Desevolvimento de nanocompósitos de poli(metacrilato de metila)/argila processados por mistura no estado fundido

Poly(methyl methacrylate)/clay nanocomposites were prepared by melt mixing using a montmorillonite-rich clay (MMT). The clay in natura was treated with acrylic acid to facilitate the dispersion in the polymer matrix. A masterbatch of PMMA/clay was prepared and combined with the pure PMMA and then subjected to extrusion process using singlescrew and twin-screw extruders followed by injection. Nanocomposites were processed with clay contents of 1, 3, 5 and 8 wt.%. The effect of shear processing on the morphology of the nanocomposites was evaluated by XRD, SEM and TEM. Thermal and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were investigated through TGA, DSC, HDT, VICAT, tensile and impact tests, to evaluate the effect of the addition of clay to the PMMA matrix. Flammability tests were also conducted to investigate the effect of the addition of clay on the flame retardation properties. SEM images of the nanocomposites indicated the presence of clay agglomerates, which resulted in the reduction of properties such as thermal stability, mechanical strength and impact resistance, and increased the rate of burning for materials processed by both extrusion routes

Produção e avaliação de nanoemulsão catiônica como possível vetor não-viral para pIRES2-EGFP

Gene therapy is based on the transfer of exogenous genetic material into cells or tissues in order to correct, supplement or silencing a particular gene. To achieve this goal, efficient vehicles, viral or non-viral, should be developed. The aim of this work was to produce and evaluate a nanoemulsion system as a possible carrier for no-viral gene therapy able to load a plasmid model (pIRES2-EGFP). The nanoemulsion was produced by the sonication method, after been choose in a pseudo-ternary phase diagram build with 5 % of Captex 355®, 1.2 % of Tween 80®, 0.8 % of Span 80®, 0.16% of stearylamine and water (to 100 %). Measurements of droplet size, polydispersity index (PI), zeta potential, pH and conductivity, were performed to characterize the system. Results showed droplets smaller than 200 nm (PI < 0.2) and zeta potential > 30 mV. The formulation pH was near to 7.0 and conductivity was that expected to oil in water systems (70 to 90 μS/s) A scale up study, the stability of the system and the best sterilization method were also evaluated. We found that the system may be scaled up considering the time of sonication according to the volume produced, filtration was the best sterilization process and nanoemulsions were stable by 180 days at 4 ºC. Once developed, the complexation efficiency of the plasmid (pDNA) by the system was tested by agarose gel electrophoresis retardation assay.. The complexation efficiency increases when stearylamine was incorporated into aqueous phase (from 46 to 115 ng/μL); regarding a contact period (nanoemulsion / pDNA) of at least 2 hours in an ice bath, for complete lipoplex formation. The nanoemulsion showed low toxicity in MRC-5 cells at the usual transfection concentration, 81.49 % of survival was found. So, it can be concluded that a nanoemulsion in which a plasmid model was loaded was achieved. However, further studies concerning transfectation efficiency should be performed to confirm the system as non-viral gene carrier

Polaritons em materiais magnéticos nanoestruturados

In this work we present a theoretical study about the properties of magnetic polaritons in superlattices arranged in a periodic and quasiperiodic fashíons. In the periodic superlattice, in order to describe the behavior of the bulk and surface modes an effective medium approach, was used that simplify enormously the algebra involved. The quasi-periodic superlattice was described by a suitable theoretical model based on a transfer-matrix treatment, to derive the polariton's dispersion relation, using Maxwell's equations (including effect of retardation). Here, we find a fractal spectra characterized by a power law for the distribution of the energy bandwidths. The localization and scaling behavior of the quasiperiodic structure were studied for a geometry where the wave vector and the external applied magnetic field are in the same plane (Voigt geometry). Numerical results are presented for the ferromagnet Fe and for the metamagnets FeBr2 and FeCl2

Fenótipo neuropsicológico de adolescentes com síndrome de Down

This research aimed to contribute to the characterization of a neuropsychological phenotype of adolescents with Down Syndrome (DS). A multicases study of six adolescents (three males and three females, aged 13 to 14 years) diagnosed with DS and treated at two institutions in the city of Natal (Brazil), was conducted. Participants were assessed using the methodological approach developed by Luria, which is composed by four complementary stages. The first one aimed to investigate the qualitative impact of DS in school life and social development of the adolescents; dimensions of behavior and social-affective aspects of the members of the study were investigated. In the second stage participants performed a battery of neuropsychological tests in order to identify strengths and weaknesses in their cognitive functioning. The third stage was incorporated into the second in order to analyze the quality of the activity of the participants along the quantitative evaluation, highlighting strategies used, errors produced among other indicators. Lastly, the fourth stage refers to the intervention with the participants. Although this is not a specific objective of the study, it is argued that the outcome of this research will subsidize the practice of different professionals working with this clinical group. The results of the first stage emphasized the presence of difficulties in social relationships and in school life of observed adolescents. In turn, the second and third stages pointed out to the presence of difficulties in tasks involving logical and abstract thinking, as well as difficulties in expressive language. In relation to visual memory, we observed a better performance in activities of lower complexity, ie, with less interference of executive functioning, particularly in terms of the functions of planning and initiative. Finally, it was found motor and mental retardation, affecting significantly the performance related to different cognitive areas. The results highlighted here can be considered as subsidies for future interventions, suggesting the need for developping projects that take into account different aspects constituents of the human subject, involving not only the individual with developmental changes, as well as their families, teachers, schools and society in general

Métodos de avaliação nutricional para a suplementação oral com zinco em crianças pré-púberes não deficientes em zinco

Background: Zinc is an essential nutrient that is required for numerous metabolic functions, and zinc deficiency results in growth retardation, cellmediated immune dysfunction, and cognitive impairment. Objective: This study evaluated nutritional assessment methods for zinc supplementation in prepubertal nonzinc- deficient children. Design: We performed a randomised, controlled, triple-blind study. The children were divided into a control group (10% sorbitol, n = 31) and an experimental group (10 mg Zn/day, n = 31) for 3 months. Anthropometric and dietary assessments as well as bioelectrical measurements were performed in all children. Results: Our study showed (1) an increased body mass index for age and an increased phase angle in the experimental group; (2) a positive correlation between nutritional assessment parameters in both groups; (3) increased soft tissue, and mainly fat-free mass, in the body composition of the experimental group, as determined using bioelectrical impedance vector analysis; (4) increased consumption of all nutrients, including zinc, in the experimental group; and (5) an increased serum zinc concentration in both groups (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Given that a reference for body composition analysis does not exist for intervention studies, longitudinal studies are needed to investigate vector migration during zinc supplementation. These results reinforce the importance of employing multiple techniques to assess the nutritional status of populations.

Métodos de avaliação nutricional para a suplementação oral com zinco em crianças pré-púberes não deficientes em zinco

Background: Zinc is an essential nutrient that is required for numerous metabolic functions, and zinc deficiency results in growth retardation, cellmediated immune dysfunction, and cognitive impairment. Objective: This study evaluated nutritional assessment methods for zinc supplementation in prepubertal nonzinc- deficient children. Design: We performed a randomised, controlled, triple-blind study. The children were divided into a control group (10% sorbitol, n = 31) and an experimental group (10 mg Zn/day, n = 31) for 3 months. Anthropometric and dietary assessments as well as bioelectrical measurements were performed in all children. Results: Our study showed (1) an increased body mass index for age and an increased phase angle in the experimental group; (2) a positive correlation between nutritional assessment parameters in both groups; (3) increased soft tissue, and mainly fat-free mass, in the body composition of the experimental group, as determined using bioelectrical impedance vector analysis; (4) increased consumption of all nutrients, including zinc, in the experimental group; and (5) an increased serum zinc concentration in both groups (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Given that a reference for body composition analysis does not exist for intervention studies, longitudinal studies are needed to investigate vector migration during zinc supplementation. These results reinforce the importance of employing multiple techniques to assess the nutritional status of populations.

Desevolvimento de nanocompósitos de poli(metacrilato de metila)/argila processados por mistura no estado fundido

Poly(methyl methacrylate)/clay nanocomposites were prepared by melt mixing using a montmorillonite-rich clay (MMT). The clay in natura was treated with acrylic acid to facilitate the dispersion in the polymer matrix. A masterbatch of PMMA/clay was prepared and combined with the pure PMMA and then subjected to extrusion process using singlescrew and twin-screw extruders followed by injection. Nanocomposites were processed with clay contents of 1, 3, 5 and 8 wt.%. The effect of shear processing on the morphology of the nanocomposites was evaluated by XRD, SEM and TEM. Thermal and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were investigated through TGA, DSC, HDT, VICAT, tensile and impact tests, to evaluate the effect of the addition of clay to the PMMA matrix. Flammability tests were also conducted to investigate the effect of the addition of clay on the flame retardation properties. SEM images of the nanocomposites indicated the presence of clay agglomerates, which resulted in the reduction of properties such as thermal stability, mechanical strength and impact resistance, and increased the rate of burning for materials processed by both extrusion routes