Mechanical properties of fly ash geopolymers containing steelmaking ladle slag

The effect of adding steelmaking ladle slag to fly ash based geopolymers has been studied. For that, flexural and compression strengths were evaluated at 7 and 28 days after curing. It can be concluded that the increase in fly ash content has a relevant effect on the various mechanical properties.W2V, SA, Geodesigninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Fracture behavior in geopolymer mixtures including fly ash and various industrial waste

The fracture resistance behavior of fly ash based geopolymer mixtures incorporating different types of industrial wastes has been investigated. Therefore, 4 different geopolymer mixtures were analyzed, with the intent to retrieve information about their Initial Flexural Stiffness (Ri), and Ultimate Load (Pu). A result analysis revealed that one type of mixture was considerably superior to the rest in terms of Initial Flexural Stiffness and Ultimate Load.W2V, SA, Geodesigninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

FORMAS FARMACÊUTICAS SEMISSÓLIDAS A BASE DE PAPAÍNA – AVALIAÇÃO PRELIMINAR DA ESTABILIDADE, CONTAMINAÇÃO MICROBIOLÓGICA E ATIVIDADE ENZIMÁTICA

Géis (usando carbômero) e cremes (usando base autoemulsionante aniônica), contendo 2% (p/p), 6% (p/p) e 10% (p/p) de papaína, são utilizados para fins de cicatrização e desbridamento de ferimentos. Com estas formulações, armazenadas em dois ambientes (5-10 ºC e 30-35 ºC), durante 4 meses, foram realizadas análises (pH, análise organoléptica, espalhabilidade, análise microbiológica, teste de centrifugação e atividade enzimática) para avaliar estabilidade, contaminação por micro-organismos e ação proteolítica. Os resultados mostraram que, para ambas as formas farmacêuticas, em temperaturas mais elevadas, houve maior rapidez na perda da atividade enzimática. Géis com altas concentrações de papaína (10% p/p) são inviáveis, pois apresentaram espalhabilidade anormais. Os cremes com papaína, em todas as concentrações, apresentaram separação de fases pelo teste de centrifugação, mostrando instabilidade termodinâmica. Os cremes (6% p/p e 10% p/p) apresentaram decréscimo intenso e rápido (entre 24 horas a 1 semana após preparo) da atividade enzimática, inviabilizando seu uso por períodos prolongados. Resultados de pH e contaminação microbiológica não foram determinantes para reprovação das formulações.  Sendo assim, o gel a 2% (p/p) foi a única formulação que não apresentou problemas críticos de estabilidade e perda de atividade enzimática, se for mantido entre 5-10 ºC

Total soluble solids from banana: evaluation and optimization of extraction parameters

Banana, an important component in the diet of the global population, is one of the most consumed fruits in the world. This fruit is also very favorable to industry processes (e.g., fermented beverages) due to its rich content on soluble solids and minerals, with low acidity. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of factors such as banana weight and extraction time during a hot aqueous extraction process on the total soluble solids content of banana. The extract is to be used by the food and beverage industries. The experiments were performed with 105 mL of water, considering the moisture of the ripe banana (65%). Total sugar concentrations were obtained in a beer analyzer and the result expressed in degrees Plato (°P, which is the weight of the extract or the sugar equivalent in 100 g solution at 20 °C), aiming at facilitating the use of these results by the beverage industries. After previous studies of characterization of the fruit and of ripening performance, a 22 full-factorial star design was carried out, and a model was developed to describe the behavior of the dependent variable (total soluble solids) as a function of the factors (banana weight and extraction time), indicating as optimum conditions for extraction 38.5 g of banana at 39.7 min.Gabinete de Relações Internacionais da Ciência e do Ensino Superior (GRICES), Portugal.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (Fapesp), Brasil.Coordenação para Aperfeiçoamento do Ensino Superior (CAPES), Brasil.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal

MMP-9/RECK imbalance: a mechanism associated with high-grade cervical lesions and genital infection by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Chlamydia trachomatis

"Manuscript"BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are important enzymes in the tumor microenvironment associated with progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) toward squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix. However, the role of MMPs in the inflammatory process associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection concomitant with the carcinogenic process driven by HPV has not yet been addressed. In the present study, we analyzed the state of the MMP-9-RECK axis in cervical carcinogenesis. METHODS: The levels of MMP-9 and RECK expression were analyzed by immunocytochemistry in liquid-based cytology samples from 136 women with high-grade cervical lesions (CIN2/CIN3) and cervical SCC diagnosed by LLETZ, and in 196 women without cervical neoplasia or CIN1. Real-time qPCR was performed to analyze expression of MMP-9 and RECK in 15 cervical samples. The presence of HPV-DNA and other genital pathogens was evaluated by PCR. RESULTS: We found a higher expression of MMP-9 [OR, 4.2; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.2-7.8] and lower expression of RECK (OR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2-0.7) in women with CIN2/CIN3/SCC when compared with women from the control group (no neoplasia/CIN1). A statistically significant association was also found between MMP-9/RECK imbalance and infection by alpha-9 HPV and C. trachomatis. The prevalence of C. trachomatis infection was significantly higher in women with high-grade cervical disease (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.3-11.3). CONCLUSIONS: MMP-9/RECK imbalance in cervical smears is significantly associated with high-grade cervical diseases and infection by alpha-9 HPV and C. trachomatis. IMPACT: MMP-9/RECK imbalance during cervical inflammation induced by C. trachomatis might play a role in HPV-mediated cervical carcinogenesis.This work was supported by Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP), numbers 2008/03232-1 (to L.L. Villa) and 2012/09746-2 (to M.G. Discacciati and S.S. Maria-Engler) and National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development pharmaceutical innovation (CNPQ-INCT-if; to S.S. Maria-Engler)

Prior human papillomavirus‐16/18 AS04‐adjuvanted vaccination prevents recurrent high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia after definitive surgical therapy: Post‐hoc analysis from a randomized controlled trial

We evaluated the efficacy of the human papillomavirus (HPV)−16/18 AS04‐adjuvanted vaccine in preventing HPV‐related disease after surgery for cervical lesions in a post‐hoc analysis of the PApilloma TRIal against Cancer In young Adults (PATRICIA; NCT00122681). Healthy women aged 15–25 years were randomized (1:1) to receive vaccine or control at months 0, 1 and 6 and followed for 4 years. Women were enrolled regardless of their baseline HPV DNA status, HPV‐16/18 serostatus, or cytology, but excluded if they had previous or planned colposcopy. The primary and secondary endpoints of PATRICIA have been reported previously; the present post‐hoc analysis evaluated efficacy in a subset of women who underwent an excisional procedure for cervical lesions after vaccination. The main outcome was the incidence of subsequent HPV‐related cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or greater (CIN2+) 60 days or more post‐surgery. Other outcomes included the incidence of HPV‐related CIN1+, and vulvar or vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN/VaIN) 60 days or more post‐surgery. Of the total vaccinated cohort of 18,644 women (vaccine = 9,319; control = 9,325), 454 (vaccine = 190, control = 264) underwent an excisional procedure during the trial. Efficacy 60 days or more post‐surgery for a first lesion, irrespective of HPV DNA results, was 88.2% (95% CI: 14.8, 99.7) against CIN2+ and 42.6% (−21.1, 74.1) against CIN1+. No VIN was reported and one woman in each group had VaIN2+ 60 days or more post‐surgery. Women who undergo surgical therapy for cervical lesions after vaccination with the HPV‐16/18 vaccine may continue to benefit from vaccination, with a reduced risk of developing subsequent CIN2+.139122812282

Prevalence and risk factors for Giardia duodenalis infection among children: A case study in Portugal

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Giardia duodenalis </it>is a widespread parasite of mammalian species, including humans. The prevalence of this parasite in children residing in Portugal is currently unknown. This study intended to estimate <it>G. duodenalis </it>infection prevalence and identify possible associated risk factors in a healthy paediatric population living in the District of the Portuguese capital, Lisbon.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Between February 2002 and October 2008, 844 children were randomly selected at healthcare centres while attending the national vaccination program. A stool sample and a questionnaire with socio-demographic data were collected from each child. <it>Giardia </it>infection was diagnosed by direct examination of stools and antigen detection by ELISA.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The population studied revealed a gender distribution of 52.8% male and 47.2% female. Age distribution was 47.4% between 0-5 years and 52.6% between 6-15 years.</p> <p>The prevalence of <it>Giardia </it>infection was 1.9% (16/844) when estimated by direct examination and increased to 6.8% (57/844) when ELISA results were added. The prevalence was higher among children aged 0-5 years (7.8%), than among older children (5.8%), and was similar among genders (6.9% in boys and 6.5% in girls). The following population-variables were shown to be associated risk factors for <it>G. duodenalis </it>infection: mother's educational level (odds ratio (OR)= 4.49; confidence interval (CI): 1.20-16.84), father's educational level (OR = 12.26; CI: 4.08-36.82), presence of <it>Helicobacter pylori </it>infection (OR = 1.82; CI: 1.05-3.15), living in houses with own drainage system (OR = 0.10; CI: 0.02-0.64) and reported household pet contact, especially with dogs (OR = 0.53; CI: 0.31-0.93).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The prevalence of giardiasis in asymptomatic children residing in the region of Lisbon is high. Several risk factors were associated with <it>Giardia </it>prevalence and highlight the importance of parents' education and sanitation conditions in the children's well being. The association between <it>G. duodenalis </it>and <it>H. pylori </it>seems an important issue deserving further investigation in order to promote prevention or treatment strategies.</p