The invasive Egeria densa macrophyte and its potential as a new renewable energy source: A study of degradation kinetics and thermodynamic parameters.

The increase in global demand, along with environmental concerns, has led to the need for new sources that can supply the energy needed for socioeconomic development while reducing pollutant emissions. Aquatic biomasses, especially those of invasive aquatic macrophytes, can be potential energy sources, and this study evaluated the thermal degradation of the invasive Egeria densa macrophytes (EDM) in an inert environment at four heating rates to evaluate its potential as a low-cost biomass and bioenergy source. Pyrolysis experiments were performed using a thermogravimetric analyzer. The thermal profile of invasive EDM has three main events (multiple stages). Stages (i) and (ii) occur at a temperature range of 125-395 °C and represent the decomposition of carbohydrates such as hemicellulose and cellulose. Stage (iii) occurs between 395 and 500 °C and mainly relates to the decomposition of lignin. Thermal data have been used to analyze kinetic parameters through isoconversional methods, and the activation energy (Ea) value of EDM showed variation at different conversion points. The highest Ea values were observed for conversion rates of 0.3-0.6 due to the increased energy required to break down the lignocellulosic chains during decomposition. The small difference between the enthalpy change and Ea values for the different isoconversional methods can be due to a small potential energy barrier, which reflects the feasibility that the reaction can occur under the expected conditions. Gibbs free energy (137-145 kJ mol-1) and high heating value (13.40 MJ/kg) revealed a significant bioenergy potential for EDM biomass.

In vivo assessment of antioxidant, antigenotoxic, and antimutagenic effects of bark ethanolic extract from Spondias purpurea L.

Medicinal plants have always been used for therapeutic purposes; however, some plants may contain toxic and mutagenic substances. The aim of this study was to assess the cytotoxic, genotoxic, mutagenic, antioxidant, antigenotoxic, and antimutagenic effects of the bark ethanolic extract of Spondias purpurea L. using male and female Swiss albino mice. To determine the protective effects of the extract, benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and cyclophosphamide (CP) were selected as cell damage inducers. The extract was examined at doses of 500, 1000, or 1500 mg/kg body weight (BW)via gavage alone or concomitant with B[a]P or CP. Oxidative stress was measured by quantification of blood catalase activity (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in total blood, liver, and kidney, and concentrations of malondiadehyde (MDA) in liver and kidney. Genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity were evaluated by the comet assay using peripheral blood. Cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, and antimutagenicity were determined utilizing the micronucleus test in bone marrow and peripheral blood. The S. purpurea L extract increased CAT activity and GSH levels accompanied by a decrease in MDA levels after treatment with B[a]P and CP. No genotoxic, cytotoxic, or mutagenic effects were found in mice exposed only to the extract. These results indicate that the extract of S. purpurea exhibited protective effects against oxidative and DNA damage induced by B[a]P and CP.

Collagen I and III ratios and tenacity of rats muscle injured and treated with platelet-rich plasma / Relaciones de colágeno I y III y tenacidad del músculo de rata lesionado y tratado con plasma rico en plaquetas

SUMMARY: Severe muscle injuries are common in accidents and have a delayed recovery of muscle integrity. In these cases, muscle suture surgery is the standard treatment. However, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), has been widely used in orthopedic injuries due to its growth factors. Thus, the objective of the study will be to analyze the association of suture and PRP techniques in the collagen and tenacity of the injured muscle. Were used seventy rats, divided into five groups: control (C), injury control (CI), injury and suture (IS), injury and PRP (IP), injury, suture, and PRP (ISP). Were sectioned approximately 50 % of the width and 100 % of the thickness of the gastrocnemius muscle. The homologous PRP was applied 24h after the injury. On the 7th day after the injury, the animals were euthanized and their muscles subjected to mechanical testing to measure tenacity or collagen analysis to calculate the ratio between type I and III collagen. The results show a significant decrease (p <0.05) in the values of the relationship between collagens in all injured groups (CI, IS, IP, ISP) compared to group C. In injured groups, the tenacity was significantly (p <0.05) reduced compared to the control group, with no observed difference between treatments and injured groups. The amount of collagen in the injured area has increased, but it did not affect the tenacity of the muscles, which was reduced.

RESUMEN: Las lesiones musculares graves son comunes durante los accidentes y la integridad del músculo está sujeta a una larga recuperación. En esos casos la cirugía, para la sutura del músculo, es el tratamiento común, no obstante el plasma rico en plaquetas (PRP) ha sido utilizado recientemente en lesiones ortopédicas, debido a sus factores del crecimiento. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar la asociación de las técnicas de sutura y PRP en la histología y tenacidad de músculo lesionado. Fueron utilizadas 70 ratas distribuidas en cinco grupos: control (C), control lesión (CL), lesión y sutura (LS), lesión y PRP (LPRP), lesión, sutura y PRP (LSPRP). Aproximadamente en la lesión, el 50 % de la longitud y el 100 % del espesor del músculo gastrocnemio fueron seccionados. El PRP homólogo fue aplicado 24 horas después de la lesión. En el 7º día después de la lesión los animales fueron eutanasiados y las muestras fueran sometidas al ensayo mecánico para la medición de la tenacidad y análisis del colágeno, para realizar el cálculo de la relación entre los colágenos I y III. Los resultados demostraron una reducción significativa (p<0,05) en los valores de la relación entre los colágenos en todos los grupos lesionados en relación al grupo C. La tenacidad fue (p<0,05) reducida significativamente en los grupos lesionados en relación al grupo control, sin diferencia entre los tratados. En la lesión muscular hubo disminución de los valores de colágeno, aunque en los tratamientos se observó elevación de la cantidad de colágeno en la área lesionada, esta no tuvo efecto en la tenacidad de los músculos que fue disminuida en la lesión.

Green synthesis of colloidal gold nanoparticles using latex from Hevea brasiliensis and evaluation of their in vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity.

Latex extracted from Hevea brasiliensis tree has been used as a green alternative for preparing gold nanoparticles (Au NPs); however, no study evaluating the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of Au NPs synthesised using H. brasiliensis has been published. The present study aimed to synthesise and characterise colloidal Au NPs using latex from H. brasiliensis and to evaluate their in vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. Ideal conditions for the green synthesis of Au NPs were studied. In vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of Au NPs in CHO-K1 cells was also evaluated. Our findings indicated that the ideal synthesis conditions of pH, temperature, reduction time, and concentrations of latex and HAuCl4 were 7.0, 85°C, 120 min, 3.3 mg/mL, and 5.0 mmol/L, respectively. LC5024 h of Au NPs was 119.164 ± 5.31 µg/mL. Lowest concentration of Au NPs tested presented minimal cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. However, high concentrations of Au NPs promoted DNA damage and cell death via apoptosis. On the basis of these findings, the authors optimised the use of an aqueous solution of H. brasiliensis latex as a reducing/stabilising agent for the green synthesis of Au NPs. Low concentrations of these NPs are biocompatible in normal cell types, suggesting that these NPs may be used in biological applications.

Mechanical properties, safety and resistance values of Lemgruber® elastic tubing.

BACKGROUND: Lemgruber® elastic tubing has been used as an adjunct to exercise training with positive effects in healthy adults and in patients with chronic lung disease. Despite its benefits, there is a lack of information on the specific resistance, elongation, reproducibility and safety of the different types of Lemgruber® elastic tubing. OBJECTIVES: The primary outcome was to assess the length-resistance relation (E/R) of five Lemgruber® elastic tubing of different diameters. Secondary outcomes included the development of reference equations of resistance according to elongation of Lemgruber® elastic tubing types and; the description of Lemgruber® elastic tubing safety and; the description of elongation of Lemgruber® elastic tubing using a clinically useful outcome (i.e. range of motion, in degrees). METHODS: The relation between elongation and resistance of Lemgruber® elastic tubing was investigated in a laboratory environment. Secondly, reference equations for the resistance according to the elongation in each Lemgruber® elastic tubing were calculated. Finally, the elongation of the tubing during movements in different degrees of range of motion were estimated using mathematical models, so that the resistance provided by the tubing for any exercise could be predicted. RESULTS: Lemgruber® elastic tubing provided a large array of resistance varying from 3±0.1Newtons (N) to 537±13N (mean±standard deviation). The maximal resistance deemed safe for each of the five Lemgruber® elastic tubing were: 173±25N, 280±23N, 409±40N, 395±37N and 537±13N. Reference equations had nearly perfect predictive power (r2=0.99) for all polynomial non-linear models (p<0.001 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Lemgruber elastic tubing progressively increased resistance with increased elongation. The large array of resistances delivered by Lemgruber® elastic tubing, along with its safety and good estimation of reference values, support its use in clinical practice.

Jansen-MIDAS: A multi-level photomicrograph segmentation software based on isotropic undecimated wavelets.

Image segmentation, the process of separating the elements within a picture, is frequently used for obtaining information from photomicrographs. Segmentation methods should be used with reservations, since incorrect results can mislead when interpreting regions of interest (ROI). This decreases the success rate of extra procedures. Multi-Level Starlet Segmentation (MLSS) and Multi-Level Starlet Optimal Segmentation (MLSOS) were developed to be an alternative for general segmentation tools. These methods gave rise to Jansen-MIDAS, an open-source software. A scientist can use it to obtain several segmentations of hers/his photomicrographs. It is a reliable alternative to process different types of photomicrographs: previous versions of Jansen-MIDAS were used to segment ROI in photomicrographs of two different materials, with an accuracy superior to 89%.

Análise termogravimétrica da cartilagem articular de ratos exercitados após imobilização / Thermogravimetric analysis of articular cartilage of exercised rats after immobilization / Análisis termogravimétrico del cartílago articular de ratones ejercitados después de inmovilización

INTRODUÇÃO: A imobilização articular é uma técnica de tratamento frequentemente utilizada na ortopedia e, associada ao processo de senescência, promove alterações tanto na estrutura quanto na síntese e biomecânica do tecido cartilaginoso. OBJETIVO: Descrever os efeitos da imobilização, da remobilização livre e por meio de exercício físico sobre a cartilagem articular de ratos situados em duas faixas etárias. MÉTODOS: Trinta e nove ratos Wistar divididos em dois grupos etários, um grupo adulto (cinco meses de idade) e um idoso (15 meses de idade), subdivididos em: controle, imobilizado, remobilizado livre e remobilizado por meio de exercício físico. Os membros posteriores dos ratos foram imobilizados por sete dias. O protocolo de exercícios foi composto por cinco sessões diárias de natação, de 25 minutos cada. A cartilagem articular do quadril foi submetida à análise termogravimétrica, tendo sido avaliado seu conteúdo de água. RESULTADOS: Nos animais adultos a imobilização reduziu a quantidade de água presente no tecido cartilaginoso, e os protocolos de remobilização foram eficazes para restabelecer a condição inicial do tecido. Nos animais idosos não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos, porém o grupo idoso controle obteve resultado significantemente menor que o grupo adulto controle (X: 13,10 ± 5,24 vs 10,70 ± 1,95). CONCLUSÕES: A imobilização e o processo de senescência induzem a diminuição do conteúdo de água da cartilagem articular e os protocolos de remobilização foram eficientes para restabelecer esta propriedade apenas nos animais adultos. .

INTRODUCTION: Joint immobilization is a technique often used in orthopedic treatment and, associated with the aging process, promotes changes in both the structure and synthesis and biomechanics of cartilage tissue. OBJECTIVE: To describe the effects of immobilization, free remobilization and remobilization by physical exercise over articular cartilage of rats of two age groups. METHODS: Thirty nine Wistar rats divided into two groups according to age, an adult group (five months old) and an elderly group (15 months old), and subdivided into: control, immobilized, free remobilized and remobilized by physical exercise. The pelvic limb of rats was immobilized for seven days. The exercise protocol consisted of 25 minutes swimming sessions, five sessions per day. The hip articular cartilage was subjected to thermogravimetric analysis, and the water content was evaluated. RESULTS: In adult animals immobilization reduced the water content of the articular cartilage, and the remobilization protocols were effective to restore the initial condition of the tissue. In elderly animals there were not significant differences among the groups, however the elderly control group obtained results significantly lower than the adult control group (X: 13.10 ± 5.24 vs 10.70 ± 1.95). CONCLUSIONS: Immobilization and the senescence process induce the decrease of water content of articular cartilage and remobilization protocols were effective to restoring this property only in adult animals. .

INTRODUCCIÓN: La inmovilización articular es una técnica de tratamiento frecuentemente utilizada en ortopedia y asociada al proceso de senescencia, que promueve alteraciones tanto en la estructura como en la síntesis y la biomecánica del tejido cartilaginoso. OBJETIVO: Describir los efectos de la inmovilización, de la removilización libre y mediante el ejercicio físico sobre el cartílago articular de ratones de dos grupos de edad. MÉTODOS: Treinta y nueve ratones Wistar divididos en dos grupos de edad, un grupo adulto (cinco meses) y un grupo anciano (15 meses), y subdividos en control, inmovilizado, removilizado libre y removilizado a través de ejercicio físico. Los miembros posteriores de los ratones fueron inmovilizados durante un período de siete días. El protocolo de ejercicios fue compuesto por cinco sesiones diarias de natación, de 25 minutos cada una. El cartílago articular de la cadera fue sometido a análisis termogravimétrico, siendo evaluado su contenido de agua. RESULTADOS: En los animales adultos la inmovilización redujo la cantidad de agua presente en el tejido cartilaginoso, y los protocolos de removilización fueron eficaces para restablecer la condición inicial del tejido. En los animales ancianos no hubo diferencia significativa entre los grupos, aunque el grupo anciano control obtuvo resultado significativamente menor que el grupo adulto control (X: 13,10 ± 5,24 vs 10,70 ± 1,95). CONCLUSIONES: La inmovilización y el proceso de senescencia inducen la disminución en el contenido de agua de cartílago articular y los protocolos de removilización fueron eficientes para restablecer esta propiedad sólo en los animales adultos. .

Segmentation of scanning electron microscopy images from natural rubber samples with gold nanoparticles using starlet wavelets.

Electronic microscopy has been used for morphology evaluation of different materials structures. However, microscopy results may be affected by several factors. Image processing methods can be used to correct and improve the quality of these results. In this article, we propose an algorithm based on starlets to perform the segmentation of scanning electron microscopy images. An application is presented in order to locate gold nanoparticles in natural rubber membranes. In this application, our method showed accuracy greater than 85% for all test images. Results given by this method will be used in future studies, to computationally estimate the density distribution of gold nanoparticles in natural rubber samples and to predict reduction kinetics of gold nanoparticles at different time periods.

Muscle mechanical properties of adult and older rats submitted to exercise after immobilization.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the effects of immobilization, free remobilization and remobilization by physical exercise about mechanical properties of skeletal muscle of rats of two age groups. METHODS: 56 Wistar rats divided into two groups according to age, an adult group (five months) and an older group (15 months). These groups were subdivided in: control, immobilized, free remobilized and remobilized by physical exercise. The pelvic limb of rats was immobilized for seven days. The exercise protocol consisted of five swimming sessions, once per day and 25 minutes per session. The gastrocnemius muscle was subjected to tensile tests, and evaluated the properties: load at the maximum limit, stretching at the maximum limit and stiffness. RESULTS: The immobilization reduced the values of load at the maximum limit and the remobilization protocols were not sufficient to restore control levels in adult group and older rats. The stretching at the maximum limit differs only in the older group. CONCLUSIONS: The immobilization reduces the muscle's ability to bear loads and exercise protocol tends to restore the default at control values in adult and older rats. The age factor only interfered in the stretching at the maximum limit, inducing a reduction of this property in the post-immobilization. Level of Evidence II, Investigating the Results of Treatment.

Propriedades mecânicas do músculo de ratos adultos e idosos, exercitado pós-imobilização / Muscle mechanical properties of adult and older rats submitted to exercise after immobilization

OBJETIVOS: Descrever os efeitos da imobilização, da remobilização livre e por meio de exercício físico sobre as propriedades mecânicas do músculo esquelético de ratos de duas faixas etárias. MÉTODOS: 56 ratos Wistar divididos em dois grupos etários, um grupo adulto (cinco meses) e um idoso (15 meses). Estes foram subdivididos em: controle, imobilizado, remobilizado livre e remobilizado por meio de exercício físico. Os membros posteriores dos ratos foram imobilizados por período de sete dias. O protocolo de exercícios foi composto por cinco sessões de natação, uma vez por dia e 25 minutos por sessão. O músculo gastrocnêmio foi submetido a ensaios de tração, sendo avaliadas as propriedades: carga (CLM), alongamento no limite máximo (ALM) e rigidez. RESULTADOS: A imobilização reduziu os valores de CLM e os protocolos de remobilização não foram suficientes para restabelecer aos níveis controle tanto nos animais adultos como nos idosos. O ALM apresentou diferença somente no grupo idoso. CONCLUSÕES: A imobilização reduz a capacidade do músculo de suportar cargas e protocolo de exercício físico apresenta uma tendência a restabelecer os valores ao padrão controle, tanto nos animais adultos como nos idosos. O fator idade interferiu somente no ALM gerando redução desta propriedade no período pós-imobilização. Nível de Evidência II, Investigação dos Resultados do Tratamento.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the effects of immobilization, free remobilization and remobilization by physical exercise about mechanical properties of skeletal muscle rats of two age groups. METHODS: 56 Wistar rats divided into two groups according to age, an adult group (five months) and an older group (15 months). These groups were subdivided in: control, immobilized, free remobilized and remobilized by physical exercise. The pelvic limb of rats was immobilized for seven days. The exercise protocol consisted by five swimming sessions, once per day and 25 minutes per session. The gastrocnemius muscle was subjected to tensile tests, and evaluated the properties: load at the maximum limit, stretching at the maximum limit and stiffness. RESULTS: The immobilization reduced the values of load at the maximum limit and the remobilization protocols were not sufficient to restore control levels in adult group and older rats. The stretching at the maximum limit differs only in the older group. CONCLUSIONS: The immobilization reduces the muscle's ability to bear loads and exercise protocol tends to restore the default at control values in adult and older rats. The age factor only interfered in the stretching at the maximum limit, inducing a reduction this property in the post-immobilization. Level of Evidence II, Investigating the Results of Treatment.

Molecular architecture of thin films fabricated via physical vapor deposition and containing a poly(azo)urethane.

Organic thin films are widely applied as transducers in devices whose performance is determined by the optical and electrical properties of the films. In this context, the molecular architecture of the thin films plays an important role. In this work we report the fabrication and characterization of a poly(azo)urethane synthesized fixing CO2 in bis-epoxide followed by a copolymerization reaction with an azodiamine without using isocyanate. The poly(azo)urethane thin films were fabricated by physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique using vacuum thermal evaporation. The molecular architecture of the PVD films was investigated under control growth at nanometer level of thickness, as well as the surface morphology at micro and nanometer scales and the molecular organization. The thermal stability of the poly(azo)urethane molecules, which is a challenge in itself considering the thermal evaporation process, was followed by thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and also by both Fourier transform infrared absorption (FTIR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectroscopies. The UV-vis absorption spectra showed a linear growth of the absorbance of the PVD films with the mass thickness measured by a quartz crystal balance. A random distribution of the poly(azo)urethane molecules in the PVD films was revealed by FTIR spectra. The film morphology was investigated at microscopic level combining chemical and topographical information through micro-Raman technique. At nanoscopic scale, the morphology was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) for films fabricated using distinct evaporation rates. As a proof of principle (for potential applications), the film luminescence was measured over a wide range of temperature. Interestingly, an unusual increase of fluorescence intensity was observed at +150 degrees C after a monotonic decrease from -150 degrees C.