One step forward towards the development of eco-friendly antifouling coatings: Immobilization of a sulfated marine-inspired compound

Marine biofouling represents a global economic and ecological challenge and few eco-friendly antifouling agents are available. The aim of this work was to establish the proof of concept that a recently synthesized nature-inspired compound (gallic acid persulfate, GAP) can act as an eco-friendly and effective antifoulant when immobilized in coatings through a non-release strategy, promoting a long-lasting antifouling effect. The synthesis of GAP was optimized to provide quantitative yields. GAP water solubility was assessed, showing values higher than 1000 mg/mL. GAP was found to be stable in sterilized natural seawater with a half-life (DT50) of 7 months. GAP was immobilized into several commercial coatings, exhibiting high compatibility with different polymeric matrices. Leaching assays of polydimethylsiloxane and polyurethane-based marine coatings containing GAP confirmed that the chemical immobilization of GAP was successful, since releases up to fivefold lower than the conventional releasing systems of polyurethane-based marine coatings were observed. Furthermore, coatings containing immobilized GAP exhibited the most auspicious anti-settlement effect against Mytilus galloprovincialis larvae for the maximum exposure period (40 h) in laboratory trials. Overall, GAP promises to be an agent capable of improving the antifouling activity of several commercial marine coatings with desirable environmental properties.This research was funded by national funds through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) within the scope of research unit grants to CIIMAR (UIDB/04423/2020 and UIDP/04423/2020), to BioISI (UIDB/04046/2020 and UIDP/04046/2020) and under the project PTDC/AAG-TEC/0739/2014 (reference POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016793) supported through national funds provided by FCT and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) via the Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade (POFC/COMPETE) programme and the Reforçar a Investigação, o Desenvolvimento Tecnológico e a Inovação (RIDTI; project 9471)

Performance And Economic Analysis Of Finished Lambs In Feedlot

This study aimed to evaluate animal performance and economic performance of feedlot crossbred lambs (Santa Inês+ - Suffolk) fed different diets based on hay from Cynodon dactylon genotypes, through the use of financial measures considering only the period of feedlot, without relating it to the complete management cycle. A total of 30 intact crossbred Suffolk lambs, identified with earrings, with an average age of 90 days and an average body weight of 21.5 kg were used in this study. Diets were formulated using as treatments a standard concentrate and hay of the Cynodon dactylon genotypes Jiggs, Vaquero, Tifton 68, Coast-Cross, Tifton 85 and Russell in a 60:40 forage-to-concentrate ratio. The treatments were distributed in a randomized complete block design with five replicates. There were significant differences between diets in terms of total expenditure on food, and the highest values were obtained for the Jiggs genotype (BRL 48.96/animal). The animals fed diets based on Tifton 68 hay had a higher rate of return (2.16%) and profitability (34.63%) compared to the other diets. The use of diets based on Tifton 68 hay for feedlot lambs in the finishing phase brings higher economic returns compared to the remaining diets.37129330

Solar Intranetwork Magnetic Elements: bipolar flux appearance

The current study aims to quantify characteristic features of bipolar flux appearance of solar intranetwork (IN) magnetic elements. To attack such a problem, we use the Narrow-band Filter Imager (NFI) magnetograms from the Solar Optical Telescope (SOT) on board \emph{Hinode}; these data are from quiet and an enhanced network areas. Cluster emergence of mixed polarities and IN ephemeral regions (ERs) are the most conspicuous forms of bipolar flux appearance within the network. Each of the clusters is characterized by a few well-developed ERs that are partially or fully co-aligned in magnetic axis orientation. On average, the sampled IN ERs have total maximum unsigned flux of several 10^{17} Mx, separation of 3-4 arcsec, and a lifetime of 10-15 minutes. The smallest IN ERs have a maximum unsigned flux of several 10^{16} Mx, separations less than 1 arcsec, and lifetimes as short as 5 minutes. Most IN ERs exhibit a rotation of their magnetic axis of more than 10 degrees during flux emergence. Peculiar flux appearance, e.g., bipole shrinkage followed by growth or the reverse, is not unusual. A few examples show repeated shrinkage-growth or growth-shrinkage, like magnetic floats in the dynamic photosphere. The observed bipolar behavior seems to carry rich information on magneto-convection in the sub-photospheric layer.Comment: 26 pages, 14 figure

Effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor and LDL receptor-related protein 1 (LRP-1) receptor in locally advanced breast cancer

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors are overexpressed in most neoplastic cell lines and provide a mechanism for the internalization and concentration of drug-laden nanoemulsions that bind to these receptors. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the administration of standard chemotherapeutic schemes can alter the expression of LDL and LDL receptor-related protein 1 (LRP-1) receptors in breast carcinoma. Fragments of tumoral and normal breast tissue from 16 consecutive volunteer women with breast cancer in stage II or III were obtained from biopsies before the beginning of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and after chemotherapy, from fragments excised during mastectomy. Tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for both receptors. Because complete response to treatment was achieved in 4 patients, only the tumors from 12 were analyzed. Before chemotherapy, there was overexpression of LDL receptor in the tumoral tissue compared to normal breast tissue in 8 of these patients. LRP-1 receptor overexpression was observed in tumors of 4 patients. After chemotherapy, expression of both receptors decreased in the tumors of 6 patients, increased in 4 and was unchanged in 2. Nonetheless, even when chemotherapy reduced receptors expression, the expression was still above normal. The fact that chemotherapy does not impair LDL receptors expression supports the use of drug carrier systems that target neoplastic cells by the LDL receptor endocytic pathway in patients on conventional chemotherapy

COMUNIDADE DE PRÁTICAS EMANCIPATÓRIAS: PRÁTICAS TERRITORIAIS VOLTADAS PARA A INFÂNCIA-JUVENTUDE NO MUNICÍPIO DE PELOTAS, RIO GRANDE DO SUL.

Introdução: levando-se em conta a vulnerabilidade e a condição infanto-juvenil no território Dunas, docentes do núcleo de Terapia Ocupacional Social da UFPel propuseram a criação de uma “comunidade de práticas emancipatórias” CoPE, a fim de fomentar alternativas de pesquisa, formação e extensão que perseguissem a democratização do bem público universitário por meio de práticas coletivas. Objetivo: relatar as experiências territoriais desenvolvidas junto às escolas e UBS, destinadas à infância/juventude. Metodologia: Elegeu-se a pesquisa-ação emancipatória (PAE), que tem como finalidade a produção de saberes implicados com a transformação social, por meio de processo educativo facilitador, resguardando a participação radical das pessoas envolvidas e o desenvolvimento de consciências críticas. Processos: foram empregadas diferentes técnicas, como as caminhadas, reuniões com equipamentos públicos e lideranças sociais, oficinas de atividades, dinâmicas e projetos, rodas formativas. Conclusões: As ações realizadas até o presente momento, proporcionaram, simultaneamente, a produção de saberes sobre o território, bem como (re)conhecimentos entre atores, com vistas à consolidação de uma comunidade de práticas. O estímulo à participação social de todos os atores aconteceu mediante as estratégias de deflagração da realidade e convite ao engajamento nos problemas coletivos

Alterations In The Achilles Tendon After Inflammation In Surrounding Tissue

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of the Achilles tendon of rats after induction of localized inflammation in the rat paw. Methods: In our study three groups were used: inflamed group with carrageenan in rat paw (G1); saline group (G2) and control group (G3). After 4 hours the animals were euthanized and the Achilles tendon removed. Results: No significant differences were observed in the analysis of non-collagenous proteins, glycosaminoglycans and hydroxyproline in the groups but a tendency of reduction was verified in G1. As regards the organization of collagen molecules, no differences were observed between groups. With respect to MMPs activity, a stronger presence of the active isoform of MMP-2 in G1 was observed, suggesting that the remodeling was occurring. Conclusion: Thus, we conclude that the inflammatory process in rat paw may affect the remodeling of tendons located near the inflamed site.205266269Maffulli, N., Kader, D., Tendinopathy of tendo Achillis (2002) J Bone Joint Surg Br, 84 (1), pp. 1-8Maffulli, N., Rupture of the Achilles tendon (1999) J Bone Joint Surg Am, 81 (7), pp. 1019-1036Järvinen, T.A., Kannus, P., Maffulli, N., Khan, K.M., Achilles tendon disorders: etiology and epidemiology (2005) Foot Ankle Clin, 10 (2), pp. 255-266Oliveira, F.S., Pinfildi, C.E., Parizoto, N.A., Liebano, R.E., Bossini, P.S., Garcia, E.B., Effect of low level laser therapy (830 nm) with different therapyregimes on the process of tissue repair in partial lesion calcaneous tendon (2009) Lasers Surg Med, 41 (4), pp. 271-276Karousou, E., Ronga, M., Vigetti, D., Passi, A., Maffulli, N., Collagens, proteoglycans, MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMPs in human Achilles tendon rupture (2008) Clin Orthop Relat Res, 466 (7), pp. 1577-1582Riley, G., Matrix metalloproteinase activities and their relationship with collagen remodelling in tendon pathology (2002) Matrix Biol, 21 (2), pp. 185-195Dario, B.E., Barquilha, G., Marques, R.M., Lesões esportivas: um estudo com atletas de basquetebol Bauruense (2010) Rev Bras Cienc Esporte, 31 (3), pp. 205-215Vieira, C.P., Aro, A.A., Almeida, M.S., de Mello, G.C., Antunes, E., Pimentel, E.R., Effects of acute inflammation induced in the rat paw on the deep digital flexor tendon (2012) Connect Tissue Res, 53 (2), pp. 160-168Tillander, B., Franzén, L.E., Nilsson, E., Norlin, R., Carrageenan-induced subacromial bursitis caused changes in the rat's rotator cuff (2001) J Orthop Res, 19 (3), pp. 441-447Winter, C.A., Risley, E.A., Nuss, G.W., Carrageenin-induced edema in hind paw of the rat as an assay for antiiflammatory drugs (1962) Proc Soc Exp Biol Med, 111, pp. 544-547Bradford, M.M., A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding (1976) Anal Biochem, 72, pp. 248-254Farndale, R.W., Buttle, D.J., Barrett, A.J., Improved quantitation and discrimination of sulphated glycosaminoglycans by use of dimethylmethylene blue (1986) Biochim Biophys Acta, 883 (2), pp. 173-177Marqueti, R.C., Parizotto, N.A., Chriguer, R.S., Perez, S.E., Selistre-de-Araujo, H.S.A., ndrogenic-anabolic steroids associated with mechanical loading inhibit matrix metallopeptidase activity and affect the remodeling of the achilles tendon in rats (2006) Am J Sports Med, 34 (8), pp. 1274-1280Vidal, B.C., Mello, M.L., Supramolecular order following binding of the dichroic birefringent sulfonic dye Ponceau SS to collagen fibers (2005) Biopolymers, 78 (3), pp. 121-128Riley, G., Tendinopathy:from basic science to treatment (2008) Nat Clin Pract Rheumatol, 4 (2), pp. 82-89Szabo, K.A., Ablin, R.J., Singhingh, G., Matrix metalloproteinases and the immune response (2004) Clin Appl Immun Rev, 4, pp. 295-319Chakraborti, S., Mandal, M., Das, S., Mandal, A., Chakraborti, T., Regulation of matrix metalloproteinases: an overview (2003) Mol Cell Biochem, 253 (1-2), pp. 269-285Magra, M., Maffulli, N., Matrix metalloproteases: a role in overuse tendinopathies (2005) Br J Sports Med, 39 (11), pp. 789-791Clutterbuck, A.L., Harris, P., Allaway, D., Mobasheri, A., Matrix metalloproteinases in inflammatory pathologies of the horse (2010) Vet J, 183 (1), pp. 27-38Marsolais, D., Duchesne, E., Côté, C.H., Frenette, J., Inflammatory cells do not decrease the ultimate tensile strength of intact tendons in vivo and in vitro: protective role of mechanical loading (2007) J Appl Physiol, 102 (1), pp. 11-1