Identification of a microRNA signature associated with progression of leukoplakia to oral carcinoma

MicroRNAs (miRs) are non-coding RNA molecules involved in cancer initiation and progression. Deregulated miR expression has been implicated in cancer; however, there are no studies implicating an miR signature associated with progression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Although OSCC may develop from oral leukoplakia, clinical and histological assessments have limited prognostic value in predicting which leukoplakic lesions will progress. Our aim was to quantify miR expression changes in leukoplakia and same-site OSCC and to identify an miR signature associated with progression. We examined miR expression changes in 43 sequential progressive samples from 12 patients and four non-progressive leukoplakias from four different patients, using TaqMan Low Density Arrays. The findings were validated using quantitative RT-PCR in an independent cohort of 52 progressive dysplasias and OSCCs, and five non-progressive dysplasias. Global miR expression profiles distinguished progressive leukoplakia/OSCC from non-progressive leukoplakias/normal tissues. One hundred and nine miRs were highly expressed exclusively in progressive leukoplakia and invasive OSCC. miR-21, miR-181b and miR-345 expressions were consistently increased and associated with increases in lesion severity during progression. Over-expression of miR-21, miR-181b and miR-345 may play an important role in malignant transformation. Our study provides the first evidence of an miR signature potentially useful for identifying leukoplakias at risk of malignant transformation.

Two 5S rDNA arrays in Neotropical fish species: is it a general rule for fishes ?

In this paper we describe Southern blot hybridization results probed with 5S rRNA genes for several Neotropical fish species representing different taxonomic groups. All the studied species showed a general trend with the 5S rDNA tandem repeats organized in two distinct size-classes. At the same time, data on 5S rDNA organization in fish genome were summarized. Previous information on the organization and evolution of 5S rRNA gene arrays in the genome of this vertebrate group are in agreement with the Southern results here presented. Sequences obtained for several fish species have revealed the occurrence of two distinct 5S rDNA classes characterized by distinct non-transcribed spacer sequences, which are clustered in different chromosomes in some species. Moreover, the 5S rDNA loci are generally distributed in an interstitial position in the chromosomes and they are usually not syntenic to the 45S rDNA. The presence of two classes of 5S rDNA in several non-related fish species suggests that this could be a common condition for the 5S rRNA gene organization in the fish genome.

Highly Sensitive Neurotransmitters Analysis at Platinum-Ultramicroelectrodes Arrays

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

Evaluation of the beta-glucanolytic enzyme complex of Trichoderma harzianum Rifai for the production of gluco-oligosaccharide fragments by enzymatic hydrolysis of 1,3;1,6-beta-D-glucans

Botryosphaeran, a new exopolysaccharide from the endophytic fungus Botryosphaeria rhodina MAMB-05, and algal laminarin were hydrolyzed by partially-fractionated enzymes of the beta-glucanolytic complex from Trichoderma harzianum Rifai. beta-Glucanase fractions (F-I and F-II) separated by gel permeation chromatography presented different modes of attack on botryosphaeran and laminarin. Botryosphaeran was hydrolyzed to the extent of 66% (F-I) and 98% (F-II) within 30 min, and its main hydrolysis products were gluco-oligosaccharides of DP >= 4, with lesser amounts of glucose, di- and tri-saccharides. The action of enzyme fractions I and II on laminarin resulted in 15% conversion to glucose, while the percentage of saccharification was radically different (70% for F-I and 25% for F-II). The different product arrays within the polysaccharide hydrolysates can be explained by the difference in the enzymes' specificities within each enzyme fraction, and the molecular structures of the polysaccharides and their complexity.

Effects of cement thickness and bonding on the failure loads of CAD/CAM ceramic crowns: Multi-physics FEA modeling and monotonic testing

Objective. To determine the influence of cement thickness and ceramic/cement bonding on stresses and failure of CAD/CAM crowns, using both multi-physics finite element analysis and monotonic testing.Methods. Axially symmetric FEA models were created for stress analysis of a stylized monolithic crown having resin cement thicknesses from 50 to 500 mu m under occlusal loading. Ceramic-cement interface was modeled as bonded or not-bonded (cement-dentin as bonded). Cement polymerization shrinkage was simulated as a thermal contraction. Loads necessary to reach stresses for radial cracking from the intaglio surface were calculated by FEA. Experimentally, feldspathic CAD/CAM crowns based on the FEA model were machined having different occlusal cementation spaces, etched and cemented to dentin analogs. Non-bonding of etched ceramic was achieved using a thin layer of poly(dimethylsiloxane). Crowns were loaded to failure at 5 N/s, with radial cracks detected acoustically.Results. Failure loads depended on the bonding condition and the cement thickness for both FEA and physical testing. Average fracture loads for bonded crowns were: 673.5 N at 50 mu m cement and 300.6 N at 500 mu m. FEA stresses due to polymerization shrinkage increased with the cement thickness overwhelming the protective effect of bonding, as was also seen experimentally. At 50 mu m cement thickness, bonded crowns withstood at least twice the load before failure than non-bonded crowns.Significance. Occlusal "fit" can have structural implications for CAD/CAM crowns; pre-cementation spaces around 50-100 mu m being recommended from this study. Bonding benefits were lost at thickness approaching 450-500 mu m due to polymerization shrinkage stresses. (C) 2012 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Electrochemical behavior of thermally sprayed stainless steel coatings in 3.4% NaCl solution

Four types of stainless steel coatings prepared by a high velocity oxy-fuel spraying system (HVOF) were studied. Differences among coated steels were related to the spraying parameters, which influenced the behavior of the samples against the corrosion. The electrochemical behavior of the stainless steel coatings was strongly influenced by porosity, the presence of micro- and macro-cracks, and also of un-melted particles. Once the electrolyte reached the steel substrate via these defects, the galvanic pair formed between the coating and substrate-accelerated corrosion, leading to the depletion of the coating. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of oxygen flow on crystallization and morphology of PLZT thin films

PLZT thin films were prepared by a dip coating process using Pechini's method, also known as polymeric precursor method. The PLZT solution was obtained from a mixture of the individual cation solutions and the process to prepare each solution is based on metallic citrate polymerization. The viscosity of the PLZT solution was adjusted at 40 cP while the ionic concentration was adjusted at 0.1 M. PLZT solutions were deposited on silicon (100) and platinum coated silicon (100) substrates with withdrawal speed at 5 mm/min. The coated substrates were thermally treated with a heating rate of 1 degreesC/min up to 300 degreesC and 5 degreesC/min up to 650 degreesC in order to obtain homogeneous and cracks free films. The influence of oxygen flow on crystallization and morphology of PLZT (9/65/35) thin film is discussed. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. Ltd and Techna S.r.l. All rights reserved.

Comparative study of Cr3C2-NiCr coatings obtained by HVOF and hard chromium coatings

In the present work the corrosion resistance of micro-cracked hard chromium and Cr3C2-NiCr (HVOF) coatings applied on a steel substrate have been compared using open-circuit potential (E-OC) measurements, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and polarization curves. The coatings surfaces and cross-section were characterized before and after corrosion tests using optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After 18 h of immersion, the open-circuit potential values were around -0.50 and -0.25V/(Ag vertical bar AgCl vertical bar KClsat) for hard chromium and Cr3C2- NiCr, respectively. The surface analysis done after 12 h of immersion showed iron on the hard chromium surface inside/near surface cracks, while iron was not detected on the Cr3C2-NiCr surface even after 18 h. For longer immersion time hard chromium was more degraded than thermal sprayed coating. For hard chromium coating a total resistance values between 50 and 80 k Omega cm(2) were measured and two well-defined time constants were observed, without significant change with the immersion time. For Cr3C2-NiCr coating the total impedance diminished from around 750 to 25 k Omega cm(2) as the immersion time increased from 17 up to 132 h and two overlapped time constants were also observed. Polarization curves recorded after 18 h of immersion showed a lower current and higher corrosion potential for Cr3C2-NiCr coating than other samples studied. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Structural Effects of Nanotubes, Nanowires, and Nanoporous Ti/TiO2 Electrodes on Photoelectrocatalytic Oxidation of 4,4-Oxydianiline

The present work illustrates the effect of electrolyte composition on the self-organized TiO2 nanotube arrays electrode preparation. The influence of structural and surface morphology of the TiO2 nanotube-like anode on their photoactivity and photoelectrocatalytic performance was also investigated. TiO2 nanotubular array electrodes are grown by anodization of Ti foil in 0.25wt % NH4F/glycerol/water, but nanowires can be obtained in 4% HF-DMSO as supporting electrolyte, even when both are subjected to electrochemical anodization at 30V during 50 h. The morphological characteristics are analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FEG-SEM). The electrodes were successfully applied in photoelectrocatalytic oxidation of 4,4'-oxydianiline (ODAN) in aqueous solution, as a model of a harmful pollutant. Complete removal of the aromatic amine was obtained after 3 hours of photoelectrocatalytic treatment on nanotubular arrays electrodes.

Removal of sunscreen compounds from swimming pool water using self-organized TiO2 nanotubular array electrodes

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

Mineralogical characterization of clays used in the structural ceramic industry in west of S. Paulo State, Brazil

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

Nucleotide sequence, genomic organization and chromosome localization of 5S rDNA in two species of Curimatidae (Teleostei, Characiformes)

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

Software to productive and reproductive control of goats: PROCAPRI

PROCAPRI is a software to productive and reproductive control of goats developed with the aim of assisting the goat producers in their decisions, to make a representative data set of Brazilian goats production and providing research information. It has five modules: Administration, Association, UNESP, Maintenance, and Utilities. It has been available since October 1994, and it has been amply used, with 157 copies distributed until April 1998 in Brazil and other countries.

Crystal growth of Ce-doped and undoped LiCaAlF6 by the Czochralski technique under CF4 atmosphere

Ce-doped and undoped LiCaAlF6 (LiCAF) single crystals 50 mm in diameter were grown by the Czochralski technique. The formation of inclusions and cracks accompanying the crystal growth was investigated. The dependence of lattice parameters on the temperature was measured for LiCAF and LiSrAlF6 single crystals. Linear thermal expansion coefficients for both these crystals were evaluated. Higher transmission properties for LiCAF single crystals were achieved in the UV and VUV wavelength regions. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Study of electrical, chemical and structural characteristics of superconductor thin film obtained by polymeric precursors method

Superconductor films of the BSCCO system have been grown by dip coating technique with good success. The chemical method allows us to grow high temperature superconductor thin films to get better control of stoichiometry, large areas and is cheaper than other methods. There is a great technological interest in growth oriented superconductor films due anisotropic characteristics of superconductor materials of high critical temperature, specifically the cuprates, as we know that the orientation may increase the electrical transport properties. Based on this, the polymeric precursor method has been used to obtain thin films of the BSCCO system. In this work we have applied that method together with the deposition technique known as dip coating to obtain Bi-based superconductor thin films, specifically, Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2.0C2.0Cu3.0Ox+8, also known as 2223 phase with a critical temperature around 110 K. The films with multilayers have been grown on crystalline substrates of LaAlO3 and orientated (100) after being heat treated around 790 degrees C - 820 degrees C in lapse time of 1 hour in a controlled atmosphere. XRD measurements have shown the presence of a crystalline phase 2212 with a critical temperature around 85 K with (001) orientation, as well as a small fraction of 2223 phase. SEM has shown a low uniformity and some cracks that maybe related to the applied heat treatment. WDS has also been used to study the films composition. Different heat treatments have been used with the aim to increase the percentage of 2223 phase. Measurements of resistivity confirmed the presence of at least two crystalline phases, 2212 and 2223, with T-c around 85 K and 110 K, respectively.