Fluorescence quantum efficiency of CdSe/CdS magic-sized quantum dots functionalized with carboxyl or hydroxyl groups

AbstractThe present letter reports the thermo-optical properties of functionalized CdSe/CdS magic-sized quantum dots (MSQDs) (sizes 1.9–2.3nm) with carboxyl (R–COOH) or hydroxyl (R–OH) groups in aqueous solutions. Atomic force microscopy and infrared transmittance measurements were used to determine the size of the QDs and to highlight the functionalized groups. Absolute nonradiative quantum efficiency (φ) and radiative quantum efficiency (η) values were determined by applying two techniques: thermal lens (TL) and an alternative method that analyzes the ring patterns generated in a laser beam due to thermally induced self-phase-modulation effects known as the conical diffraction. Fluorescence measurements corroborate the TL results

Assessment of the Mutagenic Activity of Extracts of Brazilian Propolis in Topical Pharmaceutical Formulations on Mammalian Cells In Vitro and In Vivo

Propolis possesses various biological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anesthetic and antioxidant properties. A topically applied product based on Brazilian green propolis was developed for the treatment of burns. For such substance to be used more safely in future clinical applications, the present study evaluated the mutagenic potential of topical formulations supplemented with green propolis extract (1.2, 2.4 and 3.6%) based on the analysis of chromosomal aberrations and of micronuclei. In the in vitro studies, 3-h pulse (G1 phase of the cell cycle) and continuous (20 h) treatments were performed. In the in vivo assessment, the animals were injured on the back and then submitted to acute (24 h), subacute (7 days) and subchronic (30 days) treatments consisting of daily dermal applications of gels containing different concentrations of propolis. Similar frequencies of chromosomal aberrations were observed for cultures submitted to 3-h pulse and continuous treatment with gels containing different propolis concentrations and cultures not submitted to any treatment. However, in the continuous treatment cultures treated with the 3.6% propolis gel presented significantly lower mitotic indices than the negative control. No statistically significant differences in the frequencies of micronuclei were observed between animals treated with gels containing different concentrations of propolis and the negative control for the three treatment times. Under the present conditions, topical formulations containing different concentrations of green propolis used for the treatment of burns showed no mutagenic effect in either test system, but 3.6% propolis gel was found to be cytotoxic in the in vitro test

Avaliação da capacidade funcional e da qualidade de vida em pacientes renais crônicos submetidos a tratamento hemodialítico

This study aimed at evaluating the functional capacity and health-related quality of life in chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment, also checking possible correlations between these clinical variables and age, body mass index (BMI), and hemodialysis time. Sixteen patients were submitted to functional capacity assessment by means of the six-minute walk test (6WT), measures of maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, and by the fatigue severity scale (FSS). Patients also answered the SF-36 questionnaire. Functional capacity proved to be below predicted values at the 6WT and at respiratory, mainly expiratory muscles; mean FSS scores pointed to moderate fatigue. Patients over 60 years old and those with lesser hemodialysis time showed lower functional capacity only as to the distance walked at the 6WT. BMI did not interfere with functional capacity. Mean overall SF-36 scores were low; pain and lesser vitality were pointed as the SF-36 domains that most interfere in quality of life; age, BMI, and hemodialysis time have not shown to be relevant to most SF-36 domains. Results suggest that, with slight interference of age and hemodialysis time, patients with CRI undergoing hemodialysis treatment have poor functional capacity and health-related quality of life.Este estudo visou avaliar a capacidade funcional e a qualidade de vida em pacientes com incapacidade renal crônica (IRC) submetidos a tratamento hemodialítico e verificar possíveis correlações entre essas variáveis clínicas e idade, índice de massa corpórea (IMC) e tempo de hemodiálise. Dezesseis pacientes com IRC foram submetidos à avaliação da capacidade funcional pelo teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6'), mensuração das pressões inspiratória e expiratória máxima, e pela aplicação da escala de severidade da fadiga. Também responderam ao questionário SF-36, sobre qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde (QV). A capacidade funcional mostrou-se abaixo dos valores preditos no TC6' e na força dos músculos respiratórios (principalmente expiratórios); e todos apresentaram em média fadiga leve. Pacientes com mais de 60 anos e aqueles com menor tempo de hemodiálise apresentaram baixa capacidade funcional apenas quanto à distância caminhada, sem prejuízo das demais funções. O IMC não interferiu na capacidade funcional. O escore médio no SF-36 foi 72,3; dor e prejuízo na vitalidade foram indicados como os itens que mais interferem em sua QV, tendo os fatores idade, índice de massa corporal e tempo de hemodiálise não se mostrado relevantes na maioria dos domínios avaliados pelo SF-36. Os resultados sugerem que, com pouca interferência da idade e do tempo de hemodiálise, pacientes com IRC submetidos a tratamento hemodialítico apresentam prejuízos na capacidade funcional e na QV

Physical and functional aspects of persons with multiple sclerosis practicing Tai-Geiko: randomized trial

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to verify the influence of Tai-Geiko on the physical and functional aspects of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: This was a parallel-group, randomized trial with two arms. People with MS were allocated to an experimental group (EG) (n=10) and control group (CG) (n=09). The participants received multidisciplinary care supervised by a physiotherapist in the Tai-Geiko exercise. Participants underwent the assessments after the intervention. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS-maximum score of 6.0), strength test (kgf) using a dynamometer, Timed Up and Go mobility test (TUG), and stabilometric balance test (Platform EMG systems) were evaluated. Demographic data were recorded, including age, sex, comorbidities, lifestyle and classification of MS. Clinical Trials (ReBeC): RBR-4sty47. RESULTS: The EG group improved in 12 variables, and the CG improved in 3 variables. The following values were obtained for pre/postintervention, respectively: EG: lumbar force (38/52 kgf), TUG (11/9 s), locomotion velocity (519/393 ms); double task two (53/39 s); platform stabilometric trajectory: traversed get up (39/26 s) and sit (45/29 s); anteroposterior (AP) amplitude rise (11/8 cm) and sit (12.40/9.94 cm) and anteroposterior frequency rise (1.00/1.56 Hz) and sit (0.8/1.25 Hz) (po0.05); CG: right-hand grip force (26/29 kgf); TUG (9.8 /8.7 s) and AP (11.84 /9.53 cm) stabilometric amplitude at the sitting moment (po0.05), (3.2/5.99 Hz, p=0.01) and sit (3.47/5.01 Hz, p=0.04). CONCLUSION: Tai-Geiko practice can be suggested as complementary exercise in the rehabilitation of persons with MS

Coleções biológicas do Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro à luz das metas da GSPC/CDB: onde estamos em 2020?

The biologic collections housed at the Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (JBRJ) go beyond herbarium exsiccatae and the arboretum, comprising also a wood-collection, carpological collection, greenhouse collection, seed and DNA baks, fungal culture and ethnobotany collections. Together the different collections add up to 665 thousand specimens, contributing substantially towards the neotropical flora knowledge. From the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st, the paradigm regarding conservation and rational use of the world’s biodiversity changed, and the biological collections and their data moved from a marginal position to occupy a central role in the discussion that quantifies, qualifies, maps and studies the potential of use of biodiversity. Within this new scene, botanical gardensand their collections are totally inserted in accomplishing the tasks regarding the biodiversity targets proposed by the CBD/GSPC. In this article we map the targets that involve directly the collections of the JBRJ and analyse the contributions and limitations of our holdings in supporting the country to reach the targets of the GSPC 2020.O conjunto de coleções biológicas sob a guarda do Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (JBRJ) vai além das exsicatas do herbário e plantas vivas do arboreto, e inclui também coleções em estufas, xiloteca, carpoteca, bancos de sementes e de DNA, cultura de fungos e coleção etnobotânica. Juntas estas diferentes coleções contabilizam cerca de 665 mil espécimes, que contribuem para ampliar o conhecimento da flora neotropical. A partir do final do século XX e início do século XXI, com a mudança de paradigma envolvendo a conservação e o uso racional da biodiversidade do planeta, as coleções biológicas e seus dados associados saíram de uma posição marginal para ocupar uma posição central na discussão que quantifica, qualifica, mapeia e estuda o potencial de uso da biodiversidade. Neste novo cenário, os jardins botânicos e suas coleções estão completamente inseridos nas tarefas relacionadas a atingir as metas da biodiversidade delineadas pela CDB/GSPC. Neste artigo descrevemos quais metas envolvem diretamente as coleções do JBRJ e analisamos tanto a participação como as limitações dos nossos acervos para apoiar o país no cumprimento das metas da GSPC 2020

COMPARAÇÃO MICROBIOLÓGICA ENTRE MEMBRANAS AMNIÓTICAS HUMANAS COLETADAS EM PARTOS VAGINAIS E CESARIANAS – PROJETO PILOTO

Objective: The amniotic membrane, a thin membrane, may be used as a temporary cover on deep burns. The objective of this study is to identify the differences regarding bacterial contamination between membranes of vaginal and cesarean deliveries, as well as to assess the possibility of the clinical use of stored membranes.Methods: Twelve membranes were obtained from women submitted to vaginal and cesarean deliveries at the Obstetric Center of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Each amniotic membrane was stored in five different flasks containing a physiological solution. Samples were obtained from these flasks for analysis on days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28. These samples were tested for bacterial contamination, analyzing its relation to time of storage and type of delivery. This is a pilot study with a transversal design.Results: The comparison between types of delivery yielded a relative risk of contamination in vaginal delivery (RR) of 2.67 (95% CI: 1.09-6.52) and no significance (P = 0.08). No contamination was found on day 1 flasks.Conclusion: All membranes derived from vaginal deliveries ended up showing bacterial contamination during the storage period, which lead to a theoretical unavailability for its use on Amniotic Membrane Banks.Objetivo: A membrana amniótica, uma membrana fina, pode ser utilizada como cobertura temporária em queimaduras profundas. O objetivo deste estudo é o de verificar as possíveis diferenças quanto à contaminação bacteriana entre as membranas de partos cesáreo e vaginal, assim como avaliar a viabilidade ou não do uso clínico-cirúrgico da membrana armazenada.Métodos: Foram coletadas 12 membranas amnióticas de mulheres submetidas a parto cesáreo e vaginal no Centro Obstétrico do HCPA. Cada membrana amniótica foi armazenada em cinco frascos diferentes contendo soro fisiológico, dos quais foram obtidas amostras para análise no momento da coleta e nos dias 7, 14, 21 e 28. Essas amostras foram testadas quanto à contaminação bacteriana, analisando sua relação com o tempo de armazenamento e com o tipo de parto realizado. O estudo é um piloto e tem um delineamento transversal. Resultados: A comparação entre os tipos de parto mostrou um risco relativo (RR) de 2,67 de contaminação no parto vaginal em relação à cesariana (IC de 95%: 1,09 a 6,52), P = 0,08. Não foi verificada contaminação em nenhum dos frascos no momento da coleta. Conclusão: Todas as membranas coletadas de parto vaginal apresentaram crescimento bacteriano no processo de estocagem, levando à sua inviabilidade teórica para uso em Bancos de Membrana Amniótica

The bi-directional associations between psychotic experiences and DSM-IV mental disorders

OBJECTIVE: While it is now recognized that psychotic experiences are associated with an increased risk of later mental disorders, we lack a detailed understanding of the reciprocal time-lagged relationships between first onsets of psychotic experiences and mental disorders. Using data from World Health Organization World Mental Health (WMH) Surveys, the authors assessed the bidirectional temporal associations between psychotic experiences and mental disorders. METHOD: The WMH Surveys assessed lifetime prevalence and age at onset of psychotic experiences and 21 common DSM-IV mental disorders among 31,261 adult respondents from 18 countries. Discrete-time survival models were used to examine bivariate and multivariate associations between psychotic experiences and mental disorders. RESULTS: Temporally primary psychotic experiences were significantly associated with subsequent first onset of eight of the 21 mental disorders (major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, posttraumatic stress disorder, adult separation anxiety disorder, bulimia nervosa, and alcohol abuse), with odds ratios ranging from 1.3 (95% CI=1.2-1.5) for major depressive disorder to 2.0 (95% CI=1.5-2.6) for bipolar disorder. In contrast, 18 of 21 primary mental disorders were significantly associated with subsequent first onset of psychotic experiences, with odds ratios ranging from 1.5 (95% CI=1.0-2.1) for childhood separation anxiety disorder to 2.8 (95% CI=1.0-7.8) for anorexia nervosa. CONCLUSIONS: While temporally primary psychotic experiences are associated with an elevated risk of several subsequent mental disorders, these data show that most mental disorders are associated with an elevated risk of subsequent psychotic experiences. Further investigation of the underlying factors accounting for these time-order relationships may shed light on the etiology of psychotic experiences

Early Suppression of Macrophage Gene Expression by Leishmania braziliensis

Leishmania braziliensis is an intracellular parasite that resides mostly in macrophages. Both the parasite genome and the clinical disease manifestations show considerable polymorphism. Clinical syndromes caused by L. braziliensis include localized cutaneous (CL), mucosal (ML), and disseminated leishmaniasis (DL). Our prior studies showed that genetically distinct L. braziliensis clades associate with different clinical types. Herein, we hypothesized that: (1) L. braziliensis induces changes in macrophage gene expression that facilitates infection; (2) infection of macrophages with strains associated with CL (clade B), ML (clade C), or DL (clade A) will differentially affect host cell gene expression, reflecting their different pathogenic mechanisms; and (3) differences between the strains will be reflected by differences in macrophage gene expression after initial exposure to the parasite. Human monocyte derived macrophages were infected with L. braziliensis isolates from clades A, B, or C. Patterns of gene expression were compared using Affymetrix DNA microarrays. Many transcripts were significantly decreased by infection with all isolates. The most dramatically decreased transcripts encoded proteins involved in signaling pathways, apoptosis, or mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Some transcripts encoding stress response proteins were up-regulated. Differences between L. braziliensis clades were observed in the magnitude of change, rather than the identity of transcripts. Isolates from subjects with metastatic disease (ML and DL) induced a greater magnitude of change than isolates from CL. We conclude that L. braziliensis enhances its intracellular survival by inhibiting macrophage pathways leading to microbicidal activity. Parasite strains destined for dissemination may exert a more profound suppression than less invasive L. braziliensis strains that remain near the cutaneous site of inoculation