Headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with mass spectrometry as a powerful analytical tool for pro���ling the terpenoid metabolomic pattern of hop-essential oil derived from Saaz variety

Hop(HumuluslupulusL.,Cannabaceaefamily)isprizedforitsessentialoilcontents,usedin beer production and, more recently, in biological and pharmacological applications. In this work,a methodinvolvingheadspace solid-phase microextractionand gas chromatography��� mass spectrometry was developed and optimized to establish the terpenoid (monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes) metabolomic pattern of hop-essential oil derived from Saaz variety as a mean to explore this matrix as a powerful biological source for newer, more selective, biodegradable and naturally produced antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds. Different parameters affecting terpenoid metabolites extraction by headspace solid-phase microextraction were considered and optimized: type of ���ber coatings, extraction temperature, extraction time, ionic strength, and sample agitation. In the optimized method, analytes were extracted for 30 min at 40 C in the sample headspace with a 50/30 m divinylbenzene/carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane coating ���ber. The methodology allowed the identi���cation of a total of 27 terpenoid metabolites, representing 92.5% of the total Saaz hop-essential oil volatile terpenoid composition. The headspace composition was dominated by monoterpenes (56.1%, 13 compounds), sesquiterpenes (34.9%, 10), oxygenated monoterpenes (1.41%, 3), and hemiterpenes (0.04%, 1) some of which can probably contribute to the hop of Saaz variety aroma. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the main metabolites are the monoterpene -myrcene (53.0��1.1% of the total volatile fraction), and the cyclic sesquiterpenes, -humulene (16.6 �� 0.8%), and -caryophyllene (14.7 �� 0.4%), which together represent about 80% of the total volatile fraction from the hop-essential oil. These���ndingssuggestthatthismatrixcanbeexploredasapowerfulbiosourceofterpenoid metabolites.

Infec����o hospitalar em pacientes cir��rgicos de hospital universit��rio

Analisar fatores intercorrentes e a incid��ncia da infec����o em pacientes operados no Hospital Universit��rio da UFRN. M��todos: Foram estudados, atrav��s de protocolo previamente estabelecido, 3.120 pacientes internados que se submeteram a procedimentos cir��rgicos no per��odo de janeiro de 1999 a outubro de 2002. Resultados: O ��ndice de infec����o hospitalar foi de 5,9%, e a topografia de maior incid��ncia foi a ferida operat��ria (3,7%). Infec����o respirat��ria ocorreu em 1,2%, urin��ria em 0,6% e bacteremia em 0,1%. O ��ndice de infec����o comunit��ria foi de 9,2%, predominando infec����o urin��ria (5%) e respirat��ria (2,1%). Quanto ao grau de contamina����o das feridas operat��rias, as feridas limpas (1479) apresentaram infec����o em 2,9%, as feridas limpascontaminadas (1277) em 6,0% dos casos, as feridas contaminadas (270) em 15,1%, e as ferida infectadas (94) resultaram em infec����o em 30,75% dos casos. Conclus��o: Concluiu-se que a incid��ncia de infec����o cir��rgica foi compat��vel com os ��ndices na literatura mundial. A partir desses dados, ratifica-se a import��ncia de medidas de controle de infec����o hospitalar de forma sistem��tica, como vem sendo realizado no hospital onde o estudo foi realizado

Avalia����o do extrato do fungo caripia montagnei e de agonistas de PPAR - α no processo inflamat��rio

The mushrooms have been object of intense research in view of its potential raising of application in different sectors of the pharmacology and alimentary industry. Among diverse bioactive composites of polyssacharides nature that exist in the fungus the glucans are much searched. These are polymers of glucose and classified as the type of glicosidic linking [&#945;, &#946;]. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), ranscription factors belonging to the family of nuclear receptors that bind themselves o specific agonists, have shown their importance in controlling the inflammatory process. The aim of this study was to perform a chemical characterization of extract rom the mushroom Caripia montagnei, assess its antiinflammatory and antibacterial effect and determine if this effect occurs via PPAR. This mushroom is composed of carbohydrates (63.3��4.1%), lipids (21.4l��0.9%) and proteins (2.2�� 0.3%). The aqueous solution resulting from the fractionation contained carbohydrates (98.7��3.3%) and protein (1.3��0.25%). Analyses of infrared spectrophotometry and of nuclear magnetic esonance demonstrated that the extract of mushroom C. montagnei is rich in &#946;-glucans. In hioglycolate-induced peritonitis, the C. montagnei glucans (50 mg/kg) educed the inflammatory process in 65.5��5.2% and agonists, pharmacological igands, for PPAR: Wy-14643 (49.3��6.1%), PFOA (48.9��3.8%) and clofibrate in 45.2��3.2%. Sodium diclofenac showed a reduction of 81.65��0.6%. In the plantar edema, the glucans from C. montagnei (50 mg/kg) and L-NAME reduced the edema to a similar degree 91.4��0.3% and 92.8��0,5 %, respectively. In all the groups tested, nitric oxide (NO), an inflammation mediator, showed a significant reduction in the nitrate/nitrite levels when compared to the positive control (P<0.001). The C. montagnei glucans did not show cytotoxicity in the concentrations tested (2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0 and 40.0 ��g/100 ��L). Antibacterial activity demonstrated that, unlike total extract, there was no inhibition of bacterial growth. The C. montagnei glucans show great potential for antiinflammatory applications. This effect suggests that it is mediated by PPAR activation and by COX and iNOS inhibition

Avalia����o de megadoses de retinol palmitato no p��s-parto imediato sobre o retinol do leite de pu��rperas atendidas no hospital jos�� pedro bezerra, Natal-RN

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a serious public health problem in developing countries, and as a therapeutic and prophylactic measure retinil palmitate is being supplemented. Nevertheless its efficacy has been questioned. The objective of the study was to evaluate the supplementation of two retinil palmitate megadosis on the serum retinol levels of post partum healthy mothers from Dr. Jos�� Pedro Bezerra (Hospital Santa Catarina) hospital, Natal - RN. The enrolled women (n=199) were randomly distributed into three studied groups and supplemented with retinil palmitate immediately after delivery with a single 200,000 IU dose (group S1), two 200,000 IU dose (group S2) with 24h difference between the doses, or no supplementation (group C). Among women selected, 143 remained until the end of the study. The influence of vitamin A dietary intake was evaluated during pregnancy and after 30 days of delivery. The average intake of the population was reasonable, but a high prevalence of inadequate intake was found. Retinol in colostrums and mature milk was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The retinol average in colostrums and mature milk in the supplemented and control groups were adequate according to the reference values. In colostrums, women from groups C, S1 and S2 presented retinol averages by milk volume of 94.8 �� 40.2 ��g/dL, 92.2 �� 50.0 ��g/dL and 91.8 �� 53.7 ��g/dL, respectively. No difference was found between these averages (p=0.965), this was also seen when the values where expressed as ��g/g of fat (p=0.905). After 30 days of delivery, retinol per milk volume differed between the control group (36.6 �� 17.5 ��g/dL) and groups supplemented with 200,000 IU (51.0 �� 28.8 ��g/dL) or 400,000 IU (55.2 �� 31.6 ��g/dL) of retinil palmitate (p<0,05). Nevertheless, when S1 and S2 groups where compared, no significant difference was found (p=0.97). Considering retinol/g of fat, the means were 12.7 �� 6.7 ��g/g, 15.6 �� 8.3 ��g/g and 17.2 �� 8.9 ��g/g for groups C, S1 and S2, respectively, with significant difference between groups S2 and C (p=0,01). Subclinical VAD prevalence showed a serious public health problem in the study population (32% in colostrums and 31.5% in mature milk). When analyzing the groups separately, the group which received two doses (200,000 IU + 200,000 IU) presented the lowest VAD prevalence (20.7%). Retinil palmitate supplementations of 200,000 IU and 400,000 IU (divided in two doses) in the immediate post partum showed no significant difference. Nevertheless, the 400,000 IU (divided in two doses) supplementation showed a reduction in VAD

Influ��ncia do lodo de ETE na massa para fabrica����o de cer��mica vermelha

The WTP produce many kinds of residue on your treatment stages, but the sludge is the more problematic from the final disposition point view. The actual rate of residue production deriving from technological evolution and the crescent population needs prevents the subtle equilibrium generation between consumption and recycling/reuse, creating problems of pollution resulting from inappropriate management of residues. Thus, is necessary achieve a new equilibrium between the grow from raw materials and energy and the residue generation. This equilibrium should be achieved by technical and economic feasibility of environmental supported models through recycling and reuse. The red ceramic industry stand out in residue absorption question as raw material due their clay mass heterogeneity, constituted by clay minerals and non-clay minerals with wide mineralogical variation, allowing residue inclusion which act like plastic or non-plastic materials, contributing to retain heavy metals contained in residues in the vitreous mass formed during the burning of the ceramic bodies. This work propose the study of the influence of incorporation of 25 wt.% sludge from wastewater treatment plant, according preliminary results, in the mass to produce ceramic bodies. The raw materials was characterized through chemical composition analyses by XRF, mineralogical analyses by XRD, thermal analyses by TG and DTA, Atterberg limits and thermodilatometry. Subsequently was composed the mass with 75 wt.% of clay and 25 wt.% of dried wastewater sludge from UFRN WWTP. Samples with 6,0 x 2,0 x 0,5 cm was produced with unidirectional compacting under pressure of 20MPa and burned in temperatures between 950 and 1,200��C. After fired, the ceramic bodies have been submitted to physical and mechanical analyses through the measure of firing shrinkage, water absorption, density, apparent porosity and flexural strength; crystallographic analyses through XRD and microstructure analyses by SEM. The technological properties obtained was satisfactory to production of roof tiles with 25 wt.% at 1,200 ��C, but the production of others products at lower temperatures was not feasible

Cadmium availability and accumulation by lettuce and rice

Among the toxic elements, Cd has received considerable attention in view of its association with a number of human health problems. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the Cd availability and accumulation in soil, transfer rate and toxicity in lettuce and rice plants grown in a Cd-contaminated Typic Hapludox. Two simultaneous greenhouse experiments with lettuce and rice test plants were conducted in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The treatments consisted of four Cd rates (CdCl2), 0.0; 1.3; 3.0 and 6.0 mg kg(-1), based on the guidelines recommended by the Environmental Agency of the State of S��o Paulo, Brazil (Cetesb). Higher Cd rates increased extractable Cd (using Mehlich-3, Mehlich-1 and DTPA chemical extractants) and decreased lettuce and rice dry matter yields. However, no visual toxicity symptoms were observed in plants. Mehlich-1, Mehlich-3 and DTPA extractants were effective in predicting soil Cd availability as well as the Cd concentration and accumulation in plant parts. Cadmium concentration in rice remained below the threshold for human consumption established by Brazilian legislation. on the other hand, lettuce Cd concentration in edible parts exceeded the acceptable limit.

On the temperature stability of extracellular hemoglobin of Glossoscolex paulistus, at different oxidation states: SAXS and DLS studies

Funda����o de Amparo �� Pesquisa do Estado de S��o Paulo (FAPESP)

Termoterapia de banana 'Prata-An��' no controle de podrid��es em p��s-colheita

O objetivo desse estudo foi determinar a toler��ncia de banana (Musa spp.) 'Prata-An��' (AAB) e do fungo Colletotrichum musae �� termoterapia no controle de podrid��es em p��s-colheita. Experimentos in vivo e in vitro foram instalados em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, seguindo um esquema fatorial 4x5 (temperatura x tempo). Os tratamentos consistiram na imers��o dos frutos (buqu��s) e do fungo (esporos e mic��lio) em ��gua aquecida a 47, 50, 53 e 56 ��C, durante 0, 3, 6, 9 e 12 min. A exposi����o dos frutos a 56 ��C durante 9 min causou escurecimento da casca nas extremidades dos frutos, por��m, as caracter��sticas f��sicas e qu��micas dos frutos n��o foram alteradas pelos tratamentos. Frutos inoculados e tratados a 56 ��C durante 6 min n��o apresentaram podrid��es nem escurecimento da casca, enquanto aqueles n��o tratados apresentaram 64% da ��rea lesionada / fruto. A partir das combina����es 53 ��C / 9 mi. e 56 ��C / 3 min a germina����o de esporos foi reduzida para 4% e 0%, respectivamente. A combina����o 56 ��C / 12 min reduziu, mas n��o paralisou o crescimento micelial. O tratamento 56 ��C / 6 min retardou mas n��o paralisou o crescimento micelial in vitro, por��m foi efetivo no controle completo das podrid��es in vivo. Esse tratamento evitou a manifesta����o de podrid��es no inverno (maio), mas n��o no ver��o (novembro), mostrando-se influenciado pelas condi����es clim��ticas pr��ximas �� colheita dos cachos. A termoterapia pode ser recomendada para controle de podrid��o em p��s-colheita de banana devendo ser ajustada para diferentes esta����es do ano.

Development of a new analytical approach based on cellulose membrane and chelator for differentiation of labile and inert metal species in aquatic systems

A new procedure was developed in this study, based on a system equipped with a cellulose membrane and a tetraethylenepentamine hexaacetate chelator (MD-TEPHA) for in situ characterization of the lability of metal species in aquatic systems. To this end, the DM-TEPHA system was prepared by adding TEPHA chelator to cellulose bags pre-purified with 1.0 mol L-1 of HCl and NaOH solutions. After the MD-TEPHA system was sealed, it was examined in the laboratory to evaluate the influence of complexation time (0-24 h), pH (3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0 and 7.0), metal ions (Cu, Cd, Fe, Mn and Ni) and concentration of organic matter (15, 30 and 60 mg L-1) on the relative lability of metal species by TEPHA chelator. The results showed that Fe and Cu metals were complexed more slowly by TEPHA chelator in the MD-TEPHA system than were Cd, Ni and Mn in all pH used. It was also found that the pH strongly influences the process of metal complexation by the MD-TEPHA system. At all the pH levels, Cd, Mn and Ni showed greater complexation with TEPHA chelator (recovery of about 95-75%) than did Cu and Fe metals. Time also affects the lability of metal species complexed by aquatic humic substances (AHS); while Cd, Ni and Mn showed a faster kinetics, reaching equilibrium after about 100 min, and Cu and Fe approached equilibrium after 400 min. Increasing the AHS concentration decreases the lability of metal species by shifting the equilibrium to AHS-metal complexes. Our results indicate that the system under study offers an interesting alternative that can be applied to in situ experiments for differentiation of labile and inert metal species in aquatic systems. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Voltammetric determination of isoprenaline in pharmaceutical preparations using a copper(II) hexacyanoferrate(III) modified carbon paste electrode

The electroanalytical determination of isoprenaline in pharmaceutical preparations of a homemade carbon paste electrode modified with copper(II) hexacyanoferrate(III) (CuHCF) was studied by cyclic voltammetry. Several parameters were studied for the optimization of the sensor such as electrode composition, electrolytic solution, pH effect, potential scan rate and interferences in potential. The optimum conditions were found in an electrode composition (in mass) of 15% CuHCF, 60% graphite and 25% mineral oil in 0.5 mol l(-1) acetate buffer solution at pH 6.0. The analytical curve for isoprenaline was linear in the concentration range from 1.96 x 10(-4) to 1.07 x 10(-3) mol l(-1) with a detection limit of 8.0 x 10(-5) mol l(-1). The relative standard deviation was 1.2% for 1.96 x 10(-4) mol l(-1) isoprenaline solution (n=5). The procedure was successfully applied to the determination of isoprenaline in pharmaceutical preparations; the CuHCF modified carbon paste electrode gave comparable results to those results obtained using a UV spectrophotometric method. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Growth, fat content and fatty acid profile of South American catfish, surubim (Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum) juveniles fed live, commercial and formulated diets

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient��fico e Tecnol��gico (CNPq)

Germina����o de sementes de mel��o-de-s��o-caetano sob varia����o de ��gua, luz e temperatura

The purpose of this study was to evaluate germination of Momordica charantia L. seeds under different conditions of: water availability (0.0, -0.2, -0.4, -0.6, -0.8 and -1.0 MPa), temperature (10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 degrees C) and quality of incident light (filter dark, red, green, yellow, red off, blue, orange and without filter). For each variable evaluated, experiments were carried out in a completely randomized design with four replicates kept under controlled conditions (germination chamber). There were higher percentages of germination under conditions of mild water restriction (-0.2 MPa) and temperatures around 25 degrees C, regardless of the quality of light. Temperatures below 20 degrees C and above 30 degrees C reduced germination, although lower temperatures had strongly effects on germination. Water availability lower than -0.2 MPa strongly reduced germination, which was inhibited in the treatments of -0.8 and 1.0 MPa.

Germina����o de sementes de guandu sob efeito da disponibilidade h��drica e de doses subletais de alum��nio

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a germina����o de sementes das cultivares de guandu, IAPAR 43-Arat�� e IAC Fava Larga, sob efeito da disponibilidade h��drica e de doses subletais de alum��nio. Os experimentos foram instalados na Faculdade de Ci��ncias Agr��rias e Veterin��rias-UNESP, em Jaboticabal (SP), no per��odo de mar��o a maio de 2002. As sementes foram colocadas em caixas de germina����o, previamente esterilizadas, revestidas com uma folha de papel germitest umedecido com diferentes concentra����es de PEG 6000 (0,0; -0,6; -0,9; -1,2 e -1,5 MPa) e de sulfato de alum��nio (0,0; 2,5; 5,0; 7,5; e 10,0 mmol.dm-3). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 2 x 5 x 5 (cultivares x disponibilidades h��dricas x alum��nio), com quatro repeti����es de 50 sementes. Para complementar a an��lise estat��stica foram realizadas an��lises multivariadas de agrupamento e componentes principais. O experimento foi desenvolvido em c��mara de germina����o, na temperatura de 25 ��C. A porcentagem de germina����o foi verificada no 4.�� e 10.�� dias ap��s a semeadura. No 10.�� dia, as pl��ntulas foram separadas em pl��mulas e ra��zes prim��rias, para determinar a massa seca. A disponibilidade h��drica foi limitante para a germina����o e o crescimento inicial. O efeito do alum��nio associado ao estresse h��drico foi evidenciado somente at�� -0,9 MPa. As concentra����es menos elevadas de alum��nio estimularam o desenvolvimento das pl��ntulas em condi����es de estresse h��drico at�� -0,6 MPa. Os efeitos simult��neos da disponibilidade h��drica e do alum��nio reduziram a germina����o de sementes da cv. IAC Fava Larga e o crescimento das ra��zes da cv. IAPAR 43-Arat��.

Desenvolvimento e composi����o mineral do pic��o-preto sob diferentes n��veis de pH

Visando estudar a toler��ncia do pic��o-preto (Bidens pilosa) a diferentes n��veis de pH do substrato, conduziu-se um ensaio em condi����es de c��mara de crescimento e utilizando-se a t��cnica de hidroponia, no qual tr��s pl��ntulas foram transplantadas para recipientes contendo solu����o nutritiva de Hoagland & Arnon, com pH ajustado para 3,5, 4,0, 5,0, 6,0, 7,0 e 8,0. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com tr��s repeti����es. Ao final do per��odo experimental, 42 dias ap��s o transplante, observou-se que as plantas que se desenvolveram nos pHs 3,5 e 8,0 apresentaram-se menores, com menor comprimento e volume do sistema radicular, menor n��mero de folhas vivas e, consequentemente, menor peso de mat��ria seca das folhas, caule e ra��zes. Os teores de N e S nas ra��zes diminuiram com o aumento do pH do substrato, enquanto os de Ca e Mg aumentaram e os de K e P diminuiram no pH 5,0 a 6,0. No caule, apenas o teor de Mg foi afetado pelo pH, mostrando resposta positiva. Na folha obteve-se os maiores teores de P, S, Ca e Mg quando a planta se desenvolveu em pH 6,0. N��o se constatou diferen��a significativa entre os efeitos dos pHs 5,0, 6,0 e 7,0 nos par��metros avaliados, sendo que foi no pH 6,0 que se estimou, atrav��s de an��lise de regress��o, melhor desenvolvimento do pic��o-preto. Concluiu-se que o pic��opreto apresenta melhor desenvolvimento em pHs pr��ximo ao neutro, com certa toler��ncia a pHs extremos (3,5 e 8,0).

Produtividade e qualidade dos frutos da laranjeira 'P��ra' clone IAC em 16 porta-enxertos na regi��o de Bebedouro-SP

Avaliou-se a influ��ncia de 16 porta-enxertos na produtividade, nas caracter��sticas f��sicas e qu��micas (s��lidos sol��veis totais-&deg;Brix; acidez; ratio; porcentagem de suco; ��ndice tecnol��gico e tamanho dos frutos) dos frutos da laranjeira 'P��ra' [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] e na incid��ncia e severidade da clorose variegada dos citros (CVC). O plantio do experimento foi realizado em julho de 1993, com espa��amento de 6,0 m entre linhas e 3,5 m entre plantas (476 plantas/ha). O experimento foi conduzido sem irriga����o. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, duas plantas por parcela, tr��s repeti����es e 16 tratamentos, constitu��dos pelas seguintes cultivares porta-enxertos: tangerineira 'Sun Chu Sha Kat' (Citrus reticulata Blanco), tangerineira 'Pectin��fera' (C. reticulata), 'Shekwasha' (C. depressa Hayata), tangerineira 'Pectin��fera/Shekwasha' (C. depressa Hayata), tangerineira 'Batangas' (C. reticulata), tangerineira 'Oneco' (C. reticulata), citrangor [citrange (Poncirus trifoliata Raf. x C. sinensis) x C. sinensis], citrandarin [C.sunki hort. Ex Tanaka) x Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. cv. English, tangerineira 'Sunki' (C. sunki), tangerineira 'Suen-Kat' (C. sunki), tangerineira 'Nasnaran' (C. amblycarpa Ochse), tangerineira 'Venezuela' (C. reticulata), tangerineira Heen Naran (C. lycopersicaeformis hort. ex Tan. ), limoeiro 'Cravo' (C. limonia Osbeck) x tangerineira 'Cle��patra' (C. reshni hort ex Tanaka), limoeiro 'Cravo' (C. limonia), tangerineira 'Cle��patra' (C. reshni). A intensidade da clorose variegada dos citros variou em fun����o dos porta-enxertos e n��o se relacionou com a produ����o de frutos at�� a quarta safra. Os porta-enxertos estudados, com exce����o da tangerineira Nasnaran, proporcionaram qualidade e produ����es iniciais de frutos similares aos do limoeiro 'Cravo'.