Resumo O tilirosídeo é um flavonóide glicosídico presente em muitas espécies de plantas, incluindo Helicteres velutina K. Schum (Malvaceae sensu lato), conhecida no Brasil como “pitó”. Esta molécula mostrou ter muitas atividades biológicas, porém nenhum estudo foi realizado para investigar a toxicidade dessa substância. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a possível toxicidade celular in silico, in vitro e ex-vivo do kaempferol-3-O-β-D- (6 ”-Ep-coumaroil) glucopiranosídeo (tilirosídeo), por meio de análises de estrutura química, toxicidade avaliação e propriedades bioativas preditivas, utilizando amostras humanas para testes in vitro e ex-vivo. A análise in silico sugere que o tilirosídeo exibe bom índice de absorção para penetrar nas membranas biológicas. Além disso, apresentou considerável potencial de proteção celular contra os radicais livres e com atividades anticarcinogênica, antioxidante, antineoplásica, antiinflamatória, anti-hemorrágica e antitrombótica. A avaliação dos efeitos hemolíticos e genotóxicos do tilirosídeo mostrou baixas taxas de hemólise nas hemácias e ausência de toxicidade em células da mucosa oral. Os dados obtidos indicam que esta molécula pode possuir uma abordagem terapêutica promissora como uma possível nova droga com potencial biotecnológico.

Abstract Tiliroside is a glycosidic flavonoid present in many plants species including Helicteres velutina K. Schum (Malvaceae sensu lato), commonly known in Brazil as “pitó”. This molecule has been shown to have many biological activities, however no study has been carried out to investigate the toxicity of this substance. The present work aimed to evaluate the possible cellular toxicity in silico, in vitro and ex-vivo of the kaempferol-3-O-β-D-(6”-E-p-coumaroyl) glucopyranoside (tiliroside), through chemical structure analysis, toxicity assessment and predictive bioactive properties, using human samples for in vitro and ex-vivo tests. The in silico analysis suggests that tiliroside exhibited great absorption index when penetrating biological membranes. In addition, it also displayed considerable potential for cellular protection against free radicals, and anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, antineoplastic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hemorrhagic and antithrombotic activities. The assessment of the hemolytic and genotoxic effects of tiliroside showed low hemolysis rates in red blood cells and absence of cellular toxicity in the oral mucosa cells. The data obtained indicate that this molecule could be a promising therapeutic approach as a possible new drug with biotechnological potential.

Abstract In this paper a 2-4 GHz microstrip IFM (Instantaneous Frequency Measurement) subsystem that uses Wilkinson power dividers, frequency discriminators based on band-stop filters and a DC arduino section is reported. The device uses band-stop filters as an alternative to delay lines, commonly used for IFM. The resonators are responsible for frequency adjustment, according to half guided wavelength resonator length, and the distance between the transmission line and the resonator. A fully micro-controlled 125 MHz resolution IFM subsystem is designed and tested. Results of the IFM subsystem composed by filters, 4-way power dividers and an Arduino board are described.

ABSTRACT Encapsulation of poly-unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)is an alternative to increase its stability during processing and storage. Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) oil is a reliable source of both omega-3 and omega-6 and its encapsulation must be better evaluated as an effort to increase the number of foodstuffs containing PUFAs to consumers. In this work chia oil was extracted and encapsulated in stearic acid microparticles by the hot homogenization technique. UV-Vis spectroscopy coupled with Multivariate Curve Resolution with Alternating Least-Squares methodology demonstrated that no oil degradation or tocopherol loss occurred during heating. After lyophilization, the fatty acids profile of the oil-loaded microparticles was determined by gas chromatography and compared to in natura oil. Both omega-3 and omega-6 were effectively encapsulated, keeping the same omega-3:omega-6 ratio presented in the in natura oil. Calorimetric analysis confirmed that encapsulation improved the thermal stability of the chia oil.

A Engenharia de Materiais propiciou os avanços mais notáveis em termos do desempenho mecânico dos materiais cimentícios nas últimas décadas, por meio das técnicas de conformação e do projeto da microestrutura. Com isso foi demonstrada ser equivocada a idéia de que baixas resistências mecânicas seriam inerentes aos materiais cimentícios. No entanto, pouco ainda se sabe a respeito de um parâmetro físico-químico que poderá nos conduzir a novos avanços: a adesão entre as fases hidratadas. Logo, o objetivo do presente trabalho é investigar a adesão com o intuito de ampliar o entendimento sobre seu papel na resistência mecânica dos materiais cimentícios. Os resultados indicaram que a resistência mecânica desses materiais é governada por moléculas de água confinadas em películas nanométricas entre as superfícies das fases cimentícias hidratadas. Em outras palavras, essa pode ser uma contribuição para tornar viável a nanotecnologia desses materiais por meio de um tema até então pouco explorado: a adesão por água confinada.

The Materials Engineering afforded the greatest known advances on the mechanical performance of cementitious materials in the latest decades, by casting techniques and microstructural design. Therewith, it was demonstrated to be inadequate the idea that low mechanical strengths should be inherent to cement-based materials. Nevertheless, another promising parameter still remains in the early stages of understanding: the adhesion. Thus, this paper aims to investigate adhesion in order to get an in-depth understanding about its role on the mechanical strength of cementitious materials. According to the experimental evidences, the mechanical strength of such materials is ruled by water molecules which are confined in nanolayers by the hydrated surfaces. These results provided helpful insights on in-built nanotechnology able to render high performance materials through a so far little explored subject: the adhesion by confined water.

A espécie Lippia sidoides (Verbenaceae) é conhecida no Brasil como alecrim-pimenta, um arbusto típico da vegetação do nordeste brasileiro. Este trabalho foi realizado no Instituto de Ciências Agrárias da UFMG, em Montes Claros, Brasil, com a finalidade de estudar a propagação vegetativa do alecrim-pimenta em leito de enraizamento com umidade controlada. Estacas da planta foram submetidas às seguintes concentrações de ácido indolbutírico (IBA): 0, 250, 500, 750 e 1000 mg L-1 durante 24 horas. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado (DIC) com cinco repetições, sendo dez estacas por repetição. Após 45 dias de implantação foram avaliados o número de raízes, o número de brotações, o comprimento da maior raiz, o índice de enraizamento e a porcentagem de enraizamento. Observou-se que as variáveis comprimento de raiz, número de raízes e índice de enraizamento apresentaram diferenças significativas entre as diversas concentrações de IBA. No entanto, a porcentagem de enraizamento não foi afetada significativamente, provavelmente pelo controle da umidade relativa e pela manutenção das folhas das estacas.

The species Lippia sidoides Cham. (Verbenaceae) is known in Brazil as "alecrim-pimenta", a typical shrub from the Northeastern Brazil vegetation. This work was carried out in the Agronomical Sciences Institute from Minas Gerais State University (UFMG), Montes Claros, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, in order to study the vegetative propagation of this species in rooting bed under controlled humidity. Herbaceous cuttings were treated with the following concentrations of indolebutyric acid (IBA): 0, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg L-1 for 24 hours. The experimental design was completely randomized (CRD) with five replicates of 10 cuttings each. After 45 days, root and sprout numbers, the highest root length, and rooting index and percentage were evaluated. Root length and number and rooting index had significant differences among IBA concentrations. However, rooting percentage was not significantly affected, probably due to the control of relative humidity and the maintenance of cuttings from leaves.

This study evaluated the impact of multimedia in the information transfer of subjects specific to Tropical Diseases - Tetanus and Snake Envenoming. We evaluated the autonomous learning process of 76 fourth-year medical students at Botucatu School of Medicine of UNESP, using printed matter, video, and CD-ROM. The students were submitted to a specific test, which was repeated approximately one week later. They were divided into groups and received a kit containing a textbook, a video, and a CD-ROM. These materials were used for out-of-class study. Before the second test, the students gave a seminar,where they discussed and resolved their doubts with their professor. The results of the first test showed averagesbetween 4.27±1.41 and 6.41±1.61. The second test, given after the seminar, presented averages that increased to 8.41±0.76 and 9.52±0.42, significance a = 5%. At the end of the course, the students answered a questionnaire, which evaluated the material quality and acquired knowledge. The students concluded that multimedia was a more efficient and quick means for knowledge building than traditional teaching materials. They said that the active participation and interactivity with the CD-ROM were the major differences. The authors continue to study the associated use of printed matter, video, and CD-ROM as a faster alternative to the traditional method of information transfer, which may be of help in the knowledge building process in medical education.

This study evaluated the impact of printed matter, video, and multimedia on the learning/teaching process in Tropical Diseases. Eighty-four of 90 fourth-year medical students at Botucatu School of Medicine of UNESP were evaluated. The students received a kit containing a textbook, a video, and a CD-ROM on the Clinical Study of Tetanus to prepare a seminar on the subject. They were then asked to complete a questionnaire, which led to the following conclusions: 67.86% read the textbook, 91.66% watched the video, and 77.38% explored the CD-ROM. These results were obtained observing the total number of students using each different media. When asked which of these media contributed most, the CD-ROM came out on top. The authors stress that this learning teaching process motivated the students by opening possibilities for new teaching alternatives in medicine.

Membranas de alumina AKP-50 foram preparadas sobre um substrato de alumina APC-SG de alta resistência mecânica. As membranas foram sinterizadas a 1000 °C e possuem uma distribuição estreita de poros de 40 a 90 nm, espessura média de 57 mm e taxa de fluxo de 0,4 m3/m2h. O filtro assim obtido é classificado como ultrafiltro sendo capaz de reter bactérias e alguns vírus. São quimicamente inertes e resistem a temperaturas inferiores a 1000 °C. A aderência entre as camadas permite a limpeza por contra-fluxo.

Alumina ceramic membranes with unimodal pore size distribution in the 40 to 90 nm range were prepared on alumina porous substrates. The 57mm thickness membrane made from AKP-50 alumina shows 0,4 m3/m2h flow rate. The two layer substrate, prepared to have high mechanical strength, was made from commercially available APC-SG alumina. The filter made of three layers, membrane, intermediate layer and substrate, is classified as ultra-filter being able to retain bacteria and some viruses. Adherence between the three layers allows reverse washing. Filters are chemically inert and resistant to temperatures below 1000oC.

O metabolismo pelágico líquido (MPL) e o metabolismo líquido do ecossistema (MLE) foram medidos pela variação do sigmaCO2 em três pontos de amostragem no estuário do Rio Piauí. Na estação a montante, a amostragem foi conduzida durante 48 h. As amostras apresentaram uma alta relação NID:PID. A clorofila-a variou entre 0,2 e 2,5 mig.l-1, com concentrações superiores na estação a montante àquelas de maior influência marinha. O MPL oscilou de -13,2 a 61,2 mgC.m-2.d-1. A presença de material mucilaginoso algal pode explicar os resultados de taxas metabólicas negativas (mineralização). Durante o período fótico, o MPL variou de -0,05 a 3,04 mgC.m-2.h-1. O MLE variou de -7,77 a 6,65 mgC.m-2.d-1. Ressuspensão de sedimento e uma pluma de alta turbidez refletiram-se em episódios de mineralização. Uma estimativa do metabolismo bêntico foi realizada através da diferença entre MLE e MPL. A comunidade microfitobêntica parece ser a principal responsável pelo metabolismo do ecossistema, especialmente na cabeceira do estuário, embora o aporte antropogênico de matéria orgânica e nutrientes exerça forte influência a longo prazo.

Net pelagic metabolism (NPM) and net ecosystem metabolism (NEM) were assessed by sigmaCO2 changes in three sampling stations along Piauí River estuary. At the upper estuary station, sampling was carried out over 48 h. Samples exhibited high DIN:DIP ratios. Chlorophyll-a ranged from 0.2 to 2.5 mug.l-1, being higher at the upper estuarine station than marine ones. Net pelagic metabolic rates ranged from -13.2 to 61.2 mgC.m7-2.d-1. Presence of mucilaginous algal material can explain the net mineralization. In the photic period, NPM ranged from-0.05 to 3.04 mgC.m-2h-1. NEM ranged from -7.77 to 6.65 mgC.m-2.d-1. Bottom ressuspension due to microphytobenthic flotation and a high turbidity plume inside de estuary reflected in negative metabolic rates (mineralization). Benthic metabolism was inferred by net system minus pelagic metabolism. Microphytobenthic community seems to be the main responsible for system metabolism, specially in the upper estuary, although the anthropogenic inputs exert strong long term influence.

Mulita foi sintetizada a partir do hidróxido de alumínio, Al(OH)3, purificado de rejeito industrial, e de sílica obtida a partir da queima, a 500 oC, da casca de arroz purificada. Ainda que o processo de formação da mulita se inicie a 1300 oC as experiências foram conduzidas a 1600 oC durante 8,0 h a fim de se medir a densidade final das peças e se observar o efeito da adição de ítria no processo. As densidades aparentes encontradas foram de 2,70 g/cm3 e 2,84 g/cm3, respectivamente, para a mulita pura e para a formulação mulita com 5,0% em peso de Y2O3. A microestrutura da mulita dopada com ítria mostra alguns grãos longos, até 30 mm. A análise de EDS mostrou que o ítrio foi incorporado na mulita

Mullite was synthesised from aluminium hydroxide, Al (OH)3, previously purified from industrial rejects, and silica from acid-treated rice hulls burned at 500 oC. Although mullite synthesis started at 1300 oC, the reported experiments were performed at 1600 oC with 8.0 hours of soaking time. The apparent densities of the pure and yttria doped mullite were, respectively, 2.70 g/cm3 and 2.84 g/cm3, Yttria doped mullite microstructure shows few needle like grains as large as 30 m m. EDS analysis shows that yttria was incorporated in the mullite grains.