PHYLOGENETIC STUDIES OF SOME SPECIES OF THE GENUS COFFEA .1. NUMERICAL-ANALYSIS OF FLAVONOID COMPOUNDS

Flavonoid compounds were analyzed in ripe fruit pulp of ten species of Coffea, including two cultivars of C. arabica and two of C. canephora. Three coefficients of similarity: Simple-Matching, Jaccard and Ochiai and three different clustering methods, Single Linkage, Complete Linkage and Unweighted Pair Group, Using Arithmetic Averages (UPGMA), were used to analyze the data.Jaccard and Ochiai's coefficients of association showed a more coherent result, when compared with taxonomic and hybridization studies. Inclusion of Psilanthopsis kapakata in the genus Coffea, as C. kapakata, is justified by the similarity of this species with other studied species, and clusters clearly approximate the species C. arabica and C. eugenioides. The latter is one of the possible parents of the allotetraploid species C. arabica, C. congensis is the only species whose position remains ambiguous, probably due to the fact that the plants of this species that were introduced into the Campinas collections, were hybrids and not typical of C. congensis.

Revisiting the addition reaction of TeCl4 to alkynes: the crystal structure and docking studies of 1-chloro-2-trichlorotelluro-3-phenyl-propen-2-ol

Tellurium tetrachloride adds to alkynes via two pathways: a concerted syn addition, that yields Z-tri- and tetra-substituted alkenes or by an anti addition that yields E-alkenes. The mechanistic aspects of these divergent pathways have been reevaluated at the light of crystallographic data. The molecules, of the title compound, in the crystal, are associated in a helical fashion with a Te...Te pitch of 6.3492(6) angstrom. As it exhibits inhibitory activity for cathepsin B and in order to gain more insight of the inhibition mechanism, a docking study was undertaken providing insight on why organic telluranes are more efficient inhibitors than inorganic ones as AS-101. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Measurements of gunshot residues by sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry - Further studies with pistols

The most popular handgun in Brazil is the single round-barrel caliber 0.38 revolver. In recent years, however, owing to the modernization of police arms and their availability on the legal and illicit markets, pistols have become increasingly popular and currently represent about 20% of police seizures. In a previous paper we presented a novel collection method for gunshot residues (GSR) using a sampling procedure based on ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution as a complexing agent on moistened swabs with subsequent detection using sector field-high resolution-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (SF-HR-ICP-MS). In the present paper, we discuss the capability of this methodology to identify antimony (Sb), barium (Ba) and lead (Pb) on the hands of volunteers after shot tests with 9 mm and 0.40 in. caliber pistols. Two types of munitions were tested: 9 mm Taurus and clean range. The use of a technique with high sensitivity, such as SF-HR-ICP-MS, permits the identification of low concentrations (less than 1 mu g/L) of metals in firearm residue and constitutes a powerful tool in forensic science. We also discuss the importance of the sampling procedure, including collection from a different body part than the gun hand of the suspect. Comparison of the analytical data obtained allows clear discrimination between samples from the hands of shooters and non-shooters. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V.. All rights reserved.

Synthesis, crystal structure and theoretical studies of aryltellurenyl tetramethylthiourea(tmtu) iodine complexes: Ph-Te(tmtu)I (1) and beta-naphtyl-Te(tmtu)I (2)

(1) C11H17IN2STe, Mr = 463.83, P2(1)/n, a 7.6582(8), b = 13.8008(9), c = 15.026(3) angstrom, beta = 96.233(12)degrees, Z = 4, R-1 = 0.0318. (2) C15H19IN2STe, Mr = 513.88, P2(1)/n, a = 8.434(5), b = 11.697(5), c = 18.472(5) angstrom, beta = 98.556(5)degrees, Z = 4, R-1 = 0.0236. The synthesis of the aryltellurenyl N,N',-tetramethylthiourea (tmtu) iodide has been performed by ligand exchange with potassium iodide and the corresponding aryltellurenyl(tmtu) bromide. In both structures the tellurium atom is primarily three-coordinated, being bonded to a carbon atom of the organic ring and, in directions nearly perpendicular to the Te-C bond, to one tmtu sulfur atom and one iodine. In addition there are Te...secondary bonds, joining the molecules in centrosymmetric dimers, which in turn are joined through C-H...1 and C-H... S interactions, in (1) and (2), respectively.

Synthesis and structural studies of (1,10-phenanthroline)(thiocyanate-N)-(triphenylphosphine)copper(I)

The compound (1,10-phenanthroline)(thiocyanate-N)(triphenylphosphine)copper(I), was synthesized and studied by IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. It is monomeric with the thiocyanate acting as a N-donor ligand. The copper atom shows a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry.

H-1-N-15 NMR studies of the complex bis(S-allyl-L-cysteinate)palladium(II)

H-1-N-15 2D NMR data for S-allyl-L-cysteine (deoxyalliin) and for bis(S-allyl-L-cysteinate)palladium(II) complex are presented in this manuscript. Large upfield N-15 NMR shift of the amine nitrogen in the spectrum of the complex when compared to the spectrum of the ligand shows clearly coordination of S-allyl-L-cysteine, in the anion form, to palladium(II) through the NH2 group. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and structural studies of bis(1,10-phenanthrolinethiocyanatemercury) tetracarbonyliron

The bis(1,10-phenanthrolinethiocyanatemercury)tetracarbonyliron was prepared from bis(thiocyanatemercury)tetracarbonyliron and 1,10-phenanthroline and crystallized from hot acetone solution as [Fe(CO)4(HgSCN)2(phen)2]·C3H6O, which was subjected to a full IR and X-ray crystallographic characterization. The iron atom is octahedrally coordinated by four carbonyl groups and two mercury atoms in cis positions. The coordination geometry of the mercury atoms is a distorted square-based pyramid since each one is coordinated to one iron, one sulphur, one mercury and two nitrogen atoms. The FeHg distances are 2.549(3) and 2.564(3) Å, and the HgFeHg angle is 78.01(9)°. © 1992.

Chromosome sensitivity to bleomycin in G2 lymphocytes from Down syndrome patients

Several studies have demonstrated that lymphocytes from patients with Down syndrome (DS) exhibit an increased frequency of chromosome aberrations when they are exposed to ionizing radiation or to chemicals at the G0 or G1 phases of the cell cycle, but not at G2 when compared to normal subjects. To determine the susceptibility of DS lymphocytes at G2 phase, bleomycin, a radiomimetic agent, was used to induce DNA breaks in blood cultures from 24 Down syndrome patients. All the patients with DS showed free trisomy 21 (47,XX + 21 or 47,XY + 21). Individuals that showed an average number of chromatid breaks per cell higher than 0.8 were considered sensitive to the drug. No control child showed susceptibility to bleomycin, and among the 24 patients with DS, only one was sensitive to the drug. No significant difference was observed between the two groups, regarding chromatid break frequencies in treated G2 lymphocytes. The distribution of bleomycin-induced breaks in each group of chromosomes was similar for DS and controls. No significant difference was found in the response to bleomycin between male and female subjects. Probably, the main factor involved in chromosome sensitivity of lymphocytes from patients with DS is the phase of the cell cycle in which the cell is treated.

Cuticular Hydrocarbons of Heterotermes tenuis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae): Analyses and Electrophysiological Studies

Termites have become an important pest of Eucalyptus and Pinus reforestations, sugarcane and other cultures. An alternative for the control of this pest would be the use of attractive traps that take in account the social behavior of these insects. Diverse factors are important for the insects in the localization of the habitat and the choice of the food and specific odors can facilitate this. Studies referring to Heterotermes tenuis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) are scarce. The objective of this work was to analyze the tergal cuticular extract of H. tenuis and determine the selectivity and sensitivity of its antennae to the components of this extract by electroantennography (EAG). The composition of the cuticular extract was determined by GC-MS analysis. The hydrocarbons found were restricted to linear alkanes, being most abundant C24 to C27 that comprises ca. 65% of the total. Olefins were not detected. EAG and behavioral test responses to the cuticular hydrocarbons were greater and significantly different from the control and the high selectivity of the antennae to the extract indicates its potential as chemical messenger. Cuticular hydrocarbons mixture is species-specific and can be used to identify a given taxon without the diagnostic castes, soldiers or imagoes. Difference in the composition appears to relate with the type of habitat of specie.

Benomyl sensitivity of isolates of Colletotrichum acutatum and C. gloeosporioides from citrus

Postbloom fruit drop (PFD) of citrus, caused by Colletotrichum acutatum, produces orange-brown lesions on petals and results in premature fruit drop and the retention of calyces. C. gloeosporioides is common in groves and causes postharvest anthracnose on fruit. Both diseases are controlled effectively by the fungicide benomyl in research fields and commercial orchards. Highly sensitive and resistant isolates of C. gloeosporioides were found, whereas all isolates of C. acutatum tested were moderately resistant. In preliminary studies conducted in vitro with three isolates of each, mycelial growth of sensitive isolates of C. gloeosporioides was inhibited completely by benomyl (Benlate 50 WP) at 1.0 μg/ml, whereas resistant isolates grew well at 10 μg/ml. Growth of all isolates of C. acutatum was inhibited by about 55% at 0.1 μg/ml and by 80% at 1.0 μg/ml. Spore germination of C. acutatum was inhibited more at 0.1 μg/ml than at 1.0 μg/ml or higher concentrations. In all, 20 isolates of C. acutatum from 17 groves and 20 isolates of C. gloeosporioides from 7 groves were collected from locations with different histories of benomyl usage in São Paulo, Brazil, and Florida, United States. Benomyl at 1.0 μ.g/ml completely inhibited growth of 133 isolates of C. gloeosporioides, with the exception of 7 isolates that were highly resistant to the fungicide, whereas all isolates of C. acutatum were only partially inhibited at 0.1 and 1.0 μg/ml. Analysis of variance indicated that the sensitivity of the isolates of C. acutatum was not affected by benomyl usage or grove of origin, and country of origin had only minor effects. No highly resistant or sensitive isolate of C. acutatum was recovered. Partial sequencing of the β-tubulin gene did not reveal nucleotide substitutions in codons 198 or 200 in C. acutatum that usually are associated with benomyl resistance in other fungi.

The effect of adhesive and flowable composite on postoperative sensitivity: 2-Week results

Objective: To measure 2-week postoperative sensitivity in Class II composite restorations placed with a self-etching adhesive (Clearfil SE Bond) or a total-etch adhesive (Prime&Bond NT) with or without a flowable composite as cervical increment. Method and materials: Upon approval by the University of Guarulhos Committee on Human Subjects, 100 restorations were inserted in 46 patients who required Class II restorations in their molars and premolars. Enamel and dentin walls were conditioned with a self-etching primer (for Clearfil SE Bond) or etched with 34% phosphoric acid (for Prime&Bond NT). A 1- to 2-mm-thick increment of a flowable composite (Filtek Flow) was used in the proximal box in 50% of the restorations of each adhesive. Preparations were restored with a packable composite (Surefil). The restorations were evaluated preoperatively and 2 weeks postoperatively for sensitivity to cold, air, and masticatory forces using a visual analog scale. Marginal integrity of the accessible margins was also evaluated. Statistical analysis used a mixed linear model with subject as a random effect. Results: Ninety-eight teeth from 44 subjects were observed at 2 weeks. The type of adhesive and use of flowable composite had no significant effects or interaction for any of the four outcomes of interest, ie, change from baseline to 2 weeks in sensitivity and response time for the cold or air stimulus. For the air stimulus, the overall average change from baseline was not significant for either sensitivity or response time. For the cold stimulus, the overall average change from baseline was significant for both sensitivity and response time. No case of sensitivity to masticatory forces was observed. Conclusion: No differences in postoperative sensitivity were observed between a self-etch adhesive and a total-etch adhesive at 2 weeks. The use of flowable composite did not decrease postoperative sensitivity.

Maternal periodontal disease in rats decreases insulin sensitivity and insulin signaling in adult offspring

Background: Periodontal disease during pregnancy has been recognized as one of the causes of preterm and lowbirth- weight (PLBW) babies. Several studies have demonstrated that PLBW babies are prone to developing insulin resistance as adults. Although there is controversy over the association between periodontal disease and PLBW, the phenomenon known as programming can translate any stimulus or aggression experienced during intrauterine growth into physiologic and metabolic alterations in adulthood. The purpose of the present study is to investigate whether the offspring of rats with periodontal disease develop insulin resistance in adulthood. Methods: Ten female Wistar rats were divided into periodontal disease (PED) and control (CN) groups. All rats were mated at 7 days after induction of periodontal disease. Male offspring were divided into two groups: 1) periodontal disease offspring (PEDO; n = 24); and 2) control offspring (CNO; n = 24). Offspring body weight was measured from birth until 75 days. When the offspring reached 75 days old, the following parameters were measured: 1) plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, fructosamine, lipase, amylase, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α); 2) insulin sensitivity (IS); and 3) insulin signal transduction (IST) in insulin-sensitive tissues. Results: Low birth weight was not detected in the PEDO group. However, plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, fructosamine, lipase, amylase, and TNF-α were increased and IS and IST were reduced (P <0.05) in the PEDO group compared with the CNO group. Conclusion: Maternal periodontal disease may induce insulin resistance and reduce IST in adult offspring, but such alterations are not attributable to low birth weight.

A new hybrid polyhedral cubic silsesquioxane chemically modified with 4-amino-5-(4-pyridyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (APTT) and copper hexacyanoferrate(III) for voltammetric determination of nitrite

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