Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Biomedical Technology In the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences At Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2013 / Newly developed and commercial dental resins which are commonly used nowadays have to be tested for their antimicrobial susceptibility. The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of a titanium oxide (TiO2) nano-composite which was prepared with different antibacterial substances and used as restoratives in dentistry to combat certain selected bacteria that are considered the principle causes of some tooth diseases, for example, tooth decay and to prevent unsuccessful dental restoration. The TiO2 nano-composite was prepared and divided into four groups: The first group was an untreated TiO2 nano-composite. The second group was silane-treated TiO2 nano-composite. The third group was treated TiO2 nano-composite which was combined with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHxG). The fourth group was treated TiO2 nano-composite which was combined with benzalkonium chloride (BzCl). Five of the selected bacteria were grown overnight in Petri dishes. Four of them, namely, Escherichia coli (E. coli) ATCC 11775, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) ATCC 12600, Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) ATCC 29212, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) ATCC 10145, were grown on Müller-Hinton Agar (MHA). Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) ATCC 25175 was grown on Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) agar. All these bacteria were tested against the TiO2 nano-composite, and incubated for 24 hours at 37°C, except S. mutans, which was incubated separately and exposed to CO2. It was placed into a CO2 water-jacketed incubator in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 for 24 hours at 37°C. The obtained results showed that neither of the groups of TiO2 nano-composites, (untreated TiO2 nano-composite and treated TiO2 nano-composite) exhibited antimicrobial activity against the pathogens. Only preparations of TiO2 nano-composites at a concentration of 3 %m/m of both CHxG and BzCl showed antimicrobial activity against S. aureus. Antimicrobial activity against S. mutans, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, E. faecalis and S. aureus, were only realized at a concentration of 10 %m/m for both CHxG and BzCl..

Thesis (MTech (Biomedical Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013. / Newly developed and commercial dental resins which are commonly used nowadays have to be tested for their antimicrobial susceptibility. The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of a titanium oxide (Ti02) nano-composite which was prepared with different antibacterial substances and used as restoratives in dentistry to combat certain selected bacteria that are considered the principle causes of some tooth diseases, for example, tooth decay and to prevent unsuccessful dental restoration. The Ti02 nano-composite was prepared and divided into four groups: The first group was an untreated Ti02 nano-composite. The second group was silane-treated Ti02 nano-composite. The third group was treated Ti02 nano-composite which was combined with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHxG). The fourth group was treated Ti02 nano-composite which was combined with benzalkonium chloride (BzCI).

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Entre os polímeros considerados promissores para a remoção seletiva de CO2, destacam-se aqueles que contêm os grupos glicol etilênico (EG). Nesta dissertação, foram obtidos filmes a partir de dispersões aquosas de poliuretano (PU), sintetizadas em trabalho anterior, à base de poli(glicol propilênico) (PPG), copolímero em bloco à base de poli(glicol etilênico) (PEG) e PPG (EG-b-PG), ácido dimetilolpropiônico (DMPA), diisocianato de isoforona (IPDI) e etilenodiamina (EDA). PPG, EG-b-PG e DMPA formaram as regiões flexíveis nas proporções de: PPG 100% e 0% EG-b-PG, PPG 75% e 25% EG-b-PG, PPG 50% e 50% EG-b-PG e PPG 25% e 75% EG-b-PG em termos de equivalentes-gramas. A influência da quantidade dos segmentos de PEG foi avaliada por ensaios de permeação com os gases CO2, CH4 e N2. Os filmes obtidos das dispersões foram caracterizados por espectrometria de infravermelho com transformadas de Fourier (FTIR), análise termogravimétrica (TGA), difração de raios x (DRX) e espalhamento de raios X a baixo ângulo (SAXS). Espectros de FTIR mostraram que os segmentos de EG influenciaram a frequência da banda de carbonila. Curvas de perda de massa (TG) mostraram perfis semelhantes de degradação, enquanto que as curvas derivadas apresentaram diferenças. DRX e SAXS mostraram que os segmentos de PEG promoveram uma maior ordenação na estrutura da membrana. Testes de permeação de gases mostraram que o aumento do teor de PEG aumentou o valor da permeabilidade para o CO2, indicando que os segmentos de PEG interagiram favoravelmente com este gás. Em relação ao CH4 e N2, houve uma diminuição na permeabilidade quando comparados com os valores encontrados para o CO2, sendo atribuído a perda de mobilidade segmental. Em termos de seletividade, para o par CO2/CH4 foi obtido um valor médio de 61,7 para a membrana contendo o maior teor de PEG, e o par CO2/N2 um valor médio de 121,5, sendo superior aos valores encontrados na literatura, tornando o material promissor / Among the polymers considered promising for the selective removal of CO2 from natural gas, those containing ethylene glycol groups (EG) are the most distinguished. In this study cast films were obtained from aqueous dispersions of polyurethane (PU), synthesized in a previous work with poly (propylene glycol) (PPG), block copolymer based on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and PPG, dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and ethylenediamine (EDA). Segments of PPG, EG-b-PG and DMPA formed the flexible domains in the proportions of: PPG 100% and 0% EG-b-PG, PPG 75% and 25% EG-b-PG, PPG 50% and 50% EG-b-PG and PPG 25% and 75% EG-b-PG, in terms of equivalent-grams. The influence of the amount of PEG segments in permeation properties of CO2, CH4 and N2 was verified by permeability essays. The membranes were obtained as cast films from the dispersions and was characterized by infrared spectrometry (FTIR), termogravimetric analysis (TGA), X ray diffractometry (XRD) and small angle X ray scattering (SAXS). FTIR spectra showed that PEG segments influenced carbonyl band frequency. Loss of mass curves with temperature (TG) showed similar profiles of degradation, whereas DTG curves presented more stages. PEG segments conferred higher thermal stability for the materials. XRD and SAXS analysis showed that PEG promoted ordination to the membranes. In gas permeation tests, it was verified that the increase in copolymer amount increased permeability value for CO2, being attributed to the fact that the segments of poly(ethylene glycol) interacted favorably with this gas. In relation to CH4 and N2, there was a significant decrease in permeability when compared to the values found for CO2, being assigned to a loss of segmental mobility with increasing content of EG. In terms of selectivity, the pair CO2/CH4 had a mean value of 61,7 for the membrane containing the highest amount of EG groups, and the pair CO2/N2 produced a mean value of 121,5 for the same one, being superior than those found in the literature, making a promising material

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T13:21:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2308276 bytes, checksum: 30fe5bd9f0346db5777a9c5983218c0f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-08-29 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Sulfites are chemical additives major role in the beverage industry, however, the excessive use of these additives can cause disease and its limit is a maximum of 0,7 mg/kg of body weight per day SO2. This study proposes a micro-batch-flow analyser (μFBA) for photometric determination of sulphites in beverages. The μFBA was built from the commercial urethane-acrylate resin and polymerized exhibiting photo of ultra-violet radiation. The photometric method for the determination of sulfites in beverages based on the reaction of salts of sulfites in an acid medium with formaldehyde solution subsequently reacted with pararosaniline hydrochloride solution giving finally, a complex of violet color with maximum absorption at 565 nm. The linear model of the calibration curve was validated by ANOVA, residual plot and left by the F test model. The detection limit was 0,08 mg L-1 and the relative standard deviation less than 1,5% (n = 3). A test precision assessed by recovery test (96,8% to 102,6%) was performed. The μFBA is potentially useful as an alternative to sulfites photometric determinations as parameters of quality of beverage and yield of 240 samples per hour, producing low consumption of sample and reagents. The results obtained by the proposed μFBA compared to the conventional method, no statistically significant differences in applying paired with a confidence level of 95% t-test / Os sulfitos são aditivos químicos com grande atuação na indústria de bebidas, entretanto o uso desses aditivos em excesso podem causar patologias e seu limite encontra-se no máximo de 0,7 mg/kg de SO2 peso corpóreo por dia. Esse estudo propõe um microanalisador em fluxo batelada (μFBA) para determinação fotométrica de sulfitos em bebidas. A microcâmara do μFBA foi construído a partir da resina comercial uretana-acrilato e polimerizado em fotoexpositora de radiação ultra-violeta. O método fotométrico para determinação de sulfitos em bebidas baseou-se na reação dos sais de sulfitos, em meio ácido, com solução de formaldeído que posteriormente reagiu com a solução de cloridrato de pararosanilina originando, por fim, um complexo de cor violeta com absorção máxima em 565 nm. O modelo linear da curva analítica foi validada através da ANOVA, gráfico dos resíduos e teste F deixados pelo modelo. O limite de detecção foi de 0.08 mg L-1 e o desvio padrão relativo inferior a 1,5% (n = 3). Foi realizado um teste de precisão avaliada através do teste de recuperação (96,8% a 102,6%). O μFBA é potencialmente útil como uma alternativa para determinações fotométricas de sulfitos como parâmetros de qualidade de bebidas e rendimento de 240 amostras por hora, gerando baixo consumo de amostra e reagentes. Os resultados obtidos pelo μFBA proposto comparado ao método convencional, não apresentou diferenças estatisticamente significativas na aplicação do teste t pareado com nível de confiança de 95%

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2016-07-26T13:23:51Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Elainy Virginia dos Santos Pereira.pdf: 331613 bytes, checksum: fd1ce032c90754e480ff37f32d701a3e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-26T13:23:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Elainy Virginia dos Santos Pereira.pdf: 331613 bytes, checksum: fd1ce032c90754e480ff37f32d701a3e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-29 / Ethyl carbamate (EC, C2H5OCONH2) or urethane is a known carcinogen and genotoxic substance that occurs in various fermented foods, in particular spirits. In 2005, after several studies had shown that cachaça, the most consumed spirit in Brazil, was heavily contaminated with EC, the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA) established an EC limit (150 μg.L-1) for the beverage (to come into effect in June 2012), but other consumed spirits in Brazil, such as vodka, were not subjected to any EC control. Given the lack of information on EC levels and chemical profiles of Brazilian vodkas, along with the effects of new EC regulation for cachaça, the objective of this study was to determine the levels of congeners (volatile acidity, aldehydes, esters, higher alcohols and furfural), EC and other contaminants (methanol, copper, lead and arsenic) in vodkas and cachaças produced in Brazil. Twenty three brands of “industrial” cachaças (i.e. cachaças produced on a large scale and distilled in columns) and twenty one brands of vodkas were sampled. The brands were low-priced (below US$11.00 per 600-1000 mL bottle) and recorded (licit). All sampled cachaças and vodkas complied with MAPA regulation for alcoholic strength, volatile acidity, methanol, aldehydes, esters, higher alcohols, furfural, total congeners, copper, lead and arsenic. EC levels in cachaça ranged from 10 μg.L-1 (limit of detection, LD) to 713 μg.L-1, average 245 μg.L-1, with 15 brands (65 %) exceeding 150 μg.L-1. EC levels in all sampled vodkas were below the LD. The vodka results are probably related to its distillation process, in particular the use of extractive and rectification columns (column rectification system), which allow production of high strength spirits with very low levels of congeners. This is not the case usually found in “industrial” cachaça plants, where a smaller single distillation column, with fewer trays, is used. This cachaça distillation system does not seem to promote the same efficiency in congeners reduction, especially for highly volatile “head” products (including cyanide, precursor of EC), when compared to the column rectification system used in vodka. / Carbamato de etila (CE, C2H5OCONH2) ou uretana é uma substância reconhecidamente genotóxica e carcinógena que ocorre em vários alimentos fermentados, em especial, bebidas alcoólicas destiladas. Em 2005, após constatação que a cachaça, a bebida alcoólica destilada mais consumida no Brasil, possuía elevado nível deste contaminante, o Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (MAPA) estabeleceu uma tolerância de 150 μg de CE por litro de cachaça (a entrar em vigor em junho de 2012), porém outras bebidas destiladas de consumo popular, tal como a vodca, ficaram livres deste controle. Assim, diante do desconhecimento do perfil químico e do nível de CE nas vodcas brasileiras, aliada a iminência da entrada em vigor do limite de CE para cachaça, este trabalho teve como objetivo determinar os níveis de congêneres (acidez volátil, aldeídos, ésteres, alcoóis superiores e furfural), CE e outros contaminantes (metanol, cobre, chumbo e arsênio) em cachaças e vodcas produzidas no Brasil. Foram amostradas 23 marcas de cachaça do tipo “industrial” (produzidas em larga escala e destiladas em coluna) e 21 marcas de vodca, todas de consumo “popular”, definidas neste trabalho com base no preço (até R$20,00 por embalagem de 600 a 1000 mL). Tomando como referência a legislação vigente, observou-se que as cachaças e vodcas analisadas apresentaram adequação quanto aos níveis de etanol, acidez volátil, metanol, aldeídos, ésteres, alcoóis superiores, furfural, somatório de congêneres, cobre, chumbo e arsênio. Os níveis de CE encontrados nas 23 marcas de cachaça variaram entre 10 μg.L-1 (limite de detecção do método, LD) e 713 μg.L-1, com média de 245 μg.L-1, sendo que 15 (65%) apresentaram concentrações acima do limite tolerado pelo MAPA. Quanto ao nível de CE nas vodcas, todas apresentaram valores abaixo do LD. Os resultados observados nas vodcas podem ser atribuídos ao processo de destilo-retificação da bebida, em especial o emprego de colunas depuradora, destiladora e retificadora, as quais possibilitam atingir altas concentrações de etanol e níveis muito baixos de congêneres. Esse não é o caso encontrado nas destilarias de cachaças “industriais”, as quais comumente empregam destilação em coluna de baixo grau, com menor número de pratos, processo que não apresenta a mesma capacidade de redução de congêneres, notadamente dos proodutos de “cabeça” (entre eles o cianeto, precursor do CE), quando comparado a uma destiloretificação.

The research described in this thesis originated from an idea to develop new body protection for the sport of fencing. The ultimate goal is to develop body armour which would be flexible, wearable, washable, light and breathable, offer protection from injuries and cover the entire body of a sportsman. A new material which exhibits shear thickening behaviour has been specially developed for this purpose in the process of this investigation. The material was designed and synthesised as a soft polymeric system which is flexible, chemically stable and able to increase the value of its modulus of elasticity upon impact at a high strain rate, while remaining in its soft gel-like elastomeric state when low strain rate deformation is applied. The polymeric system that has been developed is based on interpenetrating polymeric networks (IPN) of immiscible polyurethane/urea-ester/ether and poly(boron)n(dimethylsiloxane)m (where on average m ≈ 16 n). In addition, as the polydimethylsilane (PDMS) based polymeric system strongly tends to phase separation, the siloxane polymeric network was chemically cross-linked to the polyurethane polymeric network through polyurethane chemical cross-link-bridges. In order to introduce polyurethane cross-links to a siloxane-based polymeric network, some of the attached methyl groups in the PDMS polymeric backbone were substituted by ε-pentanol groups. The resulting polymeric system combines properties of an alternating copolymer with IPN. The actual substitution of the methyl groups of PDMS into alternating ε-pentanol groups was performed by Grignard reaction of trifunctional chlorosilane monomers, magnesium and 1,5-dibromopentane. Chemical analytical techniques like FT-IR, 13C NMR and 1H NMR spectroscopy were used to reveal the chemical structure of the synthesised polymeric network. The mechanical and dynamical properties of the obtained polymeric system were analysed by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). This part of the investigation indicated that the novel polymeric system exhibited shear thickening behaviour, but only at a narrow diapason of deformations (i.e., deformations between 2 to 3 % of the length of the sample). At this limited diapason of deformation an effective increase of the modulus of elasticity from 6 MPa (at lower frequencies, i.e., up to ≤6 Hz of the applied oscillating stress) to 65 MPa (at frequencies between 12.5 to 25 Hz) was obtained. However, no increase in the modulus of elasticity was recorded at deformations below 1.5 % or above 3.5 % of length of the sample at the same frequencies (0 to 25Hz) of the applied oscillating stress.

O núcleo talâmico mediodorsal (Tmd) e o córtex pré-frontal (CPF) comunicam-se mutuamente, formando um circuito envolvido em funções executivas e transtornos psiquiátricos. As funções executivas estão sujeitas aos níveis de alerta gerados pela atividade oscilatória talamocortical, que por sua vez é controlada pela transmissão colinérgica. Possivelmente, a plasticidade sináptica do circuito Tmd-CPF é sensível tanto aos padrões oscilatórios do próprio circuito quanto à modulação colinérgica. Porém, esta possibilidade ainda não foi testada, muito menos dissociando-se a participação dos receptores muscarínicos e nicotínicos. Assim, nosso objetivo foi examinar como a plasticidade Tmd-CPF é modulada sob estados oscilatórios globais mediados pelo sistema colinérgico, e se esta modulação varia com os tipos de receptores recrutados. Anestesiamos ratos com uretana e implantamos um eletrodo de estimulação no Tmd, um eletrodo de registro no CPF e uma cânula de microinjeção acima do ventrículo. Emitimos 90 pulsos elétricos no Tmd (0,05 Hz) para evocação de potenciais pós-sinápticos de campo (PPSCs) basais no CPF por 30 min. Em seguida, aplicamos injeção intraventricular do agonista muscarínico pilocarpina (PILO), do agonista nicotínico nicotina (NIC), ou veículo-controle (VEIC). Os efeitos das substâncias sobre potenciais de campo locais (eletrencefalograma) foram monitorados através dos mesmos eletrodos. PILO e NIC induziram aumento das oscilações rápidas (4-80 Hz) e proporcional redução das oscilações lentas mantidas pela anestesia (0,5-4 Hz) e tais efeitos duraram ~10-15 min, conforme padronização prévia das concentrações das drogas. Justamente durante este período, aplicamos estimulação em alta frequência (EAF) ou baixa frequência (EBF) para indução de, respectivamente, potencialização (PLD) ou depressão (DLD) de longa duração, que são modelos bem conhecidos de plasticidade sináptica. Em grupos-controle, a injeção de PILO, NIC ou VEIC foi desacompanhada de EAF/EBF. Por fim, retomamos a coleta de PPSCs a 0,05 Hz por 240 min. Os resultados mostraram que a EAF não afetou os PPSCs quando aplicada após VEIC. Porém, nos ratos PILO e NIC, os PPSCs tiveram amplitude aumentada a partir de 150 min após EAF, indicando que a pré-ativação colinérgica foi necessária à indução de uma PLD tardia. Inversamente, quando a EBF foi aplicada após VEIC, a amplitude dos PPSCs foi reduzida de modo estável por 240 min. Isto não ocorreu quando a EBF foi aplicada após PILO e NIC, sugerindo que a modulação colinérgica suprimiu a DLD. Nos grupos-controle, PILO, NIC e VEIC sozinhos não afetaram os PPSCs em longo prazo, confirmando que os resultados de PLD e DLD são devidos a uma interação entre a pré-ativação colinérgica e mecanismos sinápticos desencadeados pela EAF/EBF.Portanto,as oscilações rápidas induzidas pela transmissão colinérgica favorecem a PLD no circuito Tmd-CPF, enquanto dificultam sua DLD. Além disto, os efeitos muscarínicos e nicotínicos sobre a plasticidade de longo prazo são iguais, apesar de os mecanismos celulares destes receptores serem diferentes. Nossos achados ajudam a esclarecer a regulação do sinal talâmico no CPF sob modulação colinérgica fisiológica (atenção e sono paradoxal) e disfuncional (esquizofrenias e doença de Alzheimer). / The mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (MD) and the prefrontal cortex (PFC) communicate with each other, constituting a circuit involved in executive functions and psychiatric disorders. Executive functions are subject to arousal levels driven& by the thalamocortical oscillatory activity, which in turn is controlled by the cholinergic neurotransmission. Possibly, the MD-PFC synaptic plasticity is susceptible to both the oscillatory patterns within the MD-PFC circuit and the cholinergic modulation. However, this likelihood is still untested, as well as the specific roles of muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. Thus, our aim was to evaluate whether and how the MD-PFC plasticity is modulated under cholinergic system-dependent oscillatory states of the forebrain, and if such modulation varies with the subtypes of activated cholinergic receptors. For that, we anesthetized rats with urethane to implant a stimulating electrode into the MD, a recording electrode into the PFC, and a microinjection cannula above the ventricle. We applied 90 monophasic square pulses into the MD (0.05 Hz) for recording of basal field postsynaptic potentials (fPSPs) in the PFC for 30 min. Then, we did an intraventricular injection of either the muscarinic agonist pilocarpine (PILO), the nicotinic agonist nicotine (NIC), or a control vehicle (Veh). The drug effects on local field potentials (electroencephalogram) were monitored through the same electrodes. PILO and NIC induced an increase in theta, beta and gamma oscillations (4-80 Hz) with proportional reduction of urethane-driven delta waves (0.5-4 Hz), and these effects survived approximately 10-15 min according to pilot-experiments on PILO and NIC concentrations. During this period, we applied either high-frequency (HFS) or low-frequency stimulation (LFS) for induction of respectively long-term potentiation (LTP) or depression (LTD), which are well-known synaptic plasticity models. In control groups, the injection of PILO, NIC or Veh was not followed by the HFS/LFS. Lastly, we resumed the evoking of fPSP at 0.05 Hz for an additional 240 min. The results showed that the HFS did not affect the fPSPs when applied after the Veh. However, in PILO and NIC rats the fPSP had their amplitudes increased from 150 min after HFS, indicating that the cholinergic pre-activation was required for the induction of a late-phase LTP. On the other hand, when the LFS was applied after the Veh, the fPSP amplitudes were stably decreased for 240 min, which did not occur when the LFS was applied after PILO and NIC, suggesting that the cholinergic modulation suppressed the LTD. In the control groups, PILO, NIC, and Veh by themselves did not change fPSPs in the long term, reinforcing that the LTP and LTD were due to an interaction between the cholinergic pre-activation and synaptic mechanisms triggered by the HFS/LFS. Therefore, the rapid oscillations induced by the cholinergic transmission favor LTP in the MD-PFC loop, while occlude its LTD. Moreover, the muscarinic and nicotinic effects on long-term plasticity were equal, although their quite distinct cell mechanisms. Our findings might help clarify the regulation of thalamic signals on the PFC both under physiological (attention and rapid-eye-movement sleep) and dysfunctional (schizophrenia symptoms and Alzheimer\'s) cholinergic drive.

In this thesis, we describe several imaging techniques specifically designed and developed for the assessment of pulmonary structure, function and pathology. We then describe the application of this technology within appropriate biological systems, including the identification, tracking and assessment of lung tumors in a mouse model of lung cancer. The design and development of a Large Image Microscope Array (LIMA), an integrated whole organ serial sectioning and imaging system, is described with emphasis on whole lung tissue. This system provides a means for acquiring 3D pathology of fixed whole lung specimens with no infiltrative embedment medium using a purpose-built vibratome and imaging system. This system enables spatial correspondence between histology and non-invasive imaging modalities such as Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET), providing precise correlation of the underlying 'ground truth' pathology back to the in vivo imaging data. The LIMA system is evaluated using fixed lung specimens from sheep and mice, resulting in large, high-quality pathology datasets that are accurately registered to their respective CT and H&E histology. The implementation of an in vivo micro-CT imaging system in the context of pulmonary imaging is described. Several techniques are initially developed to reduce artifacts commonly associated with commercial micro-CT systems, including geometric gantry calibration, ring artifact reduction and beam hardening correction. A computer controlled Intermittent Iso-pressure Breath Hold (IIBH) ventilation system is then developed for reduction of respiratory motion artifacts in live, breathing mice. A study validating the repeatability of extracting valuable pulmonary metrics using this technique against standard respiratory gating techniques is then presented. The development of an ex vivo laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) and an in vivo catheter based confocal microscopy (CBCM) pulmonary imaging technique is described. Direct high-resolution imaging of sub-pleural alveoli is presented and an alveolar mechanic study is undertaken. Through direct quantitative assessment of alveoli during inflation and deflation, recruitment and de-recruitment of alveoli is quantitatively measured. Based on the empirical data obtained in this study, a new theory on alveolar mechanics is proposed. Finally, a longitudinal mouse lung cancer study utilizing the imaging techniques described and developed throughout this thesis is presented. Lung tumors are identified, tracked and analyzed over a 6-month period using a combination of micro-CT, micro-PET, micro-MRI, LSCM, CBCM, LIMA and H&E histology imaging. The growth rate of individual tumors is measured using the micro-CT data and traced back to the histology using the LIMA system. A significant difference in tumor growth rates within mice is observed, including slow growing, regressive, disappearing and aggressive tumors, while no difference between the phenotype of tumors was found from the H&E histology. Micro-PET and micro-MRI imaging was conducted at the 6-month time point and revealed the limitation of these systems for detection of small lesions ( < 2mm) in this mouse model of lung cancer. The CBCM imaging provided the first high-resolution live pathology of this mouse model of lung cancer and revealed distinct differences between normal, suspicious and tumor regions. In addition, a difference was found between control A/J mice parenchyma and Urethane A/J mice ‘normal’ parenchyma, suggesting a 'field effect' as a result of the Urethane administration and/or tumor burden. In conclusion, a comprehensive murine lung cancer imaging study was undertaken, and new information regarding the progression of tumors over time has been revealed.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T13:21:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 3046844 bytes, checksum: 9fc0abd4ac9137e94ab4a27445373f2f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-08-29 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / In this study, a micro-flow-batch analyzer (μFBA) using an in-line cadmium reduction microcolumn for the photometric determination of nitrate and nitrite in dairy samples was developed. The method is based on the Griess-Llosvay reaction and measuring of the absorbance at 540 nm using a green LED integrated into the μFBA built in the urethane-acrylate resin. Initially, the natural nitrite ion content of natural dairy sample product is determined in the micro-mixing chamber, while the nitrate is reduced to nitrite in the micro-column coupled to the micro cadmium sponge and then determined as in the micro-chamber nitrite. content of nitrate ions was estimated from the difference between the first and second determination. The analytical curve for nitrate and nitrite was linear in the work range of 10.0 100.0 μg L 1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.992 and 0.998, respectively. The limit of detection and relative standard deviation were estimated at 0.39 μg L 1 and < 1.7 % (n = 5) for nitrite and, 0.41 μg L 1 and < 1.3 % (n = 5) for nitrate. Comparing with the reference methods, no statistically significant differences were observed when applying the paired t-test at a 95% confidence level. The accuracy was assessed through recovery test (97.7 to 102.9 %). The proposed microsystem employed in-line cadmium sponge microcolumn presented satisfactory portability, robustness, flexibility, low-cost device and reduced chemicals consumption compared to recent methods. / Neste estudo, um analisador micro-flow-batch (μFBA) utilizando uma micro-coluna redutora de cádmio em linha foi desenvolvido para a determinação fotométrica de íons nitrato e nitrito em amostras de laticínios. O método empregado baseia-se na reação de Griess-Llosvay e a medição da absorbância foi realizada a 540 nm, utilizando um LED verde integrado na micro-câmara construída em resina fotopolimerizável uretano-acrilato. Inicialmente, o teor de íons nitritos natural da amostra de lacticínio é determinado na micro-câmara de mistura, enquanto que o nitrato é reduzido a nitrito na micro-coluna de cádmio esponjoso acoplada ao microssistema e posteriormente determinado na micro-câmara como nitrito. O teor de íons nitrato foi estimado a partir da diferença entre a segunda e a primeira determinação. A curva analítica para nitrato e para nitrito foi linear na faixa de trabalho de 10,0 a 100,0 μg L-1, com um coeficiente de correlação (r2) de 0,992 e 0,998, respectivamente. O limite de detecção e o desvio padrão relativo foi calculado em 0,39 μg L-1 e <1,7% (n = 5) para o nitrito, e 0,41 μg L-1 e <1,3% (n = 5) para o nitrato. Comparando-se com os métodos de referência, não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas quando se aplica o teste t pareado com nível de confiança de 95%. A exatidão do método foi avaliada através do teste de recuperação (97,7 a 102,9%). O microssistema proposto empregando a micro-coluna de cádmio esponjoso em linha apresentou portabilidade satisfatória, robustez, flexibilidade, aparelhagem simples e consumo reduzido de produtos químicos em relação aos métodos automáticos mais recentes.

O núcleo talâmico mediodorsal (Tmd) e o córtex pré-frontal (CPF) comunicam-se mutuamente, formando um circuito envolvido em funções executivas e transtornos psiquiátricos. As funções executivas estão sujeitas aos níveis de alerta gerados pela atividade oscilatória talamocortical, que por sua vez é controlada pela transmissão colinérgica. Possivelmente, a plasticidade sináptica do circuito Tmd-CPF é sensível tanto aos padrões oscilatórios do próprio circuito quanto à modulação colinérgica. Porém, esta possibilidade ainda não foi testada, muito menos dissociando-se a participação dos receptores muscarínicos e nicotínicos. Assim, nosso objetivo foi examinar como a plasticidade Tmd-CPF é modulada sob estados oscilatórios globais mediados pelo sistema colinérgico, e se esta modulação varia com os tipos de receptores recrutados. Anestesiamos ratos com uretana e implantamos um eletrodo de estimulação no Tmd, um eletrodo de registro no CPF e uma cânula de microinjeção acima do ventrículo. Emitimos 90 pulsos elétricos no Tmd (0,05 Hz) para evocação de potenciais pós-sinápticos de campo (PPSCs) basais no CPF por 30 min. Em seguida, aplicamos injeção intraventricular do agonista muscarínico pilocarpina (PILO), do agonista nicotínico nicotina (NIC), ou veículo-controle (VEIC). Os efeitos das substâncias sobre potenciais de campo locais (eletrencefalograma) foram monitorados através dos mesmos eletrodos. PILO e NIC induziram aumento das oscilações rápidas (4-80 Hz) e proporcional redução das oscilações lentas mantidas pela anestesia (0,5-4 Hz) e tais efeitos duraram ~10-15 min, conforme padronização prévia das concentrações das drogas. Justamente durante este período, aplicamos estimulação em alta frequência (EAF) ou baixa frequência (EBF) para indução de, respectivamente, potencialização (PLD) ou depressão (DLD) de longa duração, que são modelos bem conhecidos de plasticidade sináptica. Em grupos-controle, a injeção de PILO, NIC ou VEIC foi desacompanhada de EAF/EBF. Por fim, retomamos a coleta de PPSCs a 0,05 Hz por 240 min. Os resultados mostraram que a EAF não afetou os PPSCs quando aplicada após VEIC. Porém, nos ratos PILO e NIC, os PPSCs tiveram amplitude aumentada a partir de 150 min após EAF, indicando que a pré-ativação colinérgica foi necessária à indução de uma PLD tardia. Inversamente, quando a EBF foi aplicada após VEIC, a amplitude dos PPSCs foi reduzida de modo estável por 240 min. Isto não ocorreu quando a EBF foi aplicada após PILO e NIC, sugerindo que a modulação colinérgica suprimiu a DLD. Nos grupos-controle, PILO, NIC e VEIC sozinhos não afetaram os PPSCs em longo prazo, confirmando que os resultados de PLD e DLD são devidos a uma interação entre a pré-ativação colinérgica e mecanismos sinápticos desencadeados pela EAF/EBF.Portanto,as oscilações rápidas induzidas pela transmissão colinérgica favorecem a PLD no circuito Tmd-CPF, enquanto dificultam sua DLD. Além disto, os efeitos muscarínicos e nicotínicos sobre a plasticidade de longo prazo são iguais, apesar de os mecanismos celulares destes receptores serem diferentes. Nossos achados ajudam a esclarecer a regulação do sinal talâmico no CPF sob modulação colinérgica fisiológica (atenção e sono paradoxal) e disfuncional (esquizofrenias e doença de Alzheimer). / The mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (MD) and the prefrontal cortex (PFC) communicate with each other, constituting a circuit involved in executive functions and psychiatric disorders. Executive functions are subject to arousal levels driven& by the thalamocortical oscillatory activity, which in turn is controlled by the cholinergic neurotransmission. Possibly, the MD-PFC synaptic plasticity is susceptible to both the oscillatory patterns within the MD-PFC circuit and the cholinergic modulation. However, this likelihood is still untested, as well as the specific roles of muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. Thus, our aim was to evaluate whether and how the MD-PFC plasticity is modulated under cholinergic system-dependent oscillatory states of the forebrain, and if such modulation varies with the subtypes of activated cholinergic receptors. For that, we anesthetized rats with urethane to implant a stimulating electrode into the MD, a recording electrode into the PFC, and a microinjection cannula above the ventricle. We applied 90 monophasic square pulses into the MD (0.05 Hz) for recording of basal field postsynaptic potentials (fPSPs) in the PFC for 30 min. Then, we did an intraventricular injection of either the muscarinic agonist pilocarpine (PILO), the nicotinic agonist nicotine (NIC), or a control vehicle (Veh). The drug effects on local field potentials (electroencephalogram) were monitored through the same electrodes. PILO and NIC induced an increase in theta, beta and gamma oscillations (4-80 Hz) with proportional reduction of urethane-driven delta waves (0.5-4 Hz), and these effects survived approximately 10-15 min according to pilot-experiments on PILO and NIC concentrations. During this period, we applied either high-frequency (HFS) or low-frequency stimulation (LFS) for induction of respectively long-term potentiation (LTP) or depression (LTD), which are well-known synaptic plasticity models. In control groups, the injection of PILO, NIC or Veh was not followed by the HFS/LFS. Lastly, we resumed the evoking of fPSP at 0.05 Hz for an additional 240 min. The results showed that the HFS did not affect the fPSPs when applied after the Veh. However, in PILO and NIC rats the fPSP had their amplitudes increased from 150 min after HFS, indicating that the cholinergic pre-activation was required for the induction of a late-phase LTP. On the other hand, when the LFS was applied after the Veh, the fPSP amplitudes were stably decreased for 240 min, which did not occur when the LFS was applied after PILO and NIC, suggesting that the cholinergic modulation suppressed the LTD. In the control groups, PILO, NIC, and Veh by themselves did not change fPSPs in the long term, reinforcing that the LTP and LTD were due to an interaction between the cholinergic pre-activation and synaptic mechanisms triggered by the HFS/LFS. Therefore, the rapid oscillations induced by the cholinergic transmission favor LTP in the MD-PFC loop, while occlude its LTD. Moreover, the muscarinic and nicotinic effects on long-term plasticity were equal, although their quite distinct cell mechanisms. Our findings might help clarify the regulation of thalamic signals on the PFC both under physiological (attention and rapid-eye-movement sleep) and dysfunctional (schizophrenia symptoms and Alzheimer\'s) cholinergic drive.