Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 120-121).

Orientador: Aldo Eloizo Job / Banca: Rodrigo Fernando Bianchi / Banca: Dalita Gomes Silva Moraes Cavalcante / Banca: Antonio Hernandes Chaves Neto / Banca: Felipe Silva Bellucci / Resumo: Filmes de borracha natural (BN), fabricadas a partir do látex da seringueira Hevea braziliensis, foram utilizadas neste trabalho como substratos ativos para a obtenção de nanopartículas de prata (AgNPs) e como substrato inativo para nanopartículas semi-condutoras fluorescentes, os pontos quânticos ou quantum dots (QDs). O filme de BN agiu como um reator para a síntese das AgNPs, sendo ele o agende redutor, estabilizador e substratos destas. A síntese pode ter ocorrido devido a interação de amidas, provenientes das proteínas presentes no látex, com os íons prata, provenientes da dissociação do nitrato de prata (AgNO3) em água, dando origem à um processo de síntese verde de nanopartículas (NP). O processo de síntese foi realizado por imersão dos filmes de BN na solução de AgNO3 por diferentes tempos, sendo os filmes obtidos após este processo denominados filmes de BN/Ag com distintas concentrações de AgNPs, sendo estas com formato esférico e tamanho variando entre 25 nm a 60 nm. Estudos de citotoxicidade e genotoxicidade in vitro, foram realizados utilizando as linhagens celulares CCD 1059 sk (fibroblasto humano normal) e CHO K1 (fibroblasto de ovário de hamster) e a avaliação dos resultados destes ensaios demonstram que os filmes, tanto de BN e de BN/Ag, não geram danos ao metabolismo celular para as linhagens estudadas e também não se observou dano ao DNA de tais células. Ainda neste trabalho foi obtido filmes flexíveis fluorescentes devido a mistura líquido-líquido do látex ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Natural rubber films (NR), made from latex of Hevea brasiliensis, were used in this study as active substrates to obtain silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and as inactive substrate for fluorescent semi-conductor nanoparticles, quantum dots (QDs). The NR film plays as a reactor, reduce agent, stabilizer and substrate for AgNPs synthesis. The synthesis may be due to interaction amides derived from proteins present in latex, with the silver ions from the dissociation of silver nitrate (AgNO3) in water giving rise to a process of green synthesis of nanoparticles (NP). The synthesis process was carried out by immersing the BN film on AgNO3 solution for different times, and the films obtained after this process called BN films/Ag with different concentrations of AgNPS, which are spherical shape and size between 25 nm 60 nm. Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity studies in vitro were performed using the cell line CCD 1059 sk (normal human fibroblast) and CHO-K1 (hamster ovary fibroblast) the results of these assays demonstrate that films, BN and BN/Ag, do not generate damage to cell linage metabolism and also there was no damage to the DNA of these cells. Still, in this work, was obtained flexible fluorescent films from liquid-liquid mixture between the natrual rubber latex and QDs solution; after the drying process there was obtained a fluorescent flexible film and those emissions can be observed for different wavelengths in the visible spectrum while the samples in the solid state, exhibit sam... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Thesis (MTech (Biomedical Technology))--Cape Technikon, 2000. / Professionals in a healthcare setting use latex gloves on a daily basis, primarily to prevent transmission of microbial and viral organisms to and from patients and specimens. Repeated exposure to latex proteins (through direct skin contact or mucous membrane absorption) leads to the formation of circulating latex-specific antibodies and increases the risk of sensitisation. Among all known risk groups, healthcare workers have the highest risk to develop latex hypersensitivity. Early detection of antibodies or predisposing factors (e.g. atopy or impaired skin barrier function), could assist in the identification and management of risk groups and limit possible sensitisation. An experimental group with high occupational latex exposure is compared to a control group with low or no occupational latex exposure at Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town. A questionnaire was completed by all subjects to obtain a thorough history of past and present latex exposure and to identify other risk factors. A complete physical examination was done to evaluate clinical signs and symptoms of risk factors and latex hypersensitivity. Atopy was evaluated by means of the United Kingdom's Diagnostic Criteria for Atopy, personal and lor family history of atopy, haematogram and total serum IgE analyses. Latex-specific IgE antibodies were measured immunometrically. Skin prick tests were performed on subjects with negative in vitro results, but with predefined clinical symptoms suggestive of latex hypersensitivity. An