[Poster Presentation] Banana Wastes as a Source of Lignocellulosic Fibres For Papermaking

R.Noronha,N.Cordeiro,M.N.Belgacem,A.P.Costa,J.Silvy 한국펄프·종이공학회 1999 한국펄프종이학회 기타 간행물 Vol.- No.-

The chemical composition of crops from banana (Musa accuminata Colla) was studied. Two types of material were investigated, namely: the whole material (type Ⅰ) and the outer bark material (type Ⅱ), which was apparently rich in cellulose fibres. These characterisation showed that the amount of holocellulose is high enough (~70%) to envisage the pulping of this material despite its surprisingly high content of ashes (~14%). It is worth noting that. as expected. the type Ⅱ material was found more rich in cellulose.<br/> Soda and Soda-Anthraquinone cooking processes were carried out using mini-digestors and the optimal pulping conditions were established. In fact. it was found that the maximum of yield is obtained when the following pulping conditions are respected: alcali 18%. time of the reaction: 1 hour to reach the isothermal regime and 30 min of pulping at 120℃. The kappa number of theses pulps was found around 30, which is very acceptable for unbleached pulps. The use of anthraquinone was found to increase the yield of pulps very slightly. The morphology of the fibers thus obtained was determined and showed that about 80% of fibres have a length between 1.4 and 1.9㎛. The width of these fibres was also determined and found in the range of 10-30㎛. Finally, hand sheet paper with two basis weights (60 and 135 g/m²) were made from pulps using the optimal conditions of cooking (300 g OD of crops). The yield and the kappa number of this cooking were very close to those found in mini-digestor reactions. The unbeaten pulps had a relatively high Shopper degree (59°SR) and the drainage was slow when the paper sheets were made. These papers showed good physical mechanical properties. The high basis weight was submitted to test which are specific to corrugated boards and showed very interesting values of RCT, CMf and FCT.

Killing two birds with one stone: How do Plant Viruses Break Down Plant Defenses and Manipulate Cellular Processes to Replicate Themselves?

Pedro Filho Noronha Souza,Fabricio Eulálio Leite Carvalho 한국식물학회 2019 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.62 No.3

As simple organisms with a parasite nature,viruses have become masters in manipulating and subvertcellular components, including host proteins and organelles,to improve viral replication. Therefore, the understanding ofviral strategies to manipulate cell function disrupting plantdefenses and enhancing viral infection cycles is fundamentalto the production of virus-resistant plant lines. After invadingsusceptible plants, viruses create conditions that favor localand systemic infections by suppressing multiple layers ofinnate host defenses while use cellular machinery to ownbenefit. Viral interference in interlinked essential cellularfunctions results in phenotypic changes and disease symptoms,which debilitates plants favoring infection establishment. Herein in this review, the novelty it will be the discussionabout the strategies used by (+) single strand RNA viruses toaffect cellular processes and components to improve viralreplication, in parallel to overcome plant defenses, favoringdisease establishment by applying in one action using thesame viral protein to coordinate viral replication and breakingdown plant defense. This focus on plant-virus interactionwas never done before, and this knowledge has the potentialto help in the development of new strategies to produceresistant plants.

Evaluation of Antioxidant Potential and UV Protective Properties of Four Bacterial Pigments

Koshti Rupali,Jagtap Ashish,Noronha Domnic,Patkar Shivali,Nazareth Jennifer,Paulose Ruby,Chakraborty Avik,Chakraborty Pampi 한국미생물·생명공학회 2022 한국미생물·생명공학회지 Vol.50 No.3

In the present study, four distinctly colored bacterial isolates that show intense pigmentation upon brief ultraviolet (UV) light exposure are chosen. The strains are identified as Micrococcus luteus (Milky yellow), Cryseobacterium pallidum (Yellow), Cryseobacterium spp. (Golden yellow), and Kocuria turfanensis (Pink) based on their morphological and 16S rDNA analysis. Moderate salinity (1.25%), 25-37℃ temperature, and pH of 7.2 are found to be the most favorable conditions of growth and pigment production for all the selected isolates. The pigments are extracted using methanol: chloroform (1:1) and the purity of the pigments are confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Further, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-Visible spectroscopy indicate their resemblance with carotenoids and flexirubin family. The antioxidant activities of the pigments are estimated, and, all the pigments have shown significant antioxidant efficacy in 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline- 6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The UV protective property of the pigments is determined by cling-film assay, wherein, at least 25% of UV sensitive Escherichia coli survive with bio-pigments even after 90 seconds of UV exposure compared to control. The pigments also hold a good sun protective factor (SPF) value (1.5- 4.9) which is calculated with the Mansur equation. Based on these results, it can be predicted that these bacterial pigments can be further developed into a promising antioxidant and UV-protectant for several biomedical applications.

Fibre reinforcement in a structurally compromised endodontically treated molar: a case report

Renita Soares,Ida de Noronha de Ataide,Marina Fernandes,Rajan Lambor 대한치과보존학회 2016 Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics Vol.41 No.2

The reconstruction of structurally compromised posterior teeth is a rather challenging procedure. The tendency of endodontically treated teeth (ETT) to fracture is considerably higher than vital teeth. Although posts and core build-ups followed by conventional crowns have been generally employed for the purpose of reconstruction, this procedure entails sacrificing a considerable amount of residual sound enamel and dentin. This has drawn the attention of researchers to fibre reinforcement. Fibre-reinforced composite (FRC), designed to replace dentin, enables the biomimetic restoration of teeth. Besides improving the strength of the restoration, the incorporation of glass fibres into composite resins leads to favorable fracture patterns because the fibre layer acts as a stress breaker and stops crack propagation. The following case report presents a technique for reinforcing a badly broken-down ETT with biomimetic materials and FRC. The proper utilization of FRC in structurally compromised teeth can be considered to be an economical and practical measure that may obviate the use of extensive prosthetic treatment.

Held Back: Explaining the Sluggish Pace of Improvement to Basic Education in Developing Democracies–The Cases of India and Brazil

Lindsey CARSON,Joanna V,NORONHA,Michael J,TREBILCOCK 연세대학교 빈곤문제국제개발연구원 2015 Journal of Poverty Alleviation and International D Vol.6 No.2

Despite the widely accepted relationship between quality primary education and sustainable, equitable development, two of the world’s fastest-growing democracies—India and Brazil—continue to trail their regional and economic peers in basic learning outcomes. Using a supply and demand framework, this article identifies six institutional factors that we hypothesize may have been determinative in shaping education outcomes in both countries: actual popular demand, availability of information about public education quality, impact of private school alternatives, financial allocations, incentive structures for educational personnel, and the influence of political institutions on the responsiveness of public leaders. Our analysis reveals the interrelationships among these six factors and their connections to broader economic, political, social, and historical realities in each country. We conclude by identifying central elements of public accountability mechanisms that seem to be the most appropriate institutional venues to create and maintain the type of sustained, focused public pressure necessary to achieve lasting improvements to access and quality.

Fibre reinforcement in a structurally compromised endodontically treated molar: a case report

Soares, Renita,Ataide, Ida de Noronha de,Fernandes, Marina,Lambor, Rajan The Korean Academy of Conservative Dentistry 2016 Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics Vol.41 No.2

The reconstruction of structurally compromised posterior teeth is a rather challenging procedure. The tendency of endodontically treated teeth (ETT) to fracture is considerably higher than vital teeth. Although posts and core build-ups followed by conventional crowns have been generally employed for the purpose of reconstruction, this procedure entails sacrificing a considerable amount of residual sound enamel and dentin. This has drawn the attention of researchers to fibre reinforcement. Fibrereinforced composite (FRC), designed to replace dentin, enables the biomimetic restoration of teeth. Besides improving the strength of the restoration, the incorporation of glass fibres into composite resins leads to favorable fracture patterns because the fibre layer acts as a stress breaker and stops crack propagation. The following case report presents a technique for reinforcing a badly broken-down ETT with biomimetic materials and FRC. The proper utilization of FRC in structurally compromised teeth can be considered to be an economical and practical measure that may obviate the use of extensive prosthetic treatment.

Value co-creation through corporate social responsibility in a typical controversial industry: Evidence from Macao

Guan Jieqi,Sio Sandy Hou in,Noronha Carlos 한국마케팅과학회 2022 마케팅과학연구 Vol.32 No.1

This paper explores the social values that are created through corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure in the gaming tourism industry, and how the industry players use CSR disclosure as a communication channel with their stakeholders. This research applies the content analysis method and collects data from annual reports, sustainability/social reports and corporate websites of all gaming operators in Macao from 2011 to 2017. The results are tied to the Macao government’s report on the gaming tourism industry and the CSR reporting guidelines promulgated by the industry’s regulatory bodies. Further analysis is conducted based on public statistical data to quantify the social value co-created by the industry players with their stakeholders. The findings show that sustainability of enterprises in the gaming tourism industry is created through the participation of various stakeholder groups, such as consumers/customers, government, community, suppliers and employees. This is one of the first studies on value co-creation via CSR disclosure based on companies in the gaming tourism industry, especially in a region under the “one country, two systems” regime. Furthermore, this study pioneers in exploring how companies use CSR reporting to enhance their image and restore social values from their gaming operations which represent a typical controversial sector integrated with tourism.

Wound dressing using graphene quantum dots: a proof of concept

Martins Vanessa Gonzalez Ferreira Caminha,Alencar Luciana Magalhaes Rebelo,Souza Pedro Filho Noronha,Lorentino Carolinne Margot Albanez,Frota Heloisa Freire,dos Santos Andre Luis Souza,Gemini-Piperni 한국약제학회 2023 Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation Vol.53 No.2

Purpose The costs and complexity related to effective wound healing treatment are immense. The number of multifactorial aspects related to the treatment of wounds (inflammation, infection, and many others) implies a complex multi-therapeutic approach involving various procedures, including medication and surgery. Regarding medication, there are only a few options, especially to treat chronic wounds. Recently graphene quantum dots have been applied for their potent antimicrobial properties as well as their significant tissue remodeling properties. In this study, we developed a formulation based on graphene quantum dots in the form of as a dry powder for wound healing. Methods Graphene quantum dots were produced by top-down technique using graphite as matrix, and fully characterized by Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray diffractometry. The dry powder formulation was produced under aseptic conditions and evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Results The results showed that the formulation improved the healing process in both: in vitro and in vivo, with good adherence, healing time and tissue reconstruction. Finally, the results demonstrated that dry powder was very effective against P. aeruginosa, S. epidermidis, C. albicans and C. tropicalis, representing an improvementfor wound healing purposes. Conclusion The data corroborated the use of the dry powder formulation using graphene quantum dots as matrix as wound dressing, expanding the use of graphene quantum in the biomedical field.

A dps Promoter Based Expression System for Improved Solubility of Expressed Proteins in Escherichia coli

Piyush P. Sethia,K. Krishnamurthy Rao,Santosh B. Noronha 한국생물공학회 2014 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.19 No.5

Escherichia coli is widely used for recombinantprotein production due to its well established geneticmanipulation techniques and cost effectiveness of theassociated production processes. Soluble expression ofheterologous recombinant proteins constitutes a majorproblem in the deployment of bacterial expression systems. We have developed a dps promoter based expressionsystem in E. coli for improved solubility of expressedproteins. The resulting expression system was found to besuperior to the IPTG inducible T7 promoter based pETexpression system for production of soluble β-galactosidase,tdTomato, and mCherry. The dps promoter based expressionsystem was shown to be functional in most commonlyused strains of E. coli without need for prior geneticmanipulation of the host genome.

A Comparative Study of the Effects of Bromelain and Fresh Pineapple Juice on the Early Phase of Healing in Acute Crush Achilles Tendon Injury

Ayoola I. Aiyegbusi,Olaleye O. Olabiyi,Francis I.O. Duru,Cressie C. Noronha,Abayomi O. Okanlawon 한국식품영양과학회 2011 Journal of medicinal food Vol.14 No.4

Bromelain, an enzyme extracted from the stem of the pineapple plant, has been reported to reduce pain and swelling in acute soft tissue injuries, but no study has been done to compare its effect with that of fresh pineapple juice on the healing of acute tendon injuries. This study compared the effects of commercial bromelain and fresh pineapple juice on tenocyte proliferation and the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the early stage of healing in a crush injury to the Achilles tendon of Sprague–Dawley rats. Twenty-four male rats were divided randomly into three groups of eight rats each; all the rats had induced crush injury to the Achilles tendon: Group 1 (control), no treatment; Group 2, oral bromelain treatment at a dosage of 7 mg/kg of body weight daily; and Group 3, fresh diluted pineapple juice at a dosage of 30 mg/kg of body weight. Treatment was given over the first 14 days post-injury. On day 15 post-injury, the animals were sacrificed, and the tendons were excised and processed for histological study and MDA assay. Results show a significant difference in the tenocyte population between the bromelain group and the control (P < .05), whereas pineapple juice also increased the tenocyte population, although not significantly (P = .36). Pineapple juice, however, significantly lowered the MDA level compared with both the control and bromelain-treated groups. Based on this study, 600 GDU bromelain given at a dosage of 7 mg/kg had a better effect on tenocyte proliferation than fresh pineapple juice given once daily in acute tendon injury.