Nanopartículas recobertas com óxidos aplicadas em espectroscopias intensificadas por superfícies e células solares

The present work shows the synthesis, characterization and application of silver nanoparticles (AgNP), silver nanoparticles encapsulated in a layer of silicon dioxide (Ag@SiO2) and in a layer of niobium pentoxide (Ag@Nb2O5). Although Ag nanoparticles exhibit high intensity plasmonic modes, these particles tend to aggregate in solution, so encapsulation was performed in an oxide layer thick enough to allow stabilization against aggregation without complete surface plasmon dumping inside the oxide layer. The nanoparticles were characterized by UV-VIS spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The spectra of the oxide-coated samples show a redshift of the extinction mode, which suggests the formation of an oxide layer on the nanoparticles, resulting in an increase in the mean refractive index of the medium. The nanoparticles were used as substrate for surface intensified Raman scattering (SERS) and for surface intensified fluorescence (SEF). The tests were performed with the IR-820 molecules adsorbed on the nanoparticles. SERS measurements were performed with incident radiation at 633 nm and SEF measurements with incident radiation at 785 nm. To evaluate the effect of nanoparticles in stimulating the generation of charge carriers in solar cells, AgNP and Ag@SiO2 nanoparticles were incorporated within the mesoporous TiO2 film used to assemble dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) and incorporated in the hole transporting layer in organic solar cell .The results show that the Ag@SiO2 and Ag@Nb2O5 nanoparticles are promising for application in SERS and SEF and the AgNP and Ag@SiO2 nanoparticles have resulted in increased photocurrent generation in the DSSCs. In the organic solar cell, the lower concentration of Ag@SiO2 resulted in increased photocurrent generation.O presente trabalho consiste na síntese, caracterização e aplicação de nanopartículas de prata (AgNP), nanopartículas de prata encapsuladas em uma camada de dióxido de silício (Ag@SiO2) e em pentóxido de nióbio (Ag@Nb2O5). Embora as nanopartículas de Ag apresentem modos plasmônicos de alta intensidade, elas tendem a se agregar em solução, portanto foi realizado o encapsulamento com uma camada de óxido com espessura que permita estabilização contra agregação, sem permitir que todo plasmon relaxe dentro desta camada. As nanopartículas foram caracterizadas por espectroscopia na região do UV-VIS, microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET) e espalhamento dinâmico de luz (DLS). Os espectros das amostras recobertas com óxido apresentam um deslocamento da banda de extinção para uma região de menor energia, que sugere a formação de uma camada de óxido sobre as nanopartículas, resultando em um aumento do índice de refração médio do meio. As nanopartículas foram utilizados como substrato para o espalhamento Raman intensificado pela superfície (SERS) e para fluorescência intensificada pela superfície (SEF). Os testes foram realizados com o IR-820 adsorvido nas nanopartículas. As medidas de SERS foram realizadas com radiação incidente em 633 nm e as medidas de SEF com radiação incidente em 785 nm. Para avaliar o efeito das nanopartículas em estimular a geração de portadores de carga em células solares, as nanopartículas AgNP e Ag@SiO2 foram inseridas no filme mesoporoso de TiO2 utilizado para montar células solares sensibilizadas por corantes (DSSC) e foram inseridas na camada transportadora de buracos das células solares orgânicas. Os resultados mostram que as nanopartículas de Ag@SiO2 e Ag@Nb2O5 são promissoras para aplicação em SERS e SEF e as nanopartículas de AgNP e Ag@SiO2 resultaram em aumento da geração de fotocorrente nas DSSCs. Nas células solares orgânicas a menor concentração de Ag@SiO2 gerou a maior fotocorrent

ANÁLISE CENTESIMAL E DOSAGEM DE ÔMEGA3 EM SEMENTE DE CHIA (Salvia Hispanica) E SEMENTE DE LINHAÇA (Linum Usitatissimum).

As sementes de Chia (Salvia hispânica) e Linhaça (Linum Usitatissimum) são oriundas da América Central e Norte, mais especificamente Guatemala e México; são duas sementes com centenas de anos e com consumo registrados por guerreiros indígenas Astecas e Maias. A Chia e a Linhaça são sementes que possuem componentes antioxidantes e ainda são ricas em ácidos graxos poli-insaturados. A presença de ácido graxo, especificamente o Ômega 3, aumenta o interesse destas sementes oleaginosas para estudos científicos e também desenvolvimento de novos produtos alimentícios para o consumo humano, tendo em vista que estes benefícios auxiliam contra doenças como Diabetes, Obesidade, problemas cardiovasculares e Constipação intestinal. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar a análise centesimal de Chia e Linhaça, assim como fazer a comparativa do teor de Ômega 3 das duas sementes exploradas. As análises foram realizadas na Faculdade Assis Gurgacz e em triplicada para as três amostras. Obteve-se como resultado médio para as sementes de Chia e Linhaça, respectivamente 8,6% e 7,6% em teores de umidade, 13,6% e 11,2% para cinzas, 20% e 15,2% para proteínas totais e 33,1% e 35,7% para lipídeos. O teor comparativo de Ômega 3 realizado nas duas sementes da amostra 1, foi executado por um laboratório de Controle de Qualidade credenciado com a Faculdade Assis Gurgacz, obtendo como resultado para Chia 22% e para Linhaça 21,5% de Ômega 3, respectivamente. A partir deste resultado conclui-se que a semente com maior prospectiva de nutrição e benefícios a saúde é a Chia (Salvia hispanica). &nbsp

Antioxidant potential and modulatory effects of restructured lipids from the amazonian palms on liver cells

Enzymatic interesterification is used to manipulate oil and fat in order to obtain improved restructured lipids with desired technological properties. However, with raw materials containing significant amounts of bioactive compounds, the influence of this enzymatic process on the bioactivity of the final product is still not clear. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant potential and modulatory effects of two raw materials from the Amazonian area, buriti oil and murumuru fat, before and after lipase interesterification, on human hepatoma cells (HepG2). The results indicate that minor bioactive compounds naturally found in the raw materials and their antioxidant capacity are preserved after enzymatic interesterification, and that the restructured lipids modulate HepG2 endogenous antioxidant enzyme554553561CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP2012- -22774-5; 2012-22829-4Sem informaçãoSem informaçã

Programa de extensão lazer e saúde

Anais do 35º Seminário de Extensão Universitária da Região Sul - Área temática: EducaçãoO programa de extensão “Lazer e Saúde” compreende o lazer como um espaço privilegiado para vivências lúdicas importantes para o desenvolvimento humano e para a promoção da saúde, permitindo a manifestação individual e coletiva de situações que possibilitam, para além do divertimento e do descanso, o desenvolvimento pessoal e social. Esta iniciativa parte do princípio de que as atividades recreativas e educacionais podem influenciar positivamente a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde. Como objetivo geral visa promover ações comunitárias relacionadas ao lazer e à saúde, atendendo associações, centros de saúde, escolas, creches e a Guarda Municipal de Florianópolis (SC). Este programa é constituído por dois projetos de extensão: “Lazer e Recreação” e “Saúde das mulheres na Guarda Municipal de Florianópolis” e por um evento de extensão: “Brinca CEFID”. As ações promovidas são constituídas por aulas teóricas, expositivas e participativas, e aulas práticas específicas referentes aos diferentes conteúdos culturais do lazer, da recreação, da saúde e exercício físic

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Of The Gjb2 And Gjb6 Genes Are Associated With Autosomal Recessive Nonsyndromic Hearing Loss.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are important markers in many studies that link DNA sequence variations to phenotypic changes; such studies are expected to advance the understanding of human physiology and elucidate the molecular basis of diseases. The DFNB1 locus, which contains the GJB2 and GJB6 genes, plays a key role in nonsyndromic hearing loss. Previous studies have identified important mutations in this locus, but the contribution of SNPs in the genes has not yet been much investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of nine polymorphisms located within the DFNB1 locus with the occurrence of autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL). The SNPs rs3751385 (C/T), rs7994748 (C/T), rs7329857 (C/T), rs7987302 (G/A), rs7322538 (G/A), rs9315400 (C/T), rs877098 (C/T), rs945369 (A/C), and rs7333214 (T/G) were genotyped in 122 deaf patients and 132 healthy controls using allele-specific PCR. There were statistically significant differences between patients and controls, in terms of allelic frequencies in the SNPs rs3751385, rs7994748, rs7329857, rs7987302, rs945369, and rs7333214 (P < 0.05). No significant differences between the two groups were observed for rs7322538, rs9315400, and rs877098. Our results suggest that SNPs present in the GJB2 and GJB6 genes may have an influence on ARNSHL in humans.201531872

USE OF CASTOR OIL PLANT PIE FOR SOLID BIOFUEL PRODUCTION

The objective of this study was the characterization, analysis and compaction of residues from castor oil plant pie extraction to verify its potential as solid biofuel. The chemical analysis, the mechanical test and the gross calorific value had satisfactory results. With the extraction of residual oil of the material there was a decrease on the high heating value. The produced briquettes presented good longitudinal expansion as well as mechanical strenght, however the presence of residual oil had influence on their strenght. In conclusion, the castor oil plant pie possesses  energetic characteristics suitable for solid biofuel production, in addition it contributes with the reduction of industrial waste amount

Single nucleotide polymorphisms of the GJB2 and GJB6 genes are associated with autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are important markers in many studies that link DNA sequence variations to phenotypic changes; such studies are expected to advance the understanding of human physiology and elucidate the molecular basis of diseases. The DFNB1 locus, which contains the GJB2 and GJB6 genes, plays a key role in nonsyndromic hearing loss. Previous studies have identified important mutations in this locus, but the contribution of SNPs in the genes has not yet been much investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of nine polymorphisms located within the DFNB1 locus with the occurrence of autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL). The SNPs rs3751385 (C/T), rs7994748 (C/T), rs7329857 (C/T), rs7987302 (G/A), rs7322538 (G/A), rs9315400 (C/T), rs877098 (C/T), rs945369 (A/C), and rs7333214 (T/G) were genotyped in 122 deaf patients and 132 healthy controls using allele-specific PCR. There were statistically significant differences between patients and controls, in terms of allelic frequencies in the SNPs rs3751385, rs7994748, rs7329857, rs7987302, rs945369, and rs7333214 (P < 0.05). No significant differences between the two groups were observed for rs7322538, rs9315400, and rs877098. Our results suggest that SNPs present in the GJB2 and GJB6 genes may have an influence on ARNSHL in humans2015CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQFundacao Herminio Ometto/FH

Cytotoxicity and Effects of a New Calcium Hydroxide Nanoparticle Material on Production of Reactive Oxygen Species by LPS-Stimulated Dental Pulp Cells

Introduction: The aim of this study was to synthesize and characterize calcium hydroxide (CH) nanoparticles [CH-NP] and compare the cytotoxicity of these materials with that of mineral trioxide aggregate (White MTA) in human dental pulp mesenchymal cells (hDPMCs) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods and Materials: The CH-NP were synthesized by the co-precipitation method, and the physical properties were investigated through X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry (EDS). LPS-stimulated hDPMCs were placed in contact with different dilutions of culture media previously exposed to CH-NP and white MTA for 24 h. The groups were tested for cell viability by MTT formazan and Alamar Blue assays, the production of nitric oxide (NO) by Griess method and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by means of the fluorescent oxidant-sensing probe 2’,7’-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). Control groups for viability test were maintained in DMEM (not LPS-stimulated). For NO and ROS production, negative control group was cells in DMEM, and positive control was cells stimulated by LPS. The results were statistically analyzed by two-way ANOVA, Tukey’s test and Dunnett’s test (ɑ=0.05). Results: The results showed that the cell viability remained above 50% in all materials, independent of the dilution in MTT formazan and Alamar Blue tests. MTA showed a reduction in NO production at dilutions of 1:4 to 1:32 compared with the positive control group (P&lt;0.05). The tested materials exhibited lower ROS production by DPMCs than that by cells in the positive control group (P&lt;0.05), and similar ROS production to the negative control group (P&gt;0.05). Conclusion: The outcomes of present in vitro study showed that MTA and [CH-NP] were not cytotoxic materials, with MTA closer to the results of control group (DMEM). MTA and [CH-NP] reduced ROS production at basal levels, with MTA inhibiting NO production at higher dilutions

Gone With the Water: The Loss of Genetic Variability in Black and Gold Howler Monkeys (Alouatta caraya) Due to Dam Construction

Black and gold howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) inhabit several eco-regions in South America with the highest population densities in riverine forests. Dam construction for electricity production represents a severe human alteration of ecosystems with consequences for primate conservation. To evaluate the possible loss of genetic diversity in A. caraya, we analysed and compared the genetic structure of the species across 22 study sites in Argentina (14), Paraguay (1), and Brazil (7). Four of these study sites (referred to as flooded) were sampled before dam-linked flooding which most likely caused a drastic decline or functional extinction of these populations. The genetic variability of 256 individuals was evaluated using 10 autosomal microsatellites (STRs) and 112 individuals by sequencing a fragment of 507 bp of mtDNA. DNA was extracted from tissue, blood, and faecal samples. Significantly higher values of genetic variability were observed for the flooded populations both in mtDNA and STRs. Population genetic structure showed a K = 1, 2, or 5 depending on the method, separating Argentinian and Paraguayan sites from Brazilian sites and, in the case of K = 5, two clusters were mostly represented by flooded populations. Isolation-by-distance analyses showed that geographic distances influence gene flow. Analytical methods, such as Pairwise Fst’s and Nei’s and regression model of Harpending and Ward, were concordant in detecting significant genetic structuring between flooded and remaining sites examined. Although some sites have very low sample sizes, these samples are of great importance since these sampling sites are currently flooded. Our results show that the study sites where dams were built had the greatest genetic diversity. As A. caraya is currently severely threatened by yellow fever outbreaks, the remaining populations may be more vulnerable to disease outbreaks due to impoverished genetic variability. Accordingly, it is essential to implement management actions to conserve the remaining populations. Our results underline the importance for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) to include data on the genetic structure of species in the affected sites prior to their alteration or destruction. These genetic data are also remarkably important for determining where to relocate specific individuals to help avoid biodiversity loss.Fil: Oklander, Luciana Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; ArgentinaFil: Caputo, Mariela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología y Biotecnología. Cátedra de Genética y Biología Molecular; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Fernández, Gabriela Paula. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Bioinvestigaciones (Sede Pergamino); Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Jerusalinsky, Leandro. Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Primatas Brazileiros; BrasilFil: de Oliveira, Silviene F.. Universidade do Brasília; BrasilFil: Bonatto, Sandro Luis. Pontificia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Corach, Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología y Biotecnología. Cátedra de Genética y Biología Molecular; Argentin