Hematopoietic progenitor constituents and adherent cell progenitor morphology isolated from black-rumped agouti (Dasyprocta prymnolopha, Wagler 1831) bone marrow

Stem cells are present in the adult tissues of most diverse species. Bone marrow is recognized to be the most exploited site to obtain stem cells and cell progenitors. The objective of the present study was to characterize hematopoietic progenitor (HP) morphology and analyze the performance of adherent cell progenitors (ACPs) cultivated in vitro from black‐rumped agouti bone marrow (Dasyprocta prymnolopha). Bone marrow aspirates were obtained from tibia crest and used to prepare histological slides and identify cell morphology. Cells were also scattered on culture plates for later isolation, expansion, and quantification. Smears obtained from bone marrow demonstrated HPs at different stages of maturity. In culture, these cells showed fibroblastoid morphology and a strong tendency to form colonies, demonstrated by the presence of cell aggregates, cytoplasmic elongations lying side by side. An 80% cell confluence was observed at 18 days in culture and progressive reduction in the percentage of nonadherent mononuclear cells. After eight passes, a mean cell viability of 96.07% was observed, from a pool of 1.6 × 10⁷ cells (ACP). Thirteen 25‐cm² culture bottles were trypsinized, resuspended in freezing medium, stored in 14 criotubes at a concentration of 1 × 10⁶ cells per milliliter, and placed in liquid nitrogen at ?196°C. Agouti bone marrow demonstrated high plasticity, moreover different HP lines, and a population of adherent cells demonstrated morphology similar to mesenchymal stem cells in culture. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Novel fluorine containing polyfluorenes with efficient blue electroluminescence

The synthesis, structural characterization, photo and electroluminescence, thermal and electrochemical properties of a new fluorinated fluorene-containing copolymer are described. The copolymer is formed by alternating mers of [2,3,5,6 tetrafluoro-1,4 phenylene] and [9,9′-dihexyl-2,7 fluorene] and emits blue light with low turn on voltages. The EL performance of the fluorinated copolymer was superior to those of the non-fluorinated analog copolymer and of the corresponding poly(9,9′dihexyl-2,7 polyfluorene) homopolymer.     

Effect of Bacterial Infection on Ghrelin Receptor Regulation in Periodontal Cells and Tissues

The effect of bacterial infection on the expression of growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) was investigated in periodontal cells and tissues, and the actions of ghrelin were evaluated. GHS-R was assessed in periodontal tissues of rats with and without periodontitis. Human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were exposed to Fusobacterium nucleatum in the presence and absence of ghrelin. GHS-R expression was determined by real-time PCR and immunocytochemistry. Furthermore, wound healing, cell viability, proliferation, and migration were evaluated. GHS-R expression was significantly higher at periodontitis sites as compared to healthy sites in rat tissues. F. nucleatum significantly increased the GHS-R expression and protein level in HGFs. Moreover, ghrelin significantly abrogated the stimulatory effects of F. nucleatum on CCL2 and IL-6 expressions in HGFs and did not affect cell viability and proliferation significantly. Ghrelin stimulated while F. nucleatum decreased wound closure, probably due to reduced cell migration. Our results show original evidence that bacterial infection upregulates GHS-R in rat periodontal tissues and HGFs. Moreover, our study shows that ghrelin inhibited the proinflammatory actions of F. nucleatum on HGFs without interfering with cell viability and proliferation, suggesting that ghrelin and its receptor may act as a protective molecule during bacterial infection on periodontal cells.     

Quantification of anhydrous ethanol and detection of adulterants in commercial Brazilian gasoline by Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy can be used to evaluate the quality of fuels in a remote, rapid, and nondestructive manner without the need for reagents. In this study, Raman was used to quantify anhydrous ethanol in commercial gasoline and to detect peaks due to compounds commonly used for the adulteration of commercial gasoline. Samples of commercial gasoline were collected from fuel stations in the region of Santos, SP, Brazil. Samples of naphtha from the refinery, pure ethanol, and ethanol diluted in distilled water at concentrations close to the range used in the gasoline were also obtained and characterized. Raman spectra were collected using a dispersive Raman spectrometer (830?nm, 2?cm^?1 resolution in the 400–1800?cm^?1 spectral range). As expected, the spectra of commercial gasoline showed pronounced peaks of naphtha and ethanol. By using the peak intensities of the ethanol diluted in water, the ethanol concentration was found to be in the range of 27%?±?1% in most of the samples; some samples presented ethanol concentrations as high as 28.8%, suggesting adulteration. Some samples presented peaks at 766, 798, and 995?cm^?1 with higher intensities, suggesting the presence of an adulterant with organic characteristics, such as solvents with aromatic rings. Raman spectroscopy has been shown to be effective in determining the adulteration of commercial gasoline, which may contribute to rapid quality control of fuels at the point of sale.     

Characterization of a New Lignocellulosic Fiber from Brazil: Imperata brasiliensis (Brazilian Satintail) as an Alternative Source for Nanocellulose Extraction

The chemical, physical and thermal properties of a new lignocellulosic fiber from Brazil (Imperata brasiliensis) were examined by SEM, chemical composition, XRD, FTIR, and TGA. Fibers were analyzed aiming to compare the properties of its new natural resource with other lignocellulosic fibers used as a source of nanocellulose extraction. Microscopy analysis demonstrated that the bundle of fibers presented a variety of size and shapes, ranging between 25 and 500 µm, while a single fiber has a diameter of 5 µm. The chemical composition showed the presence of 37.7% of cellulose, 35% of hemicellulose and 14.3% of lignin. The total crystallinity index (CI) calculated using Segal method was of 36.6%. By TGA, it was possible to identify the degradation step of each primary component of lignocellulosic fiber and to observe that the onset degradation temperature was 157°C. With the results of ATR-FTIR technique, it was possible to estimate the CI, and the results exhibited good agreement with that calculated by XRD. Finally it was possible to conclude that fibers obtained from Imperata brasiliensis are suitable to be used as a resource for nanocellulose obtainment since presents almost the same properties of other lignocellulosic fibers successfully used in literature for nanocellulose extraction.