Bibliografia de recursos naturais da Amazônia brasileira.

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Effect of cyclosporin-A on the blood--retinal barrier permeability in streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Our previous results showed that in retinas from streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats there is an increased level of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). This cytokine may be involved in the expression of the inducible isoform of the nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), with consequent synthesis of large amounts of NO and blood-retinal barrier (BRB) breakdown. AIMS: The aim of this work was to examine whether the administration of cyclosporin-A (Cs-A) to STZ-induced diabetic rats inhibits the synthesis of IL-1beta and the expression of the inducible proteins, iNOS and cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) in retinal cells, and whether the activity of these proteins contribute to BRB breakdown. METHODS: The level of IL-1beta was evaluated by ELISA and the NO production by L-[3H]-citrulline formation. Expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins was determined by two methods, western blot and immunohistochemistry. The permeability of the BRB was assessed by quantification of the vitreous protein. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Our results indicated that the levels of IL-1beta and NO in retinas from Cs-A-treated diabetic rats are significantly reduced, as compared to that in non-treated diabetic rats. The treatment of diabetic rats with Cs-A also significantly inhibited the expression of the inducible proteins, iNOS and COX-2. The evaluation of the vitreous protein content revealed that Cs-A also reduces the BRB permeability. Taken together, these results suggest that the increased production of the inflammatory mediators, IL-1beta and NO, in diabetes may affect the BRB permeability and therefore contribute to the development of diabetic retinopathy

Design and industrial implementation of a multi-functional part produced by powder bed fusion

The use of robot end-effectors programmed to perform handling tasks in industrial environments has expanded in several sectors as a consequence of the rapid digital transformation seen in recent years. With such growing demands, additive manufacturing is evolving in the robotics field with more efficient, innovative, and customer-specific solutions owing to its design flexibility. Thus, this work presents a robot end-effector developed and produced by powder bed fusion (PBF) to execute palletizing operations in the automotive electronics industry, where electrostatic discharge interference is a critical concern. To guarantee the functionality of the developed robot end-effector under real conditions of implementation, prototypes of polyamide 12 (PA12) and PA12 incorporating graphene nanoplatelets were fabricated and characterized. This included the assessment of the mass, electrical surface resistance, and mechanical properties under tensile and compressive loads using biaxial strain gauges coupled to the prototypes for local strain monitoring. The experimental data were then used to define multilinear isotropic hardening models needed to numerically characterize the robotic system. At last, the final product was validated in an industrial environment at Bosch Car Multimedia S.A. Through the applied methodology, valuable insights in guiding process parameters optimization and materials selection for functional PBF parts depending on the technical requirements demanded by industrials are provided.FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia(2020.04520) / Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through the PhD scholarship 2020.04520.BD.European Regional Development Fund through the Operational Competitiveness and Internationalization Programme (COMPETE 2020) [Project No. 47108“SIFA”; Funding Reference: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-04710

Palynomorphs from the Gorstian (Silurian) of the Sazes Formation (Buçaco Syncline), Central Iberian Zone, Portugal - preliminary results

Occuring in a complex syncline that extends from Buçaco to Penedo de Góis, the studied area is located in the Central Iberian Zone of the Iberian Massif. In this region outcrops a well-preserved and complete stratigraphic succession of Lower Paleozoic age. At the top of the Buçaco Syncline stratigraphic succession, the Silurian Sazes Formation (Paris, 1981), is currently being studied at a palynological (miospores and chitinozoans) and macrofossil (graptolites) level, allowing a preliminary revision and completion of the initial biostratigraphy of this area. This studies will also provide information to support the undergoing surveying mapping project (1:50 000) that is being undertaken by the “Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia” (Portuguese Geological Survey) (Sequeira, in prep)

Dados palinoestratigráficos preliminares do Gorstiano (Silúrico) da Formação de Sazes (Sinclinal do Buçaco)

Novos dados bioestratigráficos foram obtidos na sucessão estratigráfica do Paleozóico Inferior da região do Buçaco. A Formação de Sazes (Silúrico) está a ser estudada ao nível palinológico (miosporos e quitinozoários) e de macrofósseis (graptólitos), com o intuito de rever e complementar dados bioestratigráficos anteriormente descritos. Com base nos dados palinológicos, parte da Fm. de Sazes foi datada com mais precisão como pertencendo ao Gorstiano e, pela primeira vez nesta região, também foram identificados criptosporos. Novos dados são esperados com a continuação deste estudo

New insights on the Hirnantian palynostratigraphy of the rio Ceira section, Buçaco, Portugal

The Lower Palaeozoic successions of Portugal are well represented in the Central Iberian Zone (Cll), one of the main tectonostratigraphic domains of the Iberian Massif. Located in the CIZ, the Bu<;aco Syncline presents one of its most complete Palaeozoic sequences. With a NW-SE orientation, the Lower Palaeozoic lithostratigraphic succession, includes several Ordovician units that ranges from the Lower Ordovician (Tremadocian stage) to the Upper Ordovician (Hirnantian stage) and are unconformably overlain by the Silurian Sazes Formation, at least of Wenlock and Ludlow epochs, in the Rio Ceira Section (Fig.1). This sequence is also well known by its rich palaeontological content in macrofauna (e.g. trilobites, briozoans, echinoderms, ostracods, brachiopods, graptolites) and microfauna (conodonts, chitinozoans, acritarchs) (Delgado, 1908; Henry and Thadeu, 1971; Mitchell, 1974; Henry et al., 1974, 1976; ElaouadDebbaj, 1978; Henry, 1980; Paris, 1979, 1981; Romano, 1982; Romano et aI., 1986; Young, 1985, 1987, 1988,1989)

Efficacy and cytotoxicity of binary mixtures as root canal filling solvents

Objectives: This study reports the efficacy of two solvent mixtures on the dissolution of gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer, together with the cytotoxicity. Methods: Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), orange oil, tetrachloroethylene, MEK/tetrachloroethylene (1:1), MEK/orange oil (1:1), and chloroform (control) were tested. Twelve groups (n = 15) of standardized stainless-steel molds filled with softened gutta-percha cones and twelve (n = 15) filled with AH Plus were immersed in the corresponding mixture or individual solvent, in an ultrasonic bath, for either 2 or 5 min. The effect of the solvents was assessed qualitatively by a topographical analysis (scanning electron microscopy) and chemical analysis (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), and quantitatively by a weight loss and viscoelastic property (dynamic mechanical analysis) evaluation. The cytotoxicity was assessed on MG63 human osteoblastic cells. Results: The mixtures did not show the formation of new compounds. Both presented significantly higher efficacies compared to their individual solvents, suggesting a synergistic effect. Their dissolution efficacy was similar to that of chloroform, showing high cytocompatibility. Conclusions: The proposed strategy, incorporating ultrasound agitation and profiting from the synergy of adequate solvents, might enhance root canal cleanliness allowing a single-step procedure to dissolve gutta-percha and the sealer remnants, while assuring cytocompatibility with the periapical tissues.This article was supported by National Funds through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia,I.P.-V., within CINTESIS, R & D Unit (reference UIDB/4255/2020)

Association Between Memory B-Cells and Clinical and Immunological Features of Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome and Sicca Patients

B-cells play a pivotal role in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) pathogenesis. We aim to (1) evaluate the distribution of B-lymphocyte subpopulations in pSS and Sicca patients, (2) establish cut-off points that discriminate pSS from controls, (3) evaluate the association between memory B-cells and phenotypic features in pSS. We included 57 pSS patients, 68 Sicca and 24 healthy controls. Circulating B-cells were characterized by flow cytometry as naïve and memory subsets and classified from Bm1 to Bm5. Compared to controls, pSS patients had lower percentages (29.5 vs 44.4%) and absolute numbers (47 vs 106 cells/µl) of memory B-cells. Through ROC curves, a cut-off of ≤ 58 total memory B-cells/µl yielded a specificity of 0.88 and a sensitivity of 0.60 for pSS, and was met by 59.6% of pSS patients, 38.8% of Sicca and 12.5% of controls. A cut-off of < 23.5 Switched-memory B-cells/µl yielded a specificity of 0.88 and a sensitivity of 0.54 and was met by 54.4% of pSS patients, 37.3% of Sicca and 12.5% of controls. In pSS, lower total memory B-cells count was associated with longer disease duration (14.3 vs 8.1 years, p = 0.006) and more active disease profile, as evaluated by the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Sjögren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI) (3.1 vs 1.4, p = 0.043). Decreased numbers of memory B-cells clearly discriminated pSS from controls and can also have prognostic value. It remains to be clarified whether Sicca patients with decreased memory B-cells represent pSS and if B-cell profiling could help in the diagnosis of pSS.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Relationship between nano-architectured Ti1−xCux thin film and electrical resistivity for resistance temperature detectors

Ti1−xCux thin films were produced by the glancing angle deposition technique (GLAD) for resistance temperature measurements. The deposition angle was fixed at α = 0° to growth columnar structures and α = 45° to growth zigzag structures. The Ti-to-Cu atomic concentration was tuned from 0 to 100 at.% of Cu in order to optimize the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) value. Increasing the amount of Cu in the Ti1−xCux thin films, the electrical conductivity was gradually changed from 4.35 to 7.87 × 105 Ω−1 m−1. After thermal “stabilization,” the zigzag structures of Ti1−xCux films induce strong variation of the thermosensitive response of the materials and exhibited a reversible resistivity versus temperature between 35 and 200 °C. The results reveal that the microstructure has an evident influence on the overall response of the films, leading to values of TCR of 8.73 × 10−3 °C−1 for pure copper films and of 4.38 × 10−3 °C−1 for a films of composition Ti0.49Cu0.51. These values are very close to the ones reported for the bulk platinum (3.93 × 10−3 °C−1), which is known to be one of the best material available for these kind of temperature-related applications. The non-existence of hysteresis in the electrical response of consecutive heating and cooling steps indicates the viability of these nanostructured zigzag materials to be used as thermosensitive sensors.Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Funding UID/FIS/04650/2013 and Project PTDC/EEI-SII/5582/2014. A. Ferreira and C. Lopes thanks the FCT for Grant SFRH/BPD/102402/2014 and SFRH/BD/103373/2014. The authors thank financial support from the Basque Government Industry Department under the ELKARTEK Programinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio