Functional soil release polymers for cellulosic surfaces

Soil release polymers (SRPs) are additives components of washing detergents for synthetic fibres, as they are effective in removing stains from the fabric surface and in preventing re-deposition of the stain during a wash cycle. Currently, there are no SRPs which can be used to efficiently perform the same function for natural cellulose based textiles. In this work, the synthesis of functional carbohydrate-based materials for application as potential SRPs for cellulosic surfaces was discussed. Two strategies were developed, exploiting the affinity of polysaccharides to adsorb over cellulose surfaces. The first strategy involved the synthesis of a co-polymer between poly(ethylene glycol diacrylate) (PEGDA), ethylenediamine and maltose, through a three step procedure. During the first step, the co-polymer backbone was synthesised through the co-polymerisation of PEGDA with N-Boc-ethylenediamine in bulk at room temperature. Then, the second amine functionality was de-protected and reacted with maltose to yield the desired co-polymer. The structure was confirmed through 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy in solution, and through diffusion studies. The second strategy aimed to tune the strong affinity of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) for cellulose surfaces through grafting of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains. A variety of co-polymers were synthesised comprising different proportions of PEG bound. The co-polymers were characterised through a series of techniques, such as 13C solid state NMR, 1H gel state NMR, pulse field gradient NMR spectroscopy (PFG NMR) and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) in DMF. The potential of the co-polymers for application as SRPs was evaluated through soil release and whiteness tests. Furthermore, a preliminary study on the adsorption of two fluorescently labelled CMC-g-PEG co-polymers over cotton surfaces was conducted by means of fluorescence measurement

Trabajo de titulación previo a la obtención del título de Arquitecto Urbanista

El patrimonio cultural inmaterial o patrimonio cultural intangible forma parte de las declaraciones de la UNESCO en cuanto a la diversidad cultural. Esta entidad se centra en orientar testimonios para salvaguardar la tradición de una comunidad, lengua, literatura, tradiciones, conocimientos técnicos relacionados con la artesanía y los espacios culturales. En este contexto, la Parroquia La Victoria del cantón Pujilí es reconocida por poseer un patrimonio intangible inmaterial importante y visto como un depósito de la diversidad cultural y la expresión creativa, así como una fuerza motriz para las culturas vivas. Por tanto, es vulnerable a las exigencias de la globalización, la transformación social y la intolerancia. En este marco la UNESCO alienta a las comunidades para identificar, documentar, proteger, promover y revitalizar ese patrimonio. De este modo la investigadora se plantea el propósito de plantear el diseño de un Centro de Emprendimiento, a partir del estudio de las practicas, representaciones, expresiones, conocimientos y habilidades tanto como, instrumentos, objetos representativos de un legado histórico cultural del colectivo pujilense desde la época colonial con sentido de identidad y continuidad. Esta propuesta busca generar un hito emblemático del lugar con el reconocimiento del uso relacionado con la naturaleza y el universo representado en el barro a través de técnicas ancestrales tradicionales que evidencie la armonía, la cooperación con los seres humanos y la naturaleza, y responsabilidad sustantiva del arquitecto

Rapid formulation of redox-responsive oligo-β-aminoester polyplexes with siRNA via jet printing

Here we describe a rapid inkjet formulation method for screening newly-synthesised cationic materials for siRNA delivery into cancer cells. Reduction responsive oligo-β-aminoesters were prepared and evaluated for their ability to condense siRNA into polyplexes through a fast inkjet printing method. A direct relationship between the oligomer structures and charge densities, and the final cell response in terms of uptake rate and transfection efficacy, was found. The oligo-β-aminoesters were well-tolerated by the cancer cells, compared to conventional cationic polymers so far employed in gene delivery, and were as active in silencing of a representative luciferase gene

Fatores associados a proporção de resultados alterados nas mamografias de rastreamento: estudo ecológico

Objetivo: Analisar os fatores associados aproporção de resultados alterados nas mamografias de rastreamento.Métodos: Estudo ecológico, com dados do DATASUS/SISCAN, Atlas Brasil do Desenvolvimento Humano, Fundação SEADE, e Sistema e-Gestor, de 2016 a 2019, de mulheres de 50 a 69 anos dos 645 municípios de São Paulo (Brasil). Variáveis independentes foram associadas ao desfecho: proporção de cobertura insatisfatória de resultados de exames alterados (proporção Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System - BI-RADS® 0, 4 e 5>10% dos exames realizados). Utilizou-se regressão múltipla de Poisson.Resultados: Maior proporção de mamografia de rastreamento (RP=1,20; IC95%: 1,00;1,45), maior porcentagem de pobres (RP=1,20; IC95%: 1,07;1,36), baixa (RP= 1,57; IC95%: 1,38;1,78) e média cobertura de Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) (RP=1,30; IC95%: 1,09;1,52) foram associados ao desfecho.Conclusão: Fatores socioeconômicos e de cobertura da ESF medeiam a proporção de mamografias alteradas no serviço público. Portanto, são aspectos importantes no combate ao câncer de mama.Palavras-chave: Neoplasias da mama. Mamografia. Técnicas e procedimentos diagnósticos. Políticas saúde. Estudos ecológicos

Rapid formulation of redox-responsive oligo-β-aminoester polyplexes with siRNA via jet printing

Here we describe a rapid inkjet formulation method for screening newly-synthesised cationic materials for siRNA delivery into cancer cells. Reduction responsive oligo-β-aminoesters were prepared and evaluated for their ability to condense siRNA into polyplexes through a fast inkjet printing method. A direct relationship between the oligomer structures and charge densities, and the final cell response in terms of uptake rate and transfection efficacy, was found. The oligo-β-aminoesters were well-tolerated by the cancer cells, compared to conventional cationic polymers so far employed in gene delivery, and were as active in silencing of a representative luciferase gene

Ornithine-derived oligomers and dendrimers forin vitrodelivery of DNA andex vivotransfection of skin cellsviasaRNA

© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2020. Gene therapies are undergoing a renaissance, primarily due to their potential for applications in vaccination for infectious diseases and cancers. Although the biology of these technologies is rapidly evolving, delivery strategies need to be improved to overcome the poor pharmacokinetics and cellular transport of nucleic acids whilst maintaining patient safety. In this work, we describe the divergent synthesis of biodegradable cationic dendrimers based on the amino acid ornithine as non-viral gene delivery vectors and evaluate their potential as delivery vectors for DNA and RNA. The dendrimers effectively complexed model nucleic acids at lower N/P ratios than polyethyleneimine and outperformed it in DNA transfection experiments with ratios above 5. Remarkably, all dendrimer polyplexes at N/P = 2 achieved up to 7-fold higher protein content over an optimized PEI formulation when used for transfections with self-amplifying RNA (saRNA). Finally, transfection studies utilizing human skin explants revealed an increase of cells producing protein from 2% with RNA alone to 12% with dendrimer polyplexes, attributed to expression enrichment predominantly in epithelial cells, fibroblasts and leukocytes, with minor enrichment in NK cells, T cells, monocytes, and B cells. Overall, this study indicates the clear potential of ornithine dendrimers as safe and effective delivery vectors for both DNA and RNA therapeutics

Etoposide and olaparib polymer-coated nanoparticles within a bioadhesive sprayable hydrogel for post-surgical localised delivery to brain tumours

Glioblastoma is a malignant brain tumour with a median survival of 14.6 months from diagnosis. Despite maximal surgical resection and concurrent chemoradiotherapy, reoccurrence is inevitable. To try combating the disease at a stage of low residual tumour burden immediately post-surgery, we propose a localised drug delivery system comprising of a spray device, bioadhesive hydrogel (pectin) and drug nanocrystals coated with polylactic acid-polyethylene glycol (NCPPs), to be administered directly into brain parenchyma adjacent to the surgical cavity. We have repurposed pectin for use within the brain, showing in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility, bio-adhesion to mammalian brain and gelling at physiological brain calcium concentrations. Etoposide and olaparib NCPPs with high drug loading have shown in vitro stability and drug release over 120 h. Pluronic F127 stabilised NCPPs to ensure successful spraying, as determined by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Successful delivery of Cy5-labelled NCPPs was demonstrated in a large ex vivo mammalian brain, with NCPP present in the tissue surrounding the resection cavity. Our data collectively demonstrates the pre-clinical development of a novel localised delivery device based on a sprayable hydrogel containing therapeutic NCPPs, amenable for translation to intracranial surgical resection models for the treatment of malignant brain tumours

Global Surface Ocean Acidification Indicators From 1750 to 2100

Accurately predicting future ocean acidification (OA) conditions is crucial for advancing OA research at regional and global scales, and guiding society's mitigation and adaptation efforts. This study presents a new model-data fusion product covering 10 global surface OA indicators based on 14 Earth System Models (ESMs) from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), along with three recent observational ocean carbon data products. The indicators include fugacity of carbon dioxide, pH on total scale, total hydrogen ion content, free hydrogen ion content, carbonate ion content, aragonite saturation state, calcite saturation state, Revelle Factor, total dissolved inorganic carbon content, and total alkalinity content. The evolution of these OA indicators is presented on a global surface ocean 1° × 1° grid as decadal averages every 10 years from preindustrial conditions (1750), through historical conditions (1850–2010), and to five future Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (2020–2100): SSP1-1.9, SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5. These OA trajectories represent an improvement over previous OA data products with respect to data quantity, spatial and temporal coverage, diversity of the underlying data and model simulations, and the provided SSPs. The generated data product offers a state-of-the-art research and management tool for the 21st century under the combined stressors of global climate change and ocean acidification. The gridded data product is available in NetCDF at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/oceans/ncei/ocads/metadata/0259391.html, and global maps of these indicators are available in jpeg at: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/ocean-carbon-acidification-data-system/synthesis/surface-oa-indicators.html

Rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Alveolar recruitment followed by ventilation at optimal titrated PEEP may reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS, but the effects on mortality and other clinical outcomes remain unknown. This article reports the rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART). Methods/Design: ART is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized (concealed), controlled trial, which aims to determine if maximum stepwise alveolar recruitment associated with PEEP titration is able to increase 28-day survival in patients with ARDS compared to conventional treatment (ARDSNet strategy). We will enroll adult patients with ARDS of less than 72 h duration. The intervention group will receive an alveolar recruitment maneuver, with stepwise increases of PEEP achieving 45 cmH(2)O and peak pressure of 60 cmH2O, followed by ventilation with optimal PEEP titrated according to the static compliance of the respiratory system. In the control group, mechanical ventilation will follow a conventional protocol (ARDSNet). In both groups, we will use controlled volume mode with low tidal volumes (4 to 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) and targeting plateau pressure <= 30 cmH2O. The primary outcome is 28-day survival, and the secondary outcomes are: length of ICU stay; length of hospital stay; pneumothorax requiring chest tube during first 7 days; barotrauma during first 7 days; mechanical ventilation-free days from days 1 to 28; ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month survival. ART is an event-guided trial planned to last until 520 events (deaths within 28 days) are observed. These events allow detection of a hazard ratio of 0.75, with 90% power and two-tailed type I error of 5%. All analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: If the ART strategy with maximum recruitment and PEEP titration improves 28-day survival, this will represent a notable advance to the care of ARDS patients. Conversely, if the ART strategy is similar or inferior to the current evidence-based strategy (ARDSNet), this should also change current practice as many institutions routinely employ recruitment maneuvers and set PEEP levels according to some titration method.Hospital do Coracao (HCor) as part of the Program 'Hospitais de Excelencia a Servico do SUS (PROADI-SUS)'Brazilian Ministry of Healt