Enhancement of non-viral transfection efficiency with nuclear localization signal peptides

Dissertação de Mestrado, Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Universidade do Algarve, 2016

Desenvolvimento e caracterização de um compósito matriz metálica (CMM): aço EUROFER97 reforçado com Carbeto de Tântalo - TaC

Steel is an alloy EUROFER promising for use in nuclear reactors, or in applications where the material is subjected to temperatures up to 550 ° C due to their lower creep resistance under. One way to increase this property, so that the steel work at higher temperatures it is necessary to prevent sliding of its grain boundaries. Factors that influence this slip contours are the morphology of the grains, the angle and speed of the grain boundaries. This speed can be decreased in the presence of a dispersed phase in the material, provided it is fine and homogeneously distributed. In this context, this paper presents the development of a new material metal matrix composite (MMC) which has as starting materials as stainless steel EUROFER 97, and two different kinds of tantalum carbide - TaC, one with average crystallite sizes 13.78 nm synthesized in UFRN and another with 40.66 nm supplied by Aldrich. In order to improve the mechanical properties of metal matrix was added by powder metallurgy, nano-sized particles of the two types of TaC. This paper discusses the effect of dispersion of carbides in the microstructure of sintered parts. Pure steel powders with the addition of 3% TaC UFRN and 3% TaC commercial respectively, were ground in grinding times following: a) 5 hours in the planetary mill for all post b) 8 hours of grinding in the mill Planetary only for steel TaC powders of commercial and c) 24 hours in the conventional ball mill mixing the pure steel milled for 5 hours in the planetary mill with 3% TaC commercial. Each of the resulting particulate samples were cold compacted under a uniaxial pressure of 600MPa, on a cylindrical matrix of 5 mm diameter. Subsequently, the compressed were sintered in a vacuum furnace at temperatures of 1150 to 1250 ° C with an increment of 20 ° C and 10 ° C per minute and maintained at these isotherms for 30, 60 and 120 minutes and cooled to room temperature. The distribution, size and dispersion of steel and composite particles were determined by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy followed by chemical analysis (EDS). The structures of the sintered bodies were observed by optical microscopy and scanning electron accompanied by EDS beyond the x-ray diffraction. Initial studies sintering the obtained steel EUROFER 97 a positive reply in relation to improvement of the mechanical properties independent of the processing, because it is obtained with sintered microhardness values close to and even greater than 100% of the value obtained for the HV 333.2 pure steel as received in the form of a bar

Multibiomarker assessment of cadmium-based quantum dots effects in the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis

Tese de Doutoramento, Ciências do Mar, da Terra e do Ambiente, Ramo: Ciências e Tecnologias do Ambiente, Especialização em Ecotoxicologia, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, 2016

Determinação do perfil térmico em amostras de aço AISI M35 imersas em plasma

The heat transfer between plasma and a solid occurs mostly due the radiation and the collision of the particles on the material surface, heating the material from the surface to the bulk. The thermal gradient inside the sample depends of the rate of particles collisions and thermal conductivity of the solid. In order to study that effect, samples of AISI M35 steel, with 9,5 mm X 3,0 mm (diameter X thickness) were quenched in resistive furnace and tempereds in plasma using the plane configuration and hollow cathode, working with pressures of 4 and 10 mbar respectively. Analyzing the samples microstructure and measuring the hardness along the transversal profile, it was possible to associate the tempered temperature evaluating indirectly the thermal profile. This relation was obtained by microstructural analyzes and through the hardness curve x tempered sample temperature in resistive furnace, using temperatures of 500, 550, 600, 650 and 700°C. The microstructural characterization of the samples was obtained by the scanning electron microscopy, optic microscopy and X-ray diffraction. It was verified that all samples treated in plasma presented a superficial layer, denominated affected shelling zone, wich was not present in the samples treated in resistive furnace. Moreover, the samples that presented larger thermal gradient were treated in hollow cathode with pressure of 4 mbar

DA Formação inicial ao primeiro ano de serviço efetivo : Curso de Formação de Guardas 2014/2015

Num mundo atual, em que a globalização imprime os seus efeitos sobre as dinâmicas sociais, o acesso à informação e ao conhecimento é instantâneo e produzido ao minuto. A sociedade torna-se cada vez mais exigente com os serviços a si prestados, obrigando assim, a uma constante especialização dos funcionários e entidades que os prestam. As populações tornaram-se mais rigorosas no que respeita aos serviços prestados pela Guarda. Estes serviços terão tanto mais qualidade quanto maior for a preparação dos militares para lidar com a complexidade dos problemas que diariamente são sentidos e vividos pelas populações. A capacidade de respostas proativas por parte da GNR assenta num processo de formação eficaz e adequada aos militares que contactam diretamente com a população. A investigação aplicada levada a cabo neste trabalho tem como objetivo geral, compreender de que forma a formação ministrada no Curso de Formação de Guardas está alinhada com a atividade territorial da Guarda. Para esta investigação foram selecionados dois instrumentos de recolha de dados: o inquérito por questionário, que foi aplicado aos Guardas Provisórios no término do curso; e a entrevista, aplicada aos formadores (Oficiais e Sargentos) que os acompanharam no decorrer do referido curso. Tendo em conta os dados recolhidos, constata-se que existe a necessidade de direcionar a formação ministrada, de uma forma mais contundente, para as exigências da função de patrulheiro da Guarda. As tarefas nucleares de atendimento ao público e de elaboração de expediente são, com base na opinião dos formadores e formandos, uma fragilidade do curso. A formação ministrada no CFG está em certa medida alinhada com a atividade territorial da GNR e transmite indubitavelmente os conhecimentos essenciais aos futuros militares da Guarda. No entanto, existem aspetos que merecem especial atenção por parte da Instituição.

Variabilidade de nodulação em genótipos de feijoeiro comum do banco germoplasma da Embrapa Arroz e Feijão.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a diversidade genotípica da capacidade de nodulação em materiais presentes em duas coleções nucleares do banco de germoplasma da Embrapa Arroz e Feijão.

Características de las conductas agresivas de los estudiantes de primero, segundo y tercero de bachillerato de la Unidad Educativa César Dávila Andrade. Cuenca 2016

Antecedentes: La agresividad es parte de la una reacción fisiológica en los humanos, se liga en la mayoría de los casos a factores del ambiente y familiares que si existe un adecuado diagnóstico podrían ser controlados. Objetivo: Describir las características de las conductas agresivas de los estudiantes de primero, segundo y tercero de Bachillerato de la Unidad Educativa “César Dávila Andrade”. Cuenca 2016. Metodología: La presente investigación fue de tipo cuantitativo descriptiva de corte transversal, el universo fue de 216 estudiantes de primero, segundo y tercero de bachillerato. Se aplicó el Cuestionario de Agresión, seguido por una encuesta sociodemográfica. Los datos fueron tabulados por medio del programa estadístico de SPSS 21. Resultados: La media de edad fue de 16,22 años con el 66,7% de adolescentes de sexo masculino y el 98,1% de adolescentes presentaron un estado civil soltero; el 30,6% de los adolescentes vivían con sus padres y sus hermanos, el 56,9% de las familias fueron nucleares y en el 65,7% de las familias el número de integrantes fue 5 o menos. Según los puntajes generales del cuestionario Agresión RPQ la agresividad reactiva fue más elevada que la agresividad proactiva con 19,16 y 15,82 puntos, respectivamente. Conclusiones: La agresividad presenta indicadores elevados en los adolescentes del Unidad Educativa “Cesar Dávila Andrade” siendo mayor en el sexo masculino y en adolescentes con familias con regulares relaciones y de características extendidas

Alimentos fortificados con hierro en niños entre 6 a 23 meses del Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso en la ciudad de Cuenca-Ecuador 2015

ANTECEDENTES: Los niños de 6 a 23 meses son vulnerables a déficit por micronutrientes por esto la OMS recomienda la fortificación con hierro. En Ecuador el 62% de niños de 6 a 11 meses y el 32,4% de niños de 12 a 23 meses, presentan anemia por déficit de hierro OBJETIVO GENERAL: Describir la fortificación con hierro de los alimentos de los niños y niñas de 6 a 23 meses de edad, en su hogares, previo a su ingreso en el Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso en un periodo de 5 meses en el año 2015 METODOLOGÍA: Estudio descriptivo en 171 niños de 6 a 23 meses ingresados en el Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso de Cuenca en el 2015. Se recolectaron los datos demográficos acerca de la alimentación fortificada con hierro. RESULTADOS: El 50,8% de los niños estuvieron entre 6 y 12 meses de edad, el 64,1% tuvo estado nutricional normal, el 42,1% fueron hospitalizados por neumonía, el 58,5% viven en zonas urbanas, el 53,85% tiene familias nucleares, el 56,1% con nivel de instrucción básica, el 64,3% de las cuidadoras se dedicaba a quehaceres domésticos. El 52% de niños recibió alimentos fortificados con hierro. Podemos decir que no se encontró relación estadística entre la ingesta de alimentos fortificados y las variables demográficas. CONCLUSIONES: El porcentaje de niños que reciben alimentos fortificados con hierro fue del 52%, por lo tanto es importante promover la ingesta de alimentos fortificados con hierro, para obtener un crecimiento y desarrollo óptimo en los niños

Caracterização batimétrica e fisicooceanográfica do canal de acesso ao porto de Cabedelo/PB: uma análise ambiental ao derrame de óleo

The State of Paraíba is one of the most dynamic states of Brazil, strategically located in the northeast, is notable for the excellent potential for integration of different transportation modes forming the states of Rio Grande do Norte, Pernambuco and Alagoas. The dynamic that occurs with port activity causes changes in the space where it is installed. And the elements of this space are always more than suffering direct or indirect influences as the flow in the port is expanded. Therefore, this region became subject to the accidental spillage of oil, because it presents a heavy traffic of ships of various sizes that can run aground or collide with oil causing accidental events. The study of geomorphological and sedimentological compositions of seafloor becomes important as more is known about the relationships between these parameters and associated fauna, and can identify their preferred habitats. The database background, acoustically collected along the proposed study area, is a wealth of information, which were duly examined, cataloged and made available. Such information can serve as an important tool, providing a geomorphological survey of the sedimentary area studied, and come to subsidize, in a flexible, future decision making. With the study area Port of Cabedelo, Paraíba - Brazil, this research aimed to evaluate the influence of the tidal surface and background in modeling the seabed, including the acquisition of information about the location of submerged rocky bodies and the depth of these bodies may turn out to be natural traps for the trapping of oil in case of leaks, and obtain the relationship between types of bed and the hydrodynamic conditions present in the region. In this context, for this study were collected bathymetric data (depth) and physical oceanographic (height of water column, water temperature, intensity and direction of currents, waves and turbidity), meteorological (rainfall, air temperature, humidity, winds and barometric pressure) of the access channel to the Port of Cabedelo / PB and its basin evolution (where the cruise ships dock), and includes tools of remote sensing (Landsat 7 ETM +, 2001), so that images and the results are integrated into Geographic Information Systems and used in the elaboration of measures aimed at environmental protection areas under the influence of this scale facilities, serving as a grant to prepare a contingency plan in case of oil spills in the region. The main findings highlight the techniques of using hydroacoustic data acquisition together bathymetric surveys of high and low frequency. From there, five were prepared in bathymetric pattern of Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation - DHN, with the depth in meters, on a scale of 1:2500 (Channel and Basin Evolution of Access to Port of Cabedelo), where there is a large extent possible beachrocks that hinder the movement of vessels in the port area, which can cause collisions, running aground and leaking oil. From the scatter diagram of the vectors of currents, it can be seen as the tidal stream and undergoes a channeling effect caused by the bidirectional effect of the tide (ebb and flood) in the basin of the Port of Cabedelo evolution in NW-direction SE and the highest speed of the currents occurs at low tide. The characterization weather for the period from 28/02 to 04/07/2010 values was within the expected average for the region of study. The multidisciplinary integration of products (digital maps and remote sensing images), proved to be efficient for the characterization of underwater geomorphological study area, reaching the aim to discriminate and enhance submerged structures, previously not visible in the images

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.

Utilización de la energía nuclear para el mejoramiento genético de las plantas

Introducción Desde el descubrimiento de la energía nuclear y sus posibilidades de utilización, la vida de nuestro planeta ha cambiado. La realidad es que el desarrollo del uso de esta energía ha tomado un tiempo relativamente corto, si se considera que lo más significativo se ha realizado en los últimos cincuenta años, Después de las explosiones nucleares durante la segunda guerra mundial, una de las mayores preocupaciones de la humanidad eras si al utilización de la energía nuclear conduciría necesariamente hacia catástrofes como la que se produjeron en Hiroshima y Nagasaky…

Avaliação de metodologia de preparo de amostra de petróleo por digestão ácida auxiliada por microondas para determinação de metais por ICP-OES

This project describes a methodology optimization that would allow for a more efficient microwave assisted digestion process for petroleum samples. With the possible chance to vary various factors at once to see if any one factor was significant enough in the answers, experimental planning was used. Microwave assisted digestion allows, through the application of potency, an increasing number of collisions between the HNO3 and H2O2 molecules, favoring sample opening for complex matrixes. For this, a 24 factorial experimental planning was used, varying potency, time and the volumes for HNO3 65% and H2O2 30%. To achieve the desired answers, several elements were monitored (C, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni, Zn and V) through Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). With this initial study it was noticed that the HNO3 was not a significant factor for any of the statistical studies for any of the analytes and the other 3 factors and their interactions showed statistical significance. A Box Behnken experimental planning was used taking in consideration 3 factors: H2O2 volume, time (min) and Potency (W), Nitric Acid kept at 4mL for a mass of 0,1g of petroleum. The results were extremely satisfying showing higher efficiency in the digestion process and taking in a responsibility between the answers for each analyte and the carbon monitoring was achieved in the following conditions: 7mL of H2O2, 700 Watts of potency and a reaction time of 7 minutes with 4mL de HNO3 for a mass of 0,1g of petroleum. The optimized digestion process was applied to four different petroleum samples and the analytes determined by ICP-OES

La noción de “familia” en la antropología marítima: del parentesco al manejo costero

Introducción La visible reaparición de las pesquerías artesanales a escala mundial nos hace descubrir una vez más la importancia de los grupos familiares en la continuidad y la expansión de este sector económico. Al estilo individualista preponderantemente masculino del Homo Oeconomicus, que caracterizó el desarrollo de la bioeconomía y de la pesca industrial en los años 70 y 80, aparecen ahora enfoques que con la resurgencia del concepto de ‘go-bierno’ en el manejo pesquero, socializan mas los actores en la base, que sea a niveles de comunidad, territoriales o virtuales, de familias extendidas o nucleares. Sin embargo, importa destacar que este interés por las relaciones de parentesco y la familia que caracterizo de manera importante los primeros estudios socioantropológicos de la pesca, reaparecen ahora con orientaciones analíticas todavía temidas y, a veces, confusas, por lo que exigen esfuerzos adicionales para ponerla a funcionar de manera más efectiva…

Avaliação do efeito citotóxico da lectina da esponja marinha Cliona varians contra células de leucemia mielóide crônica

In this study, a BCR-ABL expressing human chronic myelogenous leukaemia cell line (K562) was used to investigate the antitumoral potential of a novel lectin (CvL) purified from the marine sponge Cliona varians. CvL inhibited the growth of K562 cells with an IC50 value of 70 g/ml, but was ineffective to normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes in the same range of concentrations tested (180 g/ml). Cell death occurred after 72 h of exposure to the lectin and with sign of apoptosis as analysed by DAPI staining. Investigation of the possible effectors of this process showed that cell death occurred in the presence of Bcl-2 and Bax expression, and involved a caspase-independent pathway. Confocal fluorescence microscopy indicated a major role for the lysosomal protease cathepsin B in mediating cell death. Accordingly, pre-incubation of K562 cells with the cathepsin inhibitor L-trans-epoxysuccinyl-L-leucylamido-(4-guanidino)butane (E-64) abolished the cytotoxic effect of CvL. Furthermore, we found upregulation of tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) and down-modulation of p65 subunit of nuclear factor kappa B (NFB) expression in CvL-treated cells. These effects were accompanied by increased levels of p21 and downmodulation of pRb, suggesting that CvL is capable of cell cycle arrest. Collectively, these findings suggest that cathepsin B acts as death mediator in CvL-induced cytotoxicity possibly in a still uncharacterized connection with the membrane death receptor pathway

Avaliação do extrato do fungo caripia montagnei e de agonistas de PPAR - α no processo inflamatório

The mushrooms have been object of intense research in view of its potential raising of application in different sectors of the pharmacology and alimentary industry. Among diverse bioactive composites of polyssacharides nature that exist in the fungus the glucans are much searched. These are polymers of glucose and classified as the type of glicosidic linking [α, β]. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), ranscription factors belonging to the family of nuclear receptors that bind themselves o specific agonists, have shown their importance in controlling the inflammatory process. The aim of this study was to perform a chemical characterization of extract rom the mushroom Caripia montagnei, assess its antiinflammatory and antibacterial effect and determine if this effect occurs via PPAR. This mushroom is composed of carbohydrates (63.3±4.1%), lipids (21.4l±0.9%) and proteins (2.2± 0.3%). The aqueous solution resulting from the fractionation contained carbohydrates (98.7±3.3%) and protein (1.3±0.25%). Analyses of infrared spectrophotometry and of nuclear magnetic esonance demonstrated that the extract of mushroom C. montagnei is rich in β-glucans. In hioglycolate-induced peritonitis, the C. montagnei glucans (50 mg/kg) educed the inflammatory process in 65.5±5.2% and agonists, pharmacological igands, for PPAR: Wy-14643 (49.3±6.1%), PFOA (48.9±3.8%) and clofibrate in 45.2±3.2%. Sodium diclofenac showed a reduction of 81.65±0.6%. In the plantar edema, the glucans from C. montagnei (50 mg/kg) and L-NAME reduced the edema to a similar degree 91.4±0.3% and 92.8±0,5 %, respectively. In all the groups tested, nitric oxide (NO), an inflammation mediator, showed a significant reduction in the nitrate/nitrite levels when compared to the positive control (P<0.001). The C. montagnei glucans did not show cytotoxicity in the concentrations tested (2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0 and 40.0 µg/100 µL). Antibacterial activity demonstrated that, unlike total extract, there was no inhibition of bacterial growth. The C. montagnei glucans show great potential for antiinflammatory applications. This effect suggests that it is mediated by PPAR activation and by COX and iNOS inhibition