FTIR, a potential tool to dementia diagnosis trough analysis of plasma

Nowadays it is still difficult to perform an early and accurate diagnosis of dementia, therefore many research focus on the finding of new dementia biomarkers that can aid in that purpose. So scientists try to find a noninvasive, rapid, and relatively inexpensive procedures for early diagnosis purpose. Several studies demonstrated that the utilization of spectroscopic techniques, such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy could be an useful and accurate procedure to diagnose dementia. As several biochemical mechanisms related to neurodegeneration and dementia can lead to changes in plasma components and others peripheral body fluids, blood-based samples and spectroscopic analyses can be used as a more simple and less invasive technique. This work is intended to confirm some of the hypotheses of previous studies in which FTIR was used in the study of plasma samples of possible patient with AD and respective controls and verify the reproducibility of this spectroscopic technique in the analysis of such samples. Through the spectroscopic analysis combined with multivariate analysis it is possible to discriminate controls and demented samples and identify key spectroscopic differences between these two groups of samples which allows the identification of metabolites altered in this disease. It can be concluded that there are three spectral regions, 3500-2700 cm -1, 1800-1400 cm-1 and 1200-900 cm-1 where it can be extracted relevant spectroscopic information. In the first region, the main conclusion that is possible to take is that there is an unbalance between the content of saturated and unsaturated lipids. In the 1800-1400 cm-1 region it is possible to see the presence of protein aggregates and the change in protein conformation for highly stable parallel β-sheet. The last region showed the presence of products of lipid peroxidation related to impairment of membranes, and nucleic acids oxidative damage. FTIR technique and the information gathered in this work can be used in the construction of classification models that may be used for the diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction.

Low molecular weight compounds from mushrooms as potential Bcl-2 inhibitors: docking and virtual screening studies

Mushrooms have the ability to promote apoptosis in tumor cell lines, but the mechanism of action is not quite well understood. Inhibition of the interaction between Bcl-2 and pro-apoptotic proteins could be an important step that leads to apoptosis. Therefore, the discovery of compounds with the ability to inhibit Bcl-2 is an ongoing research topic in drug discovery. In this study, we started by analyzing Bcl-2 experimental structures that are currently available in Protein Data Bank database. After analysis of the more relevant Bcl-2 structures, 4 were finally selected. An analysis of the best docking methodology was then performed using a cross-docking and re-docking approach while testing 2 docking softwares: AutoDock 4 and AutoDock Vina. Autodock4 provided the best docking results and was selected to perform a virtual screening study applied to a dataset of 40 Low Molecular Weight (LMW) compounds present in mushrooms, using the selected Bcl-2 structures as target. Results suggest that steroid are the more promising family, among the analyzed compounds, and may have the ability to interact with Bcl-2 and this way promoting tumor apoptosis. The steroids that presented lowest estimated binding energy (ΔG) were: Ganodermanondiol, Cerevisterol, Ganoderic Acid X and Lucidenic Lactone; with estimated ΔG values between -8,45 and -8,23 Kcal/mol. A detailed analysis of the docked conformation of these 4 top ranked LMW compounds was also performed and illustrates a plausible interaction between the 4 top raked steroids and Bcl-2, thus substantiating the accuracy of the predicted docked poses. Therefore, tumoral apoptosis promoted by mushroom might be related to Bcl-2 inhibition mediated by steroid family of compounds.

Determinação de cenários futuros de uso e cobertura do solo e sua influência na vulnerabilidade ambiental : o caso do município de Formosa – GO

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Tecnologia, Departamento de Engenharia Civil e Ambiental, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Tecnologia Ambiental e Recursos Hídricos, 2015.

Modelagem univariada e regressão múltipla na análise da oferta e do preço do boi gordo no mercado brasileiro

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Agronegócios, 2016.

Avaliação da conformidade de blocos cerâmicos para alvenaria de vedação produzidas na Região Integrada de Desenvolvimento da Grande Teresina

This research presents an outlook of the industries of red ceramic in the region next to the city of Teresina and an analysis of the ceramic products producted in this pole. The microregion investigated possesses 13 boroughs where were identified 32 ceramic in operation, being that 24 are located in Teresina, the ceramic region more important of Piauí, 1 is located in the city of Miguel Leão and 7 is located in Timon city that belongs to the state of Maranhão. The majority of ceramics are pulverized in these two cities, Teresina and Timon , responsible by a largely production independent of distance between fabric and consumer market. Furthermore, there is an artisanal production realized in other boroughs, mainly manual conformation bricks, where are producted diverse types of handicraft and ceramics utilitarian. The objective of this research is to evalue the conformity of ceramic blocks for brick of obstruction made by red ceramic industry of microregion at studying, verifying their pontentialities and adequacy in terms of production. In this research universe made a search of ceramic industries related to the Foundation CEPRO (Foundation Center of Research Social and Economic of Piauí). For the analysis of the ceramic products , were colected 60 crude bricks sample in three industries for their characterization, and 39 burned bricks sample for the Evaluation of Conformity. The results of the characterization made reached a accetptable standard in all formulations and temperature studied. The burned samples were applied to the geometric, physical and mechanical assays according to the ABNT standards (Brazilian Association of Technical Standards). The results of the physical assays showed that all the samples are at the same band recommended by standard. However, through the geometric assays just two industries did not present results according to the standard, due to lack of control in their process such as in their equipments. Taking into account the mechanical properties, only one industry investigated was not according to the standard

Protein disulfide isomerase as a target for besnoitiosis therapy : molecular characterization and studies of its role in infection and host immune response

Tese de Doutoramento em Ciências Veterinárias na especialidade de Sanidade Animal

Ribeira, técnica versus natureza: transformações em prol de um projeto de modernização (1860-1932)

The necessity of the insertion of the capital of Rio Grande do Norte in the world-wide commercial scene and its claim as the seat of political power, in ends of nineteenth and beginning of twentieth century, determined the direction of urban interventions undertaken by government to restructure the city. In that matter, there were several actions of improvements and embellishment in Natal, which had, as a starting point, the adequacy works of the port, located in the Ribeira quarter, with the aim of ending the physical isolation that reinforced its economic stagnation. Besides the problems faced in the opening bar of the Potengi River, and would complement the required improvements, other barriers demonstrate the tension established between the physic-geographic field and the man: the flooded and slope which connected Cidade Alta and Ribeira the first two quarters of the city.The execution of these works demanded knowledge whose domain and application it was for engineering. But, how the actions done for the engineers, in sense to transform natural areas into constructed spaces made possible the intentional conformation of the quarter of the Ribeira in a commercial and politician-administrative center, in the middle of the XIX century and beginning of the XX? Understand, therefore, the employment effects of technology on the physical-geographical Ribeira, is the objective of this work that uses theoretical and methodological procedures of Urban Environmental History, by analyzing the relationship between the environment and the man, mediated by knowledge and use of technologies. The documental research was used, as primary sources, the Messages of the Provincial Assembly Government that later became the Legislative Assembly of Rio Grande do Norte reports and articles on specialized publications, in addition to local newspapers. The work is structured in five chapters. First, some comments about Urban Environmental History (Chapter 1) supplemented with analysis of the conceptual construction of nature in the Contemporary Era and its application in the city (chapter 02), the following chapters (03 and 04) deal with the rise of engineers as a active group in the Brazilian government frameworks and their vision about the nature inside the urban environment and it is studied how the professional technicians dealt with the improvement work of the harbor and in the shock with the natural forces. Other works that would complement this "project" of modernization and had had natural obstacles to be removed the Ribeira flood and slope constitute the subject of the fifth chapter. Finally, some final considerations retake the initial discussions aiming an association between the technique and the nature as junction elements inside the process of constitution of a Modern Natal

Ação de anestésicos gerais em canais iônicos

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Biologia Molecular, 2016.

Estudo retrospetivo sobre traqueostomia permanente como tratamento cirúrgico em cães com síndrome braquicefálica obstrutiva

Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina Veterinária

Análise da interação entre moléculas desenhadas a partir do ácido anacárdico e a proteína PPAR usando ferramentas in silico

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Molecular, 2016.

Trajetos cênicos do grupo parafolclórico da UFRN:que dança é essa?

This paper aims at studying UFRN Parafolclórico Group, whose aesthetic formation is subjected to our analysis, specially at its two last performances, that is, Flor do Lírio (Lily Flower), 2004, and Debaixo do Barro do Chão (Under the Mud of the Ground), 2008. Three targets are envisaged here: to analyze the aesthetic ideas backing Parafolclórico Group exhibitions; to evaluate how their many folk elements interact with different artist languages in order to compose a certain choreography; and finally, to identify the aesthetic conformation placed behind the two different choreographs of the last performances, their trends and innermost features that differentiate them. In accordance with the Analysis of Contents (BARDIN, 2006), interviews have been made with the choreographers and the staff of the spectacles, resulting in elucidating answers to the understanding of their thematic axis. On the first chapter we called attention to motivating subjects as recollection, personal experiences, bibliography research, research in loco regarded as propelling forces of the creative works. Herein, folk culture is depicted as a dynamic process opening a frank dialogue with contemporary events and reinforcing their continuity. On the second chapter, we approached the aesthetic conformation and the scenic elements (costumes, light, scenario, make-up), integrating the studied spectacles and disseminating folk songs in various ways. As what concerns the subjects discourse, we have obtained support in authors like Robatto (1994); Lobo; Navas (2008); Burke (1989); Canclini (2006); Dufrenne (2005); Medeiros (2005); Pavis (2005); Silva (2005), among others. Those authors have provided us with an indispensable theoretic support which, added to the interviews, convinced us that the Parafolclórico Group s aesthetic conception tends to identify itself with the artist languages and other techniques of that Group. It also made sure that the Group s course aims at an aesthetic conception which is not limited to popular culture manifestations, like dance, but admits to play with other media in order to communicate its art. In view of this situation, we arrived to two conclusions: first: the group s interchanges emphasize the dynamic character of popular culture which, by establishing contacts with different realities, receives influences capable of extending its own continuity; second: the contemporary state of arts also improves multiple interchanges opening way, so, for many accomplishments in their field. Therefore, UFRN Parafolclórico Group inserts itself in the contemporary scenery by performing new evaluations of the popular dances as long as it puts them in contact with different technical, aesthetic, artist and culture combinations

Reciclagem seletiva de canais radiculares

Introdução: O presente trabalho introduz um novo tema na área da Endodontia: Reciclagem Seletiva de Canais Radiculares. Tem os mesmos princípios de desinfecção, conformação e obturação que o retratamento endodôntico não cirúrgico convencional, no entanto é menos invasivo. Está indicado em casos de insucesso prévio no tratamento endodôntico e na presença de próteses. Objetivos: Esta dissertação tem como objectivo principal apresentar um possível novo tratamento na área da Endodontia. Procedeu-se a uma revisão bibliográfica, analisando a literatura que versa o tema, de modo a introduzi-lo dentro da área do retratamento endodôntico não cirúrgico nos seus diferentes procedimentos: Desobturação e materiais utilizados, instrumental utilizado, irrigantes e a sua utilidade e aplicabilidade na prática clínica. Materiais e Métodos: Para a elaboração da presente dissertação, foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica, no presente ano, recorrendo-se aos motores de pesquisa on-line: b-On, Pubmed, Scielo e Google Académico, realizando a pesquisa através das palavras-chave: “endodontic retreatment”, ”root canal system”, “endodontic irrigation”, “endodontic solvent”, “pro-taper”, “reciproc”, “clorohexidine”, “sodium hipoclorite”, “obturation” que foram então combinadas entre si de múltiplas e sucessivas formas. Foram utilizados 50 artigos dos 87 seleccionados, um livro e uma revista. Discussão: Na literatura científica, são comparados vários materiais para a realização do retratamento endodôntico não cirúrgico, como solvente o que melhores resultados apresenta na dissolução da Gutta-Percha é o Xilitol seguido do clorofórmio. Como solução irrigante a Clorohexidina tem um grande potencial nos casos de retratamento por ser mais eficaz em bactérias Gram+ e pela sua substantividade que permite que a sua actividade bacteriana seja contínua. O sistema Reciproc® pela sua forma em S no corte transversal e possuir dois bordos cortantes, aliados à sua composição pela nova liga M-Wire, mais resistente à torção e fadiga cíclica parece ser a melhor opção tanto para desobturação do SCR como re-instrumentação. Com a imagiologia tridimensional, a Reciclagem Selectiva de Canais Radiculares pode ser explorada e tornar-se uma técnica mais conservadora em casos de retratamento ao conseguir-se determinar qual a raiz com lesão apical. Conclusão: Perante este novo método mais conservador de realizar o retratamento endodôntico não cirúrgico, o exame radiológico por CBCT é o grande responsável pela sua realização. Com ele podemos ter acesso à tridimensionalidade de todas as estruturas orais e consequentemente atingir um diagnóstico correcto, com mais informação disponível. Este novo método, aliado aos melhores materiais utilizados no RTENC convencional poderão permitir ao clínico a realização de um retratamento não cirúrgico seguro, mais conservador para a estrutura dentária e para potenciais próteses que possam estar presentes. São necessários mais estudos com um follow-up mais prolongado para determinar a real efetividade deste tratamento.

Expansão rápida da maxila

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo estudar a técnica da Expansão Rápida da Maxila, comparando os tipos de aparelhos recomendados consoante as diferentes propriedades, vantagens e desvantagens associadas. Quando pensamos em um padrão normal para a oclusão temos em mente uma correta relação entre as bases apicais em que a arcada maxilar deverá englobar a arcada mandibular permitindo o equilíbrio entre ambas. Quando ocorre uma redução das dimensões transversais da maxila nos vemos diante de atresias, entre elas uma anomalia de má oclusão bastante frequente na nossa clínica, a mordida cruzada posterior. Quando isto acontece o profissional precisa buscar uma correção da conformação do arco através da expansão rápida da maxila abrindo a sutura palatina mediana por meio de aparelhos expansores fixos tais como o de Haas (dento-muco-suportado) ou os classificados como dento-suportados como o Hyrax ou o disjuntor de McNamara, na dentição decídua, mista ou permanente e até mesmo em pacientes adultos com protocolos diferenciados para cada faixa etária. Caso o indivíduo apresente uma calcificação óssea avançada da sutura mediana deve ser encaminhado para a expansão rápida da maxila cirurgicamente assistida.

Contributo para a caracterização das raças serpentinas e charnequeira

Esta dissertação retoma um estudo com 49 cabras e 45 cabritos da raça Serpentina, 24 cabras e 28 cabritos da raça Charnequeira, exploradas em regime extensivo. Pretende ser um contributo para a caracterização destas raças. Com este objectivo calculou-se a fertilidade que foi de 92% nas duas raças e a prolificidade foi de 160% (62,5% partos duplos) na Serpentina e de 141% (57,1% partos duplos) na Charnequeira. A mortalidade dos cabritos, do nascimento até ao desmame, foi de 15,7%, na Serpentina e de 6,6%, na Chamequeira. Os pesos das cobrições ao parto, na Serpentina aumentaram 17% e 13,6% na Chamequeira, apresentando variações significativas na raça, mas não entre raças. Os cabritos de partos simples obtiveram maiores ganhos médios diários do nascimento ao desmame. Não houve variações significativas nos pesos entre machos e fêmeas. Analisaram-se 24 carcaças de cabritos, machos inteiros. O Rendimento Corrigido foi de 52% para as duas e a relação Músculo/Osso de 2,13 (Charnequeira) e 2,12 (Serpentina). O Índice Compacidade para a Charnequeira foi de 11,78 e 11,29 para a Serpentina, evidenciando esta melhor conformação. Definiram-se os seguintes cortes nas carcaças: I-Pá; II-Perna; III- Costela+Sela; IV-Aba; V-Pescoço. Analisou-se o músculo quanto à gordura, proteína, cálcio e fósforo. ABSTRACT: This dissertation retrieves a study involving 49 goats and 45 kids of Serpentina breed, 24 goats and 28 kids of Chamequeira breed exploited in an extensive management. It is intended as a contribution to the characterization of these breeds. To this end, various reproductive parameters were calculated. The fertility stood at 92% in both breeds and the prolificacy in the breed Serpentina was 160% (62.5% in twin births) and in the breed of Chamequeira was 141% (57.1% in twin births). We noted a mortality rate in kids from birth to weaning higher in the Serpentina breed (15.7%), while the Chamequeira breed recorded 6.6%. The evolution of the weights during the mating period to childbirth, increasing 17% in the Serpentina breed and 13.6% in Chamequeira breed. We noted significant variations in each breed, but not between each other. The kids resulting of simple birth had higher average daily weight gain from birth to weaning. We did not note significant variations of weight between males and females. We analysed the carcasses of 24 male kids. The corrected yield was 52% for both breeds and the muscle-bone ratio was 2,13 (Chamequeira) and 2,12 (Serpentina). The compactness index for the Chamequeira breed was 11.78 and 11.29 for the Serpentina breed, showing Serpentina breed had better conformation. We proposed the following cuts in the carcass: I-Shovel, II Leg, III- Rib +Sela, IV-Aba and V-Neck. We also analysed the muscle according to their fat, protein, calcium and phosphorus, aiming to show the dietary interest of this muscle.

Qualidade da carne de ovinos puros e cruzados criados no Semiárido Nordestino brasileiro.

Resumo: A procura por carne de qualidade tem proporcionado ao setor de ovinocultura a adoção por técnicas de produção que possam contribuir para disponibilizar ao mercado produtos que atendam as necessidades dos consumidores, que se tornam cada vez mais exigentes quanto à aquisição de produtos que possam trazer benefícios a saúde. Assim, objetivou-se determinar a qualidade da carne de ovinos puros e cruzados criados no semiárido Nordestino. Utilizaram-se 30 cordeiros machos e fêmeas, oriundos dos cruzamentos Morada Nova x Morada Nova, Rabo Largo x Morada Nova e Santa Inês x Morada Nova, alojados em baias e alimentados com dieta a base de capim Canarana, milho farelo de soja e calcário. Os animais foram abatidos com peso médio de 24 kg de peso vivo e as carcaças mantidas em câmara frigorífica a 4?C, por 24 horas. Após esse período, foi seccionado o músculo Longissimus dorsi que foi embalado, identificado e armazenado a 20?C. Foram determinados os atributos físicos de capacidade de retenção de água, perda de peso por cocção e força de cisalhamento; os atributos químicos como umidade, proteína, cinza, lipídios e colesterol; avaliações subjetivas da carcaça como cor, marmoreio, textura da carne, distribuição da gordura, espessura da gordura e área de olho de lombo; os sensoriais de dureza, suculência, sabor, aroma e aceitação global e o perfil de ácidos graxos. O delineamento utilizado foi em esquema fatorial 3x2 (três grupos genéticos e dois sexos) e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Duncan a 5%. Não houve diferença (p>0,05) entre os genótipos para a composição química da carne, exceto para a variável lipídio (p<0,05). Para as características subjetivas da carcaça o genótipo influenciou (p<0,05) nas variáveis cor, marmoreio e textura da carne. O genótipo promoveu efeito (p<0,05) para as características físicas de capacidade de retenção de água e perda de peso por cocção. Os atributos sensoriais não sofreram efeitos (p>0,05) dos genótipos avaliados. Os genótipos influenciaram (p<0,05) as concentrações dos ácidos graxos saturados, monoinsaturados e poli-insaturados assim como, nas relações ?3:?6 e AGM:AGS. O fator sexo influenciou (p<0,05) nas variáveis umidade, força de cisalhamento, dureza, ácidos graxos desejáveis e relação ?3:?6. O cruzamento entre raças nativas mostrou-se com potencial para a produção de carne de qualidade, a raça Morada Nova melhorou os atributos físico-químicos da carne e em seu perfil lipídico e, o fator sexo melhorou o atributo maciez dando destaque a carne das fêmeas. Abstract: The demand for quality meat products has given the sheep industry sector productions techniques that can contribute providing the market with products that supply the needs of consumers require, who are becoming more demanding as the acquisition of differentiated and bring health benefits. The objective was to evaluate the quality of the pure sheep meat and cross bred in the semiarid Northeast of Brazil. It was used 30 male lambs and female, that came from crosses Morada Nova x Morada Nova, Rabo Largo x Morada Nova and Santa Ines x Morada Nova, housed in pens and fed a diet of grass Canarana, corn soybean meal and limestone. The animals were slaughtered at average weight of 24 kg, live weight, and carcasses kept in refrigeration chamber at 4 ° C for 24 hours. After this period the Longissimus dorsi muscle was selected, packaged, labeled and stored at 20˚C. The physical attributes were determined such as water holding capacity, cooking weight loss and shear force; the chemical attributes such as moisture, protein, ash, lipids and cholesterol; Subjective evaluations such as color, marbling, meat texture, fat distribution, fat thickness and loin eye area; the hardness sensory, juiciness, flavor, aroma and global acceptance and fatty acid profile. The design was a 3x2 factorial arrangement (three genetic groups and two genders) and the measures compared by Duncan test at 5%. There was no difference (p> 0.05) between genotypes for the chemical composition of meat, except for the lipid variable (p <0.05). To the subjective characteristics of the carcass, the genotype influenced (p <0.05) in the variables color, marbling and meat texture. The genotype promoted significant effect (p <0.05) for the physical characteristics, water retention capacity and weight loss on cooking. The sensory attributes did not suffer significant effects (p> 0.05) of the evaluated genotypes. The genotypes influenced (p <0.05) in the concentrations of saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated as well as in the relations ω3: ω6 and AGM:AGS. The gender factor influenced (P <0.05) in the variables moisture, shear strength, hardness, desirable fatty acids and relation ω3: ω6. The cross between native breeds showed up with potential for quality meat production, the Morada Nova improved the physical and chemical attributes of the flesh and in their lipid profiles and sex factor improved softness attribute highlighting the meat of females.