Evaluation of renographic and metabolic parameters in human Kidney transplantation

Background: the aim of this work is to demonstrate that the value of the mean transit time (MTT) obtained from the 99mTc-MAG3 renogram deconvolution is related to the levels of adenine nucleotides determined in cortical biopsies from transplanted kidneys. Methods: the functional state was estimated by means of the MTT and the initial height (H0) of the renal retention function obtained from the 99mTc-MAG3 renogram deconvolution and by the measure of adenine nucleotides obtained from biopsies. We studied 30 kidney graft recipients, 25 normal functioning grafts (NFG) and 5 with acute tubular necrosis (ATN). Results: the MTT is significantly longer for ATN (p < 0.001). The initial uptake values (H0) are significantly lower for ATN (p < 0.001). The sum of adenine nucleotides (SAN) is significantly greater for NFG than for ATN (p < 0.001). The values of the MTT seem to reflect the energy state of the cells in transplanted kidney. Conclusion: the analysis of MTT may be indicative of the functional metabolic recovery and thus it may be predictive of the renal graft function at least in the same extent than the biochemical analysis of a cortical renal biopsy immediately after blood reperfusion of the tissue

Integração numérica de leis de velocidade diferenciais com o uso do SCILAB

In this work, we applied the free open source SCILAB software for the numerical integration of differential rate law equations to obtain the concentration profiles of chemical species involved in the kinetics of some complex reactions. An automated method was applied to construct the system of ordinary differential equations (ODE) from the postulated chemical models. The solutions of the ODEs were obtained numerically by standard SCILAB functions. We successfully simulated even complex chemical systems such as pH oscillators. This communication opens up the possibility of using SCILAB in simulations and modeling by our chemistry undergraduate students

WOOD VINEGAR: CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS, PHYTOTOXIC EFFECTS, AND IMPACTS ON GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

ABSTRACT: Wood vinegar has been used for over a century as a fertilizer and antimicrobial agent, but its impacts on ecosystems are poorly understood; further research is necessary to understand its chemical characteristics and avoid negative impacts. This study assessed the chemical characteristics, phytotoxicity, potential cytotoxicity, and greenhouse gas emissions of wood vinegar made from slow pyrolysis in a hot-tail kiln using cambara wood (Qualea sp.). Incubation experiments with varying concentrations of wood vinegar were established in samples of clayey, loamy, and sandy tropical soils, measuring CO2, N2O, and CH4 over a 120-day period. Toxic effects on the germination, root tips, and meristematic cells of Lactuca sativa were also assessed. The findings confirmed that wood vinegar can function as a chemical fertilizer  and pesticide, as well as a co-solvent for chemicals, particularly in agricultural and pharmaceutical applications, while the phytotoxicity indicated that this substance must be diluted for agricultural uses. Wood vinegar was seen to inhibit CO2 and N2O emissions from loamy and clayey soils, but this effect was not observed in sandy soil. Wood vinegar also blocked cell division in some dilutions, but at concentrations of less than 0.5% it did not present a potential risk to the environment or plants in general. Keywords: pyroligneous acid; biomass; pyrolysis; residues; cytotoxicity.   Vinagre de madeira: características químicas, efeitos fitotóxicos e impactos nas emissões de gases   RESUMO: O vinagre de madeira é usado há mais de um século como fertilizante e agente antimicrobiano, mas seus impactos nos ecossistemas são pouco conhecidos; pesquisas são necessárias para entender suas características e evitar impactos negativos. Este estudo avaliou as características químicas, fitotoxicidade, potencial citotoxicidade e emissões de gases do vinagre de madeira obtido a partir de pirólise lenta em forno de cauda quente utilizando madeira de cambará (Qualea sp.). Experimentos de incubação com concentrações variadas do vinagre foram estabelecidos em amostras de solos tropicais argilosos, textura média e arenosos, medindo CO2, N2O e CH4 durante 120 dias. Efeitos tóxicos no modelo Lactuca sativa também foram avaliados. Os resultados confirmaram que o vinagre de madeira pode funcionar como fertilizante químico e pesticida, bem como um co-solvente para produtos químicos, principalmente em aplicações agrícolas e farmacêuticas, enquanto a fitotoxicidade indicou que essa substância deve ser diluída para uso agrícola. O vinagre de madeira parece inibir as emissões de CO2 e N2O de solos argilosos e argilosos, mas esse efeito não foi observado em solo arenoso. O vinagre de madeira também bloqueou a divisão celular em algumas diluições, mas em concentrações inferiores a 0,5% não apresentou risco potencial ao meio ambiente ou às plantas em geral. Palavras-chave: ácido pirolenhoso; biomassa; pirólise; resíduos; citotoxicidade.ABSTRACT: Wood vinegar has been used for over a century as a fertilizer and antimicrobial agent, but its impacts on ecosystems are poorly understood; further research is necessary to understand its chemical characteristics and avoid negative impacts. This study assessed the chemical characteristics, phytotoxicity, potential cytotoxicity, and greenhouse gas emissions of wood vinegar made from slow pyrolysis in a hot-tail kiln using cambara wood (Qualea sp.). Incubation experiments with varying concentrations of wood vinegar were established in samples of clayey, loamy, and sandy tropical soils, measuring CO2, N2O, and CH4 over a 120-day period. Toxic effects on the germination, root tips, and meristematic cells of Lactuca sativa were also assessed. The findings confirmed that wood vinegar can function as a chemical fertilizer  and pesticide, as well as a co-solvent for chemicals, particularly in agricultural and pharmaceutical applications, while the phytotoxicity indicated that this substance must be diluted for agricultural uses. Wood vinegar was seen to inhibit CO2 and N2O emissions from loamy and clayey soils, but this effect was not observed in sandy soil. Wood vinegar also blocked cell division in some dilutions, but at concentrations of less than 0.5% it did not present a potential risk to the environment or plants in general. Keywords: pyroligneous acid; biomass; pyrolysis; residues; cytotoxicity.   Vinagre de madeira: características químicas, efeitos fitotóxicos e impactos nas emissões de gases   RESUMO: O vinagre de madeira é usado há mais de um século como fertilizante e agente antimicrobiano, mas seus impactos nos ecossistemas são pouco conhecidos; pesquisas são necessárias para entender suas características e evitar impactos negativos. Este estudo avaliou as características químicas, fitotoxicidade, potencial citotoxicidade e emissões de gases do vinagre de madeira obtido a partir de pirólise lenta em forno de cauda quente utilizando madeira de cambará (Qualea sp.). Experimentos de incubação com concentrações variadas do vinagre foram estabelecidos em amostras de solos tropicais argilosos, textura média e arenosos, medindo CO2, N2O e CH4 durante 120 dias. Efeitos tóxicos no modelo Lactuca sativa também foram avaliados. Os resultados confirmaram que o vinagre de madeira pode funcionar como fertilizante químico e pesticida, bem como um co-solvente para produtos químicos, principalmente em aplicações agrícolas e farmacêuticas, enquanto a fitotoxicidade indicou que essa substância deve ser diluída para uso agrícola. O vinagre de madeira parece inibir as emissões de CO2 e N2O de solos argilosos e argilosos, mas esse efeito não foi observado em solo arenoso. O vinagre de madeira também bloqueou a divisão celular em algumas diluições, mas em concentrações inferiores a 0,5% não apresentou risco potencial ao meio ambiente ou às plantas em geral. Palavras-chave: ácido pirolenhoso; biomassa; pirólise; resíduos; citotoxicidade

Carbosilane Dendrimers Loaded with siRNA Targeting Nrf2 as a Tool to Overcome Cisplatin Chemoresistance in Bladder Cancer Cells

The transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is considered as the master regulator of antioxidant and cytoprotective gene expressions. Moreover, it plays a pivotal role in cancer progression. Nrf2 mediates the adaptive response which contributes to the resistance to chemotherapeutic pro-oxidant drugs, such as cisplatin (CDDP), in various tumors, including bladder cancers. For this reason, Nrf2 could be a promising target to overcome chemoresistance. There are several known Nrf2 pharmacological inhibitors; however, most of them are not specific. The use of a specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting the Nrf2 gene (siNrf2) loaded into nanovehicles is an attractive alternative, since it can increase specificity. This study aimed to evaluate the biological activity of siNrf2 loaded on guanidine-terminated carbosilane dendrimers (GCDs) in overcoming CDDP resistance in bladder cancer cells with a high level of Nrf2. Parameters such as viability, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and oxidative stress level were taken into account. Results demonstrated that siNrf2-GCD treatment sensitized CDDP-resistant cells to CDDP treatment. Moreover, data obtained by treating the non-cancerous human kidney HK-2 cell line strongly suggest a good safety profile of the carbosilane dendrimers loaded with siNrf2. In conclusion, we suggest that siNrf2-GCD is a promising drug delivery system for gene therapy to be used in vivo; and it may represent an important tool in the therapy of CDDP-resistant cancer

VALUATING PATENTS GENERATED BY PUBLIC RESEARCH CENTERS WITH THE AHP TECHNIQUE

ABSTRACT The technology transfer offices (TTO) of public research centers seek to support researchers who have developed patents of commercial value which may attract companies interested in exploiting them. The problem faced by each institution&apos;s TTO is how to determine the value of those patents that could eventually lead to signing a satisfactory agreement between the institution and the company interested in the patent The valuation of patents is a complex problem because it depends on the context the patent is developed and on multiple criteria associated with the knowledge area to which it belongs. The main assumption of the present paper is whether the AHP method can be applied to help solve this problem, based on a previous experience in which the research group successfully applied the same approach to value tangible assets (properties, agricultural and industrial parcels, parks, ...). The methodological approach presented in this paper will allow TTOs to optimize the techniques used to value patents and make this process more systematic, traceable and transparent

Rendimiento diagnóstico de repetir la biopsia guiada por ultrasonido endoscópico después de una primera biopsia negativa en pacientes con lesiones no pancreáticas

ResumenIntroducciónEl ultrasonido endoscópico has sido un método útil para la evaluación de la enfermedad pancreatobiliar por más de una década, sin embargo no es un escenario raro el encontrar resultados patológicos no concluyentes en el tejido obtenido para el diagnóstico. Entre los factores que alteran el rendimiento diagnóstico se encuentran la experiencia del endosonografista, el volumen de procedimientos realizados, el tipo, el tamaño y la localización, entre otros. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el rendimiento diagnóstico de la segunda USE-BAAF en las lesiones no pancreáticas.Material y métodosSe realizó un estudio retrospectivo y transversal. Se incluyeron pacientes >18 años a los que se les realizó USE-BAAF durante el periodo de 8 años.ResultadosSe realizaron 150 procedimientos en 132 pacientes con lesiones no pancreáticas. Finalmente, el diagnóstico se logró por USE-BAAF en 114/132 pacientes, para un rendimiento diagnóstico global de 86.63%. En total, la mediana (intervalo mínimo-máximo) de biopsias fue de 1 (1-5). El rendimiento diagnóstico de la primera USE-BAAF fue de 77.3% (102/132). Se realizó una segunda biopsia en 16/132 (12.1%) pacientes. Con la segunda USE-BAAF se observó un aumento del rendimiento global a 113/132 pacientes (11/16=68.7%; global 85.6%). No se observaron complicaciones.ConclusiónEl repetir la USE-BAAF en lesiones no pancreáticas es necesario en pacientes con una primera negativa USE-BAAF, ya que mejora el rendimiento diagnóstico.AbstractIntroductionEndoscopic ultrasound has been a useful method for the evaluation of pancreatobiliary pathology for more than a decade, however it is not unusual to find inconclusive pathological results in tissue obtained for diagnosis. The factors affecting diagnostic performance include; endosonographist experience, the volume of procedures performed, type, size and location, amongst others. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the second EUS-FNA in non-pancreatic lesions.Material and methodsA retrospective cross-sectional study that includedpatients>18 years who underwent EUS-FNA over a period of 8 years.Results150 procedures were performed in 132 patients with non-pancreatic lesions. Finally, the diagnosis was obtained by EUS-FNA in 114/132 patients for a diagnostic yield of 86.6%. In total, the biopsy median (minimum/maximum interval) was 1 (1-5). The diagnostic yield of the first EUS-FNA was 77.3% (102/132). With the second EUS-FNA 11/16 patients had a histological diagnosis (11/16=68.7%; global 85.6%). No complications were reported.ConclusionRepeat EUS-FNA in patients with non-pancreatic lesions is necessary in patients with a first negative EUS-FNA because it improves the diagnostic yield

Fijación biológica del nitrógeno como estrategia alternativa a la producción industrial de fertilizantes nitrogenados

La creciente aplicación de fertilizantes nitrogenados es uno de los factores clave para responder a la demanda progresiva de alimentos a nivel mundial. La reciente diversificación de la agricultura para la producción de agrobiocombustibles ha incrementado la demanda de este insumo. El proceso industrial de Harber-Bosch constituye en la actualidad la principal fuente de fertilizantes nitrogenados y consume aproximadamente el 2% de la energía mundial. En contraposición con los beneficios que la síntesis química de fertilizantes ha representado para la Humanidad, su uso desmedido en los países más desarrollados y emergentes ocasiona una diversidad de efectos detrimentales para el medioambiente. Por otra parte, los países menos desarrollados tienen acceso restringido a este insumo y sufren la baja productividad de sus cultivos.El cultivo de microalgas representa una alternativa promisoria como complemento a la agricultura para la producción de alimentos, biocombustibles y biomateriales. Sin embargo, dado el alto contenido de nitrógeno de la biomasa algal, su cultivo masivo representaría una práctica inviable si no se contemplan alternativas a la aplicación convencional de fertilizantes.La fijación biológica del nitrógeno consiste en la biosíntesis de amonio a partir del nitrógeno del aire y representa una forma natural de fertilización nitrogenada. La aplicación de bioinoculantes conteniendo bacterias fijadoras de nitrógeno se viene utilizando exitosamente desde hace décadas en el cultivo de leguminosas. La gran especificidad de esta interacción planta-bacteria limita una mayor versatilidad de los inoculantes.En nuestro laboratorio desarrollamos prototipos de inoculantes bacterianos de amplio espectro. La mayor parte de los mismos utilizan a la bacteria modelo Azotobacter vinelandii, en la cual se combinan diferentes mutaciones por medio de herramientas de ingeniería genética que contribuyen a la desviación del flujo fisiológico del nitrógeno para optimizar la excreción de amonio como fertilizante nitrogenado de óptima calidad. Estas bacterias biofertilizantes permitieron el reemplazo de una parte sustancial del fertilizante químico cuando fueron introducidas en el cultivo de microlgas hiperproductoras de aceite, como materia prima para biodiesel. En estos modelos de sistemas productivos, la energía necesaria para la fijación del nitrógeno proviene de productos de desecho ricos en energía que producen las microalgas, estableciéndose una estrecha relación funcional entre el cultivo y el inoculante.Otro desarrollo del laboratorio consiste en la obtención a bajo costo y procesamiento de biomasa de cianobacterias fijadoras de nitrógeno para la producción de un biofertilizante nitrogenado natural, el cual mejoró el rendimiento de biomasa algal en relación a los fertilizantes convencionales.En el futuro inmediato el laboratorio se dispone a la optimización de estos inoculantes y a expandir su potencial campo de aplicación a otros cultivos, incluyendo plantas de interés agronómico.Fil: Ortiz Marquez, Juan César Federico. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Arruebarrena Di Palma, Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Ambrosio, Rafael. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Inchaurrondo, Joaquín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Curatti, Leonardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología; Argentin

Avanços na Detecção Precoce e Tratamento de Câncer de Ovário: Uma análise dos métodos mais recentes de diagnóstico e abordagens terapêuticas

Ovarian cancer is one of the most significant challenges in oncology due to its frequently late diagnosis and high mortality rates. This review examines recent advances in the early detection and treatment of ovarian cancer, focusing on innovations in diagnostic methods and therapeutic approaches. In diagnosis, the emphasis is on the development of more precise biomarkers, advancements in imaging techniques, and the application of artificial intelligence to enhance early detection. In treatment, the emergence of targeted therapies, such as PARP inhibitors and immunotherapy, is highlighted, especially in patients with specific genetic profiles. The review also addresses the importance of personalized therapeutic strategies and discusses the challenges related to treatment resistance and access to therapeutic advances. It is concluded that, although there has been significant progress, there are still challenges to be overcome, including the need for greater accessibility and equality in the treatment and diagnosis of ovarian cancer.O câncer de ovário é um dos desafios mais significativos na oncologia devido ao seu diagnóstico frequentemente tardio e taxas elevadas de mortalidade. Esta revisão analisa os avanços recentes na detecção precoce e no tratamento do câncer de ovário, focando em inovações em métodos diagnósticos e abordagens terapêuticas. No diagnóstico, a ênfase recai sobre o desenvolvimento de biomarcadores mais precisos, avanços em técnicas de imagem e a aplicação da inteligência artificial para aprimorar a detecção precoce. No tratamento, destaca-se a emergência de terapias direcionadas, como inibidores de PARP e imunoterapia, especialmente em pacientes com perfis genéticos específicos. A revisão também aborda a importância de estratégias terapêuticas personalizadas e discute os desafios relacionados à resistência ao tratamento e acesso aos avanços terapêuticos. Conclui-se que, embora haja progressos significativos, ainda há desafios a serem superados, incluindo a necessidade de maior acessibilidade e igualdade no tratamento e diagnóstico do câncer de ovário