Produção da enzima ciclodextrina glicosil transferase por Bacillus circulans

As ciclodextrinas (CDs) são oligossacarídeos cíclicos que solubilizam e modificam moléculas por possuir uma cavidade interna hidrofílica e região externa hidrofóbica, com uma estrutura tronco-cônica, conferindo a estes açúcares cíclicos propriedades físico-químicas para complexação de uma grande variedade de moléculas. A enzima ciclodextrina glicosiltransferase (CGTase) catalisa reações de conversão de amido em diferentes tipos de CDs, a sua produção é influenciada por vários fatores. As pesquisas dirigidas para a produção de CGTases de menor custo são importantes para viabilizar economicamente o uso das CDs em escala industrial. No presente estudo, as CDs foram produzidas a partir de diferentes fontes de carbono pelo micro-organismo Bacillus circulans ATCC 21783, estudou-se seu crescimento celular assim como sua produção enzimática, utilizando a ferramenta estatística de planejamento experimental. O micro-organismo Bacillus circulans ATCC 21783 mostrou-se ser eficiente na produção da enzima CGTase, os resultados indicaram a potencialidade do grão de sorgo como o melhor substrato para fermentação na produção de CGTase. Quanto maior o tamanho do grão de sorgo, maiores concentrações de glicose e amido estarão presentes, o que influencia diretamente a produção enzimática. Por meio do planejamento experimental foram proposto modelos matemáticos que expressam tanto a produção enzimática quanto a concentração das variáveis das concentrações da fonte de carbono, pH e a temperatura. A importância de desenvolver o modelo é demonstrar a sua aplicação bem-sucedida para determinação das condições ideais que representam o processo de alta produtividade enzimática da CGTase. A otimização das variáveis foram obtidas a partir de quatro planejamentos experimentais composto central (PCC) e seus resultados analisados pelas superfícies de resposta. Os melhores resultados do planejamento encontrados no...

As relações entre as forças armadas e a sociedade uruguaia no governo de Tabaré Vásquez

Pós-graduação em História - FCHS

Ce0.97Cu0.03O2 Nanocatalysts Synthesized via Microwave-assisted Hydrothermal Method: Characterization and CO-PROX Catalytic Efficiency

In the work presented here, Ce0.97Cu0.03O2 nanoparticles were synthesized by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method under different synthesis temperatures. The obtained nanoparticles were tested as catalysts in preferential oxidation of CO to obtain CO-free H2 (PROX reaction). The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR). X-ray diffraction measurements detected the presence of pure cubic CeO2 for all synthesized samples. TEM images of the Ce0.97Cu0.03O2 nanoparticles revealed that samples synthesized at 80°C are composed mainly of nanospheres with an average size of 20 nm. The formation of some nanorods with an average diameter of 8 nm and 40 nm in length, and the size reduction of the nanoparticles from 20 to approximately 15 nm is observed with increasing synthesis temperature. EPR spectra indicated that copper is found well dispersed in sample synthesized at 160°C, located predominant in surface sites of ceria. For samples synthesized at 80 and 120°C, the species are less dispersed than in the other one, resulting in the formation of Cu2+−Cu2+ dimmers at the surface of ceria. TPR profiles presented two reduction peaks, one below 400°C attributed to the reduction of different copper species and a second peak around 800°C attributed to the reduction of Ce4+→ Ce3+ species located in the volume of the nanoparticles. The peak related to the reduction of copper species shifts to lower temperatures with increasing synthesis temperature, i.e., the sample synthesized at 160°C is more easily reduced than the ones synthesized at 120 and 80°C. The nanoparticles showed active as catalysts for the CO-PROX reaction. The microwave-assisted method revealed efficient for the synthesis of Ce0.97Cu0.03O2 nanoparticles with copper species selective for the CO-PROX reaction, which reaches CO conversions up to 92% for the sample synthesized at 160°C.

Reuse of Cyclodextrin Glycosyltransferase through Immobilization on Magnetic Carriers

National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq)

Effect of zirconium oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles on physicochemical properties and antibiofilm activity of a calcium silicate-based material

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antibiofilm activity against Enterococcus faecalis, compressive strength. and radiopacity of Portland cement (PC) added to zirconium oxide (ZrO2), as radiopacifier, with or without nanoparticulated zinc oxide (ZnO).The following experimental materials were evaluated: PC, PC + ZrO2, PC + ZrO2 + ZnO (5%), and PC + ZrO2 + ZnO (10%). Antibiofilm activity was analyzed by using direct contact test (DCT) on Enterococcus faecalis biofilm, for 5 h or 15 h. The analysis was conducted by using the number of colony-forming units (CFU/mL). The compressive strength was performed in a mechanical testing machine. For the radiopacity tests, the specimens were radiographed together with an aluminium stepwedge. The results were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey tests, with level of significance at 5%. The results showed that all materials presented similar antibiofilm activity (

Properties of one modified composite resin by TiO2 nanoparticles

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the compressive strength and color changes of one composite resin modified by TiO2 nanoparticles and their distribution by SEM.

Thermal and structural properties of commercial dental resins light-cured with blue emitting diodes (LEDs)

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

Efficiency of cares over toothbrush storage to prevent contamination

This study evaluated the efficiency of a toothbrush holder to prevent contamination of toothbrushes used by preschool children. For that, the sample was composed by children 6 years old, enrolled in an educational and recreational center in Araraquara/SP, and divided into 3 groups: G1: same continuing routine storage toothbrushes, G2: children received only a new toothbrush holder for storage; G3: they received new toothbrushes holder for storage and solution of chlorhexidine digluconate to 0.12% to dabble in the toothbrush after use. After brushing their teeth, toothbrushes were collected for microbiological analysis. The data were analyzed using the distribution of frequencies. It was observed that, in general, higher prevalence of the microorganism in the toothbrushes was Streptococcus viridans (58.97%), followed by Estafilococcus (35.90%), the bacillus of air (28.21%) and Neisseria mucosa (5.13%). Evaluating frequency, it was noted that the contamination presented by Streptococcus is higher in G1 when compared to G2 and G3, while for Estafilococcus, the presence was more significant in G3. Thus, it was concluded that the use of new toothbrushes holder able to avoid direct contact between brushes and allow drying without smothering could be an excellent alternative to educational institutions that require the storage group.

Calcium silicate-based cements associated with micro-and nanoparticle radiopacifiers: physicochemical properties and bioactivity

The aim of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical properties and bioactivity of two formulations of calcium silicate-based cements containing additives (CSCM) or resin (CSCR), associated with radiopacifying agents zirconium oxide (ZrO2) and niobium oxide (Nb2O5) as micro- and nanoparticles; calcium tungstate (CaWO4); and bismuth oxide (Bi2O3). MTA Angelus was used as control. Methods. Surface features and bioactivity were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and the chemical composition by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS-X). Results. CSCM and CSCR presented larger particle sizes than MTA. Hydroxyapatite deposits were found on the surface of some materials, especially when associated with the radiopacifier with ZrO2 nanoparticles. All the cements presented calcium, silicon, and aluminum in their composition. Conclusion. Both calcium silicate-based cements presented composition and bioactivity similar to MTA when associated with the radiopacifiers evaluated.

Degree of conversion of different composite resins photo-activated with light-emitting diode and argon ion laser

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

Use of nanoparticulate zinc oxide as intracanal medication in endodontics: pH and antimicrobial activity

The aim of this study was to evaluate the pH and antimicrobial activity of micro or nanoparticulate zinc oxide (ZnO) pastes with or without calcium hydroxide (CH). The following medications were evaluated: microparticulate ZnO + polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400; nanoparticulate ZnO + PEG 400; PEG 400; CH + microparticulate ZnO + PEG 400 and CH + nanoparticulate ZnO + PEG 400. The pH was assessed between 12 hours and 28 days, using a digital pH meter. The antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC-9212), Candida albicans (ATCC-10231), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC-27853), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC-6538) and Kocuria rhizophila (ATCC-9341) was determined in triplicate using agar diffusion test. The results were submitted to Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn and ANOVA/Tukey tests with 5% significance. The highest pH values were found for CH+ZnO, with higher values for nanoparticulate ZnO after 12 hours and 21 days (p<0.05). CH+ZnO medication promoted higher growth inhibition against P. aeruginosa and lower against E. faecalis. Calcium hydroxide pastes have higher pH and antimicrobial activity when associated with either micro- or nanoparticulate zinc oxide.

Niobium pentoxide as radiopacifying agent of calcium silicate-based material: evaluation of physicochemical and biological properties

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Radiopacity and cytotoxicity of Portland cement associated with niobium oxide micro and nanoparticles

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Primary bilateral guttural pouch empyema in a two-month-old foal

The present report describes a 2-month-old foal which signs of respiratory infectious disease, bilateral retropharyngeal swelling and nasal mucopurulent discharge, suggesting guttural pouch empyema. The owners reported that the foal lived in a herd that experienced an outbreak of strangles. Foals younger than 3 months are usually protected against infectious diseases, however in this case, the foal was exposed to an environment heavily populated by Streptococcus equi equi during the outbreak of strangles. Although uncommon in such young animals, the foal was infected and developed a primary bilateral guttural pouch empyema, without signs of lymph nodes alteration

Distance exercised during submaximal training on race winnings for Thoroughbred racehorses

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