Abstract Previous studies have investigated the preparation of heterogeneous biocatalysts based on the immobilization of lipases on distinct types of supports. However, few works have investigated the influence of the textural properties of these supports on the immobilization parameters. Thus, the present article reports the preparation of copolymers based on divinylbenzene by aqueous suspension polymerizations, using different amounts of porogenic agents to prepare particles with distinct textural properties. The particles were used for immobilization of lipase from Candida antarctica fraction B and the performance of the biocatalysts was evaluated in hydrolysis reactions, using p-nitrophenyl laurate as substrate. The use of Sty/DVB particles resulted in higher immobilization yields (89.5% and 99.2%) and higher hydrolytic activities, when compared to the Sty/VBC/DVB particles. Particularly, the increase of the pore diameters of the particles resulted in higher immobilization yields. Also, the hydrolytic activities depended simultaneously on the average pore diameter, porosity, and specific area (the most influential variable) of the supports. Thus, it was observed that the distinct morphological features of the polymer support can exert significant and conflicting effects on the final biocatalyst performance, since the specific surface area is normally expected to decrease with the increase of the average pore size.

Abstract This work reports the preparation of magnetic polymeric microspheres based on poly(methyl methacrylate) and the investigation of these materials as catalysts in heterogeneous Fenton processes for the decolorization of methyl orange (MO). The microspheres were prepared by polymerization of the magnetic material together with the monomers by aqueous suspension polymerization. The microspheres had specific surface area of 48.2 m2 g-1. Mossbauer data indicated that the magnetic material was a mixture of magnetite (31%), maghemite (21%), and goethite (48%). Fenton reactions were performed by varying the concentration of H2O2, pH, composite mass, and contact time. The highest color removal rates (around 80%) were reached at pH 3.0, 20% w/v of composite, 20 minutes contact time, and 10 ppm of H2O2. The composite could be reused during four cycles with removal efficiency above 50%. The results indicated that the adsorption and oxidation mechanisms act together determining the variation of the MO dye removal.

Abstract Copolymers based on glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) are considered attractive as sorbents because the epoxy groups can be easily converted into other groups. Studies involving the influence of the synthesis parameters on the morphological characteristics of these copolymers are scarce. This work investigates the synthesis of copolymers of poly(GMA-co-EGDMA) with different porosity degrees obtained by varying the synthesis parameters. GMA-EGDMA copolymers were synthesized by suspension polymerization employing varied conditions and characterized by measuring apparent density, surface area and pore volume distribution, optical and scanning electron microcopies, FT-IR, thermogravimetry and titration of epoxide rings. The copolymer with highest surface area and pore volume (260.4 m2/g and 0.5 cm3/g) was prepared employing cyclohexane as diluent, 80% EGDMA in monomeric composition and 100% of dilution degree. There was a relation between the epoxide content of the copolymers determined by titration and the residue content formed in the first decomposition stage.

ABSTRACT Objective to describe the caregivers’ perception of preparation to care for children with chronic diseases. Methods qualitative research, carried out with nine caregivers in a home transition unit in a tertiary hospital. Semi-structured interviews were used to obtain the data, and the content analysis technique was used to describe the results. Results with the qualitative material analysis process, the main perceptions of the reported care were obtained: Knowing the Care Unit; Training, learning and guidance and Difficulties faced. Conclusion the preparation for the care of children with chronic diseases is complex and was perceived as a fundamental step towards leaving hospital, requiring from these caregivers donation and effort to face this process.

RESUMO Objetivo descrever a percepção dos cuidadores da preparação para o cuidar de crianças com doenças crônicas. Métodos pesquisa qualitativa, realizada com nove cuidadores em uma unidade de transição domiciliar de um hospital terciário. Utilizaram-se a entrevista semiestruturada, para obtenção dos dados, e a técnica de análise de conteúdo, para descrição dos resultados. Resultados com o processo de análise do material qualitativo, obtiveram-se as principais percepções dos cuidados relatados: Conhecendo a Unidade de Cuidados; Treinamento, aprendizagem e orientações e Dificuldades enfrentadas. Conclusão a preparação para os cuidados com as crianças com doenças crônicas é complexa e foi percebida como etapa fundamental para a desospitalização, exigindo desses cuidadores doação e empenho para enfrentar tal processo.

Resumo Introdução: O alcoolismo é um grande problema de saúde pública, de elevado custo social e que afeta vários aspectos da atividade humana. Hepatopatia é uma das primeiras consequências do abuso de álcool, podendo ocorrer esteatose, cirrose hepática e hepatite. Outros órgãos, porém, também são afetados, ocorrendo alterações patológicas, como pancreatite, cardiomiopatias, dislipidemias e aterosclerose. Objetivo: Identificar a ocorrência e a intensidade de aterosclerose em alcoolistas com cirrose hepática, observando alterações macro e microscópicas do depósito lipídico e de fibras colágenas e fígado. Verificar a associação de depósito lipídico e de fibras colágenas com gênero, idade e índice de massa corporal (IMC). Relacionar alcoolismo, cirrose hepática e aterosclerose. Método: Foi realizado estudo com base em laudos de autópsias de pacientes com cirrose hepática alcoólica, sendo estudados aortas e fígados para verificar a ocorrência e a intensidade de aterosclerose, bem como a quantidade de colágeno encontrada. Resultados: A aterosclerose microscópica foi maior em jovens (lesão inicial) e em pacientes com cirrose hepática alcoólica. A análise macroscópica da aterosclerose nas aortas mostrou que pacientes com faixas etárias mais avançadas apresentaram classificações mais intensas. A aterosclerose, tanto micro quanto macroscopicamente, e a porcentagem de fibrose no fígado e na aorta foram mais expressivas no gênero feminino. Conclusão: Os pacientes cirróticos apresentaram maior porcentagem de fibrose e lipidose, e podem representar um grupo susceptível à acelerada progressão de doenças cardiovasculares. Estudos investigativos contribuem para o direcionamento das intervenções promotoras da saúde, reduzindo a mortalidade e os custos no tratamento das doenças cardiovasculares.

Summary Introduction: Alcoholism is a major public health problem, which has a high social cost and affects many aspects of human activity. Liver disease is one of the first consequences of alcohol abuse, and steatosis, liver cirrhosis and hepatitis may occur. Other organs are also affected with pathological changes, such as pancreatitis, cardiomyopathies, dyslipidemias and atherosclerosis. Objective: To identify the occurrence and degree of atherosclerosis in alcohol-dependent individuals with liver cirrhosis, observing macroscopic and microscopic changes in lipid and collagen deposits and in the liver. We also aimed to verify the association of lipid and collagen fiber deposits with gender, age and body mass index, and to relate alcoholism, liver cirrhosis and atherosclerosis. Method: We performed a study based on autopsy reports of patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, with analysis of aorta and liver fragments to verify the occurrence and degree of atherosclerosis, as well as collagen contents. Results: Microscopic atherosclerosis was higher in young subjects (early injury) and in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis. The macroscopic analysis of atherosclerosis in aortas showed that patients in more advanced age groups presented more severe classifications. Atherosclerosis, both micro and macroscopically, and the percentage of fibrosis in the liver and aorta were more expressive in females. Conclusion: Cirrhotic patients presented a higher percentage of fibrosis and lipidosis, and may represent a group susceptible to the accelerated progression of cardiovascular diseases. Investigative studies contribute to targeting health-promoting interventions, reducing the mortality and costs of treating cardiovascular disease.

Resumo: Apresenta-se o momento histórico da entrada da teoria freudiana no Brasil como um processo que esteve intimamente relacionado às demandas da intelligentsia nacional em seu esforço de construção do projeto de nação que ecoava no país desde o final do século XIX. Ao identificarmos as duas vias discursivas de apropriação da psicanálise no Brasil, a medicina higienista e a arte modernista brasileira, pretendemos, neste estudo, indicar os traços que esses pontos de ancoragem deixaram no processo de construção do movimento psicanalítico nacional.

Abstract: The pest in Brazil: the introduction of Freudian ideas in Brazil from medicine and modernism. This article presents the historical period of the introduction of Freudian theory in Brazil as a process that was closely related to the national intelligentsia's interests and their efforts to enhance a great cultural project that was already being conceived from the late nineteenth century. By identifying the two distinct ways of appropriation of psychoanalysis in Brazil, medicine hygienist and Brazilian modernist art, this article also indicates the impact and consequences of these two movements on the beginning of the psychoanalytical movement in Brazil.

Glycerol, a co-product of the biodiesel industry, may be a suitable raw material for the production of high added-value compounds by the microorganisms. This study aimed to use the glycerol obtained from the biodiesel production process as the main carbon source for biosurfactant production by Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633. Results indicated that the strain lowered the surface tension of the cell-free fermented broth to 31.5 ± 1.6 mN/m, indicating the production of biosurfactant. The critical micelle concentration (CMC = 33.6 mN/m) obtained was similar to the previously reported for biossurfactants isolated from other Bacillus. The produced biosurfactant was able to emulsify n-hexadecane and soybean oil.

O feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) é de grande expressão alimentícia. A emergência da cultura é dependente de água e considerada a fase mais crítica. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram simular a deficiência de água no início da germinação em laboratório, em sementes de feijão 'Pérola', utilizando-se: manitol, CaCl2, MgCl2 e NaCl em potenciais de 0; -0,3; -0,6; -0,9 e - 1,2 MPa, estabelecidos pela equação de Van't Hoff e avaliar o perfil eletroforético de proteínas totais solúveis por meio de SDS-PAGE. Foram avaliados: germinação, classificação de vigor, massa seca de raiz e de parte aérea e resposta diferencial de expressão de proteínas. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado. Os dados foram analisados pela aplicação do teste F, para análise de variância, regressão polinomial para os níveis de potencial osmóticos para cada uma das variáveis fisiológicas estudadas. O bandeamento eletroforético foi avaliado visualmente por imagem dos géis. A simulação do estresse permitiu avaliar a drasticidade do NaCl em todos os parâmetros avaliados e a ausência de proteínas de baixo peso molecular neste osmótico. As proteínas de 110 e 30 kDa foram indicativas de estresse hídrico, mas não do salino.

Snap-beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) have a high nutritionally value. Successful seedling emergence is dependent on the availability of water and is considered the most critical phase in plant development. The objectives of this work were to simulate water deficiency at the beginning of the germination period. Snap-bean seeds of the variety 'Pérola' were submitted to osmotic stress under laboratory conditions. Mannitol, CaCl2, MgCl2 and NaCl were used to develop five degrees of osmotic potential: 0, -0.3, -0.6, -0.9 and -1.2 MPa. Van't Hoff's equation was used to calculate the osmotic potential. The protein pattern of the total soluble proteins after electrophoresis was evaluated with SDS-PAGE. The response parameters were evaluated including the germination, the vigour classification, the root dry weight, the shoot dry weight and the resultant differential protein expression. The experimental design was completely randomised. Data were analysed using the F test (ANOVA), and polynomial regression was used for the osmotic potential levels for each parameter. The protein banding pattern was evaluated using gel imaging. The simulation of a water deficiency resulted in the perception of a stress and a subsequent response to NaCl in all of the parameters that were evaluated. The harsh effects of the NaCl were validated as the lack of the expression of low molecular weight proteins. Proteins with molecular weights of 110 and 30 kDa were indicative of water stress but not of salinity.