Análise comparativa do perfil lipídico do plasma seminal associado ao estresse oxidativo

O estresse oxidativo é um dos fatores mais importantes na diminuição da qualidade do sêmen, pois leva a perda da integridade da membrana dos espermatozóides e de danos estruturais ao DNA através da cascata de lipoperoxidação. Os danos funcionais relacionados ao estresse oxidativo como a diminuição da motilidade e da viabilidade do espermatozóide são algumas das principais causas de infertilidade masculina. Ainda, os lipídios que compõe a membrana plasmática são macromoléculas que, além de estarem envolvidas em complexos sistemas biológicos e processos metabólicos da célula, são altamente susceptíveis ao processo de lipoperoxidação desencadeado pelo estresse oxidativo. Neste contexto, este projeto propôs o estudo das alterações no perfil lipídico do plasma seminal que pudessem estar relacionadas ao estresse oxidativo e posterior comparação destes perfis em busca de biomarcadores de infertilidade. Para isso, foram coletadas amostras de sêmen de 116 pacientes que procuraram o setor de Reprodução Humana da Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Estas amostras foram submetidas a técnica de TBARS para quantificação dos produtos finais do estresse oxidativo e separação dos grupos, e em seguida, ao protocolo de extração de lipídios para obtenção dos espectros de massa através da técnica de MALDI (Matrix Assisted Laser Disorption Ionization). Com esta análise foi possível a identificação de 31 lipídeos super representados nos diferentes grupos e que, futuramente, poderão vir a ser utilizados na avaliação da qualidade seminal

Tratamento da superfície do alumínio via eletrólise a plasma

This paper presents the study on the application of the electrolytic plasma for surface treatment of aluminum. A bibliographical study on the material of interest was preliminarily performed and later designed and built an electrolytic cell, including the excitation source. Unlike conventional electrolysis process, the plasma assisted carry on in the non-linear region of characteristic current/voltage curve. Therefore it requires for the on set of the process that the power supply operates on harder conditions than those on high current process. The plasma produced during the present investigation has temperatures in the range o 6,0.10 3 -7,0 .10 3 K, well above those found in conventional chemical process. It also shows a particular dynamic to promote changes on surface and to produce new materials. The plasma is generated by microdischarge in vapor or gas bubbles involved in physic-chemical processes in electrode regions of the electrolytic cell. The electrode material was the aluminum (7075). The Process Electrolytic Plasma Processing (EPP) is sensitive to various parameters such as operating voltage, current density, electrolyte, concentration of electrolyte, geometry of reactor, temperature of electrolytic solution and dynamic of the fluid in the cell. The experiments were carried on in order to find parameters for a stable abd steady operation. The choice for the electrolytic was silicate/alkali solution in various concentrations to operate in various voltage as well. Plasma was produced on negative (cathode) and positive (anode) electrode, in specific conditions. A stable operation on the cathode process was obtained with low concentration of the electrolytic in aqueous solution, current density around 250V effective voltage. For the evolution of plasma in anodic process it was required higher concentrations and higher... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Estudo da superfície de fibras de carbono após tratamento de implantação iônica por imersão em plasma (3IP)

In this work, plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) treatments of carbon fibers (CFs) were performed in order to induce modifications of chemical and physical properties of the CF surface aimed to improve the performance of thermoplastic composite. The samples to be treated were immersed in nitrogen or air glow discharge plasma and pulsed at −3.0 kV for 2.0, 5.0, 10.0, and 15.0 min. After PIII processing, the specimens were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). After CFs treatments, the CF/Polypropylene (PP) composites were produced by hot pressing method. Surface morphology of as-received CFs exhibited some scratches aligned along the fibers due to the fiber manufacturing process. After both treatments, these features became deeper, and also, a number of small particles nonuniformly distributed on the fiber surface can be observed. These particles are product of CF surface sputtering during the PIII treatment, which removes the epoxy layer that covers as-received samples. AFM analyses of CF samples treated with nitrogen depicted a large increase of the surface roughness (Rrms value approximately six times higher than that of the untreated sample). The increase of the roughness was also observed for samples treated by air PIII. Raman spectra of all samples presented the characteristic D- and G-bands at approximately 1355 and 1582 cm−1, respectively. Analysis of the surface chemical composition provided by the XPS showed that nitrogen and oxygen were incorporated onto the surface. The polar radicals formed on the surface lead to increasing of the CF surface energy. Both the modification of surface roughness and the surface oxidation contributed for the enhancement of CF adhesion to the polymeric matrix. These features were confirmed ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Estudo da modificação superficial de fibras de carbono por meio de tratamentos a plasma para o aumento da adesão na interface de compósitos fibra de carbono/PPS

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Mecânica - FEG

UV laser photofabrication of waveguide couplers using self-patterning organic-inorganic hybrids

Planar waveguides with controlled refractive index were produced using thin films of sol-gel derived organic-inorganic hybrids, so called di-ureasils. Spectroscopic ellipsometry was used to characterize the films thickness and refractive index. UV-laser direct-writing method was used to produce Y-splitter structures with coupling ratio of 50% without the need of photoinitiators.

Tetraethylortossilicate plasma thin film with hydrophilic and hydrophobic characteristics: Use on passive mixers

This work aims to obtain plasma thin film composites with hydrophobic/hydrophilic alternated regions, which are useful for the production of miniaturized mixers. These regions were acquired by two different strategies: either the codeposition of TEOS and HFE plasma thin films or the exposition of TEOS plasma films to ultraviolet radiation (UVA and UVC). These films were characterized by several chemical and physical techniques. The refractive indexes vary from 1.4 to 1.7; infrared and photoelectron spectroscopy detect Si-O-Si and CHn species. Silicone-like structures with high or low number of amorphous carbon microparticles and with fluorinated organic clusters were produced. Cluster dimensions were in the 1-5 mm range and they are made of graphite or COF (carbon/oxygen/fluorine) compounds. Scanning electron and optical microscopy showed rough surfaces. Water contact angles were 90º; however, for TEOS films that value changed after 6 hr of UVC exposure. Moreover, after UV exposure, organic polar compounds could be adsorbed in those films and water was not. The passive mixer performance was simulated using the FemLab 3.2® program and was tested with 20 nm thick films on a silicon wafer, showing the capacity of these films to be used in such devices.

Análise metalográfica do titânio puro submetido à soldagem laser Nd: YAG e TIG

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Inactivation of candida albicans by cold atmospheric pressure plasma jet

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

Plasma Steroid Dynamics in Late- and Near-term Naturally and Artificially Conceived Bovine Pregnancies as Elucidated by Multihormone High-resolution LC-MS/MS

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

Corrosion resistance of 2024 aluminum alloy coated with plasma deposited a-C:H:Si:O films

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Pharmacokinetics of tetracycline in plasma, synovial fluid and milk using single intravenous and single intravenous regional doses in dairy cattle with papillomatous digital dermatitis

The purpose of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics of tetracycline in plasma, synovial fluid, and milk following either a single systemic intravenous (i.v.) injection or a single i.v. regional antibiosis (IVRA) administration of tetracycline hydrochloride to dairy cattle with papillomatous digital dermatitis (PDD). To this end, plasma and synovial fluid tetracycline concentrations were compared with the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the major bacteria, which are known to cause digital diseases and thus assess its efficacy in PDD. Residual tetracycline concentrations in milk from cows treated by both methods were also determined. Twelve Holstein cows with various stages of PDD were randomly assigned to two groups of six animals. Group 1 received a single systemic i.v. injection of 10 mg/kg of tetracycline hydrochloride. Group 2 received 1000 mg of tetracycline hydrochloride by IVRA of the affected limb. Blood, synovial fluid and milk samples were taken prior to tetracycline administration (time 0 control), and then at 22, 45 and 82 min, and 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h following drug administration. Tetracycline concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Mean tetracycline plasma and milk concentrations in Group 1 were higher than Group 2. The opposite was observed for synovial fluid concentrations. Group 2 synovial fluid concentrations were higher than the MIC value over 24 h for the bacteria most frequently responsible for claw disease. Compared with i.v. administration, IVRA administration of tetracycline produced very high synovial fluid and low plasma and milk concentrations.

Membrane lipid profile monitored by mass spectrometry detected differences between fresh and vitrified in vitro-produced bovine embryos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Análise proteômica do plasma sanguíneo e crioprecipitado de búfalos Bubalus Bubalis

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Comparação termométrica entre preparos cavitários realizados com turbinas de alta-rotação e laser de Er:YAG

The aim of this study was to compare temperature increases produced by a well-known equipment, the high-speed handpieces, with a relatively new instrument, the Er:YAG laser (350 mJ/10 Hz). Thirty-five bovine mandibular incisors, which were reduced to an enamel/dentin thickness of 2,5 mm, were used. Cavity preparation was done till a depth of 2, 5 mm. A thermocouple was placed to read the temperature inside of the pulp chamber. Analysis was performed in these groups: I - high-speed handpiece without water-cooling (n=10); II - high-speed handpiece with water-cooling (n=10); III - Er:YAG laser without water-cooling (n=5); IV- Er:YAG laser with water-cooling (n=10) Group III had only 5 teeth because it was impossible to properly make the cavity preparations by the laser equipment without water cooling. The temperature increases were recorded in a computer linked to the thermocouples and the data of the groups I, II and IV were submitted to Dunn's multiple comparison test (p<0,05). The medium temperature increases were: 11,64ºC for group I, 0,96ºC for group II, 40,86ºC for group III and 2,9°C for group IV. There were no statistical differences between groups lI and IV, and these were different from group I. The cavity preparations made by the high-speed and the laser equipment generated very similar heat increases under water-cooling. The water-cooling is essential to avoid aggressive temperature increases, both when using the high-speed and the laser equipment, and with laser it is especially necessary for ablation of enamel

A standartized research protocol for platelet-rich plasma (PRP) preparation in rats

Introduction: The urgent need for studies using standardized protocols to evaluate the real biological effects of PRP has been emphasized by several authors. Objective: The purpose of this study was to standardize a methodology for autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) preparation in rats. Material and methods: Twentyfour, 5 to 6-month-old, male rats, weighing 450 to 500 g were used. After general anesthesia, 3.15 ml of blood was collected from each animal, via cannulation of the jugular vein. A standardized technique of double centrifugation was used to prepare PRP. PRP samples and peripheral blood platelets were then manually counted using a Neubauer chamber. Student’s t-test was used to compare the differences between the number of platelets in peripheral blood and PRP samples (p < 0.05). In addition, PRP and peripheral blood smears were stained to see platelets’ morphology. Results: All surgical procedures were well tolerated by the animals and they were healthy during the entire experimental period. PRP samples showed higher significantly platelet concentrations than peripheral blood samples (2,677,583 and 683,680 respectively). Conclusion: Within the limits of this study, it can be concluded that the method used produced autologous PRP with appropriated platelet quantity and quality, in rats.