Polymers are options as antimicrobials for skin protection, antifouling surfaces, and fabrics. Here we analyzed the interaction of polymers based on poly(methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly((dimethylamino ethyl) methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) with model membranes and bacteria. We used the homopolymers PMMA, PDMAEMA, and the diblock copolymer(s) prepared with different PMMAm:PDMAEMAn ratios (m/n). The interactions of PDMAEMA and PMMAm-b-PDMAEMAn with large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) prepared with phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol at different pHs, were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential. These polymers promoted LUVs leakage of a fluorescent probe (5,6-carboxyfluorescein) localized exclusively in the internal aqueous compartment. Interestingly, all copolymers exhibit a bell-shaped pH dependence for the polymer-induced LUVs leakage. The interaction of the positively charged polymers and the pH effect was also demonstrated using giant unilamellar vesicles. These copolymers inhibited bacterial growth in the micromolar range and can be used to prevent bacterial growth on surfaces.

RESUMO Objetivos Comparar e discutir os objetos de consciência na doença de Alzheimer (DA): consciência dos déficits cognitivos, das atividades funcionais, do funcionamento socioemocional e prejuízos comportamentais. Métodos Realizou-se uma busca nas bases de dados PsycINFo, Pilots, PubMed/Medline e ISI de acordo com a metodologia do Prisma. Os artigos incluídos, publicados entre 2010 e 2015, avaliavam a consciência na DA com as combinações de palavras-chave: “Alzheimer AND consciência do déficit”, “Alzheimer AND anosognosia”, “Alzheimer AND insight”, “demência AND consciência do déficit”, “demência AND anosognosia”, “demência AND insight”. Os artigos foram categorizados conforme os objetos específicos da consciência. Resultados Setecentos e dez estudos foram identificados e, após a aplicação dos critérios de exclusão, 191 foram selecionados. Após a exclusão dos duplicados, 46 estudos foram incluídos. A maioria dos estudos avaliou o domínio cognitivo da consciência, seguido do funcional, do funcionamento socioemocional e prejuízos comportamentais. Déficits na memória não se mostraram suficientes para explicar o prejuízo da consciência na DA. Os estudos longitudinais não encontraram discrepâncias entre os relatos de pacientes e cuidadores, indicando que a consciência não está relacionada à cognição. Observaram-se controvérsias nos resultados na relação entre consciência, humor, gravidade da doença e características pessoais. Conclusões Os estudos demonstraram falta de consenso conceitual e diferenças metodológicas significativas. A inclusão de amostras sem diferenciação da etiologia demencial está associada a diferenças sintomáticas que afetam os domínios da consciência. A consciência na DA é um constructo complexo e multidimensional. Diferentes objetos suscitam diferentes níveis de consciência.

ABSTRACT Objectives To compare and discuss the objects of awareness in Alzheimer’s disease (AD): awareness of cognitive deficits, of functional activities, of social-emotional functioning and behavioral impairment. Methods A search in the PsycINFo, Pilots, PubMed/Medline and ISI electronic databases according to Prisma methodology was performed. We included studies about awareness in people with AD published between 2010 and 2015, with the combination of keywords: “Alzheimer AND awareness of deficits”, “Alzheimer AND anosognosia”, “Alzheimer AND insight”, “dementia AND awareness of deficits”, “dementia AND anosognosia”, “dementia AND insight”. The articles were categorized according to the specific object of awareness. Results Seven hundred and ten records were identified and, after application of the exclusion criteria, 191 studies were retrieved for potential use. After excluding the duplicates, 46 studies were included. Most studies assessed the cognitive domain of awareness, followed by the functional, social-emotional, and behavioral impairment domains. Memory deficits were not sufficient to explain impaired awareness in AD. Longitudinal studies did not find discrepancies between patients and caregivers’ reports, indicating that awareness is not related to cognition. Conflicting findings were observed, including the relation between awareness, mood, severity of disease, and personal characteristics. Conclusions The studies show lack of conceptual consensus and significant methodological differences. The inclusion of samples without differentiation of dementia etiology is associated to symptomatic differences, which affect awareness domains. Awareness in AD is a complex and multidimensional construct. Different objects elicit different levels of awareness.

Pretendeu-se, com o presente estudo, avaliar as perdas de nutrientes por lixiviação, em função do tipo de matéria orgânica incorporada ao solo e a sua acumulação na cultura do meloeiro. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação da UFC/CCA. O solo utilizado foi um Argissolo Acinzentado, coletado na camada de 0-10 cm. O delineamento experimental adotado foi o inteiramente casualisado, com 4 repetições. Os tratamentos testados, foram: 0% de matéria orgânica (TEST); 100% de esterco bovino (EB); 100% de palha de arroz (PA) e 50% de esterco bovino + 50% de palha de arroz (EB + PA). Avaliaram-se: densidade do solo, nitrogênio (total NT, mineral NM e orgânico NO), C orgânico total (CO), P, K, Ca, Mg e Na no solo, na água percolada e na planta. Os menores valores de densidade do solo foram encontrados no tratamento PA e os maiores, no TEST. Ocorreu perda de nutrientes por lixiviação com destaque para o P. A lixiviação dos nutrientes foi maior nos tratamentos que contiam matéria orgânica, na forma de esterco bovino. As perdas de NT e CO não tiveram, como principal causa, a lixiviação.

This study aimed to evaluate the nutrient losses by leaching as a function of the type of incorporated organic residues into the soil, as well as the accumulation in the melon crop. The experiment was developed in a greenhouse of the UFC/CCA. The soil was a Ultisol, collected in the layer of 0-10 cm. A completely randomized design considering four replications was adopted. The treatments tested were: 0% of organic residues (TEST); 100% of cattle manure (EB); 100% of rice straw (PA) and 50% of cattle manure + 50% of rice straw (EB + PA). The soil bulk density, the nitrogen (total NT, mineral NM and organic NO), total organic carbon (CO), P, K, Ca, Mg and Na in the soil, in the leached water and in the plants were evaluated. The lowest and highest soil bulk density values were found in the PA and TEST treatments, respectively. Nutrients losses by leaching, mainly in relation to P, were observed. The leaching of nutrients seems to be greater in the treatments using cattle manure. The NT and CO losses were not caused exclusively by leaching.