3,7-Bis(dialkylamino)phenothiazin-5-ium derivatives: biomedical applications and biological activity

The light-induced reactions of 3,7-bis(dialkylamino)phenothiazin-5-ium compounds with biological substrates are briefly discussed. Their biomedical applications, in particular those related with biological staining, interaction with proteins and antiviral, antibacterial and antitumour activity are reviewed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bentonite from Porto Santo Island, Madeira Archipelago: surface properties studied by inverse gas chromatography

The present paper shows the importance of Inverse Gas Chromatography (IGC) for the determination of the surface properties of bentonites. These properties are dispersive surface energy, acid-base properties, surface heterogeneity, sorption isotherms, BET surface areas and heat of sorption, using different probe molecules. IGC can contribute to the interpretation, prediction and optimization of the studied materials’ properties. The paper focuses on two distinctive bentonite samples from Porto Santo Island, Madeira archipelago. In view of their potential value, achieved through their incorporation in products for dermopharmacy and dermocosmetics, particle size and particle surface properties are of fundamental importance.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Eimeria Curvata N. Sp.(apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) In Columbina Talpacoti And Scardafella Squammata (aves: Columbidae) From Brazil.

Eimeria curvata is a new coccidian described in the doves Columbina talpacoti and Scardafella squammata from western of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The oocysts are ovoid to ellipsoid, 18.3 (17-19) microm x 15.5 (15-17) microm, with a shape index of 1.2 (1.1-1.3). The wall is colorless, smooth and double-layered. A polar granule is present, but there is no micropyle or oocyst residuum. The sporocysts are elongate, 12.3 (11.5-13) microm x 5.8 (5.5-6) microm with a curved anterior portion and a smooth, thin, single-layered wall. The Stieda body is protuberant and nipple-like; there is no substieda body. The sporozoites lie head-to-tail in the sporocyst and contain a large refractile body at the extremities. The sporocyst residuum contains small granules uniformly distributed in the middle of the sporocyst. The prevalence of E. curvata n. sp. was 17.4% and 12.8% in C. talpacoti and S. squammata, respectively.9553-

A discrete model for the design sensitivity analysis of multi-layered composite shells of revolution

This paper studies the sensitivity analysis for the optimization of the multi-layered composite axisymmetric shells subjected to arbitrary static loading and free vibrations. The structural analysis is carried out using a two node frustum-cone finite element with 16 degrees of freedom based on Love-Kirchhoff assumptions. The design variables are the angle of orientation of the fibers and/or the vectorial distances from middle surface to upper surface of each ply. The constraint functions are displacements, stresses (Tsai-Hill criterion) and the natural frequency of a specified mode shape. Four types of objective functions can be used: maximum displacement or natural frequency or elastic strain energy and material volume. The design sensitivities are calculated analytically, semi-analytically and by global finite difference. The potentiality of the proposed model and the accuracy of the sensitivities of response are discussed with reference to the applications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Murine infection with bioluminescent Leishmania infantum axenic amastigotes applied to drug discovery

Leishmaniasis is an important vector-borne neglected tropical disease caused by Leishmania parasites. Current anti-Leishmania chemotherapy is unsatisfactory, justifying the continued search for alternative treatment options. Herein, we demonstrate that luciferase-expressing Leishmania infantum axenic amastigotes, unlike promastigotes, are highly infectious to BALB/c mice and thus generate a robust bioluminescent signal in target organs, such as the liver and the spleen, as early as two weeks after infection. Treatment with the reference drugs amphotericin B and miltefosine was effective at reducing parasite burdens. This model allows the assessment of treatment efficacy using whole-mouse bioluminescence imaging without the need to wait several weeks for spleen infections to be detectable by this non-invasive method. In conclusion, we propose the use of this model in an initial approach to evaluate the treatment efficacy of promising chemical entities without having to sacrifice large numbers of animals or to wait several days for a readout.We thank Carla Oliveira from i3S for the support with the statistical analysis. Part of the content of this manuscript has been released as a pre-print in BioRxiv (https://doi.org/10.1101/326355). This work was financed by FEDER - Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional funds through the COMPETE 2020 - Operacional Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (POCI), Portugal 2020, and by Portuguese funds through FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia/Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior in the framework of the project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-031013 (PTDC/SAU-PAR/31013/2017). This work also received funds from: Norte-01-0145-FEDER-000012 “Structured program on bioengineered therapies for infectious diseases and tissue regeneration” of Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020) under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) and through the Research Unit No. 4293; Individual funding from FCT through SFRH/BD/123734/2016 (to DC), SFRH/BD/121252/2016 (to PC) and CEECIND/02362/2017 (to JT)

Avaliação de tolerância em diplóides de bananeira para Meloidogyne incognita.

A cultura da bananeira é suscetível a várias espécies de fitonematóides, principalmente, Radopholus similis, Pratylenchus coffeae e Meloidogyne spp. Dentre as estratégias de manejo de fitonematóides são prioritárias aquelas que reduzam custos, garantam a produção e não agridam o meio ambiente.Em paralelo aconteceram também os seguintes eventos: V Seminário de Pesquisa do Recôncavo da Bahia; V Seminário Estudantil de Pesquisa da UFRB; V Seminário da Pós-Graduação da UFRB; II Seminário Regional de Pesquisa da EBDA; 5ª Jornada Científica da Embrapa Mandioca e Fruticultura; VIII Seminário Estudantil de Pesquisa e Extensão da FAMAM; Semana de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação no Agronegócio; Fórum de Gestores de Iniciação Científica e Tecnológica da Bahia; II Simpósio Baiano de Defesa Agropecuária; I Semana de Educação Tutorial da UFRB

Avaliação do comportamento de diploides de bananeira em relação a Meloidogyne incognita.

A bananeira é suscetível a várias espécies de fitonematoides, principalmente Radopholus similis, Pratylenchus coffeae e Meloidogyne spp. Dentre as estratégias de manejo de fitonematoides são prioritárias aquelas que reduzam custos, garantam a produção e não agridam o meio ambiente.PDF. 118_11

Cork suberin as an additive in offset lithographic printing inks

Suberin oligomers, isolated from cork (Quercus suber L.), were used as additives in ‘Waterless’ and vegetable-oil ink formulations, in the range of 2–10% w/w. The rheological behaviour of the suberin oligomers as well as of the inks, with and without suberin, were investigated as a function of temperature. It was shown that the addition of suberin induces a decrease of viscosity of both inks. The tack of pristine inks, suberin oligomers and their mixtures were determined at different temperatures: the variation of this parameter as a function of time provided information about the drying kinetics of these formulations. The tack of the ‘Waterless’ ink was found to increase with the introduction of suberin, whereas that of vegetable-oil based counterparts decreased. All the trends observed were interpreted in terms of the differences in composition between the two types of inks. Preliminary printing tests were carried out with the various suberin-containing inks.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio