Oscillating Economic Sphere: Sustainable Limits of the Biosphere in the Face of Climate Change

This paper proposes a new geometric model to facilitate the understanding of the complex interaction between the economic system and the limits of the biosphere. The concept of the oscillating economic sphere is based on a central parameter of the economy, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In the model a hypothetical sphere was built, in which its radius (re) corresponds to the world GDP (economic sphere), and another hypothetical sphere with radius (rb) is also introduced to represent the size of the biosphere (sphere of life), on this geometric construction, these spheres are concentric (rb > re). Therefore, an expansion of the economic sphere will occupy the biosphere, since the fundamentals of economy predict unlimited growth of GDP. Thus we will have a limit to be reached because the biophysical forces oppose this expansion, creating harmful environmental effects such as climate change

A strategy for the identification of new abiotic stress determinants in arabidopsis using web-based data mining and reverse genetics

Since the sequencing of the Arabidopsis thaliana genome in 2000, plant researchers have faced the complex challenge of assigning function to thousands of genes. Functional discovery by in silico prediction or homology search resolved a significant number of genes, but only a minor part has been experimentally validated. Arabidopsis entry into the post-genomic era signified a massive increase in high-throughput approaches to functional discovery, which have since become available through publicly-available web-based resources. The present work focuses on an easy and straightforward strategy that couples data-mining to reverse genetics principles, to allow for the identification of new abiotic stress determinant genes. The strategy explores systematic microarray-based transcriptomics experiments, involving Arabidopsis abiotic stress responses. An overview of the most significant resources and databases for functional discovery in Arabidopsis is presented. The successful application of the outlined strategy is illustrated by the identification of a new abiotic stress determinant gene, HRR, which displays a heat stress-related phenotype after a loss-of-function reverse genetics approach.No competing financial interests exist. The present work was supported by Foundation for Science and Technology (POCTI/AGR/45462/2002). H. Azevedo (SFRH/BPD/17198/2004), J. Correia (SFRH/BD/16663/2004), J. Oliveira (SFRH/BD/38379/2007), S. Laranjeira (SFRH/BD/29778/2006), C. Barbeta (SFRH/BD/12081/2003) and V. Amorim-Silva (SFRH/BD/29778/2006) were supported by Foundation for Science and Technology

Preparation of robust polyamide microcapsules by interfacial polycondensation of p-phenylenediamine and sebacoyl chloride and plasticization with oleic acid

Microcapsules produced by interfacial polycondensation of p-phenylenediamine (PPD) and sebacoyl chloride (SC) were studied. The products were characterized in terms of morphology, mean diameter and effectiveness of dodecane encapsulation. The use of Tween 20 as dispersion stabilizer, in comparison with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), reduced considerably the mean diameter of the microcapsules and originated smoother wall surfaces. When compared to ethylenediamine (EDA), microcapsules produced with PPD monomer were more rigid and brittle, prone to fracture during processing and ineffective retention of the core liquid. The use of diethylenetriamine (DETA) cross-linker in combination with PPD did not decrease capsule fragility. On the other hand, addition of a small fraction of oleic acid to the organic phase remarkably improved wall toughness and lead to successful encapsulation of the core-oil. Oleic acid is believed to act as a plasticizer. Its incorporation in the polymeric wall was demonstrated by FTIR and (1)H-NMR.This work was funded by FEDER funds through the Operational Programme for Competitiveness Factors (COMPETE), ON.2 – O Novo Norte – North Portugal Regional Operational Programme and National Funds through Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the projects: PEst-C/EQB/UI0511, NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000026 – RL1_ Energy and PTDC/CTM-NAN/119979/2010. The Bruker Avance III 400 spectrometer is part of the National NMR network and was purchased under the framework of the National Programme for Scientific Reequipment, REDE/1517/RMN/2005, with funds from POCI 2010 (FEDER) and (FCT). Joana R. Góis acknowledges FCT-MCTES for her PhD scholarship (SFRH/BD/69635/2010)

Release of volatile compounds from polymeric microcapsules mediated by photocatalytic nanoparticles

In this study we propose a suitable method for the solar-activated controlled release of volatile compounds from polymeric microcapsules bonded with photocatalytic nanoparticles. These reservoirs can find applications, for example, in the controlled release of insecticides, repellents, or fragrances, amongst other substances. The surfaces of the microcapsules have been functionalized with TiO2 nanoparticles.Upon ultraviolet irradiation, redox mechanisms are initiated on the semiconductor surface resulting in the dissociation of the polymer chains of the capsule wall and, finally, volatilization of the encapsulated compounds. The quantification of the output release has been performed by gas chromatography analysis coupled with mass spectroscopy.Strategic Project PEST-C/FIS/UI607/2011 and PTDC/CTMNAN/119979/2010 Projec

Endothelium-mediated action of analogues of the endogenous neuropeptide kyotorphin (tyrosil-arginine) : mechanistic insights from permeation and effects on microcirculation

© 2016 American Chemical SocietyKyotorphin (KTP) is an endogenous peptide with analgesic properties when administered into the central nervous system (CNS). Its amidated form (l-Tyr-l-Arg-NH2; KTP-NH2) has improved analgesic efficacy after systemic administration, suggesting blood-brain barrier (BBB) crossing. KTP-NH2 also has anti-inflammatory action impacting on microcirculation. In this work, selected derivatives of KTP-NH2 were synthesized to improve lipophilicity and resistance to enzymatic degradation while introducing only minor changes in the chemical structure: N-terminal methylation and/or use of d amino acid residues. Intravital microscopy data show that KTP-NH2 having a d-Tyr residue, KTP-NH2-DL, efficiently decreases the number of leukocyte rolling in a murine model of inflammation induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS): down to 46% after 30 min with 96 μM KTP-NH2-DL. The same molecule has lower ability to permeate membranes (relative permeability of 0.38) and no significant activity in a behavioral test which evaluates thermal nociception (hot-plate test). On the contrary, methylated isomers at 96 μM increase leukocyte rolling up to nearly 5-fold after 30 min, suggesting a proinflammatory activity. They have maximal ability to permeate membranes (relative permeability of 0.8) and induce long-lasting antinociception.FCT-MCTES is acknowledged for PhD fellowship SFRH/BD/52225/2013 to J.P. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) is acknowledged for funding: call H2020-MSCA-RISE-2014, Grant agreement 644167, 2015-2019.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Differential brain and spinal cord cytokine and BDNF levels in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis are modulated by prior and regular exercise

The interactions between a prior program of regular exercise and the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)-mediated responses were evaluated. in the exercised EAE mice, although there was no effect on infiltrated cells, the cytokine and derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were altered, and the clinical score was attenuated. Although, the cytokine levels were decreased in the brain and increased in the spinal cord, BDNF was elevated in both compartments with a tendency of lesser demyelization volume in the spinal cord of the exercised EAE group compared with the unexercised. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)NIHUniv Fed Minas Gerais, Inst Ciencias Biol, Dept Fisiol & Biofis, Nucleo Neurociencias, BR-31270901 Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilMinist Educ Brazil, CAPES Fdn, Programa Pos Grad Ciencias Biol Fisiol Farmacol, BR-70040020 Brasilia, DF, BrazilUniv Fed Minas Gerais, Inst Ciencias Biol, Dept Patol, BR-31270901 Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biofis, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Minas Gerais, Inst Ciencias Biol, Dept Bioquim & Imunol, Lab Venenos & Toxinas Anim, BR-31270901 Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUniv Miami, Miller Sch Med, Miami Project Cure Paralysis, Miami, FL 33136 USALa Trobe Univ, Dept Biochem, Bundoora, Vic 3086, AustraliaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biofis, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilCAPES: BEX 0020/12-5NIH: NS051709NIH: NS065479FAPEMIG: CBB-APQ-01459-10FAPEMIG: PPM-00200-12Web of Scienc

The 2:1 cycloadducts from [3+2] 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrile oxide and vinylacetic acid. Synthesis and liquid crystal behaviour

Four liquid crystals (LC) 3,7a-bis(4-alkyloxyphenyl)-7,7a-dihydro-6H-isoxazolo[2,3-d][1,2,4]oxadiazol-6-yl)acetic acid (7a-d) were synthesised and the mesomorphic behaviour reported. The LCs were characterised as 2: 1 bisadducts, which were obtained from a double [3+2] 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. In the first step, the cycloaddition of 4-alkyloxyphenylnitrile oxide (4a-d) and vinylacetic acid (5) gave the initial unobserved 1:1 cycloadducts 2-[3-(4-alkyloxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-5-yl]acetic acid (6a-d). In the second step, the addition of a second equivalent of 4 to 6 yielded the 2: 1 bisadducts 7a-d without any traces of 6. All compounds 7a-d were unstable during the transition from the mesophase to the isotropic state upon first heating as evidenced by the large peaks in the differential scanning calorimetry traces. Due to the chemical instability of the compounds upon heating, the transition temperature related to the smectic C to smectic A transitions was acquired by means of an image processing method. X-Ray diffraction experiments were also used to analyse the liquid-crystalline phases. A theoretical calculation was performed using density functional theory (DFT) methods at the PBE1PBE/6-311+G(2d,p) level (with solvent effect) in order to get information about the energetic profile of the 2: 1 cycloaddition. DFT studies revealed that the cycloaddition process is controlled by the HOMO(dipolarophile) - LUMO(1,3-dipole), and that the double [3+2] 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction is quite possible.CNPq [471194-2008-5]CAPESINCT-Catalise[PROCAD-2007/CAPES

Relato da experiência da realização de pequenos procedimentos em dermatologia em Hospital Universitário

Modelo do estudo: Cohort. Objetivos: Relatar a experiência do setor de Pequenos Procedimentos em Dermatologia do Hospital Universitário Gaffrée e Guinle, determinando os diagnósticos, tipos de tratamentos e resolutividade. Metodologia: Trata-se de estudo prospectivo, observacional, por meio da coleta de dados dos pacientes do Programa de Saúde da Família da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde do Rio de Janeiro encaminhados para a realização de pequenos procedimentos em dermatologia, durante um período de 31 semanas. Resultados: Foram atendidos 884 pacientes. As lesões benignas representaram 77,5% dos diagnósticos clínicos e as malignas 22,5%. Os diagnósticos mais frequentes foram de cisto (133) e carcinoma basocelular (128). Os procedimentos mais realizados foram a excisão e sutura simples (337) e a retirada de lesão por shaving mais eletrocoagulação (161). No total, 98,3% dos procedimentos foram de cirurgia dermatológica básica e 1,7% dos casos necessitaram de procedimentos avançados. Além disso, 90,8% dos pacientes foram operados no dia do primeiro atendimento e 3,7% precisaram ser encaminhados para outras especialidades cirúrgicas. Conclusão: Um serviço de cirurgia dermatológica estruturado para a realização de pequenos procedimentos, em caráter ambulatorial, permite prover atendimento resolutivo à grande maioria dos pacientes com essa necessidade.Study design: Cohort study. Objectives: To report the experience of the Small Procedures Division, Dermatology Department, at Gaffrée and Guinle University Hospital, including a description of diagnoses, types of treatment, and efficacy. Methods: This is a prospective, observational study that consisted of data compilation of patients referred from the primary Family Health Program, Local Health Department, to an University Hospital for the performance of small dermatological procedures, encompassing a period of 31 weeks. Results: Overall, 884 patients underwent procedures. Benign lesions comprised 77.5% of the clinical diagnoses, while malignant lesions constituted 22.5%. The most frequent diagnoses were cyst (133) and basal cell carcinoma (128). The most commonly performed procedures were simple excision and suture (337) and lesion removal through shaving plus electrocoagulation (161). 98.3% of the procedures consisted of basic dermatological surgeries and 1.7% of the cases required advanced procedures. In addition, 90.8% of the patients were operated on the first day of care, on the other hand 3.7% were referred to other surgical specialties. Conclusion: A Dermatologic Surgery Department structured to perform small outpatient procedures provides efficacious care to the vast majority of referred patients