Experimental assessment of the performance of two marine coatings to curb biofilm formation of microfoulers

Biofilms formed on submerged marine surfaces play a critical role in the fouling process, causing increased fuel consumption, corrosion, and high maintenance costs. Thus, marine biofouling is a major issue and motivates the development of antifouling coatings. In this study, the performance of two commercial marine coatings, a foul-release silicone-based paint (SilRef) and an epoxy resin (EpoRef), was evaluated regarding their abilities to prevent biofilm formation by Cyanobium sp. and Pseudoalteromonas tunicata (common microfoulers). Biofilms were developed under defined hydrodynamic conditions to simulate marine settings, and the number of biofilm cells, wet weight, and thickness were monitored for 7 weeks. The biofilm structure was analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) at the end-point. Results demonstrated that EpoRef surfaces were effective in inhibiting biofilm formation at initial stages (until day 28), while SilRef surfaces showed high efficacy in decreasing biofilm formation during maturation (from day 35 onwards). Wet weight and thickness analysis, as well as CLSM data, indicate that SilRef surfaces were less prone to biofilm formation than EpoRef surfaces. Furthermore, the efficacy of SilRef surfaces may be dependent on the fouling microorganism, while the performance of EpoRef was strongly influenced by a combined effect of surface and microorganism.This research was funded by Base Funding - UIDB/00511/2020 of the Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology, and Energy - LEPABE - funded by national funds through the FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC), “CVMAR+i - Industrial Innovation and Marine Biotechnology Valorization” project, funded by INTERREG V Espanha Portugal (POCTEP) (0302_CVMAR_I_1_P), and UIDB/04423/2020 and UIDP/04423/2020 (CIIMAR). The research work was also supported by UIDB/04046/2020 and UIDP/04046/2020 research units grants, Portugal (to BioISI). R.T.-S. thanks the receipt of a junior researcher fellowship from the Project PTDC/BII-BIO/29589/2017 POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029589 funded by FEDER funds through COMPETE2020 - Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI) and by national funds (PIDDAC) through FCT/MCTES. L.C.G. thanks the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for the financial support of her work contract through the Scientific Employment Stimulus-Individual Call-[CEECIND/01700/2017]. Atomic force microscopy technique was performed at the Biointerface and Nanotechnology i3S Scientific Platform with the assistance of Manuela Brás

One step forward towards the development of eco-friendly antifouling coatings: Immobilization of a sulfated marine-inspired compound

Marine biofouling represents a global economic and ecological challenge and few eco-friendly antifouling agents are available. The aim of this work was to establish the proof of concept that a recently synthesized nature-inspired compound (gallic acid persulfate, GAP) can act as an eco-friendly and effective antifoulant when immobilized in coatings through a non-release strategy, promoting a long-lasting antifouling effect. The synthesis of GAP was optimized to provide quantitative yields. GAP water solubility was assessed, showing values higher than 1000 mg/mL. GAP was found to be stable in sterilized natural seawater with a half-life (DT50) of 7 months. GAP was immobilized into several commercial coatings, exhibiting high compatibility with different polymeric matrices. Leaching assays of polydimethylsiloxane and polyurethane-based marine coatings containing GAP confirmed that the chemical immobilization of GAP was successful, since releases up to fivefold lower than the conventional releasing systems of polyurethane-based marine coatings were observed. Furthermore, coatings containing immobilized GAP exhibited the most auspicious anti-settlement effect against Mytilus galloprovincialis larvae for the maximum exposure period (40 h) in laboratory trials. Overall, GAP promises to be an agent capable of improving the antifouling activity of several commercial marine coatings with desirable environmental properties.This research was funded by national funds through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) within the scope of research unit grants to CIIMAR (UIDB/04423/2020 and UIDP/04423/2020), to BioISI (UIDB/04046/2020 and UIDP/04046/2020) and under the project PTDC/AAG-TEC/0739/2014 (reference POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016793) supported through national funds provided by FCT and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) via the Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade (POFC/COMPETE) programme and the Reforçar a Investigação, o Desenvolvimento Tecnológico e a Inovação (RIDTI; project 9471)

Semi-automatic rubble counting system for superheated droplet detectors

Neutron dose rate measurements are normally performed by means of PADC, CR-39 and TLD detectors. Although, none of these devices can give instant reading of the neutron dose, recently new kind of detectors are being developed, based on the formation of tiny drops in a superheated liquid suspended in a polymer or gel solution, called superheated droplet detector (SDD) or also as bubble detectors (BD), with no response for gamma radiation. This work describes the experimental setup and the developed procedures for acquiring and processing digital images obtained with bubble detector spectrometer (BDS), developed by Bubble Technology Industries, for personal neutron dosimeter and/or neutron energy fluence measurements in nuclear facilities. The results of the neutron measurements obtained during the F-18 production, at the RDS-111 cyclotron, are presented. These neutron measurements were the first ones with this type of BDS detectors in a particle accelerator facility in Brazil and it was very important to estimate neutron dose rate received by occupationally exposed individuals

Lagochilascariasis leading to severe involvement of ocular globes, ears and meninges

A case report of a 31 year-old woman from Paraíba State (North-Eastern Brazil) that presented severe involvement of ocular globes, ears and meninges. Diagnosis was established after enucleation of her left eye, when adult worms were seen in the midst of a granulomatous inflammatory process. Her response to the initial treatment with levamisole and cambendazole was good, but there was a relapse after the fifth month of treatment even with maintenance doses of both medications. She later received ivermectin and albendazol and responded well.Paciente do sexo feminino, com 31 anos, procedente da Paraíba, apresentava envolvimento severo de ambos os globos oculares, com perda da visão à esquerda, comprometimento da audição e das meninges. Após enucleação do olho esquerdo fragmento de helminto identificado como Lagochilascaris minor foi observado em processo inflamatório granulomatoso. Inicialmente a paciente foi tratada com levamisol e cambendazol, com bom resultado. Verificou-se, todavia, piora do quadro após cinco meses, com eliminação de larvas do ascarídeo em lesão presente na órbita esquerda, embora a medicação fosse mantida com administração periódica. Houve boa resposta terapêutica, com regressão do quadro, após substituição dos anti-helmínticos anteriores pela associação ivermectina e albendazol

Clinical And Morphological Evolution Of The Induced Experimental Arthritis In Rattus Novergicus Albinus

The models of experimental arthritis become important in the inquiry of different therapeutical alternatives and briefing of articulate pathogenesis. The possibility of measuring the injury of the articular cartilage makes the experimental model relevantly important, as well as the systemic biological effects that involve the different therapeutics: The radiological and histological aspects of the cartilage were researched in the model of Zynoman-induced arthritis in Rattus novergicus. Rats were submitted to the intra-articular injection (1.0ml) and sacrificed at different times, under anesthesia. The knee joints were surgically removed and processed for coloring in hematoxylin eosin (H&E). The radiographic analyses were carried out through images obtained with dental periapical film. The animals presented serious and gradual synovitis associated to the injury of the cartilage that was evaluated up to 14 days after the stimulation injection. The arthritis model by Zymosan allows the study of the inflammatory alteration of the synovial tissue and of the cartilage. In the presence of Zymosan, the juxtarticular and periarticular tissues develop similar alterations to those found in the autoimmune diseases.2427581Arnett, F.C., Edworthy, S.M., Bloch, D.A., McShane, D.J., Fries, J.F., Cooper, N.S., The American Rheumatism Association 1987 revised criteria for classification of rheumatoid arthritis (1988) Arthritis Rheum, 31, pp. 315-324Brahn, E., Animal models of rheumatoid arthritis: Clues to etiology and treatment (1991) Clin Orthop, 265, pp. 42-53Bernotiene, E., Palmer, G., Talabot-Ayer, D., Quinodoz, I.S., Aubert, M.L., Gabay, C., Delayed resolution of acute inflammation during zymosaninduced in leptin-deficient mice. Arthritis Res (2004) Ther, 6, pp. R256-R263Brandt, K.D., (2000) An Atlas of Osteoarthritis, , Pathernon Publishing, New YorkCossermelli, W., (2000) Terapêutica Em Reumatologia, , São Paulo: Lemos EditorialConsalter, A., Ciconelli, R., Epidemiologia e etiologia da Artrite Reumatóide (2005) Sin Reumatol, 2, pp. 34-38Crilly, A., Genotyping for disease associated HLA DR beta 1 alleles and the need for early joint surgery in rheumatoid arthritis: A quantitative evaluation (1999) Ann Rheum. Dis, 58, pp. 114-117Damas, J., Involvement of platelet-activating factor in the hypotensive response to zymosan in rats (1991) J Lipid Mediat, 3, pp. 333-344Douglas, C.R., (2000) Pato Fisiologia Geral - Mecanismos Da Doença, , São Paulo (SP): Robe EditorialDi Carlo, F.J., Fiore, J.V., In Zymosan Composition (1958) Sci, 127, pp. 756-757Fleiss, J.L., (1981) Statistical Methods For Rates and Proportions, , 2a ed. John Wiley &ampSons Inc. Nova IorqueFrasnelli, M.E., Tarusio, D., TLR2 modulates inflammation in zymosan-induced arthritis in mice (2005) Arthritis Res Ther, 7, pp. 370-379Gegout, P., Gillet, P., Chevrier, D., Guingamp, C., Terlain, B., Netter, P., Characterization of zymosan-induced arthritis in the rat: Effects on joint inflammation and cartilage metabolism (1994) Life Sci, 17, pp. 321-326Hadler, N.M., A Pathogenic Model For erosive synovitis: Lessons from animal arthritides (1976) Arthritis Rheum, 19, pp. 256-266. , Marc-Apr;Imrie, R., Animal Models of Arthritis (1976) Lab Anim Sci, Apr, 26, pp. 345-351Hardin, J.A., Dendritic cells: Potential triggers of autoimmunity and targets for therapy (2005) Ann Rheum Dis, 64, pp. 86-90Keystone, E.C., Schorlemmer, H.U., Pope, C., Allison, A.C., Zymosan induced arthritis: A model of chronic proliferative arthritis following activation of the alternative pathway of complement (1977) Arthritis Rheum, 20, pp. 1397-1401Konno, S., Tsurufuji, S., Analysis of the factor(s) involved in pathogenesis of zymosaninduced inflammation in rats (1985) Japan J Pharmacol, 38, pp. 177-184Laurindo, I.M.M., Ximenes, A.C., Lima, F.A.C., Pinheiro, G.R.C.L.R., Bertolo, M.B., Alencar, P., Xavier, R.M., Radominski, S.C., (2002) Artrite Reumatóide: Diagnóstico E Tratamento, , Projeto Diretrizes Associação Médica Brasileira e Conselho Federal de MedicinaLipski, P.E., Rheumatoid arthritis (1998) Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, , New York: McGraw HillLubberts, E., Joosten, L.A., van den, B.L., Adenoviral vector mediated overexpression of IL-4 in the knee joint of mice with collagen- induced arthritis prevents cartilage destruction (1999) J Immunol, 163, pp. 4546-4556Mehling, A., Beissert, S., Dendritic Cells Under Investigation in Autoimmune Disease Critical Reviews (2003) Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 38, pp. 1-21Moreira, C., Carvalho, M.A.P., (2001) Reumatologia - Diagnóstico E Tratamento, pp. 371-389. , 2a ed. Rio de Janeiro (RJ): Médica e CientíficaNouri, A.M.E., Panayi, G.S., Goodman, S.M., Cytokines and the chronic inflammation of rheumatic disease: I - the presence of interleukin- 1 in synovial fluids (1994) Clin Exp Immunol, 55, pp. 295-302Oliver, S.J., Brahn, E., Combination therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: The animal model perspective (1996) J Rheum, 23 (24 SUPPL), pp. 56-60Rocha, A.C., Aragão, A.G.M., Oliveira, R.C., Pompeu, M.M.L., Vale, M.R., Ribeiro. RA: Periarthritis promotes gait disturbance in zymosan-induced arthritis in rats (1996) Inflamm Res, 48, pp. 485-490Rubin, E., Gorstein, F., Rubin, R., Schwarting, R., Strayer, D., (2006) Patologia. Bases Clinico Patológicas Da Medicina, , Guanabara Koogan 4.a edSAS System For Windows (Statistical Analysis System), , versão 9.1.3 Service Pack 3. SAS Institute Inc, 2002-2003, Cary, NC, USAUnderhill, D.M., Macrophage recognition of Zymosan particles (2003) J Endotoxin Res, 9, pp. 176-180Van den, B.W.B., Joosten, L.A.B., Helsen, M., Vanden-Loo, F.A.J., Amelioration of established murine collagen-induced arthritis with anti- IL-1 treatment (1994) Clin Exp Immunol, 95, pp. 237-243Van den, B.W.B., Animal models of arthritis. What have we learned (2005) J Rheumatol Suppl, 72, pp. 7-9. , 2005 JanWolfe, F., Pincus, T., (1994) Rheumatoid Arthritis. Pathogenesis, Assessment, Outcome and Treatment, pp. 389-390. , By Marcel Dekker, Inc. New Yor

Propolis and its use in production animals.

Propolis is a natural product used by humanity during centuries and is administered in many forms. Its usage occurred centuries ago as an apiarian therapy in popular medicine used as an anti-inflammatory agent. More than two hundred chemical compounds have already been identified in propolis. In general, propolis contains 50-60% resins and balsams, 30-40% waxes, 5-10% essential oils, 5% pollen grains, aside from microelements such as aluminum, calcium, strontium, iron, copper, manganese and small amounts of vitamins B1, B2, B6, C and E. Propolis is known mainly for its anti-microbe, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hypoten-sive, healing, anesthetic, anticancer, anti-HIV, and anti-caries properties. Investigations about the antibiotic properties of propolis have mainly been conducted in medical and veterinary medicine areas, where the product has demonstrated efficient bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity in relation to many types of bacteria, however few zootechnical researches related to these biological activities of propolis have been carried out considering the responses of animals.A própolis é um produto natural utilizado durante séculos pela humanidade e administrada sob diversas formas. Sua utilização ocorreu como apiterápico há séculos na medicina popular como agente antiinflamatório. Já foram identificados mais de 200 compostos químicos, de modo geral, a própolis contém 50-60% de resinas e bálsamos, 30-40% de ceras, 5-10% de óleos essenciais, 5% grãos de pólen, além de microelementos como alumínio, cálcio, estrôncio, ferro, cobre, manganês e pequenas quantidades de vitaminas B1, B2, B6, C e E. A própolis é conhecida principalmente, por suas propriedades antimicrobiana, antioxidante, antiinflamatória, imunomodulatória, hipotensiva, cicatrizante, anestésica, anticancerígena, anti-HIV, e anticariogênica. As investigações sobre as propriedades antibióticas da própolis têm sido conduzidas sobre tudo na área médica e veterinária, onde o produto tem demonstrado uma eficiente atividade bacteriostática e bactericida em relação a diversos gêneros de bactérias, porém poucos trabalhos, de ordem zootécnica, têm sido realizados, considerando-se as respostas dos animais, relacionadas a algumas dessas atividades biológicas

Preparation and characterization of starch-poly-epsilon-caprolactone microparticles incorporating bioactive agents for drug delivery and tissue engineering applications

One limitation associated with the delivery of bioactive agents concerns the short half-life of these molecules when administered intravenously, which results in their loss from the desired site. Incorporation of bioactive agents into depot vehicles provides a means to increase their persistence at the disease site. Major issues are involved in the development of a proper carrier system able to deliver the correct drug, at the desired dose, place and time. In this work, starch-poly-e-caprolactone (SPCL) microparticles were developed for use in drug delivery and tissue engineering (TE) applications. SPCL microparticles were prepared by using an emulsion solvent extraction/evaporation technique, which was demonstrated to be a successful procedure to obtain particles with a spherical shape (particle size between 5 and 900 lm) and exhibiting different surface morphologies. Their chemical structure was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. To evaluate the potential of the developed microparticles as a drug delivery system, dexamethasone (DEX) was used as model drug. DEX, a well-known component of osteogenic differentiation media, was entrapped into SPCL microparticles at different percentages up to 93%. The encapsulation efficiency was found to be dependent on the polymer concentration and drug-to-polymer ratio. The initial DEX release seems to be governed mainly by diffusion, and it is expected that the remaining DEX will be released when the polymeric matrix starts to degrade. In this work it was demonstrated that SPCL microparticles containing DEX can be successfully prepared and that these microparticular systems seem to be quite promising for controlled release applications, namely as carriers of important differentiation agents in TE.E.R.B. thanks the Marie Curie Host Fellowships for Early Stage Research Training (EST) "Alea Jacta EST" (MEST-CT-2004-008104) for providing her with a PhD Fellowship. This work was partially supported by the European NoE EXPERTISSUES (NMP3-CT-2004-500283)

On Aharonov-Casher bound states

In this work bound states for the Aharonov-Casher problem are considered. According to Hagen's work on the exact equivalence between spin-1/2 Aharonov-Bohm and Aharonov-Casher effects, is known that the $\boldsymbol{\nabla}\cdot\mathbf{E}$ term cannot be neglected in the Hamiltonian if the spin of particle is considered. This term leads to the existence of a singular potential at the origin. By modeling the problem by boundary conditions at the origin which arises by the self-adjoint extension of the Hamiltonian, we derive for the first time an expression for the bound state energy of the Aharonov-Casher problem. As an application, we consider the Aharonov-Casher plus a two-dimensional harmonic oscillator. We derive the expression for the harmonic oscillator energies and compare it with the expression obtained in the case without singularity. At the end, an approach for determination of the self-adjoint extension parameter is given. In our approach, the parameter is obtained essentially in terms of physics of the problem.Comment: 11 pages, matches published versio

Uso da adubação orgânica e cobertura morta na cultura da calêndula (Calendula officinalis L.).

A calêndula representa fonte alternativa econômica principalmente para a agricultura familiar. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da adubação orgânica e do uso da cobertura morta sobre a produção de biomassa e teor de flavonóides totais em plantas de calêndula. O experimento foi realizado no Campus de Montes Claros da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, utilizando-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 2x2x4 com quatro repetições: duas épocas de colheita, presença ou ausência de cobertura morta e quatro doses de composto orgânico (0, 30, 60 e 90 t ha-1). As maiores produções de biomassa e flavonóides totais foram verificadas com o aumento das doses de composto orgânico. Para os flavonóides totais o maior teor foi obtido na segunda colheita na presença de cobertura morta

Development and validation of an analytical method by UV spectrophotometry for the quantitative determination of the anti-neoplastic β-lapachone

A β-lapachona é uma ortonaftoquinona natural extraída de plantas da família Bignoniaceae, como o Ipê Roxo (Tabebuia avellanedae Lor), árvore nativa do Brasil, ou sintetizada a partir de seu isômero lapachol. A β-lapachona têm demonstrado uma série de ações farmacológicas incluindo antibacteriana, antifúngica, tripanossomicida, antiviral e antineoplásica. Não há relatos na literatura de um método analítico espectrofotométrico para a quantificação de β-lapachona. Assim, o presente trabalho descreve o desenvolvimento de um método simples, econômico, rápido e preciso por espectrofotometria para a quantificação deste fármaco. O método desenvolvido consiste na solubilização da β-lapachona em álcool etílico com posterior diluição no sistema de solventes álcool etílico:água para quantificação em ultravioleta (λ = 256 nm). O método foi validado segundo parâmetros descritos pela International Conference on Harmonization (Q2A/Q2B) e Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA) RE 899/03. Os resultados da validação mostram que o método é robusto, linear, sensível, preciso e exato dentro dos parâmetros avaliados.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire