Morphologic changes in the urethral epithelium in an ethanol-drinking rat strain (UChA and UChB)

The extreme use of ethanol causes metabolic and pathologic changes in testes and urogenital system in different animal species. The enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) catalyses the conversion of ethanol into carcinogenic metabolite acetaldehyde which is partly excreted into the urine. However, papers relating the chronic ethanol consumption to the urethral morphology are unknown. This work evaluates the toxic effect of the chronic ethanol ingestion on the urethral epithelium of UChA and UChB rats. Conventional techniques of histology, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and ultrastructural analysis were used. The analysis showed the presence of lipid drops and intercellular spaces in the epithelial cells in the urethra of UChA and UChB rats compared to control rats. Urethral neuroendocrine cell were observed and characterized for presenting vesicles containing electron-dense granules associated with nervous fibers. We conclude that the chronic consumption of ethanol induces the presence lipid drops in the epithelial cells of the urethra of UChA and UChB rats. The NE cells of the urethra of UChA and UChB rats did not show alterations under chronic effect of the ethanol.     

EDXRF and multivariate statistical analysis of fragments from Marajoara ceramics

In this work, 102 fragments of Marajoara ceramics, belonging to the National Museum collection (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), were analyzed using energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (EDXRF) and principal component analysis (PCA) in order to identify possible groups of samples that present similar behaviors or different characteristics. This information will give an important aid to a more accurate classification of these artifacts. The EDXRF measurements were carried out with a portable system developed in the Nuclear Instrumentation Laboratory consisting of an Oxford TF3005 X‐ray tube, with W anode, and an Si‐PIN XR‐100CR detector from Amptek, working at 25 kV and 100 µA, acquisition time of 600 s and a beam collimation of 2 mm. PCA applied to the X‐ray fluorescence results revealed a clear cluster separation to the samples. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Carbon Quantum Dot Optical Properties for potential infiltration into Hollow Core Photonic Crystal Fibers

Carbon quantum dots (CQD) have received significant attention in recent years due to their potential applications in optics and sensing. In this study, the authors report on the first characterization of the optical activity and broad absorption spectrum covering from short-wave ultraviolet, at 200 nm, to mid-infrared, at 1600 nm, of CQD synthesized using the “low-molecular-weight alcohols electrochemical carbonization” method. The CQD are analyzed using spectroscopic techniques, optical activity in the infrared, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Results show a CQD size distribution of 5±3 nm and spherical morphology. The absorption spectra show increased absorption at both, high and low frequency. Additionally, the specific rotation of the CQD solution is significantly higher than that of pure ethanol, by three orders of magnitude. These findings suggest that CQD may have potential applications in polarized infrared filters and/or sensors due to their ability to rotate the polarization state of light at 1550 nm. The results of this study provide valuable insights into the optical properties of CQD and their potential for infiltration into hollow core photonic crystal fibers, making them a promising material for future research and development in the field of optics and sensing.     

Complexes of Tin(IV) Tetrachloride with 3-Formylpyridine Semicarbazone and Thiosemicarbazones

The reaction of tin(IV) tetrachloride with 3-formylpyridine semicarbazone and different 3-formylpyridine thiosemicarbazones produces [Sn(HL)CL 3 ][SnCl 5 ] where HL stands for the neutral ligand. The tin(IV) complexes were characterized using a variety of spectroscopic techniques. Coordination through the pyridine nitrogen occurs in all cases. Solvation studies in DMSO indicated that dissociation of the ligands and their complete replacement by solvent molecules occurs.     

Tris[2‐(1,3‐thiazol‐2‐yl‐κN)‐1H‐benzimidazole‐κN3]zinc(II) dinitrate ethanol hemisolvate monohydrate at 100 K

The Zn^II center in the dicationic complex of the title compound, [Zn(C₁₀H₇N₃S)₃](NO₃)₂·0.5C₂H₅OH·H₂O, is in a distorted octahedral environment with imperfect noncrystallographic C₃ symmetry. Each 2‐(1,3‐thiazol‐2‐yl)‐1H‐benzimidazole ligand coordinates in a bidentate manner, with the Zn—N(imidazole) bond lengths approximately 0.14 Å shorter than the Zn—N(thiazole) bond lengths. Charge‐assisted hydrogen bonds connect cations, anions and water molecules. A lattice void is occupied by an ethanol solvent molecule disordered about a crystallographic inversion center and π‐stacking is observed between one type of symmetry‐related benzene rings.     

Self-assembly and bioactivity of a polymer/peptide conjugate containing the RGD cell adhesion motif and PEG

The self-assembly and bioactivity of the peptide–polymer conjugate DGRFFF–PEG3000 containing the RGD cell adhesion motif has been examined, in aqueous solution. The conjugate is designed to be amphiphilic by incorporation of three hydrophobic phenylalanine residues as well as the RGD unit and a short poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chain of molar mass 3000 kg mol⁻¹. Above a critical aggregation concentration, determined by fluorescence measurements, signals of β-sheet structure are revealed by spectroscopic measurements, as well as X-ray diffraction. At high concentration, a self-assembled fibril nanostructure is revealed by electron microscopy. The fibrils are observed despite PEG crystallization which occurs on drying. This suggests that DGRFFF has an aggregation tendency that is sufficiently strong not to be prevented by PEG crystallization. The adhesion, viability and proliferation of human corneal fibroblasts was examined for films of the conjugate on tissue culture plates (TCPs) as well as low attachment plates. On TCP, DGRFFF–PEG3000 films prepared at sufficiently low concentration are viable, and cell proliferation is observed. However, on low attachment surfaces, neither cell adhesion nor proliferation was observed, indicating that the RGD motif was not available to enhance cell adhesion. This was ascribed to the core–shell architecture of the self-assembled fibrils with a peptide core surrounded by a PEG shell which hinders access to the RGD unit.     

A cytotoxic dimeric furanoheliangolide from Piptocoma rufescens

A new sesquiterpene lactone, rufescenolide C (1), the first furanoheliangolide dimer, was isolated from the leaves of Piptocoma rufescens, collected in the Dominican Republic. Its structure was determined by interpretation of its spectroscopic data, with the absolute configuration being established by analysis of the CD spectrum. A plausible biogenesis of this dimer is proposed. This compound showed potent cytotoxicity with an IC₅₀ value of 150 nM, when tested against HT-29 human colon cancer cells.     

A validated stability-indicating LC method for simultaneous determination of quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide in pharmaceutical samples

A stability-indicating liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide in drug substances and dosage forms. Chromatographic separation of quinapril, hydrochlorothiazide and its degradation products was achieved on a RP-18 column, using acetonitrile and phosphate buffer (pH 4.6) as mobile phase in a gradient mode and detection at 216 nm. Stress testing was performed under hydrolytic, oxidative, thermal and photolytic conditions. The degradation products were well resolved from main peaks, proving the stability-indicating power of the method. The assay was linear for quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide concentrations of 40–200 µg mL^?1 and 25–125 µg mL^?1, respectively. The developed method was selective, accurate and precise for quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide determination. This method was used to quantify both drugs in combined commercial tablets. The results showed that the proposed method was found to be suitable for quantitative determination and the stability study of quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide in pharmaceutical samples.      

Preparation and characterization of microcapsules loaded with polyphenols-enriched Uncaria tomentosa extract using spray-dryer technique

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - This work prepared and characterized microcapsule of Uncaria tomentosa (UT) in order to standardize a spray-dryer Uncaria tomentosa extract. The UT...