Microfluidic electronic tongue

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Characterization and application of nanostructured films containing Au and TiO2 nanoparticles supported in bacterial cellulose

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

E2 potentializes benzo(a)pyrene-induced hepatic cytochrome P450 enzyme activities in Nile tilapia at high concentrations

In the aquatic environment, biotransformation enzymes are established biomarkers for assessing PAH exposure in fish, but little is known about the effect of 17β-estradiol (E2) on these enzymes during exposure to benzo(a)pyrene (BaP). In this study, Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were exposed for 3, 5, and 10 days to BaP (300 μg L(-1)) and E2 (5 μg L(-1)). These substances were applied isolated or mixed. In the mixture experiment, fish were analyzed pre- and postexposure in order to better understand whether preexposure to the hormone masks the responses activated by PAH or vice versa. Phase I enzymes ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), pentoxyresorufin-O-depenthylase (PROD), and benzyloxyresorufin-O-debenzylase (BROD) activities as well as the phase II enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST) were analyzed. Isolated E2 treatment decreased EROD activity after 3 days, but this enzyme activity returned to control values after 5 and 10 days of exposure. Isolated BaP treatment significantly induced EROD activity after 3 and 5 days, and the activity returned to control levels after ten exposure days. Combined treatment (E2 + Bap) significantly increased EROD activity, both in the pre- and postexposure. This increase was even higher than in the isolated BaP treatment, suggesting a synergism between these two compounds. When E2 and BaP were used singly, they did not change BROD and PROD activities. However, combined treatment (E2 + Bap) significantly increased PROD activity. Isolated BaP treatment increased GST activity after 10 days. However, this response was not observed in the mixture treatment, suggesting that E2 suppressed the GST induction modulated by BaP. The results put together indicated that E2 altered the biotransformation pathway regarding enzymes activated by BaP in Nile tilapia.

Uso da cromatografia gasosa para avaliação da difusão em membrana de Polietileno de Alta Densidade (pead) em contato com hidrocarboneto

The constant petrol fuel leak in gas stations has caused concern in many countries around the world. Those fuels have toxic organic compounds in their composition, like Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), which are harmful to the human health. In this work the efficiency of the protection layer with a High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) membrane of 2.5 mm thickness was evaluated. The study was based in the diffusive process in the intact membrane by a permeameter developed to evaluate the diffusive process. The membrane was putted in the middle of the system to separate two sides: a local soil impregnated with diesel oil (in one side) and pure water (in the other side). The chromatography technique was conducted to evaluate the contamination in the pure water. The analyses were made monthly in a total period of 6 months of research. The results tests show that the membrane was less effective to antracene and naphthalene compounds. Despite that, the results showed that the HDPE membrane is a good alternative to prevent contamination of water and soil by the compounds under study up to one year, based on the performance in the time of study.

Hipertensão pulmonar em pacientes com a forma crônica indeterminada da Doença de Chagas: epidemiologia, óxido nítrico e parâmetros ecocardiográficos

Pós-graduação em Doenças Tropicais - FMB