Variação no conteúdo protéico e pigmentar em variantes cromáticas de Gracilaria domingensis nas populações naturais de Rio do Fogo-RN, BRASIL

The seaweed Gracilaria domingensis is a common species in the coast of Rio Grande do Norte. This species lives in the intertidal zone, where colour strains (red, green and brown) co-occur during the whole year. Seaweeds that live in this region are exposed to daily changes and to the rhythm of the tide. During the low tide they are exposed to dissection, hiper-or hipo-osmotic shock, high temperatures and high irradiance. The aim of this study was to analyze whether the pigment and protein content of the colour strains of G. domingensis is affected by some environmental parameters in a temporal scale. The seaweeds were collected during 10 months in the seashore of Rio do Fogo (RN). The total soluble proteins and the phycobiliprotein were extracted in phosphate buffer and the carotenoids were analyzed by a standardized method through HPLC-UV. The pigments analysis showed that phycoerithrin is the most abundant pigment in the three strains. This pigment was strongly correlated with nitrogen and the photosynthetically active radiation. Chlorophyll presented higher concentrations than carotenoids during the whole, but the ratio carotenoid/chlorophyll-a was modified by incident radiation. The most abundant carotenoid was ß-carotene and zeaxanthin, which had higher concentrations in the higher radiation months. The concentration increase of zeaxanthin in this period indicated a photoprotective response of the seaweed. The three strains presented a pigment profile that indicates different radiation tolerance profile. Our results pointed that the green strain is better adapted to high irradiance levels than the red and brown strains

Dinâmica de nitrogênio em cultivo heterotrófico a partir de cianobactéria sob o escopo de biorrefinarias agroindustriais

O trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a dinâmica de nitrogênio, em cultivo heterotrófico, a partir da cianobactéria Aphanothece microscopica Nägeli, sob o escopo de uma biorrefinaria. Neste sentido, foi avaliada a contribuição dos compostos nitrogenados não proteicos, na dinâmica de distribuição do nitrogênio, na biomassa gerada pelo micro-organismo em estudo, quando cultivado em sistema autotrófico e heterotrófico. Para o cultivo em condições autotróficas, foi utilizado o meio padrão BG-11, enquanto que, para o cultivo em condições heterotróficas, foi empregado o efluente da indústria de laticínios. Inicialmente, foi avaliada a contribuição dos pigmentos na fração nitrogenada não proteica tendo como base dois experimentos. No primeiro experimento foi selecionada a melhor condição para a produção de pigmentos, expressos pela clorofila-a em sistema heterotrófico, tendo como base os parâmetros C/N (20, 40 e 60), N/P (5, 10 e 15) e concentração de inóculo (100, 200 e 300 mg.L-1), mediante um planejamento fatorial 23 . Os experimentos foram conduzidos em biorreator heterotrófico a 20°C, pH 7,6 e aeração contínua de 1VVM. A melhor condição de produção de pigmento foi indicada como sendo a 200 mg.L-1 de concentração celular, razões C/N 20 e N/P 10. Com base nestes resultados, um segundo experimento foi delineado, visando avaliar a contribuição de pigmentos na fração de nitrogênio não proteico, bem como avaliar a produção de clorofila-a e ficobiliproteínas (ficocianina, aloficocianina e ficoeritrina), sob influência da luz e do meio de cultivo. Foi possível destacar teores superiores de ficobiliproteínas na biomassa gerada no cultivo heterotrófico. No entanto, com notada diferença (p≤0,05) nos teores de clorofila-a, quando são comparadas as concentrações na biomassa de meios autotróficos (10,7 mg.g-1) e heterotróficos (1,0 mg.g-1). Fato este compensado pelo menor tempo de cultivo registrado para atingir o final do experimento, quando o micro-organismo é cultivado em condições heterotróficas. Fica demonstrado assim, ainda, a importante contribuição dos pigmentos na fração de nitrogênio não proteico. Na sequência, um terceiro e quarto experimentos foram delineados, visando avaliar a influência do nitrogênio inorgânico intracelular na fração não proteica e na produção de proteína, assim como a caracterização da fração proteica quanto ao seu perfil aminoacídico. O estudo da dinâmica do nitrogênio intracelular demonstrou que o N-NH4 + foi a forma nitrogenada predominante, perfazendo importante fração de N-NP, sendo, portanto, os teores de N-NP significativamente dependente dos teores de pigmentos e nitrogênio intracelular. Os aminogramas das biomassas geradas pelos cultivos autotróficos e heterotróficos indicaram como aminoácidos majoritários o ácido glutâmico e aspártico, seguidos por valina, leucina e isoleucina, e como minoritários, lisina, glicina e metionina. O perfil aminoacídico caracterizou-se por apresentar aminoácidos essenciais como isoleucina, metionina + cisteína, fenilalanina + tirosina, valina e treonina em concentrações superiores ao preconizado pela FAO/WHO. A caracterização da fração proteica quanto ao perfil aminoacídico qualificou esta biomassa como fonte potencial de proteína. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho demonstram a influência e dinâmica de distribuição dos compostos nitrogenados em Aphanothece microscopica Nägeli. Fica demonstrado, ainda, que a implementação do conceito de biorrefino, no tipo de agroindústria estudado, poderá representar importantes possibilidades de aproveitamento sustentável do efluente gerado.

Análise proteômica de Chromobacterium violaceum: acúmulo estacionário e diferencial após exposição à luz UVC

Chromobacterium violaceum is a free-living bacillus, Gram-negative commonly found in water and sand of tropical and subtropical regions. One of its main characteristic it's the ability to produce the purple pigment named violacein, that shows countless biological activities. In 2003, the genome of this organism was totally sequenced and revealed important informations about the physiology of this bacteria. However, few post-genomics studies had been accomplished. This work evaluated the protein profile of C. violaceum cultivated in LB medium at 28ºC that allowed the identification and characterization of proteins related to a possible secretion system that wasn't identified and characterized yet in C. violaceum, to the quorum sensing system, to regulatory process of transcription and translation, stress adaptation and biotechnological potential. Moreover, the response of the bacteria to UVC radiation was evaluated. The comparison of the protein profile, analyzed through 2-D electrophoresis, of the control group versus the treatment group allowed the identification of 52 proteins that arose after stress induction. The obtained results enable the elaboration of a stress response pathway in C. violaceum generated by the UVC light. This pathway, that seems to be a general stress response, involves the expression of proteins related to cellular division, purine and pirimidine metabolism, heat chock or chaperones, energy supply, regulation of biofilm formation, transport, regulation of lytic cycle of bacteriophages, besides proteins that show undefined function. Despite the response present similarities with the classic SOS response of E. coli, we still cannot assert that C. violaceum shows a SOS-like response, mainly due to the absence of characterization of a LexA-like protein in this organism

Interacciones excitón-plasmón en superestructuras de CdS-Ag y CdS-Au: un nuevo conector molecular

Propósito y Método del Estudio: Las interacciones excitón-plasmón son un componente importante en el diseño de dispositivos nanotecnológicos. En el presente trabajo se sintetizó y probó el ligante N,N’-[1,4-fenilenbis(metanililiden)]bis(4-aminotiofenol) como conector molecular nanométrico en superestructuras de CdS-Ag y CdS-Au. Las nanopartículas metálicas utilizadas fueron nanoesferas y nanoplatos triangulares de plata y nanoesferas de oro. Contribuciones y Conclusiones: Las superestructuras de CdS-Ag y CdS-Au formadas utilizando el ligante N,N’-[1,4-fenilenbis(metanililiden)]bis(4-aminotiofenol) como conector presentaron interacciones excitón-plasmón que difieren de las evaluadas en dispersión acuosa para los mismos sistemas. Se sugiere el estudio del conector con otros sistemas semiconductor-metal para evaluar su efecto sobre las interacciones excitón-plasmón

Síntese e caracterização de espinélios a base de Cu, Fe e Cr para pigmentos cerâmicos

Inorganic pigment comprises a host lattice, which is part of the chromophore component (usually a transition metal cation) and possible components modifiers, which stabilize, add or restate the properties pigments. Among the materials with spinel, ferrites, and the chromite stand out, because they have broad technological importance in the area of materials, applicability, pigments, catalytic hydrogenation, thin film, ceramic tiles, among others. The present work, pigments containing CuFe2O4, CuCr2O4,e CuFeCrO4, were synthesized by a method that makes use of gelatin as organic precursor using their application to ceramic pigments. The pigments were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) spectroscopy in the UV-visible and Colorimetry. The results confirmed the feasibility of the synthetic route used, with respect to powders synthesized, there is the formation of spinel phase from 500°C, with an increase in crystallinity and the formation of other phases. The pigments were shown to be crystalline and the desired phases were obtained. The copper chromite have hues ranging from green to black according to the calcination temperature, while the copper chromite doped with iron had brownish. The ferrites showed copper color and darker brown to black, which may indicate an interesting factor because of the importance of black pigment

Síntese e caracterização de catalisadores nanométricos de LaSrNiO4 para aplicação em dessulfurização de tiofeno

The mixed metal oxides constitute an important class of catalytic materials widely investigated in different fields of applications. Studies of rare earth nickelates have been carried by several researchers in order to investigate the structural stability afforded by oxide formed and the existence of catalytic properties at room temperature. So, this study aims synthesize the nanosized catalyst of nickelate of lanthanum doped with strontium (La(1-x)SrxNiO4-d; x = 0,2 and 0,3), through the Pechini method and your characterization for subsequent application in the desulfurization of thiophene reaction. The precursor solutions were calcined at 300ºC/2h for pyrolysis of polyester and later calcinations occurred at temperatures of 500 - 1000°C. The resulting powders were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TG / DTG), surface area for adsorption of N2 by BET method, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (HR_SEM) and spectrometry dispersive energy (EDS). The results of XRD had show that the perovskites obtained consist of two phases (LSN and NiO) and from 700ºC have crystalline structure. The results of SEM evidenced the obtainment of nanometric powders. The results of BET show that the powders have surface area within the range used in catalysis (5-50m2/g). The characterization of active sites was performed by reaction of desulfurization of thiophene at room temperature and 200ºC, the relation F/W equal to 0,7 mol h-1mcat -1. The products of the reaction were separated by gas chromatography and identified by the selective detection PFPD sulfur. All samples had presented conversion above 95%

Síntese de pigmentos cerâmicos inorgânicos nanométricos e encapsulados com estrutura core-shell pela rota dos precursores poliméricos

The present work has as objective the development of ceramic pigments based in iron oxides and cobalt through the polymeric precursor method, as well as study their characteristics and properties using methods of physical, chemical, morphological and optical characterizations.In this work was used iron nitrate, and cobalt citrate as precursor and nanometer silica as a matrix. The synthesis was based on dissolving the citric acid as complexing agent, addition of metal oxides, such as chromophores ions and polymerization with ethylene glycol. The powder obtained has undergone pre-ignition, breakdown and thermal treatments at different calcination temperatures (700 °C, 800 °C, 900 °C, 1000 °C and 1100 °C). Thermogravimetric analyzes were performed (BT) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), in order to evaluate the term decomposition of samples, beyond characterization by techniques such as BET, which classified as microporous materials samples calcined at 700 ° C, 800 º C and 900 º C and non-porous when annealed at 1000 ° C and 1100 º C, X-ray diffraction (XRD), which identified the formation of two crystalline phases, the Cobalt Ferrite (CoFe2O4) and Cristobalite (SiO2), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed the formation of agglomerates of particles slightly rounded;and Analysis of Colorimetry, temperature of 700 °C, 800 °C and 900 °C showed a brown color and 1000 °C and 1100 °C violet

Functional analysis of a transcriptional variant of matrix gla protein (MGP)

Dissertação de Mestrado, Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Universidade do Algarve, 2014

Multifactorial approach to non-viral gene therapy: development of an efficient system for the retina

Tese de Doutoramento, Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Universidade do Algarve, 2016

Síntesis, caracterización, propiedades eléctricas y electroquímicas de Na₃V₂-xAlx(PO₄)2F₃ (x=0,0.02, 0.05, 0.1) como cátodos para su aplicación en baterías de ion-litio

Propósito y Método del Estudio: La demanda de baterías recargables ha aumentado de manera significativa cada año durante la última década impulsada por las necesidades vinculadas con el desarrollo tecnológico (portabilidad, alto desempeño de dispositivos electrónicos, vehículos eléctricos). La batería ión-litio es el dispositivo de mayor consumo, está diseñado para el almacenamiento y conversión de energía eléctrica basado en electrodos de intercalación. En la actualidad los esfuerzos están dirigidos a la mejora y/o remplazo de los componentes actuales de las baterías: ánodo, cátodo (LiCoO2) y electrolito, por materiales que tengan más altos rendimientos en términos de energía, potencia, costo, confiabilidad, tiempo de vida y seguridad. En este trabajo de investigación se prepararon y caracterizaron cuatro compuestos Na3V2-xAlx(PO4)2F3 (x= 0, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1) como materiales catódicos para baterías ión-litio. Estos materiales se obtuvieron mediante el método Pechini. La caracterización morfológica y microestructural se llevó a cabo por Microscopia Electrónica de Barrido de Emisión de Campo (FESEM), el análisis textural por Fisisorción de N2 por la técnica BET; la composición química y cristalográfica se determinó por Espectroscopia de Emisión de Plasma de Acoplamiento Inductivo (ICP-OES), Espectroscopia de Energía Dispersiva de Rayos X (EDXS) y Difracción de Rayos X (XRD), mientras que por Espectroscopia de Impedancia Electroquímica (EIS) se realizó la caracterización eléctrica; por último la aplicación de los materiales como cátodos en baterías ión-litio se evaluó mediante pruebas Galvanostáticas de carga/descarga. Contribuciones y Conclusiones: Se establecieron las condiciones de síntesis para los materiales Na3V2-xAlx(PO4)2F3 x= 0, 0.02, 0.05 y 0.1 vía método Pechini. El dopaje de la fase Na3V2-xAlx(PO4)2F3 se llevó a cabo con éxito hasta x=0.1 moles de aluminio, dado que se conservó la estructura cristalina tetragonal del Na3V2(PO4)2F3 (JCPDS 01-089-8485). Los materiales obtenidos tienen una microestructura formada por partículas de forma granular de tamaño nanométrico (40-100nm), esto se atribuye al efecto del carbono residual en la muestra (en promedio 8% en peso) ya que inhibe el crecimiento de partícula, además que permite mejorar el contacto entre las partículas lo que beneficia a la conductividad electrónica del material. Los materiales obtenidos tienen en promedio un tamaño de poro de 20 nm, con un área superficial del orden 30 m2/g. La fase con 0.05 moles de aluminio presentó el mejor resultado bajo las condiciones de estudio. Conjuga dos de las características básicas de una batería, presenta una alta capacidad de carga/descarga (123/101 mAh/g a un voltaje de celda de 4.4 V vs Li) y una buena capacidad de retención (82%), en comparación al material sin dopar (128/63 mAh/g y 49% de retención). Por lo anterior, el dopaje de la fase Na3V2(PO4)2F3 con Al, logró la estabilización de la estructura frente a los procesos de ciclado. Por lo cual es un material prometedor para su aplicación como cátodos en baterías ión-litio o ión-sodio.

Biotecnologia de Dunaliella salina para produção de B caroteno

Dissertação de mest. em Aquacultura, Unidade de Ciências e Tecnologia dos Recursos Aquáticos, Univ. do Algarve, 1997

Influencia de la inserción de nano-óxidos cerámicos sobre la microestructura y propiedades de una porcelana triaxial.

La nanociencia y nanotecnología han revolucionado las investigaciones en ciencia de los materiales, permitiendo el desarrollo de nuevos productos con desempeño superior a los convencionales. Conceptos nanotecnológicos como la adición de partículas en tamaños nanométricos para incrementar las propiedades finales han sido demostrados en cerámicos, sin embargo esta alternativa prácticamente no ha sido investigada en sistemas porcelánicos, específicamente en porcelanas triaxiales con aplicaciones eléctricas. Este trabajo de investigación presenta el desarrollo de una formulación de porcelana triaxial silicosa, de grado eléctrico, con características mecánicas y dieléctricas mejoradas mediante la incorporación de nanopartículas cerámicas. Se estudió la influencia de la adición de dos tipos de óxidos cerámicos en tamaño nanométrico, α- alúmina (α-Al2O3) y circonia (ZrO2), en las propiedades y microestructura de la porcelana triaxial, al variar la concentración de las nanopartículas en la composición inicial. En la primera parte de la experimentación, se elaboraron probetas experimentales siguiendo un proceso a nivel laboratorio haciendo uso de un conformado por presión uniaxial. Posteriormente, se elaboraron pastas porcelánicas a nivel planta-prototipo mediante un proceso de conformado por extrusión plástica. Las probetas sinterizadas fueron caracterizadas mediante evaluaciones físicas tales como densidad, porosidad, absorción de humedad y contracción lineal; así mismo se llevaron a cabo análisis microestructurales y de fases a través de las técnicas de DR-X, MEB y DSC-TGA. Por último, se realizaron evaluaciones mecánicas por medio de ensayos de resistencia a la compresión y módulo de ruptura (por tres puntos), así como la evaluación de la capacidad aislante con pruebas de resistencia dieléctrica. Los resultados obtenidos demuestran que la inserción de nanopartículas de alúmina y circonia, ayudan en el reforzamiento mecánico del sistema porcelánico triaxial estudiado, además de mejorar sus características dieléctricas, lo que representa una alternativa tecnológicamente factible para mejorar el desempeño de productos de porcelana, como es el caso de aisladores eléctricos

Construção de um aparato experimental para monitoramento in situ da deposição de filmes finos de titânio por magnetron sputtering

The technique of surface coating using magnetron sputtering is one of the most widely used in the surface engineering, for its versatility in obtaining different films as well as in the micro / nanometric thickness control. Among the various process parameters, those related to the active species of the plasma are of the most fundamental importance in the mechanism and kinetics of deposition. In order to identify the active species of the plasma, parameters such as gas flow, pressure and density of electric power were varied during titanium coating on glass substrate. By flowing argon gas of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 sccm (cubic centimeters per minute) for each gas flow a sequential scan of the electric current of 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40 , 0.50 A. The maximum value of 0.50 A was chosen based both on literature data and on limitations of the equipment. The monitoring of plasma species present during the deposition was carried out in situ by the technique of optical emission spectroscopy (OES) through the spectrometer Ocean Optics USB2000 Series. For this purpose, an apparatus was developed to adapt the OES inside the plasma reactor to stay positioned closest to the target. The radiations emitted by the species were detected by an optical fiber placed behind the glass substrate and their intensities as a function of wavelength were, displayed on a monitor screen. The acquisition time for each condition of the plain parameters was related to the minima of spectral lines intensities due to the film formed on the substrate. The intensities of different emission lines of argon and titanium were then analyzed as a function of time, to determine the active species and estimate the thickness of the deposited films. After the deposition, the coated glasses thin films were characterized by optical transmittance through an infrared laser. It was found that the thickness and deposition rate determined by in situ analysis were consistent with the results obtained by laser transmittance

Variação no conteúdo protéico e pigmentar em variantes cromáticas de Gracilaria domingensis nas populações naturais de Rio do Fogo-RN, BRASIL

The seaweed Gracilaria domingensis is a common species in the coast of Rio Grande do Norte. This species lives in the intertidal zone, where colour strains (red, green and brown) co-occur during the whole year. Seaweeds that live in this region are exposed to daily changes and to the rhythm of the tide. During the low tide they are exposed to dissection, hiper-or hipo-osmotic shock, high temperatures and high irradiance. The aim of this study was to analyze whether the pigment and protein content of the colour strains of G. domingensis is affected by some environmental parameters in a temporal scale. The seaweeds were collected during 10 months in the seashore of Rio do Fogo (RN). The total soluble proteins and the phycobiliprotein were extracted in phosphate buffer and the carotenoids were analyzed by a standardized method through HPLC-UV. The pigments analysis showed that phycoerithrin is the most abundant pigment in the three strains. This pigment was strongly correlated with nitrogen and the photosynthetically active radiation. Chlorophyll presented higher concentrations than carotenoids during the whole, but the ratio carotenoid/chlorophyll-a was modified by incident radiation. The most abundant carotenoid was ß-carotene and zeaxanthin, which had higher concentrations in the higher radiation months. The concentration increase of zeaxanthin in this period indicated a photoprotective response of the seaweed. The three strains presented a pigment profile that indicates different radiation tolerance profile. Our results pointed that the green strain is better adapted to high irradiance levels than the red and brown strains

Láser Q-Switched en el manejo de ocronosis exógena: revisión sistemática de la literatura

Antecedentes: La ocronosis Exógena (OE) es una enfermedad subdiagnosticada y de difícil manejo (1). El láser Q-Switched (QS) surge como una alternativa para el tratamiento de esta (2). Objetivo: Describir las características de los pacientes, del láser QS y los desenlaces en el tratamiento de OE. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda de la literatura en las bases PubMed, Embase, PMC, Scielo, Elselvier, BMJ Case Reports, Journal of Medical Case Reports, Cases Journal e International Medical Case Reports Journal, desde enero del 2000 a marzo del 2016, pacientes con ocronosis exógena, 18 a 70 años, tratados con láser QS. Los artículos fueron evaluados mediante la herramienta de evaluación de validez y valor educativo de reportes de caso descrito por Pierson (3). Resultados: Se encontraron 256 artículos, 63 fueron seleccionados: 28 repetidos y 31 no cumplieron criterios de inclusión. Se escogieron 4 artículos que reportan 12 casos de pacientes con ocronosis exógena diagnosticada mediante estudio histopatológico y tratada con láser QS. Discusión: Hay poca experiencia con el láser QS en OE. En la práctica clínica se usa para tatuajes y patologías pigmentarias dérmicas con resultados satisfactorios. El pigmento dérmico en OE y la corta duración de pulso de láser QS, podrían ser el pilar de tratamiento para OE. Conclusión: El láser QS puede ser útil para el tratamiento en OE, con nivel de evidencia 3 y grado de recomendación D. Se sugiere realizar estudios clínicos con mayor grado de evidencia.