Calcium aluminate phases are important parts of Ordinary Portland cement and Alumina cement. Various calcium aluminate hydrates originate during the hydration of calcium alumina phases. Their origin depends on the conditions of hydration. In the diploma thesis was investigated hydration of four calcium aluminate phases – CA, CA2, C12A7, C3A under the conditions of four pH – 6, 9, 11, 12,65. Calcium aluminate phases were prepared from CaCO3 and Al2O3 by clinkering in solid phase in laboratory oven. The phases were hydrated for 48 hours. Kinetics of the hydration was investigated by calorimetry. Calcium aluminate hydrates were identified by XRD and DTA.

A composição do clínquer controla a cinética da hidratação do cimento, devido às fases potencialmente mais reativas. O aluminato tricálcico (C3A) é a fase que reage mais rápido quando em contato com a água, formando rapidamente os aluminatos de cálcio hidratado (C3AH6, C4AH19 e C2AH8), com a liberação de elevada quantidade de calor. Para casos práticos, o sulfato de cálcio é adicionado ao clínquer para retardar esta reação. Na presença do sulfato de cálcio, o produto formado da reação com o C3A é o trissulfoaluminato de cálcio hidratado (etringita). Geralmente, a forma cristalina do C3A sintetizado durante o processo de clinquerização é cúbica. No entanto, o íon Na+, pode ser incorporado na estrutura cristalina do C3A, em substituição ao Ca2+, levando à modificação da forma cristalina de cúbica para ortorrômbica. Alguns estudos realizados apresentam interessantes resultados sobre a interferência desta fase modificada na hidratação do cimento, afetando o início de pega e a trabalhabilidade da matriz cimentícia. Os maiores problemas são observados em cimentos Portland branco onde, em função da necessidade de redução da quantidade de ferroaluminato tetracálcico (C4AF), ocorre um incremento na quantidade de C3A. Existe uma grande lacuna referente às características específicas de cada aluminato na ausência e na presença de gipsita e hidróxido de cálcio. Desta forma, mostra-se interessante a observação das características das fases do clínquer, principalmente quando se trata dos aluminatos, visto que este seria um passo importante no entendimento dos problemas de início de pega. O presente estudo utiliza fases puras (C3A cúbico e ortorrômbico) sintetizadas em laboratório, para, desta forma, focar as reações independentemente, isolando-as das demais. A associação de diferentes técnicas que possibilitam avaliar a hidratação in situ, com dois métodos originais de análise, utilizando radiações síncrotron, bem como análise de características reológicas e utilização de técnicas clássicas possibilitaram traçar algumas contribuições. Os resultados mostraram que existem grandes diferenças na hidratação de cada aluminato, sendo o ortorrômbico mais reativo nas primeiras idades quando em presença de gipsita, formando primeiramente a etringita. Na ausência de gipsita, o C3A cúbico se mostrou mais reativo, formando primeiro os aluminatos de cálcio hidratados e com maior liberação de calor. O hidróxido de cálcio, saturando a água da mistura, retardou as reações iniciais do C3A ortorrômbico na ausência de gipsita e, em maiores idades, retardou a formação de etringita em pastas de C3A com gipsita e 10% de hidróxido de cálcio. / The clinker composition controls the kinetics of cement hydration mainly due to the presence of potentially more reactive phases. The reaction of tricalcium aluminate C3A with water is almost immediate. Crystalline hydrates, such as C3AH6, C4AH19 and C2AH8 are quickly formed with generation of a large amount of heat. In presence of calcium sulfate, the product formed from the C3A reaction is ettringite or high-sulfate calcium aluminate. The alkalis can be incorporated into a number of phases in the clinker and often Na2O is taken up by the C3A. When C3A is synthesized in the presence of these elements, it changes its crystal lattice and the formation of the orthorhombic phases occurs. Earlier studies have already shown interesting interference from this phase on the cement hydration. Significant problems are found in white Portland cement, where the necessity of reducing the amount of tetracalcium ferroaluminate (C4AF) leads to an increase of the C3A content. There is a large gap in understanding the specific characteristics of each crystalline form of C3A in presence and absence of gypsum and calcium hydroxide. Therefore, characterization of the cement phases is important, especially when it is related to the aluminates (cubic and orthorhombic), since this would be a step to further understand the setting problems. The present study uses pure phases (cubic and orthorhombic C3A) synthesized in laboratory, to focus on the reactions independently, isolating the reactions of the others phases. The experimental research integrated two different synchrotron radiation techniques that enable the study of the hydration in situ with rheological analysis and classical techniques allowing to obtain contributions in the hydration of each C3A. The results showed that there are significant differences in the hydration of each aluminate, and the orthorhombic C3A is more reactive in early ages when in presence of gypsum, by forming ettringite first. In absence of gypsum the cubic C3A was more reactive, forming first calcium aluminates hydrates and generating a higher amount of heat. The ettringite formation and the heat evolution of pastes in presence and absence of gypsum were delayed when calcium hydroxide was present in the mixture.

A composição do clínquer controla a cinética da hidratação do cimento, devido às fases potencialmente mais reativas. O aluminato tricálcico (C3A) é a fase que reage mais rápido quando em contato com a água, formando rapidamente os aluminatos de cálcio hidratado (C3AH6, C4AH19 e C2AH8), com a liberação de elevada quantidade de calor. Para casos práticos, o sulfato de cálcio é adicionado ao clínquer para retardar esta reação. Na presença do sulfato de cálcio, o produto formado da reação com o C3A é o trissulfoaluminato de cálcio hidratado (etringita). Geralmente, a forma cristalina do C3A sintetizado durante o processo de clinquerização é cúbica. No entanto, o íon Na+, pode ser incorporado na estrutura cristalina do C3A, em substituição ao Ca2+, levando à modificação da forma cristalina de cúbica para ortorrômbica. Alguns estudos realizados apresentam interessantes resultados sobre a interferência desta fase modificada na hidratação do cimento, afetando o início de pega e a trabalhabilidade da matriz cimentícia. Os maiores problemas são observados em cimentos Portland branco onde, em função da necessidade de redução da quantidade de ferroaluminato tetracálcico (C4AF), ocorre um incremento na quantidade de C3A. Existe uma grande lacuna referente às características específicas de cada aluminato na ausência e na presença de gipsita e hidróxido de cálcio. Desta forma, mostra-se interessante a observação das características das fases do clínquer, principalmente quando se trata dos aluminatos, visto que este seria um passo importante no entendimento dos problemas de início de pega. O presente estudo utiliza fases puras (C3A cúbico e ortorrômbico) sintetizadas em laboratório, para, desta forma, focar as reações independentemente, isolando-as das demais. A associação de diferentes técnicas que possibilitam avaliar a hidratação in situ, com dois métodos originais de análise, utilizando radiações síncrotron, bem como análise de características reológicas e utilização de técnicas clássicas possibilitaram traçar algumas contribuições. Os resultados mostraram que existem grandes diferenças na hidratação de cada aluminato, sendo o ortorrômbico mais reativo nas primeiras idades quando em presença de gipsita, formando primeiramente a etringita. Na ausência de gipsita, o C3A cúbico se mostrou mais reativo, formando primeiro os aluminatos de cálcio hidratados e com maior liberação de calor. O hidróxido de cálcio, saturando a água da mistura, retardou as reações iniciais do C3A ortorrômbico na ausência de gipsita e, em maiores idades, retardou a formação de etringita em pastas de C3A com gipsita e 10% de hidróxido de cálcio. / The clinker composition controls the kinetics of cement hydration mainly due to the presence of potentially more reactive phases. The reaction of tricalcium aluminate C3A with water is almost immediate. Crystalline hydrates, such as C3AH6, C4AH19 and C2AH8 are quickly formed with generation of a large amount of heat. In presence of calcium sulfate, the product formed from the C3A reaction is ettringite or high-sulfate calcium aluminate. The alkalis can be incorporated into a number of phases in the clinker and often Na2O is taken up by the C3A. When C3A is synthesized in the presence of these elements, it changes its crystal lattice and the formation of the orthorhombic phases occurs. Earlier studies have already shown interesting interference from this phase on the cement hydration. Significant problems are found in white Portland cement, where the necessity of reducing the amount of tetracalcium ferroaluminate (C4AF) leads to an increase of the C3A content. There is a large gap in understanding the specific characteristics of each crystalline form of C3A in presence and absence of gypsum and calcium hydroxide. Therefore, characterization of the cement phases is important, especially when it is related to the aluminates (cubic and orthorhombic), since this would be a step to further understand the setting problems. The present study uses pure phases (cubic and orthorhombic C3A) synthesized in laboratory, to focus on the reactions independently, isolating the reactions of the others phases. The experimental research integrated two different synchrotron radiation techniques that enable the study of the hydration in situ with rheological analysis and classical techniques allowing to obtain contributions in the hydration of each C3A. The results showed that there are significant differences in the hydration of each aluminate, and the orthorhombic C3A is more reactive in early ages when in presence of gypsum, by forming ettringite first. In absence of gypsum the cubic C3A was more reactive, forming first calcium aluminates hydrates and generating a higher amount of heat. The ettringite formation and the heat evolution of pastes in presence and absence of gypsum were delayed when calcium hydroxide was present in the mixture.

A composição do clínquer controla a cinética da hidratação do cimento, devido às fases potencialmente mais reativas. O aluminato tricálcico (C3A) é a fase que reage mais rápido quando em contato com a água, formando rapidamente os aluminatos de cálcio hidratado (C3AH6, C4AH19 e C2AH8), com a liberação de elevada quantidade de calor. Para casos práticos, o sulfato de cálcio é adicionado ao clínquer para retardar esta reação. Na presença do sulfato de cálcio, o produto formado da reação com o C3A é o trissulfoaluminato de cálcio hidratado (etringita). Geralmente, a forma cristalina do C3A sintetizado durante o processo de clinquerização é cúbica. No entanto, o íon Na+, pode ser incorporado na estrutura cristalina do C3A, em substituição ao Ca2+, levando à modificação da forma cristalina de cúbica para ortorrômbica. Alguns estudos realizados apresentam interessantes resultados sobre a interferência desta fase modificada na hidratação do cimento, afetando o início de pega e a trabalhabilidade da matriz cimentícia. Os maiores problemas são observados em cimentos Portland branco onde, em função da necessidade de redução da quantidade de ferroaluminato tetracálcico (C4AF), ocorre um incremento na quantidade de C3A. Existe uma grande lacuna referente às características específicas de cada aluminato na ausência e na presença de gipsita e hidróxido de cálcio. Desta forma, mostra-se interessante a observação das características das fases do clínquer, principalmente quando se trata dos aluminatos, visto que este seria um passo importante no entendimento dos problemas de início de pega. O presente estudo utiliza fases puras (C3A cúbico e ortorrômbico) sintetizadas em laboratório, para, desta forma, focar as reações independentemente, isolando-as das demais. A associação de diferentes técnicas que possibilitam avaliar a hidratação in situ, com dois métodos originais de análise, utilizando radiações síncrotron, bem como análise de características reológicas e utilização de técnicas clássicas possibilitaram traçar algumas contribuições. Os resultados mostraram que existem grandes diferenças na hidratação de cada aluminato, sendo o ortorrômbico mais reativo nas primeiras idades quando em presença de gipsita, formando primeiramente a etringita. Na ausência de gipsita, o C3A cúbico se mostrou mais reativo, formando primeiro os aluminatos de cálcio hidratados e com maior liberação de calor. O hidróxido de cálcio, saturando a água da mistura, retardou as reações iniciais do C3A ortorrômbico na ausência de gipsita e, em maiores idades, retardou a formação de etringita em pastas de C3A com gipsita e 10% de hidróxido de cálcio. / The clinker composition controls the kinetics of cement hydration mainly due to the presence of potentially more reactive phases. The reaction of tricalcium aluminate C3A with water is almost immediate. Crystalline hydrates, such as C3AH6, C4AH19 and C2AH8 are quickly formed with generation of a large amount of heat. In presence of calcium sulfate, the product formed from the C3A reaction is ettringite or high-sulfate calcium aluminate. The alkalis can be incorporated into a number of phases in the clinker and often Na2O is taken up by the C3A. When C3A is synthesized in the presence of these elements, it changes its crystal lattice and the formation of the orthorhombic phases occurs. Earlier studies have already shown interesting interference from this phase on the cement hydration. Significant problems are found in white Portland cement, where the necessity of reducing the amount of tetracalcium ferroaluminate (C4AF) leads to an increase of the C3A content. There is a large gap in understanding the specific characteristics of each crystalline form of C3A in presence and absence of gypsum and calcium hydroxide. Therefore, characterization of the cement phases is important, especially when it is related to the aluminates (cubic and orthorhombic), since this would be a step to further understand the setting problems. The present study uses pure phases (cubic and orthorhombic C3A) synthesized in laboratory, to focus on the reactions independently, isolating the reactions of the others phases. The experimental research integrated two different synchrotron radiation techniques that enable the study of the hydration in situ with rheological analysis and classical techniques allowing to obtain contributions in the hydration of each C3A. The results showed that there are significant differences in the hydration of each aluminate, and the orthorhombic C3A is more reactive in early ages when in presence of gypsum, by forming ettringite first. In absence of gypsum the cubic C3A was more reactive, forming first calcium aluminates hydrates and generating a higher amount of heat. The ettringite formation and the heat evolution of pastes in presence and absence of gypsum were delayed when calcium hydroxide was present in the mixture.

L'ettringite Ca6Al2(SO4)3(OH)12.26H2O est l'un des principaux produits d'hydratation des ciments et malgré l'importance de ce composant dans la chimie des ciments, les lois gouvernant ses processus de précipitation ont été très peu étudiées. Ce travail de thèse a donc été centré entièrement sur l'étude de l'ettringite et sur ses mécanismes de germination-croissance.La précipitation d'ettringite a d'abord été étudiée seule à partir de solutions ioniques sursaturées. Les expériences ont été menées dans le but d'étudier séparément les processus de nucléation et de croissance. La Théorie Classique de la Nucléation a été appliquée et a permis la détermination de l'énergie interfaciale de l'ettringite. Une description globale du processus de précipitation de l'ettringite a pu être proposée. Il est apparu que l'ettringite est un hydrate se formant très facilement, de par sa faible énergie interfaciale, et présentant une vitesse de formation élevée dès que ses ions constitutifs sont présents en solution. Après la nucléation primaire homogène, lorsque la quantité de cristaux déjà formés est encore faible, la vitesse de précipitation de l'ettringite dépend surtout du degré de sursaturation de la solution. Lorsque la surface cristalline devient significative, son influence provoque une augmentation de la vitesse de précipitation et des processus simultanés de nucléation secondaire et de croissance ont été mis en évidence.Dans un second temps, la formation d'ettringite a été étudiée lors de l'hydratation d'un système C$_3$A/sulfate de calcium, choisi pour se rapprocher des réactions ayant lieu dans un ciment Portland. Les expériences conduites ont permis de montrer qu'une concentration grandissante en ions sulfate (et en ions calcium) dans la solution accélérait la précipitation d'ettringite. Les résultats obtenus en première partie concernant la facilité et la rapidité de la précipitation d'ettringite seule à partir de solutions sursaturées semblent également valables dans le cas d'une formation d'ettringite lors de l'hydratation d'un système C3A/CaSO4. / Ettringite Ca6Al2(SO4)3(OH)12.26H2O is one of the main hydration products of cements but despite the importance of this compound for cement chemistry, laws governing its precipitation processes have been poorly studied. This PhD thesis was entirely focused on the study of ettringite and on its nucleation-growth mechanisms.Ettringite precipitation was first studied alone from supersaturated ionic solutions. Experiments were designed in order to study separately processes of nucleation and growth. The Classical Theory of Nucleation was applied and allowed the determination of the interfacial energy of ettringite. A global description of ettringite precipitation process has been suggested. It appeared that ettringite is an easily formed hydrate, because of its low interfacial energy, presenting a high precipitation rate as soon as its constitituve ions are present in solution. After primary homogeneous nucleation, when the quantity of already formed crystals is still low, precipitation rate of ettringite mainly depends on the supersaturation degree of the solution. When the crystalline surface gets significative, it provokes an increase of precipitation rate and processes of secondary nucleation and growth have been identified.Then, formation of ettringite during the hydration of a C$_3$A/calcium sulfate system, chosen to get closer to chemical reactions happening in a Portland cement, was studied. Conducted experiments helped prove that a growing concentration of sulfate ions (and of calcium ions) in solution was speeding up ettringite precipitation. Obtained results about the ease and speed of ettringite precipitation alone from supersaturated solutions seem also valid in the case of ettringite formation during the hydration of a C$_3$A/CaSO$_4$ system.

Les propriétés mécaniques des ciments hydratés nécessitent d'être optimisées suivant la nature des ciments produits. Parmi les facteurs d'optimisation, l'ajout de sulfate de calcium destiné à réguler la réactivité de l’aluminate tricalcique (C3A), en quantité et en qualité, dans le ciment est un paramètre primordial. Enjeu industriel majeur, cette notion d'Optimum de sulfatage mérite aujourd'hui du fait de l'avancement des connaissances sur les mécanismes d'hydratation de chacune des phases du ciment qu'une étude lui soit entièrement consacrée. La démarche adoptée pour répondre à cette problématique a été l’étude de système simple que l’on a compliqué petit à petit. L’évolution de l’hydratation du ciment, de la porosité et des propriétés mécaniques du ciment ont été déterminés à différentes échéances. Le premier système étudié était le mélange C3S/gypse, l'objectif était de déterminer s'il existait un effet optimal du sulfate de calcium sur l'hydratation et les résistances mécaniques du C3S tel que présenté dans la littérature [1]. Les résultats ont montré qu’il n’existait pas d’optimum de sulfatage dans le système C3S/gypse mais qu’il existait un effet spécifique du sulfate de calcium sur l’hydratation et les propriétés mécaniques du C3S. L’adsorption des sulfates à la surface des C-S-H serait à l’origine de la modification du processus de germination croissance des C-S-H qui aurait pour conséquence l’augmentation du degré d’hydratation du C3S et des résistances en compression. Le deuxième système étudié était le clinker biphasique C3S/C3A cobroyé avec du semi-hydrate et avec du gypse. Un optimum de sulfatage a bien été observé, cet optimum se décale avec le temps vers les fortes teneurs en sulfate comme dans les cimenteries. L’optimum de sulfatage a été constaté lorsque l’hydratation du C3S, pendant la période accélérée, a lieu simultanément ou légèrement avant le pic exothermique dû à la forte dissolution du C3A et à la précipitation d’Afm. Il a été montré que la présence d’AFm pendant la période accélérée de l’hydratation du C3S, serait à l’origine de la modification observée de la microstructure de la pâte de ciment : la porosité augmente avec l’ajout du sulfate de calcium mais l’assemblage des hydrates est plus dense / The mechanical properties of hydrated cements need to be optimized according to the nature of cement products. Among the factors of optimization, the addition of calcium sulphate intended to regulate the reactivity of tricalcium aluminate (C3A), in quantity and quality in cement is an essential parameter.The advancement of knowledge on the mechanisms of hydration of each cement phase allows a study devoted entirely to the concept of optimum of sulphate. We studied simple system that we complicated and we studied the evolution of hydration, porosity and mechanical properties of cement at different age. The first system studied was the mixture C3S/gypsum, the objective was to determine whether there was an optimal effect of calcium sulfate on hydration and mechanical strength of C3S as presented in the literature [1]. The results showed there was not optimum sulfate in the C3S/gypsum system but there was a specific effect of calcium sulfate on the hydration and the mechanical properties of C3S. The sulfate adsorption on the C-S-H surface is the cause of the change nucleation and growth process of C-S-H. This has resulted in increasing hydration degree of C3S and compressive strength. The second system studied was biphasic clinker C3S/C3A ground with hemi-hydrate and gypsum. An optimum sulfate has been observed, which move out with time to high rate of sulfate. The optimum sulfate was observed when the hydration of C3S, during the accelerated period, takes place simultaneously or slightly before the exothermic peak due to the high dissolution of C3A and precipitation of AFm. We showed the presence of AFm during the accelerated hydration of C3S, is the cause of the microstructure modification in the cement paste: the porosity increases with calcium sulfate addition but the hydrate assembly is more dense.

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La résistance mécanique des bétons exigée actuellement impose une diminution du rapport eau/ciment et l’utilisation de superplastifiant pour faciliter la mise en œuvre du matériau frais. Les produits de type polycarboxylate sont très efficaces à court terme, mais peuvent mener à une perte rapide de l’ouvrabilité en cas d’incompatibilité liant/superplastifiant. L’objet de ce travail est l’identification des phases cimentaires impliquées dans ces variations rhéologiques. Dans un premier temps, l’écoulement de pâtes superplastifiées est évalué par un rhéomètre muni d’un système de mesure à boule. Les combinaisons compatibles s’écoulent selon le modèle de Bingham. Une incompatibilité entraîne soit une augmentation du seuil d'écoulement et de la viscosité plastique, soit une évolution des propriétés rhéologiques en un fluide d’Herschel-Bulkley. Dans un deuxième temps, des combinaisons ciment/superplastifiant sont caractérisées par des essais rhéologiques. L’évaluation du raidissement de pâtes et la caractérisation chimique des ciments hydratés montrent que la consistance est liée à la quantité et à la microstructure de l’ettringite formée. Ces paramètres dépendent de la phase aluminate et des sulfates de calcium initialement présents. Enfin, l’étude de systèmes cimentaires de synthèse établit que la solubilité des sulfates de calcium en présence de superplastifiant est augmentée du fait, vraisemblablement, de la complexation des ions Ca2+ par les polycarboxylates. La variété orthorhombique de la phase aluminate plus réactive que la variété cubique, mène, quant à elle, à la formation d’une quantité importante d’ettringite en forme d’aiguilles / Currently required concrete strength imposes a lower water/cement ratio and use of superplasticizer to make easier the fresh material implementation. Polycarboxylate type products are very effective in the short term but can lead to a fast loss of workability in case of binder/superplasticizer incompatibility. The object of this work is the identification of cementitous phases involved in these rheological variations. Initially, flow of various superplasticized pastes is evaluated by a rheometer fitted with a ball measuring system. Compatible combinations flow like a Bingham’s fluid. An incompatibility results in an increase of yield stress and plastic viscosity or rheological properties evolution into Herschel-Bulkley’s fluid. Then, cement/superplasticizer combinations are characterized by rheological tests. Stiffening assessment of pastes and chemical characterisation of hydrated cements show that consistency is associated with amount and microstructure of formed ettringite. These parameters depend on initially present aluminate phase and calcium sulphates. Finally, study of synthetic cementitous systems states that calcium sulphates solubility, in presence of superplasticizer, is increased probably because Ca2+ ions complexation by polycarboxylates. As for the orthorhombic variety of aluminate phase, more reactive than cubic variety, it leads to a large amount of needle-shaped ettringite

Introdução: Empiema pleural em geral decorre de complicação de pneumonias e, se não identificado e tratado precocemente, pode ocasionar aumento morbidade ou mesmo mortalidade. A identificação de marcadores no líquido pleural de efusões parapneumônicas que mostrem a presença ou a evolução precoce para empiema tem significância clínica. Neste cenário, dosagens das concentrações de frações ativadas do complemento no líquido pleural podem ajudar no diagnóstico precoce do empiema. Objetivos: Comparar as concentrações de frações ativadas do complemento (C3a, C5a e C5b9) em efusões pleurais induzidas em ratos por inoculação intrapleural de bactérias ou por irritante químico estéril (terebentina). Métodos: Trinta e nove ratos Wistar machos, peso médio de 414g (290 a 546g), realizaram anestesia geral com isofluorano inalatório por máscara, e toracocentese no 4º espaço intercostal com abocath conectado a oscilômetro de pressão para confirmar posição intrapleural. Os animais foram divididos em 3 grupos: SA (n=17) - inoculação de Staphylococcus aureus; SP (n=12) - inoculação de Streptococcus pneumoniae; C (n=10) – inoculação de terebintina (efusão pleural estéril, controle). Doze horas após a inoculação intrapleural foi coletado liquido pleural por toracocentese, sob controle ecográfico, e realizadas dosagens de C3a, C5a e C5b9 pelo método ELISA. Resultados: A dosagem de C3a foi de 1066,82 μg/ml (937,29 – 1196,35 μg/ml) no grupo SA, 1188,28 μg/ml (1095,65 – 1280,92 μg/ml) no SP, e de 679,13 μg/ml (601,29 – 756,98 μg/ml) no C (p<0,001). A dosagem de C5a foi de 55.727 ng/ml (41,22 – 70,23 ng/ml) no grupo SA, 520.107 ng/ml (278,92-761,3 ng/ml) no SP, e de 5.268 ng/ml (1,68 – 8,85 ng/ml) no C (p<0,001). A dosagem de C5b9 foi de 15,02 ng/ml (13,1 – 16,94 ng/ml) no SA, de 16,63 ng/ml (14,37 – 18,9 ng/ml) no SP, e de 14,05 ng/ml (9,8 – 18,29 ng/ml) no C (p=0,692). A avaliação das curvas ROC demonstrou área sob a curva de 0,987 (IC95% 0,953-1) para o C3a; 1 para C5a (1-1) e 0,757 (0,523-0,990). Conclusões: As frações ativadas dos complementos C3a e C5a foram significativamente maiores nos empiemas induzidos experimentalmente por inoculação intrapleural de Staphylococcus aureus e Streptococcus pneumoniae do que com aquelas observadas após inoculação intrapleural de terebentina. A dosagem elevada destas frações ativadas do complemento foi útil para o diagnóstico do empiema pleural induzido em ratos. / Background Pleural empyema is a well-known complication of pneumonia. If treatment is delayed, empyema may increase morbidity and mortality in affected patients. Therefore, the identification of empyema biomarkers in parapneumonic pleural effusion is desirable. Previous research has suggested complement activation products as candidate empyema markers. Objective To compare the levels of complement activation products C3a, C5a, and C5b9 in pleural effusion induced by Staphylococcus aureus (SA), Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP), or turpentine (control). Method Thirty-nine male Wistar rats (mean weight 414g; 290-546g) were allocated as follows: 17 animals in the SA group, 12 in the SP group, and 10 in the control group. Bacteria or turpentine were injected into the pleural space. After 12h, intrapleural fluid was collected using ultrasound-guided thoracentesis. Levels of complement activation products were determined using ELISA kits. Results Two SA and 1 SP animals died before 12h. Mean levels were as follows: C3a: 1066.82 μg/mL (937.29-1196.35 μg/mL) in SA, 1188.28 μg/mL (1095.65-1280.92 μg/mL) in SP, and 679.13 μg/mL (601.29-756.98 μg/mL) in controls (p<0.001); C5a: 55.727 ng/mL (41.22-70.23 ng/mL) in SA, 520.107 ng/mL (278.92-761.3 ng/mL) in SP, and 5.268 ng/mL (1.68-8.85 ng/mL) in controls (p<0.001); C5b9: 15.02 ng/mL (13.1-16.94 ng/mL) in SA, 16.63 ng/mL (14.37-18.9 ng/mL) in SP, and 14.05 ng/mL (9.8-18.29 ng/mL) in controls (p=0.692). ROC analysis revealed an area under the curve of 0.987 (95%CI: 0.953-1) for C3a; 1 (1-1) for C5a; and 0.757 for C5b9 (0.523-0.990). Conclusions In the present rat model, complement activation fragments C3a and C5a accurately detected infected pleural effusion.

Les développements actuels liés à l'ingénierie tissulaire et aux microtechnologies permettent aujourd'hui de proposer de nouveaux outils de criblages in vitro pour les études de toxicité. Nous proposons de développer une biopuce à cellules mimant un organe in vitro. Afin de valider notre approche, nous présentons l'influence du microenvironnement sur la culture de lignées cellulaires rénales (MDCK) et hépatiques (HepG2/C3A). <br />Dans cette étude, nous avons testé trois débits (0, 10 et 25 µL/min) et trois ensemencements cellulaires. Enfin, nous avons soumis notre biopuce à trois chargements de chlorure d'ammonium (0, 5 et 10 mM) afin de démontrer le potentiel de ce modèle pour de futures applications liées à la toxicité. L'activité cellulaire en biopuce a été suivie par la prolifération des cellules, les consommations de glucose et de glutamine, les productions d'albumine et d'ammoniac et enfin, par l'activité enzymatique de détoxification des CYP 1A.<br />En condition dynamique, il a été observé une augmentation des consommations et des productions cellulaires au regard des conditions statiques. L'activité de détoxification des CYP 1A a été également accrue. En présence du chlorure d'ammonium les réponses cellulaires furent similaires en biopuce au regard des conditions de culture standard en Pétri. De plus, le chlorure d'ammonium a semblé induire l'activité des CYP 1A en biopuce. <br />Par cette étude, nous montrons la pertinence de notre biopuce pour des tests de toxicité in vitro en condition dynamique. Ce nouveau modèle de culture cellulaire in vitro pourra à terme être applicable aux études de criblages dans les industries chimiques, pharmaceutiques et cosmétiques.