Evaluation of the ethanol intake on the Calomys callosus seminal vesicle structure

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of Dimerization on the Structure and Biological Activity of Antimicrobial Peptide Ctx-Ha

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Structural investigations of tungsten silver phosphate glasses by solid state NMR, vibrational and X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopies

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Loading of praziquantel in the crystal lattice of solid lipid nanoparticles Studies by DSC and SAXS

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Electronic ceramics based on polycrystalline SnO2, TiO2 and (Sn xTi1-x)O2 solid solution

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Structure and biological activities of eumenine mastoparan-AF (EMP-AF), a new mast cell degranulating peptide in the venom of the solitary wasp (Anterhynchium flavomarginatum micado)

A new mast cell degranulating peptide, eumenine mastoparan-AF (EMP-AF), was isolated from the venom of the solitary wasp Anterhynchium flavomarginatum micado, the most common eumenine wasp found in Japan. The structure was analyzed by FAB-MS/MS together with Edman degradation, which was corroborated by solid-phase synthesis. The sequence of EMP-AF, Ile-Asn-Leu-Leu-Lys-Ile-Ala-Lys-Gly-Ile-lle-Lys-Ser-Leu-NH(2), was similar to that of mastoparan, a mast cell degranulating peptide from a hornet venom; tetradecapeptide with C-terminus amidated and rich in hydrophobic and basic amino acids. In fact, EMP-AF exhibited similar activity to mastoparan in stimulating degranulation from rat peritoneal mast cells and RBL-2H3 cells. It also showed significant hemolytic activity in human erythrocytes. Therefore, this is the first example that a mast cell degranulating peptide is found in the solitary wasp venom. Besides the degranulation and hemolytic activity, EMP-AF also affects on neuromuscular transmission in the lobster walking leg preparation. Three analogs EMP-AF-1 similar to 3 were snythesized and biologically tested together with EMP-AF, resulting in the importance of the C-terminal amide structure for biological activities. (C) 2000 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Structural studies on lead-cadmium fluoride solid solutions

(1-x)PbF2-(x)CdF2 solid solutions (with 0.1 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 0.5) were obtained by hyper-quenching the melt. Structural characteristics have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). A cubic solid solution was obtained in which the lattice parameter decreases with increasing CdF2 content. High anionic disorder was evidenced from EXAFS investigations, whereas cations remain in the FCC arrangement. Pb L-3-edge EXAFS results illustrate clearly the occurrence of CdxPb1-xF2 mixed crystals by the introduction of Cd atoms in the second Pb coordination shell. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Mechanochemical synthesis of ceramic powders with perovskite structure

The mechanical activation is one of the most effective method for obtaining highly disperse system due to mechanical action stress fields form in solids during milling procedure. This effect results in changes of free energy, leading to release of heat, formation of a new surface, formation of different crystal lattice defects and initiation of solid-state chemical reaction. The accumulated deformation energy determines irreversible changes of crystal structure and consequently microstructure resulting in the change of their properties. Mechanochemical processing route has been developed recently for the production of intermetallic and alloy compounds. The intrinsic advantage of this process is that the solid-state reaction is activated due to mechanical energy instead of the temperature. It was shown that the chemical reactivity of starting materials could be improved significantly after mechanochemical activation and, subsequently, the calcination temperature was reduced. Besides, it was apparent that the mechanochemical treatment could enhance the reactivity of constituent oxides; however, the sintering process could not be avoided to develop the desired ceramics. A novel mechanochemical technique for synthesis of fine-grained perovskite structured powders has shown that it is possible to form perovskite at room temperature. The effect of milling on the formation of perovskite structure of barium titanate (BT), lead titanate (PT), PZT, PZN, magnesium niobate (PMN) and LM ceramic materials was analyzed. The dielectric properties of sintered ceramics are comparable with those prepared by other methods in the literature. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Evolution of rheological properties and local structure during gelation of siloxane-polymethylmethacrylate hybrid materials

Hybrid siloxane-polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) nanocomposites with covalent bonds between the inorganic (siloxane) and organic (polymer) phases were prepared by the sot gel process through hydrolysis and polycondensation of 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propylmethacrylate (TMSM) and polymerization of methylmethacrylate (MMA) using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as initiator. The effect of MMA, BPO and water contents on the viscoelastic behaviour of these materials was analysed during gelation by dynamic rheological measurements. The changes in storage (G') and loss moduli (G), complex viscosity (eta*) and phase angle (6) were measured as a function of the reaction time showing the viscous character of the sot in the initial step of gelation and its progressive transformation to an elastic gel. This study was complemented by Si-29 and C-13 solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR/MAS) measurements of dried gel. The analysis of the experimental results shows that linear chains are formed in the initial step of the gelation followed by a growth of branched structures and formation of a three-dimensional network. Near the gel point this hybrid material demonstrates the typical scaling behaviour expected from percolation theory.

Composting of urban solid residues (USR) by different dispositions - Kinetics of thermal decomposition

The thermal behavior and non-isothermal kinetics of thermal decomposition of three different kinds of composting of the USR like: stack with drilled PVC tubes (ST), revolved stack (SR) and stack with material of structure (SM), from the usine of composing of Araraquara city, São Paulo state, Brazil, within a period of 132 days of composting were studied.Results from TG, DTG and DSC curves obtained on inert atmosphere indicated that the cellulosic fraction present, despite the slow degradation during the composting process, is thermally less stable than other substances originated from that process. Due to that behavior, the cellulosic fraction decomposition could be kinetically evaluated through non-isothermal methods of analysis.The values obtained were: average activation energy, E-a=248, 257 and 259 kJ mol(-1) and pre-exponential factor, logA=21.4, 22.5, 22.7 min(-1), to the ST, SR and SM, respectively.From E-a and logA values and DSC curves, Malek procedure could be applied, suggesting that the SB (Sestak-Berggren) kinetic model is the appropriated one to the first thermal decomposition step.

Structure and electrical properties of potassium-doped siloxane-poly(oxypropylene) ormolytes

The structure and the ionic conduction properties of siloxane-poly(oxypropylene) (PPO) hybrids doped with different potassium salts (KCF3SO3, KI, KClO4 and KNO2) are reported for two polymer molecular weights (300 and 4000 g/mol), labelled PPO300 and PPO4000, respectively. The doping concentration, related to the concentration of the ether type oxygen of the PPO chain, is the same whatever the salt and verifies [O]/[K] = 20. Ionic room temperature conductivity shows the highest value for the KCF3SO3 doped PPO4000 hybrid (4 x 10(-7)Omega(-1).cm(-1)). The structure of these hybrids was investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (EXAFS and XANES) at the potassium K-edge (3607 eV). XRPD results show that the hybrid matrix is always amorphous and the formation of secondary potassium phases is observed for all the samples, except for the KCF3SO3 doped PPO4000 hybrid. EXAFS results evidence a good correlation between the ionic conductivity and the presence of oxygen atoms as first neighbours around potassium.

Nitrosyl ruthenium complexes with general formula [RuCl3,(NO)(P-P)] (P-P={PPh(2)(CH2)(n)PPh(2)},n=1-3 and {PPh(2)-CH=CH-PPh(2)}). X-ray structure of [RuCl3(NO){PPh(2)(CH2)(3)PPh(2)}]

Ruthenium(II) complexes with general formula [RuCl3(NO)(P-P)] were obtained in the solid state, where P-P = PPh(2)(CH2)(n)PPh(2) (n = 1-3) and PPh(2)-CH = CH-PPh(2). The P-31 NMR spectra of these compounds measured in CH2Cl2 showed only singlets, consistent with a fac configuration containing two equivalent phosphorus atoms, However the X-ray diffraction data show that the [RuCl3(NO){PPh(2)(CH2)(3)PPh(2)}] complex crystallizes in a met configuration, where one of the phosphorus atoms is trans to the NO group, in a slightly distorted octahedral geometry. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier B.V. Ltd

Structure and ultrastructure of the ventral prostate of isogenic mice (C57B1/6J) submitted to chronic alcohol ingestion

Morphological and functional alterations caused by chronic alcohol ingestion in testes and accessory sex organs have been studied both in man and in laboratory animals. The aim of the present study was to examine the possible occurrence of deleterious effects of chronic alcohol ingestion on the secretory epithelium of the ventral prostate of mice. Twenty-four adult male C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups. The alcohol-treated group was allowed to drink only 6% (v/v) ethanol, the isocaloric group received a diet of water/sucrose with a calorie content equivalent to a 6% alcohol solution and the control group received water. Both groups were fed ad libitum with solid Purina rat chow. After 120 days, animals from each group were anesthetized with ethyl ether, weighed and processed for light and transmission electron microscopy. The results demonstrated reduction in the glandular epithelium cell height and disorganization of the Golgi complex. Moreover, abundant membrane-bound structures, most likely representing cytoplasmic material, were observed, as well as accumulation of dense bodies. Statistical analysis showed that bodyweight gain was similar for both groups. In conclusion, chronic alcohol ingestion has harmful effects on the secretory epithelium cells of the ventral lobe of the prostate of mice after 120 days of treatment. (C) 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.

Solid-state and solution structural study of acetylacetone-modified tin(IV) chloride used as a precursor of SnO2 nanoparticles prepared by a sol-gel route

The effect of addition of different amounts of acetylacetone (acacH) on the species formed at room temperature and after thermohydrolysis at 70 degreesC for 30 and 120 min of ethanolic SnCl4.5H(2)O solutions is followed by EXAFS spectroscopy at the Sn K-edge. We show that thermohydrolyzed solutions are a mixture of SnO2 nanoparticles and soluble tin polynuclear species. The complexation of the tin molecular precursors by acetylacetonate ligands is evidenced by H-1, C-13, and Sn-119 NMR spectroscopy and EXAFS for a acacH/Sn ratio higher than 2. Single crystals are isolated from solution and the structure, determined by X-ray diffraction, is built up from monomeric Cl-3(H2O)Sn(acac)-H2O units bridged together by hydrogen bonding. The acacH/Sn ratio in solution controls the polycondensation of the hydrolyzed species but not the crystallite size of the SnO2 nanoparticles (similar to2 nm). Because of the major presence of chelated tin mono- and dimeric complexes in solution for acacH/Sn > 2, the condensation is almost inhibited, meanwhile the decrease of amount of chelated complexes for the acacH/Sn < 2 gives rise to an increase of the number of nanoparticles.

Silica-PEG hybrid ormolytes: structure and properties

The effect of lithium salt doping on the structure and ionic conduction properties of silica-polyethyleneglycol composites is reported. These materials, so called ormolytes (organically modified electrolytes), were obtained by the sol-gel process. They have chemical stability due to the covalent bonds between the inorganic (silica) and organic (polymer) phase. The structure of these hybrid materials was investigated by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) as a function of lithium concentration [O]/[Li] (O being the oxygens of the ether type). The spectra have a well-defined peak attributed to the existence of a liquid-like spatial correlation of silica clusters. The ionic conductivity was studied by AC impedance spectroscopy and is maximum for [O]/[Li] = 15. This result is consistent with SAXS and thermo-mechanical analysis measurements and is due to the formation of cross-linking between the polymer chains for the larger lithium concentrations. These materials are solid, transparent, flexible and have an ionic conductivity up to 10(-4) S/cm. (C) 1999 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.