Inclusion Complex between Local Anesthetic/2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin in Stealth Liposome

The drugs delivery system in the treatment of diseases has advantages such as reduced toxicity, increased availability of the drug, etc. Therefore, studies of the supramolecular interactions between local anesthetics (LAs) butamben (BTB) or ropivacaine (RVC) complexed with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-βCD) and carried in Stealth liposomal (SL) are performed. ¹H-NMR nuclear magnetic resonance (DOSY and STD) were used as the main tools. The displacements observed in the ¹H-NMR presented the complexion between LAs and HP-βCD. The diffusion coefficients of free BTB and RVC were 7.70 × 10⁻¹⁰ m² s⁻¹ and 4.07 × 10⁻¹⁰ m² s⁻¹, and in the complex with HP-βCD were 1.90 × 10⁻¹⁰ m² s⁻¹ and 3.64 × 10⁻¹⁰ m² s⁻¹, respectively, which indicate a strong interaction between the BTB molecule and HP-βCD (98.3% molar fraction and Ka = 72.279 L/mol). With STD-NMR, the encapsulation of the BTB/HP-βCD and RVC/HP-βCD in SL vesicles was proven. Beyond the saturation transfer to the LAs, there is the magnetization transfer to the hydrogens of HP-βCD. BTB and RVC have already been studied in normal liposome systems; however, little is known of their behavior in SL.     

Enantioselective 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition Using (Z)-α-Amidonitroalkenes as a Key Step to the Access to Chiral cis-3,4-Diaminopyrrolidines

The enantioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between imino esters and (Z)-nitroalkenes bearing a masked amino group in the β-position was studied using several chiral ligands and silver salts. The optimized reaction conditions were directly applied to the study of the scope of the reaction. The determination of the absolute configuration was evaluated using NMR experiments and electronic circular dichroism (ECD). The reduction and hydrolysis of both groups was performed to generate in an excellent enantiomeric ratio the corresponding cis-2,3-diaminoprolinate.     

Effect of Bauhinia monandra Kurz Leaf Preparations on Embryonic Stages and Adult Snails of Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818), Schistosoma mansoni Cercariae and Toxicity in Artemia salina

Biomphalaria glabrata snails constitute the main vector of schistosomiasis in Brazil, and Bauhinia monandra Kurz, the leaves of which contain BmoLL lectin with biocidal action, is a plant widely found on continents in which the disease is endemic. This work describes the composition of B. monandra preparations and the effect on embryos and adult snails, their reproduction parameters and hemocytes. We also describe the results of a comet assay after B. glabrata exposure to sublethal concentrations of the preparations. Additionally, the effects of the preparations on S. mansoni cercariae and environmental monitoring with Artemia salina are described. In the chemical evaluation, cinnamic, flavonoid and saponin derivatives were detected in the two preparations assessed, namely the saline extract and the fraction. Both preparations were toxic to embryos in the blastula, gastrula, trochophore, veliger and hippo stages (LC₅₀ of 0.042 and 0.0478; 0.0417 and 0.0419; 0.0897 and 0.1582; 0.3734 and 0.0974; 0.397 and 0.0970 mg/mL, respectively) and to adult snails (LC₅₀ of 6.6 and 0.87 mg/mL, respectively), which were reproductively affected with decreased egg deposition. In blood cell analysis, characteristic cells for apoptosis, micronucleus and binucleation were detected, while for comet analysis, different degrees of nuclear damage were detected. The fraction was able to cause total mortality of the cercariae and did not present environmental toxicity. Therefore, B. monandra preparations are promising in combating schistosomiasis since they can control both the intermediate host and eliminate the infectious agent, besides being safe to the environment.     

Chemical Approach to the Optimization of Conditions Using HS-SPME/GC–MS for Characterization of Volatile Compounds in Eugenia brasiliensis Fruit

Grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.) is a native fruit of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, belonging to the Myrtaceae family, which designatesthe most significant number of species with food potential. It stands out due to its phytochemical characteristics because of the presence of polyphenols and volatile organic compounds. Volatile compounds are substances released by foods that give off an aroma and influence flavor. Solid-phase microextraction is a technique that allows for low-cost, fast, and solvent-free extraction, has an affinity for numerous analytes, and is easily coupled to gas chromatography. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the efficiency of different fibers of SPME (solid-phase microextraction) in the extraction of volatile organic compounds from grumixama pulp; optimize a method for extraction time, temperature, and sample weight; and to determine the characteristic volatile profile of this fruit. For the extraction of volatile compounds, three fibers of different polarities were used: polar polyacrylate (PA) fibers, divinylbenzene/carboxyne/polydimethylsiloxane (DVB/CAR/PDMS) semipolar fibers, and polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB). Fourteen volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified by DVB/CAR/PDMS, six by PA, and seven by PDMS/DVB through solid-phase microextraction in the headspace mode (SPME-HS). Considering the total number of compounds identified, regardless of the fiber used, and the optimization of the method, Eugenia brasiliensis presented sesquiterpene fractions (85.7%, 83.3%, and 85.7% of total VOCs) higher than the monoterpene fractions (14.3%, 16.7%, and 14.3%) for DVB/CAR/PDMS, PA, and PDMS/DVB, respectively in its composition. In addition, it was possible to verify that the fiber DVB/CAR/PDMS presented a better efficiency due to the larger chromatographic area observed when the grumixama pulp was subjected to conditions of 75 °C, 2.0 g, and an adsorption time of 20 min.     

Effect of Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata Hook. F. & Thomson) Essential Oil on Acute Inflammatory Response In Vitro and In Vivo

The aim of this study is to evaluate the phytochemical profile, oral acute toxicity, and the effect of ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata Hook. F. & Thomson) essential oil (YEO) on acute inflammation. YEO was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. For in vitro tests, YEO was assessed using cytotoxicity, neutrophil chemotaxis induced by N-formyl methionyl leucyl phenylalanine (fMLP), and phagocytic activity tests. YEO was orally administered in zymosan-induced peritonitis, carrageenan-induced leukocyte rolling, and adhesion events in the in situ microcirculation model and in carrageenan-induced paw edema models. YEO (2000 mg/kg) was also tested using an acute toxicity test in Swiss mice. YEO showed a predominance of benzyl acetate, linalool, benzyl benzoate, and methyl benzoate. YEO did not present in vitro cytotoxicity. YEO reduced the in vitro neutrophil chemotaxis induced by fMLP and reduced the phagocytic activity. The oral treatment with YEO reduced the leukocyte recruitment and nitric oxide production in the zymosan-induced peritonitis model, reduced rolling and adherent leukocyte number induced by carrageenan in the in situ microcirculation model, and reduced carrageenan-induced edema and mechanical hyperalgesia. YEO did not present signs of toxicity in the acute toxicity test. In conclusion, YEO affected the leukocyte activation, and presented antiedematogenic, anti-hyperalgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties.     

Effect of Biodegradable Coatings on the Growth of Aspergillus flavus In Vitro,on Maize Grains,and on the Quality of Tortillas during Storage

The fungus Aspergillus flavus causes serious damage to maize grains and its by-products, such as tortilla. Currently, animal and plant derivatives, such as chitosan and propolis, and plant extract residues, respectively, are employed as alternatives of synthetic fungicides. The objective of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of several formulations based on propolis-chitosan-pine resin extract on the in vitro growth of A. flavus, the growth of maize grain plantlets and the quality of stored tortillas at 4 and 28 °C. The most outstanding formulation was that based on 59.7% chitosan + 20% propolis nanoparticles + 20% pine resin extract nanoparticles; since the in vitro conidia germination of A. flavus did not occur, disease incidence on grains was 25–30% and in tortillas, 0% infection was recorded, along with low aflatoxin production (1.0 ppb). The grain germination and seedling growth were markedly reduced by the nanocoating application. The percentage weight loss and color of tortillas were more affected by this coating compared to the control, and the rollability fell within the scale of non-ruptured at 4 °C and partially ruptured at 28 °C. The next step is to evaluate the toxicity of this formulation.     

Essential Conditions for the Full Synergy of Probability of Occurrence Distributions

In this contribution, we specify the conditions for assuring the validity of the synergy of the distribution of probabilities of occurrence. We also study the subsequent restriction on the maximal extension of the strict concavity region on the parameter space of Sharma–Mittal entropy measures, which has been derived in a previous paper in this journal. The present paper is then a necessary complement to that publication. Some applications of the techniques introduced here are applied to protein domain families (Pfam databases, versions 27.0 and 35.0). The results will show evidence of their usefulness for testing the classification work performed with methods of alignment that are used by expert biologists.     

μs级充电时水介质同轴电容击穿实验研究

 研制了水介质同轴电容的实验装置，在此装置上进行了大量的实验。测得μs级充电时，水介质同轴电容分别在正脉冲和负脉冲充电时的击穿电压，负击穿电压的理论值与测量值相差较大，正击穿电压的理论值大于测量值的18%左右，对此实验结果进行了分析。此外，当去离子水的电阻率从13MΩ·cm降到5 MΩ·cm时，水介质同轴电容器的击穿电压基本不变。     

Pulsed Nd:YAG laser welding of AISI 304 to AISI 420 stainless steels

The technique to weld AISI 304 stainless steel to AISI 420 stainless steel with a pulsed Nd:YAG laser has been investigated. The main objective of this study was to determine the influence of the laser beam position, with respect to the joint, on weld characteristics. Specimens were welded with the laser beam incident on the joint and moved 0.1 and 0.2 mm on either side of the joint. The joints were examined in an optical microscope for cracks, pores and to determine the weld geometry. The microstructure of the weld and the heat affected zones were observed in a scanning electron microscope. An energy dispersive spectrometer, coupled to the scanning electron microscope, was used to determine variations in (weight %) the main chemical elements across the fillet weld. Vickers microhardness testing and tensile testing were carried out to determine the mechanical properties of the weld. The results of the various tests and examinations enabled definition of the best position for the incident laser beam with respect to the joint, for welding together the two stainless steels.     

Single crystal growth of La2(SO4)3 · 9 D2O

Single crystals of La₂(SO₄)₃ · 9 D₂O were grown from saturated D₂O solutions. According to X-ray diffraction measurements, the crystals have a hexagonal structure with unit cell parameters a = 10.996 Å and c = 8.077 Å (space group C–P6₃/m). Several physical properties were also determined (density, refractive indices, dielectric constants, specific heat, coefficient of linear expansion, microhardness).