Salting Coefficients of Fluorobenzoic Acids

The Setschenow parameter and thermodynamic parameters of transfer of 2-, 3- and 4-fluorobenzoic acid from water to salt solution are reported. The data have been rationalized by considering the structure breaking effects of the ions of the salts, the localized hydrolysis model and the internal pressure theory.

Capillary flow behavior of worm-like micelles studied by small-angle X-ray scattering and small angle light scattering

A novel capillary flow device has been developed and applied to study the orientation of worm-like micelles, among other systems. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data from micelles formed by a Pluronic block copolymer in aqueous salt solution provides evidence for the formation of worm-like micelles, which align under flow. A transition from a rod-like form factor to a less persistent conformation is observed under flow. Flow alignment of worm-like micelles formed by the low molar mass amphiphile system cetyl pyridinium chloride+sodium salicylate is studied for comparative purposes. Here, inhomogenous flow at the micron scale is revealed by streaks in the small-angle light scattering pattern perpendicular to the flow direction. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Use of simulated intestinal fluids with Caco-2 cells and rat ileum

In most in vitro studies of oral drug permeability, little attempt is made to reproduce the gastrointestinal lumenal environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the compatibility of simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) solutions with Caco-2 cell monolayers and Ussing chamber-mounted rat ileum under standard permeability experiment protocols. In preliminary experiments, fasted-state simulated intestinal fluid (FaSSIF) and fed-state simulated intestinal fluid (FeSSIF) solutions based on the dissolution medium formulae of Dressman and co-workers (1998) were modified for compatibility with Caco-2 cells to produce FaS-SIF and FeSSIF "transport" solutions for use with in vitro permeability models. For Caco-2 cells exposed to FaSSIF and FESSIF transport solutions, the transepithelial electrical resistance was maintained for over 4 h and mannitol permeability was equivalent to that in control (Hank's Balanced Salt Solution-treated) cell layers. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that microvilli generally maintained a normal distribution, although some shortening of microvilli and occasional small areas of denudation were observed. For rat ileum in the Ussing chambers, the potential difference (PD) collapsed to zero over 120 min when exposed to the FaSSIF transport solution and an even faster collapse of the PD was observed when the FeSSIF transport solution was used. Electron micrographs revealed erosion of the villi tips and substantial denudation of the microvilli after exposure of ileal tissue to FaSSIF and FeSSIF solutions, and permeability to mannitol was increased by almost two-fold. This study indicated that FaSSIF and FeSSIF transport solutions can be used with Caco-2 monolayers to evaluate drug permeability, but rat ileum in Ussing chambers is adversely affected by these solutions. Metoprolol permeability in Caco-2 experiments was reduced by 33% using the FaSSIF and 75% using the FeSSIF compared to permeability measured using HBSS. This illustrates that using physiological solutions can influence permeability measurements.

Global Gene Expression Analysis during Germination in the Chytridiomycete Blastocladiella emersonii

Blastocladiella emersonii is an aquatic fungus of the Chytridiomycete class. During germination, the zoospore, a motile nongrowing cell, goes through a cascade of morphological changes that culminates with its differentiation into the germling cell, capable of coenocytic vegetative growth. Transcriptome analyses of B. emersonii cells were carried out during germination induced under various environmental conditions. Microarray data analyzing 3,563 distinct B. emersonii genes revealed that 26% of them are differentially expressed during germination in nutrient medium at at least one of the time points investigated. Over 500 genes are upregulated during the time course of germination under those conditions, most being related to cell growth, including genes involved in protein biosynthesis, DNA transcription, energetic metabolism, carbohydrate and oligopeptide transport, and cell cycle control. On the other hand, several transcripts stored in the zoospores are downregulated during germination in nutrient medium, such as genes involved in signal transduction, amino acid transport, and chromosome organization. In addition, germination induced in the presence of nutrients was compared with that triggered either by adenine or potassium ions in inorganic salt solution. Several genes involved in cell growth, induced during germination in nutrient medium, do not show increased expression when B. emersonii zoospores germinate in inorganic solution, suggesting that nutrients exert a positive effect on gene transcription. The transcriptome data also revealed that most genes involved in cell signaling show the same expression pattern irrespective of the initial germination stimulus.

A new and improved strategy combining a dispersive-solid phase extraction-based multiclass method with ultra high pressure liquid chromatography for analysis of low molecular weight polyphenols in vegetables

This paper reports on the development and optimization of a modified Quick, Easy, Cheap Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) based extraction technique coupled with a clean-up dispersive-solid phase extraction (dSPE) as a new, reliable and powerful strategy to enhance the extraction efficiency of free low molecular-weight polyphenols in selected species of dietary vegetables. The process involves two simple steps. First, the homogenized samples are extracted and partitioned using an organic solvent and salt solution. Then, the supernatant is further extracted and cleaned using a dSPE technique. Final clear extracts of vegetables were concentrated under vacuum to near dryness and taken up into initial mobile phase (0.1% formic acid and 20% methanol). The separation and quantification of free low molecular weight polyphenols from the vegetable extracts was achieved by ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) equipped with a phodiode array (PDA) detection system and a Trifunctional High Strength Silica capillary analytical column (HSS T3), specially designed for polar compounds. The performance of the method was assessed by studying the selectivity, linear dynamic range, the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ), precision, trueness, and matrix effects. The validation parameters of the method showed satisfactory figures of merit. Good linearity (View the MathML sourceRvalues2>0.954; (+)-catechin in carrot samples) was achieved at the studied concentration range. Reproducibility was better than 3%. Consistent recoveries of polyphenols ranging from 78.4 to 99.9% were observed when all target vegetable samples were spiked at two concentration levels, with relative standard deviations (RSDs, n = 5) lower than 2.9%. The LODs and the LOQs ranged from 0.005 μg mL−1 (trans-resveratrol, carrot) to 0.62 μg mL−1 (syringic acid, garlic) and from 0.016 μg mL−1 (trans-resveratrol, carrot) to 0.87 μg mL−1 ((+)-catechin, carrot) depending on the compound. The method was applied for studying the occurrence of free low molecular weight polyphenols in eight selected dietary vegetables (broccoli, tomato, carrot, garlic, onion, red pepper, green pepper and beetroot), providing a valuable and promising tool for food quality evaluation.

Teste de envelhecimento acelerado para avaliação do potencial fisiológico de sementes de grama-bermuda

A utilização de sementes para formação de gramados esportivos e ornamentais tem assumido grande importância no Brasil, principalmente pelo baixo custo em relação à formação por placas de tapetes naturais. As bermudas [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers] são as principais gramas utilizadas na formação de campos esportivos e, dentre os problemas enfrentados, destaca-se a dificuldade de estabelecimento adequado da cultura, fato que exige a utilização de sementes de alto potencial fisiológico, de modo a permitir rápida emergência e desenvolvimento das plantas. Assim, estudaram-se procedimentos para a condução do teste de envelhecimento acelerado para determinar o potencial fisiológico de sementes dessa espécie, incluindo a avaliação da eficiência do uso de solução saturada de NaCl como alternativa para a realização do teste. Para tanto, cinco lotes de sementes foram submetidos aos testes de germinação, emergência de plântulas e envelhecimento acelerado (períodos de 48, 72 e 96 h, a 41 e 45 ºC, com e sem o uso de solução saturada de NaCl). O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. O envelhecimento acelerado com o uso de solução saturada de NaCl, dentre os procedimentos estudados, é o método mais adequado para avaliação do potencial fisiológico de sementes de grama-bermuda, sendo que a combinação 45 ºC/48 h é eficiente para a classificação dos lotes em diferentes níveis de vigor.

Desgaste corrosivo-cavitativo-erosivo de um aço-carbono em meio aquoso com frações de sal (NaCl), CO2 e particulados sólidos (SiO2)

A batch of eighty-four coupons of low carbon steel were investigated at laboratory conditions under a corrosive, cavitative-corrosive (CO2) and corrosive-erosive (SiO2 + CO2) in an aqueous salt solution and two levels of temperature. The following measurements were made on Vickers (HV0,05, HV0,10, HV0,20) Microhardness tests at three levels of subsurface layer. A turbulent flow collided on the cylindrical sample, with and without mechanical stirring and gas bubbling, with and without fluid contamination by solid particles of SiO2, at two temperatures. Surface Roughness and Waviness, under two conditions "as received, after machining" and "after worn out", as well as gravimetric and electrochemical parameter were measured on the two opposite generatrices of each cylindrical sample, on the flow upstream (0°) and downstream (180°) by Profilometry, Mass Variation and Linear Polarization Resistance (LPR). The results of the Microhardness and Surface Texture of all coupons were subjected to statistical comparison, using the software Statgraphics® Centurion XVI, 95% statistical certainty, and significant differences were observed in some arrays of measurements. The corrosive wear rate measured by LPR and mass variation shown to be sensitive to the presence of bubbles and hydrodynamic fluctuations inside the cell, considering the temperature and contamination of corrosive fluid by solid particles. The main results of visual inspection relative to some topologies of the surface damages involving different mechanisms that were seen to give explanation for some fluctuations in wear rates of the steel experimentally investigated

Comparação entre métodos para a avaliação do vigor de lotes de sementes de couve-brócolos (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenk)

Os testes de vigor e o teste de germinação são componentes essenciais no controle de qualidade das empresas de produção de sementes. Com o objetivo de verificar a eficiência de diferentes testes de vigor e de variações de suas metodologias na avaliação da qualidade de sementes de couve-brócolos visando diferenciação de lotes e previsão de emergência em bandeja, cinco lotes de sementes do híbrido Flórida foram submetidos aos seguintes testes: germinação; primeira contagem de germinação; emissão de raiz primária (após 48, 56, 72, 80 e 96 h após a instalação do teste de germinação); emergência de plântulas em substrato; envelhecimento acelerado com água (1g de sementes mantidas a 41ºC por 48 e 72 h a 100%UR); envelhecimento acelerado com solução saturada de sal (mesmo procedimento do item anterior, porém usando solução de NaCl, 40% e 76%UR); condutividade elétrica (50 sementes em 25 mL de água destilada a 25ºC e leituras após 2, 4, 6, 8 e 24 h). Todos os testes apresentaram correlação significativa com a porcentagem de emergência de plântulas em substrato, a 1% de probabilidade. Os testes de envelhecimento acelerado com solução saturada de sal por 48 h e de condutividade elétrica após 8 e 24 h de embebição foram eficientes e tiveram resultados semelhantes aos da emergência em substrato. Os testes da primeira contagem de germinação, emissão da raiz primária após 56 h e envelhecimento acelerado com solução saturada de sal por 72 h, apresentaram-se mais eficientes que a emergência de plântulas em substrato na diferenciação do vigor dos lotes.

Subconjunctival Delivery of Antibiotics in a Controlled-Release System A Novel Anti-infective Prophylaxis Approach for Cataract Surgery

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

Adequação da metodologia do teste de envelhecimento acelerado em sementes de rúcula

The use of high vigor seed constitutes basic and fundamental. Given the increasing development os the seeds industry and the improvement of vigor tests used to differentiate subtle variations in the quality of seeds of vegetable crops, is needed. The objective was to study variations in conducting the accelerated aging test, to verify their sensitivity for identifying different vigor levels of arugula seed. Were used the cultivars Cultivada and Gigante, using five lots of seeds for each. The seeds were subjected to the determination of water content, germination, first germination, emergence of seedlings and variations in the accelerated aging test, without salt solution ( traditional procedure) and with salt solution in 48, 72 and 96 hours; at 38 degrees C, 41 degrees C and 45 degrees C. The accelerated aging test in traditional procedure is not efficient to evaluation the vigor of arugula seeds. The accelerated aging test with saline solution using the combination 41 degrees C for 72 hours, was sensitive to evaluated of the physiological potential of arugula seeds.

Efeito da solução de ácido acetilsalicílico e de ácido acético em fígado de coelhos

Objetivo: Analisar os efeitos das soluções de aspirina e de ácido acético, in vivo, em fígado de coelhos sadios, verificando o efeito histolítico e o resultado anatomo-patológico das lesões e eventuais alterações bioquímicas hepáticas. Métodos: Utilizou-se 80 coelhos, divididos em 2 protocolos experimentais (1 e 2), subdivididos em 5 grupos cada, sendo os mesmos submetidos a laparotomia mediana, com injeção de 0,4 ml da solução de aspirina (2,5 e 5,0%), de ácido acético (2,5 e 5,0%) e solução salina; o sacrifício ocorreu apos 24 horas (protocolo1) e 14 dias (protocolo 2); avaliou-se o peso, evolução clinica, dosagens bioquímicas, cavidade abdominal e torácica e microscopia do fígado. Resultados: Não foram observadas alterações na evolução clinica, peso e nas dosagens bioquímicas, apenas elevação da AST e ALT no grupo 24 horas(Protocolo 1). À macroscópica mostrou que nos animais tratados, em ambos os grupos, a presença de lesão hepática localizada na área infiltrada, correspondente a necrose (24 horas) e fibrose (14 dias). Conclusão: Ambas as soluções (aspirina e ácido acético) acarretaram destruição localizada do órgão substituída por fibrose apos 14 dias.

Efeito da utilização da somatotropina bovina recombinante (bST) sobre a produção de leite em búfalas

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o resultado da utilização da somatotropina bovina recombinante (bST) atuando na produção de leite em búfalas da raça Murrah. Empregaram-se 28 búfalas multíparas da raça Murrah, divididas em dois grupos homogêneos de 14 animais, recebendo os seguintes tratamentos: Grupo 1 ¾ Controle (solução salina) e Grupo 2 ¾ 500 mg de bST/cabeça a cada 14 dias, durante 7 meses. Búfalas tratadas com bST exibiram incrementos de 48,52%, 32,80% e 32,80% nas produções total de leite, corrigida, depois, para 4% de gordura e média diária, respectivamente. A somatotropina elevou a produção total de gordura sem alterar a porcentagem dela no leite. A administração de bST não afetou a porcentagem de proteína do leite todavia, a produção total de proteína foi aumentada. Quanto à duração da lactação, o tratamento com bST diferiu do controle, o que demonstra a maior persistência da lactação de búfalas tratadas com bST.

Caenorhabditis elegans as a model to screen plant extracts and compounds as natural anthelmintics for veterinary use

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Morfologia e cristalinidade de hidroxicarbonato de zinco obtido via precipitação homogênea: influência dos ânions cloreto e nitrato

The effects of chloride and nitrate anions and their respective concentrations, as well as urea presence, on solid phase morphologies were investigated. Zinc hydroxide carbonate was prepared by aging diluted zinc salt solution in presence of urea at 90ºC. Samples were identified by X-ray powder diffractograms showing the characteristic patterns of hydrozincite. The crystallinity was correlated with the concentrations of reagents. Spherulitic-type aggregates and single acicular particles were obtained from diluted chloride and nitrate solutions while porous aggregates of uniform size were formed from solutions with high chloride and urea concentrations.

Eletroacupuntura no reparo do tendão calcanear comum em coelhos após enxertia com peritônio bovino

Avaliou-se o efeito da eletroacupuntura (EA) sobre os aspectos macroscópicos e microscópicos em 36 coelhos que tiveram o tendão calcanear comum seccionado e que, após 30 dias, receberam enxerto de peritônio bovino conservado em solução saturada de sal. Após a cirurgia, os animais foram distribuídos em três grupos de igual número: os do grupo E10 foram estimulados pela EA do segundo ao 11º dia de pós-operatório, os do grupo E20 do 11º ao 31º dia de pós-operatório e os do grupo C não foram estimulados. Posteriormente, os animais foram redistribuídos em três subgrupos de igual número, os quais foram observados no pós-operatório por 11, 31 e 91 dias. Nos coelhos do E10 e E20, ocorreu diminuição de aderência da área enxertada aos tecidos circunvizinhos. Aos 31 dias de pós-operatório, observou-se nos do E10 tecido conjuntivo. Verificou-se intensa neovascularização no local enxertado em todos os animais que receberam estímulo pela EA. Nos coelhos do E10, aos 91 dias, verificou-se intensa quantidade de tecido conjuntivo, com fibras colágenas organizadas e paralelas ao eixo do tendão. O estímulo pela EA na fase precoce do pós-operatório estimulou a maturação cicatricial com mínima reação inflamatória.