Wetting evaluation of a refractory castable matrix (Al2O3-SiC-SiO2-C) by synthetic slags containing different amounts of MgO

O comportamento de espalhamento de quatro escórias sintéticas foi investigado pelo método da gota séssil, quando em contato com a matriz de um concreto refratário contendo alto teor de carbono e carbeto de boro como agente antioxidante. A evolução do molhamento do sólido foi monitorada a 1450, 1550 e 1650 ºC por 1800 s. Além disso, simulações termodinâmicas foram efetuadas, usando o programa FactSage®, visando promover um maior entendimento das reações químicas que podem ocorrer na interface dos materiais avaliados. Foi observado que a composição química do líquido afetou diretamente o espalhamento deste e quanto maior o teor de MgO na composição da escória, maiores foram os valores do ângulo de contato entre líquido e sólido. No entanto, em altas temperaturas e tempos prolongados, foram verificadas a formação de bolhas na superfície do líquido e a infiltração das escórias nos poros do refratário. Estes fatores afetaram negativamente e tornaram menos conclusivos os dados coletados nos ensaios propostos, apontando que ainda são necessários aperfeiçoamentos da técnica de molhabilidade para a avaliação de materiais complexos, tais como os concretos refratários

A direct proof of Jauregui-Tsallis' conjecture

We give here direct proof of a recent conjecture of Jauregui and Tsallis about a new representation of Dirac's delta distribution by means of q-exponentials. The proof is based in the use of tempered ultradistributions' theory.Comment: 19 pages, no figure

Modulation of subventricular zone oligodendrogenesis: a role for hemopressin?

Neural stem cells (NSCs) from the subventricular zone (SVZ) have been indicated as a source of new oligodendrocytes to use in regenerative medicine for myelin pathologies. Indeed, NSCs are multipotent cells that can self-renew and differentiate into all neural cell types of the central nervous system. In normal conditions, SVZ cells are poorly oligodendrogenic, nevertheless their oligodendrogenic potential is boosted following demyelination. Importantly, progressive restriction into the oligodendrocyte fate is specified by extrinsic and intrinsic factors, endocannabinoids being one of these factors. Although a role for endocannabinoids in oligodendrogenesis has already been foreseen, selective agonists and antagonists of cannabinoids receptors produce severe adverse side effects. Herein, we show that hemopressin (Hp),a modulator of CB1 receptors, increased oligodendroglial differentiation in SVZ neural stem/progenitor cell cultures derived from neonatal mice. The original results presented in this work suggest that Hp and derivates may be of potential interest for the development of future strategies to treat demyelinating diseases

Understanding chemical reactions of CO2 and its isoelectronic molecules with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate by changing the nature of the cation: The case of CS2 in 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium acetate studied by NMR spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations

NMR spectroscopy (H-1, C-13, N-15) shows that carbon disulfide reacts spontaneously with 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium acetate ([BmPyrro][Ac]) in the liquid phase. It is found that the acetate anions play an important role in conditioning chemical reactions with CS2 leading, via coupled complex reactions, to the degradation of this molecule to form thioacetate anion (CH3COS-), CO2, OCS, and trithiocarbonate (CS32-). In marked contrast, the cation does not lead to the formation of any adducts allowing to conclude that, at most, its role consists in assisting indirectly these reactions. The choice of the [BmPyrro](+) cation in the present study allows disentangling the role of the anion and the cation in the reactions. As a consequence, the ensemble of results already reported on CS2-[Bmim][Ac] (1), OCS-[Bmim][Ac] (2), and CO2-[Bmim][Ac] (3) systems can be consistently rationalized. It is argued that in system (1) both anion and cation play a role. The CS2 reacts with the acetate anion leading to the formation of CH3COS-, CO2, and OCS. After these reactions have proceeded the nascent CO2 and OCS interact with the cation to form imidazolium-carboxylate ([Bmim] CO2) and imidazolium-thiocarboxylate ([Bmim] COS). The same scenario also applies to system (2). In contrast, in the CO2-[Bmim] [Ac] system a concerted cooperative process between the cation, the anion, and the CO2 molecule takes place. A carbene issued from the cation reacts to form the [Bmim] CO2, whereas the proton released by the ring interacts with the anion to produce acetic acid. In all these systems, the formation of adduct resulting from the reaction between the solute molecule and the carbene species originating from the cation is expected. However, this species was only observed in systems (2) and (3). The absence of such an adduct in system (1) has been theoretically investigated using DFT calculations. The values of the energetic barrier of the reactions show that the formation of [Bmim] CS2 is unfavoured and that the anion offers a competitive reactive channel via an oxygen-sulphur exchange mechanism with the solute in systems (1) and (2). (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC

Intercomparison Study of Six HTDMAs: Results and Recommendations

We report on an intercomparison of six different hygroscopicity tandem differential mobility analysers (HTDMAs). These HTDMAs are used worldwide in laboratory experiments and field campaigns to measure the water uptake of aerosol particles and have never been intercompared. After an investigation of the different design of the instruments with their advantages and inconveniencies, the methods for calibration, validation and data analysis are presented. Measurements of nebulised ammonium sulphate as well as of secondary organic aerosol generated from a smog chamber were performed. Agreement and discrepancies between the instruments and to the theory are discussed, and final recommendations for a standard instrument are given, as a benchmark for laboratory or field experiments to ensure a high quality of HTDMA data.JRC.H.2-Climate chang

Clinical features and outcomes of 134 Brazilians with acute promyelocytic leukemia who received ATRA and anthracyclines

We report an increased incidence of high relapse risk features in 157 APL Brazilian patients. Out of 134 patients treated with ATRA and anthracyclines, only 91 (67.9%) achieved remission because 43 (32%) died during induction. the death rate during consolidation was 10.5%. Bleeding complications were the most frequent cause of failure (21.6%).Med Sch Riberao Preto, Dept Internal Med, Ribeirao Preto, BrazilHosp Amaral Carvalho, Bone Marrow Transplantat Unit, Jau, BrazilUniv Fed Minas Gerais, Hematol Serv, Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilSanta Casa São Paulo, Hematol Serv, São Paulo, BrazilFundacao Pio XII Barretos, Barretos, BrazilClin Hematol Riberao Preto, Ribeirao Preto, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Hematol & Hemotherapy, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Estadual Campinas, Hemoctr, Campinas, BrazilSt Jude Childrens Hosp, Internal Outreach Program, Memphis, TN USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Hematol & Hemotherapy, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Structure-Based Discovery of A2A Adenosine Receptor Ligands

The recent determination of X-ray structures of pharmacologically relevant GPCRs has made these targets accessible to structure-based ligand discovery. Here we explore whether novel chemotypes may be discovered for the A(2A) adenosine receptor, based on complementarity to its recently determined structure. The A(2A) adenosine receptor signals in the periphery and the CNS, with agonists explored as anti-inflammatory drugs and antagonists explored for neurodegenerative diseases. We used molecular docking to screen a 1.4 million compound database against the X-ray structure computationally and tested 20 high-ranking, previously unknown molecules experimentally. Of these 35% showed substantial activity with affinities between 200 nM and 9 microM. For the most potent of these new inhibitors, over 50-fold specificity was observed for the A(2A) versus the related A(1) and A(3) subtypes. These high hit rates and affinities at least partly reflect the bias of commercial libraries toward GPCR-like chemotypes, an issue that we attempt to investigate quantitatively. Despite this bias, many of the most potent new ligands were novel, dissimilar from known ligands, providing new lead structures for modulation of this medically important target

Adenosine A1 receptor: Functional receptor-receptor interactions in the brain

Over the past decade, many lines of investigation have shown that receptor-mediated signaling exhibits greater diversity than previously appreciated. Signal diversity arises from numerous factors, which include the formation of receptor dimers and interplay between different receptors. Using adenosine A1 receptors as a paradigm of G protein-coupled receptors, this review focuses on how receptor-receptor interactions may contribute to regulation of the synaptic transmission within the central nervous system. The interactions with metabotropic dopamine, adenosine A2A, A3, neuropeptide Y, and purinergic P2Y1 receptors will be described in the first part. The second part deals with interactions between A1Rs and ionotropic receptors, especially GABAA, NMDA, and P2X receptors as well as ATP-sensitive K+ channels. Finally, the review will discuss new approaches towards treating neurological disorders

Adenosine A2A receptors: localization and function

Adenosine is an endogenous purine nucleoside present in all mammalian tissues, that originates from the breakdown of ATP. By binding to its four receptor subtypes (A1, A2A, A2B, and A3), adenosine regulates several important physiological functions at both the central and peripheral levels. Therefore, ligands for the different adenosine receptors are attracting increasing attention as new potential drugs to be used in the treatment of several diseases. This chapter is aimed at providing an overview of adenosine metabolism, adenosine receptors localization and their signal transduction pathways. Particular attention will be paid to the biochemistry and pharmacology of A2A receptors, since antagonists of these receptors have emerged as promising new drugs for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The interactions of A2A receptors with other nonadenosinergic receptors, and the effects of the pharmacological manipulation of A2A receptors on different body organs will be discussed, together with the usefulness of A2A receptor antagonists for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and the potential adverse effects of these drugs

Deletion of the BDNF Truncated Receptor TrkB.T1 Delays Disease Onset in a Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) exerts strong pro-survival effects on developing and injured motoneurons. However, in clinical trials, BDNF has failed to benefit patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To date, the cause of this failure remains unclear. Motoneurons express the TrkB kinase receptor but also high levels of the truncated TrkB.T1 receptor isoform. Thus, we investigated whether the presence of this receptor may affect the response of diseased motoneurons to endogenous BDNF. We deleted TrkB.T1 in the hSOD1G93A ALS mouse model and evaluated the impact of this mutation on motoneuron death, muscle weakness and disease progression. We found that TrkB.T1 deletion significantly slowed the onset of motor neuron degeneration. Moreover, it delayed the development of muscle weakness by 33 days. Although the life span of the animals was not affected we observed an overall improvement in the neurological score at the late stage of the disease. To investigate the effectiveness of strategies aimed at bypassing the TrkB.T1 limit to BDNF signaling we treated SOD1 mutant mice with the adenosine A2A receptor agonist CGS21680, which can activate motoneuron TrkB receptor signaling independent of neurotrophins. We found that CGS21680 treatment slowed the onset of motor neuron degeneration and muscle weakness similarly to TrkB.T1 removal. Together, our data provide evidence that endogenous TrkB.T1 limits motoneuron responsiveness to BDNF in vivo and suggest that new strategies such as Trk receptor transactivation may be used for therapeutic intervention in ALS or other neurodegenerative disorders