Estudo das propriedades termofísicas com variação da expansibilidade de compósito desenvolvido com matriz PUR-NOP e carga funcional de argilomineral

In this study were conducted experimental procedures for determination of variation of the expandability of rigid polyurethane foam (PUR) from a natural oil polyol (NOP), specifically the Castor oil plant, Ricinus communis, pure and additions of the vermiculite in phase dispersed in different percentage within a range from 0% to 20%, mass replacement. From the information acquired, were defined the parameters for production of bodies of test, plates obtained through controlled expansion, with the final volume fixed. Initially, the plates were subjected to thermal performance tests and evaluated the temperature profiles, to later be extracted samples duly prepared in accordance with the conditions required for each test. Was proceeded then the measurement of the coefficient of thermal conductivity, volumetric capacity heat and thermal diffusivity. The findings values were compared with the results obtained in the tests of thermal performance, contributing to validation of the same. Ultimately, it was investigated the influence that changes in physical-chemical structure of the material had exerted on the variation of thermophysical quantities through gas pycnometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDXRF), infrared spectroscopy using Fourier transform (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). Based on the results obtained was possible to demonstrate that all load percentage analyzed promoted an increase in the potential expansion (PE) of the resin. In production of the plates, the composites with density near at the free expansion presented high contraction during the cure, being the of higher density adopted as definitive standard. In the thermal performance tests, the heating and cooling curves of the different composites had presented symmetry and values very close for lines of the temperature. The results obtained for the thermophysical properties of composites, showed little difference in respect of pure foam. The percentage of open pores and irregularities in the morphology of the composites were proportionate to the increment of vermiculite. In the interaction between the matrix and dispersed phase, there were no chemical transformations in the region of interface and new compounds were not generated. The composites of PUR-NOP and vermiculite presented thermal insulating properties near the foam pure and percentage significantly less plastic in its composition, to the formulation with 10% of load

Caracterização funcional de dois cDNAs homólogos à ciclofilina e à proteína reprimida por auxina (ARP) identificados em bibliotecas subtrativas a para floração em tomateiro

Flowering is a fundamental process in the life cycle for plant. This process is marked by vegetative to reproductive apical meristem conversion, due to interactions between several factors, both internal and external to plant. Therefore, eight subtractive libraries were constructed using apical meristem induced or not induced for two contrasting species: Solanum lycopersicum cv. Micro-Tom and Solanum pimpinellifolium. Several cDNAs were identified and among these, were selected two cDNAs: one homologous cDNA to cyclophilin (LeCYP1) and the other to Auxin repressed protein (ARP). It has observed that LeCYP1 and ARP genes are important in the developmental process to plants. In silico analysis, were used several databases with the exclusion criterion E-value <1.0x10-15. As a result, conservation was observed for proteins analyzed by means of multiple alignments and the presence of functional domains. Then, overexpression cassettes were constructed for the ARP cDNA in sense and antisense orientations. For this step, it was used the CaMV35S promoter. The cDNA orientation (sense or antisense) in relation to the promoter was determined by restriction enzymes and sequencing. Then, this cassette was transferred to binary vector pZP211 and these cassettes were transferred into Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404. S. lycopersicum cv. Micro-Tom (MT) and MT-Rg1 plants were transformed. In addition, seedlings were subjected to hormone treatments using a synthetic auxin (- naphthalene acetic acid) and cyclosporin A (cyclophilin inhibitor) treatments and it was found that the hormone treatment there were changes in development of lateral roots pattern, probably related to decreases in auxin signaling caused by reduction of LeCYP1 in MT-dgt plants while cyclosporin A treatments, there was a slight delay in flowering in cv. MT plants. Furthermore, assay with real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) were done for expression level analysis from LeCYP1 and ARP in order to functionally characterize these sequences in tomato plants.

Análise filogenética e funcional de dois genes de reparo homólogos a AP endonuclease em cana-de-açúcar: ScARP1 e ScARP3

The genome of all organisms constantly suffers the influence of mutagenic factors from endogenous and/or exogenous origin, which may result in damage for the genome. In order to keep the genome integrity there are different DNA repair pathway to detect and correct these lesions. In relation to the plants as being sessile organisms, they are exposed to this damage frequently. The Base Excision DNA Repair (BER) is responsible to detect and repair oxidative lesions. Previous work in sugarcane identified two sequences that were homologous to Arabidopsis thaliana: ScARP1 ScARP3. These two sequences were homologous to AP endonuclease from BER pathway. Then, the aim of this work was to characterize these two sequence using different approaches: phylogenetic analysis, in silico protein organelle localization and by Nicotiana tabacum transgenic plants with overexpression cassette. The in silico data obtained showed a duplication of this sequence in sugarcane and Poaceae probably by a WGD event. Furthermore, in silico analysis showed a new localization in nuclei for ScARP1 protein. The data obtained with transgenic plants showed a change in development and morphology. Transgenic plants had slow development when compared to plants not transformed. Then, these results allowed us to understand better the potential role of this sequence in sugarcane and in plants in general. More work is important to be done in order to confirm the protein localization and protein characterization for ScARP1 and ScARP3

Monitoramento da morfologia costeira em setores da bacia potiguar sob influência da indústria petrolífera utilizando geodésia de alta precisão e laser escâner terrestre

The objective of this Doctoral Thesis was monitoring, in trimestral scale, the coastal morphology of the Northeastern coast sections of Rio Grande do Norte State, in Brazil, which is an area of Potiguar Basin influenced by the oil industry activities. The studied sections compose coastal areas with intense sedimentary erosion and high environmental sensitivity to the oil spill. In order to achieve the general objective of this study, the work has been systematized in four steps. The first one refers to the evaluation of the geomorphological data acquisition methodologies used on Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of sandy beaches. The data has been obtained from Soledade beach, located on the Northeastern coast of Rio Grande Norte. The second step has been centered on the increasing of the reference geodetic infrastructure to accomplish the geodetic survey of the studied area by implanting a station in Corta Cachorro Barrier Island and by conducting monitoring geodetic surveys to understand the beach system based on the Coastline (CL) and on DEM multitemporal analysis. The third phase has been related to the usage of the methodology developed by Santos; Amaro (2011) and Santos et al. (2012) for the surveying, processing, representation, integration and analysis of Coastlines from sandy coast, which have been obtained through geodetic techniques of positioning, morphological change analysis and sediment transport. The fourth stage represents the innovation of surveys in coastal environment by using the Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS), based on Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), to evaluate a highly eroded section on Soledade beach where the oil industry structures are located. The evaluation has been achieved through high-precision DEM and accuracy during the modeling of the coast morphology changes. The result analysis of the integrated study about the spatial and temporal interrelations of the intense coastal processes in areas of building cycles and destruction of beaches has allowed identifying the causes and consequences of the intense coastal erosion in exposed beach sections and in barrier islands

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.

Caracterização funcional de dois cDNAs de cana-de- açúcar : PKCI e SHAGGY

Flowering is controlled by several environmental and endogenous factors, usually associated with a complex network of metabolic mechanisms. The gene characterization in Arabidopsis model has provided much information about the genetic and molecular mechanisms that control flowering process. Some of these genes had been found in rice and maize. However, in sugarcane this processe is not well known. It is known that early flowering may reduce its production up to 60% at northeast conditions. Considering the impact of early flowering in sugarcane production, the aim of this work was to make the gene characterization of two cDNAs previously identified in subtractive cDNA libraries: scPKCI and scSHAGGY. The in silico analysis showed that these two cDNAs presented both their sequence and functional catalytic domains conserved. The results of transgenic plants containing the overexpression of the gene cassette scPKCI in sense orientation showed that this construction had a negative influence on the plant development as it was observed a decrease in plant height and leaf size. For the scPKCI overexpression in antisense orientation it was observed change in the number of branches from T1 transgenic plants, whereas transgenic T2 plants showed slow development during germination and initial stages of development. The other cDNA analyzed had homology to SHAGGY protein. The overexpression construct in sense orientation did not shown any effect on development. The only difference observed it was an increase in stigma structure. These results allowed us to propose a model how these two genes may be interact and affect floweringdevelopment.

Efeito de um extrato de chrysobalanus icaco na marcação de constituíntes sanguíneos com tecnécio-99m, na morfologia de hemácias, na topologia plasmidial e na ação do cloreto estanoso no dna plasmidial

The use of radionuclides has contributed for advances in Health Sciences, to research or to the diagnosis and/or treatment of diseases. These advances have been possible with the utilization of radiopharmaceuticals labeled with technetium-99m (99mTc). Stannous chloride (SnCl2) has the main reducing agent utilized to obtain radiopharmaceuticals labeled with technetium-99m. It has been reported that several natural or synthetic drugs are capable to alter the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc, as well as the red blood cells morphology. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible alterations of Chrysobalanus icaco extract on the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc, on the morphology of RBC of blood of Wistar rats, on the breakage of plasmid DNA and on the effects of stannous chloride on plasmid DNA. The results showed significant (P<0.05) alteration of the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc, as well as, modification of the morphology and morphometry (perimeter/area ratio) of the RBC in presence of the extract. These data suggest that this abajeru extract could alter the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc by its chelating/antioxidant action and/or effects on membrane structures. Moreover C. icaco extract altered the electrophoretic profile and decreased significantly (p<0.05) the effect of SnCl2 on plasmid DNA. The results obtained in this work could indicate a dose-dependent protective action against the SnCl2 and a genotoxic effect of C. icaco extract on plasmid DNA

Efeito de preparações de produtos naturais (cravo da índia e tomate) e de um produto sintético na marcação de constituintes sangüineos com tecnécio-99m e na morfologia de hemácias isoladas de sangue de ratos wistar

There are strong interests in the evaluation of the biological effects of natural and synthetic products. Blood constituents labeled with technetium-99m (99mTc) are used in nuclear medicine. The aim of this work was to study the effects of Clove (Caryophyllus aromaticas L.) and OZE (preparation used in the Health Sciences) on the labeling blood constituents with 99mTc and on the morphologic red blood cells (RBC) and the action of an extract of tomato (TO) on the labeling of blood constituents Blood samples were incubated with clove or OZE or TO, stannous chloride and 99mTc. Plasma (P), blood cells (BC), insoluble fractions (IF) of plasma and blood cells were separated. The radioactivity was counted and percentage of radioactivity (%ATI) to each blood fraction was calculated. The shape and morphometric parameter (perimeter/area ratio) were evaluated in the studies with clove and OZE. Clove extract and OZE altered significantly (p<0.05) the %ATI of blood constituents and the shape of red blood cells. However, clove extract not altered the red blood cells perimeter/area ratio. The tomato extract used at the highest concentrations reduced significantly (p<0.05) the %ATI in IF-P, although this extract did not modify the radiolabeling on BC, neither the radioactivity fixation on IFBC. The results indicate that these chemical compounds would have oxidative/chelating actions

Efeitos de um extrato aquoso de buzhong yi qi wan (fórmula magistral chinesa) na marcação de constituintes sanguíneos com tecnécio-99m, na morfologia e na fragilidade osmótica de hemácias de ratos Wistar

Technetium-99m (99mTc) has been used to obtain several radiobiocomplexes utilized to aid in the diagnosis of diseases. Blood constituents, as red blood cells (RBC) and plasma proteins, have been labeled with 99mTc. Natural and synthetic drugs can alter the labeling of these constituents. The aim of this work was to investigate the possibility of a Buzhong YiQi Wan extract to alter (i) the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc, (ii) the RBC morphology, and (iii) osmotic fragility of RBC withdrawn from Wistar rats. The data showed that the BYQW extract (i) could affect labeling of blood constituintes with 99mTc, (ii) could affect the membrane integrity decreasing the osmotic resistance and (iii) could not alter the shape of RBC. Probably, these findings would be associated with properties of the substances present in the aqueous extract of BYQW. This study has multiple disciplinary aspects in knowledge areas: Radiobiology, Botanic, Phytotherapy and Haematology

Apitidão funcional e comportamentos relacionados à saúde em mulheres idosas do município de Jequié-BA

The identification of the factors that interfere in the decline of functional conditions is useful in the planning of actions addressing the improvement in the conditions of the lives of elderly people. The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the relationship between social demographics and health aspects of the functional condition in elderly women of low income of the Brazilian northeast. This crosssectional study involved a representative sample of 222 women with an average age of 70 years (± 7.1), belonging to coexisting groups and that were resident in the urban area of the municipal district of Jequié /Bahia. In order to achieve this objective, a battery of physical tests of functional aptitude was carried out previously tested in pilot study, anthropometric measurements collected with a comparison of the measures referred to the reported weight and height as well as the application of an interview with questions containing subjects related to social demographic variables, clinical conditions and health, physical conditions and behaviors. Descriptive statistics Proceedings (frequency, average, standard deviation and percent distribution) were used for statistic analysis, and the calculation of the respective odds ratio by binary logistics regression, for the analysis of factors hierarchically grouped; p<0.05. The prevalence of 56% (n=122) of women considered with moderated or serious type of functional limitations was found, In which from multi-varied hierarchical analysis, significant association was verified with the age group over 80 years (p=0.02), conditions of widowhood (p=0.04), presence of arterial hypertension (p=0.001), and physical inactivity during leisure time (p=0.03). On the other hand for functional incapacities the prevalence was of 46.8% (n=104) being associated to the increase of the age (p=0.01), hospitalization (p=0.02), absence of physical activities along their lives (p=0.001) and the occurrence of alterations in the cognitive function (p=0.001). The normative table for the parameters of physical fitness generated conducive to health professionals in the diagnosis of health conditions and the prescription of physical exercises. The identified characteristics that are associated with the functional limitations / functional incapacities suggest a complex causal net in the determination of the functional condition in elderly women. However, actions addressed to the incentive of the practice of physical activities in the leisure time and the preservation of the cognitive function can contribute to a life with more quality for these people. This research was multidisciplinary approach to involve elements of psychology, nutrition and Physical Education in the elucidation of the object of study related to the functional condition of elderly women

Avaliação de efeitos de um extrato aquoso de cinnamomum zeylanicum L. na marcação de constituintes sanguíneos com tecnécio-99m e na morfologia das hemácias de ratos wistar

Radiobiocomplexes are used to obtain images in nuclear medicine and employed in basic research. Blood constituents labeled with technetium-99m (99mTc) have also been employed as radiobiocomplexes and used also experimental model for evaluation of the biological effects of natural or synthetic drugs. The analysis of the morphology and the morphometrics parameters (perimeter/área ratio) can be used to evaluate the effects of drugs upon the structure of the membrane of red blood cells. Cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon) is a spice used as herbal medicine to treat diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of in vitro and in vivo treatment with an aqueous cinnamon extract on the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc and on the morphology of red blood cells from Wistar rats. In the in vitro treatment, isolated blood sample from animals were incubated with cinnamon extract. In the in vivo treatment, blood samples were also withdrawn from animals treated with cinnamon extract. In both cases, the radiolabeling of blood constituents was done. The morphological analysis of red blood cells was also done. As control, blood or animals treated with NaCl 0.9%. The data obtained on the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc experiments indicated that the in vitro treatment with cinnamon extract was capable to decrease signiicantly (p<0.05) the percentage of radioactivity in cellular compartments and on the fixation of cellular and plasma proteins. These effects were not observed on the in vivo treatment. The results obtained for the morphology of red blood cells suggest that the in vitro and in vivo treatments did not alter the morphology and the perimeter/area ratio. The in vitro treatment with aqueous cinnamon extract could affect the membrane structures related with the oxidation status of the stannous ion pertechnetate ion, altering the labeling of blood constituentes with 99mTc. This study was a multidisciplinary experimental research. It was developed with the contribution of the different Departments and Services of the Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto of the Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

Influência da dor na capacidade funcional de idosos institucionalizados

The aim of this study was to evaluate the pain influence regarding location, intensity and duration over functional capacity in institutionalized elderly (Fundacao Leur Brito). This is a descriptive exploratory study with a transversal design and quantitative approach. The population of the study was composed of 60 elderly, being 50% males with 60 years-old minimum age and 104 years-old maximum age, with mean age 77,6 (?}11,64) years-old. Data was collected by a structured query formulary divided in four parts: 1) Social, health and demographic characterization; 2) Pain related aspects (time and location); 3) Pain evaluation by numeric scale and 4) Functional capacity measured by Barthel Index. It was observed after evaluation by Squared-chi test (x2) statistical significant difference between pain presence and Barthel Index activities: bath (pvalue=0,015), dressing (p-value= 0,041), intimal hygiene transference (p-value=0,001), chair and bed transference (p-value=0,032), walking (p-value=0,010) and go upstairs (p-value=0,008). It was also observed statistical difference between total Barthel score (dependent/independent) and pain presence, p-value<0, 000. Through data obtained by this study, a multiprofessional approach is necessary to proper pain control and maintenance and/or regain of functional capacity, leading to an increase in life quality with more independence and autonomy to elderly

Modificações introduzidas pelos treinamentos cardiopulmonar e neuromuscular nos níveis séricos basais de fatores de crescimento insulina símile i (igf-1), cortisol, autonomia funcional e qualidade de vida de mulheres idosas

Changes introduced by cardiopulmonar and neuromuscular training on basal serum insulin-like grow factor-1 (IGF-1) and cortisol levels, functional autonomy and quality of life in elderly women The aim of this study was to compare the effects of strength and aerobic training on basal serum IGF-1 and Cortisol levels, functional autonomy (FA) and quality of life (QoL) in elderly women after 12 weeks of training. The subjects were submitted the strength training (75-85% 1-RM) with weight exercises (SG; n=12; age=66.08 ± 3,37 years; BMI=26,77 ± 3,72 kg/m2), aerobic training with aquatic exercises (AG; n=13; age=68,69 ± 4,70 years; BMI=29,19 ± 2,96 kg/m2) and control group (CG; n=10; age=68,80 ± 5,41 years; BMI=29,70 ± 2,82 kg/m2). Fasting blood was analyzed to measure basal IGF-1 and cortisol levels by chemiluminescence method. The t-Student test showed increased IGF-1 in the SG (p<0.05) for intragroup comparison. The Repeated-measure ANOVA presented increased IGF-1 (p<0.05) in the SG compared to the other two groups. There were no differences in cortisol levels. All the FA tests (GDLAM autonomy protocol) presented decreased significant in the time marked in seconds to the SG. The same results were found in the AG, except in the rise from a sitting position test. The autonomy index presented significant improvements (p<0.05) in the SG related to the AG and CG and in the AG to the CG. The SG showed increased QoL (p<0.05) (by WHOQOL-Old questionnaire) in the facet 1 (sensorial functioning) and facet 5 (death and dying). Thus, the SG obtained positive changes on IGF-1 and FA levels when compared to the AG. This suggests that strength training can indicated to decrease the effects of ageing.

Resistência da artéria carótida e autônima funcional em mulheres idosas

High carotid artery resistance indices in the elderly arise mainly as a result of harmful daily lifestyle behavior and poor eating habits. The aim of this multidisciplinary study was to assess and correlate carotid artery resistance and functional autonomy in elderly women. A descriptive, exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample comprising 27 women, enrolled in pastoral programs in the city of Teresina, Brazil. Carotid artery resistance was assessed by a high-resolution Doppler ultrasound device and functional autonomy was evaluated through five protocol tests of the Latin American Development Group for the Elderly (GDLAM), simulating activities of daily life. The data were analyzed by the Shapiro-Wilk test and the correlation by Spearman s test, considering a p-value of <0.05. The sample consisted of women with mean age and standard deviation of (68.67 ± 4.52) years, respectively and carotid resistance index of (0.71 ± 0.07). The general index value of functional autonomy classified the elderly of the study group as weak in the performance of activities of daily living (30.46 ± 6.31). The general index of functional autonomy showed a high level of sedentary behavior in the group studied (p < 0.01). The sample was classified as weak in the performance of activities of daily life. The correlation coefficient between the carotid resistance index and the general GDLAM index was r = 0.998 and p = 0.000, showing a significant correlation. The elderly women assessed had a high carotid artery resistance index and low functional autonomy; a positive correlation was found between the dependent variables studied. To perform this study we formed a team composed of a nurse, who helped in organizing the sample and performing the examinations; a radiologist, who conducted the Doppler examinations; an angiologist, who collaborated in interpreting examination data; in addition to two physical education professors and two physical therapists, who applied the functional autonomy tests and conducted the 34 research along elderly health lines, contributing thus to the multidisciplinary character, fundamental for carrying out the study

Evuloção cognitiva e funcional de pacientes pós-acidente vascular cerebral - AVC

PURPOSE: Stroke is a high-incidence cerebrovascular disease with elevated morbidity that results in impairments such as functional disabilities. This study aimed to investigate the functional evolution of individuals in the first six months post-stroke. METHOD: Longitudinal study with 42 stroke patients. The functional independence measure (FIM) and The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were used by multidisciplinary staff 3 times in each participant; the first application was at admission to rehabilitation and the others three and six months later. RESULTS: Sample predominantly female (57%), married (52%), mean age 65.26 ±10.72 years, elementary schooling level (43%), ischemic stroke (91%), and right cerebral hemisphere (74%). Motor FIM scores and NIHSS scale showed improvement in the 3 evaluations, with significant p-value (<0.001). There was a strong relation between motor FIM evolution and NIHSS evolution (r = - 0.69 p-value< 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that functional evolution at 6 months post-stroke was significant and the smaller the evolution of clinical impairment in these patients, the larger the evolution of their functional independence. The study is important because it allows a more appropriate therapeutic planning according with functional evolution in stroke rehabilitation