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Background Myocardial injury that occurs after non-cardiac surgery (MINS) increases mortality in 30 days. However, few studies have assessed the impact of MINS occurrence on long-term mortality. Methods Retrospective study including all non-cardiac surgery patients admitted to an postoperative care unit who stayed at least one night in this unit, and had at least one measurement of high-sensitive cardiac troponin. Patients undergoing coronary angiography and patients with an underlying disease with a poor prognosis were excluded. The study period was from January/2011 to December/2019, ensuring a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Clinical characteristics and the occurrence of MINS were assessed between deaths and survivors using the chi-square test and Student's t-test. Variables with p Results 2532 patients were included, with a mean follow-up of 8.62±2.72 years, mean age = 63.23±16.5 years and 53.6% women. The prevalence of MINS was 12.5% (317 patients). There were 620 deaths (24.5%). In the univariate analysis, the following variables were associated with death: MINS (OR 2.65; p Conclusion In patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery, the increase in high-sensitive troponin increased the risk of death from all causes in the long term. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Survival curve

Typical porous silica (SBA-15) has been modified with pore expander agent (1,3,5-trimethylbenzene) and fluoride-species to diminish the length of the channels to obtain materials with different textural properties, varying the Si/Zr molar ratio between 20 and 5. These porous materials were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms at −196 °C and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), obtaining adsorbent with a surface area between 420–337 m2 g−1 and an average pore diameter with a maximum between 20–25 nm. These materials were studied in the adsorption of human blood serum proteins (human serum albumin—HSA and immunoglobulin G—IgG). Generally, the incorporation of small proportions was favorable for proteins adsorption. The adsorption data revealed that the maximum adsorption capacity was reached close to the pI. The batch purification experiments in binary human serum solutions showed that Si sample has considerable adsorption for IgG while HSA adsorption is relatively low, so it is possible its separation.

Neste trabalho foram utilizados os modelos epidemiológicos SEIR e SIQR para avaliar a evolução da COVID-19 no município de Belo Horizonte em Minas Gerais, Brasil, entre os meses de abril a dezembro de 2020. Os modelos epidemiológicos foram resolvidos usando o método numérico de Runge-Kutta de 4ª ordem, sendo implementados em linguagem Octave. A simulação dos dados pelos modelos propostos se aproximou da evolução real da COVID-19 na região abordada, tornando estes modelos boas ferramentas para aprimorara compreensão da dinâmica de transmissão da doença.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is an uncommon and deadly cardiopulmonary disease. PAH stems essentially from pulmonary artery (PA) remodeling induced predominantly by over-proliferation of PA smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and inflammation. However, effective treatments are still missing in the clinic because the available drugs consisting of vasodilators are aimed to attenuate PAH symptoms rather than inhibit the remodeling process. Here, we aimed to specifically co-deliver apoptotic executor gene p53 and anti-inflammatory baicalein to PASMCs to alleviate PAH. The targeted co-delivery system was prepared through a carrier-free approach, which was prepared by loading the conjugate, NLS (nuclear localization signal) peptide-p53 gene, onto the baicalein pure crystals, followed by coating with glucuronic acid (GA) for targeting the glucose transport-1 (GLUT-1). The co-delivery system developed has a 200-nm diameter with a rod shape and a drug-loading capacity of 62% (w/w). The prepared system was shown to target PASMCs in vitro and enabled effective gene transfection, efficient apoptosis, and inflammation suppression. In vivo, via targeting the axis lung-PAs-PASMCs, the co-delivery reversed monocrotaline-induced PAH by reducing pulmonary artery pressure, downregulating the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α, and inhibiting remodeling of both PAs and right ventricular. The potent efficacy may closely correlate with the activation of the signaling axis Bax/Bcl-2/Cas-3. Overall, our results indicate that the co-delivery system holds a significant potential to target the axis of lung-PAs-PASMCs and treat PAH.

Resumo Fundamento O suco de laranja (SL) é rico em polifenóis com propriedades anti-inflamatórias e antioxidantes. Após o infarto do miocárdio (IM), mudanças complexas ocorrem na estrutura e na função cardíacas, processo conhecido como remodelação cardíaca (RC). O estresse oxidativo e a inflamação podem modular esse processo. Nossa hipótese foi a de que o consumo de SL atenua a RC após o IM. Objetivos Avaliar a influência do SL sobre a RC após IM pela análise de variáveis funcionais, morfológicas, de estresse oxidativo, de inflação, e de metabolismo energético. Métodos Um total de 242 ratos machos pesando entre 200 e 250g foram submetidos a um procedimento cirúrgico (ligação da artéria coronária ou cirurgia simulada). Sete dia após a cirurgia, os animais sobreviventes foram divididos para um dos quatro grupos: 1) SM, animais sham que receberam água e maltodextrina (n= 20); 2) SSL, animais sham que receberam SL (n= 20); 3) IM, animais infartados que receberam água e maltodextrina (n= 40); e 4) ISL, animais infartados que receberam SL (n = 40). A análise estatística foi realizada pelo teste de ANOVA com dois fatores com o teste de Holm-Sidak. Os resultados foram apresentados em média ± desvio padrão, e o nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. Resultados Três meses depois, o IM levou à hipertrofia do ventrículo esquerdo (VE), com disfunção sistólica e diastólica, e aumento nos mediadores inflamatórios e de estresse oxidativo. Os animais que consumiram SL apresentaram menor atividade da glutationa peroxidase e maior expressão da heme-oxigenase-1 (HO-1). Conclusão O SL atenuou a RC, e a HO-1 pode exercer um importante papel nesse processo. Abstract Background Orange juice (OJ) is rich in polyphenols with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. After myocardial infarction (MI), complex changes occur in cardiac structure and function, which is known as cardiac remodeling (CR). Oxidative stress and inflammation can modulate this process. We hypothesized that the consumption of OJ attenuates the CR after MI. Objectives To evaluate the influence of OJ on CR after MI by analysis of functional, morphological, oxidative stress, inflammation, and energy metabolism variables. Methods A total of 242 male rats weighing 200-250 g were submitted to a surgical procedure (coronary artery ligation or simulated surgery). Seven days after surgery, survivors were assigned to one of the four groups 1) SM, sham animals with water and maltodextrin (n= 20); 2) SOJ, sham animals with OJ (n= 20); 3) IM, infarcted animals with water and maltodextrin (n= 40); and 4) IOJ, infarcted animals with OJ (n = 40). Statistical analysis was performed by the two-way ANOVA supplemented by Holm-Sidak. Results are presented as mean ± standard deviation, the level of significance adopted was 5%. Results After 3 months, MI led to left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, with systolic and diastolic dysfunction, and increased oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators. OJ intake reduced LV cavity and improved systolic and diastolic function. The OJ animals presented lower activity of glutathione peroxidase and higher expression of heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Conclusion OJ attenuated CR in infarcted rats and HO-1 may be play an important role in this process.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) modulates a multitude of cell functions, and this regulation is provided by key ECM components forming a complex network. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an abundant component of the ECM that binds to proteins and influences various activities of endothelial cells (ECs). Although the effect of soluble HA on cell spreading has been studied, the impact of peptide-bound HA has not yet been investigated in great detail. We aim to comprehensively study the roles of immobilized HA on the regulation of EC behavior compared to the more conventional use of soluble HA. A 2D model surface formed by self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of a HA-binding peptide (Pep-1) is used as an anchor for HA immobilization. Mixed SAMs, consisting of thiolated Pep-1 and 1-octanethiol, are prepared and characterized by using ellipsometry and contact angle measurement. Full density Pep-1 SAMs are more hydrophilic and bind more HA than mixed SAMs. Cell spreading and migration are enhanced by immobilized low molecular weight (LMW) HA, which also facilitates cell alignment and elongation under laminar flow conditions and potentially drives directional migration. This effect is not mediated by the expression of CD44, and immobilized LMW HA is found to accelerate the assembly of focal adhesions. Such biomimetic surfaces provide new insights into the role of HA in regulating the spreading and phenotype of endothelial cells.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:32:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-06-01 Purpose: The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) is a new nutritional assessment tool but must be validated in different scenarios. Thus, our objective was to evaluate the association between the GLIM criteria with hospital mortality in patients receiving parenteral nutrition (PN). Methods: This was a retrospective clinical study, with clinical and surgical patients receiving PN during hospitalization. Nutritional status was assessed by the GLIM criteria and demographics, laboratorial, anthropometric, and nutritional data were collected. The GLIM criteria include a phenotypic criteria (low BMI < 20 kg/m2 if < 70 years or < 22 kg/m2 if > 70 years) and etiologic criteria (CRP > 1.0 mg/dL). All patients were followed up during the PN period and the hospital mortality was the primary outcome. The logistic regression model was performed to assess hospital mortality. Results: Among the 90 patients evaluated, 46.6% died during hospital stay and 21.1% had malnutrition. The age was 63 (46–74) years, 61.1% were men, and regarding the underlying diseases, 74.4% of the patients had gastrointestinal disorders, 3.3% polytrauma, and 22.38% other diseases. CRP mean was 31.3 ± 19.3 mg/dL and the median of BMI was 24.8 (21.6–28.5) kg/m2. In a logistic regression model adjusted by sex and age, the serum albumin concentration was associated with hospital mortality rate (OR: 0.321; 95% CI: 0.142–0.727; p: 0.006). Despite this adjustment, the diagnosis of malnutrition was not associated with hospital mortality (OR: 1.498; 95% CI: 0.496–4.521; p: 0.473). Conclusion: GLIM-defined malnutrition is not associated with hospital mortality in patients receiving PN. Also, the evaluation of inflammatory markers seems to be more important than only as etiologic criteria.sss Department of Internal Medicine Botucatu Medical School São Paulo State University - UNESP, Av. Prof. Mário Rubens Guimarães Montenegro, s/n, UNESP - Campus de Botucatu Faculty of Nutrition Federal University of Goiás - UFG Department of Internal Medicine Botucatu Medical School São Paulo State University - UNESP, Av. Prof. Mário Rubens Guimarães Montenegro, s/n, UNESP - Campus de Botucatu

This work investigates the interplay of carbonization temperature and the chemical composition of carbon microfibers (CMFs), and their impact on the equilibration time and adsorption of three molecules (N2, CO2, and CH4). PAN derived CMFs were synthesized by electrospinning and calcined at three distinct temperatures (600, 700 and 800 °C), which led to samples with different textural and chemical properties assessed by FTIR, TGA/DTA, XRD, Raman, TEM, XPS, and N2 adsorption. We examine why samples calcined at low/moderate temperatures (600 and 700 °C) show an open hysteresis loop in nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms at −196.15 °C. The equilibrium time in adsorption measurements is nearly the same for these samples, despite their distinct chemical compositions. Increasing the equilibrium time did not allow for the closure of the hysteresis loop, but by rising the analysis temperature this was achieved. By means of the isosteric enthalpy of adsorption measurements and ab initio calculations, adsorbent/adsorbate interactions for CO2, CH4 and N2 were found to be inversely proportional to the temperature of carbonization of the samples (CMF-600 > CMF-700 > CMF-800). The enhancement of adsorbent/adsorbate interaction at lower carbonization temperatures is directly related to the presence of nitrogen and oxygen functional groups on the surface of CMFs. Nonetheless, a higher concentration of heteroatoms also causes: (i) a reduction in the adsorption capacity of CO2 and CH4 and (ii) open hysteresis loops in N2 adsorption at cryogenic temperatures. Therefore, the calcination of PAN derived microfibers at temperatures above 800 °C is recommended, which results in materials with suitable micropore volume and a low content of surface heteroatoms, leading to high CO2 uptake while keeping acceptable selectivity with regards to CH4 and moderate adsorption enthalpies.

In this paper, we demonstrate that aromatic oil capsules, produced by dripping droplets, can offer a simple, yet effective, testing tool to aid in the diagnosis of various diseases, in which the loss of smell is a key symptom. These include chronic neurological conditions such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, and acute respiratory infections such as that caused by COVID-19. The capsules were fabricated by concentrically dripping oil/alginate droplets, from a coaxial nozzle, into an oppositely charged ionic liquid. This fabrication technique enables full control over the capsule size, the shell thickness and the volume of the encapsulated oil. After formation, liquid capsules were left to dry and form a solid crust surrounding the oil. The prototype test consists of placing a standardized number of capsules between adhesive strips that users crush and pull apart to release the smell. In addition to the fabrication method, a simple mathematical model was developed to predict the volume of encapsulated oil within the capsule in terms of the flow rate ratio and the nozzle size. Tensile tests show that capsule strength is inversely proportional to its size owing to an increase in the shell thickness. By increasing the alginate concentration, the load required to rupture the capsule increases, to the point where capsules are too stiff to be broken by a fingertip grip. Results from a preliminary screening test, within a group of patients with Parkinson's disease, found that smells were detectable using a ‘forced choice’ paradigm.

The main objective of the conference is to bring together the scientific, academic and industrial communities related to the Adsorption field in Brazil and abroad, seeking greater interaction between the R&D groups and national/international companies. In addition, the event disseminates the science of Adsorption in the academic and industrial environment, showcasing the latest progress in the area, fostering interaction and networking among researchers in this field.

Highlights Nanosized cytotoxic drug could combat against the autophagy induced by the drug. The drug nanorods enabled efficient intracellular delivery of the nucleic acid and the resultant autophagy inhibition in vitro and in vivo, which in turn sensitized the cancer cells to the anti-tumor nanorods. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s40820-019-0310-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users., Autophagy is closely related to the drug resistance and metastasis in cancer therapy. Nanoparticle-mediated co-delivery of combinatorial therapy with small-molecular drugs and nucleic acids is promising to address drug resistance. Here, a drug-delivering-drug (DDD) platform consisting of anti-tumor-drug nanorods as a vehicle for cytosol delivery of nucleic acid (miR-101) with potent autophagic-inhibition activity is reported for combinatorial therapy. The developed 180-nm nanoplatform, with total drug loading of up to 66%, delivers miR-101 to cancer cells, with threefold increase in intracellular level compared to conventional gene carriers and inhibits the autophagy significantly, along with above twofold reduction in LC3II mRNA and approximately fivefold increase in p62 mRNA over the control demonstrated in the results in vivo. And in turn, the delivery of miR-101 potentiates the drug’s ability to kill cancer cells, with a threefold increase in apoptosis over that of chemotherapy alone. The anti-tumor study in vivo indicates the combined therapy that enables a reduction of 80% in tumor volume and > twofold increase in apoptosis than of the single-drug strategy. In summary, via the carrier-free strategy of DDD, this work provides a delivery platform that can be easily customized to overcome drug resistance and facilitates the delivery of combined therapy of small-molecular drugs and nucleic acids. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s40820-019-0310-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Most of the photovoltaic (PV) models involve mainly the reproduction of the nonlinear I – V curves for PV modules with a certain degree of accuracy. Previous researches have used equivalent circuits based on common electronic devices to model the real behavior of PV modules, such as the single and double diode models. Unfortunately, those models are static, i.e., they can reproduce the I – V curve of a PV module for a specific environmental condition (fixed irradiance and temperature). As consequence, different models should be obtained for each different environmental condition, restricting the use of the models for a limited set of irradiance and temperature values. The first contribution of this paper is the proposition of an irradiance and temperature dependent double-diode model for PV modules. In this model, the internal parameters depend on the environmental conditions, extrapolating its use for temperature and irradiance values different from those the parameters were initially estimated. In addition, two parameter estimation techniques are proposed for this new model. The techniques use a combination of analytical equations and numerical optimization based on the pattern search algorithm. Comparison results based on experimental I – V curves of real PV modules are presented in order to prove the accuracy of the model and techniques.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T17:18:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-01-01 Debreceni Egyetem BACKGROUND/AIMS: Doxorubicin, a chemotherapy drug used successfully for years, could induce cardiotoxicity. Euterpe oleracea Mart. (açai) is a fruit high in antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity prevention after açai administration. METHODS: A total of 64 male Wistar rats were allocated into 4 groups: control (C), açai (A), doxorubicin (D) and açai-doxorubicin (DA). Rats received regular chow (C and D groups) or chow supplemented with açai 5% (A and DA groups) for 4 weeks. Subsequently, rats received doxorubicin 20 mg/kg (D and DA groups) or saline (C and A groups). Euthanasia was performed 48 hours after doxorubicin injection. Left ventricular function was evaluated by echocardiography in vivo and by isolated heart study ex vivo. Oxidative stress, myocardial metabolism and nitric oxide metabolite were evaluated by spectrophotometry, MMP-2 activity by zymography and caspase-3 and Bcl-2 protein expression by Western blot. RESULTS: Doxorubicin induced decreases in body weight, food and water ingestion. We observed decreases in left ventricular fractional shortening in rats treated with doxorubicin. Additionally, the same rats showed lower +dP/dt and -dP/dt during isolated heart study than those who did not receive doxorubicin. Doxorubicin injection increased caspase-3 protein expression, myocardium lipid hydroperoxide concentration, MMP-2 activity, phosphofructokinase and lactate dehydrogenase activity, and decreased β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, pyruvate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, complex I, complex II and ATP synthase activity in myocardium. Açai supplementation improved left ventricular fractional shortening, decreased myocardium lipid hydroperoxide concentration, MMP-2 activity, and improved β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, phosphofructokinase, citrate synthase, complex II and ATP synthase enzymatic activities. We did not observe differences in nitric oxide metabolite concentrations between groups. CONCLUSION: Doxorubicin induced left ventricular dysfunction, increases in oxidative stress, changes in myocardium metabolism and MMP-2 activation. Açai supplementation was able to prevent these alterations. Medical School São Paulo State University (Unesp) Institute of Biosciences São Paulo State University (Unesp) Medical School São Paulo State University (Unesp) Institute of Biosciences São Paulo State University (Unesp) Debreceni Egyetem: 2018/03381-9

The resistance of pathogens to traditional antibiotics is currently a global issue of enormous concern. As the discovery and development of new antibiotics become increasingly challenging, synthetic antimicrobial lipopeptides (AMLPs) are now receiving renewed attention as a new class of antimicrobial agents. In contrast to traditional antibiotics, AMLPs act by physically disrupting the cell membrane (rather than targeting specific proteins), thus reducing the risk of inducing bacterial resistance. In this study, we use microsecond-timescale atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to quantify the interaction of a short AMLP (C16-KKK) with model bacterial lipid bilayers. In particular, we investigate how fundamental transmembrane properties change in relation to a range of lipopeptide concentrations. A number of structural, mechanical, and dynamical features are found to be significantly altered in a non-linear fashion. At 10 mol% concentration, lipopeptides have a condensing effect on bacterial bilayers, characterized by a decrease in the area per lipid and an increase in the bilayer order. Higher AMLP concentrations of 25 and 40 mol% destabilize the membrane by disrupting the bilayer core structure, inducing membrane thinning and water leakage. Important transmembrane properties such as the lateral pressure and dipole potential profiles are also affected. Potential implications on membrane function and associated proteins are discussed. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00232-019-00068-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Mesoporous silica SBA-15 solids have been synthesized at different aging temperature with the goal of obtaining materials with different textural properties. The synthesized samples have been evaluated for their CO2 adsorption capacity. In order to increase the CO2 adsorption capacity and the CO2/N2 selectivity, the SBA-15 synthesized at different aging temperatures were functionalized via grafting with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and via impregnation with polyethyleniminethylenediamine branched (PEI) or tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA). In all cases, the adsorption isotherms of the amine functionalized silica are fitted to the Dualsite-Langmuir model, where physical and chemical adsorption sites are reported. The isotherms reveal that grafted-silicas with APTES displayed the coexistence of both adsorption sites, while the adsorption process of PEI or TEPA impregnated-silicas are mainly governed by chemical interactions. The adsorption isotherms show that the most promising adsorbent for CO2 capture in terms of CO2 adsorption capacity and CO2/N2 selectivity is the SBA synthesized at 393 K (aging temperature) and functionalized with TEPA (50 wt%) (SBA-393-50T). This sample reached a CO2 adsorption capacity of 2.83 mmol g−1 at 100 kPa and 338 K. The CO2 adsorption capacity of this material decreased around 5% after the first adsorption/desorption cycle, maintaining a constant value for successive cycles. SBA-393-50T also showed an outstanding CO2/N2 selectivity, increasing significantly as the CO2 concentration decreases.

In view of the promising applicability of adsorption to the capture of CO2 from post-combustion gases, the use of mesoporous silica functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) was studied as adsorbent in a fixed bed for CO2–N2 separation under thermal swings. Characterization of the adsorbent performed before and after functionalization indicated that amine grafting was successful. Additionally, CO2 adsorption on a magnetic suspension balance showed a significant increase in uptake of the APTES-functionalized sample over the support, mainly at low relative pressures. Relatively high values of adsorption enthalpy suggest the occurrence of chemical adsorption attributed to CO2 bonding with the amines. Breakthrough curves were measured for pure CO2, N2 and the CO2/N2 (15/75% v/v) mixture, which showed good agreement with respect to the uptake of the individual gases, as determined from gravimetric tests. Full CO2 desorption from the bed required a temperature rise, which suggests that these materials may be suitable for TSA cyclic processes. A temperature of 90 °C was enough for a complete regeneration of the adsorbent during the desorption phase under dynamic conditions. The material showed very stable behavior after 20 successive cycles.

We present molecular simulations of gases in mesoporous MOF MIL-100(Fe) impregnated with ionic liquids [Bmim+][PF6–] and [Bmim+][Tf2N–]. Adsorption of pure carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen, and ty...

In this work, amine-grafted mesoporous silica were investigated using a adsorption microcalorimetry and supplementary techniques in order to study the influence of increasing the density of grafted amine on the CO2 binding mechanisms. A Tian–Calvet microcalorimeter coupled to a manometric setup was used to evaluate the energetic heterogeneity of adsorption sites and to calculate the thermokinetic parameter from the differential enthalpy curves. With such device, equilibrium adsorption isotherms of CO2 were simultaneously measured at 25 °C for all samples up to 1 bar. The adsorption microcalorimetric study suggests a change in active sites distribution as the density of grafted amines increases. The maximum thermokinetic parameter of 471 s for the pure silica support at 30.7 kJ mol−1 suggests that physisorption is the dominant binding mechanism. A different behavior occurs with the grafted samples: they have considerably higher enthalpy values corresponding to the formation of reacted species on the surface (chemisorbed CO2), which depend on grafted amine density and available free surface silanols. Kinetics of formation of chemisorption products, together with hindered CO2 diffusion, seriously impair the approach to equilibrium, which leads to a decrease in uptake upon isothermal pressure-swing cycles at low temperatures (25 °C). CO2 could be successfully desorbed at 120 °C from the sample with highest uptake (MSG60), which showed a constant uptake for three adsorption–desorption cycles using only vacuum at 50 °C.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a fatal lung disease caused by the progressive remodeling of small pulmonary arteries (PAs). Sildenafil can prevent the remodeling of PAs, but conventional sildenafil formulations have shown limited treatment efficacy for their poor accumulation in PAs. Here, glucuronic acid (GlcA)-modified liposomes (GlcA-Lips) were developed to improve the delivery of sildenafil to aberrant over-proliferative PA smooth muscle cells via targeting the GLUT-1 (glucose transport-1), and, therefore, inhibiting the remodeling of PAs in a monocrotaline-induced PA hypertension model. GlcA-Lips encapsulating sildenafil (GlcA-sildenafil-Lips) had a size of 90 nm and a pH-sensitive drug release pattern. Immunostaining assay indicated the overexpression of GLUT-1 in PA smooth muscle cells. Cellular uptake studies showed a 1-fold increase of GlcA-Lips uptake by PA smooth muscle cells and pharmacokinetics and biodistribution experiments indicated longer blood circulation time of GlcA-Lips and increased ability to target PAs by 1-fold after 8 hours administration. Two-week treatment indicated GlcA-sildenafil-Lips significantly inhibited the remodeling of PAs, with a 32% reduction in the PA pressure, a 41% decrease in the medial thickening, and a 44% reduction of the right ventricle cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and improved survival rate. Immunohistochemical analysis showed enhanced expression of caspase-3, after administration of GlcA-sildenafil-Lips, and reduced expression of P-ERK1/2 (phosphorylated ERK1/2) and HK-2 (hexokinase-2), and increased level of eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase) and cyclic GMP (cGMP). In conclusion, targeted delivery of sildenafil to PA smooth muscle cells with GlcA-Lips could effectively inhibit the remodeling of PAs in the monocrotaline-induced PA hypertension.

We report on a case study of the mathematical content of a 10th grade social studies textbook. We develop our case in three analytical steps. First, we identify, describe, and categorize the full range of mathematics in the book. Put simply, we ask: What mathematical forms (e.g., Cartesian graphs and problems) do we find and what kinds of mathematical work do they require? Second, we characterize and critically evaluate the mathematics content in the textbook, focusing in particular on the kinds of mathematics literacy and student reasoning that the book fosters. Third and finally, we operationalize a measure of the “density” of mathematics in the textbook—that is, an estimate of the presence and pervasiveness of mathematical objects and practices relative to other disciplinary contents and track how such “density” has changed over the past three editions of the same volume. Doing so helps us further contextualize and elaborate the prior analyses, but also surfaces shifts in the patterns of mathematics presence in that textbook series, including the growing encroachment of mathematics exercising and visual/representational presence.

In order to deliver power from low voltage sources to the distribution level loads, the key element is the interfacing stage, traditionally formed by a dc-ac power converter, an output filter and a step-up transformer. However, transformerless converter topologies naturally present lower cost and size when compared with conventional solutions. As counterpart, transformerless systems need a boost conversion stage to compensate the absence of the step-up transformer. The two-stage converter (dc-dc boost converter plus voltage source inverter) has the step-up stage necessary to connect the low voltage source to the load, at a cost of more complexity and high leakage currents circulating in the system. The complexity issue can be overcome by using one-stage step-up plus inversion configuration such as the Z-source inverter, although the leakage current problem will persist. In order to solve both issues, this paper proposes a three-state three-phase Z-source inverter (TS3ph-ZSI) that presents an intrinsic buck-boost plus inverter characteristic, featuring a common ground between source and load (dual ground configuration), responsible to eliminate the leakage currents in the system. This topology is especially useful for transformerless photovoltaic systems. The theoretical analysis of this topology, including its modeling and control system design, is carried out and validated by the simulation and experimental results.

The occurrence of dengue disease has increased radically in recent decades. Previously, we constructed the pE1D2 and pcTPANS1 DNA vaccines encoding the DENV2 envelope (E) and non-structural 1 (NS1) proteins, respectively. To decrease the number of plasmids in a tetravalent candidate vaccine, we constructed a bicistronic plasmid, pNS1/E/D2, encoding these two proteins simultaneously. We evaluated the protective immunity induced in mice vaccinated with the pNS1/E/D2 candidate and compared to the responses elicited by immunization with the former vaccines isolated or in combination. We transfected BHK-21 cells with the different plasmids and detected recombinant proteins by immunofluorescence and mass spectrometry assays to confirm antigen expression. BALB/c mice were inoculated with the DNA vaccines followed by a lethal DENV2 challenge. ELISA, PRNT50, and IFN-gamma ELISPOT assays were performed for the investigation of the humoral and cellular responses. We observed the concomitant expression of NS1 and E proteins in pNS1/E/D2-transfected cells. All E-based vaccines induced anti-E and neutralizing antibodies. However, anti-NS1 antibodies were only observed after immunization with the pcTPANS1 administered alone or combined with pE1D2. In contrast, splenocytes from pNS1/E/D2- or pcTPANS1 + pE1D2-vaccinated animals responded to NS1- and E-derived synthetic peptides. All the DNA vaccines conferred protection against DENV2.

An outbreak of febrile illness was reported from January to February 2018 in the Expedito Ribeiro Settlement, ​​Santa Bárbara do Pará municipality, Pará State, Brazil.This study aimed to investigate the pathogenic agent responsible for the outbreak and the circulation of arboviruses in the region.We analyzed 94 individuals through laboratory tests for arboviruses. Forty out of 94 individuals were asymptomatic but were living with or near febrile cases, and 55 participants were symptomatic.Our results showed that 51.1% of the investigated individuals were positive for arboviruses (Oropouche, Mayaro, and Chikungunya), of which 77.8% were symptomatic. We detected 93.7% of positive cases for Oropouche infection, 2.1% for Mayaro fever, and 4.2% were positive for both Oropouche and Chikungunya infection.Oropouche virus was mainly responsible for the outbreak; however, we also detected a few Chikungunya and Mayaro fever cases. Serologic assays showed evidence of arboviruses circulation of different genera in the area.

BackgroundCalcific tendinitis of the rotator cuff is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain. (1) Ultrasound guided percutaneous lavage (UGPL) is indicated when conservative treatments have failed. (2) Recent reports have shown the interest of topical sodium thiosulfate (STS) in the treatment of other diseases characterizes by ectopic calcifications (3, 4, 5).ObjectivesTo assess the efficacy and safety of UGPL with STS versus with saline solution (standard of care - SOC) in calcific tendinitis.MethodsDouble-blinded randomized clinical trial including adult patients with calcific tendinitis, shoulder pain for more than 3 months and at least one positive shoulder impingement test. Only dense type A calcifications (according to the Molé Classification) > 5 mm in diameter were included. Patients were randomized in two groups: STS and saline solution lavage. Informed consents were collected. Both groups were reevaluated at week 1, month 1 and month 3 after UGPL. Pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at rest and during activities, shoulder range of motion and strength, impingement tests, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), DASH-Work, EuroQol five-dimensional (EQ5D) and University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) scores, ultrasound (US) and radiographic evaluations were performed on all follow up visits.SPSS was used for statistical analysis and significance level was defined as 2-sided pResultsTwenty-six patients were included, where 76.9% (20) were women, with a mean age of 51.2 (SD=9.0) years old. The mean duration of pain before the procedure was 12.7 months (SD=11.3) (minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 48 months).Fifteen patients (57.7%) were randomized to the control group (SOC) and performed a saline UGPL; the other 11 patients (42.3%) were randomized to the treatment group (STS). Demographic and baseline clinical characteristics are shown in Table 1. Since patient inclusion is dynamic, our sample met 23 patients at week 1 (SOC group = 13 and STS group = 10), 19 patients at month 1 (SOC group = 10 and STS group = 9) and 16 patients at month 3 (SOC group = 8 and STS group = 8).Table 1.Demographic and baseline clinical characteristics.STS lavage(n=11)Saline solution lavage (n=15)p-valueAge (years), M (SD)52.3 (10.6)50.3 (8.0)NSSex, female % (n/N)72.7% (8/11)80% (12/15)NSDominant side, right % (n/N)100% (11/11)93.3% (14/15)NSNocturnal pain, yes % (n/N)100% (11/11)100% (15/15)NSVAS at rest (0–10), M (SD)5.7 (2.0)5.9 (2.1)NSVAS during activities (0–10), M (SD)7.1 (1.8)6.0 (2.5)NSDASH Score, M (SD)60.2 (14.0)52.6 (13.8)NSDASH-Work Score, M (SD73.4 (11.0)63.4 (22.6)NSEQ5D, M (SD)0.2897 (0.3)0.4070 (0.2)NSVAS EQ5D (0–100), M (SD)54 (15.9)58 (20.0)NSUCLA score, M (SD)18.7 (4.1)14.7 (3.3)0.014Bursitis, yes % (n/N)72.7% (8/11)66.7% (10/15)NSCalcification morphology, % (n/N)Acr-shaped18.2% (2/11)40% (6/15)0.039Fragmented18.2% (2/11)26.7% (4/15)Nodular and dense, well-defined63.6% (7/11)33.3% (5/15)Calcification size, median (IQR)12.6 (5.7)10.5 (6.3)NSSD: Standard deviation; M: Mean; NS: non-significant; IQR: interquartile rangeOverall, there were no differences between control (SOC) and treatment group (STS). Both procedures were effective improving pain at rest (p=0.024), EQ5D (p=0.019), DASH-Work (p=0.032) and UCLA scores (p=0.009) and calcification size measured by US (p=0.031) at month 3.No adverse effects or complications were reported on both groups.ConclusionAlthough well tolerated with no side effects, STS UGPL has failed to show increased benefit for calcific tendinopathy local treatment. Further studies using STS will be needed to ascertain its interest in this disease. This on-going work will be reevaluated with a larger sample.References[1]Louwerens JK et al. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2015; 24:1588–93.[2]De Witte PB et al. Am J Sports Med. 2013; 41:1665-73.[3]Ossorio-García L et al. Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2016; 107:359-62. 21.[4]Jost J et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016; 101:2810-5. 22.[5]Guigonis V et al. Ann Endocrinol (Paris). 2015; 76:183-4.Disclosure of InterestsNone declared

Pure component adsorption equilibrium of CH4 and CO2 on activated carbon have been studied at three different temperatures, 298, 323, and 348 K within a pressure range of 10–2000 kPa. Binar...

We study the numerical approximation of functional integral equations, a class of nonlinear Fredholm-type integral equations of the second kind, by the collocation method with piecewise continuous basis functions. The resulting nonlinear algebraic system is solved with the Picard iteration method. Starting from the analysis of the continuous problem in L ∞ ( [ a , b ] ) , we prove the convergence of numerical solution and, under an additional regularity assumption, provide an a priori error estimate. Numerical examples illustrate the predicted theoretical results.

The presence of humidity in gas streams is usually associated to several problems in the performance of industrial unit operations. Therefore, gas drying is one of the most important primar...

In order to improve the knowledge of total mercury (THg) bioaccumulation in bioindicator species of sea catfish (Siluriformes, Ariidae) and taking into account the relatively recent approach with respect to estuarine fish on the Brazilian coast, 65 individuals were caught in the northern and southern regions of the Cananeia estuary to determine the concentration of the THg in muscles, gills, gonads and kidney of the Cathorops spixii and Genidens genidens specimens. The difference in the THg accumulation associated to the maturity of the catfish reflects a differential metabolism regarding THg bioaccumulation in adults (males and females) and juveniles. These observations reinforce the importance of considering the maturity of the individual in order to understand the bioaccumulation and metabolism of fish under different environmental stress and conditions. Furthermore, abiotic conditions such as salinity should be evaluated in association with metabolic/biological conditions of the fish's bioindicators, especially in environments with large natural or anthropogenic transition gradients.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T16:06:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-11-16 BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is one potential mechanism that explain the direct effects of smoking on cardiac remodeling process. However, no study has compared different myocardial products of macromolecule oxidation after tobacco smoke exposure. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the lipid hydroperoxide (LH) levels, protein carbonyl concentrations and DNA damage in cardiac tissue of rats exposed to tobacco smoke. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: group C (control, n = 14) composed of animals not exposed to cigarette smoke; group ETS (exposed to tobacco smoke, n = 14) composed by animals exposed to cigarette smoke. The animals were exposed to 2 month of ETS and morphological, biochemical and functional analyses were performed. RESULTS: Cardiac cotinine levels were elevated in the ETS group. In addition, the myocyte cross-sectional area was higher in the ETS group. (C = 266.6 ± 23.2 μm2 and ETS = 347.5 ± 15.1 μm2, p

Floral traits mediate the roles of distinct animals as effective pollinators along a generalization/specialization continuum. Many plant species are visited by different pollinator functional groups and the specific contribution of each group is expected to reflect the set of floral characteristics defined by pollination syndromes. Although considered a highly specialized nectarivorous group, hummingbirds frequently visit flowers lacking apparent specialization to bird pollination. How they contribute to the reproduction of these plants, however, has not been evaluated through field experiments considering multiple non-related plant species simultaneously. Here, we investigated hummingbirds' contributions to the pollination of ten plant species comprising a gradient of adaptation to bird pollination in the Brazilian rupestrian grasslands. We excluded hummingbirds from flowers and evaluated their relative contribution in comparison to insects (mainly bees) on conspecific/heterospecific pollen deposition and fruit set. Floral traits that are typically associated with bird pollination were associated with increased pollen deposition, but not with fruit set in the presence of hummingbirds. With hummingbirds, conspecific and heterospecific pollen deposition increased in most species, while fruit set increased in four plant species with varying degrees of fit to ornithophily. Our results show that assessing the relative contribution of specific pollinator groups may depend on when this contribution is measured, i.e. pollen deposition or fruit set. Considering fruit set, our results indicate that hummingbirds contributed to plant reproduction independently of the fit to bird pollination syndrome. This emphasizes their importance as under-appreciated generalized pollinators in some communities.

Voltage sags/swells and harmonics are recurring problems in electric energy distribution systems. In order to solve these issues, several dynamic voltage restorer (DVR) topologies, such as the conventional three-wire DVR, have been proposed in the literature. Despite its capability of mitigating voltage disturbances, many researchers have established that conventional three-wire DVR cannot compensate for zero sequence voltage disturbances. In this paper, an in-depth study of the conventional three-phase DVR is presented, which shows that this DVR topology can also be used to attenuate zero sequence voltage components without increasing control complexity. The necessary conditions for this to occur are discussed in details and a brief comparison between the conventional three-wire DVR and other DVR topologies that can compensate for zero sequence voltage disturbances is made. Experimental results are included to validate the theoretical study.