Avaliação dos valores séricos de troponina cardíaca I (cTnI) e capacidade antioxidante total (TAC) em felídeos com doença renal crónica e seu valor de prognóstico : estudo preliminar

Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina Veterinária

Estudo de reatores eletroquímicos para remoção de Cu2+ , Zn2+, Fenol e BTEX em água produzida

The production of water has become one of the most important wastes in the petroleum industry, specifically in the up stream segment. The treatment of this kind of effluents is complex and normally requires high costs. In this context, the electrochemical treatment emerges as an alternative methodology for treating the wastewaters. It employs electrochemical reactions to increase the capability and efficiency of the traditional chemical treatments for associated produced water. The use of electrochemical reactors can be effective with small changes in traditional treatments, generally not representing a significant additional surface area for new equipments (due to the high cost of square meter on offshore platforms) and also it can use almost the same equipments, in continuous or batch flow, without others high costs investments. Electrochemical treatment causes low environmental impact, because the process uses electrons as reagent and generates small amount of wastes. In this work, it was studied two types of electrochemical reactors: eletroflocculation and eletroflotation, with the aim of removing of Cu2+, Zn2+, phenol and BTEX mixture of produced water. In eletroflocculation, an electrical potential was applied to an aqueous solution containing NaCl. For this, it was used iron electrodes, which promote the dissolution of metal ions, generating Fe2+ and gases which, in appropriate pH, promote also clotting-flocculation reactions, removing Cu2+ and Zn2+. In eletroflotation, a carbon steel cathode and a DSA type anode (Ti/TiO2-RuO2-SnO2) were used in a NaCl solution. It was applied an electrical current, producing strong oxidant agents as Cl2 and HOCl, increasing the degradation rate of BTEX and phenol. Under different flow rates, the Zn2+ was removed by electrodeposition or by ZnOH formation, due the increasing of pH during the reaction. To better understand the electrochemical process, a statistical protocol factor (22) with central point was conducted to analyze the sensitivity of operating parameters on removing Zn2+ by eletroflotation, confirming that the current density affected the process negatively and the flow rate positively. For economical viability of these two electrochemical treatments, the energy consumption was calculated, taking in account the kWh given by ANEEL. The treatment cost obtained were quite attractive in comparison with the current treatments used in Rio Grande do Norte state. In addition, it could still be reduced for the case of using other alternative energy source such as solar, wind or gas generated directly from the Petrochemical Plant or offshore platforms

An Evaluation of Oxidative Status in Serum and Breast Milk of Mothers Giving Birth Prematurely and at Full-Term

Background: Burning fat and carbohydrates to provide energy in biological systems causes the formation of free oxygen species. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the oxidative status of serum and breast milk of mothers giving birth prematurely and at full-term. Materials and Methods: The study comprised 50 mothers who gave birth at full-term at more than 38 weeks and 43 mothers who gave birth pre-term at below 32 weeks. On the postnatal 5th day, samples of the mother’s milk and serum were taken and stored at -80°C until the study day. On the study day, the total oxidant and total antioxidant levels were measured using the Erel method and the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Results: While the total oxidant level and total antioxidant level values of the milk of the premature birth mothers were found to be significantly high compared to those of the full-term birth mothers (P = 0.001), no statistically significant difference was found in the oxidative stress index values (P > 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in the total oxidant level and oxidative stress index values of the serum of the premature birth mothers compared to those of the full-term birth mothers, while the total antioxidant level was found to be significantly low (P = 0.04). Conclusions: The oxidants and antioxidants in the milk of mothers giving birth prematurely were found to be significantly higher than those of full-term birth mothers. This can be evaluated as the milk of the premature birth mothers providing increased antioxidant defense to protect the infant.

Photocatalytic Dehydrogenative Lactonization of 2-Arylbenzoic Acids

A metal-free dehydrogenative lactonization of 2-arylbenzoic acids at room temperature was developed. This work illustrates the first application of visible-light photoredox catalysis in the preparation of benzo-3,4-coumarins, an important structural motif in bioactive molecules. The combination of photocatalyst [Acr+-Mes] with (NH4)2S2O8 as a terminal oxidant provides an economical and environmentally benign entry to different substituted benzocoumarins. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that this reaction most likely occurs through a homolytic aromatic substitution pathway.

Oxidative Status in Epileptic Children Using Carbamazepine

Background: There is an increasing attention towards the relationship between oxidative stress and epilepsy. The effect of antiepileptic drugs on oxidant status is of major interest. Antiepileptic drugs can increase levels of free radicals, which consequently might lead to seizures. Carbamazepine (CBZ) is an antiepileptic drug commonly used in childhood and adolescence. Objectives: Therefore we aimed to investigate the effects of CBZ on total antioxidant status, total oxidant stress, and oxidative stress index. Patients and Methods: The study included 40 epileptic patients and 31 healthy children between 4 and 12 years of age. Serum CBZ level, total antioxidant capacity and total oxidant status were measured. Oxidative stress index was also calculated both in controls and patients. Results: In the epileptic group, decreased levels of total antioxidant capacity, increased total oxidative stress and oxidative stress index levels were found. Positive correlation between plasma CBZ levels and total oxidant status was observed. Conclusions: Antioxidant action could not be playing any role in antiepileptic effect of CBZ. Furthermore, increased oxidative stress induced by CBZ could be the cause of CBZ-induced seizures. Therefore combining CBZ with antioxidants could be beneficial.

Oxygen-Nonstoichiometric YBaCo4O7+δ as a Catalyst in H2O2 Oxidation of Cyclohexene

Here we present oxygen-nonstoichiometric transition metal oxides as highly prominent candidates to catalyze the industrially important oxidation reactions of hydrocarbons when hydrogen peroxide is employed as an environmentally benign oxidant. The proof-of-concept data are revealed for the complex cobalt oxide, YBaCo4O7+δ (0 < δ < 1.5), in the oxidation process of cyclohexene. In the 2-h reaction experiments YBaCo4O7+δ was found to be significantly more active (>60 % conversion) than the commercial TiO2 catalyst (<20 %) even though its surface area was less than one tenth of that of TiO2. In the 7-h experiments with YBaCo4O7+δ, 100 % conversion of cyclohexene was achieved. Immersion calorimetry measurements showed that the high catalytic activity may be ascribed to the exceptional ability of YBaCo4O7+δ to dissociate H2O2 and release active oxygen to the oxidation reaction.

Anti-oxidative and anti-neuroinflammatory effects of ethyl acetate extract fractions of Suaeda asparagoides MIq

Purpose: To evaluate the in vitro antioxidant and anti-neuroinflammatory effects of Suaeda asparagoides ethylacetate extract (SAE) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells. Methods: The antioxidative activity of SAE was evaluated by measuring 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity spectrometrometrically. Cell viability was evaluated by 3-(4, 5dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5- diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, while LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglia were used to study the expression and production of inflammatory mediators, including nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-α). Results: Pretreatment with SAE prior to LPS treatment significantly inhibited excessive production of NO (p < 0.001 at 20, 40, 80 and 100 μg/mL) in a dose-dependent manner, and was associated with down-regulation of expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). SAE also suppressed the LPSinduced increase in TNF-α level (p < 0.01at concentrations of 40 and 80 μg/mL) in BV-2 cells. Furthermore, DPPH-generated free radicals were inhibited by SAE in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion: These results indicate that SAE possesses strong anti-oxidant properties, and inhibits excessive production of pro-inflammatory mediators, including NO, iNOS and TNF-α, in LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells

Toxicity of the therapeutic potassium permanganate to tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and to non-target organisms Ceriodaphnia dubia (microcrustacean cladocera) and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (green microalgae)

Potassium permanganate is a chemical compound widely used in aquaculture for the control and removal of parasites, and in the prevention of diseases caused by bacteria and fungi. However, this compound can be toxic to fish, being a strong oxidant. Moreover, there is no consistent information in the literature about its toxicity to non-target organisms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity (LC50;96h) of potassium permanganate for tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, and to determine its toxic effects on nontarget organisms using ecotoxicological assays performed with the microcrustacean Ceriodaphnia dubia and with the green microalgae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata. The results showed that the concentration of 1.81 mg L-1 of potassium permanganate caused acute toxic effect in tilapia fingerlings. The ecotoxicological assays demonstrated that concentrations above 0.12 mg L-1 can cause chronic toxic effects on non-target organisms, indicating possible deleterious effects on the food chain of the aquatic ecosystem that may receive the discharge of effluents released by fish cultures treated with this chemotherapy. All toxic concentrations determined in this study were below those recommended in the literature for the use of this chemotherapy in fish cultures, demonstrating that this type of therapy should be more carefully considered in order to avoid damage to the treated fish and to the environment. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Trattamento plasma assistito di acqua con una sorgente Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD): analisi delle specie reattive prodotte e potere battericida

La proliferazione di batteri in liquido è una problematica che riguarda anche le acque di fiumi e mari. In questo progetto di tesi sperimentale si indagherà un trattamento plasma assistito diretto di acqua sintetica riprodotta in laboratorio con l’obiettivo di ottenere un effetto battericida sul liquido contaminato. L’acqua trattata verrà analizzata chimicamente, in particolare si andranno a misurare i TRO (Total Residual Oxidant, composti dell’ossigeno derivanti dalla parziale ozonizzazione dell’acqua) che dovranno essere presenti in quantità minori di 0,1 mg/l. Il dispositivo utilizzato per i test biologici è una sorgente di tipologia DBD (Dielectric Barrier Discharge) indiretto. Gli elettrodi della sorgente sono separati dal solo strato di materiale dielettrico e uno di questi è composto da una rete metallica in acciaio inossidabile. Il plasma si forma tra le maglie della rete e induce la formazione di specie reattive, radiazioni UV, particelle cariche, campi elettromagnetici e calore. Ciò che raggiunge la soluzione contaminata è l’afterglow del plasma, ovvero tutte le specie reattive a lunga vita prodotte dalla ionizzazione dell’aria e dalle radiazioni UV. La sorgente è stata dapprima caratterizzata elettricamente studiando le forme d’onda di tensione e corrente a determinate condizioni operative. Il liquido da trattare è contaminato con il batterio Escherichia coli. è emerso che in tutti i casi testati i livelli degli ossidanti sono entro il limite prestabilito di 0,1 mg/l. Il trattamento plasma in soli 10 secondi è responsabile di una decontaminazione parziale del batterio E. coli. Da ulteriori studi si potranno trovare delle condizioni tali da inattivare totalmente la carica batterica presente date le grandi potenzialità di questo trattamento.

Macroalgae and commercial macroalgal polysaccharides as potential functional ingredients in muscle foods

Ulva rigida (UR) and Palmaria palmata (PP) were included in farmed Atlantic salmon diets at levels of 0-15% for 19 and 16 weeks, respectively. Quality and shelf-life parameters of salmon fillets stored in modified atmosphere packs (MAP) (60% N2 : 40% CO2) at 4ºC were compared to controls fed astaxanthin. Salmon fillets were enhanced with a yellow/orange colour. Proximate composition, pH and lipid oxidation were unaffected by dietary UR and PP. Salmon fed 5% UR and 5-15% PP did not influence sensory descriptors (texture, odour, oxidation flavour and overall acceptability) of cooked salmon fillets. Pig diets were supplemented with commercial wet- and spray-dried macroalgal (Laminaria digitata) polysaccharide extracts containing laminarin (L, 500 mg/kg feed) and fucoidan (F, 420 mg/kg feed) (L/F-WS, L/F-SD) for 3 weeks and quality and shelf-life parameters of fresh pork steaks (longissimus thoracis et lumborum) stored in MAP (80% O2 : 20% CO2) were examined. Level (450 or 900 mg L and F/kg feed) and duration (3 or 6 weeks) of dietary L/F-WS and mechanisms of antioxidant activities in pork were investigated. L/F-WS reduced (p < 0.05) lipid oxidation and lowered levels of saturated fatty acids in fresh pork after 3 weeks feeding. L/F-SD was added directly to mince pork (0.01 - 0.5%) and quality and shelf-life parameters of fresh pork patties stored in MAP (80% O2 : 20% CO2) were assessed. Direct addition of the L/F-SD increased levels of lipid oxidation and decreased surface redness (a* values) of fresh pork patties. Lipid oxidation was reduced in cooked patties due to the formation of Maillard reaction products. Cooked pork patties containing L/F-SD were subjected to an in vitro digestion and a cellular transwell model to confirm bioaccessibility and uptake of antioxidant compounds. In mechanistic studies, fucoidan demonstrated antiand pro-oxidant activities on muscle lipids and oxymyoglobin, respectively.

Caracterización y prevalencia del compromiso ocular en pacientes con enfermedad autoinmune y autoinflamatoria en un centro de referencia reumatológica en Colombia entre los años 2000 a 2015

RESUMEN Objetivo: Estimar la prevalencia de las diferentes enfermedades oftalmológicas que aparecen en el contexto de una enfermedad autoinmune (EAI) en pacientes de un centro de referencia reumatológica en Colombia, según características clínicas y sociodemográficas durante un período de 15 años, comprendido entre los años 2000 a 2015. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, observacional de prevalencia. El tipo de muestreo fue aleatorio estratificado con asignación proporcional en el programa Epidat 3.4. Los datos se analizaron en el programa SPSS v22.0 y se realizó análisis univariado de las variables categóricas, para las variables cuantitativas se realizaron medidas de tendencia central. Resultados: De 1640 historias clínicas revisadas, se encontraron 634 pacientes (38,65%) con compromiso ocular. Si excluimos los pacientes con SS, que por definición presentan ojo seco, 222 pacientes (13,53%) presentaron compromiso oftalmológico. Del total de pacientes, el 83,3% fueron mujeres. La AR fue la enfermedad autoinmune con mayor compromiso oftalmológico con 138 pacientes (62,2%), y en último lugar la sarcoidosis con 1 solo paciente afectado. La QCS fue la manifestación más común en todos los grupos diagnósticos de EAI, con 146 pacientes (63,5%). De 414 pacientes con Síndrome de Sjögren (SS) y QCS 8 presentaron compromiso ocular adicional, siendo la uveítis la segunda patología ocular asociada en pacientes con SS y la primera causa en las espondiloartropatias (71,4 %). Los pacientes con catarata (4,1%) presentaron la mayor prevalencia de uso de corticoide (88.8%). De 222 pacientes, 28 (12,6%) presentaron uveítis. Del total de pacientes, 16 (7,2%) presentaron maculopatía por antimalaráricos y 6 (18,75%) de los pacientes con LES. Los ANAS se presentaron en el 100% los pacientes con trastorno vascular de la retina. Los pacientes con epiescleritis presentaron la mayor proporción de positivización de anticuerpos anti-DNA. La EAI que más presentó epiescleritis fue LES con 4 pacientes (12,5%) El 22% de paciente con anticuerpos anti-RNP presentaron escleritis y 32,1% de los pacientes con uveítis presentaron HLA-B27 positivo. Las manifestaciones oftalmológicas precedieron a las sistémicas entre un 11,1% y un 33,3% de los pacientes. Conclusión: Las enfermedades oculares se presentan con frecuencia en los pacientes colombianos con EAI (38.65%), siendo la AR la enfermedad con mayor compromiso ocular (62,2%) y la QCS la enfermedad ocular con mayor prevalencia en todas las EAI (63,5%). La uveítis se presentó en 28 pacientes (12,6%). Las manifestaciones oftalmológicas pueden preceder a las sistémicas. El examen oftalmológico debe ser incluido en los pacientes con EAI, por ser la enfermedad ocular una comorbilidad frecuente. Adicionalmente, los efectos oftalmológicos de las medicaciones sistémicas utilizadas en EAI deben ser estrechamente monitorizados, durante el curso del tratamiento.

Evaluation of the evolution of the anthocyanins profile in red wine grape varieties in Alentejo

The flavonoids (including anthocyanins) are wine compounds with important anti-oxidant activity, protecting the cells against oxidative processes, preventing cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, among others (Antoniolli et al. 2015; Castañeda-Ovando et al. 2009; Hosu et al. 2014; Huang et al. 2009; Kong et al. 2003). Anthocyanins in grapes at harvest are determinant to red wine quality and their development in the grape must be characterised in order to determine the most suitable date for the harvest. Thus the aim of this research is the evaluation of anthocyanins composition in two red wine grape varieties from véraison continuing through ripening. Anthocyanins were quantified by high resolution liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD). Additionally, the total phenols content were quantified by UV-Vis Spectrometry. The anthocyanins’ profile evolution may be dependent on the variety and ripening phase. During ripening grape samples have shown an increase of coumaryl derivatives. This information may lead us to understand the anthocyanins biosynthesis pathway in different grape varieties. The development of anthocyanins from the véraison seems to follow a pattern that coincides with the increasing accumulation of soluble sugars.

Antioxidant activity of jacaranda decurrens Cham.

Many diseases and related degenerative processes including heart, câncer and Parkinson diseases are associated with rcactive oxygen species (ROS). In an effort Io preveni diseases, search for com-pounds with antioxidant activity hás been a major interestof dif-ferent research groups in natural products research. The objective of this research was to investigatethe antioxidant activity of EtOH leaf extract ofjacarando decurrrens and its fractions using the 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) assay [lJ, that uses s pé ciro me t ric method to determine radical scavenging activity, Rutinattheconcçntrationof l.Omg-L was used as the standard. Our results ha vê shown lhat crude extract and fractions had anti-oxidant activities mainly if tested at concentrations of 5.0 to 10.0mg-L. such activities, however. were lesser or equal to the standard (Table 1). The triterpenes, ursolic and oleanohc acids, were detected in the crude extract, Jd-1 and Jd-2, Possibly, these triterpenes are the active constituents responsible for the antioxi-dant activity |2j. At lower concentrations (0,6mg-L than the standard. Jd-3 fraction was the most active. The presenceof flavo-noids and glycosilated compounds were detected in jcl-3 fraction (2], This is the first attempt to demonstrate antioxidant activities found i n Já cara n (ia decurrens leaf extracts. Acknowledgements. Re-search funded by FAPESP. The State of São Paulo Research Founda-tion. Brazil, Referentes: 11) Koleva I. et ai. (2002). Phytochem Anal. 13: 8-17, (2! Oh CJ, et ai. (2007)- Free Radie Rés. 41(6): 638-44.