Intemperismo natural de compósitos desenvolvidos com o uso de amido termoplástico com resíduo de celulose e papel pós-consumo

O desenvolvimento de materiais facilmente degradáveis ao fim da vida útil auxilia na redução do volume de resíduos sólidos dispostos nos aterros sanitários. Este estudo teve como objetivo produzir compósitos com o uso de resíduos de celulose e papel como fibras de reforço e amido termoplástico (TPS) como matriz, de modo a analisar o efeito da exposição ao intemperismo natural em ambientes distintos de duas universidades no Brasil (Universidade Feevale) e na Finlândia (Häme University of Applied Sciences — HAMK). No período de realização do ensaio, a estação no Brasil era verão, com elevadas temperaturas e radiação solar; já na Finlândia a estação era inverno, com temperaturas negativas, elevada umidade do ar e incidência de neve. Os materiais foram elaborados por meio do método tape-casting e caracterizados por análise dinâmico-mecânica (DMA) e análise termogravimétrica (TGA), tendo sido submetidos às intempéries por 0, 28 e 42 dias na Universidade Feevale e na HAMK e, ao fim de cada período, foram caracterizados por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e fotografias. Os resultados mostraram que a estabilidade térmica dos compósitos foi melhor em comparação a seus componentes individuais, e propriedades mecânicas superiores foram apresentadas pelo compósito à base de celulose. Assim, misturas heterogêneas surgiram com a adição de fibras à matriz polimérica. Após a exposição ambiental, a visualização das micrografias e fotografias revelou que as amostras expostas nos dois ambientes ficaram quebradiças, encolhidas, amareladas e apresentaram fissuras. Verificou-se, também, que as amostras expostas na Universidade Feevale sofreram maior degradação ambiental, e a incorporação das fibras nos compósitos retardou esse efeito nos dois pontos de estudo.The development of materials that are highly degradable at the end of their life cycle helps reduce the volume of solid waste disposed of in landfills. This study aimed to produce composites from cellulose and paper residues as reinforcing fibers and from thermoplastic starch (TPS) as a matrix to analyze the effect of exposure to natural weathering in the environments of two Universities, one in Brazil (Universidade Feevale) and the other in Finland (HAMK). During the test period, the season in Brazil was summer, with high temperatures and solar radiation; in Finland, the season was winter, with negative temperatures, high air humidity, and snowfall. The materials were prepared using the tape-casting method and characterized by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), having been subjected to the weather for 0, 28, and 42 days at Universidade Feevale and HAMK. At the end of each period, they were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and photographs. The results showed that the thermal stability of the composites was better compared to TPS and cellulose, and superior mechanical properties were shown in the cellulose-based composite. Thus, heterogeneous mixtures emerged from the addition of fibers to the polymer matrix. After the environmental exposure, the visualization of the micrographs and photographs indicated that the samples exposed in the two environments were brittle, shrunken, yellowed, and cracked. It was also verified that the samples exposed at Universidade Feevale suffered greater environmental degradation, and the incorporation of fibers in the composites delayed this effect at the two study sites

Repercussões da prática educativa no autocuidado e manejo do Diabetes Mellitus tipo 1 na infância

Objective: to present the effects of health education for the self-care and management of type 1 Diabetes Mellitus among children. Method: a qualitative study with a focus group and description of the children’s glycemic profile. The health education activities, of a playful type and with an educational booklet, were carried out with four children with diabetes and their families, in an outpatient clinic of a university hospital. Thematic content analysis was performed. Results: physical activity proved to be an effective option for the practice of self-care, however, there was non-compliance to the adoption of dietary habits aimed at diabetes, concerning inadequate glycemic control, and increased complications. Changes in the management of the disease were observed when comparing the before and after of educational activities. Conclusions: playful resources and an educational booklet had a positive impact on family management and the self-care of children with Diabetes Mellitus.Objetivo: apresentar as repercussões de uma prática de educação em saúde para o autocuidado e manejo da Diabetes Mellitus tipo 1 entre crianças. Método: estudo qualitativo com grupo focal e descrição do perfil glicêmico das crianças. As atividades de educação em saúde, lúdica e com cartilha educativa, foram desenvolvidas com quatro crianças com diabetes e seus familiares, em ambulatório de hospital universitário. Análise de conteúdo do tipo temática. Resultados: a atividade física mostrou-se como alternativa eficaz para prática de autocuidado, porém, houve resistência à adoção de hábitos alimentares direcionados ao diabetes, relacionados ao controle glicêmico inadequado e aumento de complicações. Observou-se mudanças no manejo da doença comparando-se o antes e após as atividades educativas. Conclusões: recursos lúdicos e cartilha educativa repercutiram positivamente no manejo da família e no autocuidado da criança com Diabetes Mellitus

What is the body mass index of women with pelvic floor muscles dysfunctions that seek for physiotherapy treatment?

Overweight and obesity are reported as important risk factors for developing of female pelvic floor (PF) dysfunction. Thus, the objective was to verify the body mass index (BMI) of women with PF dysfunctions who sought physiotherapy treatment, and comparing it with national statistics. This is an observational study. There were evaluated the records of women with PF dysfunctions served by the Physiotherapy Service from 2004 to 2010, and included all women with the presence of any symptom of PF dysfunction. It was calculated the BMI of 312 women with PF dysfunction. The BMI mean was 28.1 kg/m². Approximately 70% of these women were overweight or obese, a value higher than the national rate of 59%. The pathophysiological basis of the relationship between obesity and PF dysfunction is the correlation between BMI and intra-abdominal pressure. The identification of overweight and obesity should be part of the rehabilitation programs of the PF, since the reduction in body weight can contribute by reducing the severity of the disorder. With the present study it was observed that women seeking physiotherapy treatment for PF dysfunction have higher rates of obesity than the national female population.Sobrepeso e obesidade são relatados como importantes fatores de risco para desenvolvimento de disfunções do assoalho pélvico (AP) feminino. Assim, objetivou-se averiguar o índice de massa corporal (IMC) de mulheres com disfunções do AP que procuraram tratamento fisioterapêutico, e comparar com as estatísticas nacionais. Trata-se de um estudo observacional. Foram avaliados os prontuários de mulheres com disfunções do AP atendidas pelo Setor de Fisioterapia no período de 2004 à 2010, e incluídas todas as mulheres com a presença de algum sintoma de disfunção do AP. Calculou-se o IMC de 312 mulheres com disfunção do AP. A média de IMC foi de 28,1 kg/m². Dessas mulheres, cerca de 70% apresentavam sobrepeso ou obesidade, resultado maior do que o índice nacional de 59%. A base fisiopatológica da relação entre obesidade e disfunções do AP está na correlação entre o IMC e a pressão intra-abdominal. A identificação do sobrepeso e da obesidade deve fazer parte dos programas de reabilitação do AP, uma vez que a redução do peso corporal pode contribuir para redução da severidade da disfunção. Com o presente estudo observa-se que as mulheres que procuram tratamento fisioterapêutico para disfunções do AP apresentam índice de obesidade maior do que a população feminina nacional.UNIFESP Departamento de GinecologiaUNIFESP Departamento de BiofísicaUNIFESP, Depto. de GinecologiaUNIFESP, Depto. de BiofísicaSciEL

The exotic wasp Megastigmus transvaalensis (Hymenoptera: Torymidae): first record and damage on the Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolius drupes, in São Paulo, Brazil

ABSTRACT This paper records the first report of Megastigmus transvaalensis Hussey (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) in Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae) drupes in Sorocaba, state of São Paulo, Brazil. This wasp is an invasive species and was found damaging S. terebinthifolius drupes in urban areas (35.0±15.8%), natural forests (21.5±10.2%) and restoration areas (15.8±8.4%). The bio-ecology and damage caused by M. transvaalensis in the S. terebinthifolius drupes warrants further study focused upon the management of this phytophagous wasp. Megastigmus transvaalensis has a potential to be disseminated throughout Brazil and is posing a threat to the natural regeneration of S. terebinthifolius in the native forests and restoration areas and ecological regions of this country

Chikungunya E2 protein produced in E. coli and HEK293-T cells-comparison of their performances in ELISA

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne pathogen that causes a disease characterized by the acute onset of fever accompanied by arthralgia and intense joint pain. Clinical similarities and cocirculation of this and other arboviruses in many tropical countries highlight the necessity for efficient and accessible diagnostic tools. CHIKV envelope proteins are highly conserved among alphaviruses and, particularly, the envelope 2 glycoprotein (CHIKV-E2) appears to be immunodominant and has a considerable serodiagnosis potential. Here, we investigate how glycosylation of CHIKV-E2 affects antigen/antibody interaction and how this affects the performance of CHIKV-E2-based Indirect ELISA tests. We compare two CHIKV-E2 recombinant antigens produced in different expression systems: prokaryotic-versus eukaryotic-made recombinant proteins. CHIKV-E2 antigens are expressed either in E. coli BL21(DE3)-a prokaryotic system unable to produce post-translational modifications-or in HEK-293T mammalian cells-a eukaryotic system able to add post-translational modifications, including glycosylation sites. Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic recombinant CHIKV-E2 react strongly to anti-CHIKV IgG antibodies, showing accuracy levels that are higher than 90%. However, the glycan-added viral antigen presents better sensitivity and specificity (85 and 98%) than the non-glycosylated antigen (81 and 71%, respectively) in anti-CHIKV IgM ELISA assays

Number of miRNAs identified in the platelet concentrate (PC) according to miRBase version 20 on different days of storage.

<p>*days</p><p>Number of miRNAs identified in the platelet concentrate (PC) according to miRBase version 20 on different days of storage.</p

Number of microRNAs highly expressed in platelet concentrate (PC), according to days of storage.

<p>Number of microRNAs highly expressed in platelet concentrate (PC), according to days of storage.</p

Expression profile of miRNAs hsa-miR-127 and hsa-miR-320a in PC bags during the six days of storage investigate.

<p>(A) Expression profile in reads per million of miRNAs miR-127 and miR-320a; (B) Average expression of miRNAs miR127 and miR320a and their respective standard deviations.</p

Expression profile of most highly expressed miRNAs, in log10 scale, in PCs on each day of storage.

<p>(A) Profile of the ten most expressed miRNAs on the 1st day of storage, considered as positive control; (B) Profile of the ten most expressed miRNAs on the 2nd day of storage with nine of the ten miRNAs present on the first day, differing only by miR-92a-1 in place of miR-99b; (C) Profile of the ten most expressed miRNAs on the 3rd day of storage, with nine of the ten most expressed miRNAs in the 1st and 3rd day; (D) Profile of the ten most expressed miRNAs on the 4th day of storage, with seven of the ten most expressed miRNAs on Day 1, differing by miRNAs let-7d, miR-28 and miR-92a-1;(E) Profile of the ten most expressed miRNAs on the 5th day of storage, with eight of the ten most expressed miRNAs on Day 1, with the exception of miR-92a-1 and let-7d; (F) Profile of the ten most miRNAs expressed in the 7th day of storage are similar to day 5, with quantitative variation. Errors bars show standard error of expression levels by reads per million.</p