DNA-based composite with quercetin and fluorescein for medical applications

We report here preparation and characterization of DNA based composites, containing DNA as a matrix, and luminescent additives - fluorescein, an organic dye, and quercetin, an organic antioxidant

Students’ engagement in school: analysis according to self-concept and grade level

This article is a product of the project PTDC/CPE-CED/114362/2009 - Envolvimento dos Alunos na escola: Diferenciação e Promoção/Students Engagment in School: Differentiation and Promotion, financed by National funding, through the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT).Conceptual Framework: The value and current relevance of the construct students’ engagement in school (SES) have been highlighted in literature, despite of the lack of empirical studies and validated multidimensional instruments. Purpose: the purpose of this study is to study how the relationship between SES and the student’s concept of self (self-concept), varies throughout adolescence. Method: The sample consisted of 685 students from different regions of the country, of both sexes, divided by grade level (6th, 7th, 9th and 10th). Data were collected in classroom context through a survey that included items from “Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale” (PHCSCS) and the questionnaire “Student’s Engagement in School - A Four Dimensional Scale (SES-4DS)”, which includes cognitive, affective, behavioral and agentic dimensions (Veiga, 2013), and shows high psychometric qualities. Results: Results from variance analysis of engagement (anova two-way 2x2), according to grade level (6th and 7th versus 9th and 10th grades) and self-concept (low and high), allowed to find a main effect of the grade level on the cognitive dimension of SES and total scale (p <0.001); the effect of self-concept (ac) manifested itself in all dimensions of SES, with a high level of significance (p <0.001); the significant effects of the interaction of the variables grade level and selfconcept emerged in cognitive and agentic dimensions, as well as in the total scale, and were due to a greater differentiation in the 6th and 7th grades, comparing with the 9th and 10th grades. A greater decrease, over the years, of such dimensions in the higher self-concept group when compared with the lower self-concept group was also found. The study of this same variable in the modality of anova two-way 2x3 (low, medium and high self-concept) confirmed the main effects but not the variables interaction. Conclusions: Considering the lack of studies on these concepts, results are framed within the context of social-cognitive perspective of adolescence development, emphasizing the importance of the activation of variables such as self-concept

Synthesis and characterization of copolymers based on styrene-butadiene grafted with antimicrobial agents

The paper describes polymer materials based on styrene–butadiene grafted with antimicrobial components. The engraftment of copolymer styrene: butadiene-1,2 with methacrylic acid has been performed. The structure of grafted copolymer was confirmed by IR spectroscopy and by elemental analysis. It has been demonstrated that a rest of methacrylic acid joins the vinyl compound. Through an analogue polymer-transformation we succeeded in coupling of antimicrobial compounds such as ampicillin and others to ST:BD copolymer grafted with methacrylic acid. The structure of medicinal copolymer as well as the content of ampicillin has been confirmed by IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. It has been shown that 65-70% COOH groups were subjected to transformation. Antimicrobial tests of medicinal copolymer demonstrated almost an identical activity of standard copolymer N-vinylpyrrolidone with metacrilic acid. The developed medicinal copolymer can be recommended or use in manufacturing of household items as well as of items of furniture, or part of the clinical household utensils having the possibility to improve the hygienic indices

Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Is Required for Neurogenesis in the Developing Central Nervous System of Zebrafish

10.1371/journal.pone.0063757PLoS ONE85

Treatment of patients with the disorders of hematopoietic system at the day-stationary hospital

Catedra Hematologie, Oncologie şi Terapie de Campanie a U.S.M.F. „N. Testemiţanu” Institutul Oncologic din MoldovaThe options for rendering the specialized hematological assistance were studied in 830 patients with different disorders of hematopoietic system within the frame of the day-stationary hospital. The principles of rational organization of this assistance, as well as the problems of medical and social rehabilitation of patients have been discussed. Sunt studiate posibilităţile de acordare a asistenţei hematologice specializate la 830 pacienţi cu diferite patologii ale sistemului hematopoietic în condiţiile staţionarului de zi. Se discută principiile de organizarea ei raţională, precum şi problemele reabilitării medicale şi sociale ale bolnavilor

Emerging business models in local energy markets: A systematic review of peer-to-peer, community self-consumption, and transactive energy models

The emergence of peer-to-peer, collective or community self-consumption, and transactive energy concepts gives rise to new configurations of business models for local energy trading among a variety of actors. Much attention has been paid in the academic literature to the transition of the underlying energy system with its macroeconomic market framework. However, fewer contributions focus on the microeconomic aspects of the broad set of involved actors. Even though specific case studies highlight single business models, a comprehensive analysis of emerging business models for the entire set of actors is missing. Following this research gap, this paper conducts a systematic literature review of 135 peer-reviewed journal articles to examine business models of actors operating in local energy markets. From 221 businesses in the reviewed literature, nine macro-actor categories are identified. For each type of market actor, a business model archetype is determined and characterised using the business model canvas. The key elements of each business model archetype are discussed, and areas are highlighted where further research is needed. Finally, this paper outlines the differences of business models for their presence in the three local energy market models. Focusing on the identified customers and partner relationships, this study highlights the key actors per market model and the character of the interactions between market participants

Technology and some optical proprieties of nanocomposites PEPC/CuPc

A new structural nanocomposite (NC) based on oligomer poly(N-epoxypropyl)carbazole (PEPC) and copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) nanocrystals on a glass substrate are prepared by casting and droplet methods under normal conditions (room temperature, atmospheric pressure). Thin films of the PEPC/CuPc nanocomposite are characterized by visible optical, infrared (FT-IR), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The observed FT-IR bands are assigned to vibration modes of molecules and nanocrystals of CuPc on the basis of their symmetry. The optical spectra of PEPC/CuPc nanocomposites films show three main absorption bands attributed to CuPc, one band positioned at 1.46 eV, another one located at 2.02 eV, which is known as the π→ π* transitions in Q-bands and the π→ π* transitions of Soret B-band which was located at 3.02 eV. The effect of irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) light on the optical properties is studied

Semantic Web Tools and Decision-Making

Semantic Web technologies are intertwined with decision-making processes. In this paper the general objectives of the semantic web tools are reviewed and characterized, as well as the categories of decision support tools, in order to establish an intersection of utility and use. We also elaborate on actual and foreseen possibilities for a deeper integration, considering the actual implementation, opportunities and constraints in the decision-making context.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Fish-Specific Duplicated dmrt2b Contributes to a Divergent Function through Hedgehog Pathway and Maintains Left-Right Asymmetry Establishment Function

Gene duplication is thought to provide raw material for functional divergence and innovation. Fish-specific dmrt2b has been identified as a duplicated gene of the dmrt2a/terra in fish genomes, but its function has remained unclear. Here we reveal that Dmrt2b knockdown zebrafish embryos display a downward tail curvature and have U-shaped somites. Then, we demonstrate that Dmrt2b contributes to a divergent function in somitogenesis through Hedgehog pathway, because Dmrt2b knockdown reduces target gene expression of Hedgehog signaling, and also impairs slow muscle development and neural tube patterning through Hedgehog signaling. Moreover, the Dmrt2b morphants display defects in heart and visceral organ asymmetry, and, some lateral-plate mesoderm (LPM) markers expressed in left side are randomized. Together, these data indicate that fish-specific duplicated dmrt2b contributes to a divergent function in somitogenesis through Hedgehog pathway and maintains the common function for left-right asymmetry establishment

In the Absence of Sonic Hedgehog, p53 Induces Apoptosis and Inhibits Retinal Cell Proliferation, Cell-Cycle Exit and Differentiation in Zebrafish

Background: Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling regulates cell proliferation during vertebrate development via induction of cell-cycle regulator gene expression or activation of other signalling pathways, prevents cell death by an as yet unclear mechanism and is required for differentiation of retinal cell types. Thus, an unsolved question is how the same signalling molecule can regulate such distinct cell processes as proliferation, cell survival and differentiation. Methodology/Principal Findings: Analysis of the zebrafish shh 2/2 mutant revealed that in this context p53 mediates elevated apoptosis during nervous system and retina development and interferes with retinal proliferation and differentiation. While in shh 2/2 mutants there is activation of p53 target genes and p53-mediated apoptosis, an increase in Hedgehog (Hh) signalling by over-expression of dominant-negative Protein Kinase A strongly decreased p53 target gene expression and apoptosis levels in shh 2/2 mutants. Using a novel p53 reporter transgene, I confirm that p53 is active in tissues that require Shh for cell survival. Proliferation assays revealed that loss of p53 can rescue normal cell-cycle exit and the mitotic indices in the shh 2/2 mutant retina at 24, 36 and 48 hpf. Moreover, generation of amacrine cells and photoreceptors was strongly enhanced in the double p53 2/2 shh 2/2 mutant retina suggesting the effect of p53 on retinal differentiation. Conclusions: Loss of Shh signalling leads to the p53-dependent apoptosis in the developing nervous system and retina