Fungal luminescence pathways: research and applications / 生物工程学报

The fungal bioluminescence pathway (FBP) is a metabolic pathway responsible for the generation of bioluminescence derived from fungi. This pathway utilizes caffeic acid as the substrate, generating a high-energy intermediate, and the decomposition of which yields green fluorescence with a wavelength of approximately 520 nm. The FBP is evolutionally conserved in luminescent fungal groups. Unlike other bioluminescent systems, the FBP is particularly suitable for engineering applications in eukaryotic organisms, especially in plants. Currently, metabolically engineered luminescent plants are able to emit visible light to illuminate its surroundings, which can be visualized clearly in the dark. The fungal bioluminescent system could be explored in various applications in molecular biology, biosensors and glowing ornamental plants, and even green lighting along city streets.

Morphophysiological changes of Acca sellowiana (Myrtaceae: Myrtoideae) saplings under shade gradient / Alterações morfofisiológicas em mudas de Acca sellowiana (Myrtaceae: Myrtoideae) sob gradiente de sombreamento

Abstract Understanding morphological and physiological changes under different light conditions in native fruit species in juveniles' stage is important, as it indicate the appropriate environment to achieve vigorous saplings. We aimed to verify growth and morphophysiological changes under shade gradient in feijoa (Acca sellowiana (O. Berg) Burret) to achieve good quality saplings adequate to improve cultivation in orchards. The saplings were grown for twenty-one-month under four shading treatments (0%, 30%, 50%, and 80%). Growth, photosynthetic pigments, gas exchanges, chlorophyll fluorescence, and leaf anatomy parameters were evaluated. Saplings under full sun and 30% shade had higher height and diameter growth and dry mass accumulation due to higher photosynthesis rate. As main acclimatization mechanisms in feijoa saplings under 80% shade were developed larger leaf area, reduced leaf blade thickness, and enhanced quantum yield of photosystem II. Even so, the net CO2 assimilation and the electron transport rate was lower and, consequently, there was a restriction on the growth and dry mass in saplings under deep shade. Therefore, to obtain higher quality feijoa saplings, we recommend that it be carried out in full sun or up to 30% shade, to maximize the sapling vigor in nurseries and, later, this light environment can also be used in orchards for favor growth and fruit production.

Resumo A verificação de mudanças morfológicas e fisiológicas sob diferentes condições luminosas em espécies frutíferas nativas em estágio juvenil é importante, uma vez que indicam o ambiente adequado para a formação de mudas com alto vigor. Objetivou-se verificar o crescimento e as alterações morfofisiológicas sob gradiente de sombreamento em mudas de feijoa (Acca sellowiana (O. Berg) Burret) para obter mudas de boa qualidade, adequadas para fomentar os plantios da espécie em pomares. As mudas foram cultivadas por vinte e um meses sob quatro tratamentos de sombreamento (0%, 30%, 50% e 80%). Foram avaliados parâmetros de crescimento, pigmentos fotossintéticos, trocas gasosas, fluorescência da clorofila e anatomia foliar. Mudas a pleno sol e 30% de sombra apresentaram maior crescimento em altura, diâmetro e acúmulo de massa seca, devido à maior taxa de fotossíntese. Como principais mecanismos de aclimatação sob 80% de sombra, as mudas desenvolveram maior área foliar, redução da espessura do limbo foliar e aumento do rendimento quântico do fotossistema II. Mesmo assim, a assimilação líquida de CO2 e a taxa de transporte de elétrons foram menores e, consequentemente, houve restrição ao crescimento e acúmulo de massa seca das mudas no maior nível de sombreamento. Portanto, para a obtenção de mudas de feijoa de maior qualidade, recomendamos que seja realizada a pleno sol ou até 30% de sombra, para maximizar o vigor das mudas em viveiros e, posteriormente, este ambiente de luz também pode ser utilizado em pomares para favorecer o crescimento e a produção de frutos.

Enhancing fucoxanthin production in Phaeodactylum tricornutum by photo-fermentation / 生物工程学报

The aim of this study was to develop a technical system for high-efficient production of fucoxanthin by photo-fermentation of Phaeodactylum tricornutum. In a 5 L photo-fermentation tank, the effects of initial light intensity, nitrogen source and concentration as well as light quality on biomass concentration and fucoxanthin accumulation in P. tricornutum were investigated systematically under mixotrophic condition. The results showed that the biomass concentration, fucoxanthin content and productivity reached the highest level of 3.80 g/L, 13.44 mg/g and 4.70 mg/(L·d) under the optimal conditions of initial light intensity of 100 μmol/(m2·s), 0.02 mol TN/L of tryptone: urea (1:1, N mol/N mol) as mixed nitrogen source, and a mixed red/blue (R: B=6:1) light, 1.41, 1.33 and 2.05-fold higher than that before optimization, respectively. This study developed a key technology for enhancing the production of fucoxanthin by photo-fermentation of P. tricornutum, facilitating the development of marine natural products.

Single-cell profiling reveals Müller glia coordinate retinal intercellular communication during light/dark adaptation via thyroid hormone signaling

Light adaptation enables the vertebrate visual system to operate over a wide range of ambient illumination. Regulation of phototransduction in photoreceptors is considered a major mechanism underlying light adaptation. However, various types of neurons and glial cells exist in the retina, and whether and how all retinal cells interact to adapt to light/dark conditions at the cellular and molecular levels requires systematic investigation. Therefore, we utilized single-cell RNA sequencing to dissect retinal cell-type-specific transcriptomes during light/dark adaptation in mice. The results demonstrated that, in addition to photoreceptors, other retinal cell types also showed dynamic molecular changes and specifically enriched signaling pathways under light/dark adaptation. Importantly, Müller glial cells (MGs) were identified as hub cells for intercellular interactions, displaying complex cell‒cell communication with other retinal cells. Furthermore, light increased the transcription of the deiodinase Dio2 in MGs, which converted thyroxine (T4) to active triiodothyronine (T3). Subsequently, light increased T3 levels and regulated mitochondrial respiration in retinal cells in response to light conditions. As cones specifically express the thyroid hormone receptor Thrb, they responded to the increase in T3 by adjusting light responsiveness. Loss of the expression of Dio2 specifically in MGs decreased the light responsive ability of cones. These results suggest that retinal cells display global transcriptional changes under light/dark adaptation and that MGs coordinate intercellular communication during light/dark adaptation via thyroid hormone signaling.

Promoting fucoxanthin accumulation in Phaeodactylum tricornutum by multiple nitrogen supplementation and blue light enhancement / 生物工程学报

The aim of this study was to promote fucoxanthin accumulation in Phaeodactylum tricornutum by photo-fermentation through optimizing the mode of multiple nitrogen supplementation and blue light enhancement. The results showed that the mixed nitrogen source (tryptone: urea=1:1, N mol/N mol; total nitrogen concentration at 0.02 mol/L) added to the culture system by six times was the best mode in shake flasks. Two-phase culture with light adjustment was then carried out in 5 L photo-fermenter with an enhanced blue light (R: G: B=67.1:16.7:16.3) in the second phase, leading to improved cell density (1.12×108 cells/mL), biomass productivity (330 mg/(d·L)), fucoxanthin content (19.62 mg/g), titer (69.71 mg/L) and productivity (6.97 mg/(d·L)). Compared with one-phase culture under red/blue (R: G: B=70.9:18.3:10.9) light and six-times nitrogen supplementation, the fucoxanthin content was significantly increased by 7.68% (P < 0.05) but the productivity did not change significantly (P > 0.05). Compared with one-phase culture under red/blue (R: G: B=70.9:18.3:10.9) light and one-time nitrogen supplementation, the content and productivity of fucoxanthin were significantly increased by 45.98% and 48.30% (P < 0.05), respectively. This study developed a two-phase culture mode with multiple nitrogen supplementation and blue light enhancement, which effectively promoted the accumulation of fucoxanthin and improved the efficiency of nitrogen source utilization, thus providing a new approach for fucoxanthin accumulation in P. tricornutum by photo-fermentation.

Advances in using adaptive laboratory evolution technology for engineering of photosynthetic cyanobacteria / 生物工程学报

Cyanobacteria are the only prokaryotes capable of oxygenic photosynthesis, which have potential to serve as "autotrophic cell factories". However, the synthesis of biofuels and chemicals using cyanobacteria as chassis are suffered from poor stress tolerance and low yield, resulting in low economic feasibility for industrial production. Thus, it's urgent to construct new cyanobacterial chassis by means of synthetic biology. In recent years, adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) has made great achievements in chassis engineering, including optimizing growth rate, increasing tolerance, enhancing substrate utilization and increasing product yield. ALE has also made some progress in improving the tolerance of cyanobacteria to high light intensity, heavy metal ions, high concentrations of salt and organic solvents. However, the engineering efficiency of ALE strategy in cyanobacteria is generally low, and the molecular mechanisms underpinning the tolerance to various stresses have not been fully elucidated. To this end, this review summarizes the ALE-associated technical strategies and their applications in cyanobacteria chassis engineering, following by discussing how to construct larger ALE mutation library, increase mutation frequency of strains and shorten evolution time. Moreover, exploration of the construction principles and strategies for constructing multi-stress tolerant cyanobacteria, and efficient analysis the mutant libraries of evolved strains as well as construction of strains with high yield and strong robustness are discussed, with the aim to facilitate the engineering of cyanobacteria chassis and the application of engineered cyanobacteria in the future.

Influence of number and position of porcelain specimens in the furnace on flexural strength and translucency

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the quantity and positioning of feldspathic ceramic specimens inside the furnace on their flexural strength and translucency. The tested hypotheses were that the arrangement of specimens in the furnance would not influence 1) the translucency or 2) the biaxial strength of the porcelain. Methods: Ninety porcelain specimens were made (1.2 mm thickness and 13.5 mm diameter) and assigned into two main groups (n=15): G1 group - 15 firing cycles containing only one specimen each, always at the center of the refractory; and G5 group - 15 firing cycles containing five specimen each, where one specimen was at the center of the refractory and four specimens positioned equidistantly on the periphery. The translucency test was performed using a spectrophotometer, followed by the flexural strength test, according to ISO 6872:2015. T-student test was performed for both the mechanical and optical obtained data. Results: The flexural strength of the porcelain was not affected by the positioning (center x periphery) of the specimens inside the furnace (p =0.08), but the translucency was affected (periphery > center; p =0.009). Regarding to the number of feldspathic ceramic specimens, the biaxial flexural strength was affected (p =0.025), as well as the translucency (p <0.05). Conclusion: A higher quantity of feldspathic ceramic specimens for each firing cycle decreased its biaxial flexural strength and translucency. Also, specimens positioned at the center of the refractory became less translucent than those positioned at the periphery.

Ação da luz visível na oxidação da melanina e no descolorimento do cabelo / Action of the visible on the melanin oxidation and hair discoloration

O dano capilar causado pelo descolorimento oxidativo é muito intenso, sendo que dois fatores são responsáveis por essa ação: primeiro, a ação direta e danosa do oxidante em diversas estruturas capilares e segundo, o dano oxidativo primário facilita o dano causado por outros agentes físicos (luz, temperatura) e químicos (tensoativos), que comumente tem ação nos cabelos. Desenvolver conceitos e tecnologias que possam tornar o oxidante específico para a melanina e por conseguinte efetuando o descolorimento sem causar danos ao fio é extremamente desejável. Neste trabalho buscaremos entender de que forma a luz visível pode aumentar a ação do oxidante sem danificar o fio colateralmente. O objetivo principal deste trabalho é demonstrar que é possível utilizar a luz visível, que é absorvida pela melanina, para tornar esse pigmento mais suscetível ao agente oxidante e desta forma, permitir que o descolorimento seja realizado com concentrações pequenas de oxidante. Também almejamos desenvolver métodos de análises por microscopia ótica de fluorescência e de reflexão para mensurar o dano nas estruturas dos fios processados com oxidante e na presença ou ausência da luz

The capillary damage caused by oxidative discoloration is very intense, and two factors are responsible for this action: first, the direct and harmful action of the oxidant on several capillary structures and second, the primary oxidative damage facilitates the damage caused by other physical agents (light, temperature) and chemicals (surfactants), which commonly have action on the hair. Developing concepts and technologies that can make the oxidant specific to melanin and therefore discoloring without causing damage to the hair is extremely desirable. In this work we will try to understand how visible light can increase the oxidant's action without damaging the wire collaterally. The main objective of this work is to demonstrate that it is possible to use visible light, which is absorbed by melanin, to make this pigment more susceptible to the oxidizing agent and, thus, to allow the discoloration to be carried out with small concentrations of oxidizer. We also aim to develop methods of analysis by optical fluorescence and reflection microscopy to measure the damage to the structures of the threads processed with oxidizer and in the presence or absence of light

The influence of whole-body vibration, media, and artificial lighting on eye-movement during reading / A influência da vibração de corpo inteiro, da mídia e da iluminação artificial no movimento dos olhos durante tarefas de leitura

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate if participants, subjected to whole-body vibration, two different types of media (paper versus tablet) and two lighting environments (fluorescent versus LED), present a difference in eye-movement parameters during reading tasks. Methods: Fourteen adults silently read two different texts in each one of the eight randomized testing conditions (whole-body vibration versus media versus lighting), resulting in 16 different texts read per individual. Whole-body vibration was applied in the vertical direction, 5Hz and 0.8 m/s2 root-mean-square amplitude, a condition similar to those experienced by forklift truck drivers. Participants were in a sitting position with a backrest. An eye-tracker evaluated the eye-movements during the reading task. Results: Whole-body vibration significantly reduced the number of ocular fixations, and cross-correlation; and increased the reading efficiency, fixation duration, directional attack, and binocular anomalies. Neither the type of media nor the lighting environment interfered significantly with the eye-movements, both in situations with and without vibration. Conclusion: The results indicate that whole-body vibration interfered in the eye-movements during the reading task. This may impose a difficulty to process the visual information and to synchronously coordinate the binocular movements under vibration environments.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar se participantes submetidos à vibração de corpo inteiro, a dois tipos diferentes de mídia (papel versus tablet) e a dois ambientes de iluminação (fluorescente versus LED) apresentam diferença nos parâmetros de movimento dos olhos durante tarefas de leitura. Métodos: Quatorze adultos leram silenciosamente dois textos diferentes em cada uma das oito condições de teste (vibração de corpo inteiro versus mídia versus iluminação), de forma aleatória, resultando em 16 textos diferentes lidos por indivíduo. A vibração de corpo inteiro foi aplicada no sentido vertical, com amplitude de 5Hz e 0,8m/s² da raiz do valor quadrático médio, em condição semelhante às vivenciadas pelos motoristas de empilhadeiras. Os participantes permaneceram em postura sentada com encosto. Um rastreador ocular avaliou os movimentos oculares durante a leitura. Resultados: A vibração de corpo inteiro reduziu significativamente o número de fixações oculares e a correlação cruzada entre os olhos e aumentou a eficiência de leitura, duração da fixação, ataque direcional e anomalias binoculares. Nem o tipo de mídia nem as condições de ambientes de iluminação interferiram significativamente nos movimentos oculares, tanto em situações com ou sem vibração. Conclusão: Os resultados indicam que a Vibração de Corpo Inteiro pode interferir nos movimentos oculares durante a leitura. Isso pode impor uma dificuldade no processamento da informação visual e na coordenação síncrona dos movimentos binoculares em ambientes de vibração.

Intensidad lumínica de las lámparas de fotocurado LED en los consultorios odontológicos de Piura, Perú / Output intensity of LED light curing units in dental offices of Piura, Peru

Introducción: La lámpara de fotocurado, que utiliza diodos emisores de luz (LED), se emplea en odontología para la conversión polimérica de los materiales de restauración dental. Se ha comunicado que una intensidad lumínica inadecuada de la lámpara no aseguraría la correcta polimerización del material de restauración. Objetivo: Determinar la intensidad lumínica de las lámparas de fotocurado LED en consultorios odontológicos de la ciudad de Piura, Perú, 2020. Métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo. Se midió la intensidad lumínica en 70 lámparas de fotocurado LED, usando un radiómetro con una longitud de onda de 400-500 nm, con capacidad de medida de la intensidad lumínica de hasta 3500 mw/cm2. Por debajo de los 400 mw/cm2 indica intensidad baja, de 400 a 800 mw/cm2 intensidad media, de 800 a 1200 mw/cm2 intensidad alta y por encima de los 1200 mw/cm2 indica intensidad muy alta. Resultados: El 48,5 por ciento de las lámparas analizadas presentaban intensidad media, el 22,86 por ciento intensidad alta, mientras que el 15,71 por ciento intensidad baja y finalmente el 12,86 por ciento de las lámparas presentaban intensidad muy alta. Se reportó menor frecuencia de lámparas con mayor uso clínico. Conclusiones: Las lámparas de fotocurado LED, utilizadas en los consultorios dentales de la provincia de Piura durante el 2020, emiten una intensidad lumínica promedio de 778,14 mW/cm2, equivalente a la intensidad media(AU)

Introduction: Light curing lamps that use light-emitting diodes (LED) are used in dentistry for the polymeric conversion of dental restorative materials. It has been reported that inadequate light intensity in the lamp would not ensure the appropriate polymerization of restorative materials. Objective: Determine the output intensity of LED light curing units used in dental offices of the city of Piura, Peru, in the year 2020. Methods: An observational descriptive study was conducted. Measurements were taken of the light output of 70 LED light curing lamps using a radiometer with a wavelength of 400-500 nm and a light intensity measurement capacity of up to 3 500 mw/cm2. Intensity below 400 mw/cm2 was recorded as low, from 400 to 800 mw/cm2 as medium, from 800 a 1 200 mw/cm2 as high and above 1 200 mw/cm2 as very high. Results: Intensity was medium in 48.5 percent of the lamps analyzed, high in 22.86 percent, low in 15.71 percent and very high in 12.86 percent. A lower frequency of lamps with greater clinical use was reported. Conclusions: The LED light curing lamps used in dental offices of the province of Piura during the year 2020 emit an average output intensity of 778.14 mW/cm2, which corresponds to medium intensity(AU)

Blue and red light photoemitters as approach to inhibit Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth / Fotoemissores de luz azul e vermelha como abordagem para inibir o crescimento de Staphylococcus aureus e Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The ability of pathogenic bacteria acquire resistance to the existing antibiotics has long been considered a dangerous health risk threat. Currently, the use of visible light has been considered a new approach to treat bacterial infections as an alternative to antibiotics. Herein, we investigated the antimicrobial effect of two range of visible light, blue and red, on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, two pathogenic bacterial commonly found in healthcare settings-acquired infections and responsible for high rate of morbidity and mortality. Bacterial cultures were exposed to blue or red light (470 nm and 660 nm) provided by light-emitting diodes - LED. The fluencies and irradiance used for blue and red light were 284.90 J/cm2, 13.19 mW/cm2 and 603.44 J/cm2, 27.93 mW/cm2 respectively. Different experimental approaches were used to determine the optimal conditions of light application. Only exposure to blue light for 6 hours was able to inhibit about 75% in vitro growth of both bacterial species after 24 hours. The surviving exposed bacteria formed colonies significantly smaller than controls, however, these bacteria were able to resume growth after 48 hours. Blue light was able to inhibit bacterial growth upon inoculation in both saline solution and BHI culture medium. We can conclude that blue light, but not red light, is capable of temporarily retarding the growth of gram negative and gram positive bacteria.

A capacidade das bactérias patogênicas adquirirem resistência aos antibióticos existentes há muito tempo é considerada uma ameaça perigosa à saúde. Atualmente, o uso da luz visível tem sido considerado uma nova abordagem no tratamento de infecções bacterianas como alternativa aos antibióticos. Neste trabalho, investigamos o efeito antimicrobiano de duas faixas de luz visível, azul e vermelha, em Staphylococcus aureus e Pseudomonas aeruginosa, duas bactérias patogênicas comumente encontradas em infecções adquiridas em instituições de saúde e responsáveis por alta taxa de morbimortalidade. As culturas bacterianas foram expostas à luz azul ou vermelha (470 nm e 660 nm) fornecida por diodos emissores de luz - LED. As fluências e irradiâncias utilizadas para luz azul e vermelha foram 284,90 J/cm2, 13,19 mW/cm2 e 603,44 J/cm2, 27,93 mW/cm2, respectivamente. Várias abordagens experimentais foram utilizadas para determinar as condições ótimas de aplicação da luz. Apenas a exposição à luz azul por 6 horas foi capaz de inibir cerca de 75% o crescimento in vitro de ambas as espécies bacterianas após 24 horas. As bactérias expostas sobreviventes formaram colônias com um tamanho significativamente menor do que os controles, contudo, essas bactérias conseguiram retomar o crescimento normal após 48 horas. A luz azul foi capaz de inibir o crescimento das bactérias após sua inoculação em solução salina ou no meio de cultura rico em nutrientes BHI. Podemos concluir que a luz azul mas não a luz vermelha é capaz de retardar temporariamente o crescimento de bactérias Gram-negativas e Gram-positivas.

An optical parameter imaging system with profile information fusion / 生物医学工程学杂志

There is a shared problem in current optical imaging technologies of how to obtain the optical parameters of biological tissues with complex profiles. In this work, an imaging system for obtaining the optical parameters of biological tissues with complex profile was presented. Firstly, Fourier transformation profilometry was used for obtaining the profile information of biological tissues, and then the difference of incident light intensity at different positions on biological tissue surface was corrected with the laws of illumination, and lastly the optical parameters of biological tissues were achieved with the spatial frequency domain imaging technique. Experimental results indicated the proposed imaging system could obtain the profile information and the optical parameters of biological tissues accurately and quickly. For the slab phantoms with height variation less than 30 mm and angle variation less than 40º, the maximum relative errors of the profile uncorrected optical parameters were 46.27% and 72.18%, while the maximum relative errors of the profile corrected optical parameters were 6.89% and 10.26%. Imaging experiments of a face-like phantom and a human's prefrontal lobe were performed respectively, which demonstrated the proposed imaging system possesses clinical application value for the achievement of the optical parameters of biological tissues with complex profiles. Besides, the proposed profile corrected method can be used to combine with the current optical imaging technologies to reduce the influence of the profile information of biological tissues on imaging quality.

Do automotive window films affect drivers' safety by decreasing vision sensitivity? A Cross-sectional study / Películas automotivas e perda de acuidade visual? Estudo transversal

ABSTRACT Objective: To measure visual acuity in high contrast and low contrast sensitivities in different grades of visible light transmission films in three different positions (front, lateral and rear windows). Methods: Forty-four healthy volunteers between 30-75 y-o, with BCVA better than 0,5, were tested in the 5 following vehicles with different grades of visible light transmission films. Vehicle 1: 75% in the front and 70% in the lateral and rear windows; Vehicle 2: 70% in the front and lateral windows and 28% in the rear; Vehicle 3: 70% in the front, 28% in the lateral and 15% rear; Vehicle 4: 35% in all 3 windows; Vehicle 5: 50% in the front, 20% in the lateral and 15% in the rear. Descriptive statistics were used and the average of the 3 measurements of VA was considered. Wilcoxon Test was applied to compare the average visual acuity in each vehicle and position. P value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: According to the Brazilian Traffic Regulations for driving in categories C/D/E, when low contrast was tested in the front window, all visible light transmissions were borderline, in the lateral window they were all outside the limit, while in the rear window for both low and high contrast, all visible light transmissions tested were outside the limit and also borderline for driving in categories A/B, with the exception of the vehicle with visible light transmission of 35%. Conclusion: Visual acuity is affected, especially in the rear window, by the use of automotive films. The study is an alert that window films is a possible cause of accidents and may contribute to the revision of traffic regulations worldwide.

RESUMO Objetivo: Medir a acuidade visual em alto e baixo contraste nas diversas graduações de transparência de filmes em três janelas de veículos: frontal, lateral e traseira. Métodos: Foram avaliados 44 voluntários saudáveis entre 30 e 75 anos, com acuidade visual melhor corrigida acima de 0,5, em cinco veículos, sendo: veículo 1, com 75% de transparência frontal e 70% na lateral e traseira; veículo 2, com 70% na frontal e na lateral e 28% na traseira; veículo 3, com 70% na frontal, 28% na lateral e 15% na traseira; veículo 4, com 35% nas três janelas; e veículo 5, com 50% na frontal, 20% na lateral e 15% na traseira. Foi realizada estatística descritiva utilizando a média de três medidas consecutivas, com teste de Wilcoxon para comparar a média de acuidade visual em cada janela, e foi considerado estatisticamente significativo quando valor de p<0,05. Resultados: Todas as transparências testadas nos vidros reduziram a acuidade visual em situação de baixo contraste para níveis limítrofes na janela frontal e níveis ilegais na lateral para conduzir veículos nas categorias C/D/E. Na janela traseira, tanto em alto quanto em baixo contraste, todas as transparências mostraram redução da acuidade visual para níveis ilegais para categorias C/D/E e limítrofes para as categorias A/B, exceto na transparência de 35%. Conclusão: A acuidade visual é reduzida pelo uso dos filmes automotivos, especialmente na janela traseira. Condutores de veículos com filmes devem ser alertados pelo risco aumentado de acidentes. Esse dado científico propõe revisões nas regulações de tráfego mundiais.

Calendula officinalis L. flower extract-mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles under LED light

Abstract Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are among the most known nanomaterials being used for several purposes, including medical applications. In this study, Calendula officinalis L. flower extract and silver nitrate were used for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles under red, green and blue light-emitting diodes. AgNPs were characterized by Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometry, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering, Electrophoretic Mobility, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction. Isotropic and anisotropic silver nanoparticles were obtained, presenting hydrodinamic diameters ranging 90 - 180 nm, polydispersity (PdI > 0.2) and moderate stability (zeta potential values around - 20 mV)

Digital asthenopia: blue-blocking lenses and + 0,40D additional power in the near zone, for eye strain, accommodation and convergence functions / Astenopia digital: avaliação de lentes com filtro de luz azul e poder adicional de +0,40D na zona de perto, para fadiga visual e nas funções de convergência e acomodação

ABSTRACT Purpose Evaluate blue-violet light filter and additional power of +0.40 D in the near zone ophthalmic lenses, on convergence, accommodative functions, and symptoms of digital asthenopia (DA). Methods Randomized study in cross-over design conducted on 49 volunteers (age, 29 ± 5.5 years; male: female, 18:31). Each subject wore test (+0.40 D in the near zone) and control lenses (regular single vision) for 4 weeks in randomized order. Both lenses had a selective blue-violet light filter. A baseline measurement was taken with the subjects' current updated glasses. Accommodation amplitude (AA) and near point of convergence (NPC) were measured binocularly with the RAF ruler. DA was evaluated by a questionnaire. Results No significant difference (p=.52) was found for AA comparing baseline (11.50±1.88 D), test (11.61± 1.62 D), and control SV lenses (11.88±1.50 D). No significant difference was found for NPC (p=.94), between baseline (6.50 ± 2.89cm), test (6.71± 3.49) and control SV lenses (6.82± 3.50 cm). No significant difference was found comparing test and control SV lenses in symptoms of DA (p=0.20). Conclusions The +0.40 D lenses have no negative impact on convergence or loss of accommodation power. The +0.40 D and control SV lenses had a similar impact on attenuating symptoms of DA.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar os efeitos do uso de lentes oftálmicas com filtro seletivo de luz azul-violeta, sem e com poder adicional de + 0,4D na zona de perto nas funções de acomodação e convergência e para sintomas de astenopia digital (AD). Métodos Ensaio clínico controlado, randomizado e mascarado, com 49 voluntários (idade, 29 ± 5,5 anos; masculino: feminino, 18: 31). Cada participante usou lentes de teste (+0,40 D na zona de perto) e controle (visão simples), por 4 semanas de forma randomizada. Ambas as lentes tinham filtro seletivo de luz azul-violeta. A medição inicial (baseline) foi feita com os óculos atualizados de cada participante. A amplitude de acomodação (AA) e o ponto de convergência próximo (PPC) foram medidos binocularmente com a régua RAF. A AD foi avaliada por um questionário. Resultados Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante (p=0,52) para as medidas de AA comparando as lentes baseline (11,50±1,88 D), teste (11,61±1,62 D) e controle VS (11,88±1,50 D). Nenhuma diferença significativa foi encontrada para a medida do PPC (p=0,94), entre as lentes baseline (6,50 ± 2,89cm), teste (6,71±3,49) e controle VS (6,82±3,50 cm). Nenhuma diferença significativa foi encontrada comparando lentes teste de VS e controle nos sintomas de AD (p=0,20). Conclusões As lentes com +0,40 D não têm impacto negativo na convergência ou na perda de acomodação. As lentes +0,40 D e controle VS, tiveram impacto semelhante na redução dos sintomas de AD.

Optimization of the Light-On system in a lentiviral platform to a light-controlled expression of genes in neurons

BACKGROUND: Molecular brain therapies require the development of molecular switches to control gene expression in a limited and regulated manner in time and space. Light-switchable gene systems allow precise control of gene expression with an enhanced spatio-temporal resolution compared to chemical inducers. In this work, we adapted the existing light-switchable Light-On system into a lentiviral platform, which consists of two modules: (i) one for the expression of the blue light-switchable transactivator GAVPO and (ii) a second module containing an inducible-UAS promoter (UAS) modulated by a light-activated GAVPO. RESULTS: In the HEK293-T cell line transfected with this lentiviral plasmids system, the expression of the reporter mCherry increased between 4 to 5 fold after light induction. A time expression analysis after light induction during 24 h revealed that mRNA levels continuously increased up to 9 h, while protein levels increased throughout the experiment. Finally, transduction of cultured rat hippocampal neurons with this dual Light-On lentiviral system showed that CDNF, a potential therapeutic trophic factor, was induced only in cells exposed to blue light. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the optimized lentiviral platform of the Light-On system provides an efficient way to control gene expression in neurons, suggesting that this platform could potentially be used in biomedical and neuroscience research, and eventually in brain therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.

Estabilidad de color de dientes naturales ante diferentes bebidas: estudio in vitro / Color stability of natural teeth against different drinks: in vitro study

El color es un efecto visual de los rayos de luz reflejándose y su concepto es complejo por ser una sensación que se percibe y por las características electromagnéticas. Los dientes varían espacialmente porque son curvados, tienen prolongaciones relativamente pequeñas y vistas en contra de una variable de fondo no uniforme así como típicamente una iluminación no estandarizada, por lo cual difieren en relación con su colorimetría, por lo que el estudio del color es fundamental en la odontología. En la actualidad hay métodos para evaluar el color, desde una simple revisión visual hasta instrumentos como el colorímetro y los espectrofotómetros, los cuales son aparatos utilizados en la medida del color de un objeto a través de su longitud de onda reflejada. Una pigmentación dental se produce por varios factores, ya sean intrínsecos y extrínsecos, estas pigmentaciones son factores importantes tanto en la estética como en el aspecto físico, por lo que es importante poder evaluar la estabilidad de los dientes naturales ante diferentes sustancias que podrían modificar su color natural. En este estudio nos dimos a la tarea de evaluar el cambio de color de dientes naturales ante diferentes bebidas, se eligieron tres bebidas pigmentantes y de uso común: café, vino tinto y jugo de arándano; se utilizaron 10 dientes unirradiculares del mismo color previamente analizados con el espectrofotómetro. Un diente fue la muestra control y los nueve restantes se sumergieron en frascos separados con 10 mL de las tres bebidas elegidas. Realizando la evaluación de color a los 15, 30 y 90 días con ayuda del espectrofotómetro, pudimos observar que el diente sumergido en café no tuvo variación durante los primeros 15 días y el cambio más notable de color fue hasta los 90 días a diferencia de las muestras sumergidas en vino y jugo de arándano cuya variación máxima de color se presentó en 15 días respectivamente (AU)

Color is a visual effect of light rays reflecting and its concept is complex, for being a sensation that is perceived and for the electromagnetic characteristics. Teeth vary spatially because they are curved, have relatively small extensions, and are viewed against a non-uniform background variable as well as typically non-standardized illumination, which is why they differ in relation to their colorimetry. So the study of color is fundamental in dentistry. Currently, there are methods to evaluate color, from a simple visual check to instruments such as the colorimeter and spectrophotometers, which are devices used to measure the color of an object through its reflected wavelength. A dental pigmentation is produced by various factors, both intrinsic and extrinsic, these pigmentations are currently important factors in both aesthetics and physical appearance, so it is important to be able to evaluate the stability of natural teeth against different substances that could modify its natural color. In this study, we undertook the task of evaluating the change in the color of natural teeth when faced with different beverages. Three pigment and commonly used beverages were chosen: coffee, red wine and cranberry juice; 10 single-rooted teeth of the same color previously analyzed with the spectrophotometer were used. One tooth was the control sample and the remaining nine were immersed in separate bottles with 10 mL of the three chosen drinks. Carrying out the color evaluation at 15, 30 and 90 days with the help of the spectrophotometer, we could see that the tooth immersed in coffee did not change during the first 15 days and the most notable change in color was up to 90 days, unlike the samples immersed in wine and cranberry juice whose maximum color variation was presented in 15 days respectively (AU)

Study on Irradiation Uniformity of Array Blue LED in Jaundice Treatment Box / 中国医疗器械杂志

The uniformity of blue LED array in jaundice treatment box is improved. The mathematical model of illumination uniformity algorithm for inner and outer LED arrays layout is established. Taking the actual size of blue light board in jaundice treatment box as an example, the optimal illumination uniformity with best LED arrays layout are obtained through programming iteration and simulation verification. The uniformity of blue light LED improved 42.9 % comparing with tradition LED arrays.

Lentinus crinitus response to blue light on carbohydrate-active enzymes / Resposta de Lentinus crinitus à luz azul em enzimas ativas por carboidratos

Fungi are capable of sensing light from ultraviolet to far-red and they use light as a source of information about the environment anticipating stress and adverse conditions. Lentinus crinitus is a lignin-degrading fungus which produces laccase and other enzymes of biotechnological interest. The effect of blue light on fungal enzymatic activity has been studied; however, it has not been found studies on the effect of the blue light on carbohydrate-active enzymes and on mycelial biomass production of L. crinitus. We aimed to investigate carbohydrate-active enzymes activity and mycelial biomass production of L. crinitus cultivated under continuous illumination with blue light. L. crinitus was cultivated in malt extract medium in the dark, without agitation, and under continuous illumination with blue light-emitting diodes. The blue light reduced the total cellulase, pectinase and xylanase activities but increased the endoglucanase activity. Blue light reduced the mycelial growth of L. crinitus in 26% and the enzymatic activity-to-mycelial biomass ratio (U mg-1 dry basis) increased in 10% total cellulase, 33% endoglucanase, and 16% pectinase activities. Also, it is suggested that L. crinitus has a photosensory system and it could lead to new process of obtaining enzymes of biotechnological interest.

Fungos são capazes de sentir a luz com comprimentos de onda que variam do ultravioleta ao infravermelho e usam a luz como fonte de informação sobre o ambiente, antecipando condições adversas e de estresse. Lentinus crinitus é um fungo ligninolítico que produz lacase e outras enzimas de interesse biotecnológico. O efeito da luz azul na atividade enzimática de fungos já foi estudado, contudo, ainda não há estudos sobre o efeito da luz azul na produção de enzimas ativas sobre carboidratos (CAZymes, carbohydrate-active enzymes) e de biomassa micelial de L. crinitus. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a avitivade de CAZymes e a produção de biomassa micelial de L. crinitus cultivado sob iluminação continua com luz azul. L. crinitus foi cultivado em meio extrato de malte, sem agitação, na ausência de luz e sob luz continua fornecida por diodos emissores de luz azul. A luz azul reduziu a atividade de cellulase total, pectinase e xilanase, mas aumentou a atividade de endoglucanase. A luz azul reduziu o crescimento micelial de L. crinitus em 26% e aumentou a razão atividade enzimática/biomassa micelial (U mg-1 em base seca) de cellulase total em 10%, endoglucanase em 33% e pectinase em 16%. Além disso, sugere-se que L. crinitus possua um sistema fotossensorial que poderia ser explorado para a otimização de bioprocessos que visam a obtenção de enzimas de interesse biotecnológico.