Electrochemical interfaces during CO₂ reduction on copper electrodes

Copper has received significant attention for decades as electrode material for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2RR) because of its capability to form multi-carbon products (C2+). However, despite substantial research, CO2RR with Cu-based electrocatalysts has yet to be commercialized. Understanding the physical and chemical changes of the catalyst surface and the dynamics of the electrochemical interface during CO2RR is key to improve the activity and selectivity. This review article focuses on recent studies that provide important insights of the surfaces and interfaces during reduction using ex-situ, in-situ and operando characterization techniques.</p

Revisiting Vitis vinifera Subtilase Gene Family: A Possible Role in Grapevine Resistance against Plasmopara viticola

Subtilisin-like proteases, also known as subtilases, are a very diverse family of serine peptidases present in many organisms. In grapevine, there are hints of the involvement of subtilases in defense mechanisms, but their role is not yet understood. The first characterization of the subtilase gene family was performed in 2014. However, simultaneously, the grapevine genome was re-annotated and several sequences were re-annotated or retrieved. We have performed a re-characterization of this family in grapevine and identified 82 genes coding for 97 putative proteins, as result of alternative splicing. All the subtilases identified present the characteristic S8 peptidase domain and the majority of them also have a pro-domain I9 inhibitor, a protease-associated (PA) domain, and a signal peptide for targeting to the secretory pathway. Phylogenetic studies revealed six subtilase groups denominated VvSBT1 to VvSBT6. As several evidences have highlighted the participation of plant subtilases in response to biotic stimulus, we have investigated subtilase participation in grapevine resistance to Plasmopara viticola, the causative agent of downy mildew. Fourteen grapevine subtilases presenting either high homology to P69C from tomato, SBT3.3 from Arabidopsis thaliana or located near the Resistance to P. viticola (RPV) locus were selected. Expression studies were conducted in the grapevine-P. viticola pathosystem with resistant and susceptible cultivars. Our results may indicate that some of grapevine subtilisins are potentially participating in the defense response against this biotrophic oomycete.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ammonia electrocatalytic synthesis from nitrate

The interest in electrochemical processes to produce ammonia has increased in recent years. The motivation for this increase is the attempt to reduce the carbon emissions associated with its production, since ammonia is responsible for 1.8% of the global CO2 emissions. Moreover, green ammonia is also seen as a possible transportation fuel in various renewable energy transition scenarios. Several electrochemical processes are being investigated such as N2, NO3–, or NO conversion. Since nitrates are an attractive source of nitrogen, due to their role as water contaminants and facility to break N-O bonds, this mini review is focused on the electrocatalytic synthesis of ammonia from NO3− reduction. Here, we summarized the important work on reaction mechanisms and electrocatalysts for this reaction.</p

42 Negative correlation between PlGF and Endocan-1 in women with preeclampsia

Introduction: Endocan-1 is a soluble proteoglican specifically expressed in endothelial cells, a biomarker/predictor of vascular endothelial related pathologies, as pre-eclampsia (PE). PlGF is an angiogenic factor, and a marker of placental dysfunction, which is down regulated in women with PE. We hypothesized that Endocan-1 and PlGF levels would be negatively correlated in pregnant women with PE. Objectives: To analyse Endocan-1 and PlGF levels in maternal plasma in normotensive and women with PE and test the correlation between the findings in the third trimester of pregnancy. Methods: Endocan-1 and PlGF levels were measured in maternal plasma from normotensive (n= 67) and PE (n= 50) women using MagPlexTH-C microspheres system. Data was analysed by ANCOVA, adjusted for BMI, gestational age and maternal age. To estimate the difference between groups, mean ratio (MR) and confidence interval (CI) of 95% was calculated. Analysis between Endocan-1 levels and PlGF were made by Pearson correlation. The null hypothesis was rejected when p < 0.05. Results: Higher concentrations of Endocan-1 were found in maternal plasma in PE (MR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.19–1.85,p= 0.001), with a moderate effect size (Cohen’s D = 0.84). When women with superimposed PE and HELLP syndrome were excluded, lower levels of PlGF were found in the PE group (MR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.15–0.95 p = 0.041). A strong negative correlation between Endocan-1 e PlGF in the entire group (r=-0.605; p < 0.001); as well as in PE group (r=-0.545; p < 0.001) was observed. Conclusion: Endocan-1 levels are increased in patients with PE and are negatively correlated with PlGF levels. These data could be related to hypoxemia and fetal growth restriction (seen by lower PlGF levels), leading to a systemic response in order to find a volumetric compensation; leading to endothelial lesions (seen as the upregulation of Endocan-1). Thus, it is important to analyse angiogenic and proinflamatory molecules concomitantly in women with PE, in order to better understand the disease pathophysiology. In this case, both molecules are strong potentials as specific PE biomarkers

Morphology Changes of Cu₂O Catalysts During Nitrate Electroreduction to Ammonia**

This manuscript reports the electrosynthesis of ammonia from nitrate catalysed Cu derived from Cu2O materials. Cu2O (111) and (100) preferential grain orientations were prepared through electrodeposition. Cu derived from Cu2O (111) is more active and selective for ammonia formation than Cu2O (100) derived Cu. The highest faradaic efficiency (FE) was achieved for both catalysts at −0.3 V vs RHE, with Cu derived from Cu2O (111) reaching up to 80 %. Additional measurements with quasi-in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and in situ Raman spectroscopy revealed that Cu0 is the active phase during the reaction. The stability of the catalysts was examined by ex situ methods such as SEM, XRD and ICP elemental analysis. The catalysts underwent severe morphological changes as a function of the applied potential and the reaction time, most likely due to the dissolution and redeposition of Cu. After 3 hours of reaction, the entire surface of the catalysts was reconstructed into nanoneedles. The FE after 3 hours remained higher for the Cu derived from Cu2O (111), suggesting that the activity is dependent on the initial structure and the different rates of dissolution and re-deposition.</p

Liberdade de Expressão e Democratização no Novo Constitucionalismo Latino-Americano: O Caso das Rádios Comunitárias na Lei de Meios do Equador

This article, through bibliographic and documental research, studies the new law of Media in Equator, in the context of the new latin american constitucionalism, into the perspective of community radios, zas popular communication media which promote citizenship and social mobilization. The communication media democratization also goes through the concretization of the freedom of expression as a participation right.O presente artigo, através de pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, faz um estudo de caso da nova Lei de Meios do Equador, no contexto do novo constitucionalismo latino-americano, a partir da finalidade concernente às rádios comunitárias, ou seja, meios de comunicação populares para promoção da cidadania e mobilização social. A democratização dos meios de comunicação também perpassa a concretização da liberdade de expressão como um direito de participação

Is the atherosclerotic phenotype of pre-eclamptic placentas due to altered lipoprotein concentrations and placental lipoprotein receptors?: role of a small-for-gestational-age phenotype

Artherosis of spiral arteries in uteroplacental beds from pre-eclamptic women resemble those of atherosclerosis, characterised by increased plasma lipids and lipoproteins. We hypothesised 1) lipoproteins receptors/transporter in placenta would be up-regulated in pre-eclampsia, associated with increased maternal and fetal lipoprotein concentrations; 2) expression of these would be reduced in pre-eclamptic placentae from women delivering small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants. Placental biopsies, maternal and umbilical serum samples were taken from 27 normotensive and 24 pre-eclamptic women. Maternal/umbilical cord serum LDL; HDL; total cholesterol and triglycerides were measured. Placental mRNA expression of lipoprotein receptors/transporters were quantified using qRT-PCR. Protein localisation/expression of LRP-1 in the pre-eclamptic with/without SGA was measured by immunohistochemistry. Placental mRNA expression of all genes except PON-1, MTTP and PDIA2 were observed. No differences for any lipoprotein receptors/transporters were found between groups; however, in the pre-eclamptic group placental LRP-1 expression was lower in SGA delivering mothers (n = 7; P=0.036). LRP-1 protein was localised around fetal vessels and Hofbauer cells. This is the first detailed study of maternal/fetal lipoprotein concentrations and placental lipoprotein receptor mRNA expression in normotensive and pre-eclamptic pregnancies. These findings do not support a role of altered lipid metabolism in pre-eclampsia, but may be involved in fetal growth

Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine 12 months after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is usually recommended from 24 months after a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Some authors have demonstrated that the MMR vaccination can be safe from 12 months post-HSCT in non-immunosuppressed patients, as recommended by the Brazilian National Immunization Program/Ministry of Health, since 2006. The objectives of this study were to evaluate when patients received MMR vaccine after an HSCT in our care service and if there were reports of any side effects. We retrospectively reviewed the records of HSCT recipients who received at least one MMR dose in our care service, a quaternary teaching hospital in Sao Paulo city, Brazil, from 2017 to 2021. We identified 82 patients: 75.6% (90.1% in the autologous group and 45.1% in the allogeneic group) were vaccinated before 23 months post-transplantation. None reported side effects following the vaccination. Our data support that the MMR vaccination is safe from 12 to 23 months after HSCT

Genetic diversity and population structure of sweet cassava using simple sequence repeat (SSR) molecular markers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the population structure and genetic diversity among 66 sweet cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) traditional accessions collected in Maringa, Parana, Brazil, using microsatellite molecular markers. Population structure was analyzed by means of genetic distances and probabilistic models; allelic frequencies were used in order to assess the genetic diversity indexes (Ht , Ho, PIC, % polymorphism and number of alleles) for each locus studied. All evaluated loci were polymorphic and the average was highly heterozygote. The number of alleles per locus was low, suggesting that restrict genetic base is a consequence of accession exchange and a reduced number of ancestors in the population. The polymorphic information content (PIC) values showed considerable genetic diversity with a mean value of 0.5076 and peak of 0.5707 for locus GA140. The microsatellites markers revealed a wide genetic variability among the traditional accessions evaluated. Moreover, the sweet cassava populations were separated in two groups using two analytical methods (probabilistic and genetic distances). The most divergent accessions were BGM 17, BGM 20, BGM 51 and BGM 95. On the other hand, the most similar accessions were BGM 25, BGM 33, BGM 37, BGM 59 and BGM 214. Hybrid combinations formed by the most divergent combinations, especially between BGM 51 × BGM 296, BGM 95 × BGM 222 and BGM 20 × BGM 12, are the most promising ones for future sweet cassava breeding programsFil: Costa, Tiago Ribeiro Da. Universidade Estadual de Maringá. Departamento de Agronomia; BrasilFil: Vidigal Filho, Pedro Soares. Universidade Estadual de Maringá. Departamento de Agronomia; BrasilFil: Gonçalves Vidigal, Maria Celeste. Universidade Estadual de Maringá. Departamento de Agronomia; BrasilFil: Galván, Marta Zulema. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Salta-Jujuy. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico La Plata. Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Lacanallo, Giselly Figueiredo. Universidade Estadual de Maringá. Departamento de Agronomia; BrasilFil: Silva, Luciano Ivano Da . Universidade Estadual de Maringá. Departamento de Agronomia; BrasilFil: Kvitschal, Marcus Vinicius. Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária e Extensão Rural de Santa Catarina; Brasi