Pollination Biology of Jacaranda oxyphylla with an Emphasis on Staminode Function

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Cisalhamento na Linha de Cola de Compensados de Eucalyptus sp. e Adesivo PVA

Studies on new adhesives and resins for bonding wood and wood products are being carried out with the intention to improve their properties, taking into account a lower environmental impact. To this end, new formulations of polyvinyl acetate (PVA) adhesives have been developed, because they have no polluting harmful to health chemicals in their composition, in contrast to formaldehyde-based resins; which in turn are the most commonly used for wood panels production these days. This study tested three different formulations of PVA adhesives, with different pressing times and temperatures for the production of Eucalyptus sp. plywood, obtaining satisfactory results with respect to shear strength at the bondline, which was higher for the PVA adhesives compared to the urea-formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde panels found in the literature.

Aspectos sensoriais e físico-químicos de iogurtes de soja com espessantes/estabilizantes à base de fécula de inhame (Dioscorea alata), amido modificado e gelatina

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Caracterização por espectroscopia vibracional de filmes Layer-by-Layer contendo ftalocianina, polímeros condutores e gomas naturais

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

Avaliação de propriedades físicas, químicas e biológicas de cimentos Portland associados a radiopacificadores micro e nanoparticulados

Pós-graduação em Odontologia - FOAR

Produção e caracterização físico-mecânica de painel de compensado de Eucalyptus sp. e adesivo PVA

Studies on new adhesives and resins for bonding wood and wood products are being conducted with the intention of improving their properties, taking into account a lower environmental impact. For this reason new formulations of polyvinyl acetate (PVA) adhesives have been developed, because they have no chemicals in its composition extremely polluting and harmful to health, as is the case of formaldehyde-based resins, which in turn are the most commonly used today for wood panels production. This study tested three different formulations of PVA adhesives, with different times and temperatures of pressing for the production of Eucalyptus sp. Plywood, coming up in satisfactory results with respect to shear strength at the bondline, which was higher for the PVA adhesives compared with urea-formaldehyde and phenol. The results of MOE and MOR were lower than those values of the panels produced with urea and phenol-formaldehyde, and the results of physical tests showed to be close to the panels produced with these same adhesives

Gengivite Plasmocitária induzida por uso de pimenta

The aim of this case report is present a case in which the patient had plasma cell gingivitis induced by consumption of pepper. Patient A.M.S., male, 23 years, presented himself at the Clinic of Periodontology, complaining of severe pain, bleeding gums and tooth mobility. Interview was conducted not observing anything relevant. In oral evaluation, we observed in the anterior swollen gums, bleeding, suppuration and great touch, and tooth mobility. Being an aggressive framework in relation to patient age, we performed the following laboratory tests: complete blood count, blood sugar, and coagulation, and biopsy in the anterior inferior, because a diagnosis of lymphoma. At the end of antibiotic therapy, a significant improvement of clinical symptoms, pain relief, less swollen gums and reduce the suppuration and mobility. Laboratory tests showed no change. Fifteen days later, the patient returned with worsening of clinical status. The pathological diagnosis was plasma cell gingivitis and then performed a new history by placing greater emphasis on dietary habits, and the patient reported consumption of pepper in their meals, and relate this to clinical presentation. After elimination of pepper diet the patient showed remission of clinical data.

Avaliação farmacognóstica qualitativa das folhas do vegetal Bambusa textilis

Introduction: Bamboos belong to the family Graminae, Bambusoidae subfamily, represented by about 1,250 species worldwide. Originally employed in construction and power, are currently the subject of investigations related to its therapeutic properties in neoplasms. The main species used for therapeutic purposes based on popular knowledge are: Phyllostachys nigra; Bambusa breiflora; tuldoides Bambusa textilis and Bambusa. The literature on the therapeutic action of bamboo species is scarce, but recent studies report a promising effect in the treatment of cancer and other chronic diseases. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate qualitatively the phytochemical composition of plant extract obtained from the leaves of the bamboo species Bambusa textilis, comparing this composition from vegetable leaves with 18 and 24 months of age. Methodology: After collecting plant leaves with 18 or 24 months, they were identified and submitted to drying and milling. For qualitative analysis of its components were employed methods of macroscopic evaluation (mucilage), method of benzoin (resin), reaction Shinoda (flavonoids), reaction with gelatin solution (tannins), boiling and foaming (saponins) and jobs of reactive Wagner, Bertrand, Dragendorff, Mayer, picric acid and tannic acid (alkaloids) (Biavatti; MILK, 2007). Results: in the youngest leaves were found positive for alkaloids, flavonoids, resins and saponins. In the leaves of the plant with 24 months were found only alkaloids flavonoids and resins. Conclusion: the composition of vegetable substances were found associated with a significant therapeutic potential difference and the phytochemical composition in comparison with plant leaves 18 or 24 months. Additional studies are needed to quantify these components, as well as the clarification of its action in the fight against cancer and chronic diseases.

L'utilizzo di carbonati come reagenti per la sintesi "green" di derivati fenolici: l'esempio del 2-fenossi-1-etanolo

2-Phenoxyethanol (ethylene glycol monophenyl ether) is used as solvent for cellulose acetate, dyes, inks, and resins; it is a synthetic intermediate in the production of plasticizers, pharmaceuticals, and fragrances. Phenoxyethanol is obtained industrially by reaction of phenol with ethylene oxide, in the presence of an homogeneous alkaline catalyst, typically sodium hydroxide. The yield is not higher than 95-96%, because of the formation of polyethoxylated compounds. However, the product obtained may not be acceptable for use in cosmetic preparations and fragrance formulations, due to presence of a pungent “metallic” odor which masks the pleasant odor of the ether, deriving from residual traces of the metallic catalyst. Here we report a study aimed at using ethylene carbonate in place of ethylene oxide as the reactant for phenoxyethanol synthesis; the use of carbonates as green nucleophilic reactants is an important issue in the context of a modern and sustainable chemical industry. Moreover, in the aim of developing a process which might adhere the principles of Green Chemistry, we avoided the use of solvents, and used heterogeneous basic catalysts. We carried out the reaction by using various molar ratios between phenol and ethylene carbonate, at temperatures ranging between 180 and 240°C, with a Na-mordenite catalyst. Under specific conditions, it was possible to obtain total phenol conversion with >99% yield to phenoxyethanol in few hours reaction time, using a moderate excess of ethylene carbonate. Similar results, but with longer reaction times, were obtained using a stoichiometric feed ratio of reactants. One important issue of the research was finding conditions under which the leaching of Na was avoided, and the catalyst could be separated and reused for several reaction batches.

La palmera datilera y la palmera canaria en la medicina tradicional de España

En la actualidad son muy pocos los usos vigentes. Aunque los dátiles son la materia utilizada con mayor frecuencia, también se han empleado la savia, el polen y el cogollo tierno o palmito. Los dátiles de Phoenix dactylifera se utilizaron como analgésico y para tratar la anemia y trastornos digestivos, o para fortalecer las encías, en el tratamiento de la disfunción eréctil y como afrodisiacos, para facilitar el parto y calmar los dolores postparto, y tratar el prolapso de la matriz o para el exceso de flujo menstrual. También se utilizaron como diuréticos, para la disuria y en trastornos de la vejiga. El uso que más claramente ha persistido es el tratamiento de diversos problemas respiratorios. En uso externo se utilizaron para tratar problemas de la piel, heridas, hemorragias y hemorroides. De la palmera de Canarias (Phoenix canariensis), especialmente en la isla de la Gomera, la savia cruda o guarapo, su concentrado o miel de palma y los resultantes de su fermentación (vino de palma) se consumen como alimento y también se utilizan como diurético, remedio de trastornos génitourinarios, digestivo, para infecciones de la cavidad bucal, expectorante, antitusígeno y para las irritaciones de garganta. En el Toledo de Al-Andalus las espatas de P. dactylifera se utilizaron, hace casi mil años, en el tratamiento de la debilidad, los dolores, nefritis, las enfermedades de la vejiga, trastornos hepáticos (también como preventivo), diarrea, trastornos digestivos, dolores en el abdomen y en el estómago, excesivo sangrado menstrual, úlceras en la piel y sarna, dolores articulares y trastornos cardiacos. La fitoterapia racional debería prestar atención a este recurso, considerar la evidencia científica disponible (farmacológica e incluso clínica) e incorporarlo a nuestro repertorio terapéutico.

Experimental studies on comparison of microwave curing and thermal curing of epoxy resins used for alternative mould materials

In this present work attempts have been made to study the glass transition temperature of alternative mould materials by using both microwave heating and conventional oven heating. In this present work three epoxy resins, namely R2512, R2515 and R2516, which are commonly used for making injection moulds have been used in combination with two hardeners H2403 and H2409. The magnetron microwave generator used in this research is operating at a frequency of 2.45 GHz with a hollow rectangular waveguide. In order to distinguish the effects between the microwave and conventional heating, a number of experiments were performed to test their mechanical properties such as tensile and flexural strengths. Additionally, differential scanning calorimeter technique was implemented to measure the glass transition temperature on both microwave and conventional heating. This study provided necessary evidences to establish that microwave heated mould materials resulted with higher glass transition temperature than the conventional heating. Finally, attempts were also made to study the microstructure of microwave-cured materials by using a scanning electron microscope in order to analyze the morphology of cured specimens.

‘Click’ functionalised polymer resins : a new approach to the synthesis of surface attached bipyridinium and naphthalene diimide [2]rotaxanes

Herein we describe the design and synthesis of a series of solid-tethered [2]rotaxanes utilising crown ether-naphthalene diimide or crown ether- bipyridinium host guest interactions. TentaGel polystyrene resins were initially modified in a two-stage procedure to azide functionalised beads before the target supramolecular architectures were attached using a copper catalysed “click” procedure. The final assembly was examined using IR spectroscopy and gel-phase 1H High Resolution Magic Angle Spinning (HR MAS) NMR spectroscopy. The HR MAS technique enabled a direct comparison between the solid-tethered architectures and the synthesis and characterisation of analogous solution-based [2]rotaxanes to be made.

Anti-staphylococcal activity of C-methyl flavanones from propolis of Australian stingless bees (Tetragonula carbonaria) and fruit resins of Corymbia torelliana (Myrtaceae)

Propolis of Australian stingless bees (Tetragonula carbonaria, Meliponini) originating from Corymbia torelliana (Myrtaceae) fruit resins was tested for its antimicrobial activities as well as its flavonoid contents. This study aimed at the isolation, structural elucidation and antibacterial testing of flavanones of C. torelliana fruit resins that are incorporated into stingless bee propolis. Flavanones of this study were elucidated by spectroscopic and spectrometric methods including UV, 1D and 2D NMR, EI-MS, ESI-MS and HR-MS. The results indicated known C-methylated flavanones namely, 1 (2S)-cryptostrobin, its regioisomer 2 (2S)- stroboponin, 3 (2S)- cryptostrobin 7-methyl ether, and 6 (2S)- desmethoxymatteucinol, and known flavanones 4 (2S)- pinostrobin and 5 (2S)- pinocembrin as markers for C. torelliana fruit resins and one propolis type. Ethanolic preparations of propolis were shown to be active against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and to a lesser extent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853). C. torelliana flavanones inhibited the growth of S. aureus therefore contributing to the antibacterial effects observed for Australian stingless bee propolis extracts.

Eriophyid mites on spotted gums: population and histological damage studies of an emerging pest

A suite of co-occurring eriophyid mite species are significant pests in subtropical Australia, causing severe discolouration, blistering, necrosis and leaf loss to one of the region's most important hardwood species, Corymbia citriodora subsp. variegata (F. Muell.) K. D. Hill & L. A. S. Johnson (Myrtaceae). In this study, we examined mite population dynamics and leaf damage over a 1-year period in a commercial plantation of C. citriodora subsp. variegata. Our aims were to link the incidence and severity of mite damage, and mite numbers, to leaf physical traits (moisture content and specific leaf weight (SLW)); to identify any seasonal changes in leaf surface occupancy (upper vs. lower lamina); and host tree canopy strata (upper, mid or lower canopy). We compared population trends with site rainfall, temperature and humidity. We also examined physical and anatomical changes in leaf tissue in response to mite infestation to characterize the plants' physiological reaction to feeding, and how this might affect photosynthesis. Our main findings included positive correlations with leaf moisture content and mite numbers and with mite numbers and damage severity. Wet and dry leaf mass and SLW were greater for damaged tissue than undamaged tissue. Mites were distributed equally throughout the canopy and on both leaf surfaces. No relationships with climatic factors were found. Damage symptoms occurred equally and were exactly mirrored on both leaf surfaces. Mite infestation increased the overall epidermal thickness and the number and size of epidermal cells and was also associated with a rapid loss of chloroplasts from mesophyll cells beneath damage sites. The integrity of the stomatal complex was severely compromised in damaged tissues. These histological changes suggest that damage by these mites will negatively impact the photosynthetic efficiency of susceptible plantation species.