Proximate analysis and GC-MS phytochemical profiling of aqueous extracts of Doryopteris raddiana, a plant used by the Mbya-Guaraní as a contraceptive

Doryopteris raddiana (Presl) Fée, a traditional contraceptive in Mbya culture, lacks scientific scrutiny regarding its chemical composition and contraceptive efficacy. Employing X-ray fluorescence, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermal analysis, we explored the plant's organs. Multielemental analysis excluded toxic elements. Key phytoconstituents identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the extracts obtained through infusion were glycerine, 1,3-dimethyl propane, and catechol in leaves; glycerine, cis-13-octadecenoic acid methyl ester, and 2-deoxy-D-erythro-pentose in stems and roots. Among these chemicals, glycerine emerged as the sole constituent with contraceptive potential, particularly intravaginally. Extract activity tests conducted on ram spermatozoa exhibited a reduction in the percentage of rapid spermatozoa but no significant impact on total motility, progressive motility, or viability. The reported data would only weakly support the advocated contraceptive action of this fern upon vaginal application, not through the oral administration of its decoction.

Radioguided surgery in primary hyperparathyroidism: a review of the different available techniques

Parathyroidectomy has evolved over the years from bilateral neck exploration to a single gland approach using minimally invasive surgery. The precise presurgical localization of the problem gland, using functional techniques, such as double-phase scintigraphy with [^99mTc] Tc-MIBI including SPECT-CT and PET-CT with [¹⁸F]-Choline and morphological ones, such as ultrasound have played a crucial role in this paradigm's shift. Radioguided surgery techniques have also adapted and grown with new contributions known for their indication in other fields. Thus, we currently have a wide range of techniques that have been added to the minimally invasive radioguided parathyroidectomy with [^99mTc] Tc-MIBI, which was the first on the stage and for which more experience exists. Among them, in this update, we will discuss parathyroidectomy using ultrasound-guided ROLL technique as well as with the use of ¹²⁵I seeds and finally, hybrid techniques that use radiotracer and fluorescence.

On the composition of gastroliths from broiler breeders

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the composition and origin of certain gastroliths or gizzard stones from broiler breeders (Gallus gallus domesticus). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray powder diffraction techniques were used as analysis tools. The main components resulted to be organic fibre and minerals referred to a pegmatite rock (quartz, feldspar albite and haematite) used as grit. Although the generally accepted purpose of gastroliths in chicken is the crushing and grinding of foodstuff in the ventriculus, the importance of mineral uptake from grit of iron and other essential elements such as Al, Ca, K, Cl, P, Ti, Mn, Mg, Cu, Zn and Zr (in ppm) as a secondary effect of the abrasion and dissolution of gastroliths should not be disregarded.

Structure, luminescence and magnetic properties of an erbium(iii) β-diketonate homodinuclear complex

The photoluminescence properties and field-induced single-molecule-magnetic behavior of a novel erbium(iii) β-diketonate homodinuclear complex, [Er₂(nd)₆(μ-bpm)] (nd = 2,4-nonanedione and bpm = 2,2′-bipyrimidine), are presented.

Slow magnetic relaxation mechanisms in erbium SIMs

The magnetic properties of two similar Er(3+) complexes have been investigated. [Er(tpm)3(bipy)] (Htpm = 1,1,1-trifluoro-5,5-dimethyl-2,4-hexanedione and bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine) displays thermally activated slow relaxation of magnetisation under a zero direct-current (DC) field. Under an applied HDC field of 1000 G, [Er(tpm)3(bipy)] exhibits two thermally activated processes with energy barriers of 9 and 40 K, while [Er(tfa)3(bipy)] (Htfa = 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-furyl)-1,3-butanedione) shows only one activated process with a barrier of 15 K. Both compounds are luminescent in the solid state, emitting in the near IR region.

Active layer solution-processed NIR-OLEDs based on ternary erbium(iii) complexes with 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,4-pentanedione and different N,N-donors

The impact of the diimide ancillary ligand choice on the EL properties has been assessed for NIR-OLEDs based on three novel Er(iii) fluorinated β-diketonate complexes.

[Local resection and radiofrequency hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma]

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is an uncommon tumor of vascular endothelial cell origin with a clinical course between hemangioma and angiosarcoma. Clinical manifestations and radiological findings are nonspecific, and histopathologic examination is required to establish a definitive diagnosis. Currently, hepatic resection or liver transplantation is the best therapeutic options. Because of its unknown biological behavior, local resection and radio-frequency ablation, although an uncommon treatment method, can be performed in the absence of extrahepatic or diffuse involvement.

[Lower gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor]

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are the most frequent mesenchymal digestive tract neoplasms, but represent only 1 to3% of all GI tract neoplasms. We report an uncommon case of stromal rectal tumor because of its atypical location.

Shewanella putrefaciens in a fuel-in-water emulsion from the Prestige oil spill

Microorganisms that colonize the fuel-in-water emulsion from the Prestige spill have been compared with those from Exxon-Valdez. Both emulsions contained non-fermentative gram-negative rods but unlike Exxon-Valdez's, the Prestige's spill contained anaerobic bacteria and no fungi. Our main finding has been the identification of Shewanella putrefaciens , a bacterium promising for bioremediation.

Synthesis, structure, thermal and non-linear optical properties of L-argininium hydrogen selenite

L-Argininium hydrogen selenite (C(6)H(15)N(4)O(2)HSeO(3)) is a new semiorganic compound of the hydrogen selenite family with non-linear optical properties. The crystal lattice is monoclinic with unit-cell parameters a = 22.493 (5), b = 5.1624 (13), c = 9.730 (4) A, beta = 95.68 (3) degrees, V = 1124.3 (6) A(3), Z = 4, space group C2. Second-harmonic generation measurements performed on powder samples, using a Q-switched Nd:Yag laser (lambda = 1064 nm), showed the second-harmonic power to be about twice that of urea. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements revealed the existence of a phase transition with onset at 289 K.

Scanning electron microscopy images and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis of the stapes in otosclerosis and Van der Hoeve syndrome

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS

The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphological and microchemical changes that affect sclerotic stapes in otospongiosis and van der Hoeve syndrome.

METHODS

A scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy-dispersive x-ray analyzer was used in the experiments.

RESULTS

In otosclerosis, focal lesions are poorly mineralized, with low calcium salt and reduced calcium-to-phosphorus (Ca/P) ratio (1.9:1). This finding correlates with a spongiotic type of lesion and indicates unstable mineralization with possible change from hydroxyapatite to calcium triphosphate. In van der Hoeve syndrome the presence of magnesium in stapes suggests osteoclastic function stimulation. The osteoclasts secrete many protons, causing an acidified microenvironment. Brushite is formed, and Ca/P ratio decreases in comparison with that of control patients (2.0:1 vs. 2.6:1).

The first known use of vermillion

Vermillion has been shown to be useful in preserving human bones from 5000 years ago. Remarkably well-preserved human bones have been found in the dolmenic burial 'La Velilla' in Osorno (Palencia, Spain), carefully covered by pulverized cinnabar (vermillion) which ensured their preservation even in non-favorable climatic conditions. We believe the red powder was deliberately deposited for preservative use because no cinnabar mine is to be found within 160 km, because of the large amount (hundreds of kilograms) used, and because its composition, red mercuric sulphide, is similar to that of preparations used in technical embalming. This finding pushes back the data of the use of mercury ore for preservation by four millennia in South America, and by at least one millennium in the Old World. Chemical and thermal analyses of vermillion in La Velilla have demonstrated its great purity and shown that the cinnabar was pulverized and washed (but not heated), producing a bright red-orange tone.

Differential scanning calorimetry investigations on LPS and free lipids A of the bacterial cell wall

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to investigate the thermal stability and behaviour of the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and their lipid portion. DSC curves of LPS show thermal features between 200 and 129 degrees C (depolymerization) and between -13 and -36 degrees C (cooling phase transition). Both effects were related to the relative strength of the linkage types in the O-chain structure and to their capacity for intermolecular hydrogen bonding. DSC curves of lipids A show endotherm peaks between 40 and 24 degrees C, around 15 degrees C and between -23 and -4 degrees C. Based on these effects, strong differences in thermal behaviour can be observed between that of Brucella and Vibrio cholerae on the one hand, and that of Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri on the other. Fluidity of the acyl chains and lyotropism, which are important parameters in expression of biological activities, are discussed using the above data. To explain some properties, fluidity could be related to the temperature of the gel<==>liquid crystalline (beta<==>alpha) phase transition, which occurs at physiological temperature. Nevertheless, fluidity could be related to temperature of the previous thermal effect (between 6 and 20 degrees C), for which a softening or partial melting of the sample has been evidenced. The thermal effect measured between -23 degrees C and -4 degrees C indicates a greatly reduced water concentration of lipid A from Brucella, thus explaining its early fusion process and its activity by means of hydrophobic interactions.

Thermolytical techniques to characterize fungal polysaccharides and bacterial lipopolysaccharides

The present work constitutes an entirely novel contribution in the scope of microbiology and especially in taxonomy, introducing thermolysis curves as a rapid method of characterization of fungal polysaccharides and bacterial lipopolysaccharides. The thermal analysis techniques applied were thermogravimetry and derivative thermogravimetry (TG-DTG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Each thermogram of a sample is represented by one or a few temperatures and, in DSC, by complementary enthalpy data. The temperatures of the thermograms from structurally unknown polysaccharides are compared with those used as references, and thus, information on their composition, linkage types, and anomeric configuration can be deduced. The situation is more complicated for bacterial lipopolysaccharides, but in whatever mode, a structural estimation is always possible. In the course of the development and validation of the thermal method, structural findings on relative stabilities of linkage types (valuable in carbohydrate research) have been recognized and are therefore also described in this work.