Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Estreptococos do grupo B (EGB), principalmente sorotipo III são a principal causa de pneumonia neonatal, sepse e meningite. O potencial de virulência das amostras de EGB pode determinar a colonização ou a infecção do hospedeiro. Como o pulmão constitui uns dos primeiros órgãos durante o processo de invasão sistêmica por EGB, nós decidimos investigar os mecanismos de adesão e invasão de amostras do sorotipo III (90356-líquor e 80340-vagina) com linhagem de células epiteliais do pulmão humano (A549). Desta forma, o principal objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a capacidade de aderência e invasão de duas amostras de EGB sorotipo III com células de epiteliais pulmonares A549, a persistência bacteriana intracelular, a fusão com compartimentos acídicos, potencial citotóxico e indução de apoptose. As amostras mostraram capacidade de aderir e invadir o epitélio pulmonar A549, onde a amostra 90356-líquor isolada de paciente a que apresentou maior propriedade adesiva e invasiva que a amostra 80340-vagina (p<0,05). Ambas as cepas mostraram persistência intracelular sem replicação no interior do epitélio respiratório até 24h de incubação. Além disso, verificamos que os EGB são capazes de promover vacuolização celular permanecendo viáveis dentro de vacúolos acídicos, sugerindo a ocorrência de fusão lisossomo-fagossomo. A amostra 90356-líquor também mostrou maior citotoxidade quando comparada com a amostra 80340-vagina. A análise por citometria de fluxo demonstrou, pela primeira vez, que o EGB induz apoptose em epitélio respiratório, podendo representar um mecanismo importante para o desenvolvimento da lesão celular aguda e a patogênese bacteriana. / Group B streptococci (GBS), mainly serotype III, is a major cause of neonatal pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis. Virulence potential of GBS strains may determine the outcome of host colonization or infection. Because the lung constitutes a first step in GBS systemic invasion processes, we have investigates the adherence and invasion mechanisms of GBS-III isolates to human lung epithelial cell line (A549). Thus, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of adhesion and invasion of GBS strains serotype III (90356-liquor and 80340-vagina) with A549 lung epithelial cells, intracellular bacterial persistence, fusion with acidic compartments, cytotoxic potential, and induction of apoptosis. The strains showed ability to adhere and invade the epithelial A549 cells; GBS 90356-liquor isolated from a patient showed a more efficient adherence and invasion properties than GBS-III 80340 isolated from vagina (P<0,05). Both strains showed persistent intracellular viability without replication into A549 cells up to 24h incubation. In addition, we found that GBS are able to promote cellular vacuolization and persisted viable inside acidic vacuoles, suggesting lysosome-phagosome fusion. The GBS 90356-líquor also showed higher cytotoxicity when compared with 80340-vagina strain. The present work describe for first time by flow cytometry that GBS induces apoptosis in respiratory epithelium and be an important mechanism for the development of acute cellular injury and bacterial pathogenesis.

Fundação de Apoio a Pesquisa e à Inovação Tecnológica do Estado de Sergipe - FAPITEC/SE / The studied acid metavolcanic rocks outcrop at Estrada Real, Rio de Contas (BA), SW of Bahia State. Those rocks represent the Novo Horizonte Formation, basal portion of Rio dos Remédios Group (Espinhaço Supergroup) and are associated to development of sin-rift phase at Oriental Espinhaço basin, at Chapada Diamantina. The methodology used to make this work consisted of fieldstrip, petrography and geochemistry. Twenty-one samples have selected to petrographic analyses and ten to whole rock chemical analyses. The rocks show grey to dark-grey color, are aphanitic and show incipient to well-marked foliation. Petrographically, the rocks present porphyroblastic, lepidoblastic and blast-porphyritic textures. The mineralogy consists of quartz blasto-porphyries, andaluzite and kyanite porphyroblasts, garnet pseudomorphs, feldspars, biotite, muscovite, sericite, chlorite, epidote, monazite, zircon and opaque minerals immersed in a quartz-feldspar matrix. The trace elements spiderdiagram shows enrichment of LILEs in relation to HFSEs. The negative anomalies of Sr, P, Nb-Ta and Ti are notable. The distribution patterns of the Rare Earth Elements show enrichment in ETRL in relation to ETRP and negative anomaly in Eu. It suggests the formation of these rocks in a continental rift environment, from a mantle previously modified by subduction. / As rochas metavulcânicas ácidas estudadas afloram na Estrada Real, Rio de Contas (BA), sudoeste do Estado da Bahia. Estas rochas representam a Formação Novo Horizonte, porção basal do Grupo Rio dos Remédios (Supergrupo Espinhaço) e estão associados ao desenvolvimento da fase sin-rifte na Bacia Espinhaço Oriental, na Chapada Diamantina. A metodologia utilizada para a realização deste estudo consistiu no trabalho de campo, petrografia e geoquímica. Vinte e uma amostras foram selecionadas para análise petrográfica e sete amostras para análise química de rocha total. As rochas possuem tonalidade cinza a cinza escuro, são afaníticas e apresentam foliação incipiente a bem marcada. Petrograficamente, apresentam textura porfiroblástica, lepidoblástica e blasto-porfirítica. A mineralogia é constituída por blasto-pórfiros de quartzo, porfiroblastos de andaluzita e cianita, pseudomorfos de granada, feldspatos, biotita, muscovita, sericita, clorita, epidoto, monazita, zircão e minerais opacos imersos em uma matriz quartzo-feldspática. As metavulcânicas foram classificadas como riolitos. O diagrama multi-elementar de elementos-traço mostra enriquecimento de LILEs em relação aos HFSEs. As anomalias negativas de Sr, P, Nb-Ta e Ti são notáveis. Os padrões de distribuição dos Elementos Terras Raras evidenciam enriquecimento em ETRL em relação aos ETRP e anomalia negativa de Eu. A formação dessas rochas em um ambiente de rifte continental é sugerida, a partir de um manto previamente modificado por subducção.

As fosfolipases A2 (PLA2s, E.C. 3.1.1.4) pertencem a uma superfamília de enzimas que realizam a clivagem de fosfolipídios da membrana celular em ácidos graxos e lisofosfolipídios, numa reação dependente de cálcio. As PLA2s apresentam um importante papel em várias funções celulares, incluindo manutenção dos fosfolipídios celulares, geração de prostaglandinas e leucotrienos, tradução de sinais, proliferação celular e contração muscular. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo a caracterização estrutural e funcional de uma fosfolipase A2 ácida tóxica(BmooTX-I) isolada da peçonha da serpente Bothrops moojeni. A BmooTX-I foi purificada por uma combinação de cromatografias em resinas de troca iônica (DEAE-Sephacel), exclusão molecular (Sephadex G-75) e interação hidrofóbica (Phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B). A confirmação do grau de pureza foi realizada através de análise por espectrometria de massa MALDI TOF da BmooTX-I reduzida (monômero, 13.802,66 Da) e não reduzida (dímero, 27.506,38 Da), da focalização isoelétrica (pI 4,2) e de SDS-PAGE. A região N-terminal da enzima apresentou alta homologia com outras PLA2s Asp49 de peçonhas de serpentes. A BmooTX-I apresentou também elevada atividade fosfolipásica e induziu edema moderado in vivo. Além disso, foi capaz de inibir a agregação plaquetária e a coagulação do plasma, induzir a liberação de PGI2 por HUVECs e apresentar efeito citotóxico sobre células tumorais, bactérias e fungos. O tratamento da enzima com o reagente brometo de p-bromofenacila (BPB) neutralizou a atividade enzimática e de inibição da agregação plaquetária. A determinação da miotoxicidade foi realizada através da dosagem dos níveis de CK no plasma de camundongos previamente injetados com a toxina. A análise histopatológica das fibras musculares demonstrou a presença de infiltrado inflamatório e líquido intercelular, ambos confirmados pela análise ultra-estrutural. O presente trabalho deverá contribuir para a elucidação e determinação da composição bioquímica dos venenos animais, já que as fosfolipases A2 ácidas tóxicas possuem mecanismos de ação ainda não totalmente esclarecidos. / Phospholipases A2 (PLA2s, EC 3.1.1.4) belong to a superfamily of enzymes that perform the cleavage of phospholipids of cell membranes in fatty acids and lysophospholipids in a calcium dependent reaction. PLA2s have an important role in several cellular functions, including maintenance of cellular phospholipids, the generation of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, translation signals, cell proliferation and muscle contraction. This study aimed at the structural and functional characterization of an acidic and toxic phospholipase A¬2 (BmooTX-I) isolated from Bothrops moojeni snake venom. BmooTX-I was purified by a combination of chromatographic steps on resins of ion exchange (DEAE Sephacel), molecular exclusion (Sephadex G-75) and hydrophobic interaction (Phenyl Sepharose CL-4B). The confirmation of the purity degree was analyzed by MALDI TOF mass spectrometry of reduced BmooTX-I (monomer, 13,802.66 Da) and not reduced (dimer, 27,506.38 Da), by isoelectric focusing (pI 4.2) and by SDS-PAGE. The N-terminal region of the enzyme showed high homology with other Asp49 PLA2s of snake venoms. BmooTX-I also presented high phospholipase activity and induced moderate edema in vivo. Furthermore, this enzyme was capable of inhibiting platelet aggregation and plasma coagulation, inducing the release of PGI2 by HUVECs, also showing cytotoxic effects on tumor cells, bacteria and fungi. Treatment of the enzyme with the p-bromophenacyl bromide (BPB) neutralized the enzymatic activity and the inhibition of platelet aggregation. The determination of myotoxicity was accomplished through the determination of the CK levels in plasma of mice previously injected with the toxin. The histopathological analysis of muscle fibers showed the presence of inflammatory infiltration and intercellular fluid, both confirmed by ultrastructural analysis. This work contributes to the elucidation and determination of the biochemical composition of animal venoms, since the mechanisms of action of toxic acidic phospholipases A2 are not yet fully understood.

La valorisation de la biomasse en molécules plateformes, telles que les oléfines pour l'industrie des polymères, rend nécessaire l'adaptation des catalyseurs utilisés en pétrochimie à la transformation de composés fortement hydratés. Ces travaux de thèse ont permis de développer une méthode de caractérisation complète des catalyseurs acides en présence d'eau et en conditions réactionnelles. Cette méthode combine un examen des propriétés catalytiques en étudiant l'effet de l'eau sur des paramètres tels que le temps de contact, la température ou le vieillissement du catalyseur, mais aussi des propriétés physico-chimiques en étudiant la structure et la texture des catalyseurs usés et une études des sites acides en présence d'eau et en température. L'évolution de sites acides a été mesurée par FTIR in situ sous flux continu de NH3 et H2O. Les éventuelles compétitions d'adsorption entre H2O et NH3 mais aussi entre H2O et le réactif ont été estimées par la mesure des chaleurs d'adsorptions de ces espèces. Des oxydes d'intérêt (SnO2/SiO2, WO3/SiO2, TiO2/SiO2 et H4SiW12O40/SiO2) ont été synthétisés. Ces oxydes ont été caractérisés finement, notamment au niveau de leur acidité (utilisation de quatre molécules sondes différentes) / The use of biomass to obtain platforms molecules such as olefins for the polymer industry, require an adaptation of the catalysts already used in petrochemical processing for the conversion of highly hydrated compounds. During this project we developed a method for acid catalysts characterization in the presence of water and in reaction conditions. This method combines an analysis of catalytic properties by studying the effect of water on parameters such as contact time, temperature, or aging of the catalyst, but also of physicochemical properties in studying the structure and texture of spent catalysts and a study of the acid sites in the presence of water and temperature. The acid sites evolution of was measured by FTIR in situ under continuous flow of NH3 and H2O. The possible competition of adsorption between H2O and NH3 but also between H2O and the reactant were estimated by measuring the heat of adsorption of these species. Oxides of interest (SnO2 / SiO2, WO3/SiO2, TiO2/SiO2 and H4SiW12O40 / SiO 2) were synthesized. These oxides have been finely characterized, particularly in terms of their acidity (using four different probes molecules)

No description available.

[pt] Catalisadores Mo-SnO2 foram obtidos a partir da precipitação, em solução aquosa, do SnO2.xH2O na presença de (NH4)2Mo7O24 em dois teores de Mo: 5,5 e 14,5 por cento em massa, os quais foram, posteriormente, impregnados com 1 por cento em massa de cátion sódio. Os sólidos obtidos foram caracterizados por espectroscopia de reflectância difusa na região do UV- visível, difração de raios-X, adsorção de nitrogênio, redução à temperatura programada, e espectroscopia de absorção na região do infravermelho de metanol e de piridina adsorvidos. Verificou-se que a presença de sódio resulta na diminuição da área específica, na eliminação dos microporos e dos poros de diâmetro elevado, sendo os últimos referentes aos polimolibdatos. Verificou-se, também, que a presença de sódio propicia o consumo das espécies dispersas de molibdênio, resultando na sua aglomeração, com formação de polimolibdatos. Com relação à acidez dos sólidos, verificou-se que a ação do Na é função da concentração superficial de Mo. No caso de baixa concentração de Mo, observou-se que o sódio promove a eliminação dos sítios de Brönsted e a formação de sítios fracos de Lewis; já para a concentração elevada, observouse, além da formação de sítios fracos de Lewis, um aumento da concentração dos sítios de Brönsted. Assim, o Na altera de forma significativa a textura, a acidez e as espécies de Mo presentes nos catalisadores Mo- SnO2. / [en] Mo-SnO2 catalysts were prepared by SnO2.xH2O precipitation with ammonium heptamolybdate solution. Two Mo amounts were used: 5,5 and 14,5 percent (wt); Afterwards, these samples were impregnated with 1 percent Na (wt). These solids were characterized by nitrogen adsorption, UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, temperature programmed reduction, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy of adsorbed pyridine and methanol. It was observed that the Na addition decreases the surface area of the Mo-SnO2 solids, caused by elimination of the micropores and the large pores of polymolybdates. It was also verified that Na promotes the agglomeration of Mo species, i.e. the amount of Mo dispersed species decreases and the polymolybdate one increases. Sodium also changes the solid acid properties: for the low Mo amount it was observed that Na promoted the formation of weak Lewis acid sites and the elimination of Brönsted sites; on the other hand for the high Mo amount, both Brönsted and weak Lewis acid sites content increased when Na was added. These results showed that sodium changed the texture, the Mo species and the acid properties of Mo-SnO2 catalysts.

Magister Chirurgiae Dentium (MChD) / Background: This study aimed to determine the association between dimensional change and surface roughness (Ra) of Vitremer, Activa and Cention N after immersing them into two different media: acidic and artificial saliva media for the period of a year. Measurements were made at 10 time intervals during the observation period. Methodology: This was a quantitative and qualitative study. For the quantitative part, a total of 60 specimens were tested, 20 specimens for each material. The 20 specimens were further divided into 10 specimens. Ten were immersed in acidic media and the rest in saliva media. A measurement of the weight, height, and Ra was carried out as follows: day 0, day 1, day 2, day 7, day 21, day 28, day 60, day 90, day 180 and day 365. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the surface of each material qualitatively pre and post immersion in the two media. For fluoride measurements, an additional five samples from each material were left suspended in the de-ionized water by the use of dental floss. The materials were moved to new specimen jars after the completion of day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 21 and 28. All the specimen jars had been kept for the fluoride measurements. Results: Non-parametric tests were used to analyze the data. Linear regression analysis was used to measure the association between weight, height or surface roughness (Ra) and immersion time for a year. The result of this test showed that Vitremer had a significant association between the weight (p = 0.000), height (p = 0.007) and Ra (p = 0.001) when it was immersed in acidic media. On the other hand, when Vitremer was immersed in saliva media, only the weight variable showed a significant association (p = 0.002). For Cention N, significant association was found for only Ra when immersed in acidic media (p = 0.000). Finally, for Activa, all the studied associations; the weight, height and Ra in both media were found to be insignificant. For saliva media, there was a significant weight change between the three materials during all 10 periods of time (p = 0.000). In the first six months, Cention N demonstrated a significant increase in weight changes followed by Vitremer, then Activa. Yet, after a year, the difference between Cention N and Vitremer became insignificant and Activa showed the least weight changes. There was not a significant difference between the materials in terms of height and Ra measurements. The fluoride experiment was not successful due to technical issues during pH measurements of the collected solutions. For comparison of the studied parameters between the three materials, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used. In acidic media, there was a significant difference between the materials in term of weight change in 10 periods of time (p = 0.000). In particular, after a two month period, Cention N had the highest weight, followed by Vitremer and then by Activa. The difference between Vitremer and Activa became insignificant throughout the rest of the experimental time frame. All the height measurements between the three materials were found to be insignificant except for day 365 (p = 0.048), where both Activa and Cention N were found to be significantly higher than Vitremer. For the Ra comparison, in the first two weeks, particularly day 1, 7 and 14, Cention N had significantly the lowest Ra among the other materials. As the three materials aged in the acidic media (day 180), Vitremer had significantly the highest Ra values. Cention N showed higher Ra values than Activa; nonetheless this difference was not significant. The SEM images showed loss of some particles in all post-experimental images of the materials in acidic media. Vitremer showed the widest cracks with the loss of fillers. In saliva media, there was also loss of particles but to a lesser extent than in acidic media. Yet, the post-experimental image of Activa in saliva resembled the pre-experimental one. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study, the best material to resist Ra from prolonged acidic attack was Activa followed by Cention N and then Vitremer. Except for Vitremer, no significant changes in the Ra of the other materials were detected when the three materials were immersed in saliva media in the long term. In acidic media Vitremer tended to lose weight and height faster than Cention N and Activa over a year. Cention N is the best material to resist dimensional change. However, in artificial saliva Vitremer gained water rapidly. Activa did not absorb a lot of water and did not reject a lot of water; Activa demonstrated good dimensional stability and this property may be beneficial when compared to the other two materials tested. The clinical significance of the study: All the materials studied were subjected to dimensional and Ra changes following long-term exposure to acidic substances, but the newer materials (Cention N and Activa) seemed to be more dimensionally stable and resistant to Ra changes than the older, well-known material (Vitremer). This may influence a clinician’s choice of restorative material for use in pediatric dentistry.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.