Cottonseed biodiesel oxidative stability in mixture with natural antioxidants

João Paulo Almeida Freitas,Fernanda Rocha Morais França,Maria Susana Silva,Richard James Toms,Gabriel Francisco da Silva 한국화학공학회 2019 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.36 No.8

We evaluated the antioxidant power of the natural extracts catechin, curcumin and quercetin on the oxidative stability of methylic cottonseed oil biodiesel by applying the simplex-centroid augmented mixture experimental design, in addition to verifying the existence and the type of synergy among the extracts. The oxidative stability was measured using Rancimat method (EN 14112) for biodiesel added with 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 ppm of additives, and compared with the commercial synthetic antioxidant butyl hydroxyanisole at the same concentrations. All additives had a positive effect on biodiesel oxidative stability; in addition, catechin and quercetin proved to be more efficient than the synthetic antioxidant, whereas curcumin showed similar results. The results also revealed that the interactions among the extracts varied not only with the proportion in which they were added to the biodiesel, but also with the total concentration, so that the increase in concentration reduced the magnitude of the synergistic effect.

Micro-computed tomographic evaluation of canal retreatments performed by undergraduate students using different techniques

Emmanuel João Nogueira Leal Silva,Felipe Gonçalves Belladonna,Marianna Fernandes Carapiá,,Brenda Leite Muniz,Mariana Santoro Rocha,Edson Jorge Lima Moreira 대한치과보존학회 2018 Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics Vol.43 No.1

Objectives This study evaluated the amount of remaining root canal filling materials after retreatment procedures performed by undergraduate students using manual, rotary, and reciprocating techniques through micro-computed tomographic analysis. The incidence of instrument fracture and the instrumentation time were also evaluated. Materials and Methods Thirty maxillary single rooted teeth were prepared with Reciproc R25 files and filled with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer by the continuous wave of condensation technique. Then, the specimens were assigned to 3 groups (n = 10), according to the retreatment technique used: manual, rotary, and reciprocating groups, which used K-file, Mtwo retreatment file, and Reciproc file, respectively. Retreatments were performed by undergraduate students. The sample was scanned after root canal filling and retreatment procedures, and the images of the canals were examined to quantify the amount of remaining filling material. The incidence of instrument fracture and the instrumentation time were recorded. Results Remaining filling material was observed in all specimens regardless of the technique used. The mean volume of remaining material was significantly lower in the Reciproc group than in the manual K-file and Mtwo retreatment groups (p < 0.05). The time required to achieve a satisfactory removal of canal filling material and refinement was significantly lower in the Mtwo retreatment and Reciproc groups (p < 0.05) when compared to the manual K-file group. No instrument fracture was observed in any of the groups. Conclusions Reciproc was the most effective instrument in the removal of canal fillings after retreatments performed by undergraduate students.

Effect of the restorative technique on load-bearing capacity, cusp deflection, and stress distribution of endodontically-treated premolars with MOD restoration

Daniel Maranha da Rocha,João Paulo Mendes Tribst,Pietro Ausiello,Amanda Maria de Oliveira Dal Piva,Milena Cerqueira da Rocha,Rebeca Di Nicoló,Alexandre Luiz Souto Borges 대한치과보존학회 2019 Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics Vol.44 No.3

Objectives: To evaluate the influence of the restorative technique on the mechanical response of endodontically-treated upper premolars with mesio-occluso-distal (MOD) cavity. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight premolars received MOD preparation (4 groups, n = 12) with different restorative techniques: glass ionomer cement + composite resin (the GIC group), a metallic post + composite resin (the MP group), a fiberglass post + composite resin (the FGP group), or no endodontic treatment + restoration with composite resin (the CR group). Cusp strain and load-bearing capacity were evaluated. One-way analysis of variance and the Tukey test were used with α = 5%. Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to calculate displacement and tensile stress for the teeth and restorations. Results: MP showed the highest cusp (p = 0.027) deflection (24.28 ± 5.09 µm/µm), followed by FGP (20.61 ± 5.05 µm/µm), CR (17.72 ± 6.32 µm/µm), and GIC (17.62 ± 7.00 µm/µm). For load-bearing, CR (38.89 ± 3.24 N) showed the highest, followed by GIC (37.51 ± 6.69 N), FGP (29.80 ± 10.03 N), and MP (18.41 ± 4.15 N) (p = 0.001) value. FEA showed similar behavior in the restorations in all groups, while MP showed the highest stress concentration in the tooth and post. Conclusions: There is no mechanical advantage in using intraradicular posts for endodontically-treated premolars requiring MOD restoration. Filling the pulp chamber with GIC and restoring the tooth with only CR showed the most promising results for cusp deflection, failure load, and stress distribution.

Status Epilepticus in Children: Experience in a Portuguese Tertiary Hospital

Catarina Granjo Morais,Marta João Silva,Teresa Cunha Mota,Ruben Rocha,Augusto Ribeiro 대한소아신경학회 2023 대한소아신경학회지 Vol.31 No.3

Purpose: Status epilepticus (SE) is a life-threatening neurological emergency, frequently diagnosed in pediatric patients. We aimed to characterize our pediatric cases of SE in an 11-year period according to the 2015 International League Against Epilepsy report. Methods: Clinical electronic records were retrospectively reviewed. All pediatric SE cases admitted from January 2010 to December 2020 were included, excluding neonates. SE was considered refractory if it persisted despite the administration of two appropriate antiseizure medications at acceptable doses. Results: We included 102 episodes, 55 (53.9%) in boys. The median age was 2.5 years (interquartile range, 1.3 to 5.0). Most episodes were classified as SE with prominent motor features (92.2%), and the most frequent etiological classification was acute symptomatic cause (84.3%). A benzodiazepine was used as the first-line antiseizure medication in 99 (97%) cases, of which diazepam was preferred (93%). The preferred second-line medication was phenytoin (65.7%). Midazolam was the most frequently responsible for termination of SE when given in a continuous infusion (47%). Episodes of SE were classified as refractory in 81 (79.4%) cases. Episodes of >60 minutes were more frequent in patients diagnosed with epilepsy (P=0.036), focal motor SE (P60 minutes), which reinforces the significance of the underlying neurological disease and semiological standardization in pediatric SE.

Ovary and vaginal epithelium dynamics during the estrous cycle in Dasyprocta prymnolopha Wagler, 1831: ultrasound and cytological examinations

Artur N. Carreiro,João A. R. A. Diniz,Joyce G. Souza,Débora V. F. Araújo,Rômulo F. F. Dias,Liliane M. S. Azerêdo,Ediane F. Rocha,Ana Y. F. La Salles,Carlos E. Peña-Alfaro,Maria A. M. Carvalho,Maria J. 대한수의학회 2018 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.19 No.3

The objective of the present study was to monitor and characterize morphological alterations in ovaries of agouti (Dasyprocta prymnolopha), reared in captivity, by using abdominal ultrasonography. All animals underwent daily vaginal cytological examination to identify the current cycle phase. For each phase of the estrous cycle, ultrasound examinations were carried out to identify and describe the morphology of both ovaries. Topographic parameters in an ultrasound window were established to locate the ovaries. The agouti estrous cycle lasted an average of 29.94 ± 6.77 days. During vaginal cytology examinations, all cell types were identified, and each phase of the estrous cycle was established by cell counts. No significant alterations were observed in the assessed ovarian morphometry measurements. In 75% of the animals examined, ovarian follicle presence was observed in the proestrus phase.

Antinociceptive Action and Redox Properties of Citronellal, an Essential Oil Present in Lemongrass

Lucindo Quintans-Júnior,Ricardo Fagundes da Rocha,Fernanda Freitas Caregnato,José Claudio Fonseca Moreira,Francilene Amaral da Silva,Adriano Antunes de Souza Araújo,João Paulo Almeida dos Santos,Mônic 한국식품영양과학회 2011 Journal of medicinal food Vol.14 No.6

Citronellal (CT) is a monoterpenoid and the major constituent of the mixture of terpenoids that give the citronella oil its lemon scent. Citronella oil is widely used around the world for various purposes and is mainly obtained from plants of the Cymbopogon genus, which are known as “lemongrass.” Considering these plants have been used worldwide for various medicinal purposes, the interest of researchers to understand the biological activities of monoterpenoids related to the Cymbopogon genus has been increasing. In the present work, we investigated the antinociceptive action and the redox properties of CT. Our results indicate that intraperitoneal injection of CT was effective in reducing nociceptive face-rubbing behavior in both phases of the formalin test, which was also naloxone-sensitive. CT also evoked antinociceptive response in the capsaicin and glutamate tests. The total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter and total antioxidant reactivity assays indicate that CT at doses of 0.1 and 1 mg/mL exerts a significant antioxidant activity, which is probably related to its ability to scavenge superoxide and nitric oxide, but not H_2O_2 or hydroxyl radicals, as evaluated separately by specific in vitro tests. These results show for the first time the antinociceptive potential of CT and indicate that the antioxidant properties of this compound may rely on its mechanism of biological actions because CT-containing natural products are used to treat various diseases related to oxidative stress and reactive species.

Effects of Mikania glomerata Spreng. and Mikania laevigata Schultz Bip. ex Baker (Asteraceae) Extracts on Pulmonary Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Caused by Acute Coal Dust Exposure

Tiago P. Freitas,Paulo C. Silveira,Luís G. Rocha,Gislaine T. Rezin,João Rocha,Vanilde Citadini-Zanette,Pedro T. Romão,Felipe Dal-Pizzol,Ricardo A. Pinho,Vanessa M. Andrade,Emilio L. Streck 한국식품영양과학회 2008 Journal of medicinal food Vol.11 No.4

Several studies have reported biological effects of Mikania glomerata and Mikania laevigata, used in Brazilian folk medicine for respiratory diseases. Pneumoconiosis is characterized by pulmonary inflammation caused by coal dust exposure. In this work, we evaluated the effect of pretreatment with M. glomerata and M. laevigata extracts (MGE and MLE, respectively) (100 mg/kg, s.c.) on inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters in lung of rats subjected to a single coal dust intratracheal instillation. Rats were pretreated for 2 weeks with saline solution, MGE, or MLE. On day 15, the animals were anesthetized, and gross mineral coal dust or saline solutions were administered directly in the lung by intratracheal instillation. Fifteen days after coal dust instillation, the animals were killed. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was obtained; total cell count and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were determined. In the lung, myeloperoxidase activity, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) level, and protein carbonyl and sulfhydryl contents were evaluated. In BAL of treated animals, we verified an increased total cell count and LDH activity. MGE and MLE prevented the increase in cell count, but only MLE prevented the increase in LDH. Myeloperoxidase and TBARS levels were not affected, protein carbonylation was increased, and the protein thiol levels were decreased by acute coal dust intratracheal administration. The findings also suggest that both extracts present an important protective effect on the oxidation of thiol groups. Moreover, pretreatment with MGE and MLE also diminished lung inflammatory infiltration induced by coal dust, as assessed by histopathologic analyses. The present study indicates that M. glomerata and M. laevigata might become good candidates for the prevention of lung oxidative injury caused by coal dust exposure.

Evaluation of renal injury caused by acute volume replacement with hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 or Ringer’s lactate solution in pigs

David A. Ferreira,Rita Cruz,Carlos Venâncio,Ana I. Faustino-Rocha,Aura Silva,João R. Mesquita,Ana L. Ortiz,Helena Vala 대한수의학회 2018 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.19 No.5

This work aimed to evaluate the effects on renal tissue integrity after hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 and Ringer’s lactate (RL) administration in pigs under general anesthesia after acute bleeding. A total of 30 mL/kg of blood were passively removed from the femoral artery in two groups of Large White pigs, under total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil. After bleeding, Group 1 (n = 11) received RL solution (25 mL/kg) and Group 2 (n = 11) received HES 130/0.4 solution (20 mL/kg). Additionally, Group 3 (n = 6) was not submitted to bleeding or volume replacement. Pigs were euthanized and kidneys were processed for histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses. Minimal to moderate glomerular, tubular, and interstitial changes, as well as papillary necrosis, were observed in all experimental groups. Pre-apoptosis and apoptosis indicators were higher in pigs that received HES 130/0.4, indicating a higher renal insult. Both HES 130/0.4 and RL administration may cause renal injury, although renal injury may be more significant in pigs receiving HES 13/0.4. Results also suggest that total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil may cause renal injury, and this effect can be dose related.