Nanostructured Polypyrrole Powder: A Structural and Morphological Characterization

Polypyrrole (PPY) powder was chemically synthesized using ferric chloride (FeCl3) and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Le Bail Method, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). XRD pattern showed a broad scattering of a semicrystalline structure composed of main broad peaks centered at 2θ = 11.4°, 22.1°, and 43.3°. Crystallinity percentage was estimated by the ratio between the sums of the peak areas to the area of amorphous broad halo due to the amorphous phase and showed that PPY has around 20 (1)%. FTIR analysis allowed assigning characteristic absorption bands in the structure of PPY. SEM showed micrometric particles of varying sizes with morphologies similar to cauliflower. Crystal data (monoclinic, space group P 21/c, a=7.1499 (2) Å, b=13.9470 (2) Å, c=17.3316 (2) Å, α=90 Å, β=61.5640 (2) Å and γ=90 Å) were obtained using the FullProf package program under the conditions of the method proposed by Le Bail. Molecular relaxation was performed using the density functional theory (DFT) and suggests that tetramer polymer chains are arranged along the “c” direction. Average crystallite size was found in the range of 20 (1) Å. A value of 9.33 × 10−9 S/cm was found for PPY conductivity

Estolides Synthesis Catalyzed by Immobilized Lipases

Estolides are vegetable-oil-based lubricants obtained from oleic acid or any source of hydroxy fatty acids. In this work, the estolides synthesis from oleic acid and methyl ricinoleate (biodiesel from castor oil), using immobilized commercial lipases (Novozym 435, Lipozyme RM-IM, and Lipozyme TL-IM) in a solvent-free medium was investigated. Acid value was used to monitor the reaction progress by determining the consumption of acid present in the medium. Novozym 435 showed the best performance. Water removal improved the conversion. Novozym 435 was more active at atmospheric pressure. Novozym 435 was reused four times with conversion reaching 15% after the fourth reaction at 80°C. Estolides produced under the reaction conditions used in this work presented good properties, such as, low temperature properties as pour point (−24°C), viscosity (23.9 cSt at 40°C and 5.2 cSt at 100°C), and viscosity index (153)

Simvastatin-induced cardiac autonomic control improvement in fructose-fed female rats

OBJECTIVE: Because autonomic dysfunction has been found to lead to cardiometabolic disorders and because studies have reported that simvastatin treatment has neuroprotective effects, the objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of simvastatin treatment on cardiovascular and autonomic changes in fructose-fed female rats. METHODS: Female Wistar rats were divided into three groups: controls (n=8), fructose (n=8), and fructose+ simvastatin (n=8). Fructose overload was induced by supplementing the drinking water with fructose (100 mg/L, 18 wks). Simvastatin treatment (5 mg/kg/day for 2 wks) was performed by gavage. The arterial pressure was recorded using a data acquisition system. Autonomic control was evaluated by pharmacological blockade. RESULTS: Fructose overload induced an increase in the fasting blood glucose and triglyceride levels and insulin resistance. The constant rate of glucose disappearance during the insulin intolerance test was reduced in the fructose group (3.4+ 0.32%/min) relative to that in the control group (4.4+ 0.29%/min). Fructose+simvastatin rats exhibited increased insulin sensitivity (5.4+0.66%/min). The fructose and fructose+simvastatin groups demonstrated an increase in the mean arterial pressure compared with controls rats (fructose: 124+2 mmHg and fructose+simvastatin: 126 + 3 mmHg vs. controls: 112 + 2 mmHg). The sympathetic effect was enhanced in the fructose group (73 + 7 bpm) compared with that in the control (48 + 7 bpm) and fructose+simvastatin groups (31+8 bpm). The vagal effect was increased in fructose+simvastatin animals (84 + 7 bpm) compared with that in control (49 + 9 bpm) and fructose animals (46+5 bpm). CONCLUSION: Simvastatin treatment improved insulin sensitivity and cardiac autonomic control in an experimental model of metabolic syndrome in female rats. These effects were independent of the improvements in the classical plasma lipid profile and of reductions in arterial pressure. These results support the hypothesis that statins reduce the cardiometabolic risk in females with metabolic syndrome

LEVANTAMENTO RETROSPECTIVO DOS ATENDIMENTOS DO AMBULATÓRIO DE FISIOTERAPIA DERMATO-FUNCIONAL DA UNIVERSIDADE POTIGUAR

A fisioterapia dermato-funcional é uma área do conhecimento em plena expansão, caracterizada por fornecer serviço nos três níveis de atenção à saúde, tratando diferentes patologiasde âmbito estético e reparador. A Universidade Potiguar (UNP) é uma instituição pioneira no estado do Rio Grande do Norte no serviço de fisioterapia dermato-funcional e oportuniza àpopulação carente o acesso a tratamentos de alto custo, com a utilização de recursos avançados neste segmento. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar as características da população atendida na Clínica Escola de Fisioterapia Dermato-Funcional da UnP. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, retrospectivo, no qual, foram analisados os prontuários de 863 pacientes que freqüentaram o serviço de fisioterapia dermato-funcional, de 2000 a 2009. Observou-se uma variação no públicode pacientes que frequentou o serviço, constatando-se que, no ano de 2001, o percentual de homens que procurou o serviço foi de, no máximo, 4,4%, aumentado para 30,27% em 2009.Foram atendidos quase 100 pacientes anualmente, tratando diferentes patologias, em destaque a adiposidade. Os pacientes realizaram, na maioria dos casos, de 01 a 05 sessões, com importante índice de abandono. Esse abandono pode estar relacionado a frequentes interrupções dosatendimentos devido ao período de férias ou mudanças na estrutura curricular semestralmente e isso pode ser considerado uma das limitações dessa assistência.Retrospective survey of the attendances outpatient physical therapy dermato-functional University PotiguarPhysical therapy is a dermato-functional knowledge area in full expansion, characterized by providing three levels of service in health care, treating different pathologies within aestheticand restorative. The University Potiguar – UNP is a pioneer institution in the state of Rio Grande 42 do Norte in the physiotherapy service dermato-functional and takes advantage of the poor access to high-cost treatments with the use of advanced features in this segment. The aim of this studywas to determine the characteristics of the population served in Clinical Dermatology, School of Physiotherapy Functional UNP. It is a descriptive, retrospective study, which analyzed the medicalrecords of 863 patients who attended physiotherapy service dermato-functional, from 2000 to 2009. There was a change in public patients attending the physiotherapy service dermato-functional, noting that in 2001 the percentage of men attending the service was up to 4.4% increased to 30.27% in 2009. We served almost 100 patients annually, treating different diseases, highlighted adiposity. Patients were, in most cases, 01 to 05 sessions, with significant dropout rate. This dropmay be related to frequent interruptions of attendance due to vacation or changes in curriculum structure every six months and may be considered one of the limitations of this assistance.Key words: Public Health. Aesthetics. Dermatology. Physical Therapy

Evaluation of the Environmental Toxicity Profile of Shampoos Formulated with Plant Biosurfactants

In developing new cosmetics, a series of steps must be followed until the final product is reached. In general, the process goes through the initial idea and preliminary research before reaching the development of the prototype. After the development of the prototype, several analytical tests are carried out to prove the viability of the product before production on a pilot scale. In the present work, three prototypes of innovative shampoo formulations containing plant extracts, rich in biosurfactants, of Chenopodium quinoa (quinoa), Glycine max (soy) and Malpighia emarginata (acerola) as cleaning agents were analyzed for their environmental toxicity profile. The plant extracts used aimed to reduce the use of toxic synthetic surfactants and to produce safe, renewable and biodegradable formulations, to help solve the challenges related to the damage caused to the environment due to the presence of synthetic surfactants in shampoo formulations and their toxic residues in soils and waters. The toxicity of the formulations was evaluated at a concentration of 1%, and the tests carried out were the phytotoxicity tests through the static test involving seed germination and root elongation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and the Allium cepa L. root growth inhibition test. A toxicity test was also performed using the microcrustacean Artemia salina as a bioindicator. A formulation without the addition of surfactants, another containing only DCG, and a commercially available shampoo, whose acceptability is known, were used as comparative standards. The results showed that the formulations showed reduced or no toxic activity for the environmental bioindicator Artemia salina, for the seeds of S. lycopersicum and for the root growth of Allium cepa L., indicating the biocompatibility and safety of these formulations, thus presenting the potential for future commercialization, for the supply of new biotechnological products with high added value

Evaluation of mutagenicity and antimutagenicity of different fractions of Pterogyne nitens (Leguminosae), using Tradescantia pallida micronuclei assay

Pterogyne nitens (Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae) é uma árvore nativa da América do Sul, onde é empregada na medicina popular para o tratamento da ascaridíase. Recentemente, descrevemos o efeito mutagênico do extrato etanólico das folhas de P. nitens. Dessa forma, o presente estudo teve por objetivo aprofundar a avaliação do potencial mutagênico das frações isoladas das folhas de Pterogyne nitens, acetato de etila (AcOEt), n-butanólica (BuOH) e hidroalcóolica (HA). Quando o efeito mutagênico foi observado somente nas maiores concentrações testadas, o potencial antimutagênico também foi avaliado. Os ensaios mutagênicos e antimutagênicos foram realizados utilizando ensaio de micronúcleo em Trandescantia pallida. Na avaliação de mutagenicidade, observou-se o efeito nas frações AcOEt (0,460 mg/mL), BuOH (0,142, 0,285, 0,570 e 1,14 mg/mL) e HA (0,050, 0,100, 0,200 e 0,400 mg/mL). Considerando que o efeito mutagênico da fração AcOEt foi observado somente na concentração mais elevada (0,460 mg/mL), o potencial antimutagênico da mesma foi avaliado. As concentrações de 0,115 e 0,230 mg/mL da fração AcOEt demonstraram atividade antimutagênica. A partir dos resultados do presente estudo, conclui-se que determinadas frações de P. nitens apresentam mutagenicidade (BuOH e HA), enquanto a fração AcOEt apresentou efeito antimutagênico nas maiores concentrações. Esses resultados tornam o estudo da P. nitens bastante promissor, considerando que esta planta possui distribuição geográfica ampla e tem sido pouco estudada.Pterogyne nitens (Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae) is a tree native to South American, where it is used in folk treatment of ascaridiasis. Recently, we have been describing the mutagenic effect of the ethanol extract of leaves of P. nitens. Thus, the present study aimed at evaluating the mutagenic potential of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n- butanol (BuOH) and hydroalcoholic (HA) fractions. When the mutagenic effect was observed only in the highest tested concentrations, the antimutagenic activity was also evaluated. Both mutagenic and antimutagenic assays were performed using T. pallida micronuclei assay. Mutagenicity was observed between different concentrations of the P nitens fractions, EtOAc (0.460 mg/mL), BuOH (0.142, 0.285, 0.570 and 1.14 mg/mL) and HA (0.050, 0.100, 0.200 and 0.400 mg/mL). Whereas the mutagenic effect of the EtOAc fraction was observed in the highest concentration (0.460 mg/mL), its antimutagenic potential was evaluated. The 0.115 and 0.230 mg/mL concentrations of the EtOAc fraction demonstrated antimutagenic activity. Based on the results of the present study we can conclude that some P. nitens fractions (BuOH and HA) demonstrated mutagenic effects whereas the EtOAc fraction shown low mutagenicity and amtimutagenicity in the two higher concentrations. Those results stimulate the studies with P. nitens, which possess spread geographic distribution and it is still low studied

Antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory activity from aerial parts of Psychotria cupularis (Rubiaceae) / Atividade antiproliferativa e anti-inflamatória das partes aéreas de Psychotria cupularis (Rubiaceae)

The crude extract and fractions of aerial parts from Psychotria cupularis, collected at Camacan (Brazil), were tested for anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activity. A phytochemical screening indicated the presence of tannins, anthraquinones, triterpenes, steroids and flavonoids. The crude extract and fractions inhibited the ear oedema in mice between 50.2 to 87.2% and the myeloperoxidase enzyme activity between 51.6 to 97.1%. The butanolic and ethyl acetate fractions was active against glioma, breast, ovary, kidney, colon and leukaemia cell line (IG50 = 4.3 to 16.9 ?g/mL).