Activity of Schinus areira (Anacardiaceae) essential oils against the grain storage pest Tribolium castaneum

Essential oils extracted from leaves and fruits of Schinus areira (Anacardiaceae) were tested for their repellent, toxic and feeding deterrent properties against Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) larvae and adults. A topical application assay was employed for the contact toxicity study and filter paper impregnation for the fumigant assay. A treated diet was also used to evaluate the repellent activity and a flour disk bioassay for the feeding deterrent action and nutritional index alteration. The essential oil of the leaves contained mainly monoterpenoids, with alpha-phellandrene, 3-carene and camphene predominant, whereas that from the fruits contained mainly alpha-phellandrene, 3-carene and beta-myrcene. The leaf essential oil showed repellent effects, whereas that from the fruit was an attractant. Both oils produced mortality against larvae in topical and fumigant bioassays, but fumigant toxicity was not found against adults. Moreover, both essential oils produced some alterations in nutritional index. These results show that the essential oils from S. areira could be applicable to the management of populations of Tribolium castaneum.     

Microwave assisted synthesis and magnetic properties of octanuclear and enneanuclear Ni(II) complexes: an unprecedented coordination mode for the NO(2)(-) ligand

Octanuclear and enneanuclear Ni(II) complexes have been synthesized using a microwave reactor. The octanuclear complex Ni(8) presents a new triply bridging coordination mode for the NO(2)(-) ligand.     

Analysis of Gibbs adsorption equation and thermodynamic relation between Gibbs standard energies of adsorption and micellization through a surface equation of state

The calculation of surface molecular areas through Gibbs adsorption equation has been questioned in some early works on the belief that these areas have been obtained from the apparently constant slope of the surface tension vs. logarithm of concentration curve along the entire region at which surface tension declines rapidly as the concentration increases. This premise leads to consider that Gibbs equation predicts that surface saturation is reached at the beginning of this region. However, through an analysis of the forementioned curve in accordance to Gibbs equation, it can be easily shown that surface saturation is attained at the end of the region. On the other hand, based on a thermodynamic model, it is also shown that the adsorption process, and thus, surface saturation, proceeds before micellization.     

Chemical Degradation of Polymers (Polyurethanes,Polycarbonate and Polyamide) by Esters of H-phosphonic and Phosphoric Acids

A review of the research efforts on the development of pathways for the degradation of polymer–wastes of polyurethanes, polycarbonates and polyamides by esters of H-phosphonic and phosphoric acids is presented. Our group has made it clear, thanks to a vast research program devoted to this subject, that alkyl esters of H-phosphonic and phosphoric acids can be used as very effective degrading agents for polymers. Products and mechanism of polyurethanes degradation by treatment with phosphonates are reviewed in this work. The interest of phosphorus-containing degradation products lies on the fire retardant properties that these phosphorous moieties introduce in the recovered molecules. Most of these phosphorilated molecules can be easily reapplied as reactive intermediates by treatment with propylene oxide and used for the preparation of rigid polyurethane foams. The interaction of poly[2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propanecarbonate] (PC) with H-phosphonic acid dialkyl esters [(RO)₂P(O)H, where R = CH₃ or CH₂CH₃], or with triethyl phosphate (CH₃CH₂O)₃P(O) yielded interesting phosphorus-containing oligocarbonates. Polyamide-6 can be converted into functional reactive oligomers with new properties by treatment with diesters of the H-phosphonic acid.     

On degeneracy schemes of maps of vector bundles and applications to holomorphic foliations

In this paper we provide sufficient conditions for maps of vector bundles on smooth projective varieties to be uniquely determined by their degeneracy schemes. We then specialize to holomorphic distributions and foliations. In particular, we provide sufficient conditions for foliations of arbitrary rank on $\mathbb P ^n$ to be uniquely determined by their singular schemes.     

Extract from Eugenia punicifolia is an Antioxidant and Inhibits Enzymes Related to Metabolic Syndrome

The present study aimed to investigate in vitro biological activities of extract of Eugenia punicifolia leaves (EEP), emphasizing the inhibitory activity of enzymes related to metabolic syndrome and its antioxidant effects. The antioxidant activity was analyzed by free radicals scavengers in vitro assays: DPPH·, ABTS^·+, O₂ ^·?, and NO· and a cell-based assay. EEP were tested in inhibitory colorimetric assays using α-amylase, α-glucosidase, xanthine oxidase, and pancreatic lipase enzymes. The EEP exhibited activity in ABTS^·+, DPPH·, and O₂ ^·? scavenger (IC₅₀?=?10.5?±?1.2, 28.84?±?0.54, and 38.12?±?2.6 μg/mL), respectively. EEP did not show cytotoxic effects, and it showed antioxidant activity in cells in a concentration-dependent manner. EEP exhibited inhibition of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and xanthine oxidase activities in vitro assays (IC₅₀?=?122.8?±?6.3; 2.9?±?0.1; 23.5?±?2.6), respectively; however, EEP did not inhibit the lipase activity. The findings supported that extract of E. punicifolia leaves is a natural antioxidant and inhibitor of enzymes, such as α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and xanthine oxidase, which can result in a reduction in the carbohydrate absorption rate and decrease of risks factors of cardiovascular disease, thereby providing a novel dietary opportunity for the prevention of metabolic syndrome.     

Comparative Studies of the (Anti) Mutagenicity of Baccharis dracunculifolia and Artepillin C by the Bacterial Reverse Mutation Test

Baccharis dracunculifolia is a plant native from Brazil, commonly known as 'Alecrim-do-campo' and 'Vassoura' and used in alternative medicine for the treatment of inflammation, hepatic disorders and stomach ulcers. Previous studies reported that artepillin C (ArtC, 3-{4-hydroxy-3,5-di(3-methyl-2-butenyl)phenyl}-2(E)-propenoic acid), is the main compound of interest in the leaves. This study was undertaken to assess the mutagenic effect of the ethyl acetate extract of B. dracunculifolia leaves (Bd-EAE: 11.4-182.8 μg/plate) and ArtC (0.69-10.99 μg/plate) by the Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA97a, TA100 and TA102, and to compare the protective effects of Bd-EAE and ArtC against the mutagenicity of a variety of direct and indirect acting mutagens such as 4-nitro-O-phenylenediamine, sodium azide, mitomycin C, benzo[a]pyrene, aflatoxin B1, 2-aminoanthracene and 2-aminofluorene.The mutagenicity test showed that Bd-EAE and ArtC did not induce an increase in the number of revertant colonies indicating absence of mutagenic activity. ArtC showed a similar antimutagenic effect to that of Bd-EAE in some strains of S. typhimurium, demonstrating that the antimutagenic activity of Bd-EAE can be partially attributed to ArtC. The present results showed that the protective effect of whole plant extracts is due to the combined and synergistic effects of a complex mixture of phytochemicals, the total activity of which may result in health benefits.     

Polybenzimidazolium hydroxides - Structure, stability and degradation

Polybenzimidazolium hydroxides are of potential interest for the use in alkaline anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AAEMFC). Introduction of an ether group in para-position of the 2-phenyl substituent improves the mesomeric stabilization of imidazolium cations, and O-PBI seems to be more stable than meta-PBI under alkaline conditions. NMR, IR and XPS analysis show a structural change when the iodide form is exchanged into the hydroxide form. Surprisingly, this structural change is subject to a pH sensitive equilibrium and the pure imidazolium form is retained immediately when the pH is lowered. The molecular structure at high pH is either the 2-carbinol or the amine-amide. Further hydrolysis necessitates excess hydroxide.     

Effects of HeNe laser irradiation on experimental paracoccidioidomycotic lesions

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is the most prevalent human mycosis in Latin America. The infection is thought to take place firstly in the lungs and then may disseminate to other organs and tissues. Treatment by currently available antifungals is lengthy, the drugs may have undesirable side effects, and some are costly. Occasional resistant strains of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, the causative agent of PCM, have been reported. So, the search for more efficient treatments or adjuvant therapies has to be continued. In this work, we evaluated the effects of HeNe laser irradiation on cutaneous inflammatory lesions caused by the inoculation of 5 x 10(6)/0.1ml yeasts cells into the back footpad of Balb/c mice. HeNe irradiation (lambda=632.8nm, 3mW, incident energy of 3J/cm(2)) was applied at days 7, 8 and 9 post-infection and histological and immunohistochemical analysis were done. Unirradiated animals were used as controls. The results showed that laser-treated mice presented reduction of footpad edema, faster cutaneous wound healing, confluent granuloma, diffuse- and more loosely distributed immunolabeling for TNF-alpha, enhanced labeling of IFN-gamma and any P. brasiliensis form detected, whereas multiple viable fungi were seen in diffuse widespread granulomas obtained from non-treated mice foot-pad. Fungi that were harvested from laser-treated animals presented no capability of growth in vitro as compared to those obtained from non-treated mice. We conclude that HeNe laser irradiation was able to inhibit the progress of inflammatory local reaction produced by P. brasiliensis infection and influence local cytokines production. We suggest that this treatment modality can be a useful coadjuvant tool to be combined with antifungal agents in the treatment of PCM ulcerations. The mechanisms involved in laser therapy of PCM lesions need further investigation.     

Cellulose nanofibers from curaua fibers

Curaua nanofibers extracted under different conditions were investigated. The raw fibers were mercerized with NaOH solutions; they were then submitted to acid hydrolysis using three different types of acids (H₂SO₄, a mixture of H₂SO₄/HCl and HCl). The fibers were analyzed by cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose contents; viscometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal stability by thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The nanofibers were morphologically characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and their surface charges in suspensions were estimated by Zeta-potential. Their degree of polymerization (DP) was characterized by viscometry, crystallinity by XRD and thermal stability by TG. Increasing the NaOH solution concentration in the mercerization, there was a decrease of hemicellulose and lignin contents and consequently an increase of cellulose content. XRD patterns presented changes in the crystal structure from cellulose I to cellulose II when the fibers were mercerized with 17.5% NaOH solution. All curaua nanofibers presented a rod-like shape, an average diameter (D) of 6–10 nm and length (L) of 80–170 nm, with an aspect ratio (L/D) of around 13–17. The mercerization of fibers with NaOH solutions influenced the crystallinity index and thermal stability of the resulting nanofibers. The fibers mercerized with NaOH solution 17.5% resulted in more crystalline nanofibers, but thermally less stable and inferior DP. The aggregation state increases with the amount of HCl introduced into the extraction, due to the decrease of surface charges (as verified by Zeta Potential analysis). However, this release presented nanofibers with better thermal stability than those whose acid hydrolysis was carried out using only H₂SO₄.