Resumen El Cr(VI) tiene efectos cancerígenos y mutagénicos en seres vivos. La bioadsorción se presenta como alternativa a las tecnologías convencionales para tratamiento de aguas residuales. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el uso de la tusa de maíz modificada con ácido cítrico y la cáscara de naranja con cloruro de calcio, para la remoción de Cr (VI) en sistema por lotes evaluando el efecto del pH y el tamaño de partícula. Los biomateriales se caracterizaron por análisis químico, elemental y FTIR, evidenciando la presencia de grupos hidroxilo, carbonilo y carboxilo, pertenecientes a la celulosa y la lignina a estos se les atribuye propiedades de centros activos intervinientes en el proceso de adsorción. Los experimentos de adsorción por lotes se realizaron utilizando una solución de Dicromato de potasio a 100 ppm, 150 rpm pH 2, 3, 4 y 6 y tamaños de partícula 0,355, 0,5 y 1 mm, encontrándose que los porcentajes máximos de remoción se obtuvieron a pH 2 y tamaño de partícula 0.355 usando tusa de maíz y cáscara de naranja; la concentración final del metal se determinó por el standard método ASTM D 1687-02 con 1,5-difenilcarbazida a 540 nm. Se evaluó la cinética e isotermas a las mejores condiciones encontradas, obteniéndose que los datos experimentales fueron ajustados al modelo de Pseudo-segundo orden y Freundlich, respectivamente, con R2>0,95; esto sugiere que el proceso es controlado por reacción química y sucede en multicapas. Se obtuvo el siguiente desempeño de las biomasas en términos q0: tusa de maíz>naranja>tusa de maíz-mod>naranja-mod.

Abstract Chromium (Cr(VI)) presents carcinogenic and mutagenic effects in living beings. Biosorption is an alternative to conventional technologies for the treatment of waste water. The aim of this study was to assess the use of corncob and orange peels modified with citric acid and calcium chloride, respectively, for the removal of Cr(VI) using a batch system taking into account pH and particle size. Biomaterial were characterized using an elemental and chemical analysis, and FTIR, in which was evidenced the presence of hydroxyl, carbonyl and carboxyl groups, belonging to the cellulose and lignin that are attributed for the presence of active centers which intervene in the adsorption process. Adsorption experiments through batch system were performed using a solution of potassium dichromate at 100 ppm, 150 rpm, varying pH (2, 3, 4 and 6) and particle size (0.355, 0.5 and 1 mm). From de results was found that maximum removal percentage was obtained at pH 2 and particle size of 0.355 using corncob and orange peels. Final concentration of Cr(VI) was determined by using the standard method ASTM D1687-02 with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide at 540 nm. Adsorption kinetics and isotherms were assessed with the best conditions found, in which the experimental data was adjusted to the Pseudo-second order and Freundlich models, respectively. R2 value greater than 0.95 suggests that the process is controlled by a chemical reaction leading the formation of multilayers. The performance of the biomass in terms of q0 was found to be: corncob>orange peels>corncob modified>orange peels modified.

Resumo O Cr (VI) tem efeitos cancerígenos e mutagênicos em seres vivos. A bioadsorção apresenta-se como alternativa às tecnologias convencionais para tratamento de águas residuais. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o uso do sabugo de milho modificado com ácido cítrico e a casca de laranja com cloreto de cálcio, para a remoção de Cr (VI) em sistema por lotes avaliando o efeito do pH e o tamanho de partícula. Os biomateriais caracterizaram-se por análise química, elementar e FTIR, evidenciando a presença de grupos hidroxilo, carbonilo e carboxilo, pertencentes à celulose e à lignina; a estes se lhes atribui propriedades de centros ativos intervenientes no processo de adsorção. Os experimentos de adsorção por lotes realizaram-se utilizando uma solução de Dicromato de potássio a 100 ppm, 150 rpm pH 2, 3, 4 e 6 e tamanhos de partícula 0,355, 0,5 e 1 mm, encontrando-se que as porcentagens máximas de remoção obtiveram-se a pH 2 e tamanho de partícula 0.355 usando sabugo de milho e casca de laranja; a concentração final do metal determinou-se pelo standard método ASTM D 1687-02 com 1,5-difenilcarbazida a 540 nm. Avaliou-se a cinética e isotermas às melhores condições encontradas, obtendo-se que os dados experimentais foram ajustados ao modelo de Pseudo-segunda ordem e Freundlich, respectivamente, com R2>0,95; isto sugere que o processo é controlado por reação química e sucede em multicamadas. Obteve-se o seguinte desempenho das biomassas em termos q0: sabugo de milho>laranja>sabugo de milho-mod>laranja-mod.

Abstract Iron(III) niobate, FeNbO4, was synthesized for the first time by microwave-assisted combustion reaction between Fe(NO3)3.9H2O and NH4[NbO(C2O4)2(H2O)2](H2O) in the presence of NH4NO3 and Urea {O=C(NH2)2}. Experiments of X-ray powder diffraction revealed a small crystallite size for this material, 16 nm, and the results of MEV showed that it forms agglomerates with diameters between 80 and 180 nm with spherical shapes. HRTEM images revealed that the material is formed by clusters of particles with a diameter near 20 nm. A surface area of 40 m2g-1 was determined by experiments of specific surface area (SSA). The FeNbO4 induced the decomposition of H2O2, forming radicals that, in turn, discoloured Indigo dye Carmine (IC) a solution. The results showed that this niobate was able to degrade 55% of the initial solution in the presence of H2O2 after 360 minutes of reaction time.

Abstract Sildenafil is a potent selective inhibitor of phosphosdiesterase-5 previously used in erectile dysfunction and subsequently approved in 2005 for pulmonary arterial hypertension treatment. Since oral administration of sildenafil shows pharmacokinetic problems with mean absolute bioavailability of 41%, the goal of this work was to develop a novel sildenafil self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) for oral absorption improvement and management of dosage. One pharmaceutical solution and four SEDDS containing sildenafil were successfully obtained and SEDDS formed O/W nanoemulsion with droplet size less than 300 nm. The stability studies evidenced that the SEDDS containing 3.3% w/w of sildenafil yielded the best results. The safety of 2-pyrrolidone/isobutanol in oral formulations was assessed in mice and no lethality was achieved in the placebo groups with LD50 of 490 mg/Kg for SEDDS II-3.3, suggesting it as a safe excipient for humans. Therewithal, in silico studies using PBPK models provided the pharmacokinetic profile of sildenafil SEDDS. Subsequently, in silico evaluation indicated that the sildenafil SEDDS droplet size influenced its bioavailability, enhancing absorption, assuring a good pharmacokinetic profile. These findings suggest that the formulations developed here presented the potential to enhance drug oral absorption with the possibility to control drug dosage as they are liquid pharmaceutical formulations.

Gadodiamide (Gd-DTPA-BMA) is a gadolinium (Gd) chelate composed of two carboxylate groups of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and two amide groups (BMA). Gd complexes are the most widely used contrast agents in nuclear magnetic resonance. Furthermore, our research group has demonstrated the potential of liposomes containing Gd-DTPA-BMA for cancer therapy. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a chemometric-assisted method by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) for determination of Gd-DTPA-BMA in liposomes. The chromatographic conditions obtained were: Sequant® ZIC®-HILIC Merck (150 × 4.6 mm, 3.5 µm, 100 Å) column, mobile phase composed of 5 mmol L-1 ACN/NH4FA, pH 4.5 (60:40 v/v) at 0.6 mL min-1, injection volume of 20 µL, temperature of 30 ºC, and detection at 210 nm. The linear range was of 40 to 120 nmol mL-1. The use of chemometrics allowed obtaining optimal chromatographic parameters, in terms of signal-to-noise ratio, resolution, and asymmetry.

Lead (II) sulfide (PbS) were synthesized by sonochemical method and crystals with cubic structure exhibit aggregated nanoparticles with size in the range of 50-100 nm. Commercial Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) containing the PbS nanoparticles (PbS-NP) exposed to gamma irradiation were investigated and both the viscosity-average molar mass (Mv) and degradation index (DI) values were measured. Ours results showed decreases in molar mass when the systems were gamma irradiated, i. e., random scission effects that take place in the main chain. On the other hand, DI results showed that the addition of PbS-NP at 0.3 wt% into the PMMA matrix decreased 100% the number of main chain scissions. Results about the free radical scavenger action of the PbS-NP were obtained by use of 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)-hydrazyl radical (DPPH) and are discussed in this study. Analysis of infrared spectra, refraction index, mechanical, and thermal properties showed influence of the PbS-NP in the physical behavior of PMMA.

The aim of this work was to develop and validate an analytical method for the quantification of tioconazole in polymeric nanocapsule suspensions by high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. The analysis was performed with a mobile phase composed of methanol:water (80:20) and 0.18% ammonium hydroxide; RP-18 column and UV detection at 219 nm. The method proved to be linear in the concentration range of 5-50 µg mL-1 (r = 0.9999), specific, precise (repeatability RSD = 1.42%, intermediate precision RSD = 1.17%), accurate (98 - 102%) and robust (RSD < 2.0%). In conclusion, a simple and rapid method was validated proving suitable for quantification of tioconazole in polymeric nanocapsules.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma análise comparativa dos resultados da avaliação isocinética de força entre jogadores de futebol masculino profissional de campo e de salão e correlacioná-los aos índices de maior risco de lesão descritos na literatura. MÉTODOS: Analisamos 16 atletas jogadores de futebol de campo e 15 atletas jogadores de futsal. Todos os profissionais eram do sexo masculino e tiveram seus joelhos submetidos à avaliação isocinética da força muscular. RESULTADOS: A média de peso foi de 81,81kg para futebol de campo e 80,33kg para o futsal. Os picos de torque extensor direito e esquerdo para o futebol de campo e salão foram, respectivamente, 302,50 e 313,31Nm e 265,20 e 279,80Nm e, para flexores, 178 e 184,88Nm e 158,27 e 154Nm. Os índices de pico de torque por peso corpóreo dos extensores direito e esquerdo para o futebol de campo e salão foram, respectivamente, 3,84 e 3,7Nm/kg e 3,32 e 3,52Nm/ kg e, para flexores, 2,17 e 2,26Nm/kg e 1,98 e 1,93Nm/kg. A relação de equilíbrio entre músculos flexores e extensores dos lados direito e esquerdo para o futebol de campo e futsal foram, respectivamente, 59,81 e 59,44% e 60,47 e 54,80%. Os índices da relação de extensores entre os lados direito e esquerdo do futebol de campo e salão foram, respectivamente, 11,44 e 9,20% e, para os flexores, 7,31 e 8,80%. CONCLUSÕES: De acordo com parâmetros internacionais, a análise comparativa dos resultados da avaliação isocinética de força entre jogadores de futebol masculino profissional de campo e de salão na pré-temporada mostra que existe equilíbrio muscular e baixa probabilidade de lesão. Não existem diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os parâmetros analisados dos jogadores das duas modalidades.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis on isokinetic strength assessments between field and indoor male professional soccer players and correlate the findings with the higher levels of injury risk described in the literature. METHODS: We analyzed 16 field soccer players and 15 indoor soccer players. All these professionals were male. Isokinetic muscle strength assessments were made on their knees. RESULTS: The mean weight was 81.81 kg for field soccer and 80.33 kg for indoor soccer. The right and left peak extensor torque left and rightfor field soccer and indoor soccer were, respectively, 302.50 and 313.31 Nm and 265.20 and 279.80 Nm, and for flexors, 178 and 184.88 Nm and 158.27 and 154 Nm. The peak torque rates according to body weight for the left and right extensors for field soccer and indoor soccer were, respectively, 3.84 and 3.7 Nm/kg and 3.32 and 3.52 Nm/kg, and for flexors, 2.17 and 2.26 Nm/kg and 1.98 and 1.93 Nm/kg. The balance relationships between flexors and extensors on the right and left sides for field soccer and indoor soccer were, respectively, 59.81 and 59.44% and 60.47% and 54.80%. The relationships for extensors between the right and left sides for field soccer and indoor soccer were, respectively, 11.44 and 9.20%, and for the flexors, 7.31 and 8.80%. CONCLUSIONS: In accordance with international parameters, comparative analysis on isokinetic strength assessments between field and indoor male professional soccer players before the season showed that there was muscle balance and low probability of injury. There were no statistically significant differences in the parameters analyzed between the players of the two types of soccer.

Amostras de Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) foram coletadas do solo e de insetos. Oito isolados foram coletados de solo rural, 15 de solo urbano e 11 de insetos, os quais foram avaliados quanto a sua entomopatogenicidade contra larvas de Anticarsia gemmatalis e Culex quinquefasciatus. Os testes de patogenicidade mostraram uma alta porcentagem de isolados ativos contra A. gemmatalis (60%), comparado a C. quinquefasciatus (31%). Por análise de probit (CL50), verificou-se que quatro isolados apresentaram valores similares aos da estirpe de referência contra A. gemmatalis, enquanto somente um isolado mostrou CL50 similar à estirpe de referência (IPS 82) contra C.quinquefasciatus. A caracterização por SDS-PAGE de dois isolados mostrou uma proteína de 27 kDa relativa à toxina citolítica (Cyt) de B. thuringiensis subespécie israelensis. Uma proteína de 130 kDa, possivelmente relacionada à família do gene cry 1, foi identificada em outros dois isolados, os quais foram mais tóxicos para lepidópteros, enquanto que os outros dois isolados apresentaram uma proteína de 100 kDa. Alguns novos isolados locais de B. thuringiensis apresentaram valores de CL50 similares às estirpes de referência.

Samples of the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) were collected from soil and insects. Eight isolates were selected from rural soil, 15 from urban soil and 11 from insects. These were evaluated for entomopathogenicity against larvae of Anticarsia gemmatalis and Culex quinquefasciatus. The pathogenicity tests showed that a higher percentage of isolates were active against A. gemmatalis (60%) compared to C. quinquefasciatus (31%). Probit analysis (LC50) indicated that against A. gemmatalis four of the isolates presented values similar to the reference strain against A. gemmatalis, while against C. quinquefasciatus one isolate showed an LC50 similar to the reference strain (IPS-82). SDS-PAGE characterisation of two isolates showed a 27 kDa protein fraction related to the Bt subspecies israelensis cytolytic toxin (cyt) gene. One 130 kDa protein, possibly related to the Bt crystal inclusions (cry1) gene, was identified in the other two isolates, which were more toxic for lepidoptera; another isolate presented a protein of 100 kDa. Some new local Bt isolates had similar LC50 probit values to the reference strains.

Diversos insetos são nocivos à macieira no Brasil, destacando-se a lagarta-enroladeira Bonagota salubricola (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), controlada com inseticidas químicos. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar linhagens de Metarhizium anisopliae passíveis de serem utilizadas no controle desta praga, determinando-se a virulência sobre larvas de B. salubricola em bioensaios com suspensões de 2 x 10(5) a 2 x 10(9) conídios/mL considerando-se mortalidade larval e pupal, bem como a sua relação com a expressão de proteases. A linhagem mais efetiva foi submetida a teste de compatibilidade com inseticidas químicos. A linhagem E6 de M. anisopliae destacou-se por proporcionar mortalidade de 88% com TL50 de 1,66 dias; tal virulência relacionou-se positivamente com maior produção enzimática. Esta linhagem foi compatível com tebufenozide, evidenciado seu potencial no controle de B. salubricola.

Several insects are harmful to apples grown in Brazil, especially the leafroller Bonagota salubricola (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae), usually controlled with chemical insecticides. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the use of Metarhizium anisopliae strains in the control of the apple leafroller, by assessing their virulence to B. salubricola larvae in bioassays with suspensions of 2 x 10(5) to 2 x 10(9) conidia/mL as well as their relationship with protease expression. The most effective strain underwent a compatibility test with chemical insecticides. The M. anisopliae E6 strain showed a good performance, with up to 88% mortality and a LT50 of 1.66 days. The virulence was positively correlated with a higher enzymatic activity. The E6 strain was compatible with tebufenozide, evidencing its potential to control B. salubricola.

O seqüestro pulmonar é definido como uma massa anormal de tecido pulmonar sem comunicação com a árvore brônquica. É anomalia rara, responsável por 0,15-6,45% das malformações pulmonares congênitas. Quando possui revestimento pleural próprio, chama-se seqüestro pulmonar extralobar (SPE). Este trabalho descreve dois casos de SPE em natimortos (NM) com 32 (1) e 34 (2) semanas de gestação com diagnóstico clínico de hipoxia intra-uterina e adenomatose cística, respectivamente, e faz revisão da literatura. O diagnóstico envolveu análise ultra-sonográfica, sindrômica, macroscópica e microscópica dos NM. Foi observada massa supradiafragmática no hemitórax esquerdo ligada à aorta torácica (1) e ao diafragma (2). As MFs associadas foram agenesia tímica (2), hipoplasia pulmonar (2), pé torto congênito (1) e acondroplasia de membros (2). A microscopia evidenciou, nos dois casos, tecido pulmonar imaturo e pedículo vascularizado e inervado.

Pulmonary sequestration represents an abnormal pulmonary mass that does not communicate with the tracheobronchial tree. It is a rare malformation (MF), accountable for 0.15%-6.45% of pulmonary congenital MFs. When it has its own pleural covering, it is called extralobar (EBPS). This work describes two cases of EBPS in stillbirths (SB), at 32 (1) and 34 (2) weeks' gestation, with clinical diagnosis of intrauterine hypoxia and cystic adenomatosis, respectively. It also reviews the literature on the subject. The diagnosis involved ultrasonographic, syndromic, macroscopic and microscopic analysis. The macroscopy showed a supradiaphragmatic mass in the left hemithorax linked to thoracic aorta (1) and diaphragm (2). The associated MFs were: thymic agenesis (2), pulmonary hypoplasia (2), clubfoot (1) and achondroplasia (2). Microscopy demonstrated, in both cases, immature pulmonary tissue and vascularized and innervated pedicle.

Este trabalho reporta a obtenção de nanopartículas de aluminato de zinco dopado com Eu3+, por meio do método de síntese por reação de combustão. Foram preparadas quatro amostras com diferentes concentrações de dopante, para avaliar o efeito do teor de Eu3+ na luminescência dos pós obtidos. Os resultados de difração de raios X confirmaram a formação da fase espinélio ZnAl2O4 e também traços de fases secundárias identificadas como EuAlO3 e ZnO, em quantidade diretamente proporcional ao teor de dopante das amostras. O espectro de emissão foi excitado em 265 nm (lambdamax), o qual apresentou picos característicos do íon Eu3+ localizados em torno de 578, 591 613, 653 e 703 nm. Os resultados obtidos por microscopia eletrônica de varredura apresentam aglomerados em forma de placas irregulares formadas por nanopartículas com pontos dispersos de fase secundaria na superfície. Baseado nos resultados verificou-se a dependência da intensidade de luminescência com o teor e também com a forma de incorporação do íon Eu3+, inserido na rede hospedeira, adsorvido na superfície de nanopartículas ou formando uma segunda fase.

This paper reports how zinc aluminate nanoparticles doped with Eu3+ ions were obtained by the method of combustion reaction synthesis. Four samples were prepared with different amounts of dopant to evaluate the effect of the concentration of Eu3+ ions on the powders' luminescence. X-ray diffraction results confirmed the formation of the spinel phase, as well as secondary phases identified as EuAlO3 and ZnO, in amounts directly proportional to the content of dopant in the samples. An excitation wavelength of 265 nm was determined based on the excitation spectrum. This wavelength was used to obtain the emission spectrum, which revealed the presence of peaks characteristic of Eu3+ ions located at around 578, 591 613, 653 and 703 nm. SEM analysis indicated that the powder's morphology consisted of irregular plate-shaped agglomerates composed of nanoparticles with scattered points of secondary phase on their surface. These results indicate how the intensity of luminescence is dependent on the Eu3+ ion content and on how these ions are incorporated, i.e., inserted into the host lattice, adsorbed on the surface, or forming a secondary phase.