Crystal structures with infinite chains based on antimony tartrate dimers

Seven complex metal antimony tartrates have been synthesized in single crystal form by slowly evaporating aqueous solutions of potassium antimony tartrate (tartar emetic) and divalent metal nitrates or perchlorates. Crystal structures of these compounds all contain infinite chains formed by linking antimony tartrate dimers with divalent metal ions. While infinite chains of antimony tartrate dimers bridged by single Zn2+ ions or by double Mg2+ ions were reported previously, new types of chains with alternating single and double bridging cations are observed in this work.

Accelerated Blood Clearance (ABC) Phenomenon Favors the Accumulation of Tartar Emetic in Pegylated Liposomes in BALB/c Mice Liver

Tartar emetic (TE) was the first drug used to treat leishmaniasis. However, its use was discontinued due to high toxicity. Association of TE with liposomes is a strategy to reduce its side effects. Pegylated liposomes (Lpeg) present lower rates of uptake by macrophages and prolonged circulation compared to their nonpegylated counterparts. However, repeated administration of Lpeg can cause an Accelerated Blood Clearance (ABC) phenomenon, whereby recognition of liposomes by antibodies results in faster phagocytosis. This work evaluated the effect of TE administration on histopathological aspects and the effect of the ABC phenomenon on targeting and toxicity in mice. Our results show that treatment with free or liposomal TE had no effect on the erythrocyte count, on liver and spleen weight, and on hepatic, splenic, and cardiac histology in mice. Severe lesions were observed on the kidneys of animals treated with a single dose of free TE. Treatment with TE in Lpeg after induction of ABC phenomenon caused a significant increase in Sb level in the liver without toxicity. Furthermore, mice treated with TE in liposomes showed normal renal histopathology. These results suggest site-specific targeting of Sb to the liver after induction of ABC phenomenon with no toxicity to other organs.

Diet of some passerines in south coast of Espírito Santo State, Brazil

Studies about diet of birds in Atlantic Forest are scarce. In this study, we characterized the diet of Passeriformes from the south coast of Espírito Santo State, Brazil, classifying them into trophic guilds. From 26 species a total of 94 samples were obtained by regurgitation using tartar emetic method. The 855 items found were separated into two different categories: Insects (includes other terrestrial arthropods, such as spiders and opiliones) and Fruits/Seeds. The most frequent food item was Coleopterans, and the most abundant was Hymenoptera.

Diet of the Fuscous Flycatcher Cnemotriccus fuscatus (Wied, 1831) – Aves, Tyrannidae - in three habitats of the northern Pantanal, Mato Grosso, Brazil

The Fuscous Flycatcher (Cnemotriccus fuscatus) is a medium-sized Tyrannidae widespread in South America. Despite its large distribution, there have been very few studies on its diet, especially in different habitats. This study presents data on diet variation in three habitats in the Pantanal wetlands in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The specimens were captured through a mist-netting programme between February 2000 and May 2010, in the Retiro Novo Farm, in the Poconé municipality. Birds were captured in three vegetation types: Landizal, Cambarazal and Cordilheira. Tartar emetic was used to obtain the regurgitation samples identified at order level. We captured 61 individuals (21, 26 and 14 in the above described habitats, respectively). Diet of C. fuscatus differed between the three habitats. Ants and beetles were the most relevant prey items either in numerical frequency (NF) or in frequency of occurrence (OF), in terms of the overall diet (NF = 27.34% and 37.89%; OF = 36.06% and 75.4%, respectively). However, in Cordilheira, seeds and beetles dominated the NF (21.8% and 38.1%, respectively) and OF (28.5% and 85.7%, respectively). Cnemotriccus fuscatus was found to have an omnivorous diet, although in Cambarazal, individuals preyed exclusively on arthropods. The present study provides an important contribution to the knowledge of the diet of a poorly studied Neotropical bird.