherapy may be the therapy of choice in stage I aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Twelve weeks of VACOP-B treatment with or without radiotherapy was shown to be effective and feasible for stage II. These observations need to be confirmed by a phase III study comparing first and third generation protocols in stage I-II aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The prima donna of epigenetics: the regulation of gene expression by DNA methylation

This review focuses on the mechanisms of DNA methylation, DNA methylation pattern formation and their involvement in gene regulation. Association of DNA methylation with imprinting, embryonic development and human diseases is discussed. Furthermore, besides considering changes in DNA methylation as mechanisms of disease, the role of epigenetics in general and DNA methylation in particular in transgenerational carcinogenesis, in memory formation and behavior establishment are brought about as mechanisms based on the cellular memory of gene expression patterns.

A retrospective comparison of cyclophosphamide plus antithymocyte globulin with cyclophosphamide plus busulfan as the conditioning regimen for severe aplastic anemia

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is the treatment of choice for young patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA). The association of antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and cyclophosphamide (CY) is the most frequently used conditioning regimen for this disease. We performed this retrospective study in order to compare the outcomes of HLA-matched sibling donor AHSCT in 41 patients with SAA receiving cyclophosphamide plus ATG (ATG-CY, N = 17) or cyclophosphamide plus busulfan (BU-CY, N = 24). The substitution of BU for ATG was motivated by the high cost of ATG. There were no differences in the clinical features between the two groups, including age, gender, cytomegalovirus status, ABO match, interval between diagnosis and transplant, and number of total nucleated cells infused. No differences were observed in the time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment, or in the risk of veno-occlusive disease and hemorrhage. However, there was a higher risk of mucositis in the BU-CY group (71 vs 24%, P = 0.004). There were no differences in the incidence of neutrophil and platelet engraftment, acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease, and transplant-related mortality. There was a higher incidence of late rejection in the ATG-CY group (41 vs 4%, P = 0.009). Although the ATG-CY group had a longer follow-up (101 months) than the BU-CY group (67 months, P = 0.04), overall survival was similar between the groups (69 vs 58%, respectively, P = 0.32). We conclude that the association BU-CY is a feasible option to the conventional ATG-CY regimen in this population.