Descoloração redutiva de corantes azo e o efeito de mediadores redox na presença do aceptor de elétrons sulfato

We investigated the impact of sulphate and the redox mediator Anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) on the decolorization of the azo dyes Congo Red (CR) and Reactive Black 5 (RB5). In anaerobic reactors free of extra sulphate dosage, the color removal efficiency decreased drastically when the external electron donor ethanol was removed. In presence of an extra dosage of sulphate, CR decolourisations were 47.8% (free of AQDS) and 96.5% (supplemented with AQDS). The decolourisations achieved in both reactors with RB5 were lower than the ones found with CR. Finally, the biogenic sulphide contribution on azo dye reduction was negligiable.

Relações patofisiológicas entre estresse oxidativo e arteriosclerose

Oxidative stress is the result of an imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant species, with predominance of oxidative species with harmful action of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) on cells. Changes in the levels of nitric oxide (NO•) can be the cause and/ or a result of various pathophysiological processes. The main objective of this review is to address the relationship between oxidative stress and atherosclerosis in order to better understand the main features of this disease.

Metabolismo, oxidação e implicações biológicas do ácido docosahexaenoico em doenças neurodegenerativas

Docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6, n-3, DHA) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) present in large concentrations in the brain and, due to the presence of six double bonds in its structure, is highly susceptible to oxidation by enzymes and reactive oxygen/nitrogen species. The peroxidation of PUFAs has been implicated in an increasing number of human disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, a better understanding of the metabolism pathways of DHA should provide new insights about its role in neurodegenerative diseases. Here we review the main aspects related to DHA metabolism, as well as, the recent findings showing its association with neurodegenerative diseases.

Descoloração de corantes industriais e efluentes têxteis simulados por peroxidase de nabo (Brassica campestre)

The removal of important textile dyes by turnip peroxidase (TNP) was evaluated. The textile effluents besides the residual dyes contain also chemical auxiliaries such as salts, dispersing and wetting agents. The effect of these was evaluated in the removal of the dyes reactive blue 21 and reactive blue 19 by TNP in synthetic effluents. A decrease of the efficency decolorization was observed. The action of the enzyme on colour removal of dye mixture was equivalent to the dyes alone. The chemical demand of oxygen in the effluent after enzymatic treatment had a significant increase in relation to the untreated effluent.

Results of surgical treatment of massive localized lymphedema in severely obese patients

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the importance of treatment of deformities caused by massive localized lymphedema (MLL) in the severely obese. METHODS: in a period of seven years, nine patients with morbid obesity and a mean age of 33 years underwent surgical resection of massive localized lymphedema with primary synthesis. This is a retrospective study on the surgical technique, complication rates and improved quality of life. RESULTS: all patients reported significant improvement after surgery, with greater range of motion, ambulation with ease and more effective hygiene. Histological analysis demonstrated the existence of a chronic inflammatory process marked by lymphomonocitary infiltrate and severe tissue edema. We observed foci of necrosis, formation of microabscesses, points of suppuration and local fibrosis organization, and pachydermia. The lymphatic vessels and some blood capillaries were increased, depicting a framework of linfangiectasias. CONCLUSION: surgical treatment of MLL proved to be important for improving patients' quality of life, functionally rehabilitating them and optimizing multidisciplinary follow-up of morbid obesity, with satisfactory surgical results and acceptable complication rates, demonstrating the importance of treatment and awareness about the disease.

The Role of a firm’s mindset in international success - case study of Finnish marine industry firms

This thesis investigates the influence of a firm’s mindset on international success in the context of the Finnish marine industry. The study draws theoretical wisdom from organisational behaviour and strategic management literatures. The research aim set for this study was to identify and categorise existing strategic types based on mindsets found in the marine industry SMEs, and to link the influence of mindsets with success by examining the role of mindsets in a firm’s performance. Mindsets of firms were conceptualised as aggregate collections of perceptions that influence how the surrounding environment is discerned by the members of the firm. Mindsets are idiosyncratic to firms and therefore important firm-specific resources which influence decision-making and can be observed through the strategic behaviour of firms. Qualitative case study method was applied which was further supported by quantitative data on the financial performance of the ten case firms. Taxonomy based on the dimension of mindsets and prediction was developed to demonstrate four ideal types of firms identified within the marine industry. It was found that all of the case firms emphasised adaptation in their strategy while planning was emphasised to a varying degree. Moreover, two different methods of adapting were found; proactive and reactive. Firms which plan in the long-term and adapt proactively constantly investigate whether their plans are synchronous with the realities of the market; by having an open mindset, a firm’s perception of the reality of the market is enabling the firm to develop value creating strategies which are superiorly informed.This finding was supported by the financial data and led to the proposition that having an open mindset and placing a high level of emphasis on prediction may have a positive influence on international success. Also, it was proposed that concentrating only on exploiting business opportunities in the present time and not exploring any addition opportunities can have a negative influence on the firm’s performance, even if the mindset of the firm is open.

Partial purification of tightly bound mitochondrial hexokinase from maize (Zea mays L.) root membranes

In mammals, hexokinase (HK) is strategically located at the outer membrane of mitochondria bound to the porin protein. The mitochondrial HK is a crucial modulator of apoptosis and reactive oxygen species generation. In plants, these properties related to HK are unknown. In order to better understand the physiological role of non-cytosolic hexokinase (NC-HK) in plants, we developed a purification strategy here described. Crude extract of 400 g of maize roots (230 mg protein) contained a specific activity of 0.042 µmol G6P min-1 mg PTN-1. After solubilization with detergent two fractions were obtained by DEAE column chromatography, NC-HK 1 (specific activity = 3.6 µmol G6P min-1 mg PTN-1 and protein recovered = 0.7 mg) and NC-HK 2. A major purification (yield = 500-fold) was obtained after passage of NC-HK 1 through the hydrophobic phenyl-Sepharose column. The total amount of protein and activity recovered were 0.04 and 18%, respectively. The NC-HK 1 binds to the hydrophobic phenyl-Sepharose matrix, as observed for rat brain HK. Mild chymotrypsin digestion did not affect adsorption of NC-HK 1 to the hydrophobic column as it does for rat HK I. In contrast to mammal mitochondrial HK, glucose-6-phosphate, clotrimazole or thiopental did not dissociate NC-HK from maize (Zea mays) or rice (Oryza sativa) mitochondrial membranes. These data show that the interaction between maize or rice NC-HK to mitochondria differs from that reported in mammals, where the mitochondrial enzyme can be displaced by modulators or pharmacological agents known to interfere with the enzyme binding properties with the mitochondrial porin protein.

Proximal tubular dysfunction as an indicator of chronic graft dysfunction

New strategies are being devised to limit the impact of renal sclerosis on graft function. Individualization of immunosuppression, specifically the interruption of calcineurin-inhibitors has been tried in order to promote better graft survival once chronic graft dysfunction has been established. However, the long-term impact of these approaches is still not totally clear. Nevertheless, patients at higher risk for tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis (TA/IF) development should be carefully monitored for tubular function as well as glomerular performance. Since tubular-interstitial impairment is an early event in TA/IF pathogenesis and associated with graft function, it seems reasonable that strategies directed at assessing tubular structural integrity and function would yield important functional and prognostic data. The measurement of small proteins in urine such as α-1-microglobulin, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, alpha/pi S-glutathione transferases, β-2 microglobulin, and retinol binding protein is associated with proximal tubular cell dysfunction. Therefore, its straightforward assessment could provide a powerful tool in patient monitoring and ongoing clinical assessment of graft function, ultimately helping to facilitate longer patient and graft survival associated with good graft function.

Inhibition of cyclooxygenase activity by standardized hydroalcoholic extracts of four Asteraceae species from the Argentine Puna

We determined the anti-inflammatory activity of standardized extracts of four medicinal plant species (Baccharis incarum, B. boliviensis, Chuquiraga atacamensis, Parastrephia lucida) that grow in the Argentine Puna (3800 m above sea level) and that are used to reduce oxidative stress and alleviate gout and arthritic pain. The extracts of plant aerial parts were standardized in terms of total phenolic compounds and flavone/flavanone content and free radical scavenging activity. All extracts showed high phenolic compound concentration (0.5-1.6 mg/mL), mainly flavones and flavonols (0.1-0.8 mg/mL). The extracts showed hydrogen donating ability (DPPH and ABTS) and reactive oxygen species scavenging activity (O2●-, OH-, H2O2). The ability of the extracts to inhibit cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2) was determined by calculating percent inhibition of PGE2 production measured by enzyme immunoassay. All extracts inhibited both enzymes with IC50 values of 2.0 to 16.7 µg/mL. The anti-inflammatory activity of B. incarum and C. atacamensis extracts was higher than that of B. boliviensis and P. lucida. The IC50 values obtained for indomethacin were 0.11 and 0.78 µM for COX-1 and COX-2, respectively. The present results are consistent with the anecdotal use of these species in phytotherapic preparations.

Increased immunohistochemical expression of YKL-40 in the spleen of patients with portal hypertension

YKL-40 has been identified as a growth factor in connective tissue cells and also a migration factor in vascular smooth muscle cells. To a large extent, the increase of serum YKL-40 is attributed to liver fibrosis and asthma. However, the relationship of the expression and clinical/prognostic significance of YKL-40 to the splenomegaly of patients with portal hypertension is unclear. In the present study, the expression of YKL-40 was studied by immunohistochemistry in 48 splenomegaly tissue samples from patients with portal hypertension and in 14 normal spleen specimens. All specimens were quickly stored at -80°C after resection. Primary antibodies YKL-40 (1:150 dilution, rabbit polyclonal IgG) and MMP-9 (1:200 dilution, rabbit monoclonal IgG) and antirabbit immunoglobulins (HRP K4010) were used in this study. The relationship of clinicopathologic features with YKL-40 is presented. The expression of YKL-40 indicated by increased immunochemical reactivity was significantly up-regulated in splenomegaly tissues compared to normal spleen tissues. Overexpression of YKL-40 was found in 68.8% of splenomegaly tissues and was significantly associated with Child-Pugh classification (P = 0.000), free portal pressure (correlation coefficient = 0.499, P < 0.01) and spleen fibrosis (correlation coefficient = 0.857, P < 0.01). Further study showed a significant correlation between YKL-40 and MMP-9 (correlation coefficient = -0.839, P < 0.01), indicating that YKL-40 might be an accelerator of spleen tissue remodeling by inhibiting the expression of MMP-9. In conclusion, YKL-40 is an important factor involved in the remodeling of spleen tissue of portal hypertension patients and can be used as a therapeutic target for splenomegaly.

Salt-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in Dahl salt-sensitive rats is dependent on elevated blood pressure

Dietary salt intake has been linked to hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Accumulating evidence has indicated that salt-sensitive individuals on high salt intake are more likely to develop renal fibrosis. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) participates in the development and progression of renal fibrosis in humans and animals. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of a high-salt diet on EMT in Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats. Twenty-four male SS and consomic SS-13BN rats were randomized to a normal diet or a high-salt diet. After 4 weeks, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and albuminuria were analyzed, and renal fibrosis was histopathologically evaluated. Tubular EMT was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR with E-cadherin and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). After 4 weeks, SBP and albuminuria were significantly increased in the SS high-salt group compared with the normal diet group. Dietary salt intake induced renal fibrosis and tubular EMT as identified by reduced expression of E-cadherin and enhanced expression of α-SMA in SS rats. Both blood pressure and renal interstitial fibrosis were negatively correlated with E-cadherin but positively correlated with α-SMA. Salt intake induced tubular EMT and renal injury in SS rats, and this relationship might depend on the increase in blood pressure.

Propofol inhibits burn injury-induced hyperpermeability through an apoptotic signal pathway in microvascular endothelial cells

Recent studies have revealed that an intrinsic apoptotic signaling cascade is involved in vascular hyperpermeability and endothelial barrier dysfunction. Propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) has also been reported to inhibit apoptotic signaling by regulating mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening and caspase-3 activation. Here, we investigated whether propofol could alleviate burn serum-induced endothelial hyperpermeability through the inhibition of the intrinsic apoptotic signaling cascade. Rat lung microvascular endothelial cells (RLMVECs) were pretreated with propofol at various concentrations, followed by stimulation with burn serum, obtained from burn-injury rats. Monolayer permeability was determined by transendothelial electrical resistance. Mitochondrial release of cytochrome C was measured by ELISA. Bax and Bcl-2 expression and mitochondrial release of second mitochondrial-derived activator of caspases (smac) were detected by Western blotting. Caspase-3 activity was assessed by fluorometric assay; mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) was determined with JC-1 (a potential-sensitive fluorescent dye). Intracellular ATP content was assayed using a commercial kit, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). Burn serum significantly increased monolayer permeability (P<0.05), and this effect could be inhibited by propofol (P<0.05). Compared with a sham treatment group, intrinsic apoptotic signaling activation - indicated by Bax overexpression, Bcl-2 downregulation, Δψm reduction, decreased intracellular ATP level, increased cytosolic cytochrome C and smac, and caspase-3 activation - was observed in the vehicle group. Propofol not only attenuated these alterations (P<0.05 for all), but also significantly decreased burn-induced ROS production (P<0.05). Propofol attenuated burn-induced RLMVEC monolayer hyperpermeability by regulating the intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway.

Impacts of increased levels of wind penetration on the Electric Power System of the Åland Islands

The application of VSC-HVDC technology throughout the world has turned out to be an efficient solution regarding a large share of wind power in different power systems. This technology enhances the overall reliability of the grid by utilization of the active and reactive power control schemes which allows to maintain frequency and voltage on busbars of the end-consumers at the required level stated by the network operator. This master’s thesis is focused on the existing and planned wind farms as well as electric power system of the Åland Islands. The goal is to analyze the wind conditions of the islands and appropriately predict a possible production of the existing and planned wind farms with a help of WAsP software program. Further, to investigate the influence of increased wind power it is necessary to develop a simulation model of the electric grid and VSC-HVDC system in PSCAD and examine grid response to different wind power production cases with respect to the grid code requirements and ensure the stability of the power system.

20 kV ilmajohtoverkon maakaapeloinnin vaikutus maasulkusuojaukseen ja loistehotaseeseen

Sähkömarkkinalakimuutokset ovat ohjanneet useita verkkoyhtiötä muuttamaan investoin-tistrategioitaan. Kiristyneet toimitusvarmuusvaatimukset edellyttävät useilta verkkoyh-tiöiltä aiempaa suurempaa panostusta jakeluverkon kehittämiseksi. Toimitusvarmuusvaa-timusten täyttäminen edellyttää myös merkittäviä muutoksia verkkoyhtiöiden käyttämiin verkostotekniikoihin. Suurhäiriöille alttiita ilmajohtoja muutetaan verkkoyhtiöissä totuttua nopeammalla aikataululla maakaapeleiksi tiukentuneiden toimitusvarmuusvaatimusten täyttämiseksi. PKS Sähkönsiirto Oy:n 20 kV sähköverkko on ollut suurimmalta osalta avojohtoverkkoa jossa toimitusvarmuus ei ole nykyisellään muuttuneen sähkömarkkinalain asettamalla ta-solla. Tämä on johtanut verkostostrategian luomiseen, jossa yhtenä toimena toimitusvar-muuden lisäämiseksi vaaditulle tasolle on avojohtolinjojen korvaaminen maakaapeleilla. Maakaapelointien nopea rakennusaikataulu tuo monia haasteita verkkoyhtiöille. Maakaa-pelointien korkea maasulkuvirran ja loistehon tuotto verrattuna avojohtoverkkoon tulee huomioida yhtiössä verkkoa rakennettaessa. Tässä diplomityössä selvitetään PKS Sähkönsiirto Oy:n verkostostrategian mukaisten maakaapelointien vaikutuksia sähköverkolle. Työssä on arvioitu tavoiteverkon mukaisten maakaapeleiden aiheuttamaa maasulkuvirran ja loistehon tuoton tasoa. Tulosten perusteel-la on tehty johtopäätökset mihin verkkoyhtiön on kiinnitettävä huomioita kaapelointeja suunnitellessa ja toteuttaessa.

Pearl millet seed pelleting

The pearl millet seed is small and its size varies, making sowing more difficult. The pelleting technique increases and homogenizes seed size, but it is essential to determine the physical and physiological characteristics of pelleted seeds. The physiological analysis consisted of: first germination count, final germination, speed emergence index, and seedling emergence. Physical analysis consisted of determining the 1000-seed weight, 1000-seed volume and fragmentation. The control treatment did not receive any coating, and the other 36 treatments combined four binders: bentonite, polyvinyl acetate (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and methyl cellulose (Methocel®), and nine powder coating products: microcellulose, plaster, vermiculite, magnesium thermophosphate (Yoorin®), phytic acid, dicalcium phosphate, super simple phosphate (SS), monoamonic phosphate (MAP) and reactive phosphate. Among the materials used to form the pearl millet pellet, the most efficient binders were the polyvinyl acetate and the methyl cellulose, and as coaters, the vermiculite and the microcellulose.