Análise ótica da parede abdominal pelo biospeckle após implante de prótese de polipropileno em ratos

To evaluate an experimental animal model to study the abdominal tissue activity considering its interaction with a polypropylene mesh, through the use of one of the optical phenomena of light Laser, the biospeckle. Fifty Wistar male rats were divided into four groups: Group 1: ten animals not submitted to surgery; Group 2: ten animals submitted to surgery without polypropylene mesh; Group 3: 20 animals submitted to surgery followed by the mesh placement; Group 4: (sham) with ten animals. None of the animals presented post surgical complications being submitted to the optical tests at the 20th postoperative day. The analysis from the biospeckle tests, comparing the medians and standard deviations with T Student test, indicated that no significative difference was observed on the abdominal wall tissue activity in the four groups considered, with and without polypropylene mesh prosthesis implantation. The animal model is viable and the biospeckle open ways for a great number of experiments to be developed in evaluating tissue activity246442448Avaliar o modelo experimental animal para o estudo da atividade tecidual da parede abdominal em sua interação com a prótese de polipropileno, através da utilização de um dos fenômenos ópticos da luz Laser, o biospeckle. Foram utilizados 50 ratos Wistar machos, divididos em quatro grupos: Grupo 1 com 10 animais não operados e controles; Grupo 2 com 10 animais submetidos a cirurgia sem a colocação de prótese; Grupo 3 com 20 animais submetidos a cirurgia com colocação de prótese de polipropileno pré-peritonial; Grupo 4 (Sham) com 10 animais. Nenhum animal apresentou complicações pós-operatórias, sendo que no 20º PO foram submetidos ao ensaio óptico. A comparação das médias e o desvio padrão das medidas da atividade tecidual da parede abdominal, com e sem implantação da prótese de polipropileno obtidas dos grupos de animais, pelo teste T de Student, não evidenciou diferença estatística significativa (p>0.05). A análise dos dados obtidos permitiu concluir que o modelo animal é viável e que o biospeckle abre caminhos para toda uma linha de experimentos a ser desenvolvida em avaliar atividade tecidua

Comparison of the self‐assembly and cytocompatibility of conjugates of Fmoc (9‐fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl) with hydrophobic, aromatic, or charged amino acids

The self-assembly in aqueous solution of three Fmoc-amino acids with hydrophobic (aliphatic or aromatic, alanine or phenylalanine) or hydrophilic cationic residues (arginine) is compared. The critical aggregation concentrations were obtained using intrinsic fluorescence or fluorescence probe measurements, and conformation was probed using circular dichroism spectroscopy. Self-assembled nanostructures were imaged using cryo-transmission electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Fmoc-Ala is found to form remarkable structures comprising extended fibril-like objects nucleating from spherical cores. In contrast, Fmoc-Arg self-assembles into plate-like crystals. Fmoc-Phe forms extended structures, in a mixture of straight and twisted fibrils coexisting with nanotapes. Spontaneous flow alignment of solutions of Fmoc-Phe assemblies is observed by SAXS. The cytocompatibility of the three Fmoc-amino acids was also compared via MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] mitochondrial activity assays. All three Fmoc-amino acids are cytocompatible with L929 fibroblasts at low concentration, and Fmoc-Arg shows cell viability up to comparatively high concentration (0.63 mM)

Self-assembled arginine-capped peptide bolaamphiphile nanosheets for cell culture and controlled wettability surfaces

The spontaneous assembly of a peptide bolaamphiphile in water, namely, RFL4FR (R, arginine; F, phenylalanine; L, leucine) is investigated, along with its novel properties in surface modification and usage as substrates for cell culture. RFL4FR self-assembles into nanosheets through lateral association of the peptide backbone. The L4 sequence is located within the core of the nanosheets, whereas the R moieties are exposed to the water at the surface of the nanosheets. Kinetic assays indicate that the self-assembly is driven by a remarkable two-step process, where a nucleation phase is followed by fast growth of nanosheets with an autocatalysis process. The internal structure of the nanosheets is formed from ultrathin bolaamphiphile monolayers with a crystalline orthorhombic symmetry with cross-β organization. We show that human corneal stromal fibroblast (hCSF) cells can grow on polystyrene films coated with films dried from RFL4FR solutions. For the first time, this type of amphiphilic peptide is used as a substrate to modulate the wettability of solid surfaces for cell culture applications

ESTUDO DA CIRCULAÇÃO DOS POLUENTES ENTRE A ATMOSFERA, ÁGUAS E SEDIMENTOS NO ARROIO SAPUCAIA, BACIA HIDROGRÁFICA DO GUAÍBA, RS E REPASSE PARA MACRÓFITAS AQUÁTICAS MARGINAIS

Neste trabalho foi estudada a qualidade das águas, do ar, de macrófitas aquáticas e sedimentospertencentes a sub-bacia do arroio Sapucaia, um afluente do rio dos Sinos, integrante da bacia hidrográficado lago Guaíba, Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Foram realizadas determinações de parâmetros físicoquímicosnas amostras coletadas, bem como a determinação das concentrações dos elementos Al, Cu,Mn e Zn presentes em Partículas Totais em Suspensão na atmosfera. Foi estudada sua correlação como repasse à água, sedimento, macrófitas e peixes. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que os efeitos dospoluentes variam de acordo com as peculiaridades de cada uma das áreas ao longo do arroio Sapucaiade acordo, evidenciando a interferência antrópica com o ecossistema existente.Palavras-chaves: bacia hidrográfica, partículas atmosféricas e ação antrópica

Degree of conversion and microhardness of resin cements photoactivated through glass ceramic

To assess whether glass-ceramic shade, thickness and translucency affect degree of conversion (DC) and Knoop microhardness (KHN) of resin cements photoactivated using light-emitting diode (LED) or quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH) units. Glass-ceramic bloc

Effects of chronic food stress on morphometry and expression of nuclear organizing regions in the adult rats hippocampus Chronic food stress on morphometry and expression of agnor in the rats hippocampus / Efeitos do estresse alimentar crônico na morfometria e expressão das regiões de organização nuclear nos ratos adultos hipocampo Testemunho crônico de alimentação sobre morfometria e expressão do agnor no hippocampus das taxas

The aim of this study was to verify the immediate and late effects of chronic food stress on the expression of Nuclear Organizing Regions (NORs) in hippocampal neurons. Twenty Wistar rats were separated into two groups: test (n = 10) and control (n = 10). Food stress started from the 60th day of life and lasted for a month. After this time the animals were anesthetized, euthanized and had their hippocampus dissected. The obtained hippocampus were histologically processed, stained by the HE technique for morphological description and by the AgNOR technique for NOR analysis. From each image the total number of neurons, the number of neurons with NOR in Dispersion (NND), the total number of NORs (NNOR), and then performed a ratio of NNOR by the total number of neurons to obtain the number Of NOR by neuron (NNN). Of the analyzed variants, the number of neurons was higher (p <0.001) in the stressed group (41.98 ± 17), when compared with the control group (33.57 ± 14). In addition, NND was also higher in the stressed group (4.523 ± 4.04) than the control group (1.4 ± 2.20) with p <0.001. Thus, we have that chronic food stress increases the number of granular neurons in the hippocampus in rats as well as increases the number of NOR in dispersion. 

Modelo LaTeX para teses e dissertações em Programa de Pós-Graduação: construção e avaliação de artefato

Introducción: El LaTeX es un programa para crear y documentos que requieren una salida de impresión de alta calidad de edición. Tiene características complejas que exigen la creación de plantillas para facilitar su uso. El propósito de este artículo fue la de crear un modelo de tesis y disertaciones en LaTeX, para el Programa de Estudios de Posgrado en Ingeniería de Producción de la Universidad Paulista con el fin de facilitar la inclusión students's y permitiendo la presentación de trabajos dentro de los estándares internacionales. Método: Se adoptó la metodología de Design Science Research (DSR), que contiene las directrices para la creación o adaptación y evaluación de artefactos, como el software, y otros instrumentos científicos. Como requisitos se utilizó el manual de normas académicas disponibles en el sitio web de la institución. La evaluación se llevó a cabo a través de simulaciones y presentación para los estudiantes y los profesores del programa, seguido de un cuestionario aplicado a 34 encuestados. Resultados: se encontró que casi el 40% respondió que conocía el programa aunque 60% no. Después de la presentación, alrededor del 32% de los encuestados indicó la plantilla como difícil de usar, el 50% consideró razonable, y el 18% respondió que era "fácil". Acerca de 76,5% de los grupos formados para el análisis señaló positivamente que se podría reemplazar los editores convencionales para LaTeX, aunque el 23,5%. tuvo una opinión diferente. Las variables más destacadas para la aceptación fueron: la calidad tipográfica y la concentración lógica del contenido y sus facilidades. Estudiantes de maestría tuvieron mayor homogeneidad en las respuestas. Conclusión: la plantilla propuesta fue aceptada con entusiasmo, a pesar de que se insistió que la dificultad de uso requiere un período de capacitación.Introduction: LaTeX is a program for creating and editing documents that require a high quality printing output. It has complex characteristics that demand the creation of templates to facilitate its use. The purpose of this article was to create a model of thesis and dissertations in LaTeX, for the Postgraduate Studies Program in Production Engineering at the Paulista University in order to facilitate the students´ inclusion and allowing the presentation of papers within international standards. Method: It was adopted the methodology of Design Science Research (DSR), which provides guidelines for creation or adaptation and evaluation of artifacts, such as software, and others scientific tools. As requirements it was used the manual of academic standards available on the institution website. The evaluation took place through simulations and presentation for students and program faculty followed by a questionnaire applied to 34 respondents. Results: it was found that nearly 40% answered to know the program and 60% was not aware of it. After the presentation, about 32% of respondent indicated the template as being difficult to use, 50% found it reasonable, and 18% responded as “easy”. About 76.5% of the groups formed for analysis, pointed positively as to replace conventional editors for LaTeX, although 23.5%. had a different opinion. The most outstanding variables in favor were: the typographical quality and the concentration on the logical content and facilities. Master's students had greater homogeneity in responses. Conclusion: the proposed template was accepted with enthusiasm, even though the difficulty of use should require a training period.Introdução: o LaTeX é um programa para criação e edição de documentos que requerem alta qualidade tipográfica mas, por apresentar características complexas, exige a criação de templates que facilitem sua utilização. O objetivo deste artigo consistiu em criar e avaliar um modelo de teses e dissertações em LaTeX para o Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Produção da Universidade Paulista, facilitando a inclusão dos discentes e permitindo a apresentação de trabalhos dentro dos padrões internacionais. Método: adotou-se a metodologia do Design Science Research (DSR), que consiste em fornecer diretrizes para criação ou adaptação e avaliação de artefatos, tais como software e outras ferramentas científicas. Como base para os requisitos utilizou-se o manual de normas acadêmicas disponível no site da instituição. As avaliações ocorreram por meio de simulações e apresentação para discentes e docentes do programa com posterior aplicação de um questionário para 34 respondentes. Resultados: verificou-se que cerca de 40% já conhecia o programa e 60% não o conhecia. Após a apresentação deste, aproximadamente 32% considerou a utilização difícil, enquanto 50% a consideraram razoável e 18% fácil. Cerca de 76.5% dos grupos formados para análise apontou positivamente a condição de substituir os editores convencionais pelo LaTeX, sendo que 23.5% discordaram. As variáveis “pró utilização” mais destacadas foram: qualidade tipográfica, concentração no conteúdo lógico e facilidades. Os mestrandos apresentaram maior homogeneidade nas respostas. Conclusão: o template proposto foi aceito com entusiasmo, ainda que com a ressalva de se realizarem treinamentos devido à uma percepção significativa sobre a dificuldade de utilização

Nanoscopic structure of complexes formed between DNA and the cell-penetrating peptide penetratin

One of the most remarkable examples of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) is Penetratin, a 16-mer fragment derived from the Drosophila Antennapedia homeobox. Understanding the structure of Penetratin/DNA complexes is a key factor for the successful design of new vectors for gene delivery and may assist in optimizing molecular carriers based on CPPs. Herein, we present a comprehensive study on the nanoscale structure of noncovalent complexes formed between Penetratin and DNA. The strong cationic nature of the peptide makes it a very efficient agent for condensing DNA strands via electrostatic attraction, and we show for the first time that DNA condensation is accompanied by random-to-β-sheet transitions of Penetratin secondary structure, demonstrating that nucleic acids behave as a structuring agent upon complexation. For the first time, nanoscale-resolved spectroscopy is used to provide single-particle infrared data from DNA carriers based on CPPs, and they show that the structures are stabilized by Penetratin β-sheet cores, whereas larger DNA fractions are preferentially located in the periphery of aggregates. In-solution infrared assays indicate that phosphate diester groups are strongly affected upon DNA condensation, presumably as a consequence of charge delocalization induced by the proximity of cationic amide groups in Penetratin. The morphology is characterized by nanoassemblies with surface fractal features, and short-range order is found in the inner structure of the scaffolds. Interestingly, the formation of beads-on-a-string arrays is found, producing nanoscale architectures that resemble structures observed in early steps of chromatin condensation. A complexation pathway where DNA condensation and peptide pairing into β-sheets are key steps for organization is proposed