Development of water-soluble polyanionic carbosilane dendrimers as novel and highly potent topical anti-HIV-2 microbicides

This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Nanoscale.

Sintesi e proprietà fotovoltaiche di politiofeni water- soluble

Nell’ottica di una limitazione dello sfruttamento di fonti fossili, della diminuzione delle emissioni di gas serra e dell’introduzione, nel mercato energetico, di dispositivi fotovoltaici organici (OPVs) che permettano di sfruttare l’energia solare conferendo leggerezza e flessibilità alle celle fotovoltaiche, è stato sintetizzato un nuovo polialchiltiofene contenente unità elettron-donatrici e accettrici in catena principale, da testare come strato fotoattivo all’interno di un dispositivo OPV. In particolare, a partire da 1,6-dibromoesano e 3-bromotiofene, è stato preparato 4,7-bis(3-(6-bromoesil)tiofen-2-il)-2,1,3-benzotiadiazolo mediante reazione di cross-coupling di Suzuki con l’estere pinacolico dell'acido 2,1,3-benzotiadiazolo-4,7-bis(boronico) e, successivamente, polimerizzato via metodo ossidativo con FeCl3. Il polimero ottenuto, poli(4,7-bis(3-(6-bromoesil)tiofen-2-il)-2,1,3-benzotiadiazolo), è stato caratterizzato mediante analisi TGA, DSC, FTIR-ATR, GPC, 1H-NMR e UV-Vis. Verrà, in seguito, post-funzionalizzato con tributilfosfina per ottenere un polimero ionico solubile in acqua o in solventi polari, al fine di evitare l’impiego di solventi aromatici o clorurati durante la deposizione del film polimerico all’interno della cella fotovoltaica.

Sintesi e caratterizzazione di materiali polimerici water-soluble per applicazioni nel campo del fotovoltaico organico

The need to use renewable energy sources, due to the massive production of pollution for the energy production, has led to the development of new technologies for the use of solar energy. The purpose of this thesis project is to synthesize and characterize new thiophene-based polymeric materials processable in water, a green solvent, for the construction of organic solar cells, promising and versatile devices used for the production of electric energy. For this, a highly regioregular polymer was synthesized through GRIM polymerization (Grignard Metathesis Polymerization) on which a study was performed to identify the optimal reaction time.

Studio e sintesi di politiofeni water-soluble contenenti gruppi elettron donatori e accettori in catena principale

Il progressivo esaurimento delle risorse fossili e l’incremento delle problematiche ambientali legate al rilascio di gas serra contribuiscono alla ricerca e all’utilizzo di fonti energetiche alternative. In questo scenario, i dispositivi fotovoltaici organici (OPVs) rappresentano uno dei modi più affascinanti e promettenti per trasformare l’energia solare, una riserva energetica potenzialmente inesauribile, a costo nullo e non inquinante, in energia elettrica. Materiali organici utilizzabili in questi dispositivi sono i polimeri π-coniugati. In quest’ottica, il lavoro è stato focalizzato sulla preparazione di due nuovi polimeri: il primo, contenente unità elettron-donatrici e accettrici in catena principale, ottenuto via polimerizzazione ossidativa in presenza di FeCl3 e successivamente post-funzionalizzato con tributilfosfina per renderlo ionico e idrosolubile; il secondo, a base di politiofene non ionico ma polare, avente funzionalità eteree nelle catene laterali, preparato sfruttando il metodo GRIM. Questi materiali sono stati caratterizzati mediante analisi spettroscopiche e verranno successivamente testati all’interno di celle solari fotovoltaiche organiche aventi configurazione SMOSCs (il primo) e BHJ (il secondo).

Aplicação de métodos de calibração multivariada para a determinação simultânea de riboflavina (VB2), tiamina (VB1), piridoxina (VB6) e nicotinamida (VPP)

In this work, the artificial neural networks (ANN) and partial least squares (PLS) regression were applied to UV spectral data for quantitative determination of thiamin hydrochloride (VB1), riboflavin phosphate (VB2), pyridoxine hydrochloride (VB6) and nicotinamide (VPP) in pharmaceutical samples. For calibration purposes, commercial samples in 0.2 mol L-1 acetate buffer (pH 4.0) were employed as standards. The concentration ranges used in the calibration step were: 0.1 - 7.5 mg L-1 for VB1, 0.1 - 3.0 mg L-1 for VB2, 0.1 - 3.0 mg L-1 for VB6 and 0.4 - 30.0 mg L-1 for VPP. From the results it is possible to verify that both methods can be successfully applied for these determinations. The similar error values were obtained by using neural network or PLS methods. The proposed methodology is simple, rapid and can be easily used in quality control laboratories.

Assessment of nutritional and metabolic profiles of pea shoots: The new ready-to-eat baby-leaf vegetable

Pea-shoots are a new option as ready-to-eat baby-leaf vegetable. However, data about the nutritional composition and the shelf-life stability of these leaves, especially their phytonutrient composition is scarce. In this work, the macronutrient, micronutrient and phytonutrients profile of minimally processed pea shoots were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of a 10-day storage period. Several physicochemical characteristics (color, pH, total soluble solids, and total titratable acidity) were also monitored. Standard AOAC methods were applied in the nutritional value evaluation, while chromatographic methods with UV–vis and mass detection were used to analyze free forms of vitamins (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS), carotenoids (HPLC-DAD-APCI-MSn) and flavonoid compounds (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn). Atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS-AAS) was employed to characterize the mineral content of the leaves. As expected, pea leaves had a high water (91.5%) and low fat (0.3%) and carbohydrate (1.9%) contents, being a good source of dietary fiber (2.1%). Pea shoots showed a high content of vitamins C, E and A, potassium and phosphorous compared to other ready-to-eat green leafy vegetables. The carotenoid profile revealed a high content of β-carotene and lutein, typical from green leafy vegetables. The leaves had a mean flavonoid content of 329 mg/100 g of fresh product, mainly composed by glycosylated quercetin and kaempferol derivatives. Pea shoots kept their fresh appearance during the storage being color maintained throughout the shelf-life. The nutritional composition was in general stable during storage, showing some significant (p < 0.05) variation in certain water-soluble vitamins.

Vitaminas B y homocisteína en la insuficiencia renal crónica

Metabolic, biochemical, and hormonal changes occur in chronic renal failure usually associated with hyponutrition states. In predialysis patients, knowing the nutritional state about water-soluble vitamins such as thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, cianocobalamine, and folic acid is becoming more and more important since some of the manifestations of chronic renal failure may be due to the deficiency of some of these water-soluble vitamins. The metabolic pathways in which most of these vitamins participate are interrelated and it is difficult to understand how the individual deficits of each vitamin affect renal pathology. This work aims at reviewing not only this issue but also the status of these water-soluble vitamins that different authors have found in groups of predialysis patients. On the other hand, the issue on the high prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in chronic renal failure as the main mortality risk factor due to cardiovascular pathologies as well as the implication of these vitamins in the metabolism of homocysteine, and consequently in plasma levels of this metabolite in predialysis patients is reviewed.

Aplicação de métodos de calibração multivariada para a determinação simultânea de riboflavina (VB2), tiamina (VB1), piridoxina (VB6) e nicotinamida (VPP)

In this work, the artificial neural networks (ANN) and partial least squares (PLS) regression were applied to UV spectral data for quantitative determination of thiamin hydrochloride (VB1), riboflavin phosphate (VB2), pyridoxine hydrochloride (VB6) and nicotinamide (VPP) in pharmaceutical samples. For calibration purposes, commercial samples in 0.2 mol L-1 acetate buffer (pH 4.0) were employed as standards. The concentration ranges used in the calibration step were: 0.1 - 7.5 mg L-1 for VB1, 0.1 - 3.0 mg L-1 for VB2, 0.1 - 3.0 mg L-1 for VB6 and 0.4 - 30.0 mg L-1 for VPP. From the results it is possible to verify that both methods can be successfully applied for these determinations. The similar error values were obtained by using neural network or PLS methods. The proposed methodology is simple, rapid and can be easily used in quality control laboratories.

Folatos em brócolis convencional e orgânico e perdas no processo de cocção em água

Broccoli is a vegetable consumed in many countries and a possible source of folates, which are water-soluble vitamins active during DNA synthesis. The folates found in the samples analyzed were 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and 5-formyltetrahydrofolate. The vitamin content varied between 413.7 and 742.2 µg/100 g for 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and from 4.8 to 12.8 µg/100 g for 5-formyltetrahydrofolate. In organic broccoli the amount of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate was significantly higher than in the same vegetable cultivated by traditional methods, for the commercial samples analyzed. The losses of these folates after cooking in water were of approximately 68%, most of it (53%) found in the cooking water.

Nutritional studies in juvenile penaeus indicus with fererence to protein and vitamin requirements

Man in his quest to explore food has turned towards the oceans and during the last five decades there has been phenomenal increase in the exploitation of the marine fisheries resources. The present study is carried out to determine the requirement of protein and water-soluble vitamins in the diet of juveniles of the Indian white prawn p.indicus using purified diets and to evaluate the nutritive value of a few plant and animal protein sources for the same species. A total of ten statistically designed experiments are conducted in the laboratory undermost identical conditions and following similar methodologies. The study also tries to suggest the essential and optimal requirements for protein as well as water-soluble vitamins in the diet of juvenile p.indicus

Biorefinery strategies for upgrading Distillers’ Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS)

Distillers’ Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) is the major by-product of bioethanol and distillery plants. Due to its high content of proteins, water-soluble vitamins and minerals, DDGS has been long marketed as animal feed for livestock. EU legislation on liquid biofuels could raise the demand on bioethanol production in Europe, with a resulting increase in DDGS availability. DDGS contains a spectrum of complex organic macromolecules, particularly polysaccharides, in addition to proteins and vitamins, and its use as a starting raw material within a biomass-based biorefining strategy could lead to the development of multi-stream processes for the production of commodities, platform molecules or speciality chemicals, with concomitant economic benefits and waste reduction for bioethanol plants. The present review aims to outline the compositional characteristics of DDGS and evaluate its potential utilisation as a starting material for the production of added-value products. Parameters of influence on the chemical and physical characteristics of DDGS are discussed. Moreover, various pre-treatment strategies are outlined in terms of efficient DDGS fractionation into several added value streams. Additional processing steps for the production of medium and high added value compounds from DDGS are evaluated and their potential applications in the food and chemical industry sector are identified.

Genus Bifidobacterium: taxonomy studies and gene expression analysis on folate pathway

Folates (vitamin B9) are essential water soluble vitamins, whose deficiency in humans may contribute to the onset of several diseases, such as anaemia, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurological problems as well as defects in embryonic development. Human and other mammals are unable to synthesize ex novo folate obtaining it from exogenous sources, via intestinal absorption. Recently the gut microbiota has been identified as an important source of folates and the selection and use of folate producing microorganisms represents an innovative strategy to increase human folate levels. The aim of this thesis was to gain a fundamental understanding of folate metabolism in Bifidobacterium adolescentis. The work was subdivided in three main phases, also aimed to solve different problems encountered working with Bifidobacterium strains. First, a new identification method (based on PCR-RFLP of hsp60 gene) was specifically developed to identify Bifidobacterium strains. Secondly, Bifidobacterium adolescentis biodiversity was explored in order to recognize representing strains of this species to be screened for their folate production ability. Results showed that this species is characterized by a wide variability and support the idea that a possible new taxonomic re-organization would be required. Finally B. adolescentis folate metabolism was studied using a double approach. A quantitative analysis of folate content was complemented by the examination of expression levels of genes involved in folate related pathways. For the normalization process, required to increase the robustness of the qRT-PCR analysis, an appropriate set of reference genes was tested using two different algorithms. Results demonstrate that B.adolescentis strains may represent an endogenous source of natural folate and they could be used to fortify fermented dairy products. This bio-fortification strategy presents many advantages for the consumer, providing native folate forms more bio-available, and not implicated in the discussed controversy concerning the safety of high intake of synthetic folic acid.

The ABCs of membrane transporters in health and disease (SLC series): introduction

The field of transport biology has steadily grown over the past decade and is now recognized as playing an important role in manifestation and treatment of disease. The SLC (solute carrier) gene series has grown to now include 52 families and 395 transporter genes in the human genome. A list of these genes can be found at the HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC) website (see www.genenames.org/genefamilies/SLC). This special issue features mini-reviews for each of these SLC families written by the experts in each field. The existing online resource for solute carriers, the Bioparadigms SLC Tables (www.bioparadigms.org), has been updated and significantly extended with additional information and cross-links to other relevant databases, and the nomenclature used in this database has been validated and approved by the HGNC. In addition, the Bioparadigms SLC Tables functionality has been improved to allow easier access by the scientific community. This introduction includes: an overview of all known SLC and "non-SLC" transporter genes; a list of transporters of water soluble vitamins; a summary of recent progress in the structure determination of transporters (including GLUT1/SLC2A1); roles of transporters in human diseases and roles in drug approval and pharmaceutical perspectives.

Trajectory of Water- and Fat-Soluble Dyes in the Grass-Cutting ant Atta capiguara (Hymenoptera, Formicidae): Evaluation of Infrabuccal Cavity, Post-Pharyngeal Glands and Gaster

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Seasonal variation of soluble carbohydrates and starch in Echinolaena inflexa, a native grass species from the Brazilian savanna, and in the invasive grass Melinis minutiflora

Echinolaena inflexa (Poir.) Chase is an abundant C3 grass species with high biomass production in the Brazilian savanna (cerrado); Melinis minutiflora Beauv. is an African C4 forage grass widespread in cerrado and probably displacing some native herbaceous species. In the present work, we analysed seasonally the content and composition of soluble carbohydrates, the starch amounts and the above-ground biomass (phytomass) of E. inflexa and M. minutiflora plants harvested in two transects at 5 and 130 m from the border in a restrict area of cerrado at the Biological Reserve and Experimental Station of Mogi-Guaçu (SP, Brazil). Results showed that water soluble carbohydrates and starch amounts from the shoots of both species varied according to the time of the year, whilst in the underground organs, variations were observed mainly in relation to the transects. Marked differences in the pattern of the above-ground biomass production between these two grasses relative to their location in the Reserve were also observed, with two peaks of the invasive species (July and January) at the Reserve border. The differences in carbohydrate accumulation, partitioning and composition of individual sugars concerning time of the year and location in the Reserve were more related to the annual growth cycle of both grasses and possibly to specific physiological responses of M. minutiflora to disturbed environments in the Reserve border.