Long-term space missions' effects on the human organism: what we do know and what requires further research

Space has always fascinated people. Many years have passed since the first spaceflight, and in addition to the enormous technological progress, the level of understanding of human physiology in space is also increasing. The presented paper aims to summarize the recent research findings on the influence of the space environment (microgravity, pressure differences, cosmic radiation, etc.) on the human body systems during short-term and long-term space missions. The review also presents the biggest challenges and problems that must be solved in order to extend safely the time of human stay in space. In the era of increasing engineering capabilities, plans to colonize other planets, and the growing interest in commercial space flights, the most topical issues of modern medicine seems to be understanding the effects of long-term stay in space, and finding solutions to minimize the harmful effects of the space environment on the human body

Liver Oxidative Status, Serum Lipids Levels after Bariatric Surgery and High-Fat, High-Sugar Diet in Animal Model of Induced Obesity

Nutritional status is a major determinant of hepatocyte injuries associated with changed metabolism and oxidative stress. This study aimed to determine the relations between oxidative stress, bariatric surgery, and a high-fat/high-sugar (HFS) diet in a diet-induced obesity rat model. Male rats were maintained on a control diet (CD) or high-fat/high-sugar diet (HFS) inducing obesity. After 8 weeks, the animals underwent SHAM (n = 14) or DJOS (n = 14) surgery and the diet was either changed or unchanged. Eight weeks after the surgeries, the activity of superoxide dismutase isoforms (total SOD, MnSOD, and CuZnSOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and lutathione S-transferase, as well as the thiol groups (-SH) concentration, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidative stress (TOS) levels, and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration liver tissue were assessed. The total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations were measured in the serum. The total SOD and GPX activities were higher in the SHAM-operated rats than in the DJOS-operated rats. The MnSOD activity was higher in the HFS/HFS than the CD/CD groups. Higher CuZnSOD, GST, GR activities, -SH, and MDA concentrations in the liver, and the triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations in the serum were observed in the SHAM-operated rats than in the DJOS-operated rats. The CAT activity was significantly higher in the HFS-fed rats. Lower TAC and higher TOS values were observed in the SHAM-operated rats. Unhealthy habits after bariatric surgery may be responsible for treatment failure and establishing an obesity condition with increased oxidative stress

Effects of SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator) treatment on growth and proliferation in the rat uterus

BACKGROUND: Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have been developed in order to create means to control estrogenic effects on different tissues. A major drawback in treatment of estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer with the antagonist tamoxifen (TAM) is its agonistic effect in the endometrium. Raloxifene (RAL) is the next generation of SERMs where the agonistic effect on the endometrium has been reduced. METHODS: The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of SERM treatment on the uterus, as assessed by proliferation markers and several factors involved in uterine growth. Ovariectomized (ovx) rats were treated with estradiol (E(2)), tamoxifen (TAM), RAL, ICI182780 (ICI) or vehicle (OVX-controls). We studied the effects on mRNA levels of the growth hormone (GH) receptor, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), ERα and ERβ. In addition, by immunohistochemistry the proliferation markers PCNA and Ki-67, as well as ERα and ERβ, were detected. RESULTS: The uterine weight of the rats treated with E(2 )or TAM was increased as compared to OVX-controls. The uterine GH-receptor mRNA level was highest in the E(2 )treated animals. In ICI treated rats no GH-receptor mRNA could be detected. The IGF-I mRNA level increased 16-fold in uteri of the TAM treated group and 9-fold in the E(2 )treated rats as compared to OVX-controls. The ERα mRNA level was increased in the E(2 )treated rats, while the ERβ mRNA level was increased after TAM treatment. The proliferation, as assessed by PCNA, was lowest in ICI treated animals. CONCLUSIONS: The uterine wet weight, the LE height and the GH-receptor mRNA levels showed similar patterns, indicating that GH is involved in the regulation of uterine weight. Tamoxifen, which has been related to increased incidence of endometrial carcinoma in women, dramatically increased IGF-I mRNA levels in rat uterus. Since proliferation was not higher in TAM and E(2 )treated rats than in OVX controls, this assay of simple, early proliferation does not give the full explanation of why TAM should enhance the risk of developing endometrial cancer

Analyses of body weight patterns in growing pigs: a new view on body weight in pigs for frequent monitoring

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Formulações fotoprotetoras utilizando ligninas de Eucalyptus spp.

Orientadora: Profa. Dra. Graciela Inés Bolzon de MuñizCoorientadores: Profa. Dra. Mayara Elita Carneiro, Profa. Dra. Silvana Nisgoski e Prof. Dr. Pedro Henrique Gonzalez de CademartoriTese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Agrárias, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Florestal. Defesa : Curitiba, 27/03/2023Inclui referênciasÁrea de concentração: Tecnologia e Utilização de Produtos FlorestaisResumo: Este trabalho teve como objetivo adicionar diferentes ligninas e nanopartículas de ligninas branqueadas, sob a forma livre, em creme base para obter formulações fotoprotetoras. As ligninas Klason, Kraft e Organossolve foram obtidas a partir de cavacos de Eucalyptus grandis, provenientes de plantios no interior do estado de São Paulo com 5 anos de idade. As nanopartículas de lignina foram produzidas com o moinho Microprocessador Super Masscolloider Masuko Sangyo através de 2, 8 e 13 passes. Desta forma, foram obtidas três diferentes ligninas e nove nanopartículas de lignina que posteriormente foram branqueadas com o uso de hipoclorito, possibilitando a sua incorporação ao creme base (Hydrafresh), a fim de desenvolver formulações fotoprotetoras sem cor. As ligninas e nanopartículas de ligninas não branqueadas e branqueadas foram caracterizadas através das análises de microscopia eletrônica de varredura com EDS e espectroscopia no infravermelho próximo. As formulações fotoprotetoras foram produzidas apenas com ligninas e nanopartículas de ligninas branqueadas, sendo avaliadas quanto às características organolépticas, pH, estabilidade, fator de proteção solar in vitro e absorção de raios UV. As avaliações das doze formulações desenvolvidas demostraram que quatro foram reprovadas quanto ao aspecto, pois apresentaram partículas precipitadas, e três em relação à cor pois sofreram alteração, porém quanto ao odor todas foram aprovadas pois se mantiveram sem alteração. A análise do pH demonstrou que dez formulações estavam dentro da faixa aceitável. Quanto ao teste de centrifugação, as formulações foram classificadas em normais e em levemente separadas, por apresentarem pequenos grumos, que em contato com a pele demostraram resistência para serem espalhados. No teste de estabilidade, todas as formulações sofreram alterações bruscas no aspecto (separação de fase), no odor e na cor (de branco para amarelo a marrom), sendo que a elevação da temperatura teve maior contribuição nas alterações, interferindo na viscosidade e degradando os componentes. Na determinação do FPS in vitro, as formulações obtiveram valores que variaram de 0,51 a 1,13, apresentando valores mais baixos para as preparadas com ligninas e nanopartículas de lignina Klason, e valores mais altos e homogêneos para as preparadas com ligninas e nanopartículas de lignina Organossolve. A análise qualitativa reforçou que os melhores resultados quanto a proteção da luz UV foram encontrados para as preparadas a partir de ligninas e nanopartículas de lignina Organossolve e Kraft. Os resultados das análises realizadas para as formulações preparadas com ligninas e nanopartículas de lignina Klason, Kraft e Organossolve se mostraram promissores para o desenvolvimento de formulações protetoras.Abstract: This study aimed to add different lignins and nanoparticles of bleached lignins, in free form, in a cream base to obtain photoprotective formulations. Klason, Kraft and Organosolve lignins were obtained from 5-year-old Eucalyptus grandis chips from plantations in the interior of the state of São Paulo. The lignin nanoparticles were produced with the Microprocessor Super Masscollider Masuko Sangyo mill through 2, 8 and 13 passes. In this way, three different lignins and nine lignin nanoparticles were obtained, which were subsequently bleached using hypochlorite, allowing their incorporation into the base cream (Hydrafresh), in order to develop colorless photoprotective formulations. The unbleached and bleached lignins and nanoparticles were characterized through scanning electron microscopy analysis with EDS and near infrared spectroscopy. The photoprotective formulations were produced only with lignins and bleached lignin nanoparticles, being evaluated for organoleptic characteristics, pH, stability, in vitro sun protection factor and UV absorption. The evaluations of the twelve formulations developed showed that four were disapproved in terms of appearance, as they had precipitated particles, and three in terms of color, as they underwent alteration, but in terms of odor, all were approved as they remained unchanged. The pH analysis showed that ten formulations were within the acceptable range. As for the centrifugation test, the formulations were classified as normal and slightly separated, as they had small lumps, which in contact with the skin showed resistance to being spread. In the stability test, all formulations underwent sudden changes in appearance (phase separation), odor and color (from white to yellow to brown), with the increase in temperature having a greater contribution to changes, interfering with viscosity and degrading the components. In determining the in vitro SPF, the formulations obtained values ranging from 0.51 to 1.13, with lower values for those prepared with lignins and Klason lignin nanoparticles, and higher and homogeneous values for those prepared with lignins and nanoparticles of Organosolve lignin. The qualitative analysis reinforced that the best results regarding UV light protection were found for those prepared from Organosolve and Kraft lignins and lignin nanoparticles. The results of the analyzes carried out for the formulations prepared with Klason, Kraft and Organosolve lignins and lignin nanoparticles showed promise for the development of protective formulations

Colloidal Stability of Cellulose Suspensions

Cellulose is the most abundant natural compound in nature and the main component of the cell wall of plants. It is a linear polymer with a high degree of polymerization, responsible for most of the properties of wood. Colloidal phenomena are often used in various industrial production processes. Suspended cellulose, used worldwide in the paper and cellulose industries, with regard to stability, has a high tendency to aggregate and form clots. The different interactions between the dispersed phase and the dispersion phase are one of the critical points in the study of the behavior and stability of colloids. Cellulose is no different, as several studies seek to improve the colloidal stability of cellulose in aqueous media by observing the specific characteristics of the colloid, such as its geometry, mass and area/volume ratio, and the possible interactions between particles that make up the cellulose dispersion in order to understand and control colloidal stability. Therefore, the objective of this chapter is to define the main characteristics of colloids, to classify them, to present the main methods of preparation, to address important aspects about colloid stability and the colloidal stability of cellulose

Obtenção e caracterização de ligninas e nanopartículas de lignina klason e kraft

Orientadora : Prof.ª Dr.ª Mayara Elita Braz CarneiroCoorientadores : Prof. Dr. Alan Sulato de Andrade, Prof.ª Dr.ª Daniele Cristina PotulskiDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Agrárias, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Florestal. Defesa : Curitiba, 20/02/2018Inclui referências : p. 71-82Área de concentração : Tecnologia e Utilização de Produtos FlorestaisResumo: O presente trabalho teve como objetivo à obtenção e caracterização de lignina e nanopartículas de lignina Klason e Kraft, ao utilizar serragem e licor negro, resíduos que são gerados, respectivamente, pela indústria de serrarias e de celulose. A matéria prima deste estudo trata-se de cavacos de Eucalyptus grandis, fornecidos pela Embrapa Florestas. Primeiramente, foi obtida a lignina de cada resíduo. No caso da serragem, o processo iniciou ao transformar parte dos cavacos em serragem e assim realizar os procedimentos de obtenção da lignina Klason segundo a norma Tappi 222 om-02 (2002). Outra parte dos cavacos passou por um cozimento para que fosse possível coletar o licor negro. Com o licor coletado foram realizados os procedimentos necessários para obtenção da lignina Kraft, segundo metodologia proposta por Silva (2014). Posteriormente, obtiveram-se as nanopartículas de ligninas Klason e Kraft ao utilizar o moinho Microprocessador Super Masscolloider Masuko Sangyo. Foram obtidas três tipos de nanopartículas de ligninas determinadas pelo número de passes pelo moinho, sendo eles 2, 8 e 13. A caracterização das ligninas e de suas nanopartículas, consistiu na realização das análises de espectroscopia de infravermelho médio, análise termogravimétrica, calorimetria exploratória diferencial, microscopia eletrônica de varredura com análise química elementar, microscopia eletrônica de transmissão e granulometria. Com os resultados da caracterização foi possível analisar as principais propriedades das ligninas e nanopartículas de ligninas obtidas. Análises de microscopia eletrônica de varredura e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão demonstraram estruturas irregulares com variados formatos e estruturas esféricas, sendo que estas estruturas esféricas são mais evidentes na lignina e nanopartículas de lignina Kraft. Além disso, as análises microscópicas demonstraram que quanto maior o número de passes, mais reduzidas ficaram as estruturas, comprovando eficiência técnica no uso do moinho em produzir material nanométrico. A análise química elementar mostrou que o processo de lavagem das ligninas foi satisfatório, devido a pequena porcentagem de enxofre encontrado nas amostras, e que não ocorreu nenhum tipo de contaminação durante o tratamento mecânico, ao utilizar o moinho, na produção das nanopartículas de lignina. Em relação à análise de granulometria, houve a obtenção de nanopartículas de lignina Klason e Kraft, porém os melhores resultados foram obtidos a partir da lignina Kraft, a qual gerou maior quantidade de nanopartículas. A análise de espectroscopia no infravermelho médio exibiu características químicas de lignina. As análises térmicas demonstraram que ligninas e nanopartículas de ligninas possuem três faixas de degradação, atribuídas à secagem das amostras e à degradação de hemiceluloses e lignina. Portanto, através das metodologias utilizadas, foram obtidas ligninas e nanopartículas de lignina Klason e Kraft. Suas caracterizações correspondem às características de lignina, sendo que os resultados obtidos são semelhantes à diversas literaturas. Palavras-chave: Lignina. Resíduos. Indústria. Nanotecnologia.Abstract: The present work had the objective to obtain and characterize lignin and nanoparticles of lignin Klason and Kraft, when using sawdust and black liquor, residues that are generated, respectively, by the sawmill and cellulose industry. The raw material of this study is Eucalyptus grandis chips, provided by Embrapa Florestas. First, the lignin was obtained from each residue. In the case of sawdust, the process started by transforming part of the chips into sawdust and thus performing lignin Klason procedures according to Tappi 222 om-02 (2002). Another part of the chips went through a cooking in order to collect the black liquor. With the liquor collected, the necessary procedures to obtain the lignin Kraft were carried out, according to the methodology proposed by Silva (2014). Subsequently, the Klason and Kraft lignins nanoparticles were obtained by using the Super Masscolloider Masuko Sangyo Microprocessor mill. Three nanoparticles lignins were obtained determined by the number of passes through the mill, witch are 2, 8 and 13. The characterization of lignins and their nanoparticles consisted of the analysis of medium infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, electron microscopy of scanning with elemental chemical analysis, transmission electron microscopy and grain size. With the results of the characterization it was possible to analyze the main properties of lignins and lignin nanoparticles. Electron microscopy of scanning and transmission electron microscopy analyzes have demonstrated irregular structures with varied shapes and spherical structures, and these spherical structures are more evident in lignin and Kraft lignin nanoparticles. In addition, microscopic analysis showed that the larger the number of passes, the smaller the structures were, proving the technical efficiency in the use of the mill to produce nanometric material. The elemental chemical analysis showed that the lignin washing process was satisfactory due to the small percentage of sulfur found in the samples and that no contamination occurred during the mechanical treatment of the lignin nanoparticles when using the mill. In relation to the granulometry analysis, the Klason and Kraft lignin nanoparticles were obtained, but the best results were obtained from Kraft lignin, which generated a larger amount of nanoparticles. The analysis of medium infrared spectroscopy exhibited chemical characteristics of lignin. Thermal analysis showed that lignins and lignin nanoparticles have three degradation bands, attributed to the drying of samples and the degradation of hemicelluloses and lignin. Therefore, through the methodologies used, lignins and nanoparticles of Klason and Kraft lignin were obtained. Their characterizations correspond to the characteristics of lignin, and the results obtained are similar to several literatures. Keywords: Lignin. Waste. Industry. Nanotechnology

Viabilidade econômica da colheita de plantios de Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Ktze. na Floresta Nacional do Assungui, Campo Largo - PR

Orientador : Prof. Dr. Alexandre França TettoMonografia (especialização) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Agrárias, Curso de Especialização em Gestão FlorestalInclui referência

Long-term space missions’ effects on the human organism: what we do know and what requires further research

Space has always fascinated people. Many years have passed since the first spaceflight, and in addition to the enormous technological progress, the level of understanding of human physiology in space is also increasing. The presented paper aims to summarize the recent research findings on the influence of the space environment (microgravity, pressure differences, cosmic radiation, etc.) on the human body systems during short-term and long-term space missions. The review also presents the biggest challenges and problems that must be solved in order to extend safely the time of human stay in space. In the era of increasing engineering capabilities, plans to colonize other planets, and the growing interest in commercial space flights, the most topical issues of modern medicine seems to be understanding the effects of long-term stay in space, and finding solutions to minimize the harmful effects of the space environment on the human body