Technological Applications of Porphyrins and Related Compounds: Spintronics and Micro-/Nanomotors

The vital role played by porphyrins in cells and their use in therapeutic processes are well known. More recently, the technological applications of porphyrins have attracted the attention of researchers. Porphyrins have the property of half-metallic material, i.e., molecules that can host transition metals making feasible the production of spin-polarized electronic states at different channels. Therefore, porphyrins and hemeproteins are among the materials that have spin-filtering property to be applied in spintronics. Molecular spintronics is an emerging and highly relevant field due to their applications to the development of high-capacity information-storage devices and quantum computers. The catalytic properties of porphyrins and related compounds such as the hemeproteins are also applicable in the fabrication of micro-/nanomotors (MNMs). In this chapter, we describe the advances and future perspectives in the technological applications of porphyrins and related compounds in spintronic devices and micro-/nanomotors

Availability of timber housing construction techniques in Brazil

Se analiza la representatividad de las viviendas hechas en madera, en Brasil, indicando el porcentaje de cada técnica constructiva según la oferta de las empresas evaluadas. Los porcentajes que evidencian la frecuencia de utilización de las técnicas de construcción en madera fueron medidos por medio de dos metodologías aplicadas en las empresas: encuesta por entrevistas personales a sus propietarios y búsqueda de datos en sus sitios web. El método de encuestas por entrevistas evaluó 107 empresas brasileñas, y el de búsqueda en los sitios web alcanzó 207 empresas; se consiguió 50,95 y 98,57 %, respectivamente, de la población estimada. A pesar de esta diferencia, ambos métodos demostraron un escenario similar. Las entrevistas presentaron mayores costos de aplicación. Las técnicas contemporáneas están disponibles en más del 90 % de los productores brasileros. Las casas de tablas horizontales clavadas y las casas de tablas horizontales entre pilares fueron las que tuvieron mayores ofertas.This paper analyzes the representativeness of timber housing in Brazil, identifying the percentage of construction techniques offered by each evaluated company. Percentages that evidence the frequency of use of wooden building techniques were measured using two methods applied in the companies: survey through face-to-face interviews with owners and data search on their websites. The survey through interviews evaluated 107 Brazilian companies, while the data search included 207 companies, obtaining 50.95% and 98.57% of the estimated population, respectively. In spite of this difference, both methods showed a similar scenario. Interviews evidenced higher application costs. Contemporary techniques are available in more than 90% of Brazilian constructors. Houses with nailed horizontal boards and houses with horizontal wooden boards between columns were offered the most

Clinical effectiveness and safety of analogue glargine in type 1 diabetes : systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION: The use of insulin analogues for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is widespread; however, the therapeutic benefits still require further evaluation given their higher costs. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Analogue Glargine (AG) compared to Recombinant DNA insulin (rDNA) in patients with DM1 in observational studies, building on previous reviews of RCTs comparing NPH insulin and AG. METHODS: A systematic review (SR) with meta-analysis. The SR included cohort studies and registries available on PUBMED, LILACS, and CENTRAL as well as manual and gray literature searches. The meta-analysis was conducted in Review Manager ® 5.2 software. The primary outcomes were: glycohemoglobin (Hb1Ac), weight gain and hypoglycemia. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RESULTS: Out of 796 publications, 11 studies were finally included. The meta-analysis favored AG in Hb1Ac outcomes (adult patients) and hypoglycemic episodes (p <0.05), but without reaching glycemic control (Hb1Ac to approximately 7%). The methodological quality of the studies was moderate, noting that 45% of studies were funded by pharmaceutical companies. CONCLUSION: Given the high heterogeneity of the studies, the discrete value presented by the estimated effect on effectiveness and safety, potential conflicts of interest of the studies and the appreciable higher cost of AG, there is still no support for recommending first line therapy with analogues. The role of analogues in the treatment DM1 could be better determined by further observational studies of good methodological quality to assess their long-term effectiveness, safety as well as cost-effectiveness

Quality of Life of Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Using Insulin Analog Glargine Compared with NPH Insulin: A Systematic Review and Policy Implications

INTRODUCTION: Insulin analogue glargine (GLA) has been available as one of the therapeutic options for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus to enhance glycemic control. Studies have shown that a decrease in the frequency of hypoglycemia episodes improves the Quality of Life (QoL) of diabetic patients. However, there are appreciable acquisition cost differences between different insulins. Consequently, a need to assess their impact on QoL to provide future guidance to health authorities. METHOD: A Systematic review (SR) of multiple databases including Medline, LILACS, Cochrane and EMBASE databases with several combinations of agreed terms involving randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohorts, as well as manual searches and gray literature was undertaken. The primary outcome measure was a change in QoL. The quality of the studies and the risk of bias was also assessed. RESULTS: Eight studies were eventually included in the systematic review out of 634 publications. Eight different QoL instruments were used (2 generic, 2 mixed and 4 specific), in which the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQs) was the most used. The systematic review did not consistently show any significant difference overall in QoL scores whether as part of subsets or combined into a single score with the use of GLA versus NPH insulin. Only in patients’ satisfaction measured by DTSQ was a better result consistently seen with GLA versus NPH insulin but not using the WED scale. However, none of the cohort studies scored a maximum on the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for quality and they generally were of moderate quality with bias in the studies. CONCLUSION: There was no consistent difference in QoL or patient reported outcomes when the findings from the eight studies were collated. In view of this, we believe the current price differential between GLA and NPH insulin in Brazil cannot be justified by these findings

PEQUI: uma proposta de ensino de química para o ensino médio.

A química é uma ciência que se preocupa em entender o mundo, interage com a sociedade de diversas formas e está presente em nosso dia a dia. Diante disso, é importante mostrar aos alunos fenômenos do cotidiano, propiciando formas de inserir o estudante em seu ambiente cultural. Isso pode ser possível através da abordagem temática utilizando o pequi, acredita-se que o uso de um tema presente no dia a dia dos alunos facilita a assimilação de conceitos e estimula a aprendizagem. Diante desse pressuposto, o trabalho visou à elaboração de propostas de ensino de química para o ensino médio, buscando a sugestão de aulas contextualizadas. Para o desenvolvimento do trabalho foi feita uma investigação bibliográfica da composição química do pequi e suas propriedades terapêuticas, as quais foram relacionadas a conteúdos químicos. Observou-se que o pequi é uma ferramenta pra o ensino e aprendizado em química, tema pelo qual o professor poderá abordar para ensinar conteúdos desta ciência de forma contextualizada

Efeito da equoterapia no equilíbrio postural de idosos

OBJETIVO: Verificar se a equoterapia é capaz de produzir alterações no equilíbrio de idosos. MÉTODOS: Desenvolveu-se um estudo experimental controlado. A amostra foi composta de 17 idosos, divididos em grupo experimental (GE), sete sujeitos e grupo controle (GC), dez sujeitos. A aquisição dos dados da estabilometria foi realizada por meio da plataforma de força da marca AMTI (Force Measurement Systems). Para análise clínica do equilíbrio sentado, transferências de sentado para a posição em pé, estabilidade na deambulação e mudanças do curso da marcha, utilizou-se o teste Timed Up and Go (TUG). Foram realizadas 16 sessões de equoterapia. RESULTADOS: Na comparação das médias entre os grupos por meio do teste de Mann-Whitney, não houve diferença significativa nos parâmetros estabilométricos analisados. Já na comparação das médias intragrupo por meio do teste de Wilcoxon, verificou-se aumento significante sobre as variáveis COPy e área (p=0,02). Nas médias entre o GE e o GC, por meio do teste de Mann-Whitney para análise do teste TUG, verificou-se efeito significante (p=0,04) da equoterapia. Na comparação das médias intragrupo pelo teste de Wilcoxon, verificou-se efeito significante (p=0,04) sobre a variável TUG. CONCLUSÕES: A senescência tende a normalizar as medidas estabilométricas, sendo insuficiente, com esse número de sessões de equoterapia, apontar diferenças ligadas a essa intervenção. No entanto, essa frequência de tratamento foi suficiente como preditor de menor risco de quedas em idosos, uma vez que o teste de TUG mostrou diminuição significativa do tempo necessário para executá-lo. Artigo registrado no Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) sob o número ACTRN12610000534088.OBJECTIVE: To determine whether equine-assisted therapy (hippotherapy) produces alterations in the balance of the elderly. METHODS: The sample included 17 older adults who were divided into experimental (7 subjects) and control (10 subjects) groups. Stabilometry data were acquired with a force platform. The Timed Up and Go test (TUG) was used for clinical analysis of seated balance, transfer from a seated to a standing position, walking stability and changes in gait. Sixteen equine-assisted therapy sessions were carried out. RESULTS: Mann-Witney was used to compare the means between groups and no significant differences were found in the analyzed stabilometric parameters. In intragroup comparison with the Wilcoxon test, a significant increase in the variables COPy and Area (p=0.02) was observed. Equine-assisted therapy significantly affected (p=0.04) TUG test means between the experimental and control groups (Mann-Witney). Intragroup TUG test means were also significantly affected (p=0.04) according to the Wilcoxon test. CONCLUSIONS: Because senescence tends to normalize stabilometric measures, the number of equine-assisted therapy sessions was insufficient to determine any differences. Nevertheless, the significant improvement in TUG test scores demonstrates that this treatment frequency was a predictor of reduced fall risk in the elderly. Article registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) under number ACTRN12610000534088

Reutilizar purines de tambo como oportunidad para reciclar nitrógeno y reducir su impacto ambiental

Los purines de tambo (excretas mezcladas con agua de las instalaciones de ordeñe) se pueden reutilizar en la producción agrícola como reemplazo de los fertilizantes sintéticos. Sin embargo, su alta concentración nitrogenada podría estimular la volatilización de amoníaco (NH3 ) y la emisión de óxido nitroso (N2 O), con consecuencias sobre el calentamiento global. Nuestros objetivos fueron cuantificar las salidas de NH3 y N2 O en un cultivo de maíz fertilizado con purín o urea aplicados superficialmente y relacionar las emisiones de N2 O con los cambios en el contenido de amonio, nitrato y agua del suelo. Se realizó un experimento manipulativo a campo en el que se midieron ambas salidas gaseosas durante una campaña agrícola. El purín estimuló la volatilización de NH3 al día siguiente de la aplicación (2.7±0.25 vs. 1.1±0.25 y 0.6±0.25 kg N-NH3 .ha-1.dia-1 para purín, urea y control, respectivamente), y la emisión directa de N2 O durante los tres días siguientes a la aplicación (75±13 vs. 28±5 y 26±6 µg N-N2 O. m-2.h-1 para purín, urea y control, respectivamente). A partir del cuarto día, la volatilización de NH3 fue mayor con urea y las emisiones de N2 O se equipararon entre tratamientos. La volatilización acumulada durante el ciclo de maíz fue mayor con urea, y la emisión directa de N2 O acumulada fue similar para ambos fertilizantes. Las emisiones de N2 O estuvieron asociadas a la humedad del suelo, que aumentó inicialmente por el agua del purín y luego por las lluvias. Las salidas de NH3 +N2 O de los fertilizantes luego de descontar el control fueron mayores con urea que con purín (10.8±1.2 y 3.1±0.7 kg N/ha o 0.53±0.06 y 0.18±0.04 kg N/t MS), y el rendimiento de maíz fue similar entre tratamientos (19.0±0.7 t MS/ha). Estos resultados muestran que el uso de purines es una práctica promisoria para reducir el impacto ambiental de los fertilizantes sintéticos.Dairy cattle slurry (liquid mixture of manure and water from the milking operation) can be reused for agricultural production in replacement for synthetic fertilizers. However, its high nitrogen (N) concentration could stimulate the volatilization of ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emission, with consequences for global warming. Our objectives were: to quantify NH3 and N2O loss in maize fertilized with surface-applied dairy cattle slurry or urea, and to relate N2O emission with soil ammonium, nitrate and water contents. We performed a manipulative field experiment where we measured both gaseous losses during an agricultural campaign. Slurry enhanced NH3 volatilization the day after the application (2.7±0.25 vs. 1.1±0.25 and 0.6±0.25 kg N-NH3 .ha-1 .day-1 for slurry, urea and the control, respectively) and direct N2O emission during three days after the application (75±13 vs. 28±5 y 26±6 μg N-N2O .m-2 .h-1 for slurry, urea and the control, respectively). Four days after application, volatilization was higher with urea and N2O emissions were similar between treatments. The loss of NH3 accumulated throughout the maize growing season was higher for urea than for slurry, and the accumulated N2O emission was similar for both fertilizers. Nitrous oxide emissions were related to soil water content, initially introduced with slurry and then with rainfall. The loss of NH3+N2O from the fertilizers after subtracting that of the control, was higher after the application of urea than slurry (10.8±1.2 and 3.1±0.7 kg N/ha or 0.53±0.06 and 0.18±0.04 kg N/t MS), and maize yield was similar for both fertilization treatments (19.0±0.7 t MS/ha). These results show that fertilization with dairy cattle slurry is a promising practice because it has a lower environmental footprint compared to synthetic fertilizers.EEA PergaminoFil: Portela, Silvina Isabel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Pergamino. Laboratorio de Suelos; ArgentinaFil: Araujo, Patricia Inés. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Pergamino. Laboratorio de Suelo; ArgentinaFil: Araujo, Patricia Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Restovich, Silvina B. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Pergamino. Laboratorio de Suelos; ArgentinaFil: Della Chiesa, Tomas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; ArgentinaFil: Della Chiesa, Tomas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Catedra de Climatología y Fenología Agrícolas; ArgentinaFil: Ponsa, Juliana M. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Escuela de Ciencias Agrarias, Naturales y Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: Peña Ballesteros, Andrea. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Escuela de Ciencias Agrarias, Naturales y Ambientales; Argentin

Quinquangulin and Rubrofusarin: A Spectroscopy Study

In this work, excitation and emission spectra were evaluated in order to elucidate the properties of quinguangulin and rubrofusarin in water/ethanol mixture. The study demonstrates that the maximum excitation wavelength can be significantly modulated changing the proportion of organic solvent in the water/organic solvent system. Quinquangulin presented the higher wavelength of maximum excitation in an ethanol-water mixture containing 70% of water. Probably, the organization between ethanol and water molecules in this condition favors the formation of strong polar interactions with the pi* orbitals of naphthopyrones. It is interesting to register that the additional methyl group in quinquangulin seems to develop a decisive function related to the ability to formation of hydrogen bonds, altering significantly the mechanism of solute-solvent interaction. This work, which involves both theoretical and experimental analyses, demonstrates the relevance of the studies focused on solvent mixtures as well as emphasizes the potential of quinguangulin and rubrofusarin as photosensitizers.FAPESPFundacao AraucariaFAPEMIGCNPqCAPESUniv Fed Sao Joao Del Rei, Dept Zootecnia DEZOO, Campus Dom Bosco, BR-36301160 Sao Joao Del Rei, MG, BrazilUniv Vale Paraiba, Ave Shishima Hifumi 2911, BR-12244000 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Quim, Rua Prof Arthur Riedel 275, BR-09972270 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Uberlandia, Inst Quim, Lab Fotoquim & Ciencia Mat, Uberlandia, MG, BrazilUniv Fed Goias, Dept Quim, Campus Catalao, Catalao, Go, BrazilUniv Estadual Maringa, Dept Quim, Av Colombo 5790,Zona 07, BR-87020900 Maringa, Parana, BrazilUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Campus Macae,Rua Aloisio da Silva Gomes 50, BR-27930560 Rio De Janeiro, BrazilUniv Estadual Campinas, Inst Quim, BR-13083970 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Rio Grande, Escola Quim & Alimentos, Campus Carreiros Pavilhao Quim, BR-96201900 Rio Grande, RS, BrazilUniv Fed ABC, Ctr Engn Modelagem & Ciencias Sociais Aplicadas, Ave Estados 500, BR-09210580 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed ABC, Ctr Ciencias Nat & Humanas, Ave Estados 5001, BR-09210580 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Quim, Rua Prof Arthur Riedel 275, BR-09972270 Sao Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 06/56701-3Fundacao AraucariaFAPEMIGCNPq: 474019/2012-8CNPq: 303872/2009-8CAPESWeb of Scienc

The clinical effectiveness of insulin glargine in patients with Type I diabetes in Brazil: findings and implications

Aims: Published studies have challenged the cost-effectiveness of insulin glargine versus NPH insulins in Brazil with limited evidence of increased effectiveness despite considerably higher acquisition costs. However, still a controversy. Consequently, a need to address this. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of type 1 diabetes patients receiving insulin glargine in Brazil following NPH insulin who met the criteria. Results: 580 patients were enrolled. HbA1c varied from 8.80 ± 1.98% in NPH insulin users to 8.54 ± 1.88% after insulin glargine for six months, which is not clinically significant. Frequency of glycemic control varied from 22.6% with NPH insulin to 26.2% with insulin glargine. No statistically significant difference was observed between controlled and still uncontrolled groups for all analyzed factors including type and frequency of insulin use and carbohydrate counting. Conclusions: Limited differences between NPH insulins and insulin analogues in routine clinical care does not justify an appreciable cost difference