Estudos estruturais por difração de raios X de fosfolipases A2 em presença de íons com importância funcional

Snakes from Bothrops genus are responsible for more than 90% of the ophidian accidents in Brazil. One of the main complications from this kind of accident is muscular necrosis, which is related to the action of phospholipases A2 and metalloproteases, two groups of enzymes found in the venom of these animals. Although this complication cannot be solved by serum therapy administration, a great number of studies have been performed with the attempt to know the pharmacological sites of these toxins aiming, in the future, the development of complementary treatments to serum therapy. This work proposes structural studies of bothropic phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) in the presence of ions relevant to their activity, using the X-ray crystallography technique. Recently, it was demonstrated ions, as manganese, calcium and others, interfere in the biological activity of the PLA2s. Particularly, Lys49-PLA2s in the presence of manganese ions have miotoxicity reduced. Asp49-PLA2s show catalytic activity dependent of calcium, although structural studies with a miotoxic Asp49-PLA2, BthTX-II, suggest a possible catalytic mechanism independent of calcium. Therefore, co-crystallization of BthTX-II in the presence of calcium ions and of PrTX-I in the presence of manganese ions were performed. Comparative structural studies among obtained results and others already published in the literature were performed aiming a better understanding of the structure-function relationship of these toxins. The BthTX-II with the presence of calcium do not show this ion in the loop of coordination of calcium, presence necessary to develop the catalyses. After comparison of this model with the native one, only one distortion was found, but no apparent relationship with the residues responsible for its activity. In the PrTX-I structure, regions candidates of manganese ions were also found... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Caracterização geológica e estrutural da porção centro-norte do greenstone belt de Faina, Faina-GO

The area where the study was conducted is located in the central-western state of Goias. It geologically inserts the northern portion of the Greenstone Belt of Faina which belongs to the Archean terranes that fits in Brasília Fold Belt and Tocantins Structural Province. This region is known for its greenstone lode gold potential and it was heavily exploited by pioneers and prospectors, leaving many records for where they have been through. Preliminary work done by Orinoco Brasil Mineração in their required areas at the region showed that the environment is promising for gold mineralization and that the ore is controlled by structures. Therefore the objectives of this work were the geological and structural mapping in semi detail scale to improve geological, stratigraphic and structural controls present attributing possible ore understanding. With the development of the work there were recognized on the desktop three structural domains separated by a thrust fault. For each domain were discriminated the geological units ranging in gneisses, quartzites formed from coarse sediments arcoseanos, and schists. By mapping structures there were found five deformation phases, Dn-2, Dn-1, the Dn event that generated the main foliation (Sn) in high representation and two post-stages Dn with brittle late manifestations. The detail mapping of the Rattlesnake Gallery showed that the mineralized quartz vein is consistent with axial-plane foliation Sn-2 belonging to the oldest deformation Dn-2 phase and that the high grade is distributed in the hinge region folds of the same phase

Atividade antiinflamatória intestinal da escopoletina e fraxetina nas fases aguda e crônica do processo inflamatório induzido por TNBS em ratos

A Doença Inflamatória Intestinal (DII) engloba, fundamentalmente, duas doenças distintas: a Doença de Crohn (DC) e a Colite Ulcerativa (CU), ambas caracterizadas por uma inflamação crônica do intestino, com períodos de exacerbação seguidos de intervalos prolongados de remissão dos sintomas. Apesar da DII ser objeto de pesquisa há várias décadas, a sua etiologia ainda é desconhecida e seu tratamento envolve uma série de fármacos com sérios efeitos colaterais, especialmente quando usado cronicamente. As cumarinas representam uma importante classe de compostos fenólicos naturais que apresentam inúmeras propriedades farmacológicas importantes para que um produto seja potencialmente ativo no tratamento da DII. Dentre as inúmeras cumarinas conhecidas e estudadas, dados obtidos em nosso laboratório demonstram que algumas cumarinas apresentam efeitos protetores na fase aguda e preventiva do processo inflamatório intestinal induzido por TNBS (ácido trinitrobenzenosulfônico) em ratos, reduzindo a incidência de diarréia, aderência e obstrução intestinal, além de manterem os níveis de glutationa e reduzirem a atividade da fosfatase alcalina e da mieloperoxidase colônica. Os objetivos do presente projeto são determinar a atividade antiinflamatória intestinal da escopoletina e fraxetina na fase aguda e crônica com recidiva de colite ulcerativa induzida por TNBS tendo-se em vista a determinação de sua atividade curativa. Para tanto, serão avaliados os parâmetros clínicos gerais (consumo de alimento e peso corporal), parâmetros macroscópicos da lesão (determinação de índice de lesão, relação peso-comprimento colônico) e bioquímicos (avaliação das atividades da mieloperoxidase, fosfatase alcalina, níveis de proteínas e glutationa total)

Uma Nova Abordagem do Ciclo Reprodutivo dos Machos e Fêmeas, e da Origem e Desenvolvimento dos Oócitos dos Ostariophysi e Perciformes Neotropicais Aplicada a Representantes da Série Otophysi, Gymnotus sp. (Gymnotidae), Hoplias Malabaricus (Erythrinidae), Sorubim Lima (Pimelodidae) e Tanichthys Albonubes (Cyprinidae), e dos Perciformes, Cichla Temensis (Cichlidae)

Nos peixes, durante a vida reprodutiva o desenvolvimento gonadal é cíclico e anual. As alterações estruturais das gônadas de machos e fêmeas provêm parâmetros úteis para a sua classificação macroscópica e microscópica. Porém, o desenvolvimento das células germinativas, nem sempre é consoante com os diferentes tipos de classificação e, machos e fêmeas nem sempre parecem concatenados. Neste estudo, aplicando-se propostas recentes, utilizadas primariamente para peixes derivados, notadamente os Perciformes marinhos, e tomando como modelo experimental representantes da série Otophysi, Hoplias malabaricus (Characiformes), Tanichthys albonubes (Cypriniformes), Sorubim lima (Siluriformes) e Gymnotus sp. (Gymnotiformes), e dos Perciformes Neotropicais, Cichla temensis, foram descritos, comparativamente, os eventos iniciais da oogênese e da espermatogênese, assim como o desenvolvimento oocitário a fim de traçar um paralelo entre grupos basais e derivados. A partir dos resultados, verificou-se que a maioria dos eventos morfológicos durante o desenvolvimento oocitário é similar entre grupos basais e derivados. Os Perciformes de água doce divergem dos grupos basais por duas características: a presença de inclusões lipídicas, que surgem no citoplasma perinuclear após o início da formação dos alvéolos corticais e deposição de vitelo e por uma tênue proteólise do vitelo durante a maturação final. A foliculogênese e espermatogênese não apresentam divergências e parecem ser processos conservados entre os Teleostei. Durante a fase de Regeneração, os eventos iniciais desses processos em fêmeas e machos, respectivamente, são responsáveis por altos índices de proliferação das células germinativas, quando comparado às demais fases. Além disso, analisou-se ...(Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)

Aspectos estruturais e ecológicos de uma comunidade arbórea do Parque estadual da Serra do Mar (Ubatuba, SP)

O presente estudo investigou aspectos estruturais (florística e fitossociologia) e ecológicos (síndromes de dispersão e classes sucessionais) de um hectare de Floresta Ombrófila Densa Submontana, localizada no Núcleo Picinguaba, município de Ubatuba, São Paulo, com objetivo de analisar a similaridade da área com outros levantamentos sob mesma fisionomia e avaliar o estágio sucessional da mata para o trecho considerado. A área estudada (Parcela C) compõe uma das parcelas amostrais do Projeto Temático “Composição florística, estrutura e funcionamento da Floresta Ombrófila Densa dos Núcleos Picinguaba e Santa Virgínia do Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar” do Programa BIOTA-FAPESP. O levantamento compreendeu todos os indivíduos arbóreos com DAP ≥ 4,8 totalizando 1.246 indivíduos. Foram encontradas 131 espécies distribuídas em 38 famílias. O índice de diversidade de Shannon foi de H’= 3, 981 nat.ind.-1 e o índice de equitabilidade de Pielou foi de J’ = 0,815. A família Myrtaceae se destacou com a maior riqueza de espécies (36), seguida de Fabaceae (12) e Rubiaceae (11) que registrou, ainda, a maior quantidade de indivíduos, com 225 plantas. O maior valor de importância foi anotado para Euterpe edulis (6,95%) abrangendo 9,95% do total de indivíduos registrados. As espécies, subseqüentes, mais abundantes foram Mollinedia schottiana (7,54%), Coussarea meridionalis (5,86%), Bathysa mendoncaei (5,54%) e Guapira opposita (2,80%). A área apresentou elevada dominância de espécies zoocóricas (86% das espécies classificadas) e não pioneiras (74%), indicando um estágio avançado de sucessão da área analisada. Os padrões estruturais e ecológicos encontrados para a comunidade investigada apóiam os conceitos de alta diversidade florística e sugerem intrínsecas relações entre planta e animais em Florestas Atlânticas

Estudos estruturais e cristalização de complexos formados entre toxinas botrópicas e inibidores vegetais

This research presents a study of structural complexes formed between the bothropstoxin BthTX-I and PrTX-I and phospholipase A2 (PLA2s) inhibitor 12- methoxy-4-methyl-voachalotine (MMV) of Tabernamontana catharinensis and rosmarinic acid (Cv-RA) of Rosmarinus officinalis. For both were used cocrystallization experiments with the toxins and inhibitors. In the future, the experimental three-dimensional structures of these complexes will be obtained through the technique of crystallography. Simultaneously, construction occurred in silico of inhibitors Cv-RA and MMV and attempts of docking between these binders and protein structures. These theoretical data provide important information regarding the nature of interactions between inhibitors, toxins and structural changes induced by the protein molecule inhibitors. Therefore, the acquisition of this information has great value to identification, characterization and development (drug design) of compounds with great potential for biotechnology and drug use. Considering further and more relevant aplications, these compounds could be used to control symptoms in many cases of ophidic poisoning and also in combating of pathological processes (degenerative inflammatory diseases and auto-immune diseases, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, among others) whose causes are related to molecules belonging to the same groups of proteins which are classified bothropstoxin that were studied in this project

Aplicação de métodos computacionais no estudo das fases intermetálicas ordenadas pt-sn

Fuel cells are a very promising solution to the problems of power generation and emission of pollutant to the environment, excellent to be used in stationary application and mobile application too. The high cost of production of these devices, mainly due to the use of noble metals as anode, is a major obstacle to massive production and deployment of this technology, however the use of intermetallic phases of platinum combined with other metals less noble has been evaluated as electrodes in order to minimize production costs and still being able to significantly improve the catalytic performance of the anode. The study of intermetallic phases, exclusively done by experimental techniques is not complete and demand that other methods need to be applied to a deeper understanding of the behavior geometric properties and the electronic structure of the material, to this end the use of computer simulation methods, which have proved appropriate for a broader understanding of the geometric and electronic properties of the materials involved, so far not so well understood.. The use of computational methods provides answers to explain the behavior of the materials and allows assessing whether the intermetallic may be a good electrode. In this research project was used the Quantum-ESPRESSO package, based on the DFT theory, which provides the self-consistent field calculations with great precision, calculations of the periodic systems interatomic force, and other post-processing calculations that points to a knowledge of the geometric and electronic properties of materials, which may be related to other properties of them, even the electrocatalytic. The electronic structure is determined from the optimized geometric structure of materials by analyzing the density of states (DOS) projected onto atomic orbital, which determines the influence of the electrocatalytic properties of the material... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Estudo da eficiência de reforços estruturais em vigas de concreto armado com o uso de chapas de aço coladas com resina epóxi: uma análise qualitativa

In civil engineering, a structure is the whole sustainment of a construction and, thus, it is important that it remains intact throughout its lifetime. An engineering construction must last for decades without losing its functionality. However its purpose may be altered and several times the original structure does not meet the new needs of use. Still, in new buildings, the functionality is altered due to possible flaws in execution and the structure, invariably does not reach the desired solicitation needs. In cases like this, the commonly adopted solutions are, basically, the demolishment followed by the reconstruction of the desired mold or the structural reinforcement. This second option, for long years, has not been put to practice due to certain factors such as the high costs for its implantation, use of inadequate reinforcement execution techniques, and the culture of people involved in the area regarding its use and, in this case, the option would always be the reconstruction. Thoughtout the years, some techniques were developed to allow the execution of structural reinforcements with low costs and in efficient ways. An interesting, fast, efficient and economical technique is the structural reinforcement through metal sheets put together with epoxy resin that can be applied in beams, slabs and pillars. In the present work the different behavior of beams reinforced with this technique. Steel is a very recommended material for these reinforcements due to its characteristics related to traction, compression and the effectiveness of the technique related to its cost. For the attachment the epoxy resin is recommended, since it allows the joining of two materials, in this case, steel and concrete. The efficiency of this union is so considerably high that it rarely produces any flaws in adherence and, normally, when it happens it is due to problems in the execution process, not in the union of materials

Expressão e localização de aquaporinas no epidídimo do gerbilo, Meriones unguiculatus, em diferentes fases do desenvolvimento pós-natal

Aquaporins (AQPs) are membrane protein channels expressed in a wide variety of cells and tissues that are involved in the transport of water. In the male excurrent duct, the movement of fluid and solutes across the epithelium is essential for establishing the proper luminal environment in which sperm mature and are stored. The initial aim of the present propose is to localize AQP 2 e 9 in epithelium of the initial segment, caput, corpus and cauda epididymidis in Mongolian gerbil during postnatal development (10, 30, 60, 120 and 300 days), observing possible changes in the pattern of expression of the AQPs along the postnatal development. The animals will be killed by inhalation of carbon dioxide. After euthanasia, the epididymis will be removed and the different regions will be isolated. The biological material obtained will be processed in accordance with the routines of histological techniques and imunnohistochemistry to study the expression and localization of the AQPs 2 and 9. The results obtained will be analyzed and photographed in conventional light microscope

Estudo da reação de oxidação de metanol sobre fases intermetálicas ordenadas de AuIn, AuSn e AuSb2 em meio alcalino

The present work assessment materials can be used as fuel cells electrocatalysts. The alkaline fuel cell though was less studied, has some advantages compared to the acid configuration. The materials assesment were Au polycrystalline and intermetallics ordered phases of AuIn, AuSn and AuSb2. Your electrocatalytic properties were studied across cyclic voltametry and chronoamperometry techniques in Sodium Hydroxide 0,15M and Metanol 0,15M solution. The results obtained show a more efficiency to intermetallic AuIn as electrocatalyst for the oxidation reaction of methanol in alkaline medium, it showed high levels of current density and on set potential less positive compared to Au polycrystalline. The intermetallic AuSn showed activity just higher concentrations of methanol. Except AuSb2, who represented himself unstable in alkaline media, the intermetallics AuIn and AuSn present a promising future as anode materials for the oxidation in alkaline medium

Modelagem e Simulação Computacional das propriedades estruturais, eletrônicas e constantes elásticas do ZnO

The electronic, structural properties and elastic constants of the wurtzite phase of zinc oxide, ZnO, was investigated using computer simulation at Density Functional Theory level, with B3LYP hybrid functional and Hartree-Fock methodology. The electronic properties as well the band energy was investigated through the analysis of the band structures and density of states (DOS), and the mechanical properties was studied through the calculus of the elastic constants C11, C33, C44, C12 e C13. The results are in good agreement with experimental data found in the literature and in accordance with results obtained by another theoretical methodology

Estudo sobre o potencial de alguns latossolos da região do Vale do Paraíba, estado de São Paulo, para uso em camadas estruturais de pavimentos de baixo volume de tráfego

The main purpose of this research is to raise, through lab rehearsals, the geometric properties of some oxisols from the region of Vale do Paraíba as well as comparing them to demands prescribed by Technical Specifications ESP08/05 of the Road Department of the State of Paraná, for sub-base or fine grained lateritic soil base (SAFL) and in the Technical Specification ET-DEP00/006 of the Road Department of the State of São Paulo (DER/SP) for subbase or crushed stone base. According to the results that were obtained it will be feasible to appraise the usage of these sorts of soils in structure layers of low-weight traffic pavements

Análise estatística da vida em fadiga de compósitos estruturais pela distribuição de Weibull

Nowadays technological trend is based on finding materials that could support low weight with satisfactory mechanical properties and for this reason composite material became a very attractive topic in research projects all over the world. Due to its heterogenic properties, this type of material shows scatter in mechanical test results, especially in cyclic loading. Therefore it is important to predict its fatigue strength behaviour by statistic analysis, once fatigue causes approximately 90% of the failure in structural components. The present work aimed to investigate the fatigue behaviour of the Twill/Cycom 890 composite, which is carbon fiber reinforced with polymeric resin as matrix and manufactured via RTM process (Resin Transfer Molding). All samples were tested in different tensile level in triplicate in order to associate these values. The statistical analysis was conducted with Two-Parameter Weibull Distribution and then evaluated the fatigue life results for the composite. Weibull graphics were used to determine the scale and shape parameters. The S-N curve for the Twill/Cycom composite was drawn and indicated the number of cycles to occur the first damages in this material. The probability of failure was associated with material reliability, as shown in graphics for the different tensile levels and fatigue life. In addition, the laminate was evaluated by ultrasonic inspection showing a regular impregnation. The fractographic analysis conducted by SEM showed failure mechanisms for polymeric composites associated to cyclic loadings ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Geologia da região da Fazenda Salobo, Vazante - MG

Important deposits of Zn-Pb associated with the Vazante Group, and Au in Group Canastra occur in the Vazante-Paracatu region (MG). They are located in the Brasília Fold Belt, which was generated from a convergent tectonic in the Brasiliano cycle, forming a complex system of imbricated nappes and faults. This study aims to characterize stratigraphic, structural and metamorphic aspects of an area, located in the Salobo’s farm region. A geological mapping in 1:20,000 scale was executed in order to identify the outcropping lithotypes and to collect structural measures. Drill holes were described to support the surface data and samples were selected for the preparation of thin and polished sections. In this context, the occurrence of rock types and hydrothermal processes that had not been previously described were found, for example layers of phosphatic quartzite in the Serra do Poço Verde Formation (SPV), hydrothermal hematites from martitization magnetite in contact by detachment of the Serra do Garrote Formation and SPV in the Vazante Group and layers of microbanded iron formations in Paracatu Formation (Canastra Group). In the area, four deformational phases were recognized, occurring progressively, in which two of them are related to convergent tectonic, with the development of thrust faults, one is associated to tectonic escape and/or reactivation of basement faults and the last has a distensive character, representing the post-convergence relaxation. The metamorphism in the area was subgreenschist facies, reaching lower greenschist, with temperatures up to 350°C

Estudos estruturais com a importina-α e Sequências de Localização Nuclear (NLS) de proteínas envolvidas no metabolismo de Neurospora crassa

Proteínas que apresentam atividades no núcleo e possuem sequência de localização nuclear (NLS) tem seu deslocamento dependente do heterodímero importina-α/β. A importina- (ImpA) é responsável pelo reconhecimento inicial do substrato a ser importado através da interação com os NLS. Os sinais são caracterizados por apresentar um ou mais grupos de aminoácidos básicos, denominados como sequências monopartidas e bipartidas. O fungo Neurospora crassa vem sendo utilizado há mais de 70 anos como organismo modelo em estudos de expressão gênica, desenvolvimento e diferenciação celular, ritmo circadiano, defesa do genoma, bem como outros aspectos da biologia de eucariotos. A presença de um grande número de genes no genoma de N. crassa ainda com funções desconhecidas aponta este organismo como um promissor modelo para o estudo de novos mecanismos genéticos e bioquímicos ainda não identificados. Considerando a importância do metabolismo do glicogênio para os organismos, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo o estudo estrutural de complexos de ImpA com peptídeos NLSs (NCM e NCB) de proteínas envolvidas no metabolismo de glicogênio do fungo N. crassa, utilizando técnicas de cristalografia de proteínas. Monocristais dos complexos ImpA-NCM e ImpA-NCB foram obtidos para a coleta dos dados de difração de raios-X, resultando em dois conjuntos de dados à 2,1Å e 2,45Å de resolução, respectivamente. Após elucidação da estrutura da ImpA, mapas de densidade eletrônica gerados revelaram uma densidade eletrônica no sítio principal de reconhecimento de NLS da ImpA de ambas estruturas, possibilitando modelagem dos peptídeos. Em uma comparação do mapa de densidade eletrônica obtido de ambos complexos com um mapa de uma estrutura nativa de ImpA (70-529) coletada à 2,0Å de resolução, a qual usualmente apresenta um peptídeo “contaminante” no sitio de ligação... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)