Effect of ultrasonication on carboxyl-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes in fresh and hardened Portland cement pastes

abstract: The effects of chemical and physical methods on multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) dispersion in Portland cement pastes were investigated. Consistency, rheology, compressive strength, dynamic elastic modulus, flexural strength, water absorption, and void content tests were performed to evaluate these effects. Changes in the rheology of the cement pastes and surfactants resulted in a significant reduction in apparent viscosity and yield strength. Additionally, cement pastes containing carboxyl- functionalized MWCNTs (MWCNT-COOH) and surfactant showed higher compressive strengths at 28 d. However, the ultrasonic dispersion method did not significantly influence the properties of hardened Portland cement compared with Portland cement produced using the non-sonicated aqueous solution

Azadirachta indica A. Juss (neem) phenolic extract inhibits human B-lymphoblastoid cells growth via cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction, and DNA damage

Aim: As far as is known, the pharmaceutical effects of neem on human B-lymphoblastoid (TK6) cells have not been studied until now. Hence, the present study aimed to obtain neem phenolic extracts for inhibits the proliferation of TK6 cells and explore some possible underlying mechanisms involved in these effects. Methods: Hexane extract (HE) was obtained in the first step. After that, the residual hexane was removed from the neem. The dried neem sample was used in a new extraction for obtaining the ethyl acetate extract (EAE). Total phenolic compounds (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) were determined by spectrophotometric methods. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) tests were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity in TK6 cells. The stop at G0/G1 cell cycle and inducing apoptosis in the TK6 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. For deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage evaluation, the alkaline comet test was used. Results: The higher TFC (65.50 mg/g of extract ± 1.17 mg/g of extract) and TPC (52.08 mg of extract ± 0.88 mg of extract) were obtained in EAE compared to HE that was obtained TFC of 14.61 mg/g of extract ± 0.60 mg/g of extract and TPC of 3.20 mg/g of extract ± 1.20 mg/g of extract. EAE was more significantly cytotoxic to TK6 cells than HE. The apoptosis induction was higher after exposure to 15.0 µg/mL of EAE (11.29%) in comparison to 15.0 µg/mL of HE (2.52%). The G0/G1 phase increased from 72% negative control (NC) to 83% after treatment with neem extracts (15 µg/mL). Neem extracts were also able to cause DNA strand breaks in TK6 cells. Conclusions: The extraction residue from neem leaf after hexane extraction is a source important of cytotoxic and genotoxic molecules against TK6 cells, the results also can suggest that the toxic effects in TK6 cells can be provided most likely due to the presence of high content of TPC from neem extracts.The CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel), Program Sandwich Abroad (Process: PDSE 99999.003409/15-5) provided funding for Klebson Silva Santos’ financial support and scholarship in Portugal. This study also was funded by CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development), and FAPITEC/SE (Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa e à Inovação Tecnológica do Estado de Sergipe). The study also was carried out with financial support from FCT/MEC through national funds and co-financed by FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020 and the project UID/QUI/50006/2013-POCI/01/0145/FEDER/007265. This work was also supported by the UIDB/50006/2020 project, funded by FCT/MCTES (Portugal, through national funds); SYSTEMIC “an integrated approach to the challenge of sustainable food systems: adaptive and mitigatory strategies to address climate change and malnutrition”, a Knowledge hub on Nutrition and Food Security, funded by FWO, INRA, BLE, MIPAAF, IZM, RCN, FCT and AEI in a joint action of JPI HDHL, JPI-OCEANS, and FACCE-JPI launched in 2019 under the ERA-NET ERA-HDHL [696295].info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Antiproliferative activity of neem leaf extracts obtained by a sequential pressurized liquid extraction

Azadirachta indica A. Juss (neem) extracts have been used in pharmaceutical applications as antitumor agents, due to their terpenes and phenolic compounds. To obtain extracts from neem leaves with potential antiproliferative effect, a sequential process of pressurized liquid extraction was carried out in a fixed bed extractor at 25◦C and 100 bar, using hexane (SH), ethyl acetate (SEA), and ethanol (SE)assolvents. Extractions using only ethanol(EE) was also conducted to compare the characteristics of the fractionated extracts. The results obtained by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry suggested a higher concentration of terpenes in the SEA extract in comparison to SH, SE, and EE extracts. Therefore, antiproliferative activity showed that SEA extracts were the most efficient inhibitor to human tumor cells MCF-7, NCI-H460, HeLa, and HepG2. Hepatocellular cells were more resistant to SH, SEA, SE, and EE compared to breast, lung, hepatocellular, and cervical malignant cells. Neem fractioned extracts obtained in the present study seem to be more selective for malignant cells compared to the non-tumor cells.Klebson Silva Santos thanks CAPES (Process: PDSE 99999.003409/15-5) for the financial support during his Ph.D. studies in Portugal. Authors are grateful to CAPES, and FAPITEC (EDITAL CAPES/FAPITEC Nº 11/2016–PROEF/Processo de AUXPE 88881.157437/2017-01) for the financial support. The study was also carried out with financial support from FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Levantamento dos estudos realizados com a própolis produzida no estado da Bahia

Propolis is a product of varied consistency and colour, produced by bees from materials collected from various parts of the plants. It has a complex chemical composition, which depends on the regional flora. Therefore, there are various types of propolis, making comparison between them a difficult task. In the present study, a survey of studies with propolis from the state of Bahia, Brazil, was carried out. We identified 17 scientific papers and eight patents dealing with propolis produced in Bahia. In these works three amongst the 13 types of propolis reported in Brazil were listed. Almost all studies report the antimicrobial activity potential of propolis types 6, highlighting its low percentage of flavonoids. It was also noted that the incentive given to the production of propolis type 13 in Bahia, also known as “própolis vermelha”, is due to the overall aggregate value of this product.Própolis é um material de consistência e coloração variada, elaborado por abelhas, a partir de matéria-prima coletada de diversas partes da plantas. Possui uma composição química complexa, a qual depende da flora da região; assim, existem vários tipos de própolis, sendo difícil compará-las. Neste trabalho, é apresentado um levantamento dos estudos realizados com a própolis produzida no estado da Bahia. Foram identificados 17 trabalhos científicos e oito documentos de patentes que tratam da própolis baiana, e elencados três tipos de própolis, dentre as 13 relatadas no Brasil. A maioria dos estudos relatam o potencial da atividade antimicrobiana da própolis do tipo 6, destacando-se seu baixo teor de flavonoides. Verificou-se também o incentivo que está sendo dado à produção da própolis tipo 13 na Bahia, também denominada de própolis vermelha, devido principalmente ao grande valor agregado a este produto

Optimization of xanthan gum production by demerara sugar using response surface methodology

Xanthan gum (XG) production using three Xanthomonas sp. strains (290, 472, and S6) was evaluated by applying a 23 full factorial central composite design response to study the interactive effects of the fermentation medium component concentrations as parameters to determine the efficiency of the gum production in batch experiments. The experimental variables were the carbon source (demerara sugar or sucrose), potassium phosphate dibasic, and magnesium sulfate. Experimental results showed the K2HPO4 concentration as the important parameter for XG production by using Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis IBSBF 290 and X. campestris pv. campestris IBSBF 472, while for the Xanthomonas sp. S6 strain, the MgSO4∙7H2O concentration was the determining factor in XG production using demerara sugar or sucrose as a carbon source. The strains of Xanthomonas 472 and S6, using demerara sugar and higher concentrations of salts, exhibited a higher yield of XG (36 and 32%) than when using sucrose and the same concentration of salts. The experimental outcomes highlighted demerara sugar as a suitable and efficient alternative carbon and micronutrient source for XG production. Despite the bacterial strain influence, the medium composition is crucial for this fermentation process. Therefore, the evaluated salts are important factors for XG production, and the demerara sugar can partially replace this mineral salt requirement as indicated by the face-centered composite experimental design due to its chemical composition. Overall, demerara sugar provides promising properties for XG production.The authors acknowledge the financial assistance from the Brazilian research funding agencies including the Co-ordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) under Finance Code 001, a Brazilian foundation within the Ministry of Education (MEC); the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), a Brazilian foundation associated to the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovations (MCTI); the Foundation of Support to Research and Technological Innovation of the State of Sergipe (FAPITEC/SE); and the Regional Co-operative of Agrarian Reform Settlers of Sergipe’s Semi-Arid. The authors acknowledge the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for the financial support to the CISAS UIDB/05937/2020 and UIDP/05937/2020, including the postdoc grant and the contract of the two authors.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Biopolymer production synthetized by Sphingomonas capsulata, using industrial media

This work studied the biopolymer production by Sphingomonas capsulata ATCC 14666 using industrial raw material and pretreated molasses and aqueous extract of textured soy protein (TSP). Different concentrations of industrial media (2.66, 4, 6 and 8 w/t%) were evaluated at 28º ± 2ºC, 208rpm, 72h, were the fermentation conditions utilized. Triplicate assays were conducted and Tukey's test was used. The highest productivity were obtained for 8% of pretreated molasses (0,290 gL-1h-1), 6% of aqueous extract of TSP (0,240 gL-1h-1) and 8% raw molasses (0,190 gL-1h-1), respectively. The rheological behavior of aqueous and saline (NaCl and CaCl2 3% wt/v) solutions of biopolymers were investigated by apparent viscosity analysis at 25 and 60ºC.Com este trabalho, avaliou-se a produção de biopolímero sintetizado por Sphingomonas capsulata ATCC 14666, utilizando-se os meios industriais melaço bruto e pré-tratado e resíduo de proteína texturizada de soja (PTS). Foram testadas diferentes concentrações de meios industriais (2,66, 4, 6 e 8%), cujas condições de fermentação utilizadas foram 28º ± 2ºC, 208 rpm, 72 h. Os ensaios foram realizados em triplicata e os resultados foram avaliados estatisticamente mediante o teste de Tukey. As melhores produtividades foram obtidas para melaço pré-tratado 8% (0,290 gL-1h-1), seguida de extrato aquoso de resíduo de PTS 6% (0,240 gL-1h-1) e melaço bruto 8% (0,190 gL-1h-1). A qualidade reológica das gomas foi demonstrada através da leitura de viscosidade aparente de soluções aquosas e salinas a 25 e 60ºC.177183Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Effect of green propolis on oral epithelial dysplasia in rats

Estudos têm demonstrado que componentes hidrossolúveis da própolis verde, flavonóides, apresentam atividade antitumoral. Forma de Estudo: Estudo experimental. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito do extrato hidroalcoólico de própolis verde (EPV) sobre displasias epiteliais linguais quimicamente induzidas em ratos. Materiais e Métodos: Neste estudo, foi pincelado DMBA (9,10-dimetil-1,2-benzatraceno) no dorso lingual de ratos 3x/semana, em dias alternados, administrado 100 (PROP1), 200 (PROP2) e 300 mg/kg (PROP3) de EPV (v.o.), durante 20 semanas. A substituição do EPV ou DMBA pelos seus veículos foi usada nos controles positivos (TUM1 e TUM2), negativos (CTR1 e CTR2), respectivamente. O epitélio lingual foi analisado histologicamente, graduado pelo Sistema Binário e classificação OMS, e os dados comparados por análise de variância (ANOVA) (p<0,05). Resultados: O rendimento do EPV foi 41,43% e o teor de flavonóides 0,95±0,44%. Segundo o Sistema Binário, TUM1, TUM2 e PROP1 foram considerados lesões de alto risco, apresentando índices de alterações morfológicas significativamente mais elevados (p<0,05), e os demais de baixo risco. Segundo a classificação OMS, observou-se displasia moderada em TUM e TUM2, leve em PROP1, PROP2 e PROP3, e ausente em CTR1 e CTR2. Conclusão: Sugere-se que o EPV possa desempenhar um papel protetor importante durante a carcinogênese lingual quimicamente induzida em ratos. _________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT: Studies have demonstrated that flavonoid compounds of green propolis have antitumoral activity. Study Design: Experimental study. Aims: To evaluate the effect of a hydroalcoholic extract of green propolis (EPV) on chemically induced epithelial dysplasias in rat tongues. Methods and Materials: DMBA was brushed on the lingual dorsum of rats 3x/week on alternate days - 100 (PROP1), 200(PROP2) and 300 mg/kg (PROP3) EPV was administered orally for 20 weeks. EPV or DMBA were replaced by their vehicles and applied as positive (TUM1 and TUM2) and negative controls (CTR1 and CTR2), respectively. The lingual epithelium was histologically analyzed and graded according a binary system and the WHO classification; the data were compared using ANOVA (*p<0.05). Results: The EPV yield was 41% and the flavonoid yield was 0.95±0.44%. According to the Binary System, TUM1, TUM2 and PROP1 were considered high risk lesions, with significantly higher morphological alteration rates compared to the other groups (p<0.05), which were considered low risk lesions. Based on the WHO classification, moderate dysplasia was TUM1 and TUM2, mild dysplasia was PROP1, PROP2 and PROP3, and non-dysplastic epithelium was CTR1 and CTR2. Conclusion: EPV seems to play an important protective role against chemically-induced lingual carcinogenesis in rats

MONITORAMENTO TECNOLÓGICO DO MEL E TECNOLOGIAS CORRELATAS ATRAVÉS DO ESTUDO EM DOCUMENTOS DE PATENTES DEPOSITADOS NO BRASIL (1984-2011)

Diante do aumento no interesse do mel pelas indústrias de alimentos e farmacêutica, decorrente principalmente das suas propriedades funcionais e medicinais, bem como de suas novas possibilidades de aplicação, o objetivo deste estudo foi realizar um monitoramento tecnológico para avaliar o panorama nacional da proteção de processos e produtos relacionados a esta matéria-prima. A pesquisa foi realizada na base de dados on line do Instituto Nacional de Propriedade Industrial (INPI), visto que abrange todas as patentes depositadas e publicadas no Brasil. Foram selecionados 142 documentos para compor o escopo dos resultados, considerados relevantes para a pesquisa. A partir do mapeamento tecnológico realizado neste estudo, percebe-se que essa matriz está sendo utilizada para o desenvolvimento de produtos e processos em diferentes áreas tecnológicas e que o Brasil ainda é um país de pouco interesse para a proteção da tecnologia na área pesquisada, evidenciado através do pequeno número de patentes de não residentes

Nursing Doctorates in Brazil: research formation and theses production

;;OBJECTIVE:;; to analyze the formation of nursing doctorates in Brazil, from theses production, disciplines and other strategies focusing on research offered by courses.;;;;METHOD:;; a descriptive and analytical study of the performance of 18 doctoral courses in nursing, running from 1982 to 2010, and defended their theses between 2010-2012.;;;;RESULTS:;; 502 theses were defended in this period, most linked to the online research process of health and nursing care. There are gaps in the knowledge of theoretical and philosophical foundations of care, nursing history and ethics. There are also weaknesses in the methodological design of the theses, with a predominance of descriptive and/or exploratory studies. This was consistent with international standards set with regards to the proposition of research of disciplines and complementary strategies in forming the doctorate.;;;;CONCLUSION:;; despite the efforts and advances in research formation, it is essential to expand to more robust research designs with a greater impact on production knowledge that is incorporated into practice.;;;;OBJETIVO:;; analizar la formación de doctores en enfermería en Brasil, a partir de la producción de tesis, de disciplinas y otras estrategias centradas en la investigación que ofrecidas por los cursos.;;;;MÉTODO:;; Estudio descriptivo y analítico de la realización de 18 cursos de doctorado en Enfermería, que se ejecutan 1982-2010, que tenían tesis entre 2010-2012.;;;;RESULTADOS:;; fueron defendidas 502 tesis en el período, la mayoría relacionados con la línea de investigación procesos de cuidado y de salud en enfermería de la atención en salud y enfermería. Hay lagunas en la producción de conocimientos sobre fundamentos teóricos y filosóficos de la atención y cuidado, historia de la enfermería y la ética. También existen debilidades en el diseño metodológico de la tesis, con un predominio de estudios descriptivos y / o exploratorios. Existe consonancia con las normas internacionales establecidas en relación con las disciplinas de proposición de investigación y estrategias complementarias en la formación del médico.;;;;CONCLUSIÓN:;; a pesar de los esfuerzos y los avances en la formación en investigación, es fundamental expandirse en la propuesta de proyectos más robustos y con un mayor impacto en la producción de conocimiento que serán incorporados a la práctica.;;;;OBJETIVO:;; analisar a formação dos doutores em enfermagem no Brasil, a partir da produção de teses, das disciplinas e outras estratégias com foco em pesquisa oferecidas pelos cursos.;;;;MÉTODO:;; estudo descritivo e analítico do desempenho de 18 cursos de doutorado da área de Enfermagem, funcionando no período de 1982 a 2010, que tiveram teses defendidas entre 2010-2012.;;;;RESULTADOS:;; foram defendidas 502 teses no período, a maioria vinculada à linha de pesquisa processo de cuidar em saúde e enfermagem. Existem lacunas na produção de conhecimento sobre fundamentos teórico-filosóficos do cuidar, história de enfermagem e ética. Também há fragilidades no delineamento metodológico das teses, com predominância de estudos descritivos e/ou exploratórios. Observou-se consonância com os padrões internacionais estabelecidos no que se refere à proposição de disciplinas de pesquisas e de estratégias complementares na formação do doutor.;;;;CONCLUSÃO:;; apesar dos esforços e avanços na formação em pesquisa, é fundamental expandir-se na proposição de projetos mais robustos e de maior impacto na produção de conhecimento que sejam incorporados à prática.;