Characterization of the Interactions between Endocrine Disruptors and Aquatic Humic Substances from Tropical Rivers

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

Electrochemical characterization of the paste carbon modified electrode with KSr2Ni0.75Nb4.25O15-delta solid in catalytic oxidation of the dipyrone

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

Qualitative and quantitative characterization of aluminium alloys after corrosion testing

The 2024 and 7050 aluminium alloys used as aircraft components were subjected to laboratory corrosion tests in sodium chloride solution, Light-microscope examinations make it possible to characterise morphological aspects of the localised corrosion. Image analysis was used to determine both depth and width of pits over corroded surfaces. It has been concluded that the annealing could reduce the pit growth in both alloys, by means of grains recrystallization or recovery. The 2024 alloy also tends to present an exfoliation mechanism, mainly throughout non-recrystallized and recrystallized grain boundaries, increasing the width and sustaining the depth of pit cavities during exposition to saline atmosphere. SEM and EDS analysis reveal the morphology and elemental distribution of the corrosion products formed after immersion corrosion test. Some of these products were identified by X-ray diffraction analysis. For 2024, Al(OH)(3), MS(OH)(2) and Cu2O were found. AI(OH)(3) and Cu2O were also found in 7050 samples.

Karyotype characterization of Mugil incilis Hancock, 1830 (Mugiliformes: Mugilidae), including a description of an unusual co-localization of major and minor ribosomal genes in the family

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

Mass spectrometric characterization of two novel inflammatory peptides from the venom of the social wasp Polybia paulista

The social wasp P. paulista is relatively common in southeast Brazil causing many medically important stinging incidents. The seriousness of these incidents is dependent on the amount of venom inoculated by the wasps into the victims, and the characteristic envenomation symptoms are strongly dependent on the types of peptides present in the venom. In order to identify some of these naturally occurring peptides available in very low amounts, an analytical protocol was developed that uses a combination of reversed-phase and normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of wasp venom for peptide purification, with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight post-source decay mass spectrometry (MALDI-Tof-PSD-MS) and low-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) in a quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (QTof-MS/MS) instrument for peptide sequencing at the sub-picomole level. The distinction between Leu and Ile was achieved both by observing d-type fragment ions obtained under CID conditions and by comparison of retention times of the natural peptides and their synthetic counterparts (with different combinations of I and/or L at N- and C-terminal positions). To distinguish the isobaric residues K and Q, acetylation of peptides was followed by Q-Tof-MS analysis. The primary sequences obtained were INWLKLGKMVIDAL-NH2 (MW 1611.98Da) and IDWLKLGKMVMDVL-NH2 (MW 1658.98Da). Micro-scale bioassay protocols characterized both peptides as presenting potent hemolytic action, mast cell degranulation, and chemotaxis of poly-morphonucleated leukocyte (PMNL) cells. The primary sequences and the bioassay results suggest that these toxins constitute members of a new sub-class of mastoparan toxins, directly involved in the occurrence of inflammatory processes after wasp stinging. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.

Proteomic characterization of the multiple forms of the PLAs from the venom of the social wasp Polybia paulista

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

Purification and characterization of a new alkaline serine protease from the thermophilic fungus Myceliophthora sp.

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

Synthesis, characterization and photophysical properties of Eu3+ doped in BaMoO4

In this work Ba0.99Eu0.01MoO4 (BEMO) powders were prepared by the first time by the Complex Polymerization Method. The structural and optical properties of the BEMO powders were characterized by Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Raman Spectra, High-Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy (HR-SEM) and Photoluminescent Measurements. XRD show a crystalline scheelite-type phase after the heat treatment at temperatures greater than 400 degrees C. The ionic radius of Eu3+ (0.109 nm) is lower than the Ba2+ (0.149 nm) one. This difference is responsible for the decrease in the lattice parameters of the BEMO compared to the pure BaMoO4 matrix. This little difference in the lattice parameters show that Eu3+ is expected to occupy the Ba2+ site at different temperatures, stayed the tetragonal (S-4) symmetry characteristic of scheelite-type crystalline structures of BaMoO4. The emission spectra of the samples, when excited at 394 nm, presented the D-5(1)-> F-7(0, 1 and 2) and D-5(0)-> F-7(0, 1, 2, 3 and 4) Eu3+ transitions at 523, 533, 554, 578, 589, 614, 652 and 699 nm, respectively. The emission spectra of the powders heat-treated at 800 and 900 degrees C showed a marked increase in its intensities compared to the materials heat-treated from 400 to 700 C. The decay times for the sample were evaluated and all of them presented the average value of 0.61 ms. Eu3+ luminescence decay time follows one exponential curve indicating the presence of only one type of Eu3+ symmetry site.

Synthesis and characterization of a novel series of meso (nitrophenyl) and meso (carboxyphenyl) substituted porphyrins

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

A Simple and Fast Method for the Production and Characterization of Methylic and Ethylic Biodiesels from Tucum Oil via an Alkaline Route

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Caracterização e classificação de solos em uma topossequência sobre calcário na serra da Bodoquena, MS

A serra da Bodoquena, localizada no Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul, apresenta particularidades nos seus solos, que diferem de outras regiões do bioma cerrado-pantanal. Este trabalho teve como objetivo ampliar o conhecimento dos solos formados sobre calcário, por meio da caracterização dos seus atributos físicos, químicos, mineralógicos e da matéria orgânica. Foi selecionada uma topossequência sobre calcário, onde foram abertas trincheiras no topo (P1), terço inferior (P2), sopé (P3) e baixada (P4 e P5). Os perfis foram descritos morfologicamente e analisados os atributos físicos, químicos e mineralógicos dos horizontes. de acordo com o Sistema Brasileiro de Classificação de Solos, os solos estudados foram classificados como: (P1) Organossolo Fólico Sáprico lítico - OOs; (P2) Chernossolo Háplico Órtico típico - MXo; (P3) Chernossolo Argilúvico Órtico típico - MTo; (P4) Gleissolo Melânico Carbonático chernossólico - GMk1; e (P5) Gleissolo Melânico Carbonático organossólico - GMk2. Todos os perfis estudados apresentaram cores escuras nos horizontes superficiais e mais avermelhadas ou acinzentadas em profundidade, em razão da drenagem, sempre associados com elevados valores de saturação por bases e tendo o cálcio como cátion predominante no complexo sortivo. Das frações húmicas, a humina representou a maior fração do carbono orgânico em todos os solos. A análise mineralógica constatou a presença de calcita na fração areia nos perfis GMk1 e GMk2 e caulinita, illita e montmorilonita, na fração argila de todos os solos. A ocorrência do Organossolo Fólico em ambiente não altimontano, diferente do relatado pelo Sistema Brasileiro de Classificação de Solos, sugere maior amplitude das condições ambientais para a ocorrência dessa subordem.

Synthesis and characterization of solid 2-methoxycinnamylidenepyruvic acid

O ácido 2-metoxicinamalpirúvico (2-MeO-HCP) foi sintetizado e caracterizado por ressonância magnética nuclear (¹H and 13C NMR), espectrometria de massas (MS), espectroscopia na região do infravermelho (FTIR) e calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC). A técnica DSC foi usada para determinação da pureza do composto e as principais bandas de absorção na região do infravermelho foram atribuídas utilizando-se o programa GaussView 3.0.

Bases epidemiológicas para análise das más oclusões morfológicas como fatores de risco no desenvolvimento das desordens temporomandibulares de origem articular

Dentre as pesquisas empreendidas no campo da epidemiologia, um grupo específico aborda patologias de etiologia desconhecida ou não totalmente compreendidas. É dentro deste grupo que estão situadas as desordens temporomandibulares (DTM). Três estratégias observacionais básicas têm sido utilizadas para abordar o papel etiológico da má oclusão no desenvolvimento das DTM, dentro do repertório epidemiológico. São elas: estudos do tipo transversal, estudos de caso controle e estudos de coorte. Alguns experimentos clínicos são realizados com base na remoção do fator etiológico suspeito. Com base em uma revisão estruturada da literatura, a partir da metodologia empregada nos estudos selecionados, podemos concluir que a definição dos possíveis fatores etiológicos relacionados a subgrupos específicos de DTM é fundamental para que o papel das más oclusões no desenvolvimento destas desordens, embora pareça pequeno quando baseado nas evidências disponíveis, não seja subestimado. Pode ser útil a caracterização de uma oclusão normal como aquela associada como o menor risco para o desenvolvimento de problemas de DTM, mas é provavelmente inapropriada a aplicação destes parâmetros para reverter um problema intra-capsular já estabelecido. O conceito de uma oclusão de baixo fator de risco implicaria em um pequeno desvio entre RC e MIH, pequeno transpasse horizontal, transpasse vertical positivo e ausência de mordida cruzada posterior. Este conceito é compatível com o conceito de oclusão normal defendido por décadas, embora uma variação do normal ao invés de um critério absoluto deva ser permitida. Embora provavelmente seja prudente estabelecer metas morfológicas terapêuticas que busquem o que é observado em oclusões não tratadas julgadas normais ou ideais, o estabelecimento de uma oclusão que alcance todos os critérios gnatológicos, por meio de tratamento ortodôntico, talvez seja impossível e provavelmente desnecessário.

Gas chromatographic-olfactometric characterization of aroma compounds in two types of cashew apple nectar

Cashew apple nectar is a secondary product from the production of cashew nuts and possesses an exotic tropical aroma. Aroma volatiles in pasteurized and reconstituted (from concentrate) Brazilian cashew apple nectars were determined using GC-MS and split, time-intensity GC-olfactometry (GC-O/GC-FID. Methional, (2)-1,5-octadien-3-one, (2)-2-nonenal, (E,Z)-2,4-decadienal, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, beta-damascenone, and delta-decalactone were identified for the first time in cashew apple products. These compounds plus butyric acid, ethyl 3-methylbutyrate, 2-methylbutyric acid, acetic acid, benzaldehyde, homofuraneol, (E)-2-nonenal, gamma-dodecalactone, and an unknown were the most intense aroma volatiles. Thirty-six aroma volatiles were detected in the reconstituted sample and 41 in the pasteurized sample. Thirty-four aroma active components were common to both samples. Ethyl 3-methylbutyrate and 2-methylbutyric acid were character impact compounds of cashew apple (warm, fruity, tropical, sweaty). Using GC-pFPD, 2-methyl-3-furanthiol and bis(2-methyl-3-furyl) disulfide were identified for the first time in cashew apple. Both were aroma active (meaty).

Structural characterization of the cell wall D-glucans isolated from the mycelium of Botryosphaeria rhodina MAMB-05

Three D-glucans were isolated from the mycelium of the fungus Botryosphaeria rhodina MAMB-05 by sequential extraction with hot-water and hot aqueous KOH (2% w/v) followed by ethanol precipitation. Following their purification by gel permeation chrornatography on Sepharose CL-4B, the structural characteristics of the D-glucans were determined by FT-IR and C-13 NMR spectroscopy and, after methylation, by GC-MS. The hot-water extract produced a fraction designated Q(1A) that was a beta-(1 -> 6)-D-glucan with the following structure:[GRAPHICS]The alkaline extract, when subjected to repeated freeze-thawing, yielded two fractions: KIP (insoluble) that comprised a beta-(1 -> 3)-D-glucan with beta-D-glucose branches at C-6 with the structure:[GRAPHICS]and K1SA (soluble) consisting of a backbone chain of alpha-(1 -> 4)-linked D-glucopyranosyl residues substituted at O-6 with alpha-D-glucopyranosyl residues:[GRAPHICS](c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.