Seasonal variations in surface metabolite composition of Fucus vesiculosus and Fucus serratus sampled at outer Kiel Fjord (August 2012 - July 2013)

The chemical composition of surface associated metabolites of two Fucus species (Fucus vesiculosus and Fucus serratus) was analysed by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to describe temporal patterns in chemical surface composition. Method: The two perennial brown macroalgae F. vesiculosus and F. serratus were sampled monthly at Bülk, outer Kiel Fjord, Germany (54°27'21 N / 10°11'57 E) over an entire year (August 2012 - July 2013). Per month and species six non-fertile Fucus individuals were collected from mixed stands at a depth of 0.5 m under mid water level. For surface extraction approx. 50 g of the upper 5-10 cm apical thalli tips were cut off per species. The surface extraction of Fucus was performed according to the protocol of de Nys and co-workers (1998) with minor modifications (see Rickert et al. 2015). GC/EI-MS measurements were performed with a Waters GCT premier (Waters, Manchester, UK) coupled to an Agilent 6890N GC equipped with a DB-5 ms 30 m column (0.25 mm internal diameter, 0.25 mM film thickness, Agilent, USA). The inlet temperature was maintained at 250°C and samples were injected in split 10 mode. He carrier gas flow was adjusted to 1 ml min-1. Alkanes were used for referencing of retention times. For further details (GC-MS sample preparation and analysis) see the related publication (Rickert et al. submitted to PLOS ONE).

Synthesis, Modification, and Application of Siloxane Materials for Environmental Sensing

As human populations and resource consumption increase, it is increasingly important to monitor the quality of our environment. While laboratory instruments offer useful information, portable, easy to use sensors would allow environmental analysis to occur on-site, at lower cost, and with minimal operator training. We explore the synthesis, modification, and applications of modified polysiloxane in environmental sensing. Multiple methods of producing modified siloxanes were investigated. Oligomers were formed by using functionalized monomers, producing siloxane materials containing silicon hydride, methyl, and phenyl side chains. Silicon hydride-functionalized oligomers were further modified by hydrosilylation to incorporate methyl ester and naphthyl side chains. Modifications to the siloxane materials were also carried out using post-curing treatments. Methyl ester-functionalized siloxane was incorporated into the surface of a cured poly(dimethylsiloxane) film by siloxane equilibration. The materials containing methyl esters were hydrolyzed to reveal carboxylic acids, which could later be used for covalent protein immobilization. Finally, the siloxane surfaces were modified to incorporate antibodies by covalent, affinity, and adsorption-based attachment. These modifications were characterized by a variety of methods, including contact angle, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dye labels, and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The modified siloxane materials were employed in a variety of sensing schemes. Volatile organic compounds were detected using methyl, phenyl, and naphthyl-functionalized materials on a Fabry-Perot interferometer and a refractometer. The Fabry-Perot interferometer was found to detect the analytes upon siloxane extraction by deformation of the Bragg reflectors. The refractometer was used to determine that naphthyl-functionalized siloxanes had elevated refractive indices, rendering these materials more sensitive to some analytes. Antibody-modified siloxanes were used to detect biological analytes through a solid phase microextraction-mediated enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (SPME ELISA). The SPME ELISA was found to have higher analyte sensitivity compared to a conventional ELISA system. The detection scheme was used to detect Escherichia coli at 8500 CFU/mL. These results demonstrate the variety of methods that can be used to modify siloxanes and the wide range of applications of modified siloxanes has been demonstrated through chemical and biological sensing schemes.

Estudo dos tratamentos térmicos dos triacilglicerídeos, ácidos graxos e ésteres metílicos : perfil reacional e mecanismos

Tese (doutorado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Química, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, 2015.

A new application for transition metal chalcogenides:WS2 catalysed esterification of carboxylic acids

The first application of WS2, a well-known graphene analogue, as a solid acid catalyst for carboxylic acid esterification is reported. WS2 exhibits excellent specific activities and high conversion to methyl esters of (65–90%) for C2–C16 carboxylic acid esterification with methanol under mild conditions, with Turnover Frequencies between 80 and 180 h−1, and outstanding water tolerance even under equimolar water spiking. WS2 also exhibits good stability towards methyl propanoate in the continuous esterification of propanoic acid, and is a promising candidate for biofuels production.

Catalytic upgrading of carboxylic acids and esters to bio fuels and bio chemicals

The research activity was focused on the transformation of methyl propionate (MP) into methyl methacrylate (MMA), avoiding the use of formaldehyde (FAL) thanks to a one-pot strategy involving in situ methanol (MeOH) dehydrogenation over the same catalytic bed were the hydroxy-methylation/dehydration of MP with FAL occurs. The relevance of such research line is related to the availability of cheap renewable bio-glycerol from biodiesel production, from which MP can be obtained via a series of simple catalytic reactions. Moreover, the conventional MMA synthesis (Lucite process) suffers from safety issues related to the direct use of carcinogenic FAL and depends on non-renewable MP. During preliminary studies, ketonization of carboxylic acids and esters has been recognized as a detrimental reaction which hinders the selective synthesis of MMA at low temperature, together with H-transfer hydrogenation with FAL or MeOH as the H-donor at higher temperatures. Therefore, ketonization of propionic acid (PA) and MP was investigated over several catalysts (metal oxides and metal phosphates), to obtain a better understanding of the structure-activity relationship governing the reaction and to design a catalyst for MMA synthesis capable to promote the desired reaction while minimizing ketonization and H-transfer. However, ketonization possesses scientific and industrial value itself and represents a strategy for the upgrade of bio oils from fast pyrolysis of lignocellulosic materials, a robust and versatile technology capable to transform the most abundant biomass into liquid biofuels. The catalysts screening showed that ZrO2 and La2O3 are the best catalysts, while MgO possesses low ketonization activity, but still, H-transfer parasitic hydrogenation of MMA reduces its yield over all catalysts. Such study resulted in the design of Mg/Ga mixed oxides that showed enhanced dehydrogenating activity towards MeOH at low temperatures. It was found that the introduction of Ga not only minimize ketonization, but also modulates catalyst basicity reducing H-transfer hydrogenations.

Development and scale-up studies of bio-based poly(ester-amide)s

Plastics are polymers of conventional and extensive use in our day-to-day life. This is due to their light weight, adaptability to different uses and low prices. A downside of such extensive use is the environmental pollution arising from plastic production and disposal. Indeed, many commodity polymers are produced from non-renewable resources while other do not bio-degrade after their end-of-life disposal. Consequently, the ideal polymer comes from renewable raw materials and bio-degrades after its disposal, meaning that it would do little or no harm to the environment from the beginning to the end of its life cycle. In this thesis project a class of bio-based and bio-degradable co-polymers, namely poly(ester-amide)s, was investigated because of their tunable mechanical and bio-degradation properties as well as their renewable origin. Such polymers were synthetized and characterized thermically and mechanically. Furthermore, a scale-up procedure was developed and applied to one polymer and processing trials were made with the material obtained after scale-up.

Melhoria da atenção ao pré-natal e puerpério na ESF 09 - Vila Ester, em São Borja-RS

A Melhoria da atenção ao pré-natal e puerpério é fundamental para observar precocemente transtornos que podem afetar a saúde do binômio mãe e filho, e assegurar uma gestação segura e o nascimento de uma criança saudável. Uma assistência humanizada e qualificada no período gestacional e pós-parto é essencial para diminuir os índices de mortalidade, além de contribuir para maior liberdade, segurança e qualidade de vida destas gestantes e seus familiares. Este trabalho teve como objetivo melhorar a atenção ao pré-natal e puerpério praticada na ESF 09, em São Borja, RS. É o relato de uma intervenção de 16 semanas com ações desenvolvidas em quatro eixos de trabalho: organização e gestão do serviço, monitoramento e avaliação das ações, qualificação da prática clínica e engajamento público. Após os quatro meses, houve a avaliação do período com a qualificação e reordenamento das ações para incorporação das mesmas na rotina da unidade. Como principal resultado tivemos um aumento da cobertura e da qualidade do pré-natal. Foram identificadas 25 gestantes no território, e, dessas, 17 foram cadastradas para acompanhamento local, proporcionando uma cobertura global de 68%, além da incorporação da avaliação de risco para morbimortalidade e de atividades educativas coletivas nas ações cotidianas, trabalhando com promoção de saúde para as várias linhas de cuidado da atenção primária. A qualificação do programa resultou, também, na melhoria dos registros na unidade, e refletiu numa melhoria geral das demais ações programáticas. Para o serviço e para a comunidade, este trabalho trouxe resultados positivos: melhora nos atendimentos, qualificação dos profissionais, atividades educativas realizadas por todos os profissionais, além de um atendimento mais humanizado e integral, resultando num melhor cuidado à população como um todo, e não apenas atendimento às suas demandas clínicas.

Melhoria da Atenção à Saúde do Idoso na UBS Ana Ester Correa Pinto, São Borja/RS

Resumo SCHMITZ, Viviane Martins. Melhoria da atenção à saúde do idoso na UBS Ana Ester Correa Pinto, SÃO BORJA/RS. 2015. 100f. Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso (Curso de Especialização em Saúde da Família) - Departamento de Medicina Social, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, 2015. A Organização Pan-Americana de Saúde define envelhecimento como “um processo sequencial, individual, acumulativo, irreversível, universal, não patológico, de deterioração de um organismo maduro, próprio a todos os membros de uma espécie, de maneira que o tempo o torne menos capaz de fazer frente ao estresse do meio-ambiente e, portanto, aumente sua possibilidade de morte”. Em condições de sobrecarga como, por exemplo, doenças, acidentes e estresse emocional, pode ocasionar uma condição patológica que requeira assistência - senilidade. Cabe ressaltar que certas alterações decorrentes do processo de senescência podem ter seus efeitos minimizados pela assimilação de um estilo de vida mais ativo. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo ampliar a cobertura da atenção à saúde do idoso, melhorar a qualidade da atenção e a promoção a saúde do idoso na ESF 12 Ana Ester Correa Pinto em São Borja/RS. A intervenção ocorreu durante 12 semanas, entre março a maio de 2015, neste período a população da área era de 3.395 pessoas, 1.013 famílias, sendo 433 a população de idosos. Reorganizamos a equipe, capacitamos os profissionais, cadastramos os idosos, os acamados e com dificuldade de locomoção. Obtivemos apoio dos gestores e a adesão da comunidade. Atingimos uma cobertura 23,1% idosos ficando abaixo do esperado, mas realizado de forma integral. Foi realizada a Avaliação Multidimensional Rápida a todos os participantes, rastreamos os idosos para Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica (HAS) e Diabetes, solicitamos exames complementares periódicos aos idosos hipertensos e/ou diabéticos, avaliamos a necessidade de atendimento odontológico, avaliação de rede social e presença de indicadores de fragilização na velhice. Realizamos visita domiciliar a 100% dos idosos acamados e/ou com problemas de locomoção. Fortalecemos o vinculo com a comunidade e com os demais serviços: NASF, CRAS, farmácia básica e gestores. Durante a intervenção nenhum usuário faltou à consulta, aumentou à demanda dos idosos na ESF e a participação nos grupos de ioga, atividade física, HIPERDIA e com a nutricionista, estabelecendo assim uma rotina de hábitos saudáveis na vida dos idosos. Observamos à promoção da saúde, a prevenção de doenças crônicas, a provisão equânime de apoio comunitário e de cuidados paliativos e de longo prazo, por meio da reorientação no atendimento ao idoso, considerando suas opiniões e preferências, fortalecendo o vinculo usuário-equipe de saúde e a continuidade da assistência. Palavras-chave: Saúde da Família; Atenção Primária à Saúde; Saúde do Idoso; assistência domiciliar; Saúde Bucal.

Thermodynamic Study Of The Micellization Of Zwitterionic Surfactants And Their Interaction With Polymers In Water By Isothermal Titration Calorimetry.

The micellization of a homologous series of zwitterionic surfactants, a group of sulfobetaines, was studied using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) in the temperature range from 15 to 65 °C. The increase in both temperature and the alkyl chain length leads to more negative values of ΔGmic(0) , favoring the micellization. The entropic term (ΔSmic(0)) is predominant at lower temperatures, and above ca. 55-65 °C, the enthalpic term (ΔHmic(0)) becomes prevalent, figuring a jointly driven process as the temperature increases. The interaction of these sulfobetaines with different polymers was also studied by ITC. Among the polymers studied, only two induced the formation of micellar aggregates at lower surfactant concentration: poly(acrylic acid), PAA, probably due to the formation of hydrogen bonds between the carboxylic group of the polymer and the sulfonate group of the surfactant, and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate), PSS, probably due to the incorporation of the hydrophobic styrene group into the micelles. The prevalence of the hydrophobic and not the electrostatic contributions to the interaction between sulfobetaine and PSS was confirmed by an increased interaction enthalpy in the presence of electrolytes (NaCl) and by the observation of a significant temperature dependence, the latter consistent with the proposed removal of hydrophobic groups from water.

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Assessment Of Interstitial Myocardial Fibrosis And Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy In Hypertensive Mice Treated With Spironolactone.

Nearly 50% of patients with heart failure (HF) have preserved LV ejection fraction, with interstitial fibrosis and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy as early manifestations of pressure overload. However, methods to assess both tissue characteristics dynamically and noninvasively with therapy are lacking. We measured the effects of mineralocorticoid receptor blockade on tissue phenotypes in LV pressure overload using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Mice were randomized to l-nitro-ω-methyl ester (l-NAME, 3 mg/mL in water; n=22), or l-NAME with spironolactone (50 mg/kg/day in subcutaneous pellets; n=21). Myocardial extracellular volume (ECV; marker of diffuse interstitial fibrosis) and the intracellular lifetime of water (τic; marker of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy) were determined by CMR T1 imaging at baseline and after 7 weeks of therapy alongside histological assessments. Administration of l-NAME induced hypertensive heart disease in mice, with increases in mean arterial pressure, LV mass, ECV, and τic compared with placebo-treated controls, while LV ejection fraction was preserved (>50%). In comparison, animals receiving both spironolactone and l-NAME (l-NAME+S) showed less concentric remodeling, and a lower myocardial ECV and τic, indicating decreased interstitial fibrosis and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy (ECV: 0.43 ± 0.09 for l-NAME versus 0.25 ± 0.03 for l-NAME+S, P<0.001; τic: 0.42 ± 0.11 for l-NAME groups versus 0.12 ± 0.05 for l-NAME+S group). Mice treated with a combination of l-NAME and spironolactone were similar to placebo-treated controls at 7 weeks. Spironolactone attenuates interstitial fibrosis and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in hypertensive heart disease. CMR can phenotype myocardial tissue remodeling in pressure-overload, furthering our understanding of HF progression.

Sinonasal Disorders In Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is associated with more respiratory infections due to immunosuppression. this study aimed to verify the frequency of rhinosinusitis after HSCT, and the association between rhinosinusitis and chronic graft vs. host disease (GVHD) and type of transplantation, clinical treatment, surgical treatment, and survival. this was a retrospective study in a tertiary university hospital. A total of 95 patients with hematological diseases undergoing HSCT between 1996 and 2011 were selected. chronic myeloid leukemia was the most prevalent disease. The type of transplant most often performed was the allogenic type (85.26%). The frequency of rhinosinusitis was 36%, with no difference between the autologous and the allogenic types. Chronic GVHD occurred in 30% of patients. Patients with GVHD had a higher frequency and recurrence of rhinosinusitis, in addition to more frequent need for endoscopic sinusectomy and decreased overall survival. there was a higher frequency of rhinosinusitis in HSCT and GVHD. The type of transplant does not appear to predispose to the occurrence of rhinosinusitis. GVHD seems to be an aggravating factor and requires a more stringent treatment.

Two-component System Vicrk Regulates Functions Associated With Establishment Of Streptococcus Sanguinis In Biofilms.

Streptococcus sanguinis is a commensal pioneer colonizer of teeth and an opportunistic pathogen of infectious endocarditis. The establishment of S. sanguinis in host sites likely requires dynamic fitting of the cell wall in response to local stimuli. In this study, we investigated the two-component system (TCS) VicRK in S. sanguinis (VicRKSs), which regulates genes of cell wall biogenesis, biofilm formation, and virulence in opportunistic pathogens. A vicK knockout mutant obtained from strain SK36 (SKvic) showed slight reductions in aerobic growth and resistance to oxidative stress but an impaired ability to form biofilms, a phenotype restored in the complemented mutant. The biofilm-defective phenotype was associated with reduced amounts of extracellular DNA during aerobic growth, with reduced production of H2O2, a metabolic product associated with DNA release, and with inhibitory capacity of S. sanguinis competitor species. No changes in autolysis or cell surface hydrophobicity were detected in SKvic. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA), and promoter sequence analyses revealed that VicR directly regulates genes encoding murein hydrolases (SSA_0094, cwdP, and gbpB) and spxB, which encodes pyruvate oxidase for H2O2 production. Genes previously associated with spxB expression (spxR, ccpA, ackA, and tpK) were not transcriptionally affected in SKvic. RT-qPCR analyses of S. sanguinis biofilm cells further showed upregulation of VicRK targets (spxB, gbpB, and SSA_0094) and other genes for biofilm formation (gtfP and comE) compared to expression in planktonic cells. This study provides evidence that VicRKSs regulates functions crucial for S. sanguinis establishment in biofilms and identifies novel VicRK targets potentially involved in hydrolytic activities of the cell wall required for these functions.

Long-term Prospects For The Environmental Profile Of Advanced Sugar Cane Ethanol.

This work assessed the environmental impacts of the production and use of 1 MJ of hydrous ethanol (E100) in Brazil in prospective scenarios (2020-2030), considering the deployment of technologies currently under development and better agricultural practices. The life cycle assessment technique was employed using the CML method for the life cycle impact assessment and the Monte Carlo method for the uncertainty analysis. Abiotic depletion, global warming, human toxicity, ecotoxicity, photochemical oxidation, acidification, and eutrophication were the environmental impacts categories analyzed. Results indicate that the proposed improvements (especially no-til farming-scenarios s2 and s4) would lead to environmental benefits in prospective scenarios compared to the current ethanol production (scenario s0). Combined first and second generation ethanol production (scenarios s3 and s4) would require less agricultural land but would not perform better than the projected first generation ethanol, although the uncertainties are relatively high. The best use of 1 ha of sugar cane was also assessed, considering the displacement of the conventional products by ethanol and electricity. No-til practices combined with the production of first generation ethanol and electricity (scenario s2) would lead to the largest mitigation effects for global warming and abiotic depletion. For the remaining categories, emissions would not be mitigated with the utilization of the sugar cane products. However, this conclusion is sensitive to the displaced electricity sources.

Effect Of Particles Of Ashes Produced From Sugarcane Burning On The Respiratory System Of Rats.

The practice of burning sugarcane obtained by non-mechanized harvesting exposes workers and the people of neighboring towns to high concentrations of particulate matter (PM) that is harmful to health, and may trigger a series of cardiorespiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to analyze the chemical composition of the micro-particles coming from sugarcane burning residues and to verify the effects of this micro-particulate matter on lung and tracheal tissues. Micro-particulate matter (PM10) was obtained by dissolving filter paper containing burnt residues in NaCl solution. This material was instilled into the Wistar rats' nostrils. Histological analyses (hematoxylin and eosin - HE) of cardiac, lung and tracheal tissues were performed. Inflammatory mediators were measured in lung tissues by using ELISA. The chemical composition of the particulate material revealed a large quantity of the phthalic acid ester, high concentrations of phenolic compounds, anthracene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Histological analysis showed a reduction in subjacent conjunctive tissue in the trachea, lung inflammation with inflammatory infiltrate formation and reduction of alveolar spaces and a significant increase (p<0.05) in the release of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and INF-γ in the group treated with PM10 when compared to the control group. We concluded that the burning sugarcane residues release many particles, which have toxic chemical compounds. The micro-particulate matter can induce alterations in the respiratory system.