Influence of domestic and environmental weathering in the self-cleaning performance and durability of TiO2 photocatalytic coatings

Weathering of photocatalytic TiO2 coatings represents an important issue for the successful application of TiO2- based self-cleaning materials. Photocatalytic efficiency of the as-prepared materials is crucial for commercialization; however, changes in the coating performance due to weathering become a critical factor for practical applications. Moreover, chemical durability should be considered as weathering can promote the release of photocatalyst nanoparticles, which can pollute the environment and be hazardous for human health. In this study, two photocatalytic TiO2 coatings with different microstructures (namely compact and mesoporous) were exposed to chemical treatments to simulate domestic and environmental weathering. Results show that dense TiO2 coatings with a slow photocatalytic activity are suitable for domestic applications as minimum leaching of photoactive material was observed. Conversely, once exposed to chemical solutions commonly present in domestic environments, the initially highly active mesoporous TiO2 coatings showed a dramatic drop of the selfcleaning performance and a significant release of nanoparticles in the surrounding environment. It is expected that the results reported here will be of particular relevance for the construction sector, as the manuscript discloses important knowledge for the development of TiO2-based self-cleaning materials once exposed to indoor or outdoor environments

UTILIZAÇÃO DE ÓLEO DE COCO COMO FONTE ENERGÉTICA PARA LEITÕES LACTANTES

A suinocultura brasileira possui uma trajetória de sucesso, com avanços bastante expressivos na qualidade da carne, desempenho produtivo e reprodutivo. Os ganhos obtidos em tamanho de leitegada nas últimas décadas são evidentes, principalmente devido à seleção de matrizes altamente prolíficas. No entanto, a prolificidade muitas vezes não preserva a qualidade e o desenvolvimento pós-natal do leitão, tendo como consequência a maior frequência de leitegadas com baixo peso ao nascimento e maiores chances de não sobreviverem. Os leitões menores possuem pouca massa muscular e, portanto, baixas reservas energéticas que são requeridas após o nascimento. Assim, a hipoglicemia neonatal, relacionada à imaturidade do metabolismo, bem como às falhas no manejo, ocorre com mais frequência nos sete primeiros dias de vida do leitão e o índice de mortalidade pode ser alto em alguns casos, especialmente naqueles com baixo peso e mais fracos. Na tentativa de estimular precocemente a via gliconeogênica, a suplementação de moléculas precursoras de glicose, como os ácidos graxos, poderá prover a necessidade inicial de energia. O óleo de coco é composto predominantemente por ácidos graxos de cadeia curta e glicerol, e tem sido proposto que aqueles de cadeia curta e média (AGCM) possuem absorção rápida e facilitada e metabolismo acelerado em comparação aos de cadeia longa. Nesse contexto, o objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito do óleo de coco como suplemento energético sobre o ganho de peso diário (GPD) e mortalidade de leitões do nascimento à desmama, aos 28 dias de idade. Para isto, nos meses de julho a setembro de 2023, foram utilizados 40 leitões provenientes de matrizes suínas de uma granja comercial localizada em Concórdia, SC, divididos em dois tratamentos, onde o tratamento 1 foi composto por 20 leitões que não receberam a suplementação e o tratamento 2 foi representado pelo grupo recebendo óleo de coco por via oral. Os leitões suplementados receberam 10ml, sendo 5ml fornecidos ao nascimento e o restante fornecido 8h após, através de uma seringa e aquecido previamente em banho maria a 37oC com o intuito de facilitar a ingestão. O grupo controle recebeu igual volume de material inerte (soro fisiológico), para que todos os animais sofram o mesmo estresse. E para não distorcer os resultados em função do efeito materno, na mesma matriz, os leitões nascidos desse parto, foram divididos entre os tratamentos. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente atualizado (DIC), com dois tratamentos, 20 repetições por tratamento, onde a unidade experimental foi constituída pelos leitões. Os dados ainda serão submetidos à análise de variância e teste de Tukey, tendo em vista que a pesagem dos animais ao final do experimento não foi concluída (28 dias de idade). Contudo, o trabalho possui resultado parcial, pois foi realizada a pesagem ao nascimento e aos 23 dias de idade. Observou-se no período avaliado que o ganho de peso diário (GPD) foi de 202,72 e 194,97 gramas para os grupos controle e tratamento, respectivamente

Extracellular superoxide dismutase is necessary to maintain renal blood flow during sepsis development

Background: Extracellular superoxide dismutase (ECSOD) protects nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability by decreasing superoxide levels and preventing peroxynitrite generation, which is important in maintaining renal blood flow and in preventing acute kidney injury. However, the profile of ECSOD expression after sepsis is not fully understood. Therefore, we intended to evaluate the content and gene expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) isoforms in the renal artery and their relation to renal blood flow. Methods: Sepsis was induced in Wistar rats by caecal ligation and perforation. Several times after sepsis induction, renal blood flow (12, 24 and 48 h); the renal arterial content of SOD isoforms, nitrotyrosine, endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthase (e-NOS and i-NOS), and phosphorylated vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (pVASP); and SOD activity (3, 6 and 12 h) were measured. The influence of a SOD inhibitor was also evaluated. Results: An increase in ECSOD content was associated with decreased 3-nitrotyrosine levels. These events were associated with an increase in pVASP content and maintenance of renal blood flow. Moreover, previous treatment with a SOD inhibitor increased nitrotyrosine content and reduced renal blood flow. Conclusions: ECSOD appears to have a major role in decreasing peroxynitrite formation in the renal artery during the early stages of sepsis development, and its application can be important in renal blood flow control and maintenance during septic insult

Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Receptor Antagonism Induces Protection from Lethal Sepsis: Involvement of Toll-like Receptor 4 Signaling

In sepsis, toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 modulates the migration of neutrophils to infectious foci, favoring bacteremia and mortality. In experimental sepsis, organ dysfunction and cytokines released by activated macrophages can be reduced by gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptor (GRPR) antagonist RC-3095. Here we report a link between GRPR and TLR-4 in experimental models and in sepsis patients. RAW 264.7 culture cells were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and RC-3095 (10 ng/mL), Male Wistar rats were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and RC-3095 was administered (3 mg/kg, subcutaneously); after 6 h, we removed the blood, bronchoalveolar lavage, peritoneal lavage and lung. Human patients with a clinical diagnosis of sepsis received a continuous infusion with RC-3095 (3 mg/kg, intravenous) over a period of 12 h, and plasma was collected before and after RC-3095 administration and, in a different set of patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis. GRP plasma levels were determined. RC-3095 inhibited TLR-4, extracellular-signal-related kinase (ERK)-1/2, Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and Akt and decreased activation of activator protein 1 (AP-1), nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B and interleukin (IL)-6 in macrophages stimulated by LPS. It also decreased IL-6 release from macrophages stimulated by TNF-alpha. RC-3095 treatment in CLP rats decreased lung TLR-4, reduced the migration of cells to the lung and reduced systemic cytokines and bacterial dissemination. Patients with sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome have elevated plasma levels of GRP which associates with clinical outcome in the sepsis patients. These findings highlight the role of GRPR signaling in sepsis outcome and the beneficial action of GRPR antagonists in controlling the inflammatory response in sepsis through a mechanism involving at least inhibition of TLR-4 signaling. Online address: http://www.molmed.org doi: 10.2119/molmed.2012.0008

ESTRATEGIAS PARA EL ESTUDIO DE SITIOS DEL PERIODO COLONIAL EN EL NORDESTE ARGENTINO: FUERTE SANCTI SPIRITUS (1527-1529) Y SANTA FE LA VIEJA (1573-1660) / Strategies for the study of the colonial period sites in northeastern Argentina: Sancti Spiritus Fort

Normal 0 21 false false false ES-AR X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 coloniales de la región del Nordeste Argentino. Se toman dos casos de estudio, el fuerte Sancti Spiritus (1527-1529) y Santa Fe la Vieja (1573-1660); ubicados temporalmente en el inicio de la colonización española en Sudamérica y espacialmente sobre la llanura aluvial del Paraná. Los sitios representan dos etapas del colonialismo español y se vinculan a través de su historia, de la materialidad de sus construcciones y de los artefactos, de la[1] procedencia de quienes los ocuparon, del contexto cultural y natural donde fueron emplazados. Se hace una síntesis de la trayectoria seguida en la investigación de ambos asentamientos y se las compara con el fin de realizar algunas consideraciones acerca de las estrategias para el estudio de sitios históricos en esta región.   Palabras clave: asentamientos españoles del siglo XVI; cuenca del Paraná; trayectorias de investigación; métodos de excavación.   Abstract This paper deals with the strategies of archaeological research carried out in colonial sites in the region of the Northeastern Argentina. We considered two cases of study, the Sancti Spiritus Fort (1527-1529) and Santa Fe La Vieja (1573-1660); both enclaves are located temporarily in the beginning of the Spanish colonization in South America and spatially on the alluvial plain of the Paraná River. These sites represent two stages of Spanish colonialism and they are linked through its history, the materiality of their constructions, archaeological artifacts, and the origin of those who occupied these settlements; even we consider their cultural and natural contexts. This work is an overview of the trajectory followed in the study of both settlements and we compare them in order to take into account some considerations about the analytical and methodological strategies for the study of historical sites in this region.   Keywords: Spanish settlement of 16th century; La Plata River Basin; research trajectory; excavation methods    <!--[endif] --

Coadministration of branched-chain amino acids and lipopolysaccharide causes matrix metalloproteinase activation and blood–brain barrier breakdown

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an inborn error of metabolism caused by a severe deficiency in the activity of the branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase complex, leading to accumulation of the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) leucine, isoleucine, and valine. Infections have a significant role in precipitating acute metabolic decompensation in patients with MSUD; however, the mechanisms underlying the neurotoxicity in this disorder are poorly understood. In this study, we subjected rats to the coadministration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is a major component of gram-negative bacteria cell walls, and high concentrations of BCAA (H-BCAA) to determine their effects on the permeability of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and on the levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9). Our results demonstrated that the coadministration of H-BCAA and LPS causes breakdown of the BBB and increases the levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the hippocampus of these rats. On the other hand, examination of the cerebral cortex of the 10- and 30-day-old rats revealed a significant difference in Evan’s Blue content after coadministration of H-BCAA and LPS, as MMP-9 levels only increased in the cerebral cortex of the 10-day-old rats. In conclusion, these results suggest that the inflammatory process associated with high levels of BCAA causes BBB breakdown. Thus, we suggest that BBB breakdown is relevant to the perpetuation of brain inflammation and may be related to the brain dysfunction observed in MSUD patients

Esclerosi múltiple: preguntes i respostes per a pacients i familiars

Ha colaborado en este proyecto el Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL).Este libro pretende resolver algunas dudas que plantea la Esclerosis Múltiple, mediante un formato de preguntas y respuestas que los autores de este libro (profesionales y especialistas multidisciplinares involucrados en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la enfermedad) han intentado condensar en estas páginas. Trasladando de este modo los conocimientos y la experiencia acumulados. Este libro tiene algunas peculiaridades. La primera es que en su redacción y revisión han participado pacientes de la Asociación de Esclerosis Múltiple de Alicante (ADEMA) y de la Asociación Alicantina de Esclerosis Múltiple "Vega Baja" y ello ha ayudado a conseguir una redacción y contenido claro y conciso, sin tecnicismos innecesarios, pero de gran aplicación y contenido científico clínico. La segunda peculiaridad es que, al ser la Comunidad Valenciana, donde vivimos, una comunidad plurilingüe, este libro tiene versiones en castellano y en valenciano. La tercera peculiaridad es que el libro no tiene patrocinio de la industria farmacéutica y ninguno de los autores ha recibido remuneración por su contribución. Conscientes de que los conocimientos y los tratamientos sobre la enfermedad van cambiando con el tiempo, se intentará actualizarlo periódicamente y tras esta edición de mayo de 2017. Se estructura en los siguientes capítulos: 1) ¿Qué es la esclerosis múltiple i por qué se produce?; 2) Los síntomas de la enfermedad; 3) Diagnóstico; 4) Tratamiento; 5) Tratamiento rehabilitador y sintomático; 6) Dolor y Esclerosis Múltiple; 7) Aspectos emocionales en la Esclerosis Múltiple; 8) La Esclerosis Múltiple y la mujer; 9) Mi vida día día; 10) Actividad física y ejercicio; 11) Ármate de valor.Aquest llibre pretén resoldre alguns dubtes que planteja l'Esclerosi Múltiple, mitjançant un format de preguntes i respostes que els autors d'aquest llibre (professionals i especialistes multidisciplinaris involucrats en el diagnòstic i tractament de la malaltia) han intentat condensar en aquestes pàgines. Traslladant d'aquesta manera els coneixements i l'experiència acumulats. Aquest llibre té algunes peculiaritats. La primera és que en la seua redacció i revisió han participat pacients de l'Associació d'Esclerosi Múltiple d'Alacant (ADEMA) i de l'Associació Alacantina d'Esclerosi Múltiple "Vega Baixa" i això ha ajudat a aconseguir una redacció i contingut clar i concís, sense tecnicismes innecessaris, però de gran aplicació i contingut científic clínic. La segona peculiaritat és que, en ser la Comunitat Valenciana, on vivim, una comunitat plurilingüe, aquest llibre té versions en castellà i en valencià. La tercera peculiaritat és que el llibre no té patrocini de la indústria farmacèutica i cap dels autors ha rebut remuneració per la seua contribució. Conscients que els coneixements i els tractaments sobre la malaltia van canviant amb el temps, s'intentarà actualitzar-lo periòdicament i després d'aquesta edició de maig de 2017. S'estructura en els següents capítols: 1) Què és l'esclerosi múltiple i per què es produeix?; 2) Els símptomes de la malaltia; 3) Diagnòstic; 4) Tractament; 5) Tractament rehabilitador i simptomàtic; 6) Dolor i Esclerosi Múltiple; 7) Aspectes emocionals en l'Esclerosi Múltiple; 8) L'Esclerosi Múltiple i la dona; 9) La meua vida dia dia; 10) Activitat física i exercici; 11) Arma't de valor