Deposition of Dopamine and Polyethyleneimine on Polymeric Membranes: Improvement of Performance of Ultrafiltration Process

Ingrid R. Marques,Guilherme Zin,Lidia T. Prando,Cristiana C. Bretanha,Mariane C. Proner,Elisandra Rigo,Katia Rezzadori,Cristiane da Costa,Marco Di Luccio 한국고분자학회 2020 Macromolecular Research Vol.28 No.12

Modification of the characteristics of polymeric membranes is regarded as an alternative to control the flux decline caused by the concentration polarization and the fouling in ultrafiltration (UF). This work investigated the use of dopamine (DA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) to hydrophilize the surface and to improve the performance of a 50 kDa polyethersulfone UF membrane. The hydraulic permeance of membranes was investigated for the membranes modified using a DA solution with its concentration fixed at 2 mg·mL-1 and a PEI solution with its concentration varying from 0 to 16 mg·mL-1. The membrane modified in a 16 mg·mL-1 solution of PEI presented the uppermost hydraulic permeance (33 L·h-1·m-2). This membrane and two other controls (unmodified and modified membranes with a 2 mg·mL-1 solution of DA) were further characterized for surface chemistry using Fourier transform infrared by attenuated reflectance (FTIR-ATR) and X-ray excited photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) charge (zeta potential), morphology (field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and optical interferometry), water mass gain, and performance in bovine serum albumin (BSA) UF. XPS showed an increase in the nitrogen content and a decrease in the sulfur content indicating the membrane modification. Membrane modification with DA/PEI caused an increase in hydrophilicity, which could reduce the interaction of BSA with the membrane surface. The flux of protein solutions was improved by 400%, and there was a complete recovery of the water flux after chemical cleaning of the modified membrane.

Three-Dimensional Cell Cultures as a Research Platform in Lung Diseases and COVID-19

da Silva da Costa Felipe Allan,Soares Murilo Racy,Malagutti-Ferreira Maria José,da Silva Gustavo Ratti,Lívero Francislaine Aparecida dos Reis,Ribeiro-Paes João Tadeu 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2021 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.18 No.5

Background: Chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) are a major public health problem worldwide. In the current epidemiological context, CRD have received much interest when considering their correlation with greater susceptibility to SARS-Cov-2 and severe disease (COVID-19). Increasingly more studies have investigated pathophysiological interactions between CRD and COVID-19. Area covered: Animal experimentation has decisively contributed to advancing our knowledge of CRD. Considering the increase in ethical restrictions in animal experimentation, researchers must focus on new experimental alternatives. Two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures have complemented animal models and significantly contributed to advancing research in the life sciences. However, 2D cell cultures have several limitations in studies of cellular interactions. Three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures represent a new and robust platform for studying complex biological processes and are a promising alternative in regenerative and translational medicine. Expert opinion: Three-dimensional cell cultures are obtained by combining several types of cells in integrated and self-organized systems in a 3D structure. These 3D cell culture systems represent an efficient methodological approach in studies of pathophysiology and lung therapy. More recently, complex 3D culture systems, such as lung-on-a-chip, seek to mimic the physiology of a lung in vivo through a microsystem that simulates alveolar-capillary interactions and exposure to air. The present review introduces and discusses 3D lung cultures as robust platforms for studies of the pathophysiology of CRD and COVID-19 and the mechanisms that underlie interactions between CRD and COVID-19. Background: Chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) are a major public health problem worldwide. In the current epidemiological context, CRD have received much interest when considering their correlation with greater susceptibility to SARS-Cov-2 and severe disease (COVID-19). Increasingly more studies have investigated pathophysiological interactions between CRD and COVID-19. Area covered: Animal experimentation has decisively contributed to advancing our knowledge of CRD. Considering the increase in ethical restrictions in animal experimentation, researchers must focus on new experimental alternatives. Two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures have complemented animal models and significantly contributed to advancing research in the life sciences. However, 2D cell cultures have several limitations in studies of cellular interactions. Three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures represent a new and robust platform for studying complex biological processes and are a promising alternative in regenerative and translational medicine. Expert opinion: Three-dimensional cell cultures are obtained by combining several types of cells in integrated and self-organized systems in a 3D structure. These 3D cell culture systems represent an efficient methodological approach in studies of pathophysiology and lung therapy. More recently, complex 3D culture systems, such as lung-on-a-chip, seek to mimic the physiology of a lung in vivo through a microsystem that simulates alveolar-capillary interactions and exposure to air. The present review introduces and discusses 3D lung cultures as robust platforms for studies of the pathophysiology of CRD and COVID-19 and the mechanisms that underlie interactions between CRD and COVID-19.

Saline extract of Portulaca elatior leaves with photoprotective and antioxidant activities does not show acute oral and dermal toxicity in mice

da Silva Suéllen Pedrosa,da Costa Clarice Barbosa Lucena,de Freitas Anderson Felipe Soares,da Silva José Dayvid Ferreira,Costa Wêndeo Kennedy,da Silva Wênio Sandoval Filho Lima,Machado Janaina Carla B 한국독성학회 2023 Toxicological Research Vol.39 No.2

The present study aimed to evaluate saline extracts from the leaves (LE) and stem (SE) of Portulaca elatior in relation to their phytochemical composition and photoprotective and antioxidant effects, as well as to evaluate the toxicity of the leaf extract. The extracts were characterized for protein concentration and phenol and flavonoid contents, as well as for thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profiles. Total antioxidant capacity and DPPH and ABTS+ scavenging activities were determined. In the photoprotective activity assay, the sun protection factor (SPF) was calculated. The toxicity evaluation of LE included in vitro hemolytic assay and in vivo oral and dermal acute toxicity assays in Swiss mice. LE showed the highest protein, phenol, and flavonoid (8.79 mg/mL, 323.46 mg GAE/g, and 101.96 QE/g, respectively). TLC revealed the presence of flavonoids, reducing sugars, terpenes, and steroids in both extracts. In HPLC profiles, LE contained flavonoids, while SE contained flavonoids and ellagic tannins. The antioxidant activity assays showed the lowest IC50 values (34.15–413.3 μg/mL) for LE, which presented relevant SPF (> 6) at 50 and 100 μg/mL. LE demonstrated low hemolytic capacity, and no signs of intoxication were observed in mice treated orally or topically at 1000 mg/kg. However, at 2000 mg/kg, an increase in the mean corpuscular volume of erythrocytes and a reduction in lymphocytes were observed; animals treated topically with 2000 mg/kg displayed scratching behavior during the first hour of observation and showed edema and erythema that regressed after six days. In conclusion, LE did not present acute oral or dermal toxicity in Swiss mice at a dose of 1000 mg/kg and showed slight toxicity in animals treated with 2000 mg/kg.

Vitis vinifera L. Grape Skin Extract Prevents Development of Hypertension and Altered Lipid Profile in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats: Role of Oxidative Stress.

Giselle Franca da Costa,Dayane Teixeira Ognibene,Cristiane Aguiar da Costa,Michelle Teixeira Teixeira,Viviane da Silva Cristino Cord,Graziele Freitas de Bem,Anibal Sanchez Moura,Angela de Castro Resen 한국식품영양과학회 2020 Preventive Nutrition and Food Science Vol.25 No.1

This study investigated the protective effect of a Vitis vinifera L. grape skin extract (ACH09) on blood pressure, lipid profile, and oxidative status in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Systolic blood pressure (SBP), total cholesterol, triglyceride, and glucose levels, as well as oxidative damage and antioxidant activity in the plasma and kidney, were evaluated in four experimental groups: control Wistar rats (W-C) and SHR-C that received water, and Wistar rats and SHR treated with ACH09 (200 mg/kg/d) in drinking water for 12 weeks (W-ACH09 and SHR-ACH09, respectively). SBP increased in the SHR group compared with the W groups and the treatment with ACH09 prevented the development of hypertension. Plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol levels increased in SHR compared with W-C rats; these changes prevented by treatment with ACH09. Glucose levels did not differ between the groups. The SHR group had increased oxidative damage in plasma, as expressed by 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, and this prevented by ACH09. Levels of TBARS in the kidneys were lower in the SHR-ACH09 group than in the SHR-C group. Further, ACH09 increased the superoxide dismutase activity in both the plasma and kidneys of both SHR and Wistar rats. These results suggest that ACH09 is protective against disruption of blood pressures, oxidant status, and lipid profile in SHR, and provide important evidence on the benefits of ACH09 on hypertension and associated cardiovascular complications.

Six-minute walk test and incremental shuttle walk test in the evaluation of functional capacity in Chagas heart disease

Henrique Silveira Costa,Márcia Maria Oliveira Lima,Susan Martins Lage,Fábio Silva Martins da Costa,Pedro Henrique Scheidt Figueiredo,Manoel Otávio da Costa Rocha 한국운동재활학회 2018 JER Vol.14 No.5

Application of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi during the Acclimatization of Alpinia purpurata to Induce Tolerance to Meloidogyne arenaria

da Silva Campos, Maryluce Albuquerque,da Silva, Fabio Sergio Barbosa,Yano-Melo, Adriana Mayumi,de Melo, Natoniel Franklin,Maia, Leonor Costa The Korean Society of Plant Pathology 2017 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.33 No.3

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the tolerance of micropropagated and mycorrhized alpinia plants to the parasite Meloidogyne arenaria. The experimental design was completely randomized with a factorial arrangement of four inoculation treatments with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Gigaspora albida, Claroideoglomus etunicatum, Acaulospora longula, and a non-inoculated control) in the presence or absence of M. arenaria with five replicates. The following characteristics were evaluated after 270 days of mycorrhization and 170 days of M. arenaria inoculation: height, number of leaves and tillers, fresh mass of aerial and subterranean parts, dry mass of aerial parts, foliar area, nutritional content, mycorrhizal colonization, AMF sporulation, and the number of galls, egg masses, and eggs. The results indicated a significant interaction between the treatments for AMF spore density, total mycorrhizal colonization, and nutrient content (Zn, Na, and N), while the remaining parameters were influenced by either AMF or nematodes. Plants inoculated with A. longula or C. etunicatum exhibited greater growth than the control. Lower N content was observed in plants inoculated with AMF, while Zn and Na were found in larger quantities in plants inoculated with C. etunicatum. Fewer galls were observed on mycorrhized plants, and egg mass production and the number of eggs were lower in plants inoculated with G. albida. Plants inoculated with A. longula showed a higher percentage of total mycorrhizal colonization in the presence of the nematode. Therefore, the association of micropropagated alpinia plants and A. longula enhanced tolerance to parasitism by M. arenaria.

Corrosion resistance assessment of nickel-titanium endodontic files with and without heat treatment

Costa Tatiana Dias,Silva Elison da Fonseca e,Caetano Paula Liparini,Campos Marcio José da Silva,Resende Leandro Marques,Machado André Guimarães,do Carmo Antônio Márcio Resende 대한치과보존학회 2021 Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics Vol.46 No.1

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the corrosion resistance of heat-treated (Reciproc and WaveOne) and non-heat-treated (ProTaper and Mtwo) superelastic nickel-titanium endodontic files when immersed in a 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution. Materials and Methods: Anodic polarization curves were obtained with potential sweeps that began at the open circuit potential or corrosion potential (Ecorr). The pitting potential (Epit) was identified on the anodic polarization curve as the potential at which a sudden increase in current was observed. The micromorphology of the 28 tested files was analyzed before and after the electrochemical assay using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance with the post hoc Bonferroni test (for Ecorr) and the Student t-test for independent samples (for Epit). Results: The mean Ecorr values were 0.506 V for ProTaper, 0.348 V for Mtwo, 0.542 V for Reciproc, and 0.321 V for WaveOne files. Only WaveOne and Protaper files exhibited pitting corrosion, with Epit values of 0.879 V and 0.904 V, respectively. On the SEM images of the ProTaper and WaveOne files, cavities suggestive of pitting corrosion were detected. Conclusions: Signs of corrosion were observed in both heat-treated and non-heat-treated files. Of the evaluated files, WaveOne (a heat-treated file) and ProTaper (a non-heat-treated file) exhibited the lowest corrosion resistance.

Beyond the average: Detecting global singular nodes from local features in complex networks

Costa, L. da F.,Rodrigues, F. A.,Hilgetag, C. C.,Kaiser, M. Editions de Physique 2009 Europhysics letters Vol.87 No.1

<P>Deviations from the average can provide valuable insights about the organization of natural systems. The present article extends this important principle to the systematic identification and analysis of singular motifs in complex networks. Six measurements quantifying different and complementary features of the connectivity around each node of a network were calculated, and multivariate statistical methods applied to identify singular nodes. The potential of the presented concepts and methodology was illustrated with respect to different types of complex real-world networks, namely the US air transportation network, the protein-protein interactions of the yeast <I>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</I> and the Roget thesaurus networks. The obtained singular motifs possessed unique functional roles in the networks. Three classic theoretical network models were also investigated, with the Barabási-Albert model resulting in singular motifs corresponding to hubs, confirming the potential of the approach. Interestingly, the number of different types of singular node motifs as well as the number of their instances were found to be considerably higher in the real-world networks than in any of the benchmark networks.</P>

Cone-beam computed tomography findings of impacted upper canines

Da Silva Santos, Ludmilla Mota,Bastos, Luana Costa,Oliveira-Santos, Christiano,Da Silva, Silvio Jose Albergaria,Neves, Frederico Sampaio,Campos, Paulo Sergio Flores Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology 2014 Imaging Science in Dentistry Vol.44 No.4

Purpose: To describe the features of impacted upper canines and their relationship with adjacent structures through three-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Materials and Methods: Using the CBCT scans of 79 upper impacted canines, we evaluated the following parameters: gender, unilateral/bilateral occurrence, location, presence and degree of root resorption of adjacent teeth (mild, moderate, or severe), root dilaceration, dental follicle width, and presence of other associated local conditions. Results: Most of the impacted canines were observed in females (56 cases), unilaterally (51 cases), and at a palatine location (53 cases). Root resorption in adjacent teeth and root dilaceration were observed in 55 and 47 impacted canines, respectively. In most of the cases, the width of the dental follicle of the canine was normal; it was abnormally wide in 20 cases. A statistically significant association was observed for all variables, except for root dilaceration (p=0.115) and the side of impaction (p=0.260). Conclusion: Root resorption of adjacent teeth was present in most cases of canine impaction, mostly affecting adjacent lateral incisors to a mild degree. A wide dental follicle of impacted canines was not associated with a higher incidence of external root resorption of adjacent teeth.

Reaction of Cauliflower Genotypes to Black Rot of Crucifers

da Silva, Lincon Rafael,da Silva, Renan Cesar Dias,Cardoso, Atalita Francis,de Mello Pela, Glaucia,Carvalho, Daniel Diego Costa The Korean Society of Plant Pathology 2015 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.31 No.2

This study aimed to evaluate six cauliflower genotypes regarding their resistance to black rot and their production performance. To do so, it was conducted two field experiments in Ipameri, $Goi\acute{a}s$, Brazil, in 2012 and 2013. It was used a randomized block design, with four replications (total of 24 plots). Each plot consisted of three planting lines 2.5 m long (six plants/line), spaced 1.0 m apart, for a total area of $7.5m^2$. Evaluations of black rot severity were performed at 45 days after transplanting, this is, 75 days after sowing (DAS), and yield evaluations at 90 to 105 DAS. The Verona 184 genotype was the most resistant to black rot, showing 1.87 and 2.25% of leaf area covered by black rot symptom (LACBRS) in 2012 and 2013. However, it was not among the most productive materials. The yield of the genotypes varied between 15.14 and 25.83 t/ha in both years, Lisvera F1 (21.78 and 24.60 t/ha) and Cindy (19.95 and 23.56 t/ha) being the most productive. However, Lisvera F1 showed 6.37 and 9.37% of LACBRS and Cindy showed 14.25 and 14.87% of LACBRS in 2012 and 2013, being both considered as tolerant to black rot.