Orientador: Carlos Alberto de Souza Costa / Resumo: O objetivo geral deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia clareadora e toxicidade sobre células pulpares humanas (HDPCs) de dois produtos experimentais recomendados para terapia clareadora de consultório. Para isso, dois sistemas clareadores foram desenvolvidos: um gel clareador contendo um espessante catalisador (EP) e um primer polimérico catalisador (PR), indicado para aplicação sobre o esmalte previamente ao uso de agentes clareadores. Em ambos os produtos foi incorporada a enzima horseradish peroxidase (HRP) como agente catalisador do peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2). Na primeira etapa deste estudo, géis clareadores com 10% e 20% de H2O2 foram preparados a partir de uma solução estoque de 35% de H2O2 combinada com um espessante contendo ou não as concentrações de 0,5, 1,0 e 2,0 mg/mL de HRP (HRP). Estes produtos foram avaliados quanto ao pH, temperatura, estabilidade de reação, formação de radicais-livres (EROs, sonda HORAC) e radicais hidroxila (HO•, sonda H2DCFDA), bem como eficácia clareadora (E). Um protocolo in vitro de pigmentação intrínseca de discos de esmalte/dentina bovinos foi usado para avaliar a citotoxicidade e a difusão trans-amelodentinária H2O2. De modo geral, o pH e a temperatura dos géis mantiveram-se constantes durante todo período de análise, sendo que a adição da enzima HRP ao EP acelerou a catálise do H2O2, estimulando a produção de EROs e HO• (ANOVA/Tukey; p<0,05). Além disso, a presença da HRP no EP aumentou o E do gel e reduziu a difusão trans-amelod... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The main objective of this study was to assess the bleaching effectiveness and cytotoxicity on human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) of two experimental products recommended in-office tooth bleaching therapy. For this, two bleaching systems were developed: a gel containing a catalyst thickener (CT) and a polymeric catalyst primer (CP) indicated for application on the enamel prior to the use of bleaching agents, were prepared. The horseradish peroxidase enzyme (HRP) was incorporated in both products as a catalyst for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) molecules. In the first step of this study, 10% and 20% H2O2 bleaching gels were prepared from a 35% H2O2 stock solution combined with a thickener with or without concentrations of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/mL of HRP (HRP). These products were evaluated concerning the pH, temperature, reaction stability, free radicals (ROS, HORAC probe) and hydroxyl radical (OH•, H2DCFDA probe) formation, as well as bleaching efficacy (E). An in vitro protocol for intrinsic pigmentation of bovine enamel/dentin discs was used to assess the cytotoxicity as well as the trans-enamel and trans-dentinal diffusion of H2O2. Overall, the pH and temperature of the gels remained constant during all the analysis period. The addition of HRP enzyme to the CT accelerated the H2O2 catalysis, stimulating the production of ROS and OH• (ANOVA/Tukey; p<0,05). Furthermore, the HRP added to the CT enhanced E of the gel and reduced the trans-enamel and trans-dentinal diffusion of residua... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

The stability of marine photosymbiotic holobionts has major implications for the future of coral reef communities. This study aims to describe the stability of the Red Sea giant clam holobiont over the duration of one year and during induced bleaching stress under laboratory thermal manipulations. Tridacnid clams of the species Tridacna maxima were sampled at three reef locations near the central Saudi coast of the Red Sea. Associated Symbiodinium of Red Sea giant clams have previously been described to be part of only Clade A, which suggests a strong specificity in the clam-algal partnership, but specific types and potential shifting of types within this clade have not been examined for giant clams. The results from this study confirm that tridacnid symbiont types shift over time and the change between three A1 types suggests a biological and functional significance of two undescribed A1 Symbiodinium types. Experimental bleaching shows that Red Sea giant clams, although exposed to rather hot temperatures naturally, will bleach at 34°C after two weeks, and severely bleached clams likely will not recover. During bleaching, Symbiodinium types shift as well, and shift more drastically than seasonal shifts during the year. This shifting may be an evolved characteristic of the giant clam to aid in surviving major changes in the environment. However, more research is needed to determine if these holobionts are capable of keeping up with the global forecast of warming in reef environments.

For millions of years, the nutrient exchange symbiosis between corals and their endosymbiotic algae has formed the foundation of the ecological success of coral reefs. Yet, in recent decades anthropogenic climate change is increasingly destabilizing this symbiosis, and thus the reefs that rely on it. High-temperature anomalies have caused mass mortality of corals due to repeated coral bleaching, the expulsion or digestion of symbionts by the host during stress. Hence, in-depth knowledge of the cellular processes of bleaching is required to conceive strategies to maintain the ecological functioning of coral reefs. In this thesis, we investigated the role of symbiotic nutrient cycling in the bleaching response of corals. For this, we examined the mechanisms that underlie the functioning of the symbiosis in a stable state and how heat stress affects these metabolic interactions during coral bleaching. Our findings reveal that the functioning of the coral – algae symbiosis depends on the resource competition between host and symbionts. In a stable state, symbiotic competition for ammonium limits nitrogen availability for the algal symbiont, thereby ensuring symbiotic carbon translocation and recycling. During heat stress, however, increased metabolic energy demand shifts host metabolism from amino acid synthesis to degradation. The resulting net release of ammonium by the host, coupled with the stimulated activity of associated nitrogen-fixing microbes, substantially increases nitrogen availability for algal symbionts. Subsequently, stimulated algal growth causes selfish retention of carbon, thereby further reducing energy availability for the host. This positive feedback loop disturbs symbiotic nutrient recycling, eventually causing the collapse of carbon translocation by the symbiont. Hence, heat stress causes shifts in metabolic interactions, which directly and indirectly destabilizes the symbiosis, and ultimately undermines the ecological benefits of hosting algal symbionts for corals. In summary, this thesis shows that integrating symbiotic nutrient cycling into our conceptual understanding of coral bleaching is likely to improve our ability to predict coral bleaching in light of environmental conditions and may ultimately help to conceive new strategies to preserve coral reef functioning.

The thesis deals with the issue of increasing the whiteness index of kaolin raw material. The research was focused on floating the kaolin suspension and the subsequent processes related to increasing the whiteness index. Increasing the whiteness of the kaolin raw material took place on the basis of acid leaching. The eluents were based on sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, oxalic acid and sodium bisulfite. The leaching process was influenced by the temperature and concentration of the leaching agent. Floated and leached kaolin samples were characterized by several methods. The XRD method investigated the mineralogical composition and the kaolinite structure order. The distribution of chromogenic components was monitored by SEM-EDS. Residues of organic matter was determined by COD test and the concentration of chromogenic components in the extract was monitored by the ICP-OES method. Last but not least, the index of whiteness was measured, the increase of which is the aim of the diploma thesis, using a UV-VIS spectrometer with reflective extension.

Many organisms form mutually beneficial, symbiotic partnerships with other organisms. Corals and sea anemones undergo mutualistic symbioses with photosynthetic algae of the family Symbiodiniaceae, and these partnerships are key for the viability of coral reef ecosystems. Cnidarian-Symbiodiniaceae symbioses are sensitive to climate change-induced ocean warming, which causes the disruption of symbiosis, commonly referred to as bleaching, and can lead to coral mortality. Cellular and molecular aspects of how this symbiosis is established and disrupted by heat stress are not well understood. The research presented herein characterizes immunity transcription factor NF-kappaB in the cnidarian model organism Exaiptasia pallida (Aiptasia). It is shown that the DNA-binding site specificity of Aiptasia NF-kappaB is similar to mammalian NF-kappaB subunit p50 and that this binding specificity is conserved across a broad expanse of metazoans. Moreover, Aiptasia and human IkappaB kinases can phosphorylate serine residues in the C-terminus of NF-kappaB, signaling the protein for proteasomal processing to allow for nuclear localization, DNA binding, and transactivation. In Aiptasia, NF-kappaB expression is downregulated by symbiosis onset in larvae, and NF-kappaB total expression, DNA-binding activity, and tissue-specific expression are increased following laboratory-induced loss of symbiosis in adult Aiptasia. NF-kappaB downregulation during the onset of symbiosis occurs only with the compatible symbiont Breviolum minutum and data suggest that host TGFbeta plays a role in NF-kappaB downregulation. Results demonstrate that aposymbiotic Aiptasia (with high NF-kappaB levels) have increased survival following bacterial infection as compared to symbiotic anemones. A bioinformatic analysis shows that potential NF-kappaB binding sites are enriched in promoter regions of immune-related genes that are upregulated in aposymbiotic Aiptasia. Increased levels of NF-kappaB are also found in a genet of the coral Pocillopora damicornis that exhibits resilience to heat-induced bleaching. Overall, the results in this thesis suggest a role for NF-kappaB-directed immunity in symbiosis onset, bleaching, and resistance to biological stressors in cnidarians. It is proposed that NF-kappaB downregulation in Aiptasia is a mechanism to lower host immunity and promote the establishment of symbiosis, but that this process compromises host immunity to pathogen infection. Nevertheless, constitutively high basal levels of NF-kappaB may be protective against bleaching in cnidarians.

Coral reef ecosystems are under increasing threat from ocean warming and deoxygenation. Mass coral bleaching events in recent years have been linked to marine heatwaves but reporting of hypoxia-induced bleaching has also been increasing. Oxygen availability in coral reefs is driven by community metabolism and they experience a dynamic range of oxygen concentrations throughout diel cycles, hyperoxia during the day and hypoxia during the night. It has been suggested that the highest oxygen concentrations coincide with the hottest part of the day and this may protect marine taxa from high temperatures. We evaluated experimentally whether excess oxygen availability would increase the thermal threshold of the branching coral Stylophora pistillata, from the Southern Red Sea. We did this by exposing coral fragments of this species to varying dissolved oxygen concentrations (hypoxia, normoxia and hyperoxia) and a short-term temperature ramping regime (1˚C h-1). Hyperoxia did extend the thermal tolerance of S. pistillata fragments, with an LT50 of 39.1˚C as opposed to 39.0˚C for the normoxic treatment and 38.7˚C for the hypoxic treatment. Hyperoxia also increased respiration and gross photosynthesis and had a negative effect on photochemical efficiency at high temperatures. Net photosynthesis, P:R ratio and symbiont density were not significantly affected by oxygen concentration. Corals in this experiment displayed exceedingly high thermal thresholds, which were at least 2˚C higher than previously reported for the same species in the Central Red Sea. The corals used in the experiment had previously survived mass bleaching events in 2015 and hence we may have selected for individuals adapted to thermal stress. This is the first study to investigate the role of oxygen in the thermal tolerance of hermatypic corals and the first assessment of thermal thresholds from corals in the Southern Red Sea, where previously thermal thresholds have been based on a 1-2˚C increase in maximum mean monthly temperatures and visual bleaching observations. This highlights the need for increased experimental assessments of thermal thresholds in the Southern regions of the Red Sea and the important role of oxygen in moderating thermal stress.

Understanding how coral reefs respond to natural disturbances is fundamental to assess their resistance and resilience, particularly in a context of climate change. Therefore, and given the escalating frequency and intensity of bleaching events, it is essential to evaluate responses of communities in space and time to disentangle the mechanisms underlying ecological changes. Here, I analyzed a dataset comprising 59 reefs, resulting from 6 years (2014-2016) of a coral reef benthic monitoring program in the Saudi Arabian Red Sea. It encompasses the 2015/2016 mass bleaching event and spans three different geographic regions: north (Duba and Al Wajh), central (Jeddah and Thuwal), and south (Al Lith, Farasan Islands and Farasan Banks). The results indicate significant differences between regions and through time. Coral assemblages from the southern region were the most affected by the 2015 bleaching event, where in some reefs, hard and soft corals cover dropped to <2% in 2017. Important changes in community structure were observed through time in the three regions, with a shift to a macroalgae, turf algae and CCA dominance. Different environmental drivers (salinity, sea surface temperature, fishing index, distance to shore, and photosynthetically active radiation) were analyzed, and highlighted a regionally-based response of the communities to these potential drivers of change. Overall, the examined Red Sea benthic communities presented dynamic patterns in composition. Distance decay plots based on presence/absence showed a general increase in similarity throughout multiple spatial scales in 2019, when compared to previous years. This finding suggests a loss in biodiversity due to thermal anomalies and bleaching events, evidenced by a homogenization (i.e., increase similarity) in the composition of the benthic communities. I document here a patterns of dominance of a few benthic groups with time and a decrease in branching corals. This study provides baseline information about changes in coral reef benthic community structure and identifies environmental factors with a higher impact on a regional scale. This information can be used to guide conservation efforts in these highly biodiverse ecosystems.The resulting datasets can be valuable for anticipating responses of coral communities under future climate scenarios.

Magister Chirurgiae Dentium - MChD / Tooth discoloration has increased the demand by patients to pursue aesthetic treatment options. Bleaching is considered a conservative approach in performing an aesthetic treatment for discolored teeth; however colour rebound and post-operative sensitivity are among the adverse effects associated with vital bleaching. In-office bleaching systems employ the use of high hydrogen peroxide concentrations. The effects of in-office bleaching agents on the degree of colour change and the gender differences in relation to bleaching outcomes are questionable. Post-operative sensitivity can be considered a bleaching side effect and the number of patients that experience it is unknown. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of an in-office vital bleaching technique. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the degree of colour change after vital tooth bleaching using a 35% hydrogen peroxide gel (Yotuel® Special, Biocosmetics Laboratories, Spain), using a spectrophotometer (CM-2600d Konica, Minolta) to measure the colour change at each intervention during the bleaching process, to assess the post operative sensitivity during the first week of the intervention, to evaluate the patients' perception of the colour change and to compare it to the colour change (~E) expressed in numeric values and to investigate whether gender differences exist in relation to the outcome of the bleaching procedure. Materials and Methods: The maxillary anterior teeth of 22 patients comprising of 11 males and 11 females were. bleached with a 35% hydrogen peroxide gel (Yotuel® Special, Biocosmetics Laboratories, Spain). Pre-treatment readings of the two maxillary central incisors using a spectrophotometer (CM-2600d Konica, Minolta) were obtained. Subsequent readings were obtained after scaling and polishing, before bleaching (which was used as a baseline reading), immediately after bleaching, one week and one month postoperatively. Patients were requested to complete a form regarding postoperative tooth sensitivity and their colour perception toward the bleaching treatment. Results: The quantitative effect of the bleaching material on tooth colour showed an increase in L * values and a decrease in a* and b* values, the changes were significant (p values- 0.05) except for the mean value of b* one month after bleaching which was only significant between five and ten percent.

Benzoyl peroxide (BP), used to bleach annatto in cheese whey, was encapsulated within the hydrophobic dispersed phase (phi) of nanoemulsions (NEs) to minimize its degradation and extend its efficacy to minimized usage levels. Three purified, saturated short-chain fatty acids of varying chain lengths: butyric (C4), hexanoic (C6) and octanoic (C8) acid, were chosen as the phi to completely dissolve various concentrations of BP. Stabilization was achieved with different concentrations and combinations of primary emulsifier (E), bovine serum albumin, and coemulsifier (CE), Tween 20. Different ultra-high pressures (UHP) were used to generate a stable NE. The best result was made by keeping these parameters: UHP 210 MPa/phi fraction 4x10-3/ BP 0.04% (w/v) constant, E (without CE) concentration of 0.04% (w/v) for both C4 and C6 or 0.6% (w/v) for C8. Annatto color reduction by 90% was achieved with C4-system using only half the typical concentration of BP used by the industry.

No description available.