Colour diversification in octocorals based on conjugated polyenes: A Raman spectroscopic view

Polyenic pigments in octocorals have been investigated by Raman spectroscopy using laser excitation at 532, 785 and 1064 nm. The spectral features suggest the structural nature of carotenoids from Phyllogorgia dilatata, Leptogorgia punicea, Muricea atlantica, Carijoa riisei and conjugated polyenals from L. punicea, L. setacea, Muricea flamma and Renilla muelleri. The observed vibrational bands at ca. 1540–1520 ν₁(C=C), 1159 ν₂(C–C) and 1005 cm⁻¹ ρ₃(C–CH₃) were assigned to carotenoids, whereas the identification of non‐methylated conjugated polyenals have been proposed due to two major Raman bands at ca. 1500 and 1120 cm^‐1, assigned to ν(C=C) and ν(C–C), respectively. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dysregulation of chemo-cytokine production in schizophrenic patients versus healthy controls

Background  

The exact cause of schizophrenia is not known, although several aetiological theories have been proposed for the disease, including developmental or neurodegenerative processes, neurotransmitter abnormalities, viral infection and immune dysfunction or autoimmune mechanisms. Growing evidence suggests that specific cytokines and chemokines play a role in signalling the brain to produce neurochemical, neuroendocrine, neuroimmune and behavioural changes. A relationship between inflammation and schizophrenia was supported by abnormal cytokines production, abnormal concentrations of cytokines and cytokine receptors in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid in schizophrenia. Since the neuropathology of schizophrenia has recently been reported to be closely associated with microglial activation we aimed to determined whether spontaneous or LPS-induced peripheral blood mononuclear cell chemokines and cytokines production is dysregulated in schizophrenic patients compared to healthy subjects. We enrolled 51 untreated first-episode schizophrenics (SC) and 40 healthy subjects (HC) and the levels of MCP-1, MIP-1α, IL-8, IL-18, IFN-γ and RANTES were determined by Elisa method in cell-free supernatants of PBMC cultures.     

Diagnostics of laser-induced plasma with soft X-ray (13.9 nm) bi-mirror interference microscopy

X-ray interference microscopy diagnostics of a nanosecond-pulse pumped Al (Z=13) plasma are presented. A transient picosecond Ni-like Ag X-ray laser (13.9 nm) is used as the probe beam and a wavefront division bi-mirror interferometer is adopted as the diagnosis tool. From the fringe shifts, the two-dimensional plasma density profile at 1 ns after the peak of the heating pulse is deduced. Opposite fringe shifts during the plasma development are observed and possible explanations for this behavior are discussed. This study will contribute to the validation of 1D and 2D hydrodynamic codes as well as to the better understanding of the physics during the development of laser produced plasmas. PACS 41.50.+h; 41.85.Ew; 42.55.Vc     

Lower Rim Substituted p-tert-Butyl Calix[4]arenes (V). Synthesis of New 5,11,17,22-tetrakis-p-tert-Butyl-25,27-bis(methoxy)- 26,28-bis(dialkoxyphosphorylmethoxy)calix[4]arenes and Cation Complexation Studies in Ion-Selective Membrane Electrodes

The synthesis and characterization of the lower rim bis-phosphorylatedtetrakis-p-tert-butyl-25,27-bis(methoxy)calix[4]arenas(compounds 2–4) is presented. The studied compounds were examined as ionophores in ion-selective membrane electrodes, showing selectivity for rubidium, potassium, and for the large and flat guanidinium cations (G⁺). The correlation wasstudied between the stereochemical structure of the ligands andpotentiometrically determined ion-selectivity. Complex formationconstants in the PVC/BEHS (bis(ethyl)hexyl sebacate) membranes weredetermined. The crystal and molecular structures of compound 4 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction study.     

Comparison of different strains of the yeastYarrowia lipolytica for citric acid production from glucose hydrol

Four commercial strains and two mutants of the yeast species Yarrowia lipolytica were screened using batch fermentation. Strain Y. lipolytica A-101-1.14 (induced with UV irradiation) was found to be the most suitable for citric acid production from glucose hydrol (39.9% glucose and 2.1% other sugars), a byproduct of glucose production from potato starch. The specific rate of total citric and isocitric acid production was 0.138 g/g.h, the yield on consumed glucose 0.93 g/g, and the productivity achieved was as high as 1.25 g/L.h. All of the tested yeast strains were able to utilize only the glucose from the glucose hydrol medium. Thus, some residual higher oligosaccharides remained in the process effluent.     

Comparative study of the oxidative and thermal stability of vegetable oils to be used as lubricant bases

Demand for lubricating oils is increasing in the growing Brazilian economy. The use of vegetable bases in exchange of minerals can bring socio-economic and environmental benefits for Brazil. The purpose of this study is to compare the thermal and oxidative stability of vegetable oils related to the bases commonly used as lubricants. In this study, thermogravimetric analysis of castor oil, cotton oil, macauba’s almond oil, passion oil, paraffinic mineral oil, naphthenic oil (NH-140) and synthetic oil (Etro) was performed in inert and oxidative atmosphere to study the thermal and oxidative degradation of the vegetable oils related to the most common lubricants’ oils base. These oils’ oxidation stability were determined by standard procedures (ISO 6886). The use of mineral oil’s additives in these vegetable oils was tested to verify the viability of these additives to improve the oxidative stability of the vegetable oils. The castor oil and the cotton oil presented results of thermal analysis similar to the mineral and synthetic bases values. The castor oil was the only vegetable oil that showed a great oxidative stability. All other vegetable oils had their oxidative stability significantly increased by the additives.     

Multivariate optimization of a headspace solid‐phase microextraction method followed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry for the determination of terpenes in Nicotiana langsdorffii

A simple and sensitive procedure based on headspace solid‐phase microextraction and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry was developed for the determination of five terpenes (α‐pinene, limonene, linalool, α‐terpineol, and geraniol) in the leaves of Nicotiana langsdorffii. The microextraction conditions (extraction temperature, equilibration time, and extraction time) were optimized by means of a Doehlert design. The experimental design showed that, for α‐pinene and limonene, a low temperature and a long extraction time were needed for optimal extraction, while linalool, α‐terpineol, and geraniol required a high temperature and a long extraction time. The chosen compromise conditions were temperature 60°C, equilibration time 15 min and extraction time 50 min. The main analytical figures of the optimized method were evaluated; LODs ranged from 0.07 ng/g (α‐pinene) to 8.0 ng/g (geraniol), while intraday and interday repeatability were in the range 10–17% and 9–13%, respectively. Finally, the procedure was applied to in vitro wild‐type and transgenic specimens of N. langsdorffii subjected to abiotic stresses (chemical and heat stress). With the exception of geraniol (75–374 ng/g), low concentration levels of terpenes were measured (ng/g level or lower); some interesting variations in terpene concentration induced by abiotic stress were observed.