Interrelationship between serum and sputum inflammatory mediators in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Little is known about airway inflammatory markers in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The objective of the present study was to identify and try to correlate pulmonary and peripheral blood inflammatory markers in COPD. In a cross-sectional study on patients with stable COPD, induced sputum and blood samples were collected for the determination of C-reactive protein, eosinophilic cationic protein, serum amyloid A protein, a-1 antitrypsin (a-1AT), and neutrophil elastase. Twenty-two patients were divided into two groups according to post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in the first second (%FEV1): group 1 (N = 12, FEV1 <40%) and group 2 (N = 10, FEV1 ³40%). An increase in serum elastase, eosinophilic cationic protein and a-1AT was observed in serum markers in both groups. Cytology revealed the same total number of cells in groups 1 and 2. There was a significantly higher number of neutrophils in group 1 compared to group 2 (P < 0.05). No difference in eosinophils or macrophages was observed between groups. Serum elastase was positively correlated with serum a-1AT (group 1, r = 0.81, P < 0.002 and group 2, r = 0.83, P < 0.17) and negatively correlated with FEV1 (r = -0.85, P < 0.03 and -0.14, P < 0.85, respectively). The results indicate the presence of chronic and persistent pulmonary inflammation in stable patients with COPD. Induced sputum permitted the demonstration of the existence of a subpopulation of cells in which neutrophils predominated. The serum concentration of all inflammatory markers did not correlate with the pulmonary functional impairment

Gestão de Componentes em Dinâmico

A crescente evolução das tecnologias de informação e comunicação, aliadas ao desenvolvimento industrial, proporcionou um aumento de competitividade entre as indústrias, originando uma subida do nível da relação qualidade preço. Esta premissa causou uma maior preocupação com a procura contínua pela melhoria dos processos, de forma a aumentar as actividades de valor acrescentado, eliminando todo o tipo de desperdícios. Nesta conjuntura, a Grohe Portugal Componentes Sanitários, Lda propôs uma melhoria no âmbito da gestão de stocks de componentes existentes em dinâmico. Esta acção de melhoria passa pela definição e implementação de um método de gestão destes componentes, acompanhado por um conjunto de regras de identificação de actividades e respectivos intervenientes, por forma a optimizar os meios existentes e evitar a ocorrência de falhas de componentes nas linhas. Trata-se de um método baseado no cálculo das necessidades das linhas, que através da procura média semanal e constituição dos produtos finais define um nível de prioridade entre os componentes, identificando quais os mais requisitados pelas linhas e possibilitando a gestão do dinâmico. Na contínua tentativa de combater possíveis falhas, desenvolveu-se um sistema de gestão do tipo Kanban com a capacidade de gerir o produto semi-acabado para consumo interno. Foram, ainda, criadas melhorias que permitem um acréscimo de eficiência na gestão dos componentes em estante dinâmica, diminuindo o capital imobilizado investido em stocks, levando a um rearranjo de layouts, proporcionando melhores condições de trabalho e optimizando percursos e recursos. Descreve-se detalhadamente o processo de (i) actualização, definição e implementação do método de gestão de componentes em dinâmico, acompanhado pelo respectivo conjunto de regras, (ii) a implementação de um sistema do tipo Kanban orientado às reais preocupações da empresa, (iii) a redefinição de layouts em conformidade com a actualização dos dinâmicos e (iv) a identificação e execução de um conjunto de melhorias. Todas estas actividades acompanhadas pelo impacto financeiro na organização. Por fim, efectua-se o balanço deste projecto e sugerem-se oportunidades de melhoria.The growing evolution of information and communication technologies, allied to the industrial development, provided an increase of competitive edge between the industries, originating a rise in the level of quality price relationship. This premise caused a bigger concern with the continuous search for processes improvement, in order to increase the activities of added value, eliminating all kind of waste. In this conjuncture, Grohe Portugal Componentes Sanitários, Lda proposed na improvement in the scope of stocks management of existing components in dynamic shelfs. This action of improvement goes by the definition and implementation of a management method of these components, accompanied by a set of rules of activity identification and respective stakeholders, in such a way to optimize the existing means and avoid the shortage of the components in the production lines. It is a method based in the calculation of the lines needs, that through the weekly average search and final products constitution defines a priority level between components, identifying which is the most required by the lines and allowing the dynamics management. In the continuous attempt to counter possible failures, it was developed a management system of Kanban type with the capacity of managing the semi-finished product for internal consumption. There were, still, created improvements that allow an increase of efficiency in the management of components in a dynamic shelf, decreasing the immobilized capital invested in stocks, leading to a rearrangement of layouts, providing better working conditions and optimizing pathways and resources. It is described in detail the process of (i) update, definition and implementation of the management method of dynamic shelfs components, accompanied by the respective set of rules, (ii) the implementation of a Kanban type system guided to the real concerns of the company, (iii) the redefinition of layouts in conformity with the dynamics update and (iv) the identification and execution of a set of improvements. All of these activities are accompanied by the financial impact on the organization. Lastly, the balance of this project is done and are suggested some opportunities to improve it

Elevated serum neutrophil elastase is related to prehypertension and airflow limitation in obese women

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Neutrophil elastase level/activity is elevated in a variety of diseases such as atherosclerosis, systolic hypertension and obstructive pulmonary disease. It is unknown whether obese individuals with prehypertension also have elevated neutrophil elastase, and if so, whether it has a deleterious effect on pulmonary function. Objectives: To determine neutrophil elastase levels in obese prehypertensive women and investigate correlations with pulmonary function tests.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thirty obese prehypertensive women were compared with 30 obese normotensive subjects and 30 healthy controls. The study groups were matched for age. Measurements: The following were determined: body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, lipid profile, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, serum neutrophil elastase, and pulmonary function tests including forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV₁/FVC ratio.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Serum neutrophil elastase concentration was significantly higher in both prehypertensive (405.8 ± 111.6 ng/ml) and normotensive (336.5 ± 81.5 ng/ml) obese women than in control non-obese women (243.9 ± 23.9 ng/ml); the level was significantly higher in the prehypertensive than the normotensive obese women. FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC ratio in both prehypertensive and normotensive obese women were significantly lower than in normal controls, but there was no statistically significant difference between the prehypertensive and normotensive obese women. In prehypertensive obese women, there were significant positive correlations between neutrophil elastase and body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high sensitivity C-reactive protein and negative correlations with high density lipoprotein cholesterol, FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Neutrophil elastase concentration is elevated in obese prehypertensive women along with an increase in high sensitivity C-reactive protein which may account for dyslipidemia and airflow dysfunction in the present study population.</p

Layered Niobates: Synthesis, characterization, reactivity and luminescenece properties study

O estudo apresentado nesta Tese diz respeito à química dos niobatos lamelares e aborda a síntese, caracterização, avaliação da reatividade intracristalina e das propriedades luminescentes desses materiais. Os niobatos lamelares utilizados foram o hexaniobato K4Nb6O17, o triniobato KNb3O8 e as perovskitas lamelares K1-xLnxCa2-xNb3O10 (Ln = La, Eu e x = 0,02; 0,25; 0,50; 0,75 e 1,00). Esses materiais são constituídos de lamelas que apresentam cargas negativas e a região interlamelar é preenchida por íons de potássio que mantêm a neutralidade dos sistemas. A reatividade intracristalina dos niobatos lamelares foi avaliada frente à intercalação de espécies simples como a butilamina e volumosas como o macrociclo porfirínico, o polioxocátion de alumínio e compostos orgânicos de silício. A alta densidade de carga lamelar dos niobatos lamelares dificulta a intercalação direta de espécies volumosas, o que fez com que novas rotas sintéticas fossem desenvolvidas a fim de permitir a imobilização de tais espécies na região interlamelar. As metodologias sintéticas desenvolvidas foram baseadas, principalmente, no uso de dispersões coloidais dos niobatos esfoliados que, a partir da reestruturação na presença da espécie convidada de interesse, tornou possível a intercalação de espécies volumosas. As propriedades luminescentes dos niobatos lamelares são extremamente dependentes da estrutura do material. Os niobatos com estrutura tipo perovskita não apresentam emissão enquanto que o hexaniobato apresenta emissão apenas a 77 K e o triniobato, à temperatura ambiente. Neste estudo foram avaliadas as propriedades luminescentes dos niobatos EuxK4-3xNb6O17, EuxK1-3xNb3O8 e KCa2Nb3O10 (intercalado com Eu3+ e dopado com 1 % de Eu3+ ou La3+). Foram observados processos de transferência de energia tanto nos niobatos intercalados com Eu3+ quanto nos dopados. A dopagem também provocou mudanças nas propriedades fotofísicas dos niobatos com estrutura perovskita, os quais passaram a apresentar emissão da matriz de niobato mesmo à temperatura ambiente.The study described in this Thesis is related to the synthesis and evaluation of some chemical properties of layered niobates with formulas K4Nb6O17 (hexaniobate), KNb3O8 (triniobate) and K1-xLnxCa2-xNb3O10 (layered perovskites - Ln = La, Eu and x = 0.02; 0.25; 0.50; 0.75 and 1.00). These niobates are constituted of negative layers and an interlayer region filled with potassium ions that maintain the system charge neutrality. The reactivity of these niobates was evaluated through intercalation reactions of simple species such as butylamine and bulky species such as porphyrin, aluminum polyoxocation and organosilanes. The high charge density of the niobate layer makes the direct intercalation of bulky guest species more difficult. Therefore, to overcome this situation, new synthetic routes were developed. The intercalation of bulky species was achieved by using colloidal dispersions of exfoliated niobates that, upon restaking, incorporate the guest species into the interlayer region. The luminescent properties of the lamellar niobates are very dependent on the structure. Niobates that present a perovskite structure do not show emission even at liquid helium temperature. The hexaniobate presents emission at nitrogen liquid temperature and triniobate at both room and 77 K temperatures. In this study the luminescent properties of EuxK4-3xNb6O17, EuxK1-3xNb3O8 e KCa2Nb3O10 (intercalated with Eu3+ and doped with 1 % of Eu3+ or La3+) were evaluated. Charge transfers processes were observed in both intercalated and doped niobates with Eu3+ ion. The lanthanide doping also promoted changes in the photophysical properties of niobates with perovskite structure, which become to show emission of the niobate group even at room temperature

Caracterização farmacologica de novos inibidores de calicreinas tissulares

Orientador: Edson AntunesDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias MedicasResumo: Neste trabalho, investigamos o efeito de calicreínas tissulares e plasmática sobre a permeabilidade vascular em pele de coelhos in vivo. A seguir, investigamos o efeito de dez novos inibidores de calicreína tissular sobre o aumento de permeabilidade vascular induzido por calicreínas tissulares. O veneno da aranha Phoneutria nigriventer foi também usado como agente edematogênico em virtude da capacidade do mesmo de aumentar a permeabilidade vascular em coelhos por um mecanismo dependente da ativação do sistema de calicreína tissular. Nossos resultados mostraram que calicreínas tissulares, tais como a calicreína pancreática de porco (CPP; 0.1 1l9/sítio) e a calicreína urinária de coelho (10 119/sítio) induzem extravazamento significante de proteínas plasmáticas quando administradas na presença do vasodilatador prostaglandina E1 (PGE1). Ao contrário, a calicreína plasmática de coelho não causou extravazamento de proteínas, mesmo na presença de PGE1...Observação: O resumo, na íntegra, poderá ser visualizado no texto completo da tese digitalAbstract: In this study we have investigated the effect of novel tissue kallikreins on the plasma protein exudation induced by eitheR porcine pancreas kallikrein (PPK) or Phoneutria nigriventer spider venon in the rabbit skin in vivo. The tissue kallikrein inhibitors here described were synthetised based on analogues of peptide substrates for tissue kallikreins. The intradermal injection of PPK and rabbit urinary kallikrein, but not of rabbit plasma kallikrein, significantly increased the microvascular permeability leading to local oedema formation in the rabbit skin...Note: The complete abstract is available with the full electronic digital thesis or dissertationsMestradoMestre em Farmacologi