Construction and characterization of organic photovoltaic cells sensitized by Chrysanthemum based natural dye.

In this work, natural dyes from three different species of the same flower family (Chrysanthemum), which containing anthocyanin were extracted and properly prepared to be used as photosensitizers in DSSCs construction. The cells were fabricated with titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2) for the photoanodes, whereas platinum electrodes were used for the photocathodes. To understand the behavior of light absorption in addition to the coloring components present in the dyes and the molecular functional groups present in the samples, the UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and FTIR spectroscopy were used respectively. The performance and efficiency of solar cells were evaluated to establish the photovoltaic criteria for each DSSC built. Through electrochemical characterizations, it was possible to notice that the highest photovoltaic conversion efficiency was obtained with the Chrysanthemum Violet (CV) cell, with efficiency (η) of 1.348%, compared to 1.229% and 0.485% for the Chrysanthemum Green (CG) and Chrysanthemum Blue (CB) cells, respectively. The CV cell also has the highest open circuit voltage (VOC) at 0.58 V. The results corroborate to present the organic solar cells as a viable option for the electric energy generation.

Photoelectric performance evaluation of DSSCs using the dye extracted from different color petals of Leucanthemum vulgare flowers as novel sensitizers.

In this work, the natural flower extracted dyes containing luteolin were prepared using three different specimens from daisy flowers family (Leucanthemum vulgare), namely yellow daisy, purple daisy and wine daisy, according to the color of its petals. Moreover, DSSCs were fabricated using nanosized titanium dioxide (TiO2) as an anode; for the photocathodes, two different specimens were used: i) graphite electrode and ii) platinum electrode. To recognize the light absorption behavior, the existence of anchoring groups and coloring components of the extracted dyes were determined using absorption spectroscopy. The surface roughness of the photoanodes and cathodes were examined using atomic force microscope (AFM). The photovoltaic performance and efficiency of assembled DSSCs were evaluated to realize the influence of TiO2 photoanodes on interaction of the Leucanthemum vulgare extracted dye molecules with graphite or platinum photocathodes. DSSCs fabricated with platinum cathode show higher conversion efficiency (η) of 0.6%, 0.4% and 0.8% for the yellow daisy, wine daisy and purple daisy, respectively. DSSCs sensitized with daisy wine dye showed highest open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 520 mV and efficiency of 0.79% and 0.88%, for the graphite and platinum cathodes, respectively. These results showed that the DSSCs, using daisy flowers extracts as efficient photosensitizers, are suitable for the fabrication of environmentally safe, inexpensive, clean and renewable energy.

Technetium-99m-labeled lapachol as an imaging probe for breast tumor identification. / Lapachol marcado con tecnecio 99m como sonda de imágenes para la identificación de tumores de mama.

OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is a health problem worldwide with high incidence and mortality rates. It is well known that the development of more sensitive and specific diagnostic methods is of great importance since an early diagnosis is essential to successfully treat tumors. Lapachol is a natural compound, belonging to the naphthoquinone group that has been widely used in traditional medicine to treat various illnesses, including cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate technetium-99m (99mTc) labeled lapachol as an imaging probe for breast cancer identification. METHODS: To achieve this purpose, lapachol was labeled with 99mTc, radiochemical purity and in vitro stability were determined. Blood clearance, in healthy mice, and biodistribution, in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice, were also evaluated. RESULTS: Lapachol was successfully labeled with 99mTc, with high values of radiochemical yield (95.9±3.4%). In vitro stability showed that the radiolabeled complex remained stable for up to 24h, with values above 90% for both saline and plasma (95.6±3.6% and 96.4±1.7%, respectively). The radiolabeled complex decays in a biphasic manner, with a half-life of distribution and elimination equal to 3.3 and 50.0min, respectively. Biodistribution and scintigraphic images showed high uptake in organs of excretion (kidneys, liver, and intestine). It could be also noted that tumor uptake was higher than the muscle at all time points. Tumor-to-muscle ratio reaches ∼4.5 at 24h after administration. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that 99mTc-lapachol can be a potential diagnostic agent for breast tumors.

Biocompatible hydrophilic brushite coatings on AZX310 and AM50 alloys for orthopaedic implants.

Dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) brushite coating with flake like crystal structure for the protection of AZX310 and AM50 magnesium (Mg) alloys was prepared through chemical deposition treatment. Chemical deposition treatment was employed using Ca(NO3)2·4H2O and KH2PO4 along with subsequent heat treatment. The morphological results revealed that the brushite coating with dense and uniform structures was successfully deposited on the surface of AZX310 and AM50 alloys. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and Attenuated total reflectance infrared (ATR-IR) spectrum also revealed the confirmation of DCPD layer formation. Hydrophilic nature of the DCPD coatings was confirmed by Contact angle (CA) measurements. Moreover, electrochemical immersion and in vitro studies were evaluated to measure the corrosion performance and biocompatibility performance. The deposition of DCPD coating for HTI AM50 enables a tenfold increase in the corrosion resistance compared with AZX310. Hence the ability to offer such significant improvement in corrosion resistance for HTI AM50 was coupled with more bioactive nature of the DCPD coating is a viable approach for the development of Mg-based degradable implant materials.

Acrocomia aculeata oil: Beneficial effects on cyclophosphamide-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the extracted oil of Acrocomia aculeata pulp in preventing or mitigating the reproductive toxicity induced by cyclophosphamide (CP) in male rats. Adult male rats were segregated into seven groups that received vehicle, 100 mg/kg/day of CP, or 10 mg/kg/day of ß-carotene or 3 or 30 mg/kg/day of A. aculeata oil co-administered with CP. A. aculeata oil exhibited a high content of ß-carotene. CP treatment induced reproductive toxicity in the animals, as it changed the reproductive organs weight, hormone levels, sperm counts and testicular histology. In contrast, co-administration of A. aculeata improved CP-induced alterations in these parameters. A. aculeata oil also increased the gene Ckit expression and normalised the antioxidant enzymes levels which were changed by CP. The A. aculeata oil is capable of protecting the male reproductive system from the adverse effects of CP, possibly by acting as an antioxidant and increasing the Ckit gene expression.

Infrared Spectroscopy of Matrix-Isolated Neutral and Ionized Anthracoronene in Argon.

The matrix-isolated mid-IR (MIR) spectrum of neutral and ionized anthracoronene (C36H18, AnthCor) in argon has been measured experimentally, compared to the spectrum of its parent molecules, coronene and anthracene, and analyzed by comparison to a theoretical spectrum computed using density functional theory (DFT). The experimental and theoretical band positions generally agree within 0-10 cm-1. Anthracoronene exhibits extremely intense cation and anion bands around 1330 and 1318 cm-1. The intensity of these two bands approaches what is traditionally observed over the entire 1000-1600 cm-1 range for a typical PAH cation or anion. The matrix-isolated near-IR (NIR) through overlap region (OVR) spectrum of ionized AnthCor in argon has been reported for the first time and compared to the spectrum of its parent molecules, coronene and anthracene. The spectrum of AnthCor contains a very strong electronic transition around 6175 cm-1, placing it outside the range of the electronic transitions typically observed for PAHs. Anthracoronene is one of the few PAHs studied to date which has exhibited the formation of anions upon UV photolysis.

Photochemistry of coronene in cosmic water ice analogs at different concentrations.

This work presents the photochemistry of ultraviolet (UV) irradiated coronene in water ices at 15 K, studied using mid-infrared Fourier transform (FTIR) spectroscopy for C24H12:H2O at concentrations of (1:50), (1:150), (1:200), (1:300) and (1:400). Previous UV irradiation studies of anthracene:H2O, pyrene:H2O and benzo[ghi]perylene:H2O ices at 15 K have shown that aromatic alcohols and ketones, as well as CO2 and H2CO are formed at very low temperatures. Like-wise, here, in addition to the coronene cation, hydroxy-, keto-, and protonated coronene (coronene-H+) are formed. The rate constants for the decay of neutral coronene and for the formation of photoproducts have been derived. It is shown that PAHs and their UV-induced PAH:H2O photoproducts have mid-infrared spectroscopic signatures in the 5-8 µm region that can contribute to the interstellar ice components described by Boogert et al. (2008) as C1-C5. Our results suggest that oxygenated and hydrogenated PAHs could be in UV-irradiated regions of the ISM where water-rich ices are important.

Hyaluronidase shortens levobupivacaine lumbosacral epidural anaesthesia in dogs.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of hyaluronidase added to levobupivacaine in lumbosacral epidural blockade in dogs. METHODS: Six adult mixed breed dogs (two males and four females) weighing 7 to 14 kg (10.5 ±1.5 kg) and aged two to five years were used. Each dog received both treatments in random order: levobupivacaine alone (LBA; n=6) or levobupivacaine plus hyaluronidase (LBH; n=6) administered in the lumbosacral epidural space. Systemic effects, spread and duration of anaesthesia and motor block were determined before treatment and at predetermined intervals. RESULTS: The duration of local anaesthesia was 90 ±10 minutes (P=0.001) for LBH treatment and 150 ±15 minutes for LBA treatment. In the LBH treatment, anaesthesia reached the T12 to T13 dermatome and in the LBA treatment it reached the T11 to T12 dermatome in all animals in 5 and 15 minutes, respectively. Complete motor blockade was 75 ±12 minutes (P=0.01) and 120 ±15 minutes for LBH and LBA treatments, respectively. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Hyaluronidase added to levobupivacaine significantly shortens the duration of epidural anaesthesia with the same dermatome spread into the epidural space in dogs.

Water fragmentation and energy loss by carbon ions at the distal region of the Bragg peak.

Time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to investigate fragmentation and energy transfer processes in water by C ions at the distal part of the Bragg peak. Measurements of the positive ion fragments from ionization, electron capture, electron loss, transfer-loss and loss-ionization channels have allowed us for the first time (a) to obtain a quantitative determination of the energy lost by C ions in water and (b) to show that total water fragment ion production has a much flatter profile with projectile energy than would be expected if the water radical formation was assumed to follow the energy-loss profile obtained from available stopping power models.

[Incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients using open-suction systems and closed-suction systems: a prospective study -- preliminary data]. / Incidência de pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica em pacientes submetidos à aspiração endotraqueal pelos sistemas aberto e fechado: estudo prospectivo--dados preliminares.

This a randomized clinical trial in which 20 patients were prospectively evaluated for the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), of whom 12 received endotracheal suctioning by an open-suction method and 8 by a closed-suction method. Differences in the incidence of VAP was not significantly different (p = 0.4) between closed and open suctioning. Differences in Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, duration of entubation, and the use of steroids were all not significant. All patients in the study used H2 antagonist and a nasogastric tube. Proceeding with the study will involve a sample increase with a possible change in the results.

[Health care models for nursing practice]. / Modelos assistencias para a prática de enfermagem.

The focus of this study is the development and the choice of nursing models. It doesn't intend to discuss all the aspects involved in the development of models, but to emphasize the importance of choosing one to use in nursing clinical practice.

[Identification of the defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis of excess fluid volume]. / Identificação das características definidoras do diagnóstico de enfermagem excesso de volume de líquidos.

This study aimed at verifying the defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis "Fluid Volume Excess" proposed by NANDA. Data collection was carried out within a specialized Cardiology health care setting where the 29 patients were selected by two expert nurses. The conclusion showed consonance of opinions between the two professionals in regard to the identification of nine patients with diagnosis and 20 without this type of diagnosis. The identified defining characteristics appeared in different percentages considering the studied patients.

[Nursing specialization program: residential model: experience of establishing oneself in a teaching hospital]. / Curso de especialização em enfermagem--modalidade residência: experiência de implantação em um hospital-escola.

This is a report about the experience of setting up a Specialization Program for Nurses in a "Residence" format, at the school-hospital of the Federal University of São Paulo, which mixes the traditional structure of specialization programs in Brazil with the model of the resident physician practical training. It began on February 1995, with the following objectives: 1) to qualify nurses, in different specialities, by an intensive training program, on a full-time schedule; 2) to contribute to improve the process of nursing care and; 3) to increase the quality of nursing assistance in our hospital. The results of our experience allow us to suggest that's a good way to qualify nurses for the best nursing practice, and to increase nursing research in a very practical basis.

[Effect of propranolol and metoprolol on cardiorespiratory and metabolic response to exercise]. / Efeito do propranolol e metoprolol nas respostas cárdio-respiratórias e metabólicas ao exercício.

PURPOSE: To study the effects of intravenous propranolol and metoprolol on cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses to exercise. METHODS: Two groups of anaesthetized dogs (sodium pentobarbital, 33 mg/kg) were studied at rest and moderate exercise (induced by electrical stimulation) before and after metoprolol (0.4 mg/kg, n = 7) or propranolol (0.2 mg/kg, n = 10). Haemodynamic, metabolic and respiratory variables were measured. RESULTS: There was a decrease in heart rate both at rest and during exercise after metoprolol and propranolol administration. The cardiac output, stroke volume and peripheral vascular resistance presented decreased responses to exercise after both drugs. O2 consumption and CO2 production were not altered significantly at rest but increased in a lesser degree during exercise. Propranolol administration reduced ventilation during rest and exercise, although the ventilatory response to exercise remained the same. Metoprolol administration did not affect ventilation at rest but reduced the ventilatory response to exercise leading to an increase of the PaCO2. CONCLUSION: Propranolol and metoprolol effects on cardiovascular and metabolic variables measured at rest and during exercise were the same. The ventilatory effect with metoprolol administration was different from the observed with propranolol.