Single-drop microextraction for the determination of manganese in seafood and water samples

We describe a method for single drop microextraction of manganese from fish, mollusk, and from natural waters using the reagent 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol as the complexing agent and chloroform as the fluid extractor. After extraction, the analyte was directly submitted to graphite furnace electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Once optimized, the method has a detection limit of 30 ng L^?1, a limit of quantification of 100 ng L^?1, and an enrichment factor of 16. Its accuracy was verified by applying the procedure to the following certified reference materials: apple leaves, spinach leaves, bovine liver, and mussel tissue. The procedure was also successfully applied to the determination of manganese in seafood and natural waters.

Low‐level Laser Therapy Ameliorates CCl4‐induced Liver Cirrhosis in Rats

This study investigated the effects of low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) in the liver function, structure and inflammation in a experimental model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)‐induced liver cirrhosis. Wistar rats were divided into Control, LLLT, CCl₄ and CCl₄+LLLT groups. CCl₄ groups received CCl₄ (0.4 g kg^?1; i.p.), three times a week, for 12 weeks. A 830 nm LLLT was performed with a continuous wave, 35 mW, 2.5 J cm^?2 per point, applied to four points of the liver (right and left upper and lower extremities, in the four lobes of the liver) for 2 weeks. Liver structure and inflammation (cirrhotic areas, collagen deposition, inflammation, density of Kupffer and hepatic stellate cells) and function (aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyltransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, total proteins and globulins) were evaluated. LLLT significantly reduced CCl₄‐increased aspartate aminotransferase (P < 0.001), alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.001), gamma‐glutamyl transferase (P < 0.001) and lactate dehydrogenase (P < 0.01) activity, as well as total proteins (P < 0.05) and globulins (P < 0.01). LLLT also reduced the number of cirrhotic areas, the collagen accumulation and the hepatic inflammatory infiltrate. Of note, LLLT reduced CCl₄‐increased number of Kupffer cells (P < 0.05) and hepatic stellate cells (P < 0.05). We conclude that LLLT presents beneficial effects on liver function and structure in an experimental model of CCl₄‐induced cirrhosis.     

Assessment of the physical–chemical properties of residues and emissions generated by biomass combustion under N2/O2 and CO2/O2 atmospheres in a Drop Tube Furnace (DTF)

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The present article investigates the effect of second-order slip, chemical reaction and Soret and Dufour effects on MHD convective flow of an Oldroyd-B...     

Seedling Development and Evaluation of Genetic Stability of Cryopreserved Dendrobium Hybrid Mature Seeds

Vitrification, a simple, fast, and recommended cryopreservation method for orchid germplasm conservation, was evaluated for Dendrobium hybrid “Dong Yai” mature seeds. The genetic stability of regenerated seedlings was also evaluated using flow cytometry. Mature seeds from this hybrid were submitted to plant vitrification solution (PVS2) for 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 h at 0 °C. Subsequently, they were plunged into liquid nitrogen (LN) at ?196 °C for 1 h and recovered in half-strength Murashige and Skoog culture medium (1/2 MS), and seed germination was evaluated after 30 days. Seeds directly submitted to LN did not germinate after cryopreservation. Seeds treated with PVS2 between 1 and 3 h presented the best germination (between 51 and 58 %), although longer exposure to PVS2 returned moderated germination (39 %). Germinated seeds were further subcultured in P-723 culture medium and developed whole seedlings in vitro after 180 days, with no abnormal characteristics, diseases, or nutritional deficiencies. Seedlings were successfully acclimatized under greenhouse conditions with over 80 % survival. Flow cytometry analysis revealed no chromosomal changes on vitrified seedlings, as well as seedlings germinated from the control treatment (direct exposure to LN). These findings indicate that vitrification is a feasible and safe germplasm cryopreservation method for commercial Dendrobium orchid hybrid conservation.     

Non-conventional oils for biodiesel production: a study of thermal and oxidative stability

Vegetable oils with variable proportions of oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids are more susceptible to oxidative processes. In this subject, this study evaluates the physical chemical properties and oxidative stability of non-conventional oils such as andiroba, babassu, sesame, oiticica, jatropha, and grape through accelerated oxidation techniques (pressurized differential scanning calorimetry, Rancimat and PetroOxy). It was verified that babassu and andiroba oil do not showed detectable induction period presenting high oxidative stability; moreover, it was observed that the enthalpic events occurred in 1.19, >10, 0.53, 0.49, 0.49, and 0.60 h for the andiroba oil, babassu oil, sesame seeds, jatropha, oiticica oils, and grapes, respectively, stimulating the conclusion of greater stability for the babassu oil.     

Linear low density polyethylene: Microstructure and sealing properties correlation

The microstructures of four commercial linear low density polyethylenes (LLDPE) were evaluated and correlated with their sealing properties. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Temperature Rising Elution Fractionation (TREF), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Crystallization Analysis Fractionation (CRYSTAF) experiments revealed that the comonomer distribution is one of the main factors that influence the sealing properties. The superior sealing performance showed by metallocene LLDPE samples in comparison to Ziegler-Natta LLDPE samples can be attributed to their well balanced chemical composition distribution.