Orientador: José Vicente Hallak d'Angelo / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-16T22:26:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Andreuccetti_MelissaTatiana_M.pdf: 3177763 bytes, checksum: 23a4cec530fa31832c045e89474dbdde (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: O cozimento da madeira é a etapa do processo Kraft onde é feita a separação das fibras celulósicas dos demais compostos orgânicos da madeira. A solução utilizada nessa etapa, denominada licor branco, contém hidróxido e sulfeto de sódio gerando, após o cozimento, um resíduo chamado licor negro fraco com concentração entre 15 e 18% de sólidos (em massa). Este licor é enviado à planta de evaporação que tem por finalidade concentrá-lo aumentando o teor de sólidos para valores entre 64 e 75% em massa. Durante a etapa de concentração do licor negro ocorre a precipitação de sais de sódio, que estão completamente dissolvidos quando o licor encontra-se em concentrações inferiores a 45 - 50% de sólidos secos. Quando o licor é concentrado para valores acima de 50% estes sais começam a precipitar, sendo que o limite de solubilidade dos mesmos é definido como a concentração exata na qual estes sais começam a precipitar. O objetivo do presente trabalho consistiu, inicialmente, em validar uma metodologia de análise do sulfato de sódio e avaliar a sua reprodutibilidade. Também foram realizadas análises do teor de sólidos, massa específica e viscosidade. Após a realização de todas as análises, realizou-se um estudo estatístico para a avaliação do comportamento de cada parâmetro obtido experimentalmente e a correlação entre eles. Foi realizada também a avaliação do comportamento entre os parâmetros. Para todas as análises utilizaram-se amostras de licor negro de eucalipto com concentrações diferentes de sólidos (15 %, 29 % e 39 %). Todos os resultados obtidos experimentalmente da análise de sulfato de sódio possibilitaram a validação e a reprodutibilidade da técnica, que poderá ser aplicada a licores mais concentrados para determinar o teor de sulfato de sódio, buscando avaliar, posteriormente, sua influência na formação de incrustações nos evaporadores. Os resultados obtidos para teor de sólidos, massa específica e viscosidade também apresentaram valores coerentes, estando de acordo com a concentração e tipo de amostra analisada. Todos os parâmetros apresentaram boas correlações entre si / Abstract: Wood digestion is the stage in the Kraft process where the separation of cellulose fibers from other organic compounds is performed. The solution used in this stage, called white liquor, contains sodium and sulfide hydroxide generating, after the cooking, a residue called black liquor with a concentration between 15 and 18 % of solids. This liquor is sent to the evaporation plant which aims to concentrate it by increasing solids content to the range of 64 to 75 % by weight. During this stage of black liquor, occurs the precipitation of sodium salts that are completely dissolved when the liquor is at concentrations below 45 - 50 % of dry solids. When the liquor is concentrated to values above 50 % of solids these salts begin to precipitate and the solubility limit thereof is defined as the exact concentration at which these salts begin to precipitate. The objective of this work was, initially, to validate a methodology for sodium sulfate measure analysis and evaluate its reproducibility. Analysis to solids content, specific mass and viscosity were also performed. After completion of all tests, a statistical study was made to evaluate the behavior of each parameter obtained experimentally and a correlation between them was established. All analyzed samples of eucalyptus black liquor were used with different concentrations of solids (15 %, 29 % and 39 %). All experimental results of the analysis of sodium sulfate have allowed the validation and reproducibility of the technique that may now be applied to more concentrated liquors to determine the content of sodium sulfate, allowing a study of its influence on scale formation in evaporators. The results obtained for solids content, specific mass and viscosity have also shown consistent values, in agreement with the concentration and type of sample analyzed. Good correlations between parameters were showed / Mestrado / Sistemas de Processos Quimicos e Informatica / Mestre em Engenharia Química

Orientador: Rafael Leonardo Xediek Consani / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-17T13:52:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Silva_MarcosAurelioBomfimda_M.pdf: 1487583 bytes, checksum: 9cb32f8fb3e02fe5c0534b01b7a60277 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a influência da secagem em temperatura de laboratório (25±4ºC) e em forno de microondas sobre propriedades físicas de gessos odontológicos tipo IV: Elite Rock, Shera Premium e Durone IV. Os gessos foram proporcionados e espatulados mecanicamente a vácuo seguindo as recomendações dos fabricantes e vazado no molde com auxílio de vibrador mecânico. No Capítulo 1 foi avaliada a alteração dimensional, resistência à compressão e reprodução de detalhes dos gessos desidratados em forno de microondas e em temperatura de laboratório. Dois protocolos de desidratação com diferentes períodos de avaliação foram utilizados para os ensaios de alteração dimensional, resistência à compressão e reprodução de detalhes dos gessos foram utilizados e divididos em 4 grupos com: G1- temperatura de laboratório (25 ± 4ºC) no período de 2 horas; G2- temperatura de laboratório após 24 horas; G3- temperatura de laboratório após 7 dias e G4- microondas com potência de 800 W por 5 minutos após 2 horas. No Capitulo 2 foi avaliada a influência de diferentes potências de radiação do forno de microondas durante a secagem dos gessos sobre a alteração dimensional e resistência à compressão. Foram utilizados seis diferentes métodos de secagem e divididos em seis grupos: G1-temperatura ambiente no período de 2 horas; G2- temperatura ambiente no período de 24 horas; G3- temperatura ambiente no período de 7 dias; G4- microondas com potência de 200 W por 5 minutos; G5- microondas com potência média 400 W por 5 minutos e G6- microondas com potência alta 800 W por 5 minutos. Nos capítulos 1 e 2 para o ensaio de alteração dimensional linear foram confeccionadas amostras utilizando matriz metálica com entalhes de diferentes profundidades e distância entre as linhas de 2,5 mm. Em seguida, a superfície foi escaneada com resolução de 1200 dpi e analisada com software ImageTool 3.0. Para o ensaio de resistência à compressão foram confeccionados moldes de silicone polimerizada por condensação, a partir de uma matriz metálica cilíndrica medindo 20 mm de comprimento por 10 mm de diâmetro. Para o ensaio de reprodução de detalhes executada somente no capítulo 1, a análise foi feita na linha central da matriz reproduzida na superfície da amostra de gesso. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância (ANOVA) com dois fatores e as médias ao teste de Tukey com nível de 5% de significância. Capitulo 1: No G1, as três marcas comerciais apresentaram maiores níveis de expansão dimensional sendo diferentes estatisticamente entre os grupos 2, 3 e 4. Para o ensaio de resistência à compressão os gessos Elite Rock e Durone IV não apresentaram diferença estatística significante entre G2 e G4, exceto para Shera Premium não apresentando diferença entre G3 e G4. Os melhores índices de reprodução ocorreram para G3. Capítulo 2: Os valores de alteração dimensional para o gesso Elite Rock foram estatisticamente semelhantes entre G3 e G6 e entre G4,G5 e G2. O gesso Shera Premium apresentou maiores níveis de expansão para G1 em relação a G2, G3, G4, G5, G6. Para o gesso Durone IV o G5 apresentou os menos valores de expansão dimensional. Para as três marcas comerciais utilizadas, a desidratação em forno de microondas com potência de 200 W e em temperatura de laboratório após 7 dias promoveu resistência à compressão sem diferença estatística e significativamente maiores,com exceção do Shera Premium e Durone IV que produziram valores semelhantes com potência de 800 W e 400W respectivamente. Os gessos odontológicos tipo IV apresentaram melhora em suas propriedades com secagem em forno de microondas. A potência de 200 W a 800 W proporcionaram níveis de alteração dimensional similares aos desidratados em temperatura de laboratório após 24 horas e 7 dias. A potência de 200 W produz maiores valores de resistência à compressão para Elite Rock. / Abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of drying laboratory temperature (25 ± 4 ° C) and in microwave oven on the physical properties of dental stone type IV: Rock Elite, Premium and Shera Durone IV. Plasters were proportionate and spatulate mechanically vacuum following the manufacturers recommendations and poured into the mold with the aid of mechanical vibrator. In Chapter 1 we evaluated the dimensional change, compressive strength and detail reproduction of plaster dried in a microwave oven and a temperature of the laboratory. Two different protocols of dehydration for tests of dimensional change, compressive strength and detail reproduction of plaster casts were used and divided into four groups: G1-temperature laboratory (25 ± 4 ° C) in 2 hours, G2- temperature laboratory after 24 hours, G3-temperature laboratory after 7 days and G4-microwave power of 800 W for 5 minutes after 2 hours. In Chapter 2 we evaluated the effects of different energy radiation from the microwave oven during the drying of plaster on the dimensional changes and compressive strength. We used six different methods of drying and divided into six groups: G1-room temperature within 2 hours; G2-room temperature within 24 hours; G3-temperature environment within 7 days: G4-microwave power of 200 W for 5 minutes and G5- average microwave power 400 W for 5 minutes, G6-high microwave power 800 W for 5 minutes. In chapters 1 and 2 for testing dimensional linear samples were prepared using metal matrix with notches of different depths and distance between lines of 2.5 mm. Then the surface was scanned at 1200 dpi and analyzed with software ImageTool 3.0. For testing the compressive strength silicone molds were prepared by condensation polymerized in cylindrical stainless steel mold measuring 20 mm by 10 mm in diameter. To test the reproduction of details performed only in chapter 1, the analysis was performed on the center line of the matrix reproduced on the sample surface of plaster. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) with two factors and the means with Tukey test at 5% level of significance. Chapter 1: In G1 of three commercial brands showed higher levels of dimensional expansion was statistically significant between groups 2,3 and 4. For testing the compressive strength gypsum Durone Elite Rock and IV showed no statistically significant difference between G2 and G4, except for Premium Shera no difference between G3 and G4. The highest rates of reproduction were to G3. Chapter 2: The values of dimensional change to the cast Elite Rock showed statistically similar values among and between G3 and G6, G4, G5 and G2. Gypsum Premium Shera had higher levels of expansion in G1 compared to G2, G3, G4, G5, G6. For plaster Durone IV G5 showed the least values of dimensional expansion. For the three trademarks used, drying in a microwave oven with a power of 200 W and temperature in the laboratory after 7 days promoted the compressive strength and not statistically significantly higher, except for the Premium and Shera Durone IV that produced similar values with power of 800 W and 400W respectively. Dental stone type IV showed improvement in their properties with drying in a microwave oven. The power of 200 W to 800 W gave similar levels of dimensional change in the dehydration temperature of the laboratory after 24 hours and 7 days. The power of 200 W produces higher values of compressive strength for Elite Rock. / Mestrado / Materiais Dentarios / Mestre em Materiais Dentários

A videofluoroscopia da deglutição (VDF) é um exame considerado padrão ouro como método de avaliação da deglutição que requer que o paciente ingira o contraste de Bário em diferentes consistências para que as fases oral e faríngea sejam avaliadas com maior efetividade. Porém, existe uma disparidade entre a viscosidade dos alimentos com o contraste de Bário para a VDF e os alimentos espessados com o espessante de forma empírica, indicado subjetivamente na terapia de reabilitação. Por isso, o objetivo desse estudo foi: padronizar a quantidade de espessante a ser acrescentado à fórmula infantil nas consistências néctar (N), mel (M) e pudim (P) em 2 temperaturas: ambiente (T1) e variando de 40ºC até 44ºC (T2); comparar os valores médios das viscosidades com as sete marcas dos espessantes mais comumente utilizados e disponíveis (E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7) nas temperaturas T1 e T2; identificar a quantidade mínima de contraste de Bário a ser acrescentado à fórmula infantil para boa resolução na videofluoroscopia (50%, 25% e 12,5%) e elaborar um manual de preparo de alimento para VFD nas diferentes consistências (N, M, P) com contraste de Bário. Para a padronização foram utilizados sete marcas de espessantes, uma fórmula infantil de partida, e a média da viscosidade avaliada por meio do viscosímetro Brookfield modelo DV-E, em duas temperaturas (ambiente e acima de 40ºC). Foram avaliadas três diluições (50%, 25% e 12,5%) do contraste de Bário (Bariogel 100%) nos leites espessados por meio de seringas no aparelho de VFD e as imagens obtidas julgadas por duas fonoaudiólogas experientes no exame. Os resultados revelaram que a padronização da quantidade de espessante a ser acrescentado à fórmula infantil para obtenção das consistências néctar, mel e pudim, nas temperaturas testadas, variou com o tipo de espessante, requerendo a orientação de um manual para correta manipulação. Os valores de viscosidade diminuíram com o aumento da temperatura, porém os valores foram mantidos dentro do intervalo proposto pela American Dietetic Association (2002) das consistências néctar, mel e pudim. Embora as três quantidades testadas de contraste de Bário tenham proporcionado imagens visíveis, avaliadas pelos juízes, os mesmos consideraram mais seguras aquelas observadas nas diluições de 25% e 50%, necessitando serem testadas outras situadas neste intervalo, uma vez que na diluição de 50% houve alteração da consistência néctar para mel. Um manual foi elaborado para orientação da padronização dos sete espessantes, nas três consistências e nas temperaturas testadas, bem como a sugestão de diluição do contraste de Bário no intervalo de 25% e 50%. / Videofluoroscopy (VDF) is considered a gold standard exam as an evaluation method for swallowing which requires that the patient ingests the Barium contrast in different consistencies so the oral and pharyngeal stages are evaluated with greater effectiveness. However, there is a difference between the viscosity of food with barium contrast for the VDF and thickened foods with the thickener, indicated subjectively in rehabilitation therapy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to standardize the amount of thickener to be added to infant formula in the following consistencies: nectar (N), honey (M) and (P) pudding in 2 environmental temperatures: (T1) and ranging from-40 degrees C to 44 C (T2); compare the average values of viscosities with seven brands of thickening agents most commonly used and available (E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7) at temperatures T1 and T2; identify the minimal amount of barium contrast to be added to infant formula for good resolution in videofluoroscopy (50%, 25% and 12.5%), and elaborate a manual of food preparation to VFD in different consistencies (N, M, P) with Barium contrast. Seven brands of thickeners, an infant formula, and the average viscosity evaluated by Brookfield viscometer model DV-E, in two temperatures (above 40°C and environment) were used for standardization. Three dilutions (50%, 25% and 12.5%) of Barium contrast (Bariogel 100%) were used to evaluate the thickened milk by syringes into the VFD and the images obtained judged by two experienced speech language pathologists. Results revealed that the standardization of the amount of thickener to be added to infant formula to obtain the nectar, honey and pudding consistencies, in tested temperatures, varied according to the type of thickener, requiring the use of a manual for correct handling. Viscosity values decreased with increasing temperature, but the values were maintained within the range proposed by the American Dietetic Association (2002) regarding nectar, honey and pudding consistencies. Although the three tested quantities of Barium contrast have provided visible images, evaluated by the judges, those observed in dilutions of 25% and 50% were considered safer. It demanded tests in others situated in this range once in the dilution of 50% there was a change from nectar to honey consistency. A manual has been prepared for the guidance on the standardization of seven thickeners, in the three tested.

The growth of strontium sulfate precipitate by diffusion in various gels was studied by using optical transmission and confocal microscopies, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, and energy dispersive X ray fluorescence. Pure silica gel, pure agarose gel and the silica/agarose mixed gel at pH 7 - 10 were used throughout the present study. Precipitate morphology is sensitive to pH and to the nature of the growth medium. The morphology was observed as a function of time. The lack of change is presumably because of rapid depletion of the limiting reagent after the very beginning of precipitation. The problem of separating strontium sulfate precipitate from the gel medium is discussed.

The proteoglycan CD44 is a widely expressed cell surface receptor for the extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan, and is involved in processes ranging from metastasis to wound healing. In the immune system, leukocyte activation induces hyaluronan binding through changes in CD44 post-translational modification, but these changes have not been well characterized. Here I identify chondroitin sulfate addition to CD44 as a negative regulator of hyaluronan binding. Chondroitin sulfate addition was analyzed by sulfate incorporation and Western blotting and determined to occur at serine 180 in human CD44 using site-directed mutagenesis. Mutation of serine 180 increased hyaluronan binding by both a CD44-immunoglobulin fusion protein expressed in HEK293 cells, and full-length CD44 expressed in murine L fibroblast cells. In bone marrow-derived macrophages, hyaluronan binding induced by the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ corresponded with reduced chondroitin sulfate addition to CD44. Retroviral infection of CD44⁻/⁻ macrophages with mouse CD44 containing a mutation at serine 183, equivalent to serine 180 in human CD44, resulted in hyaluronan binding that was constitutively high and no longer enhanced by stimulation. These results demonstrate that hyaluronan binding by CD44 is regulated by chondroitin sulfate addition in macrophages. A functional consequence of altered chondroitin sulfate addition and increased hyaluronan binding was observed in Jurkat T cells, which became more susceptible to activation-induced cell death when transfected with mutant CD44. The extent of cell death was dependent upon both the hyaluronan binding ability of CD44 and the size of hyaluronan itself, with high molecular mass hyaluronan having a greater effect than intermediate or low molecular mass hyaluronan. The addition of hyaluronan to pre-activated Jurkat T cells induced rapid cell death independently of Fas and caspase activation, identifying a unique Fas-independent mechanism for inducing cell death in activated cells. Results were comparable in splenic T cells, where high hyaluronan binding correlated with increased phosphatidylserine exposure, and hyaluronan-dependent cell death occurred in a population of restimulated cells in the absence of Fas-dependent cell death. Together these results reveal a novel mechanism for regulating hyaluronan binding and demonstrate that altered chondroitin sulfate addition can affect CD44 function. / Science, Faculty of / Microbiology and Immunology, Department of / Graduate

As part of CSIR Biosciences’ interest in aroma chemicals, the processing of crude sulphated turpentine (CST) into high value aroma products was investigated. The primary target product, linalool, was obtained from a mixture of α- and β-pinene in four steps. It can be transformed into a wide range of high value added aroma chemicals. Isomerisation of linalool in the presence of a transition metal catalyst furnishes geraniol and nerol. The scientific work described in this report was part of a bigger project aimed at developing innovative processes to manufacture aroma, flavour & fragrance chemicals through beneficiation of industrial waste streams and other raw materials, available locally from the Forestry, Paper & Pulp industries. The evaluation of a process for the preparation of precursor aroma, flavour & fragrance compounds, in particular geraniol and nerol, from locally available raw materials and industrial waste streams, was investigated. Preparation of geraniol and nerol from linalool (ex α-pinene stream) was investigated using acids or organometallic complexes as catalysts for the corresponding isomerisation reaction. The investigation was conducted in an effort to find a less costly process utilising milder conditions than via the conventional cleavage of β-pinene to myrcene under extreme pyrolysis conditions (>650°C). The transformation of linalool to geraniol/nerol using mineral acids was found to be dominated by secondary reactions such as dehydration and cyclisation, resulting in poor product selectivities and yields. On the other hand, organometallic complexes, in particular vanadium-based complexes (e.g. (OV(OBu)3) produced satisfactory results in the preliminary assessment (conversion of 79.8 percent and selectivity of 98.3 percent). A set of statistically designed experiments was carried out on the (VO(BuO)3 + [(Bu)4N+]OH¯) catalyst system where three variables were tested, i.e. substrate concentration, temperature, and catalyst loading. The selected model for conversion was significant with the “Probability > F” being < 0.0001. The most important contributing variable to the model for conversion was temperature i.e. 83.9 percent. Temperature was still the most important variable for the selectivity response at 65.0 percent contribution level. The response surface generated for the selectivity response was flat indicating a robust method within the parameter range selected.

Clinical manipulation of angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature) is of interest to treat diseases such as cancer and ischemic tissue where it is not properly regulated. Several treatments targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors - which are abundant at sites of angiogenesis - are currently in use to treat various types of cancer, however they have severe vascular side effects. Conversely, VEGF has been used clinically to promote angiogenesis to treat ischemic tissue. However, despite encouraging data from pre-clinical models, trials in humans have been disappointing. For further therapies to be developed, more information on how VEGF interacts with its receptors is required. Heparan sulfate (HS) is a ubiquitous glycosaminoglycan involved in a number of physiological processes including angiogenesis. HS facilitates the interaction of VEGF with its receptors, which is crucial for angiogenesis. Modification of this interaction via synthetic mimetics of HS may allow clinical intervention of angiogenesis. The current investigation aims first, to clarify the requirement for the interaction between VEGF and HS in angiogenesis; second to characterise the structure of HS that binds to VEGF so that mimetics can be developed; and third, to determine the effect of HS mimetics on angiogenesis in vivo. To determine the requirement for VEGF/HS interaction in angiogenesis, several mutants of VEGF165 that had lower affinities for HS were assayed for their ability to induce ectopic angiogenesis in the subintestinal baskets of zebrafish embryos. Wild type VEGF165 induced a 200-250% increase in ectopic vessels, which was matched only by a control mutant. Other mutants did not induce ectopic vessels, suggesting that this interaction is required for angiogenesis. To characterise the structure of HS that binds to VEGF, various HS mimetics were assayed against heparin in a VEGF competition assay using Biacore. Of these, the strongest inhibition (IC¬50 =~16nM) was with 2O10, an oligosaccharide that consisted of two highly sulfated octasaccharide domains (NS domains) that flanked an unsulfated dodecasaccharide region. To determine the type of sulfation required for this interaction, HS fragments were assayed for interaction with VEGF165 using the filter binding assay, and analysed by HPLC which indicated 6-O sulfation may be preferential for VEGF binding to HS.To investigate the ability of HS to affect angiogenesis, the effects of HS mimetics on zebrafish embryo subintestinal baskets were measured. The most interesting of these was with 2O10, which had a biphasic response whereby low doses (3ng) increased basket vasculature by 30% and high doses (30ng) decreased the endogenous vessels by 20%. As 2O10 had a high affinity for VEGF, its effects on the vasculature may be due to interaction with endogenous VEGF, which would indicate that HS mimetics can be used to control angiogenesis by modification of growth factor signalling. The investigation concludes that the interaction between VEGF and HS is critical for angiogenesis, and that this can be modulated by the application of HS mimetics that bind strongly to VEGF.

Ageing poses one of the largest risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The increased propensity towards vascular pathology with advancing age maybe explained, in part, by a reduction in the ability of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to contribute to vascular repair and regeneration. Among all current putative EPC populations, outgrowth endothelial cells (OECs) display the most features consistent with a human postnatal vasculogenic cell. Cell-surface heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans, by virtue of specific sulfated domains within the glycosaminoglycan chain, are able to bind and modulate the activities of a variety of proteins important for EPC mobilisation, homing and function at sites requiring neovascularization. This study aimed to determine if human OEC function is impaired with age, and to ascertain whether this is accompanied by changes in the fine structure of OEC HS.Using in vitro cell culture methods, OECs were isolated from healthy subjects across an age range and cell phenotype was verified by the demonstration of numerous endothelial, but not hematopoietic, cell characteristics. The functional capacity of peripheral blood derived OECs from young and old subjects, and comparative cord blood derived OECs, was assessed in terms of their susceptibility to apoptosis, proliferative, migratory and tube-forming capabilities. In vitro scratch and transwell migration assays revealed that the migratory capacity of peripheral blood derived OECs isolated from old subjects was impaired in comparison to those from young subjects and cord blood derived OECs. Structural analysis of HS by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) demonstrated a significant reduction in the relative percentage of the trisulfated disaccharide, 2-O-sulfated-uronic acid, N, 6-O-sulfated-glucosamine (UA[2S]-GlcNS[6S]), within OEC HS with age (r = -0.847, p=<0.01). Moreover, a decline in the migratory response of OECs towards a gradient of VEGF significantly correlated with the percentage expression of this disaccharide (r = 0.840, p<0.01). Disruption of cell surface HS by pre-treatment with heparinase I and III was found to significantly reduce the VEGF-induced migratory response of peripheral blood derived OECs isolated from young subjects to levels similar to that observed for OECs from older individuals. Understanding the role of HS in regulating the directional migration of EPCs to sites requiring neovascularization and developing approaches to facilitate EPC migration may aid in the design of more successful strategies to optimise the regenerative capacity of these cells in the ageing vasculature.

O etanol é o combustível que mais se destaca como alternativa à gasolina no setor do transporte. No entanto, a melhoria da eficiência da fermentação, aprimorando o processo de conversão de biomassa em etanol combustível e reduzindo o custo de produção são desafios ainda pertinentes. Neste cenário, as fermentações com alta concentração de açúcar ou VHG (very high gravity) estão sendo cada vez mais estudadas. A adição de compostos como fonte de nitrogênio pode gerar benefícios para a produção de etanol, entretanto, a maioria dos estudos com suplementação de fontes nitrogenadas é realizada em sistema descontínuo simples e em escala laboratorial, embora os processos fermentativos industriais sejam conduzidos em sistema descontínuo alimentado. Neste contexto, este trabalho visou avaliar o perfil fermentativo da linhagem CAT-1 em mosto contendo alta concentração de açúcar fermentescível e suplementado com as fontes nitrogenadas peptona e sulfato de amônio, nas concentrações 5 e 10 g/L, em sistema de descontínuo simples e descontínuo alimentado com reciclo de células, utilizando diferentes escalas produtivas. Nos experimentos em sistema descontínuo simples, os tratamentos controle e peptona (5 g/L) apresentaram uma melhor produção de etanol, maior rendimento e produtividade em comparação com os demais tratamentos. Nos experimentos em sistema descontínuo alimentado não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos controle e peptona 5 e 10g/L, porém, o tratamento com sulfato de amônio (10 g/L) apresentou parâmetros fermentativos de produção de etanol e produtividade superiores ao tratamento controle, o oposto do descontínuo simples. Os resultados mostraram que quando as células de levedura foram submetidas a concentrações crescentes de açúcar, como é o caso do sistema descontínuo alimentado, ocorre uma adaptação das mesmas, proporcionando melhores resultados, com uma redução no tempo de fermentação para 16h. Além disso, a alta concentração de etanol no meio fermentativo causa um efeito prejudicial às células, já que nos tratamentos onde houve teores mais elevados de etanol ocorreu menor viabilidade e maior quantidade de açúcar residual. / Ethanol is the fuel that stands out as an alternative to gasoline in the transportation sector. However, improving the efficiency of fermentation, improving the process of converting biomass to fuel ethanol and reducing the cost of production are still relevant challenges. In this scenario, fermentations with high sugar concentration or very high gravity (VHG) are being studied more and more. The addition of compounds as a source of nitrogen can generate benefits for ethanol production, however, most of the studies with nitrogen supplementation are carried out in a simple discontinuous system and in laboratory scale, although the industrial fermentation processes are conducted in a fed batch system . In this context, the objective of this work was to evaluate the fermentation profile of the CAT-1 strain in must containing high fermentable sugar concentration and supplemented with nitrogen peptone and ammonium sulfate at 5 and 10 g / L in a simple discontinuous system and fed batch system, fed with recycle of cells, using different productive scales. In the simple discontinuous system experiments, the control and peptone treatments (5 g / L) presented better ethanol production, higher yield and productivity in comparison to the other treatments. However, the treatment with ammonium sulfate (10 g / L) showed fermentative parameters of ethanol production and productivity higher than the control treatment, the opposite of simple discontinuity. The results showed that when the yeast cells were submitted to increasing concentrations of sugar, as is the case of the fed batch system, an adaptation occurs, providing better results, with a reduction in the fermentation time to 16h. In addition, the high concentration of ethanol in the fermentation medium causes a detrimental effect on the cells, since in the treatments with higher levels of ethanol; less viability and more residual sugar were observed.

In order to assess the long-term treatment of sulfate- and carbon- rich wastewater at low temperatures, three anaerobic biofilm reactors were operated at 20°C, a hydraulic retention time (HRT)of two days and fed a synthetic wastewater containing lactate and sulfate. The reactors were operated for over 900 days. DNA was extracted from the reactors around days 180 and 800. Three clone libraries, methanogenic archaea (MA), sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB), and bacteria, were constructed and quantitative PCR analysis was performed with the DNA. It was found that anaerobic biofilm reactors can be operated at 20°C with an organic load rate (OLR) of 1.3 g-chemical oxygen demand (COD)/L-day or less and an sulfur load rate (SLR) of 0.2 g-S/L-day with no significant deterioration in process performance. With long acclimation periods, OLR as high as 3.4 g COD/L-d and SLR of 0.3 g/L-d can be tolerated, producing effluent volatile-acid COD levels consistently less than 200 mg/L. Effluent dissolved sulfide and hydrogen sulfide levels were around 600 mg S/L and 150 mg S/L, respectively, during this period. In addition to long term operation, the effect of organic shock loading was assessed. The reactors were able to recover from one but not two lactate spikes of approximately 5,000 mg COD/L. It was determined that long-term stability could be achieved in reactors that contained well balanced, stable populations of lactate- and propionate-degrading SRB and aceticlastic methanogens. Significant populations of fermenters present resulted in an imbalance which caused lactate to be routed through an additional pathway where propionate was formed. Greater numbers of MA than bacteria were found in all reactors. This may be attributed to the availability of acetate in the reactors for MA consumption and to using the immobilized fixed bed reactor type. Aceticlastic methanogens were the dominant methanogen, and were observed to remove nearly all acetate produced in all reactors. SRB were observed to remove lactate in microbially balanced reactors, whereas fermenters degraded lactate in reactors with less balanced populations.