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Resultados experimentais da cinética de adsorção de água em diferentes configurações de leitos adsortivos são apresentados neste trabalho. Os leitos têm o formato cilíndrico e são preenchidos com sílica-gel. Este trabalho consiste em propor uma configuração que apresente a maior taxa adsortiva, permitindo posteriormente a construção de equipamentos adsortivos com maior cinética adsortiva, melhor transferência de calor e eficiência. Para a avaliação dos leitos porosos, foi montado um aparato experimental, com os leitos conectados por válvulas a um evaporador, possibilitando a avaliação de diferentes fluxos adsortivos. Para um fluxo radial, o adsorvente está confinado entre a tela e a parede interna do leito e para um fluxo axial, o leito poroso tem todo o seu volume preenchido com o adsorvente. Em outra configuração avaliada, o leito era formado por uma tela retangular localizada na parte central do leito poroso, permitindo que o preenchimento com o adsorvente ocorra apenas na metade do leito. A obtenção de termogramas, por meio de termopares colocados no interior dos leitos e da variação da taxa adsorvida em função do tempo, permitiu caracterizar e comparar a cinética da adsorção dessas três configurações estudadas. Os resultados experimentais demostraram que o leito com a tela concêntrica, apresentou maior taxa adsortiva permitindo que essa configuração seja aplicada a um sistema de refrigeração por adsorção.

Straw from no-till cropping systems, in addition to increasing the soil organic matter content, may also impede the movement of applied herbicides into the soil and, thus, alter the behavior and fate of these compounds in the environment. Rain or irrigation before or after an herbicide treatment can either help or hinder its movement through the straw, influencing weed control. Our objective was to develop a system for herbicide application and rain simulation, enabling the evaluation of the movement of various herbicides either in dry or wet straw under different rainfall volumes (25, 50, 75, and 100 mm). The amount of the applied herbicides that moved through the straw were collected and measured using a liquid chromatograph with a tandem mass spectrometry system (LC-MS/MS). Measurements obtained with the developed system showed a high herbicide treatment uniformity across all replications. The movement of the active ingredients through the straw showed variability that was a function of the applied herbicide, ranging from 17% to 99%. In wet straw, the collected herbicide remained constant from 50 to 100 mm of simulated rainfall. For the wet straw, the decreasing percentages of the herbicide movement through straw to the soil were sulfentrazone (99%), atrazine and diuron (91% each), hexazinone (84%), fomesafen (80.4%), indaziflam (79%), glyphosate (63%), haloxyfop-p-methyl (45%), and S-metolachlor (27%). On the dry straw, the decreasing percentages of the herbicide movement were fomesafen (88%), sulfentrazone (74%), atrazine (69.4%), hexazinone (69%), diuron (68.4%), glyphosate (48%), indaziflam (34.4%), S-metolachlor (22%), and haloxyfop-p-methyl (18%). Overall, herbicide movement was higher in wet straw (with a previous 25 mm simulated rainfall layer) than in dry straw. Some herbicides, like haloxyfop-p-methyl and indaziflam, exhibited over 50% higher movement in wet straw than dry straw after 100 mm of simulated rain. The developed system can be adapted for various uses, serving as a valuable tool to evaluate the behavior of hazardous substances in different agricultural and environmental scenarios.

Cephalopods like octopuses and cuttlefishes are known to secrete a ‘toxic saliva’ to inject into their prey, especially crustaceans since the XIX century. However, only in the mid-XX century were the first coleoid-specific toxins successfully isolated. Motivated by the growing interest on the global ocean as an almost inexhaustible source of novel bioactive compounds, we used RNA-Seq – based transcriptomics and de novo assembly of transcriptomes to screen the posterior salivary glands of Sepia officinalis (the common cuttlefish) from the Portuguese West coast for toxins and other bioactive proteins and peptides. Supported by microanatomical analyses, the posterior salivary glands constitute indeed the ‘venom gland’ whereas the more elusive anterior salivary glands (embedded in the buccal mass) are responsible for the production of mucin-rich saliva that is effectively the vehicle that transports the toxins as the venom is injected into the prey. Indeed, the transcriptomic profiling suggests that the cuttlefish venom is complex mixture of bioactive proteins, among which neurotoxins are major players, together with enzymes whose function is to digest the extracellular matrix to facilitate diffusion of the toxins. Nonetheless, by comparing with previous RNA-Seq data obtained from S. officinalis collected from other biogeographical areas, it may be suggested that significant inter-populational variation in venom composition can occur, which may potentially increase the span of bioactives secreted by these animals. We isolated and validated the full coding sequences for three important toxins, a cysteine-rich venom protein (CRVP), a venom insulin (VIns) and a cephalotoxin (CTX). The toxins seem to be relatively conserved among coleoids but diverging from other venomous mollusks such as cone snails. Their properties as potent modulators of glucose (in the case of VIns) and as potential neurotoxins (like CRVP and CTX) can render them primer targets for drug development.

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to characterise the surface properties of chicken breasts, and evaluate the wettability properties of edible coatings based on carrageenan and glycerol, using varying concentrations of the biopolymer and plasticiser. The surface of the chicken breasts was characterised as of low energy, with a surface tension of 54.56 mN/m, whose polar and dispersive components were 39.79 mN/m and 14.77 mN/m, respectively. The results showed that with an increase in the carrageenan concentration of the film-forming solution there was a reduction in the values for adhesion and spreading. Coatings with a higher glycerol concentration also obtained a lower spreading coefficient. Solutions 1 (carrageenan 1% and glycerol 0%), 2 (carrageenan 1% and glycerol 1%) and 3 (carrageenan 1% and glycerol 2%) did not differ statistically, obtaining the highest values for spreadability. Solution 1 (carrageenan 1% and 0% glycerol) presented the highest numerical values. For carrageenan coatings on chicken breasts, the best spreading coefficient was -4.49 mN/m.

A inovação aumenta a competitividade, possibilitando a adaptação e superação de desafios, além de aproveitar as oportunidades para se posicionar melhor no mercado. O objetivo da Jornada de Inovação Rural do Sebrae foi estimular a adoção de processos inovadores, incentivando a autonomia e o empreendedorismo nos pequenos negócios rurais catarinenses. Este trabalho apresenta os resultados do grau de inovação e do impacto das soluções implementadas. A metodologia tem como base um questionário, gerando um gráfico radar para a organização e implementação de planos de melhorias. As ações ocorreram em cinco dimensões centrais de curto prazo e em quatro dimensões orbitais de médio e longo prazo. O ciclo de atividades ocorreu em 8 meses, entre dezembro de 2021 e julho de 2022, com 9 agentes locais, atendendo 119 empreendimentos rurais de todas as regiões de Santa Catarina. Os resultados impactaram todas as dimensões, principalmente nos controles gerenciais e em novos produtos ou serviços (modelos de negócios).

The current study investigates the venom-delivery system of green and red morphotypes of the sea anemone Actinia equina to disclose its potential as a source of bioactive compounds. We compared the two morphotypes using electron and optical microscopy, proteomics, and toxicity assessment on zebrafish embryos. Specialized venom-injecting cells (nematocysts) are equally distributed and found in the tentacles of both varieties. Proteomics revealed proteins of interest in both red and green Actinia, yielding the three most abundant Gene Ontology (GO) terms related to the biological processes “proteolysis”, “hemolysis in another organism” and “lipid catabolic process”. Neurotoxins and cytolytic toxins similar to known cnidarian toxins like PsTX-60A and AvTX-60A, for instance, were identified in both types. Extracts from green and red anemones were toxic to zebrafish embryos, with green anemone venom appearing to be more potent. The findings highlight the presence of proteinaceous toxins in A. equina and the potential for different varieties to possess distinct bioactive compounds. Notably, pore-forming toxins are suggested for molecular probes and immunotoxins, making them valuable assets for potential biotechnological and biomedical purposes.

Este estudo visa à determinação da vulnerabilidade física e ambiental da zona costeira de São Miguel do Gostoso e Pedra Grande/RN antes e depois da instalação de parques eólicos. Além disso, é realizada uma análise de vulnerabilidade na linha de costa da área mencionada, levando-se em consideração as alterações espaciais concretizadas nos últimos 30 anos, análise esta que é apresentada separadamente. Calcularam-se os índices de vulnerabilidade natural (IVN) e ambiental (IVA) por meio de análises espaciais baseadas em mapas temáticos das variáveis do meio físico e antrópico, conforme métodos de análise multicritérios hierarquizada e de redução de dimensionalidade por processo analítico hierárquico (PAH) e pela análise de componentes principais (ACP). As vulnerabilidades alta e muito alta, somadas, apresentaram proporções entre 18 e 30% em todos os cenários do IVN e IVA. O índice de vulnerabilidade costeira (IVC) foi definido por dois métodos para três cenários de aumento do nível do mar estabelecidos pelo Painel Intergovernamental de Mudanças Climáticas (IPCC): um com seis variáveis físicas e hidrodinâmicas, e outro que inclui, além destas, outras três variáveis de ação antrópica. Para todos os cenários, toda a extensão da linha de costa mostrase, majoritariamente, com vulnerabilidades média e alta. Conclui-se que a implantação do complexo de parques eólicos contribuiu para o aumento da vulnerabilidade dos ecossistemas locais nos três índices avaliados, mas não foi o fator preponderante para a definição do grau de vulnerabilidade do IVC.

This article examines the potential for wind and solar energy generation in the state of Amapá, Brazil, using ERA5 data from between 1991 and 2020. Key metrics considered include wind power density, capacity factor, photovoltaic potential, and concentrated solar power output. Analyses revealed pronounced wind speeds offshore during summer and in continental regions during spring. Solar irradiance was notably higher in the spring. Differences in wind potential were observed between northern and southern offshore areas. Concentrated solar power efficiency and photovoltaic potential were influenced by location and cloud cover, respectively. Overall, summer presents the best offshore wind energy potential, while spring is optimal for onshore solar energy in Amapá. This study underscores the importance of understanding local climatic patterns when planning energy installations in the region.

No presente trabalho foi realizada uma investigação experimental em um sistema de climatização dessecante, com a intenção de conhecer os benefícios da inserção de um rotor entálpico em sua estrutura. Basicamente, foi realizada uma análise da energia térmica consumida para reativar o sólido adsorvente de um rotor dessecante e também a efetividade do processo de desumidificação inerente ao sistema. Para isso, foram montadas duas bancadas de testes: a primeira formada por apenas um rotor dessecante; a segunda por um rotor dessecante e um rotor entálpico. Os resultados alcançados serviram para orientar a concepção de um novo sistema de climatização híbrido, bem como para mostrar a importância da inserção dos rotores entálpicos nos sistemas de climatização dessecantes. A combinação do rotor entálpico com o rotor dessecante ofereceu maior vantagem ao sistema de climatização, tanto em relação à sua efetividade de desumidificação quanto à possibilidade de consumir menos energia no processo de reativação do sólido adsorvente do rotor dessecante. Foi observado, no estudo, que, na menor temperatura de reativação usada para avaliar a atuação conjunta dos rotores, os resultados da efetividade de desumidificação e do consumo de energia de reativação foram expressivamente melhores do que aqueles apresentados usando a maior temperatura de reativação quando da avaliação do rotor dessecante atuando de forma isolada.

Abstract Protease-activated receptors (PARs) are metabotropic G-protein-coupled receptors that are activated via proteolytic cleavage of a specific sequence of amino acids in their N-terminal region. PAR2 has been implicated in mediating allergic airway inflammation. This study aims to study the effect of PAR2 antagonist ENMD1068in lung inflammation and airway remodeling in experimental asthma. Allergic lung inflammation was induced in sensitized BALB/c mice through intranasal instillations of ovalbumin (OVA), and mice were pretreated with ENMD1068 1 hour before each OVA challenge. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected, and the lungs were removed at different time intervals after OVA challenge to analyze inflammation, airway remodeling and airway hyperresponsiveness. Ovalbumin promoted leukocyte infiltration into BALF in a PAR2-dependent manner. ENMD1068 impaired eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the lung parenchyma into BALF and reduced the loss of dynamic pulmonary compliance, lung resistance in response to methacholine, mucus production, collagen deposition and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 expression compared to those in OVA-challenged mice. We propose that proteases released after an allergen challenge may be crucial to the development of allergic asthma in mice, and PAR2 blockade may be useful as a new pharmacological approach for the treatment of airway allergic diseases.

Light-based therapies and diagnoses including photodynamic therapy (PDT) have been used in many fields of medicine, including the treatment of non-oncological diseases and many types of cancer. PDT require a light source and a light-sensitive compound, called photosensitizer (PS), to detect and destroy cancer cells. After absorption of the photon, PS molecule gets excited from its singlet ground state to a higher electronically excited state which, among several photophysical processes, can emit light (fluorescence) and/or generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, the biological responses are activated only in specific areas of the tissue that have been submitted to exposure to light. The success of the PDT depends on many parameters, such as deep light penetration on tissue, higher PS uptake by undesired cells as well as its photophysical and photochemical characteristics. One of the challenges of PDT is the depth of penetration of light into biological tissues. Because photon absorption and scattering occur simultaneously, these processes depend directly on the light wavelength. Using PS that absorbs photons on “optical transparency windows” of biological tissues promises deeper penetration and less attenuation during the irradiation process. The traditional PS normally is excited by a higher energy photon (UV-Vis light) which has become the Achilles’ heel in photodiagnosis and phototreatment of deep-seated tumors below the skin. Thus, the need to have an effective upconverter sensitizer agent is the property in which it absorbs light in the near-infrared (NIR) region and emits in the visible and NIR spectral regions. The red emission can contribute to the therapy and the green and NIR emission to obtain the image, for example. The absorption of NIR light by the material is very interesting because it allows greater penetration depth for in vivo bioimaging and can efficiently suppress autofluorescence and light scattering. Consequently, the penetration of NIR radiation is greater, activating the biophotoluminescent material within the cell. Thus, materials containing Rare Earth (RE) elements have a great advantage for these applications due to their attractive optical and physicochemical properties, such as several possibilities of excitation wavelengths – from UV to NIR, strong photoluminescence emissions, relatively long luminescence decay lifetimes (µs to ms), and high sensitivity and easy preparation. In resume, the relentless search for new systems continues. The contribution and understanding of the mechanisms of the various physicochemical properties presented by this system is critical to finding a suitable system for cancer treatment via PDT.

Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae (SDSD) is an important agent of bovine mastitis. This infection causes an inflammatory reaction in udder tissue, being the most important disease-causing significant impact on the dairy industry. Therefore, it leads to an increase in dairy farming to meet commercial demands. As a result, there is a major impact on both the dairy industry and the environment including global warming. Recurrent mastitis is often attributed to the development of bacterial biofilms, which promote survival of sessile cells in hostile environments, and resistance to the immune system defense and antimicrobial therapy. Recently, we described the in vitro biofilm development on abiotic surfaces by bovine SDSD. In that work we integrated microbiology, imaging, and computational methods to evaluate the biofilm production capability of SDSD isolates on abiotic surfaces. Additionally, we reported that bovine SDSD can adhere and internalize human cells, including human epidermal keratinocyte (HEK) cells. We showed that the adherence and internalization rates of bovine SDSD isolates in HEK cells are higher than those of a SDSD DB49998-05 isolated from humans. In vivo, bovine SDSD can cause invasive infections leading to zebrafish morbidity and mortality. In the present work, we investigated for the first time the capability of bovine SDSD to develop biofilm in vivo using a murine animal model and ex-vivo on human HEK cells. Bovine SDSD isolates were selected based on their ability to form weak, moderate, or strong biofilms on glass surfaces. Our results showed that SDSD isolates displayed an increased ability to form biofilms on the surface of catheters implanted in mice when compared to in vitro biofilm formation on abiotic surface. A greater ability to form biofilm in vitro after animal passage was observed for the VSD45 isolate, but not for the other isolates tested. Besides that, in vitro scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that SDSD biofilm development was visible after 4 hours of SDSD adhesion to HEK cells. Cell viability tests showed an important reduction in the number of HEK cells after the formation of SDSD biofilms. In this study, the expression of genes encoding BrpA-like (biofilm regulatory protein), FbpA (fibronectin-binding protein A), HtrA (serine protease), and SagA (streptolysin S precursor) was higher for biofilm grown in vivo than in vitro, suggesting a potential role for these virulence determinants in the biofilm-development, host colonization, and SDSD infections. Taken together, these results demonstrate that SDSD can develop biofilms in vivo and on the surface of HEK cells causing important cellular damages. As SDSD infections are considered zoonotic diseases, our data contribute to a better understanding of the role of biofilm accumulation during SDSD colonization and pathogenesis not only in bovine mastitis, but they also shed some lights on the mechanisms of prosthesis-associated infection and cellulitis caused by SDSD in humans, as well.

Há um interesse crescente na compreensão da dinâmica da ocorrência de precipitação no Nordeste do Brasil (NEB), especialmente, em regiões litorâneas, região que concentra grande parte da população. O objetivo principal deste estudo é avaliar a variabilidade dos eventos extremos de precipitação (EEP) diária na capital do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte (RN), bem como ressaltar o ambiente sinótico referente aos EEP. Utilizaram-se gráfico da função Média dos Excessos empírica e a técnica dos quantis na seleção do limiar (u) de um EEP. Consideraram-se EEP aqueles com precipitação acima do percentil 98 (EEP98). Campos da convergência de umidade foram utilizados para composição do ambiente sinótico. Utilizou-se para análise da tendência, os testes Mann-Kendall e Pettitt. Os registros de EEP98 são consistentes com a climatologia de precipitação, no qual 75% concentraram-se na quadra chuvosa. A composição dos eventos EEP98 apresentaram áreas de máxima convergência de umidade mostrando indícios à presença da Zona de Convergência Intertropical (ZCIT) e de distúrbios ondulatórios de leste. Os EEP98 em Natal se apresentaram mais intensos nos últimos trinta anos, no entanto a frequência permanece a mesma.

Falésias marinhas ativas e praias arenosas são ecossistemas costeiros altamente dinâmicos, portanto, rápida e intensamente afetados por processos erosivos em escalas temporais de curto a longo prazo, conduzindo a impactos irreversíveis nos demais ecossistemas da orla marítima. Conhecer e quantificar os processos envolvidos nessa dinâmica é de fundamental importância para o eficiente gerenciamento costeiro. Este artigo investiga as modificações ocorridas nas linhas de praia do Litoral Oriental do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte nas últimas três décadas (entre 1988 e 2018) e discute os processos costeiros envolvidos, por meio da quantificação de taxas médias e máximas de erosão e acreção na linha de praia, com base no processamento digital de imagens multiespectrais de Sensoriamento Remoto e Sistema de Informações Geográficas. Na avaliação comparativa das mudanças nas linhas de praia considerou os erros e incertezas inerentes à resolução espacial de imagens de sensoriamento remoto, técnicas de georreferenciamento e procedimentos de extração de cada linha de praia nas análises estatísticas utilizando os módulos do Digital Shoreline Analysis System. Os resultados mostram balanço final erosivo para cerca de 45% das linhas de praia nas três últimas décadas. As taxas médias de variação das linhas de praia indicam recuos da ordem de -1,20 m/ano e acreção de 1,71 m/ano. Logo, a magnitude da erosão é expressiva, com trechos assinalando máximos de acreção em 19,5 m/ano e de erosão da ordem de -2,76 m/ano.

In this brief piece, I want to pay tribute to David Graeber for how he articulated the relation between value, care and freedom as a path toward more equal and fair livelihood horizons. I will consider the broad contribution of one of his most widely read books about value and some of his public interventions on care and freedom.

Background: Hepatic glycogenosis (HG) is a complication of poorly controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), characterized by glycogen accumulation in hepatocytes. Mauriac syndrome (MS) is a glycogenic hepatopathy, initially described in 1930, characterized by growth failure, delayed puberty, cushingoid appearance, hepatomegaly with abnormal liver enzymes, and hypercholesterolemia. HG is a condition with good prognosis and fast resolution after adequate glycemic control (although it has potential for relapse), with no case of evolution to end-stage liver disease described. Case: We describe a 26-year-old female, with T1DM complicated by severe retinopathy. The patient maintained poor glycemic control since childhood, presenting glycated hemoglobin persistently higher than 10% and recurrent episodes of ketoacidosis. In adolescence, she developed hepatomegaly and fluctuating elevation of aminotransferases and triglycerides. A small, nonrepresentative hepatic biopsy suggested macrovacuolar steatosis and mild fibrosis. After 15 years of diabetes, the patient was referred for gastroenterology clinic due to chronic diarrhea and exuberant hepatomegaly. Laboratory showed persistent elevation of aminotransferases and triglycerides. Bilirubin, iron metabolism, and coagulation were normal; viral serologies and autoimmune study were negative. Upper endoscopy, ileocolonoscopy, and enteroscopy presented no lesions. Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging displayed massive hepatomegaly. Liver biopsy was repeated showing marked nuclear glycogenization, mild steatosis, and no fibrosis; electron microscopy revealed very large deposits of glycogen and pleomorphic mitochondria with an unusually dense matrix, described for the first time in this entity. The diagnosis of MS variant and diarrhea due to autonomic neuropathy were assumed. Conclusion: Currently, HG is a well-recognized disease that occurs at any age and can be present without the full spectrum of features initially described for MS. In the era of insulin therapy, this entity represents a rare complication, caused by low therapeutic compliance.

Forum in memoria di David Graeber. Contributi di Patrícia Alves de Matos, Stefano Boni, Dimitris Dalakoglou, Alessandro Deiana, Nika Dubrovsky.

Este artigo intenciona estimar o volume erodido e a retração de curto prazo temporal (período de seis meses) na falésia marinha ativa da Barreira do Inferno localizada no Litoral Oriental do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, com base no uso de Laser Escâner Terrestre (LT) e no georreferenciamento de nuvem pontos com Global Navigation Satellite Systems(GNSS). As varreduras do talude da falésia foram conduzidas em duas ocasiões, a primeira em 21/08/2016 (inverno austral) e a seguinte em 24/02/2017 (verão austral). As nuvens de pontos obtidas nesses levantamentos foram processadas nos softwaresCloudCompare, ArcMap, Surfer e Global Mapper, para a seleção de Modelos Digitais de Terreno (MDT) que melhor representassem as feições descritas na face da falésia em erosão, por meio dos métodos interpoladores espaciais: IDW, NN, Kriginge TIN. Nesta abordagem, a falésia marinha foi subdividida em cinco setores, de comportamentos erosivos distintos, para a avaliação do desempenho do MDT, da quantificação do volume erodido total e da taxa de retração, a partir da comparação entre os MDT e os perfis transversais gerados com as nuvens de pontos do LT. O método interpolador TIN dos softwaresCloudCompare eArcMapfoi o mais adequado para representação detalhada das irregularidades na superfície e das incisões basais no talude. A estratégia metodológica destacou ainda a relevância da avaliação da confiabilidade da nuvem de pontos quanto à presença de vazios de pontos no MDT, devido aos sombreamentos nas varreduras com LT, e são fontes de erros significativos no cálculo final volume erodido total e da taxa de retração. Os resultados indicaram que a falésia ativa apresentou volume erodido de 333 m³ no curto prazo e retração geral de 6±3,1cm nesse período, ou 12±6,2 cm/ano. Finalmente, este estudo confirma a aptidão do uso do LT acoplado a GNSS, com alta precisão e acurácia, na obtenção de resultados detalhados sobre os efeitos da erosão sobre falésias ativas submetidas à intensa dinâmica costeira do Nordeste brasileiro.

AbstractIntroduction Gla rich protein (GRP) is a vitamin K dependent protein, shown to function as an inhibitor of pathological calcification and as an anti-inflammatory agent, with potential therapeutic use for age-related diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA) [1,2]. OA is a leading cause of disability and morbidity in the older population and constitutes a major worldwide challenge for our health system. Presently, there are no drugs approved that can prevent, stop, or even restrain progression of OA. GRP has been shown to be able to lower inflammation and mineralisation processes in the articular tissue. Chitosan/tripolyphosphate (TPP) nanoparticles were selected for this study due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability and capacity to overcome the problem of low solubility of GRP in physiological conditions. This study aims to produce and characterise chitosan/TPP nanoparticles as GRP-delivery vehicles and test its anti-inflammatory potential in human macrophages.Materials and methods Nanoparticles of fluorescein-labelled chitosan/TPP with and without GRP (NG and NP, respectively) were prepared by ionic gelation [3]. Resulting NP and NG were characterised by dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and flow cytometry. The anti-inflammatory activity of NP and NG was assessed in THP-1 cells differentiated to macrophages. Mac-THP-1 cells were pre-treated with both NP and NG, followed by LPS stimulation. Cell viability was assessed by the MTS cell proliferation assay, and levels of TNFα released to cell culture media were determined by ELISA.Results The average size determined for NG was increased relatively to the NP, while flow cytometry and TEM analysis indicate the presence of GRP in NG, suggesting an effective incorporation of human recombinant GRP. Flow cytometry studies confirmed the cellular uptake of nanoparticles by macrophages. The GRP-loaded nanoparticles were able to reduce the production of TNFα in LPS-stimulated macrophages.Discussion and conclusions The results confirm that chitosan/TPP nanoparticles are excellent drug delivery vehicles for GRP in macrophages and predict a wider therapeutic application in chronic inflammation-related diseases. GRP-containing nanoparticles will be further used in OA functional assays and the results will bring new knowledge on the role of GRP in the interplay between inflammation and mineralisation events associated with OA.

The presence of eosinophils and neutrophils in the lungs of asthmatic patients is associated with the severity of the disease and resistance to corticosteroids. Thus, defective resolution of eosinophilic and neutrophilic inflammation is importantly related to exacerbation of asthma. In this study, we investigated a therapeutic action of angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-(1-7)) in a model of asthma induced by ovalbumin (OVA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Balb-c mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA. Twenty-three hours after the last OVA challenge, experimental groups received LPS, and 1 h and 7 h later, mice were treated with oral formulation of Ang-(1-7). On the next day, 45 h after the last challenge with OVA, mice were subjected to a test of motor and exploratory behavior; 3 h later, lung function was evaluated, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lungs were collected. Motor and exploratory activities were lower in OVA + LPS-challenged mice. Treatment with Ang-(1-7) improved these behaviors, normalized lung function, and reduced eosinophil, neutrophil, myeloperoxidase (MPO), eosinophilic peroxidase (EPO), and ERK1/2 phosphorylation (p-ERK1/2) in the lungs. In addition, Ang-(1-7) decreased the deposition of mucus and extracellular matrix in the airways. These results extended those of previous studies by demonstrating that oral administration of Ang-(1-7) at the peak of pulmonary inflammation can be valuable for the treatment of neutrophil- and eosinophil-mediated asthma. Therefore, these findings potentially provide a new drug to reverse the natural history of the disease, unlike the current standards of care that manage the disease symptoms at best.

No litoral oriental do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, localiza-se a área de estudo nos limites do Centro de Lançamentos da Barreira do Inferno, que possui características naturais preservadas e onde foram avaliadas as unidades e classes temáticas do meio físico, com vistas à elaboração do mapa de suscetibilidade do solo à erosão, entre as quais: geologia, geomorfologia, pedologia, cobertura vegetacional, declividade, uso e cobertura do solo. A avaliação do grau de suscetibilidade do solo à erosão foi obtida por meio de técnicas de processamento digital de imagens multiespectrais e pancromática do LANDSAT 8-OLI, que formaram a base para a elaboração dos mapas temáticos, georreferenciados e integrados em Sistema de Informações Geográficas. Tal integração permitiu a análise qualitativa das unidades e classes temáticas por modelo multicritério em álgebra de mapas, ponderada pela atribuição de notas e pesos específicos, conforme o grau de relevância desses fatores nos processos erosivos em zona costeira com baixa intervenção antrópica. Os resultados da avaliação do potencial erosivo das unidades e classes temáticas, confirmados em visitas a campo, atribuíram para 64% da área total as classes de suscetibilidade baixa e média, para terrenos com declividades de 0° a 10°, sob o domínio vegetacional arbustivo e herbáceo. A classe de suscetibilidade erosiva muito alta representou 9% da área total conferida aos campos dunares, conectados à faixa de praia, e às falésias ativas. O mapa de suscetibilidade do solo à erosão, baseado em informações do meio físico, são fundamentais na elaboração de práticas sustentáveis de gestão de uso do solo em zonas costeiras compostas por falésias ativas e sistema dunas-praias, auxiliando na preservação de ecossistemas e no planejamento de infraestruturas costeiras mais eficazes na proteção contra a perda de solo.

The installation of fans and rooftop sprinklers in swine housing and management facilities can increase noise intensity and may impair workers' hearing health over longs periods of time; therefore, an assessment of the piglets’ stress during invasive practices was made. This study set out to evaluate the noise intensity emitted by environmental enrichment devices (fans and rooftop sprinklers) and by piglets restrained for body temperature assessments and its effect on animal welfare and on the hearing health of workers exposed to it for long periods. Twenty piglets ranging in age from five to twenty days were observed. The sow gestation area was divided into a cooled (fans and rooftop sprinklers) and uncooled area. Two decibel meters were used to measure noise intensity, one for the general noise in the facilities and the other for the piglets, with five-minute intervals between assessments. Digital thermometers were used to take the rectal temperature, and infrared thermometers were used to take the body surface temperature. Fixed-effects ANOVA for the housing environment and periods and multiple comparisons at a significance level of 5% were applied. The average dorsal temperature of the piglets was 36 °C ± 1.2 in the cooled area and 38.4 °C ± 0.5 in the uncooled area. In both periods, the average maximum noise intensity was over 100 decibels. In the afternoon, the maximum intensity was higher for the uncooled environment. The results indicate that neither the fans nor the rooftop sprinklers installed in the facilities nor the squealing piglets during restraint affect the noise intensity of the environment. However, the noise intensity demonstrates the piglets’ stress and the need for protective equipment to preserve the workers’ hearing health.

No Estado do Rio Grande Norte, os eventos de erosão costeira ao longo da linha de costa vêm se intensificando no decorrer das últimas décadas. Os principais trechos afetados pela erosão costeira têm esse fenômeno atribuído, sobretudo, ao reduzido aporte fluvial de sedimentos, decorrentes das pequenas dimensões das bacias fluviais regionais, com frequentes barragens artificiais, e do desenvolvimento dos campos dunares decorrentes da perda de sedimentos das praias para o continente. Entretanto, o conhecimento do clima de ondas e da taxa de transporte de sedimentos ocorrentes na faixa litorânea são fatores fundamentais nos estudos sobre a erosão costeira. Este trabalho abordou como área de interesse a faixa litorânea da Barreira do Inferno e praias adjacentes, localizada em setor ao sul da capital, Natal/RN. Os objetivos principais incidiram em (i) avaliar métodos interpoladores para estimar a influência da batimetria na definição do transporte longitudinal de sedimentos (TLS); (ii) por meio do pacote computacional SMC-Brasil, modelar os processos físicos de geração, propagação e modificação do clima de ondas, com o intuito de distinguir a hidrodinâmica na área de estudo; (iii) estimar o TLS a partir da formulação de Bayram et al. (2007). Os resultados mostraram que o clima de ondas na faixa litorânea da Barreira do Inferno possui maior tendência de ondas provenientes de E e ESE. O potencial de TLS anual é da ordem de 50.000m³/ano no sentido Sul-Norte. O período chuvoso (meses de junho, julho e agosto) é o de maior contribuição para o transporte médio anual, aliado ao maior aporte de sedimentos do continente em direção à faixa litorânea.