O discurso literário e cinematográfico: simetrias e assimetrias em O Leopardo, Guisseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa X Luchino Visconti

Este trabalho trata de duas artes, Literatura e Cinema. Embora autônomas e específicas, traduzem-se em textos distintos, relações de identificação e ao mesmo tempo afastamento de uma obra em relação à outra. Nossa abordagem tem, como ponto de partida, o texto literário "O Leopardo", do escritor italiano Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa e, como ponto de chegada, a obra cinematográfica homônima do cineasta, também italiano, Luchino Visconti. Lampedusa produziu uma obra que só ganharia reconhecimento postumamente. Nela, criou um discurso narrativo através do qual põe em destaque a História e a representação da sociedade. Apesar de ter nos legado uma obra pequena, caracteriza-se por apresentar um estilo próprio, marcado por requintes de liberdade e recriação da palavra. Luchino Visconti, o mais requintado criador da sétima arte de seu tempo, transpôs, com rigor, para a tela, importantes obras de renomados escritores. Seus filmes traduzem uma precisa visão histórica e aristocrática. A narrativa cinematográfica mescla ousadia e criatividade, desafiando a escritura ao arquitetá-la em magníficas imagens, cumprindo com o (quase) intuito da fidelidade a abstração da imagem literária.

Cytogenetic characterization and evaluation of c-MYC gene amplification in PG100, a new Brazilian gastric cancer cell line

Gastric cancer is the fourth most frequent type of cancer and the second cause of cancer mortality worldwide. The genetic alterations described so far for gastric carcinomas include amplifications and mutations of the c-ERBB2, KRAS, MET, TP53, and c-MYC genes. Chromosomal instability described for gastric cancer includes gains and losses of whole chromosomes or parts of them and these events might lead to oncogene overexpression, showing the need for a better understanding of the cytogenetic aspects of this neoplasia. Very few gastric carcinoma cell lines have been isolated. The establishment and characterization of the biological properties of gastric cancer cell lines is a powerful tool to gather information about the evolution of this malignancy, and also to test new therapeutic approaches. The present study characterized cytogenetically PG100, the first commercially available gastric cancer cell line derived from a Brazilian patient who had a gastric adenocarcinoma, using GTG banding and fluorescent in situ hybridization to determine MYC amplification. Twenty metaphases were karyotyped; 19 (95%) of them presented chromosome 8 trisomy, where the MYC gene is located, and 17 (85%) presented a deletion in the 17p region, where the TP53 is located. These are common findings for gastric carcinomas, validating PG100 as an experimental model for this neoplasia. Eighty-six percent of 200 cells analyzed by fluorescent in situ hybridization presented MYC overexpression. Less frequent findings, such as 5p deletions and trisomy 16, open new perspectives for the study of this tumor.

Avaliação de diferentes tratamentos de superfície na resistência de união de cerâmica de di-silicato de lítio

Pós-graduação em Odontologia Restauradora - ICT

Potential quimioprotetor do DIM (3, 3' - Di-indolil-metano) e da Genisteína em linhagens de células tumorais prostáticas humanas LNCaP e PC-3 expostas ao Bisfenol A

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

Histopathological alterations in the prostates of Mongolian gerbils exposed to a high-fat diet and di-n-butyl phthalate individually or in combination

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Gestational and lactational exposition to Di-N-butyl-phthalate (DBP) increases inflammation and preneoplastic lesions in prostate of wistar rats after carcinogenic N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) plus testosterone protocol

In the present study, it was evaluated the susceptibility of prostatic lesions in male adult rats exposed to Di-N-butyl-phthalate during fetal and lactational periods and submitted to MNU plus testosterone carcinogenesis protocol. Pregnant females were distributed into four experimental groups: CN (negative control); CMNU (MNU control); TDBP100 (100 mg/kg of DBP); TDBP500 (500 mg/kg of DBP). Females from the TDBP groups received DBP, by gavage, from gestation day 15 (GD15) to postnatal day 21 (DPN21), while C animals received the vehicle (corn oil). CMNU, TDBP100, and TDBP500 groups received a single intraperitoneal injection of MNU (50 mg/kg) on the sixth postnatal week. After that, testosterone cypionate was administered subcutaneously two times a week (2 mg/kg) for 24 weeks. The animals were euthanized on PND220. Distal segment fragments of the ventral (VP) and dorsolateral prostate (DLP) were fixed and processed for histopathological analysis. Protein extracts from ventral prostate were obtained, and western blotting was performed to AR, ERα, MAPK (ERK1/2), and pan-AKT. Stereological analysis showed an increase in the epithelial compartment in TDBP100 and TDBP500 compared to CN. In general, there was increase in the incidence of inflammation and metaplasia/dysplasia in the DBP-treated groups, mainly in DLP, compared to CN and CMNU. Proliferation index was significant higher in TDBP500 and PIN (prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia) was more frequent in this group compared to CMNU. Western blot assays showed an increase in the expressions of AR and MAPK (ERK1/2) in the TDBP100 compared to CN, and ERα and AKT expressions were higher in the TDBP500 group compared do CN. These results showed that different doses of DBP during prostate organogenesis in Wistar rats could increase the incidence of premalignant lesions in initiated rats inducing distinct biological responses in the adulthood. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2015.

Photopatternable di-ureasil-zirconium oxocluster organic-inorganic hybrids as cost effective integrated optical substrates

Organic-inorganic hybrids containing methacrylic acid (McOH, CH(2)= C(CH(3))COOH)) modified zirconium tetrapropoxide, Zr(OPr(n))(4), classed as di-ureasil-zirconium oxo-cluster hybrids, have been prepared and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman (FT-Raman) spectroscopies, Si and C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). XRD and SAXS results have pointed out the presence of Si- and Zr-based nanobuilding blocks (NBBs) dispersed into the organic phase. Inter-NBBs correlation distances have been estimated for the pure di-ureasil and a model compound obtained. by hydrolysis/condensation of Zr(OPr(n))(4):McOH (molar ratio 1: 1): d(Si) approximate to 26 +/- 1 angstrom and d(Zr) approximate to 16 +/- 1 angstrom, respectively. In the case of the di-ureasil-zirconium oxo-cluster hybrids, these distances depend on the Zr relative molar percentage (rel. mol. Zr %) (d(Si) ranges from 18 to 25 angstrom and d(Zr) from 14 to 23 angstrom, as the rel. mol. Zr % increases from 5 to 75), suggesting that the Si- and Zr-based clusters are interconstrained. Complementary data from FT-IR, FT-Raman, (29)Si and (13)C NMR, and AFM support to a structural model where McOH-modified Zr-based NBBs (Zr-OMc) are present over the whole range of composition. At low Zr-OMc contents (rel. mol. Zr % <30) the clusters are well-dispersed within the di-ureasil host, whereas segregation occurs at the 0.1 mu m scale at high Zr-OMc concentration (rel. mol. Zr % = 50). No Zr-O-Si heterocondensation has been discerned. Monomode waveguides, diffractions gratings, and Fabry-Perot cavities have been written through the exposure of the hybrid monoliths to UV light. FT-Raman has shown that the chemical process that takes place under illumination is the polymerization of the methacrylate groups of the Zr-OMc NBBs. The guidance region in patterned channels is a Gaussian section located below the exposed surface with typical dimensions of 320 mu m wide and 88 mu m deep. The effective refractive index is 1.5162 (maximum index contrast on the order of 1 x 10(-4)) and the reflection coeficient of the Fabry-Perot cavity (formed by a grating patterned into a 0.278 cm channel) is 0.042 with a free spectral range value of 35.6 GHz.

The peripheral L-arginine-nitric oxide-cyclic GMP pathway and ATP-sensitive K+ channels are involved in the antinociceptive effect of crotalphine on neuropathic pain in rats

Crotalphine, a 14 amino acid peptide first isolated from the venom of the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus, induces a peripheral long-lasting and opioid receptor-mediated antinociceptive effect in a rat model of neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction of the sciatic nerve. In the present study, we further characterized the molecular mechanisms involved in this effect, determining the type of opioid receptor responsible for this effect and the involvement of the nitric oxide-cyclic GMP pathway and of K+ channels. Crotalphine (0.2 or 5 mu g/kg, orally; 0.0006 mu g/paw), administered on day 14 after nerve constriction, inhibited mechanical hyperalgesia and low-threshold mechanical allodynia. The effect of the peptide was antagonized by intraplantar administration of naltrindole, an antagonist of delta-opioid receptors, and partially reversed by norbinaltorphimine, an antagonist of kappa-opioid receptors. The effect of crotalphine was also blocked by 7-nitroindazole, an inhibitor of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase; by 1H-(1,2,4) oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxaline-1-one, an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase activation; and by glibenclamide, an ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker. The results suggest that peripheral delta-opioid and kappa-opioid receptors, the nitric oxide-cyclic GMP pathway, and ATP-sensitive K+ channels are involved in the antinociceptive effect of crotalphine. The present data point to the therapeutic potential of this peptide for the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain. Behavioural Pharmacology 23:14-24 (C) 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Cytochrome c-promoted cardiolipin oxidation generates singlet molecular oxygen

The interaction of cytochrome c (cyt c) with cardiolipin (CL) induces protein conformational changes that favor peroxidase activity. This process has been correlated with CL oxidation and the induction of cell death. Here we report evidence demonstrating the generation of singlet molecular oxygen [O-2((1)Delta(g))] by a cyt c-CL complex in a model membrane containing CL. The formation of singlet oxygen was directly evidenced by luminescence measurements at 1270 nm and by chemical trapping experiments. Singlet oxygen generation required cyt c-CL binding and occurred at pH values higher than 6, consistent with lipid-protein interactions involving fully deprotonated CL species and positively charged residues in the protein. Moreover, singlet oxygen formation was specifically observed for tetralinoleoyl CL species and was not observed with monounsaturated and saturated CL species. Our results show that there are at least two mechanisms leading to singlet oxygen formation: one with fast kinetics involving the generation of singlet oxygen directly from CL hydroperoxide decomposition and the other involving CL oxidation. The contribution of the first mechanism was clearly evidenced by the detection of labeled singlet oxygen [O-18(2)((1)Delta(g))] from liposomes supplemented with 18-oxygen-labeled CL hydroperoxides. However quantitative analysis showed that singlet oxygen yield from CL hydroperoxides was minor (<5%) and that most of the singlet oxygen is formed from the second mechanism. Based on these data and previous findings we propose a mechanism of singlet oxygen generation through reactions involving peroxyl radicals (Russell mechanism) and excited triplet carbonyl intermediates (energy transfer mechanism).

Kaurenoic Acid from Sphagneticola trilobata Inhibits Inflammatory Pain: Effect on Cytokine Production and Activation of the NO-Cyclic GMP-Protein Kinase G-ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channel Signaling Pathway

Kaurenoic acid [ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (1)] is a diterpene present in several plants including Sphagneticola trilobata. The only documented evidence for its antinociceptive effect is that it inhibits the writhing response induced by acetic acid in mice. Therefore, the analgesic effect of 1 in different models of pain and its mechanisms in mice were investigated further. Intraperitoneal and oral treatment with 1 dose-dependently inhibited inflammatory nociception induced by acetic acid. Oral treatment with 1 also inhibited overt nociception-like behavior induced by phenyl-p-benzoquinone, complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), and both phases of the formalin test. Compound 1 also inhibited acute carrageenin- and PGE(2)-induced and chronic CFA-induced inflammatory mechanical hyperalgesia. Mechanistically, 1 inhibited the production of the hyperalgesic cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta. Furthermore, the analgesic effect of 1 was inhibited by L-NAME, ODQ, KT5823, and glybenclamide treatment, demonstrating that such activity also depends on activation of the NO-cyclic GMP-protein kinase G-ATP-sensitive potassium channel signaling pathway, respectively. These results demonstrate that 1 exhibits an analgesic effect in a consistent manner and that its mechanisms involve the inhibition of cytokine production and activation of the NO-cyclic GMP-protein lcinase G-ATP-sensitive potassium channel signaling pathway.

Surfactant-assisted intercalation of high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) into vanadyl phosphate di-hydrate

A high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide)/layered vanadyl phosphate di-hydrate intercalation compound was synthesized via the surfactant-assisted approach. Results confirmed that surfactant molecules were replaced with the polymer, while the lamellar structure of the matrix was retained, and that the material presents high specific surface area. In addition, intercalation produced a more thermally stable polymer as evidenced by thermal analysis. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of Molecular Dynamics on the Dielectric Properties of Poly(9,9-di-n-octylfluorene-alt-benzothiadiazole) -Based Devices

This paper uses Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) techniques to study the molecular relaxations and phase transitions in poly(9,9-di-n-octylfluorene-alt-benzothiadiazole) (F8BT), which has been extensively studied as the active thin film in organic devices. Besides the identification of the glass transition, beta relaxation and crystal-to-crystal phase transition, we correlate such phenomena with dielectric and transport mechanisms in diodes with F8BT as the active layer. The beta relaxation has been assigned to a transition at about 210 K measured by H-1 and C-13 solid state NMR, and can be attributed to local motions in the side chains. The glass transition has been detected by DSC and H-1 NMR. Dielectric spectroscopy (DS) carried out at low frequencies on diodes made from F8BT show two peaks which are coincident with the above transitions. This allowed us to correlate the electrical changes in the film with the onset of specific molecular motions. In addition, DS indicates a third peak related with a crystal-to-crystal phase transition. Finally, these transitions were correlated with changes in the carrier mobility recorded in thin films and published recently.

Di-electron spectrum at mid-rapidity in p+p collisions at root s=200 GeV

We report on the mid-rapidity mass spectrum of di-electrons and cross sections of pseudoscalar and vector mesons via e(+) e(-) decays, from root s = 200 GeV p + p collisions, measured by the large-acceptance experiment STAR at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The ratio of the di-electron continuum to the combinatorial background is larger than 10% over the entire mass range. Simulations of di-electrons from light-meson decays and heavy-flavor decays (charmonium and open charm correlation) are found to describe the data. The extracted omega -> e(+) e(-) invariant yields are consistent with previous measurements. The mid-rapidity yields (dN/dy) of phi and J/psi are extracted through their di-electron decay channels and are consistent with the previous measurements of phi -> K+ K- and J/psi -> e(+) e(-). Our results suggest a new upper limit of the branching ratio of the eta -> e(+) e(-) of 1.7 x 10(-5) at the 90% confidence level.

Comparative Studies of the (Anti) Mutagenicity of Baccharis dracunculifolia and Artepillin C by the Bacterial Reverse Mutation Test

Baccharis dracunculifolia is a plant native from Brazil, commonly known as 'Alecrim-do-campo' and 'Vassoura' and used in alternative medicine for the treatment of inflammation, hepatic disorders and stomach ulcers. Previous studies reported that artepillin C (ArtC, 3-{4-hydroxy-3,5-di(3-methyl-2-butenyl)phenyl}-2(E)-propenoic acid), is the main compound of interest in the leaves. This study was undertaken to assess the mutagenic effect of the ethyl acetate extract of B. dracunculifolia leaves (Bd-EAE: 11.4-182.8 mu g/plate) and ArtC (0.69-10.99 mu g/plate) by the Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA97a, TA100 and TA102, and to compare the protective effects of Bd-EAE and ArtC against the mutagenicity of a variety of direct and indirect acting mutagens such as 4-nitro-O-phenylenediamine, sodium azide, mitomycin C, benzo[a]pyrene, aflatoxin B1, 2-aminoanthracene and 2-aminofluorene. The mutagenicity test showed that Bd-EAE and ArtC did not induce an increase in the number of revertant colonies indicating absence of mutagenic activity. ArtC showed a similar antimutagenic effect to that of Bd-EAE in some strains of S. typhimurium, demonstrating that the antimutagenic activity of Bd-EAE can be partially attributed to ArtC. The present results showed that the protective effect of whole plant extracts is due to the combined and synergistic effects of a complex mixture of phytochemicals, the total activity of which may result in health benefits.

Biorremediação de solo contaminado por isobutanol, Bis-2-etil-hexilftalato e Di-isodecilftalato

Embora os ftalatos sejam um dos poluentes mais frequentemente encontrados no meio ambiente, há escassez de dados na literatura sobre biorremediação de solos tropicais contaminados por esses compostos. Por esse motivo, este estudo avaliou a biorremediação de um solo contaminado com os plastificantes DEHP (Bis-2-etilhexilftalato), DIDP (Di-isodecilftalato) e álcool isobutílico, por uma indústria no Estado de São Paulo. A biorremediação ocorreu pela utilização de microrganismos presentes no solo e pela adição de inóculo adaptado em reator em fase de lama. O reator foi monitorado durante 120 dias, sendo corrigida apenas a umidade do solo. Os resultados indicaram que a biodegradação dos ftalatos seguiu uma cinética de primeira ordem e a biorremediação ocorreu na faixa de pH entre 7,4 e 8,4 e temperaturas entre 17 e 25 ºC, com eficiência de remoção de contaminantes acima de 70 %. Após 120 dias, o teor de DEHP estava abaixo de 4 mg kg-1, limite estipulado pela legislação brasileira para solo de uso residencial.