On observation of the downconversion mechanism in Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped tellurite glass using thermal and optical parameters

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Combining Experimental Evidence and Molecular Dynamic Simulations To Understand the Mechanism of Action of the Antimicrobial Octapeptide Jelleine-I

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

Cytoxicity and Apoptotic Mechanism of Ruthenium(II) Amino Acid Complexes in Sarcoma-180 Tumor Cells

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

Location of 45S Ribosomal Genes in Mitotic and Meiotic Chromosomes of Buthid Scorpions

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

Proposta de um dispositivo para ajuste automático da altura de uma cama hospitalar

This paper proposes a mechanical device to adapt a simple model of hospital bed used in the Emergency Department at Santa Casa of Guaratinguetá, allowing the bed’s height adjustment with electromechanical drive. This adaptation aims to introduce improvements in the routine work of nurses and reduce ergonomic problems stemming from repetitive strain during the transfer of patients to stretchers and wheelchairs, as well as providing more comfort to the bedridden patient. The device is mainly composed of: an electric induction motor used to drive the engine, a steel spindle with square thread, which allows axial displacement of the bed, a transmission system with pulleys and belt, which transmits power supplied by the motor to the spindle. The mechanism allows the height of the bed is regulated between 400 and 800 mm. The estimated implementation cost of this proposal is lower than the acquisition cost of a commercial hospital bed with the same features, which confirms the feasibility of the proposed solution

Mechanical strain induces the production of spheroid mineralized microparticles in the aortic valve through a RhoA/ROCK-dependent mechanism

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a chronic disorder characterized by an abnormal mineralization of the leaflets, which is accelerated in bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). It is suspected that mechanical strain may promote/enhance mineralization of the aortic valve. However, the effect of mechanical strain and the involved pathways during mineralization of the aortic valve remains largely unknown. Valve interstitial cells (VICs) were isolated and studied under strain conditions. Human bicuspid aortic valves were examined as a model relevant to increase mechanical strain. Cyclic strain increased mineralization of VICs by several-fold. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyses revealed that mechanical strain promoted the formation of mineralized spheroid microparticles, which coalesced into larger structure at the surface of apoptotic VICs. Apoptosis and mineralization were closely associated with expression of ENPP1. Inhibition of ENPP1 greatly reduced mineralization of VIC cultures. Through several lines of evidence we showed that mechanical strain promoted the export of ENPP1-containing vesicles to the plasma membrane through a RhoA/ROCK pathway. Studies conducted in human BAV revealed the presence of spheroid mineralized structures along with the expression of ENPP1 in areas of high mechanical strain. Mechanical strain promotes the production and accumulation of spheroid mineralized microparticles by VICs, which may represent one important underlying mechanism involved in aortic valve mineralization. RhoA/ROCK-mediated export of ENPP1 to the plasma membrane promotes strain-induced mineralization of VICs.

Diabetes reduces mesenchymal stem cells in fracture healing through a TNF alpha-mediated mechanism

Diabetes interferes with bone formation and impairs fracture healing, an important complication in humans and animal models. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of diabetes on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) during fracture repair.Fracture of the long bones was induced in a streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic mouse model with or without insulin or a specific TNF alpha inhibitor, pegsunercept. MSCs were detected with cluster designation-271 (also known as p75 neurotrophin receptor) or stem cell antigen-1 (Sca-1) antibodies in areas of new endochondral bone formation in the calluses. MSC apoptosis was measured by TUNEL assay and proliferation was measured by Ki67 antibody. In vitro apoptosis and proliferation were examined in C3H10T1/2 and human-bone-marrow-derived MSCs following transfection with FOXO1 small interfering (si)RNA.Diabetes significantly increased TNF alpha levels and reduced MSC numbers in new bone area. MSC numbers were restored to normal levels with insulin or pegsunercept treatment. Inhibition of TNF alpha significantly reduced MSC loss by increasing MSC proliferation and decreasing MSC apoptosis in diabetic animals, but had no effect on MSCs in normoglycaemic animals. In vitro experiments established that TNF alpha alone was sufficient to induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation of MSCs. Furthermore, silencing forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) prevented TNF alpha-induced MSC apoptosis and reduced proliferation by regulating apoptotic and cell cycle genes.Diabetes-enhanced TNF alpha significantly reduced MSC numbers in new bone areas during fracture healing. Mechanistically, diabetes-enhanced TNF alpha reduced MSC proliferation and increased MSC apoptosis. Reducing the activity of TNF alpha in vivo may help to preserve endogenous MSCs and maximise regenerative potential in diabetic patients.

Down-regulation of SLC8A1 as a putative apoptosis evasion mechanism by modulation of calcium levels in penile carcinoma

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

Mitotic and meiotic chromosomes of Tityus mattogrossensis and Tityus silvestris (Scorpiones, Buthidae)

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

Dynamics of classical particles in oval or elliptic billiards with a dispersing mechanism

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

Unravelling the reaction mechanism of matrix metalloproteinase 3 using QM/MM calculations

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Rietveld refinement, cluster modelling, growth mechanism and photoluminescence properties of CaWO4: Eu3+ microcrystals

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

Anodization mechanism on SiC nanoparticle reinforced al matrix composites produced by power metallurgy

Specimens of aluminum-based composites reinforced by silicon carbide nanoparticles (Al/SiCnp) produced by powder metallurgy (PM) were anodized under voltage control in tartaric-sulfuric acid (TSA). In this work, the influence of the amount of SiCnp on the film growth during anodizing was investigated. The current density versus time response and the morphology of the porous alumina film formed at the composite surface are compared to those concerning a commercial aluminum alloy (AA1050) anodized under the same conditions. The processing method of the aluminum alloys influences the efficiency of the anodizing process, leading to a lower thicknesses for the unreinforced Al-PM alloy regarding the AA1050. The current density versus time response is strongly dependent on the amount of SiCnp. The current peaks and the steady-state current density recorded at each voltage step increases with the SiCnp volume fraction due to the oxidation of the SiCnp. The formation mechanism of the anodic film on Al/SiCnp composites is different from that occurring in AA1050, partly due the heterogeneous distribution of the reinforcement particles in the metallic matrix, but also to the entrapment of SiCnp in the anodic film.

Complex sex chromosome system in Eigenmannia sp. (Pisces, Gymnotiformes)

Chromosomes of Eigenmannia sp. (7 males and 15 females) collected from the Tietê River in Botucatu (SP, Brazil) were examined from gill, kidney and testicular cells. The diploid chromosome number in males was 2n=31 and in females, 2n=32. In both sexes the number of chromosomal arms was 40. The difference in diploid number was due to the fusion of two acrocentrics. Mitotic and meiotic studies suggested that one of the fused acrocentrics was the Y chromosome. The sex-determining mechanism in Eigenmannia sp. could therefore be XX, AA in the female and X, \-YA A in the males. One of the males presented 2n=30 chromosomes due to the occurrence of another fusion of acrocentrics. C-banding analysis of the mitotic chromosomes revealed constitutive heterochromatin in the centromeric regions of all acrocentrics. However, small metacentrics were C-band negative. The YA chromosome is C-band negative except for a small amount of heterochromatin in the centromeric region. The nucleolar organizer region as identified by Ag-staining is present in the interstitial region of chromosome pair No. 10. © 1984 Dr W. Junk Publishers.