Biopolymeric materials used as nonviral vectors: a review

Bacterial transformation and gene transfection can be understood as being the results of introducing specific genetic material into cells, resulting in gene expression, and adding a new genetic trait to the host cell. Many studies have been carried out to investigate different types of lipids and cationic polymers as promising nonviral vectors for DNA transfer. The present study aimed to carry out a systematic review on the use of biopolymeric materials as nonviral vectors. The methodology was carried out based on searches of scientific articles and applications for patents published or deposited from 2006 to 2020 in different databases for patents (EPO, USPTO, and INPI) and articles (Scopus, Web of Science, and Scielo). The results showed that there are some deposits of patents regarding the use of chitosan as a gene carrier. The 16 analyzed articles allowed us to infer that the use of biopolymers as nonviral vectors is limited due to the low diversity of biopolymers used for these purposes. It was also observed that the use of different materials as nonviral vectors is based on chemical structure modifications of the material, mainly by the addition of cationic groups. Thus, the use of biopolymers as nonviral vectors is still limited to only a few polysaccharide types, emphasizing the need for further studies involving the use of different biopolymers in processes of gene transfer.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A experiência do grupo PET - políticas públicas e agroecologia na campanha contra o uso de agrotóxicos e pela vida

O Programa de Educação Tutorial – PET/ Conexões de Saberes - Políticas Públicas e Agroecologia - da Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul – UFFS, Campus Laranjeiras do Sul – PR tem desenvolvido projetos de extensão objetivando difundir o conhecimento sobre a Agroecologia e esclarecimentos sobre agrotóxicos. Um dos projetos foi a elaboração de uma cartilha com os desenhos dos concursos realizados nas escolas da região, nos anos de 2012 e 2013. Essa cartilha explorou conceitos através de um jogo didático com foco em crianças de 8 a 12 anos. O projeto de capina química em áreas urbanas, realizado em 2014, buscou denunciar para a comunidade essa prática ilegal que ainda ocorre na região. Os trabalhos culminaram em uma oficina, oferecida durante a III Feira Regional de Economia Solidária e Agroecologia – FESA, em 2015, onde foi possível alertar a comunidade sobre os problemas gerados pelos agrotóxicos.Eje: B6 Desarrollo rural, movimientos sociales, Estado y agroecología (Relatos de experiencias)Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

A experiência do grupo PET - políticas públicas e agroecologia na campanha contra o uso de agrotóxicos e pela vida

O Programa de Educação Tutorial – PET/ Conexões de Saberes - Políticas Públicas e Agroecologia - da Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul – UFFS, Campus Laranjeiras do Sul – PR tem desenvolvido projetos de extensão objetivando difundir o conhecimento sobre a Agroecologia e esclarecimentos sobre agrotóxicos. Um dos projetos foi a elaboração de uma cartilha com os desenhos dos concursos realizados nas escolas da região, nos anos de 2012 e 2013. Essa cartilha explorou conceitos através de um jogo didático com foco em crianças de 8 a 12 anos. O projeto de capina química em áreas urbanas, realizado em 2014, buscou denunciar para a comunidade essa prática ilegal que ainda ocorre na região. Os trabalhos culminaram em uma oficina, oferecida durante a III Feira Regional de Economia Solidária e Agroecologia – FESA, em 2015, onde foi possível alertar a comunidade sobre os problemas gerados pelos agrotóxicos.Eje: B6 Desarrollo rural, movimientos sociales, Estado y agroecología (Relatos de experiencias)Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Study of temperature effect on macro-synthetic fiber reinforced concretes by means of Barcelona tests: An approach focused on tunnels assessment

This paper presents an experimental investigation on the applicability of the Barcelona (BCN) test to evaluate the mechanical properties of a macro-synthetic fiber reinforced concrete (MSFRC) submitted to high temperature environments (up to 600 °C). BCN tests demonstrated that the MSFRC gradually loses tensile strength an energy consumption density with increasing temperature. Temperatures of 400 °C and 570 °C shown to be critical to the MSFRC mechanical performance. The residual mechanical behavior of the macro-synthetic fibers was not affected by the temperature up to 100 °C. For higher temperatures, the reinforcement showed that may lose part of its crystallinity compromising the MSFRC post-cracking performance. The constitutive model used to determine the stress-strain curves of the MSFRC was capable to reproduce the composite behavior after the event of a fire

Modelling 5-km running performance on level and hilly terrains in recreational runners

Incline and level running on treadmills have been extensively studied due to their different cardiorespiratory and biomechanical acute responses. However, there are no studies examining the performance determinants of outdoor running on hilly terrains. We aimed to investigate the influence of anthropometrics, muscle strength, and cardiorespiratory and gait spatiotemporal parameters during level (0%) and inclined (+7%) running on performance in level and hilly 5-km races. Twenty male recreational runners completed two 5-km outdoor running tests (0% vs. +7% and −7%), and two submaximal (10 km·h −1 ) and incremental treadmill tests at 0 and 7% slopes, after complete laboratory evaluations. The velocity at maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) evaluated at 7% incline and level treadmill running were the best performance predictors under both hilly (R2 = 0.72; p < 0.05) and level (R2 = 0.85; p < 0.01) conditions, respectively. Inclusion of ventilatory and submaximal heart rate data improved the predictive models up to 100%. Conversely, none of the parameters evaluated in one condition contributed to the other condition. The spatiotemporal parameters and the runners’ strength levels were not associated to outdoor performances. These results indicate that the vVO2max evaluated at similar slopes in the lab can be used to predict 5-km running performances on both level and hilly terrains

Leaf and Root Extracts from Campomanesia adamantium (Myrtaceae) Promote Apoptotic Death of Leukemic Cells via Activation of Intracellular Calcium and Caspase-3

Phytochemical studies are seeking new alternatives to prevent or treat cancer, including different types of leukemias. Campomanesia adamantium, commonly known as guavira or guabiroba, exhibits pharmacological properties including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative activities. Considering the anticancer potential of this plant species, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antileukemic activity and the chemical composition of aqueous extracts from the leaves (AECL) and roots (AECR) of C. adamantium and their possible mechanisms of action. The extracts were analyzed by LC-DAD-MS, and their constituents were identified based on the UV, MS, and MS/MS data. The AECL and AECR showed different chemical compositions, which were identified as main compounds glycosylated flavonols from AECL and ellagic acid and their derivatives from AECR. The cytotoxicity promoted by these extracts were evaluated using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and Jurkat leukemic cell line. The cell death profile was evaluated using annexin-V-FITC and propidium iodide labeling. Changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential, the activity of caspases, and intracellular calcium levels were assessed. The cell cycle profile was evaluated using propidium iodide. Both extracts caused concentration-dependent cytotoxicity only in Jurkat cells via late apoptosis. This activity was associated with loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspases-9 and -3, changes in intracellular calcium levels, and cell cycle arrest in S-phase. Therefore, the antileukemic activity of the AECL and AECR is mediated by mitochondrial dysfunction and intracellular messengers, which activate the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Hence, aqueous extracts of the leaves and roots of C. adamantium show therapeutic potential for use in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated the proliferation of tumor cell.Fundação de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento do Ensino, Ciência e Tecnologia do Mato Grosso do Sul (FUNDECT)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Instituto Nacional de Pesquisa do Pantanal - INPPFundação de Amparo e Desenvolvimento da Pesquisa FadespFed Univ Grande Dourados, Res Grp Biotechnol & Bioprospecting Appl Metab, Dourados, BrazilUniv Fed São Paulo, Dept Biochem, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Braz Cubas, Fac Pharm, Mogi Das Cruzes, BrazilUniv Mogi das Cruzes, Interdisciplinary Ctr Biochem Invest, Mogi Das Cruzes, BrazilUniv Fed São Paulo, Dept Pharmaceut Sci, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Mato Grosso do Sul, Lab Nat Prod & Mass Spectrometry, Campo Grande, MS, BrazilUniv Fed São Paulo, Dept Biochem, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed São Paulo, Dept Pharmaceut Sci, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Genetic diversity of carotenoid-rich bananas evaluated by Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT)

The aim of this work was to evaluate the carotenoid content and genetic variability of banana accessions from the Musa germplasm collection held at Embrapa Cassava and Tropical Fruits, Brazil. Forty-two samples were analyzed, including 21 diploids, 19 triploids and two tetraploids. The carotenoid content was analyzed spectrophotometrically and genetic variability was estimated using 653 DArT markers. The average carotenoid content was 4.73 μg.g -1 , and ranged from 1.06 μg.g -1 for the triploid Nanica (Cavendish group) to 19.24 μg.g -1 for the triploid Saney. The diploids Modok Gier and NBA-14 and the triploid Saney had a carotenoid content that was, respectively, 7-fold, 6-fold and 9-fold greater than that of cultivars from the Cavendish group (2.19 μg.g -1). The mean similarity among the 42 accessions was 0.63 (range: 0.24 to 1.00). DArT analysis revealed extensive genetic variability in accessions from the Embrapa Musa germplasm bank