A review of hemorheology: Measuring techniques and recent advances

Patrícia C. Sousa,Fernando T. Pinho,Manuel A. Alves,Mónica S.N. Oliveira 한국유변학회 2016 Korea-Australia rheology journal Vol.28 No.1

Significant progress has been made over the years on the topic of hemorheology, not only in terms of the development of more accurate and sophisticated techniques, but also in terms of understanding the phenomena associated with blood components, their interactions and impact upon blood properties. The rheological properties of blood are strongly dependent on the interactions and mechanical properties of red blood cells, and a variation of these properties can bring further insight into the human health state and can be an important parameter in clinical diagnosis. In this article, we provide both a reference for hemorheological research and a resource regarding the fundamental concepts in hemorheology. This review is aimed at those starting in the field of hemodynamics, where blood rheology plays a significant role, but also at those in search of the most up-to-date findings (both qualitative and quantitative) in hemorheological measurements and novel techniques used in this context, including technical advances under more extreme conditions such as in large amplitude oscillatory shear flow or under extensional flow, which impose large deformations comparable to those found in the microcirculatory system and in diseased vessels. Given the impressive rate of increase in the available knowledge on blood flow, this review is also intended to identify areas where current knowledge is still incomplete, and which have the potential for new, exciting and useful research. We also discuss the most important parameters that can lead to an alteration of blood rheology, and which as a consequence can have a significant impact on the normal physiological behavior of blood.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Aqueous and Alkaline Extracts from Mushrooms (Agaricus blazei Murill)

Marina M. Padilha,Ana A.L. Avila,Pergentino J.C. Sousa,Luis Gustavo V. Cardoso,Fábio F. Perazzo,José Carlos T. Carvalho 한국식품영양과학회 2009 Journal of medicinal food Vol.12 No.2

The effects of aqueous and alkaline extracts from Agaricus blazei Murill, an edible mushroom used as folk medicine in Brazil, Japan, and China to treat several illnesses, were investigated on the basis of the inflammatory process induced by different agents. Oral administration of A. blazei extracts marginally inhibited the edema induced by nystatin. In contrast, when complete Freund's adjuvant was used as the inflammatory stimulus, both extracts were able to inhibit this process significantly (P < .05, analysis of variance followed by Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison post hoc test), although it inhibited the granulomatous tissue induction moderately. These extracts were able to decrease the ulcer wounds induced by stress. Also, administration of extracts inhibited neutrophil migration to the exudates present in the peritoneal cavity after carrageenin injection. Therefore, it is possible that A. blazei extracts can be useful in inflammatory diseases because of activation of the immune system and its cells induced by the presence of polysaccharides such as β-glucans.

Echocardiographic Assessment of Right Ventriculo-arterial Coupling: Clinical Correlates and Prognostic Impact in Heart Failure Patients Undergoing Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

Bruno Bragança,Maria Trêpa,Raquel Santos,Inês Silveira,Marta Fontes Oliveira,Maria João Sousa,Hipólito Reis,Severo Torres,Mário Santos 한국심초음파학회 2020 Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging (J Cardiovasc Im Vol.28 No.2

BACKGROUND: Right ventriculo-arterial coupling (RV-PA) can be estimated by echocardiography using the ratio between tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and it has prognostic value in the general heart failure (HF) population. We aimed to study the clinical correlates and prognostic value of RV-PA in HF patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). METHODS: We retrospectively studied 70 HF patients undergoing CRT implantation. RESULTS: RV-PA coupling was estimated by TAPSE/PASP ratio using baseline echocardiography. Non-response to CRT was defined as improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction < 5% in a follow-up echo 6-12 months after CRT. Those with lower TAPSE/PASP ratios (worse RV-PA coupling) had higher NT-proBNP concentrations and increased E/e′ ratio. TAPSE/PASP ratio and PASP, but not TAPSE, predicted nonresponse to CRT with TAPSE/PASP ratio showing the best discriminative ability with a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 71%. Among these parameters, PASP independently predicted all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: RV-PA coupling estimated by TAPSE/PASP ratio was associated with established prognostic markers in HF. It numerically outperformed PASP and TAPSE in predicting the response to CRT. Our data suggest that this simple and widely available echocardiographic parameter conveys significant pathophysiological and prognostic meaning in HF patients undergoing CRT.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Aqueous and Alkaline Extracts from Mushrooms (Agaricus blazei Murill)

Padilha, Marina M.,Avila, Ana A.L.,Sousa, Pergentino J.C.,Cardoso, Luis Gustavo V.,Perazzo, Fabio F.,Carvalho, Jose Carlos T. The Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition 2009 Journal of medicinal food Vol.12 No.2

The effects of aqueous and alkaline extracts from Agaricus blazei Murill, an edible mushroom used as folk medicine in Brazil, Japan, and China to treat several illnesses, were investigated on the basis of the inflammatory process induced by different agents. Oral administration of A. blazei extracts marginally inhibited the edema induced by nystatin. In contrast, when complete Freund's adjuvant was used as the inflammatory stimulus, both extracts were able to inhibit this process significantly (P < .05, analysis of variance followed by Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison post hoc test), although it inhibited the granulomatous tissue induction moderately. These extracts were able to decrease the ulcer wounds induced by stress. Also, administration of extracts inhibited neutrophil migration to the exudates present in the peritoneal cavity after carrageenin injection. Therefore, it is possible that A. blazei extracts can be useful in inflammatory diseases because of activation of the immune system and its cells induced by the presence of polysaccharides such as $\beta$-glucans.

Cast Aluminum Surface Reinforced with Carbon Nanotube via Solubilization Treatment

Paulo R. O. Brito,Cristhian R. L. Loayza,Mário E. S. Sousa,Eduardo M. Braga,Rômulo S. Angélica,Simone P. A. da Paz,Marcos A. L. Reis 대한금속·재료학회 2022 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.28 No.3

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are noteworthy, as they reinforce the metallic matrix, due to mechanical properties, such asthe ~ 1.0 TPa Young module. To improve the maintenance of the commercially pure aluminum surface, multi-walled carbonnanotubes were incorporated into the aluminum surface with heat treatment by solid solubilization, in order to improvethe surface properties of aluminum. The aluminum samples were chemically attacked for 30, 60 and 120 s and placed in acontainer with CNTs, being subjected to a temperature of 640 °C for 1 h. Then, the roughness was evaluated by a roughnessmeter for morphology in the scanning electron microscopy. An intensity of aggregation of CNTs was evaluated by XRD, andthe Raman Spectra has evaluated the transfer of charge to the matrix. Microhardness was performed to evaluate the influenceof the incorporation of CNTs in the matrix. The results obtained show that the incorporation of CNTs in the aluminummatrix increases the hardness in approximately 20% of the surface, in comparison with the control sample. The process ofincorporating CNTs into the aluminum matrix by solubilization is a promising, simple and inexpensive alternative to improvethe durability of the aluminum surface.

Sustainability of kraft pulp mills: Bleaching technologies and sequences with reduced water use

A.M. Sousa,I.S.S. Pinto,L. Machado,L. Gando-Ferreira,M.J. Quina 한국공업화학회 2023 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.125 No.-

The Kraft pulp industry is a relevant industrial sector in many countries with a considerable social, economic,and environmental impact. Thus, sustainability is the adequate framework to address this activitysector. This work presents a review of the literature, with a particular focus on the bleaching area and itsrelevance in reducing water use. The sustainability reports of the most prominent pulp and paper companieswere analyzed, considering their specific water utilization and the sustainability targets they haveoutlined. The most industrially applied bleaching sequences were also addressed and the stages of thestate-of-the-art sequences were analyzed (elemental chlorine free – ECF bleaching). Moreover, in thisreview, a detailed analysis of a sequence used on an industrial scale was carried out, highlighting thewashing steps and the measures that are taken to minimize water use. The main limitations to the minimizationof water use were identified, being deposit formation the major problem. Measures to overcomethese limitations, as well as future perspectives were discussed. Due to the shortage offreshwater nearby some pulp and paper production sites, there will continue to be great pressure inthe future to reduce water utilization, especially in the bleaching area.

SPIF-A: on the development of a new concept of incremental forming machine

Alves de Sousa, R.J.,Ferreira, J.A.F.,Sa de Farias, J.B.,Torrao, J.N.D.,Afonso, D.G.,Martins, M.A.B.E. Techno-Press 2014 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.49 No.5

This paper presents the design and project of an innovative concept for a Single Point Incremental Forming (SPIF) Machine. Nowadays, equipment currently available for conducting SPIF result mostly from the adaptation of conventional CNC machine tools that results in a limited range of applications in terms of materials and geometries. There is also a limited market supply of equipment dedicated to Incremental Sheet Forming (ISF), that are costly considering low batches, making it unattractive for industry. Other factors impairing a quicker spread of SPIF are large forming times and poor geometrical accuracy of parts. The following sections will depict the development of a new equipment, designed to overcome some of the limitations of machines currently used, allowing the development of a sounding basis for further studies on the particular features of this process. The equipment here described possesses six-degrees-of freedom for the tool, for the sake of improved flexibility in terms of achievable tool-paths and an extra stiffness provided by a parallel kinematics scheme. A brief state of the art about the existing SPIF machines is provided to support the project's guidelines.

Numerical and experimental simulation of the wind field in the EXPO '98 area

Ferreira, A.D.,Sousa, A.C.M.,Viegas, D.X. Techno-Press 1998 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.1 No.4

A numerical and experimental study was performed for the wind flow field in one area, comprising a group of several pavilions separated by passageways, of the EXPO '98 - a World Exposition (Lisbon, Portugal). The focus of this study is the characterization of the flow field to assess pedestrian comfort. The predictions were obtained employing the Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations with the turbulence effects dealt with the ${\kappa}-{\varepsilon}$ RNG model. The discretization of the differential equations was accomplished with the control volume formulation in a Cartesian coordinate system, and an advanced segregated procedure was used to achieve the link between continuity and momentum equations. The evaluation of the overall numerical model was performed by comparing its predictions against experimental data for a square cylinder placed in a channel. The predicted values, for the practical geometry studied, are in a good agreement with the experimental data, showing the performance and the reliability of the ${\kappa}-{\varepsilon}$ RNG model and suggesting that the numerical simulation is a reliable methodology to provide the required information.

SPIF-A: on the development of a new concept of incremental forming machine

R.J. Alves de Sousa,J.A.F. Ferreira,J.B. Sá de Farias,J.N.D. Torrão,D.G. Afonso,M.A.B.E Martins 국제구조공학회 2014 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.49 No.5

This paper presents the design and project of an innovative concept for a Single PointIncremental Forming (SPIF) Machine. Nowadays, equipment currently available for conducting SPIF resultmostly from the adaptation of conventional CNC machine tools that results in a limited range of applicationsin terms of materials and geometries. There is also a limited market supply of equipment dedicated toIncremental Sheet Forming (ISF), that are costly considering low batches, making it unattractive forindustry. Other factors impairing a quicker spread of SPIF are large forming times and poor geometricalaccuracy of parts. The following sections will depict the development of a new equipment, designed toovercome some of the limitations of machines currently used, allowing the development of a sounding basisfor further studies on the particular features of this process. The equipment here described possesses sixdegrees-of freedom for the tool, for the sake of improved flexibility in terms of achievable tool-paths and anextra stiffness provided by a parallel kinematics scheme. A brief state of the art about the existing SPIFmachines is provided to support the project’s guidelines.

REVIEW : Pichia pastoris: A Recombinant Microfactory for Antibodies and Human Membrane Proteins

( Goncalves A M ),( A Q Pedro ),( C Maia F Sousa ),( J A Queiroz ),( L A Passarinha ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2013 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.23 No.5

During the last few decades, it has become evident that the compatibility of the yeast biochemical environment with the ability to process and translate the RNA transcript, along with its capacity to modify a translated protein, are relevant requirements for selecting this host cell for protein expression in several pharmaceutical and clinical applications. In particular, Pichia pastoris is used as an industrial host for recombinant protein and metabolite production, showing a powerful capacity to meet required biomolecular target production levels in high-throughput assays for functional genomics and drug screening. In addition, there is a great advantage to using P. pastoris for protein secretion, even at high molecular weights, since the recovery and purification steps are simplified owing to relatively low levels of endogenous proteins in the extracellular medium. Clearly, no single microexpression system can provide all of the desired properties for human protein production. Moreover, chemical and physical bioprocess parameters, including culture medium formulation, temperature, pH, agitation, aeration rates, induction, and feeding strategies, can highly influence product yield and quality. In order to benefit from the currently available wide range of biosynthesis strategies using P. pastoris, this mini review focuses on the developments and technological fermentation achievements, providing both a comparative and an overall integration analysis. The main aim is to highlight the relevance and versatility of the P. pastoris biosystem to the design of more cost-effective microfactories to meet the increasing demands for recombinant membrane proteins and clinical antibodies for several therapeutic applications.