A polydnavirus-encoded protein of an endoparasitoid wasp is an immune suppressor

The molecular mechanism by which polydnaviruses of endoparasitoid wasps disrupt cell-mediated encapsulation reactions of host insects is largely unknown. Here we show that a polydnavirus-encoded protein, produced from baculovirus and plasmid expression vectors, prevents cell surface exposure of lectin-binding sites and microparticle formation during immune stimulation of haemocytes. The inactivation of immune-related cellular processes by this protein was analysed using a specific lectin and annexin V and shown to be virtually identical to polydnavirus-mediated effects on haemocytes. Cytochalasin D application has similar effects on haemocytes, suggesting that the immune suppression by the polydnavirus protein is caused by the destabilization of actin filaments. Since the exposure of cell surface glycoproteins and the formation of microparticles are part of an immune response to foreign objects or microorganisms and a prerequisite for cell-mediated encapsulation of microorganisms and parasites, the virus-encoded protein may become an important tool for the inactivation of cellular immune reactions in insects and an essential component in understanding immune suppression in parasitized host insects.

In vitro uptake and antimycobacterial activity of liposomal usnic acid formulation

The cellular uptake and antimycobacterial activity of usnic acid (UA) and usnic acid-loaded liposomes (UA-LIPOs) were assessed on J774 macrophages. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of UA and UA-LIPO against Mycobacterium tuberculosis were determined. Concentrations required to inhibit 50% of cell proliferation (IC(50)) were 22.5 (+/- 0.60) and 12.5 (+/- 0.26) mu g/ml, for UA and UA-LIPO, respectively. The MICs of UA and UA-LIPO were 6.5 and 5.8 mu g/mL, respectively. The MBC of UA-LIPO was twice as low (16 mu g/mL) as that of UA (32 mu g/mL). An improvement in the intracellular uptake of UA-LIPO was found (21.6 x 10(4) +/- 28.3 x 10(2) c.p.s), in comparison with UA (9.5 x 10(4) +/- 11.4 x 10(2) c.p.s). In addition, UA-LIPO remains much longer inside macrophages (30 hours). All data obtained from the encapsulation of usnic acid into liposomes as a drug delivery system (DDS) indicate a strong interaction between UA-liposomes and J774 macrophages, thereby facilitating UA penetration into cells. Considering such a process as ruling the Mycobacterium-transfection by magrophages, we could state that associating UA with this DDS leads to an improvement in its antimycobacterial activity.

beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation does not affect changes in strength or body composition during resistance training in trained men

This investigation evaluated the effects of oral beta -Hydroxy-beta -Methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation on training responses in resistance-trained male athletes who were randomly administered HMB in standard encapsulation (SH), HMB in time release capsule (TRH), or placebo (P) in a double-blind fashion. Subjects ingested 3 g (.) day(-1) of HMB; or placebo for 6 weeks. Tests were conducted pre-supplementation and following 3 and 6 weeks of supplementation. The testing battery assessed body mass, body composition (using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry), and 3-repetition maximum isoinertial strength, plus biochemical parameters, including markers of muscle damage and muscle protein turnover. While the training and dietary intervention of the investigation resulted in significant strength gains (p < .001) and an increase in total lean mass (p =.01), HMB administration had no influence on these variables. Likewise, biochemical markers of muscle protein turnover and muscle damage were also unaffected by HMB supplementation. The data indicate that 6 weeks of HMB supplementation in either SH or TRH form does not influence changes in strength and body composition in response to resistance training in strength-trained athletes.

Chiral resolution of hexaamine cobalt(III) cages: Substituent effects on chiral discrimination

Chiral resolution of the cobalt cage complexes [Co(diNOsar)](3+) and [Co(diAMsarH(2))](5+) have been achieved by selective crystallization with the anion bis-mu-(R),(R)-tartratodiantimonate(III) ([Sb-2(R,R-tart)(2)](2-)) and also by column chromatography with Na-2[Sb-2(R, R-tart)(2)] as eluent. The X-ray crystal structures of Lambda-[ Co(diNOsar)][Sb-2(R, R-tart)(2)] Cl . 7H(2)O and Delta-[Co(diAMsarH(2))][Sb-2(R, R-tart)(2)](2)Cl . 14H(2)O are reported, which reveal an unexpected reversal of chiral discrimination when the cage substituent is changed from nitro (Lambda-enantiomer) to ammonio (Delta-enantiomer) and shows that the ammonio- substituted cage is capable of forming a three-point hydrogen-bonding interaction with each complex anion, whereas the nitro analogue can only form two hydrogen bonds with each [Sb-2(R, R-tart)(2)](2-) anion. During cation exchange chromatography of the racemic cobalt cage complexes with Na-2[Sb-2(R, R-tart)(2)] as eluent, Lambda-[Co(diNOsar)](3+) elutes first, which implies a tighter ion pairing interaction than for the Delta-enantiomer. On the other hand, Delta-[Co(diAMsarH(2))](5+) elutes first during chromatography under identical conditions, which is also consistent with a preferred outer-sphere complex formed between Delta-[Co(diAMsarH(2))](5+) and [Sb-2(R, R-tart)(2)](2-) relative to Lambda-[Co(diAMsarH(2))](5+) and [Sb-2(R,R-tart)(2)](2-).

Composite synthetic hydroxyapatite 30%, in two physical states, as dermal filler

The aim of this study was to evaluate the response to the implantation of synthetic hydroxyapatite 30% (HAP-91®) in different physical states as dermal filler. Eighteen New Zealand rabbits were used, distributed randomly into two equal groups and then divided into three groups according to the postoperative period at 8, 21 and 49 days. One mL of HAP-91®, fluid and viscous, was implanted in the subcutaneous tissue, 1 cm proximal to the cranial crest of the right scapula. The thickness of the skin was measured before and after implantation and for the following 15 days. Pain sensitivity assessment was conducted, assigning the following scores: 0 - when the animal allowed the touch of the implant area and expressed no signs of pain; 1 - when the animal allowed the touch, but pain reaction occurred, like increase of the respiratory rate or attempt to escape; 2 - when the animal did not allow the touch to the implanted area. At 8, 21 and 49 days, biopsy of the implanted area was performed. No difference was observed between the thickness of the skin (p>0.05) and all animals received a score 0 for soreness. Histological analysis did not reveal any obvious inflammatory process, showing a predominance of mononuclear cells in samples of eight days and tissue organization around the biomaterial with a tendency to encapsulation. The results indicate that HAP-91®, both viscous and fluid, is biocompatible and suitable for dermal filling.

Distribuição de vídeo sobre uma rede IEEE 802.11n

A recente norma IEEE 802.11n oferece um elevado débito em redes locais sem fios sendo por isso esperado uma adopção massiva desta tecnologia substituindo progressivamente as redes 802.11b/g. Devido à sua elevada capacidade esta recente geração de redes sem fios 802.11n permite um crescimento acentuado de serviços audiovisuais. Neste contexto esta dissertação procura estudar a rede 802.11n, caracterizando o desempenho e a qualidade associada a um serviço de transmissão de vídeo, recorrendo para o efeito a uma arquitectura de simulação da rede 802.11n. Desta forma é caracterizado o impacto das novas funcionalidades da camada MAC introduzidas na norma 801.11n, como é o caso da agregação A-MSDU e A-MPDU, bem como o impacto das novas funcionalidades da camada física como é o caso do MIMO; em ambos os casos uma optimização da parametrização é realizada. Também se verifica que as principais técnicas de codificação de vídeo H.264/AVC para optimizar o processo de distribuição de vídeo, permitem optimizar o desempenho global do sistema de transmissão. Aliando a optimização e parametrização da camada MAC, da camada física, e do processo de codificação, é possível propor um conjunto de configurações que permitem obter o melhor desempenho na qualidade de serviço da transmissão de conteúdos de vídeo numa rede 802.11n. A arquitectura de simulação construída nesta dissertação é especificamente adaptada para suportar as técnicas de agregação da camada MAC, bem como para suportar o encapsulamento em protocolos de rede que permitem a transmissão dos pacotes de vídeo RTP, codificados em H.264/AVC.

Pronoun-dropping or zero anaphora in translation from german into portuguese

In this article I will analyse anaphoric references in German texts and their transaltion into Portuguese. I will take as main corpus Heinrich Böll's novel Haus ohne Hüter and its translation into Portuguese by Jorge Rosa with the title Casa Indefesa. I will concentrate on the use of personal pronouns and possessives in references to both people and objects in source text and target text and I will present patterns of symmetries and asymmetries. I will claim that asymmetries in the translation of such anaphoric references can be accounted for mainly by differences in the pronominal systems and verbal systems of both languages and by differences in the way each language marks theme/topic continuity/discontinuity in discourse. Issues related to style and the translation of anaphors will also be addressed. I will finally raise some questions related to ambiguous references which can not be solved within the scope of syntax or semantics, thus requiring pragmatic interpretation based on cultural knowledge/world knowledge.

Role on serine protease inhibitors in the pathogenisis of Steinernema carpocapsae

Tese de Doutoramento, Biologia (Biologia Celular e Molecular), 18 de Novembro de 2013, Universidade dos Açores.

Copper(II) aza-bis(oxazoline) complex immobilized onto ITQ-2 and MCM-22 based materials as heterogeneous catalysts for the cyclopropanation of styrene

A copper(II) chiral aza-bis(oxazoline) homogeneous catalyst (CuazaBox) was anchored onto the external surface of MCM-22 and ITQ-2 structures, as well as encapsulated into hierarchical MCM-22. The transition metal complex loading onto the porous solids was determined by ICP-AES and the materials were also characterized by elemental analysis (C, N, H, S), FTIR, XPS, TG and low temperature N-2 adsorption isotherms. The materials were tested as heterogeneous catalysts in the benchmark reaction of cyclopropanation of styrene to check the effect of the immobilization procedure on the catalytic parameters, as well as on their reutilization in several catalytic cycles. Catalyst CuazaBox anchored onto the external surface of MCM-22 and ITQ-2 materials were more active and enantioselective in the cyclopropanation of styrene than the corresponding homogeneous phase reaction run under similar experimental conditions. This is due to the propylation of the acidic aza-Box nitrogen. HMCM-22 was nevertheless the best heterogeneous catalyst. Encapsulation of CuazaBox on post-synthesis modified MCM-22 materials led to low activities and enantioselectivities. But reversal on the stereochemical course of the reaction was observed, probably due to confinement effect. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Agentes fitoquímicos como radio-sensibilizadores na terapêutica em medicina nuclear

Mestrado em Medicina Nuclear. Área de especialização: Radiofarmácia.

Encapsulamento de monómeros da lenhina pela β-ciclodextrina: estudos químico e de biodegradação

Mestrado em Engenharia Química.Ramo Tecnologias de Protecção Ambiental

Controlador Boundary-Scan

A crescente complexidade dos sistemas electrónicos associada a um desenvolvimento nas tecnologias de encapsulamento levou à miniaturização dos circuitos integrados, provocando dificuldades e limitações no diagnóstico e detecção de falhas, diminuindo drasticamente a aplicabilidade dos equipamentos ICT. Como forma de lidar com este problema surgiu a infra-estrutura Boundary Scan descrita na norma IEEE1149.1 “Test Access Port and Boundary-Scan Architecture”, aprovada em 1990. Sendo esta solução tecnicamente viável e interessante economicamente para o diagnóstico de defeitos, efectua também outras aplicações. O SVF surgiu do desejo de incutir e fazer com que os fornecedores independentes incluíssem a norma IEEE 1149.1, é desenvolvido num formato ASCII, com o objectivo de enviar sinais, aguardar pela sua resposta, segundo a máscara de dados baseada na norma IEEE1149.1. Actualmente a incorporação do Boundary Scan nos circuitos integrados está em grande expansão e consequentemente usufrui de uma forte implementação no mercado. Neste contexto o objectivo da dissertação é o desenvolvimento de um controlador boundary scan que implemente uma interface com o PC e possibilite o controlo e monitorização da aplicação de teste ao PCB. A arquitectura do controlador desenvolvido contém um módulo de Memória de entrada, um Controlador TAP e uma Memória de saída. A implementação do controlador foi feita através da utilização de uma FPGA, é um dispositivo lógico reconfiguráveis constituído por blocos lógicos e por uma rede de interligações, ambos configuráveis, que permitem ao utilizador implementar as mais variadas funções digitais. A utilização de uma FPGA tem a vantagem de permitir a versatilidade do controlador, facilidade na alteração do seu código e possibilidade de inserir mais controladores dentro da FPGA. Foi desenvolvido o protocolo de comunicação e sincronização entre os vários módulos, permitindo o controlo e monitorização dos estímulos enviados e recebidos ao PCB, executados automaticamente através do software do Controlador TAP e de acordo com a norma IEEE 1149.1. A solução proposta foi validada por simulação utilizando o simulador da Xilinx. Foram analisados todos os sinais que constituem o controlador e verificado o correcto funcionamento de todos os seus módulos. Esta solução executa todas as sequências pretendidas e necessárias (envio de estímulos) à realização dos testes ao PCB. Recebe e armazena os dados obtidos, enviando-os posteriormente para a memória de saída. A execução do trabalho permitiu concluir que os projectos de componentes electrónicos tenderão a ser descritos num nível de abstracção mais elevado, recorrendo cada vez mais ao uso de linguagens de hardware, no qual o VHDL é uma excelente ferramenta de programação. O controlador desenvolvido será uma ferramenta bastante útil e versátil para o teste de PCBs e outras funcionalidades disponibilizadas pelas infra-estruturas BS.

Host-Guest interaction between herbicide oxadiargyl and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin

In the face of a growing human population and increased urbanization, the demand for pesticides will simply rise. Farmers must escalate yields on increasingly fewer farm acres. However, the risks of pesticides, whether real or perceived, may force changes in the way these chemicals are used. Scientists are working toward pest control plans that are environmentally sound, effective, and profitable. In this context the development of new pesticide formulations which may improve application effectiveness, safety, handling, and storage can be pointed out as a solution. As a contribution to the area, the microencapsulation of the herbicide oxadiargyl (OXA) in (2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) was performed. The study was conducted in different aqueous media (ultrapure water and in different pH buffer solutions). In all cases an increment of the oxadiargyl solubility as a function of the HP-β-CD concentration that has been related to the formation of an inclusion complex was verified. UV-Vis and NMR experiments allowed concluding that the stoichiometry of the OXA/HP-β-CD complex formed is 1 : 1. The gathered results can be regarded as an important step for its removal from industrial effluents and/or to increase the stabilizing action, encapsulation, and adsorption in water treatment plants.

Kinetic behavior of Desulfovibrio gigas aldehyde oxidoreductase encapsulated in reverse micelles

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 308 (2003) 73–78

Viewpoints and goals: towards an integrated approach

Dissertação de Mestrado em Engenharia Informática