A multi-agent system with a percolation approach to simulate the driving pattern of Plug-In ELectric Vehicles

A multi-agent system with a percolation approach to simulate the driving pattern of Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV), especially suited to simulate the PEVs behavior on any distribution systems, is presented. This tool intends to complement information about the driving patterns database on systems where that kind of information is not available. So, this paper aims to provide a framework that is able to work with any kind of technology and load generated of PEVs. The service zone is divided into several sub-zones, each subzone is considered as an independent agent identified with corresponding load level, and their relationships with the neighboring zones are represented as network probabilities. A percolation approach is used to characterize the autonomy of the battery of the PVEs to move through the city. The methodology is tested with data from a mid-size city real distribution system. The result shows the sub-area where the battery of PEVs will need to be recharge and gives the planners of distribution systems the necessary input for a medium to long term network planning in a smart grid environment. © 2012 IEEE.

Incorporation of dithiooxamide as a complexing agent into cellulose for the removal and pre-concentration of Cu(II) and Cd(II) ions from natural water samples

The present study describes the incorporation of a complexing agent, dithiooxamide, into microcrystalline cellulose for use in the pre-concentration of Cu(II) and Cd(II) ions from aqueous samples. The FTIR spectrum of the adsorbent exhibited an absorption band in the region of 800 cm-1, which confirmed the binding of the silylating agent to the matrix. Elemental analysis indicated the amount of 0.150 mmol g-1 of the complexing agent. The adsorption data were fit to the modified Langmuir equation, and the maximum amount of metal species extracted from the solution, Ns, was determined to be 0.058 and 0.072 mmol g-1 for Cu(II) and Cd(II), respectively. The covering fraction φ, which was 0.39 and 0.48 for Cu(II) and Cd(II), respectively, was used to estimate a 1:2 (metal:ligand) ratio in the formed complex, and a binding model was proposed based on this information. The adsorbent was applied in the pre-concentration of natural water samples and exhibited an enrichment factor of approximately 50-fold for the species studied, which enabled its use in the analysis of trace metals in aqueous samples. The system was validated by the analysis of certified standard (1643e), and the adsorbent was stable for more than 20 cycles, thus enabling its safe reutilization. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Characterization of flavonoids and naphthopyranones in methanol extracts of Paepalanthus chiquitensis herzog by HPLC-ESI-IT-MSn and their mutagenic activity

A HPLC-ESI-IT-MSn method, based on high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray negative ionization multistage ion trap mass spectrometry, was developed for rapid identification of 24 flavonoid and naphthopyranone compounds. The methanol extracts of the capitulae and scapes of P. chiquitensis exhibited mutagenic activity in the Salmonella/microsome assay, against strain TA97a. © 2013 by the authors.

Effect of low-level laser therapy on odontoblast-like cells exposed to bleaching agent

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on odontoblast-like MDPC-23 cells exposed to carbamide peroxide (CP 0.01 %-2.21 μg/mL of H2O2). The cells were seeded in sterile 24-well plates for 72 h. Eight groups were established according to the exposure or not to the bleaching agents and the laser energy doses tested (0, 4, 10, and 15 J/cm2). After exposing the cells to 0.01 % CP for 1 h, this bleaching solution was replaced by fresh culture medium. The cells were then irradiated (three sections) with a near-infrared diode laser (InGaAsP-780 ± 3 nm, 40 mW), with intervals of 24 h. The 0.01 % CP solution caused statistically significant reductions in cell metabolism and alkaline phosphate (ALP) activity when compared with those of the groups not exposed to the bleaching agent. The LLLT did not modulate cell metabolism; however, the dose of 4 J/cm2 increased the ALP activity. It was concluded that 0.01 % CP reduces the MDPC-23 cell metabolism and ALP activity. The LLLT in the parameters tested did not influence the cell metabolism of the cultured cells; nevertheless, the laser dose of 4 J/cm2 increases the ALP activity in groups both with and without exposure to the bleaching agent. © 2013 Springer-Verlag London.

Glass foam of macroporosity using glass waste and sodium hydroxide as the foaming agent

Glass foams using float glass waste and sodium hydroxide were produced. The influence of the sodium hydroxide amount in the foam formulation was studied. Titanium dioxide was used as a strengthening agent. The variations of temperature, heating rate and sintering time were investigated during the synthesis process. Open porosity was estimated using mercury porosimetry. The morphology of the glass foams was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, phase formation was studied using X-ray diffraction, and chemical composition was estimated using X-ray fluorescence. As a result, glass foams with macroporosity were obtained. Since the glass foams used glass waste as reactant, the results suggest the development of an alternative route for glass recycling. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l.

Estrogenic and chemopreventive activities of xanthones and flavones of Syngonanthus (Eriocaulaceae)

The possible benefits of some bioactive flavones and xanthones present in plants of the genus Syngonanthus prompted us to screen them for estrogenic activity. However, scientific research has shown that such substances may have undesirable properties, such as mutagenicity, carcinogenicity and toxicity, which restrict their use as therapeutic agents. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the estrogenicity and mutagenic and antimutagenic properties. We used recombinant yeast assay (RYA), with the strain BY4741 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Ames test, with strains TA100, TA98, TA97a and TA102 of Salmonella typhimirium, to evaluate estrogenicity, mutagenicity and antimutagenicity of methanolic extracts of Syngonanthus dealbatus (S.d.), Syngonanthus macrolepsis (S.m.), Syngonanthus nitens (S.n.) and Syngonanthus suberosus (S.s.), and of 9 compounds isolated from them (1 = luteolin, 2 = mix of A-1,3,6-trihydroxy-2-methoxyxanthone and B-1,3,6-trihydroxy-2,5- dimethoxyxanthone, 3 = 1,5,7-trihydroxy-3,6-dimethoxyxanthone, 4 = 1,3,6,8-tetrahydroxy-2,5-dimethoxyxanthone, 5 = 1,3,6,8-tetrahydroxy-5- methoxyxanthone, 6 = 7-methoxyluteolin-8-C-β-glucopyranoside, 7 = 7-methoxyluteolin-6-C-β-glucopyranoside, 8 = 7,3′-dimethoxyluteolin- 6-C-β-glucopyranoside and 9 = 6-hydroxyluteolin). The results indicated the estrogenic potential of the S. nitens methanol extract and four of its isolated xanthones, which exhibited, respectively, 14.74 ± 1.63 nM; 19.54 ± 6.61; 7.20 ± 0.37; 6.71 ± 1.02 e 10.01 ± 4.26 nM of estradiol-equivalents (EEQ). None of the extracts or isolated compounds showed mutagenicity in any of the test strains and all of them showed antimutagenic potential, in particular preventing mutations caused by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). The results show that the xanthones, only isolated from the methanol extract of S. nitens capitula, probably were the responsible for its estrogenic activity and could be useful as phytoestrogens, providing a new opportunity to develop hormonal agents. In addition, flavones and xanthones could also be used as a new antimutagenic agent. Since, the mutagens are involved in the initiation and promotion of several human diseases, including cancer, the significance of novel bioactive phytocompounds in counteracting these pro-mutagenic and carcinogenic effects is now gaining credence. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new aryl thiosemicarbazone as antichagasic candidates

The present work reports on the synthesis, biological assaying and docking studies of a series of 12 aryl thiosemicarbazones, which were planned to act over two main enzymes, cruzain and trypanothione reductase. These enzymes are used as targets of trypanocidal activity in Chagas disease control with a minimal mutagenic profile. Three p-nitroaromatic thiosemicarbazones showed high activity against Trypanosoma cruzi in in vitro assays (IC50 < 57 μM), and no mutagenic profile was observed in micronucleous tests. Although the in vitro inhibition test showed that 10-μM doses of eight compounds inhibited cruzain activity, no correlation was found between cruzain inhibition and trypanocidal activity. © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Estrogenic and mutagenic activities of crotalaria pallida measured by recombinant yeast assay and ames test

Background: Crotalaria pallida Ailton is a plant belonging to the Fabaceae family, popularly known as rattle or rattlesnake and used in traditional medicine to treat swelling of the joints and as a vermifuge. Previous pharmacological studies have also reported anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antifungal activities. Nevertheless, scientific information regarding this species is scarce, and there are no reports related to its possible estrogenic and mutagenic effects. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the estrogenic potential of C. pallida leaves by means of the Recombinant Yeast Assay (RYA), seeking an alternative for estrogen replacement therapy during menopause; and to reflect on the safe use of natural products to assess the mutagenic activity of the crude extract from C. pallida leaves, the dichloromethane fraction and stigmasterol by means of the Ames test.Methods: The recombinant yeast assay with the strain BY4741 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was performed with the ethanolic extract, dichloromethane fraction and stigmasterol isolated from the leaves of C. pallida. Mutagenic activity was evaluated by the Salmonella/microsome assay (Ames test), using the Salmonella typhimurium tester strains TA100, TA98, TA97 and TA102, with (+S9) and without (-S9) metabolization, by the preincubation method.Results: All samples showed estrogenic activity, mainly stigmasterol. The ethanolic extract from C. pallida leaves showed mutagenic activity in the TA98 strain (-S9), whereas dichloromethane fraction and stigmasterol were found devoid of activity.Conclusion: Considering the excellent estrogenic activity performed by stigmasterol in the RYA associated with the absence of mutagenic activity when evaluated by the Ames test, stigmasterol becomes a strong candidate to be used in hormone replacement therapy during menopause. © 2013 Boldrin et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Cytotoxic, genotoxic/antigenotoxic and mutagenic/antimutagenic effects of the venom of the wasp Polybia paulista

Hymenoptera venoms are constituted by a complex mixture of chemically or pharmacologically bioactive agents, such as phospholipases, hyaluronidases and mastoparans. Venoms can also contain substances that are able to inhibit and/or diminish the genotoxic or mutagenic action of other compounds that are capable of promoting damages in the genetic material. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the effect of the venom of Polybia paulista, a neotropical wasp, by assays with HepG2 cells maintained in culture. The cytotoxic potential of the wasp venom, assessed by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay (MTT assay), was tested for the concentrations of 10μg/mL, 5μg/mL and 1μg/mL. As these concentrations were not cytotoxic, they were used to evaluate the genotoxic (comet assay) and mutagenic potential (micronucleus test) of the venom. In this study, it was verified that these concentrations induced damages in the DNA of the exposed cells, and it was necessary to test lower concentrations until it was found those that were not considered genotoxic and mutagenic. The concentrations of 1ng/mL, 100pg/mL and 10pg/mL, which did not induce genotoxicity and mutagenicity, were used in four different treatments (post-treatment, pre-treatment, simultaneous treatment with and without incubation), in order to evaluate if these concentrations were able to inhibit or decrease the genotoxic and mutagenic action of methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). None of the concentrations was able to inhibit and/or decrease the MMS activity. The genotoxic and mutagenic activity of the venom of P. paulista could be caused by the action of phospholipase, mastoparan and hyaluronidase, which are able to disrupt the cell membrane and thereby interact with the genetic material of the cells or even facilitate the entrance of other compounds of the venom that can act on the DNA. Another possible explanation for the genotoxicity and mutagenicity of the venom can be the presence of substances able to trigger inflammatory process and, consequently, generate oxygen reactive species that can interact with the DNA of the exposed cells. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Efeito da polpa de maracujá amarelo (Passiflora. edulis f. flavicarpa Deg) sobre os danos genotóxicos e nefrotóxicos imediatos induzidos pela cisplatina em ratos espontaneamente hipertensos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Estudo da degradação do corante azo disperso azul 291 por cloração química e fotoeletroquímica

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Uso sustentável da biodiversidade brasileira: prospecção químico-farmacológica em plantas superiores - Neea theifera Oersted (Nyctaginaceae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Análise da mutagenecidade urinária e susceptibilidade genética no monitoramento de indivíduos expostos a solventes orgânicos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Investigação dos efeitos tóxicos do biossurfactante ramnolipídio e suas implicações quando usado na biorremediação de águas contaminadas por petróleo

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Celular e Molecular) - IBRC