Removing Diethylphthalate (DEP) from Water Systems using Zeolites and Mesoporous Materials

In order to remove diethylphthalate (DEP) molecules from water systems, zeolites of faujasite (FAU), ferrierite (FER), mordenite (MOR), and mesoporous silica (MCM-41) were employed in this study. 1H nuclear-magnetic-resonance (NMR) spectra showed that FAU was effective in eliminating DEP from aqueous solutions. In addition, solid-state 1H NMR spectra with a magic-angle-spinning (MAS) rate of 30 kHz revealed that a larger amount of DEP was adsorbed on FAUs with higher Si/Al ratios. Our NMR spectra also showed that a chemical shift of the signal assigned to water molecules adsorbed on the FAUs is linked to the amount of DEP adsorption. 1H MAS NMR spectra also revealed that DEP molecules prefer to adsorb on the four-membered ring site rather than the center or/and window of the supercage in FAUs. Since porous materials are frequently present in ground and water systems such as rivers, ponds, and lakes, this study also showed that DEP could adsorb onto soils in aquatic environments and remain in the water system for a long time

Análise da especificidade de anticorpos humanos a antígenos de Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis

A antigenicidade de promastigotas de Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis tratadas com desoxicolato de sódio 1% tampão TrisHCl 10 mM pH 8.2 foi determinada por immunoblot usando soros de pacientes com leishmaniose cutânea e mucocutânea, leishmaniose visceral, esquistossomose, malária e doença de Chagas. Os soros de pacientes com leishmaniose cutânea e mucocutânea apresentaram reação positiva com uma banda de 60 kD. Não se observou reatividade para esta fração em soros de pacientes com outras doenças parasitárias acima mencionadas, indicando que esta pode ser utilizada no sorodiagnóstico de leishmaniose tegumental.The antigenicity of promastigotes of Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis (L. b.braziliensis) treated with 1% sodium desoxycholate in 10 mM Tris-Hcl pH 8.2 was analysed by immunoblot using as probes sera from American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL), American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL), schistosomiasis, malaria and Chagas' disease. The ACL sera reacted constantly with a 60 kD band. No reactivity to this protein was observed with sera from the other diseases above mentioned indicating that the 60 kD protein may be used in serodiagnosis for ACL

Modulação da resposta imune do hospedeiro pelos carrapatos

Os carrapatos são ectoparasitos hematófagos que acarretam grandes prejuízos à produção animal. Também causam danos na saúde humana e animal pela transmissão de agentes causadores de doenças. O principal método de controle desses parasitos é baseado no uso de acaricidas. O controle imunológico surge como um método alternativo promissor. Para o sucesso desse controle, moléculas fundamentais na fisiologia do carrapato devem ser identificadas. Carrapatos da família Ixodidae podem se alimentar sobre os hospedeiros por períodos de mais de duas semanas, ativando, assim, a imunidade inata e adaptativa, como também respostas hemostáticas desses animais parasitados. Contudo, durante o curso da infestação, os carrapatos são hábeis em evadir essas defesas naturais dos hospedeiros. A saliva dos carrapatos possui um efeito inibitório sobre a ativação do sistema complemento, a inflamação e a coagulação sanguínea. Porém, são relativamente recentes os estudos na caracterização de componentes da saliva dos carrapatos com funções anticomplemento e anticoagulantes. Nos últimos anos, diversas proteínas vêm sendo descritas com essas atividades na saliva dos carrapatos, revelando um papel fundamental dessas moléculas na sobrevivência desses parasitos. Essas proteínas constituem um alvo potencial para o combate aos carrapatos

Produção do anticorpo monoclonal BrBm2 para caracterização de um antígeno de intestino de Boophilus microplus

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Evaluation of ELISA procedures to detect von Willebrand Factor with monoclonal antibodies

The von Willebrand Factor is a multimeric glycoprotein responsible for the promotion of platelet adhesion and aggregation at sites of vascular injury, and for FVIII stabilization. Abnormalities on this protein are responsible for diverse types of von Willebrand Disease. In the present study, monoclonal antibodies against human von Willebrand Factor were developed as a means to improve von Willebrand Disease research and diagnosis. Monoclonal antibodies were tested for their ability to bind to purified and plasmatic von Willebrand Factor. Monoclonal antibodies vW22 and vW23 were found to bind only purified von Willebrand Factor, and monoclonal antibodies vW18 and vW21 were found to bind purified and plasmatic von Willebrand Factor. Antibodies vW18 and vW21 were used to perform a sandwich-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect and quantify von Willebrand Factor concentration in plasma samples from 143 coagulopathy patients and 12 healthy blood donors. The assay showed high performance, with strong correlation and agreement in results, when compared to electroimmunoassay (Rs = 0.843 and K = 0.691 with p<0.001) and a commercial ELISA (Rs = 0.930 and K = 0.819 with p<0.001). S-ELISA proved to be a useful tool in vWF quantification tests in Brazilian specialized laboratories as an alternative to imported tests.(Avaliação de procedimentos ELISA para detectar o Fator von Willebrand com anticorpos monoclonais). O Fator von Willebrand é uma glicoproteína multimérica responsável pela promoção da adesão e agregação de plaquetas nos locais de lesão vascular e pela estabilização do FVIII. Anormalidades na função ou estrutura desta proteína são responsáveis por diversos tipos de doença de von Willebrand. Para auxiliar na pesquisa e diagnóstico da doença de von Willebrand, este estudo desenvolveu anticorpos monoclonais contra fator von Willebrand humano. Os anticorpos monoclonais foram testados quanto à sua capacidade de se ligar ao fator von Willebrand purificado e plasmático. Os anticorpos monoclonais vW22 e vW23 ligaram-se somente ao fator von Willebrand purificado, e anticorpos monoclonais vW18 e vW21 ligaram-se tanto ao fator von Willebrand purificado como ao plasmático. Anticorpos vW18 e vW21 foram utilizados no desenvolvimento de um ELISA sandwich para detectar e quantificar a concentração de fator von Willebrand no plasma em uma amostra de 143 pacientes com coagulopatias e 12 doadores de sangue saudáveis. O teste mostrou alto desempenho, com forte correlação e concordância quando comparado com uma imunoeletrofose (Rs = 0,843 e K = 0,691 p <0,001) e um ELISA comercial (Rs = 0,930 e K = 0,819 p <0,001). O ELISA-S desenvolvido no presente trabalho mostrou um bom desempenho para ser usado como teste de quantificação vWF em laboratórios especializados no Brasil como alternativa para testes importados

Anti-tick monoclonal antibody applied by artificial capillary feeding in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus females

AbstractThe tick Rhipicephalus microplus is an ectoparasite harmful to livestock, a vector of disease agents that affects meat and milk production. However, resistance to acaricides reflects the need for alternative tick control methods, among which vaccines have gained increasing relevance. In this scenario, monoclonal antibodies can be used to identify and characterize antigens that can be used as vaccine immunogens. Capillary tube artificial feeding of partially engorged R. microplus females with monoclonal antibodies against proteins from the gut of tick were used to test the effects of immunoglobulins in the physiology of the parasite. The results of artificial feeding showed that female ticks over 25mg and under 60mg in weight performed better in the artificial feeding process, with a 94–168% weight increase after 24h of feeding. Results showed that artificial feeding of ticks proved to be a viable technique to study the effects of antibodies or drugs in the physiology of the parasite. One monoclonal antibody (BrBm2) induced decreased oviposition. Moreover, the antigen recognized by BrBm2 was identified as a 27-kDa protein and immunolabeled on digestive vesicles membranes of digestive cells of partially and fully engorged females

Inhibition of enzyne activity of Riphicephalus (Boophilus) microplus triosephosphate isomerase and BME26 cell growth by monoclonal antibodies

In the present work, we produced two monoclonal antibodies (BrBm37 and BrBm38) and tested their action against the triosephosphate isomerase of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (RmTIM). These antibodies recognize epitopes on both the native and recombinant forms of the protein. rRmTIM inhibition by BrBm37 was up to 85% whereas that of BrBrm38 was 98%, depending on the antibody-enzyme ratio. RmTIM activity was lower in ovarian, gut, and fat body tissue extracts treated with BrBm37 or BrBm38 mAbs. The proliferation of the embryonic tick cell line (BME26) was inhibited by BrBm37 and BrBm38 mAbs. In summary, the results reveal that it is possible to interfere with the RmTIM function using antibodies, even in intact cells

JASMINE: Near-infrared astrometry and time-series photometry science

The Japan Astrometry Satellite Mission for INfrared Exploration (JASMINE) is a planned M-class science space mission by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. JASMINE has two main science goals. One is Galactic archaeology with a Galactic Center survey, which aims to reveal the Milky Way’s central core structure and formation history from Gaia-level (∼25 ${\mu}$as) astrometry in the near-infrared (NIR) Hw band (1.0–1.6 ${\mu}$m). The other is an exoplanet survey, which aims to discover transiting Earth-like exoplanets in the habitable zone from NIR time-series photometry of M dwarfs when the Galactic Center is not accessible. We introduce the mission, review many science objectives, and present the instrument concept. JASMINE will be the first dedicated NIR astrometry space mission and provide precise astrometric information on the stars in the Galactic Center, taking advantage of the significantly lower extinction in the NIR. The precise astrometry is obtained by taking many short-exposure images. Hence, the JASMINE Galactic Center survey data will be valuable for studies of exoplanet transits, asteroseismology, variable stars, and microlensing studies, including discovery of (intermediate-mass) black holes. We highlight a swath of such potential science, and also describe synergies with other missions

Avaliação do sistema fagocítico mononuclear na hanseníase

BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertaçõe