Quantificação de Fases Cristalinas de Incrustações em Colunas de Produção de Petróleo pelo Método Rietveld

The scale is defined as chemical compounds from inorganic nature, initially soluble in salt solutions, which may precipitate accumulate in columns of production and surface equipment. This work aimd to quantify the crystalline phases of scale through the Rietveld method. The study was conducted in scale derived from columns production wells in development and recipients of pigs. After collecting samples of scale were performed the procedure for separations of inorganic and organic phase and preparation to be analyzed at the X-ray Laboratory. The XRD and XRF techniques were used to monitor whether identifying and quantifying crystalline phases present in the deposits. The SEM technique was used to visualize the morphology of the scales and assess their homogeneity after the milling process. XRD measurements were performed with and without milling and with or without the accessory spinner. For quantify crystalline phases the program DBWStools was used. The procedure for conducting the first refinement was instrumental in setting parameters, then the structural parameters of the phases in the sample and finally the parameters of the function profile used. In the diffraction patterns of samples of scale observed that the best measures were those that passed through the mill and used the accessory spinner. Through the results, it was noted that the quantitative analysis for samples of scale is feasible when need to monitor a particular crystalline phase in a well, pipeline or oil field. Routinely, the quantification of phases by the Rietveld method is hardwork because in many scale was very difficult to identify the crystalline phases present

Avaliação ecológico-econômica do manguezal de Macau/RN e a importância da aplicação de práticas preservacionistas pela indústria petrolífera local

This work presents the results of a survey in oil-producing region of the Macau City, northern coast of Rio Grande do Norte. All work was performed under the Project for Monitoring Environmental Change and the Influence of Hydrodynamic forcing on Morphology Beach Grass Fields, Serra Potiguar in Macau, with the support of the Laboratory of Geoprocessing, linked to PRH22 - Training Program in Geology Geophysics and Information Technology Oil and Gas - Department of Geology/CCET/UFRN and the Post-Graduation in Science and Engineering Oil/PPGCEP/UFRN. Within the economic-ecological context, this paper assesses the importance of mangrove ecosystem in the region of Macau and its surroundings as well as in the following investigative exploration of potential areas for projects involving reforestation and / or Environmental Restoration. At first it was confirmed the ecological potential of mangrove forests, with primary functions: (i) protection and stabilization of the shoreline, (ii) nursery of marine life, and (iii) source of organic matter to aquatic ecosystems, (iv) refuge of species, among others. In the second phase, using Landsat imagery and techniques of Digital Image Processing (DIP), I came across about 18,000 acres of land that can be worked on environmental projects, being inserted in the rules signed the Kyoto Protocol to the market carbon. The results also revealed a total area of 14,723.75 hectares of activity of shrimp production and salting that can be harnessed for the social, economic and environmental potential of the region, considering that over 60% of this area, ie, 8,800 acres, may be used in the planting of the genus Avicennia considered by the literature that the species best sequesters atmospheric carbon, reaching a mean value of 59.79 tons / ha of mangrove

Diversidade de invertebrados em cavernas calcárias do oeste potiguar : subsídios para a determinação de áreas prioritárias para conservação.

It is estimated that the Brazilian karst areas sum about 200.000 km2. The caves, one of the main components of karst, are important windows into the biological studies on hypogean environments. In Rio Grande do Norte are known 563 caves, and 476 of them are in the municipalities of Baraúna, Felipe Guerra, Governador Dix-Sept Rosado, Apodi and Mossoró, the Western region of the State. However, like in the rest of the country, the cave fauna of the State is still poorly understood. This study used data from invertebrates harvested in 47 caves and aimed to analyze the effect of environmental change between the dry and rainy seasons in the communities of cave invertebrates, characterize these communities and evaluate the relationships between morphological and biotic variables of the caves and surroundings, and to define priority areas for conservation of cave environments of the study area from biotic parameters. Strong effects were found in the community structure of cave invertebrates due environmental changes between seasons, with values of total richness, abundance, diversity and ecological complexity significantly higher in the rainy season. It was possible to assess how the morphology of the cave and the external environment variables affect the biotic system, so that the variety of resources, forest cover in the vicinity, the area of the cave and its entrance were the variables that best explained the structure communities of cave invertebrates in the region. High values of total richness of invertebrates (36,62 ± 14,04 spp / cave) and troglomorphic species (61 species, mean 1,77 ± 2,34 spp / cave) were found and, given the biological relevance in the context of the area national and the imminent anthropogenic pressures existing, we defined four priority areas for actions aiming cave biodiversity conservation in the region.

Comparação de efeitos dos extratos de Hypericum perforatum (Hipérico) e de Mentha crispa (Hortelã) em diferentes modelos experiemtais

Several clinic evaluations have been possible with radiobiocomplexes labeled with technetium-99m (99mTc). Some natural and synthetic drugs are capable of to interfere on the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc, as well as on the biodistribution of radiobiocomplexes. Authors have also reported about the toxicity of several natural products. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of the Mentha crispa (hortelã) and of the Hypericum perforatum (hipérico) in different experimental models. On the labeling of red blood cells (RBC) and plasma and cellular proteins with 99mTc, both extracts were capable of to decrease the radioactivity percentage on the cellular compartment and on the fixation on plasma and cellular proteins. On the morphometry of the RBC, only the hortelã was capable to alter the shape and the perimeter/area ratio of the RBC. On the biodistribution of the radiobiocomplex sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4), the hortelã increased the Na99mTcO4 distribution in the kidney, spleen, liver and thyroid, meanwhile the hipérico decreased the Na99mTcO4 distribution in the bone, stomach, lungs and thyroid, and increased the Na99mTcO4 distribution in the pancreas. On the bacterial cultures survival, the hipérico was capable of to protect the bacteria against the stannous chloride (SnCl2) effect. The hipérico did not alter the topology of plasmidial DNA and did not protect the plasmidial DNA against the SnCl2 action. Probably, the effects presented by both extracts could be due to chemical compounds of the extracts that could alter the morphology of the RBC and the plasma membrane ions transport, and/or by phytocomplexes that could be formed with different effects dependent on the biological system considered

Câncer de boca e orofaringe: tendências e análise de sobrevida em Natal (RN)

Introduction: Mouth cancer is classified as having one of the ten highest cancer incidences in the world. In Brazil, the incidence and mortality rates of oral cancer are among the highest in the world. Intraoral cancer (tongue, gum, floor of the mouth, and other non-specified parts of the mouth), the accumulated survival rate after five years is less than 50%. Objectives: Estimate the accumulated survival probability after five years and adjust the Cox regression model for mouth and oropharyngeal cancers, according to age range, sex, morphology, and location, for the city of Natal. Describe the mortality and incidence coefficients of oral and oropharyngeal cancer and their tendencies in the city of Natal, between 1980 and 2001 and between 1997 and 2001, respectively. Methods: Survival data of patients registered between 1997 and 2001 was obtained from the Population-based Cancer Record of Natal. Differences between the survival curves were tested using the log-rank test. The Cox proportional risk model was used to estimate risk ratios. The simple linear regression model was used for tendency analyses of the mortality and incidence coefficients. Results: The probability after five years was 22.9%. The patients with undifferentiated malignant neoplasia were 4.7 times more at risk of dying than those with epidermoid carcinoma, whereas the patients with oropharyngeal cancer had 2.0 times more at risk of dying than those with mouth cancer. The mouth cancer mortality and incidence coefficients for Natal were 4.3 and 2.9 per 100 000 inhabitants, respectively. The oropharyngeal cancer mortality and incidence coefficients were, respectively, 1.1 and 0.7 per 100 000 87 inhabitants. Conclusions: A low survival rate after five years was identified. Patients with oropharyngeal cancer had a greater risk of dying, independent of the factors considered in this study. Also independent of other factors, undifferentiated malignant neoplasia posed a greater risk of death. The magnitudes of the incidence coefficients found are not considered elevated, whereas the magnitudes of the mortality coefficients are high

Estudo de efeitos de um extrato aquoso de farinha de casca de maracujá (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) na marcação de constituintes sangüíneos com Tecnécio 99m, na morfometria das hemácias e na biodisponibilidade do radiofármaco Pertecnetato de Sódio em ratos Wistar

Blood constituents labelled with technetium-99m (99mTc) has been used with radiobiocomplexes in several procedures in nuclear medicine. Some natural and sintetic drugs are capable to interfere on the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc, on the morphology of red blood cells (RBC) and on the biodistribution of radiobiocomplexes. The aim of this study was evaluate the effect of an extract of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa on the labeling of blood constituints with 99mTc, on the morphology of RBC and on the biodistribution of the radiopharmaceutical sodium perthecnetate in Wistar rats. On the in vitro studies the Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa decreased significantly (p<0.05) the %ATI on plasma proteins and on the in vitro morhology of RBC, the passion fruit peel flour altered the shape and the perimeter/área ratio. On the in vivo estudies the extract did not altered the %ATI in blood constituents, and did not altered the shape of RBC. Although, on the biodistribution of the radiobiocomplex sodium perthecnetate (Na99mTcO4) this extract decreased significantly (p<0.05) the uptake in duodenum, spleen, pâncreas and blood, and increased the uptake in stomach. It can be suggested that the effects presented by this extract could be a result of some substances contained in this extract that could alter the binding of 99mTc to plasma proteins, the morphology of RBC and the biodistribution of the radiobiocomplex sodium perthecnetate. This study was multidisciplinary experimental research. It was developed with the contribution of different Departments and Services of the Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto of the Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro

Efeito antitrombótico de uma fucana não anticoagulante extraída da alga Spatoglossum Schröederi

Fucan is a term used to denominate a family of sulfated L-fucose-rich polysaccharides. The brown alga Spatoglossum schröederi (Dictyotaceae) has three heterofucans namely fucan A, B and C. The 21 kDa fucan A is composed of a core of β (1-3) glucuronic acid-containing oligosaccharide of 4.5 kDa with branches at C4 of fucose chains α (1-3) linked. The fucose is mostly substituted at C4 with a sulfate group and at C2 with chains of β (1-4) xylose. This fucan has neither anticoagulant (from from 0.1 to 100µg) nor hemorrhagic activities (from 50 to 800 µg/mL). The antithrombotic test in vivo showed the fucan A has no activity in any of the concentrations (from 0.2 to 20µg/g/day) tested 1h after polysaccharide administration. However, when fucan A was injected endovenously 24h before the ligature of the venae cavae, we observed a dose-dependent effect, reaching saturation at around 20g/g of rat weight. In addition, this effect is also time-dependent, reaching saturation around 16h after fucan administration. In addition, regardless of administration pathway, fucan A displayed antithrombotic action. The exception was the oral pathway. Of particular importance was the finding that fucan A stimulates the synthesis of an antithrombotic heparan sulfate from endothelial cells like heparin. The hypothesis has been raised that in vivo antithrombotic activity of fucan A is related to the increased production this heparan. Taken together with the fact that the compound is practically devoid of anticoagulant and hemorrhagic activity suggests that it may be an ideal antithrombotic agent in vivo

Nanotechnological delivery systems for the oral administration of active molecules: Polymeric microparticles and microemulsions applied to anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious drugs

This thesis was devoted to the development of innovative oral delivery systems for two different molecules. In the first part, microparticles (MPs) based on xylan and Eudragit® S- 100 were produced and used to encapsulate 5-aminosalicylic acid for colon delivery. Xylan was extracted from corn cobs and characterized in terms of its physicochemical, rheological and toxicological properties. The polymeric MPs were prepared by interfacial cross-linking polymerization and spray-drying and characterized for their morphology, mean size and distribution, thermal stability, crystallinity, entrapment efficiency and in vitro drug release. MPs with suitable physical characteristics and satisfactory yields were prepared by both methods, although the spray-dried systems showed higher thermal stability. In general, spraydried MPs would be preferable systems due to their thermal stability and absence of toxic agents used in their preparation. However, drug loading and release need to be optimized. In the second part of this thesis, oil-in-water microemulsions (O/W MEs) based on mediumchain triglycerides were formulated as drug carriers and solubility enhancers for amphotericin B (AmB). Phase diagrams were constructed using surfactant blends with hydrophiliclipophilic balance values between 9.7 and 14.4. The drug-free and drug-loaded MEs presented spherical non-aggregated droplets around 80 and 120 nm, respectively, and a low polydispersity index. The incorporation of AmB was high and depended on the volume fraction of the disperse phase. These MEs did not reduce the viability of J774.A1 macrophage-like cells for concentrations up to 25 μg/mL of AmB. Therefore, O/W MEs based on propylene glycol esters of caprylic acid may be considered as suitable delivery systems for AmB

Avaliação de efeitos biológicos de antiinflamatórios derivados do ácido propiônico através de modelos experimentais em nível molecular e celular

Derivatives of propionic acid NSAIDs are irreversible inhibitors of cyclooxygenase enzyme widely used. The aim of this study was to evaluate, through different experimental models, biological effects of derivatives of propionic acid (fenoprofen, naproxen, ibuprofen and ketoprofen) in cellular and molecular level. The labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m (99mTc) and morphological analysis of erythrocytes of blood of rats, as well as growth, survival of cultures of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and the assessment of bacterial plasmid electrophoretic profiles were models used for experimental evaluation of possible biological effects of antiinflammatory drugs. The results show that, in general, anti-inflammatory drugs evaluated were not able to alter the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc, the morphology of red blood cells from blood of rats, as well as the growth of cultures of E. coli and the electrophoretic profile of plasmid DNA. However, naproxen appears to cytotoxic effect on bacterial cultures, plasmids and genotoxic effects in reducing the action of stannous chloride in cultures of E. coli. The use of experimental fast performance and low cost was important for assessment of biological effects, contributing to a better understanding of the properties of propionic acid derivatives studied. anti-inflammatory, blood constituents, technetium-99m, stannous chloride, Escherichia coli; DNA

Superfícies de titânio modificadas termoquimicamente por plasma : avaliação da resposta biológica

This laboratory study involves the participation of a group with professionals from different areas that had contributed to the construction of a multidisciplinary knowledge, about biological response of titanium surfaces modified through thermochemical treatment by plasma. Thus, the crystalline phase was previously characterized in relation to the topography, roughness, molhability and nitrogen concentration in the samples surface. It s indispensable that materials implanted can influence in a good cellular response as well as promotes a bacteria action. Surfaces modified by plasma were exposed to different cultures such as: cellular (human osteoblastic) and bacteria (Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC35984 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853) in order to evaluate the biological response. It was evaluated the adhesion, proliferation, morphology and cellular preference of human ostheoblastic cells (HOST), as well as the formation of a biofilm and bacteria proliferation. It was still analyzed the bacteria selectivity ability in relation to the surfaces. The software Image Pro Plus was used to the counting of cells and bacteria adhered to the surface of disks. The results were submitted to the variance analysis (ANOVA), and then, by the Kruskal-Wallis test, using GraphPad Instat ® software, version 3.5 to Windows. The nitrided samples in spite of show a higher roughness and molhability showed a smaller bacteria growing and higher cellular proliferation, when compared to non treated samples, indicating that the treated material present a high efficiency to biomedical implants

Avaliação de efeitos de um extrato de "três bailarinas" em modelos experimentais em diferentes níveis de organização biológica

Drogas naturais ou sintéticas podem ser capazes de alterar a sobrevivência de culturas bacterianas, interferir na marcação de estruturas sanguíneas com tecnécio- 99m (99mTc) e alterar a morfologia das hemácias. De acordo com as instruções do fabricante, a formula denominada de Três Bailarinas (TB) é sugerida para ser usada, como bebida, por pessoas que desejam ajustar o peso sem dieta. Os ingredientes dessa fórmula são a Cassia angustifolia e a Malva verticellate. Informações cientificas sobre TB não foram encontradas no indexador PubMed, e esse fato tem estimulado nossas investigações sobre seus efeitos biológicos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar, em diferentes modelos experimentais, o efeito de um extrato aquoso de Três Bailarinas: (i) na sobrevivência de culturas de E. coli AB1157, ii) efeito do SnCl2 em culturas bacterianas, iii) na marcação das hemácias e proteínas plasmáticas e celulares com 99mTc e iv) na morfologia de hemácias de sangue de ratos Wistar. Os resultados encontrados demonstram que o extrato de TB não alterou a sobrevivência de cultura de E. coli AB1157 e aboliu o efeito letal do SnCl2 na sobrevivência dessa cultura bacteriana. Na marcação de estruturas sangüíneas com 99mTc o extrato de TB reduziu a percentagem de atividade (%ATI) referente ao 99mTc no compartimento celular e nas proteínas plasmáticas, mas não alterou a %ATI nas proteínas celulares. O extrato de TB não foi capaz de alterar a morfologia das hemácias. Os modelos experimentais realizados mostram a importância dos mesmos na avaliação de efeitos biológicos de agentes químicos, e contribui para um melhor entendimento das propriedades do extrato de Três Bailarinas. Esse trabalho abrange varias áreas do conhecimento, tais como: radiobiologia, botânica, fitoterapia e hematologia

Consequências da colectomia associada à hepatectomia no metabolismo hepático e na forma e função de hemácias em ratos

This study investigated the influence of partial colectomy associated with hepatectomy on the biodistribution of the 99mTc-phytate, on metabolic parameters, as well as labeling and morphology of red blood cells. Wistar rats were distributed into three groups (each with 6), nominated as colectomy, colectomy+hepatectomy and sham. In the 30th postoperative day all rats were injected with 99mTc-phytate 0.1mL i.v. (radioactivity 0.66 MBq). After 15 minutes, liver sample was harvested and weighed. Percentage radioactivity per gram of tissue (%ATI/g) was determined using an automatic gamma-counter. Serum AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase and red blood cells labeling were determined. The liver %ATI/g and red blood cells labeling were lower in colectomy and colectomy+hepatectomy rats than in sham rats (p <0.05), and no difference was detected comparing the colectomy and colectomy+hepatectomy groups. Red blood cells morphology did not differ among groups. Serum levels of AST, ALT and alkaline fosfatase were significantly higher in colectomy+hepatectomy than in colectomy rats (p<0.001). Hepatectomy associated with colectomy lowered the uptake of radiopharmaceutical in liver and in red blood cells in rats, coinciding with changes in liver enzymatic activity

Micropartículas poliméricas à base de xilana e Eudragit® S-100 contendo mesalazina visando à liberação cólon-específica

Colon-specific drug delivery systems have attracted increasing attention from the pharmaceutical industry due to their ability of treating intestinal bowel diseases (IBD), which represent a public health problem in several countries. In spite of being considered a quite effective molecule for the treatment of IBD, mesalazine (5-ASA) is rapidly absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract and its systemic absorption leads to risks of adverse effects. The aim of this work was to develop a microparticulate system based on xylan and Eudragit® S- 100 (ES100) for colon-specific delivery of 5-ASA and evaluate the interaction between the polymers present in the systems. Additionaly, the physicochemical and rheological properties of xylan were also evaluated. Initially, xylan was extracted from corn cobs and characterized regarding the yield and rheological properties. Afterwards, 10 formulations were prepared in different xylan and ES100 weight ratios by spray-drying the polymer solutions in 0.6N NaOH and phosphate buffer pH 7.4. In addition, 3 formulations consisting of xylan microcapsules were produced by interfacial cross-linking polymerization and coated by ES100 by means of spray-drying in different polymer weight ratios of xylan and ES100. The microparticles were characterized regarding yield, morphology, homogeneity, visual aspect, crystallinity and thermal behavior. The polymer interaction was investigated by infrared spectroscopy. The extracted xylan was presented as a very fine and yellowish powder, with mean particle size smaller than 40μm. Regarding the rheological properties of xylan, they demonstrated that this polymer has a poor flow, low density and high cohesiveness. The microparticles obtained were shown to be spherical and aggregates could not be observed. They were found to present amorphous structure and have a very high thermal stability. The yield varied according to the polymer ratios. Moreover, it was confirmed that the interaction between xylan and ES100 occurs only by means of physical aggregation

Investigação das alterações citogenéticas em pacientes pediátricos com leucemia linfóide aguda do Rio Grande do Norte

Leukemia is a heterogeneous group of hematologic malignancies that result from partial or total transformation of the blast cells. The Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy in childhood, especially in male, Caucasian children younger than 14 years. Several criteria are adopted to classify ALL, including the cell morphology, cytochemistry, immunophenotyping and cytogenetic analysis. Cytogenetic studies allow a more detailed analysis to detect chromosomal abnormalities of leukemic cells. These modifications will determine the diagnosis, classification, stage characterization, remission assessment and prognosis. In this study were evaluated 30 patients, aged from four months to seventeen years, of both sexes and various ethnicities. The age distribution showed that 67% of patients had between one and ten years (with mean age of XX years old), the most prevalent ethnic was Caucasian (50%) and 57% were males. According to immunophenotype, 93% of patients had B-cells progenitor ALL and 7% early lineage T. Considering the total studied population, the most frequent medical findings were lymphadenopathy (37%), hepatomegaly (77%) and splenomegaly (70%), where one patient could present more than one of these medical findings. Regarding the CBC, the majority of patients had hemoglobin below 10 g / dl (73%), leukocyte count less than 10.000/μL (60%) and platelet count below 150.000/μL (83%). Chromosomal abnormalities were observed in 64% of all patients, where hyperdiploidy was the most common numerical change (67%), followed by hypodiploid (33%). All these data are in agreement with the literature. Moreover, complexes structural and/or number changes not yet described in literature were observed, which indicated poor prognosis. Finally, we concluded that this study demonstrated the importance of cytogenetic study in the diagnosis and identification of prognostic factors in pediatric patients with ALL in Rio Grande do Norte. The results obtained in this study are extremely useful and emphasizes that surveys of this nature must be conducted more frequently in our state

Avaliação de efeitos toxicológicos e comportamentais de ginseng panax em ratos

Panax ginseng CA Meyer (Araliaceae) is a herbaceous plant widely used in China, South Korea, Japan and other Asian countries for the treatment of various diseases micro circulatory, cerebrovascular, among others, representing one of the drugs used by older man. It has over 30 biologically active ginsenosides with different pharmacological and behavioral effects and inhibitory effect on the NMDA receptor. The amino acid glycine is a co-agonist of the NMDA receptor, activating this receptor. At the cellular level, ketamine is widely known to be NMDA receptor antagonist. The aim of this study was to evaluate the general activity in the open field, and anxiety in elevated plus maze, mice treated with P. ginseng compared with the action of ketamine and glycine, to better understand the action of this herbal medicine at the NMDA receptor. We used 66 adult male rats were divided into six groups: a positive control, treated for 30 days with water by gavage, who received glycine (500mg/kg; po) on days 7, 14, 21 and 28 of treatment, one hour before of behavioral assessment, a negative control was treated for 30 days with water by gavage received ketamine (5mg/kg, ip) on days 7, 14, 21 and 28 of treatment, one hour prior to behavioral evaluation, three experimental groups, receiving 100, 200 or 300 mg / kg P. ginseng by gavage for 30 days and one group treated solely with white water, and is also administered 1 ml of water by gavage one hour prior to behavioral evaluation. Animal behavior in these three groups was also examined on days 7, 14, 21 and 28 of treatment. On day 30 of treatment, the animals were anesthetized with thiopental (70mg/kg) for blood collection and after euthanasia, withdrawal of various organs. There were no changes in weight and body weight gain and weight reasons in organ / body weight. However the consumption of water and food values showed a significant increase. Serum levels of AST was increased in a dose-dependently in the animals treated with doses of P. ginseng, glycine and ketamine as compared to the blank group. Unlike creatinine levels proved to be decreased in all treated groups when compared with white. However, the level of urea in these groups was reduced and no changes were observed in the ALT parameter. Histopathological examination revealed no changes in cell morphology in different tissues. There were no behavioral changes in the elevated plus maze and few changes were observed in the open field, animals treated with P. ginseng, glycine and ketamine when compared to white. These data suggest that the doses of P. ginseng employed were unable to induce general toxicity in rats treated for 30 days and also shows that the general behavior of mice treated with P. ginseng was slightly different from that observed in animals treated with ketamine and glycine. Finally, the study on the elevated plus maze showed that the extract of P. ginseng showed no anxiolytic or anxiogenic action