Repositório RCAAP

In this work we performed ab initio calculations on two drugs, benzonidazole and mebendazole, used on the treatment of parasitic infections. The calculations were divided into obtaining the vibrational modes Raman and infrared spectra, molecular dynamics and calculation of the potential energy distribution. We developed the software PEDCALC to calculate the potential energy distribution and classify the vibrational modes. The classification of the vibrational modes is done by comparing the calculated spectra with experimental spectra and the potential energy distribution. We showed that software PEDCALC can produce accurate results of the potential energy distribution, and it is essential tool in the classification of vibrational modes of any molecule. We performed molecular dynamics calculations in the dimer of mebendazole to show the exchange of hydrogen atoms between its monomers, so we observed the dynamics of the tautomerism of this molecule.

This master's thesis investigated the flows of material and information among participants of the supply chain of pre-fabricated wooden doors. The Brazilian literature on the topic presents different studies on supply chain mapping, however, few of them discuss issues related to supply chains on the country's Northeastern region. The supply chain investigated was choosen based on previous research projects carried out by the Grupo de Pesquisa e Assessoria em Gerenciamento na Construção Civil (GERCON), a construction management research group at the Federal University of Ceará, Brazil. Previous studies carried out by GERCON researchers, on low-income housing projects, had revealed numerous problems related to wooden doors and windows. Using the results of previous studies as a starting point, this thesis studied the pre-fabricated wooden doors and their supply chain which have all of its components pre-assembled by the supplier. The use of pre-fabricated wooden doors would theoretically reduce the number of activities performed at the construction site, and would result in a shorter installation time. The two-phase research comprised a preliminary study and two in-depth case studies about pre-fabricated wooden doors. The author carried out the case studies in two high rising buildings (one residential and one commercial) in the city of Fortaleza, Brazil, in order to investigate the supply chain of pre-fabricated wooden doors. Value stream maps were developed based on direct observation of the processes involved to fabricate and install the product at the supplier‟s plant and the construction site respectively, photos, and interviews with different professionals at the plant and at the site. Wooden doors presented problems related to the installation and final product quality regardless of the type of project. Some advantages of prefabricated elements were lost due lack of trust between contractors and suppliers, lack of consideration of preconditions necessary for successful site installation, and lack of standardization and tolerance management resulted in suboptimal solutions during the installation phase. Special attention should be paid to the interfaces between the prefabricated element and the other parts of the project, current means and methods should be revisited if the project is to fully take advantage of prefabrication. The lack of open communication and low levels of trust amongst the supply chain actors result in enormous amounts of waste (e.g., rework, wasted time, unnecessary handling, unnecessary use of resources) and diminished value to the client.

The structural and thermal decomposition properties of Mg-Fe and Co-Cu-Fe hy-drotalcites (HT) have been studied through thermogravimetric analysis, X ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 57Fe MÄossbauer spectroscopy. In the Mg-Fe system, the destruction of the layered structure took place at about 300 oC. The broad peaks observed in the X ray diffractograms suggests that the resultant oxides constitute a solid solution. For samples treated at temperatures higher than 500 oC the formation of the MgO and MgFe2O4 formation of the MgO and MgFe2O4 spinel phases is observed. 57Fe MÄossbauer spectroscopy was employed to monitor the Fe chemical environment for the samples annealed at different temperatures (100-900 oC). In situ XRD experiments revealed that the HTs start an interlayer contraction at about 180 oC. This phenomenon is identifed as being due to a grafting process for which the interlamellar anions attach to the layers through a covalent bond. The reconstruction of the Mg-Fe HTs was also investigated and its e±ciency depends on the thermal annealing temperature and on the Mg/Fe ratio. The structure of the reconstructed samples was found to be exactly the same as the parent structure. The in situ 57Fe MÄossbauer experiments were performed in the 100-500 oC temperature range con¯rm an increasing structural disorder in this temperature range. The quadrupolar splitting indicates that the maximum disorder occurs at 300 oC. Regarding the Co-Cu-Fe ternary system we have observed that due to the strong Jahn-Teller e®ect the Cu-Fe layered system is stabilized only in the presence of Co2+. At low Co2+ contents, additional phases are segregated in the solids. X ray patterns di®raction The structural and thermal decomposition properties of Mg-Fe and Co-Cu-Fe hydrotalcites (HT) have been studied through thermogravimetric analysis, X ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 57Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy. In the Mg-Fe system, the destruction of the layered structure took place at about 300 oC. The broad peaks observed in the X ray diffractograms suggests that the resultant oxides constitute a solid solution. For samples treated at temperatures higher than 500 oC the formation of the MgO and MgFe2O4 formation of the MgO and MgFe2O4 spinel phases is observed. 57Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy was employed to monitor the Fe chemical environment for the samples annealed at different temperatures (100-900 oC). In situ XRD experiments revealed that the HTs start an interlayer contraction at about 180 oC. This phenomenon is identified as being due to a grafting process for which the interlamellar anions attach to the layers through a covalent bond. The reconstruction of the Mg-Fe HTs was also investigated and its efficiency depends on the thermal annealing temperature and on the Mg/Fe ratio. The structure of the reconstructed samples was found to be exactly the same as the parent structure. The in situ 57Fe Mossbauer experiments were performed in the 100-500 oC temperature range confirm an increasing structural disorder in this temperature range. The quadrupolar splitting indicates that the maximum disorder occurs at 300 oC. Regarding the Co-Cu-Fe ternary system we have observed that due to the strong Jahn-Teller effect the Cu-Fe layered system is stabilized only in the presence of Co2+. At low Co2+ contents, additional phases are segregated in the solids. X ray patterns diffraction show the presence of Cu(OH)2 and CuO. The decomposition process was investigated by in situ X ray, in situ Mossbauer and FTIR experiments. By increasing the temperature from 25 oC up to 180 oC we observed that the structural disorder increases. This effect has been likely attributed to the Co 2+ to Co3+ oxidation since thermal decomposition was carried out under static air atmosphere. Part of the Co3+ cations could migrate to the interlayer region, thus forming a metastable compound that still has a layered structure. Collapse of the layered structure was observed at about 200 oC. By further increasing the temperature the system becomes more crystalline and the formation of Co3O4 is observed in the X ray patterns. In Cu-rich HT, some of the carbonate anions are released at temperatures higher than 550 oC and this phenomenon is attributed to the formation of a carbonate-rich phase. The specific surface area data present its highest values in the temperature range where the collapse of the layered structure takes place.

In Brazilian roadways, which concentrate 96.2% of the passengers and 61.8% of the cargo, it is clear the deterioration of asphalt pavements caused by an increasing volume and weight of the vehicle loadings. This configuration strongly contributes to pavement distresses, specially rutting and fatigue cracking. On another hand, the State of Ceará shows a lack of paved roadways, with only 16.0% of paved roads. The Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) mixture appeared a few years ago as a solution for minimizing distresses on roadways with high traffic levels. Some researches, however, demonstrate that SMA mixtures with small Nominal Maximum Aggregate Sizes (NMAS) offer similar performances to SMA mixtures with usual NMAS. The objective of the present research was to design SMA mixtures with different gradations in order to study some characteristics of this type of mixture, investigating the effect (i) of the NMAS, (ii) of the percentage of aggregate passing in sieve N. 4 (4.75mm) for 12.5mm NMAS SMA mixtures and (iii) of the compaction type (Marshall × Superpave) on the mechanical behavior of the mixtures. The mixtures were evaluated by (i) resilient modulus, (ii) indirect tensile strength, (iii) fatigue life (stress controlled), (iv) resistance to moisture damage and (v) Cantabro abrasion. The results support the idea that SMA mixtures with small NMAS behave similar to those with usual NMAS. Furthermore, the 4.75mm NMAS SMA appears to be a potential solution for roadways in Ceará, considering the traffic configuration of this state.

The present work shows the study of the ultrasound irradiation influence in the electrodeposition of Ni-Fe coatings. The electrocatalytic performance of these coatings for the hydrogen evolution reaction (her) in alkaline medium was also evaluated. The Ni-Fe coatings were obtained from plating solutions containing 0.06 mol.dm-3 Ni2SO4.6H2O, 0.48 mol.dm-3 Na3C3H5O7.2H2O, 0.71 mol.dm-3 Na2CO3 and 0.16 mol.dm-3 (bath 1) and 0.04 mol.dm-3 FeSO4.7H2O (bath 2). It was also added 8.4 mL L-1 H2SO4 to maintain the pH below 1. The electrodepositions were carried out under galvanostatic control in the range of 10 mA cm-2 to 50 mA cm-2, at room temperature (≈ 28ºC) and at 55ºC in the presence and in the absence of ultrasound irradiation. All coatings were deposited on disk mild steel substrate with an exposed geometric area of 0.7 cm2. The hydrogen evolution reaction was studied in 0.5 mol.dm-3 NaOH. In all electrochemical experiments Pt was the auxiliary electrode and Hg/HgO, OH- (0,5 mol.dm-3) was the reference one. The coatings ware characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and the electrocatalytic properties of the Ni-Fe coating were evaluated by Tafel polarization and long-term performance tests. The results showed that the use of the ultrasound irradiation leads to an increase of the Fe content in the electrodeposits. Additionally, the coatings obtained in presence of ultrasound also present the best performance for her.

The interest for the electroplating of CuNi and its multiple layers is proportionate to the properties of these materials, such as: mechanical resistance to corrosion, mechanical (high tractive force, malleability and ductility) and magnetic properties, beyond its catalytic properties. The voltammetric results suggest that CuNi is electroplated, forming a solid solution. By cyclic voltammetry, the influence of different electrolytic bath in the electroplating of CuNi was investigated, where if it observed the formation of more noble alloys in sulphate baths and tartarate and less noble alloys in citrate and citrate/tartarate medium. Hydrodynamic experiments had been carried through, where it was verified for CuNi in sulphate and tartarate a transport of diffusional mass; for CuNi in citrate and citrate/tartarate was not observed the formation of diffusional plateau, suggesting a transport of mass by charge transference. By dispersive energy of rays-X, the atomic percentage of the constituent of the alloy was determined, where CuNi alloy in sulphate bath and tartarate present a percentage of nickel about 20% and in citrate and citrate/tartarate medium, the percentage of nickel falls espectively for 2% and 4%. By spectrometry of absorption of UV-Vis it was calculated the _ values for individual metals and CuNi, being found low values, indicating that as much the individual metals as the alloy in the different electrolytic transitions d-d type. It was made a comparative study between the electrochemical techniques (Linear Sweep Voltammetry, Chronoamperometry) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), for copper determination. The copper taxes determined for both methods are near, presenting small variations, where the gotten errors are distributed in a random way presenting an average value of 2,56%. The carried through statistical tests had shown that the gotten results are in a reliable band of 95%. Based in these results it is possible to affirm that the used electrochemical techniques are efficient in the copper determination, making possible, thus, the validation of these for ICP-OES.

The Productive Arrangements (PAs) when promoting specific sectors of economies are common in the world, this fact is justified by the imposition of global market witch is more competitive annually. Governments and companies has endeavored efforts and resources in collaboration and cooperation among regional players. However, the existing techniques to analyze the development generated by these policies are inefficient. In this context, was developed a methodology for monitoring and benchmarking of PAs. This methodology has the aims monitoring the companies’ development on the PAs. With a agile and transparent communication, the stakeholders interesting at development of PAs can collaborate with each other, providing essential information for the strategic positioning of all companies that makes up a market (this strategy is called competitive benchmarking). This is an innovate method of competitive benchmarking for analyzing a set of companies grouped in links of PAs. Thus, within in the highly dynamic economy, the method allows a constant monitoring of APs to proactively to diagnose gaps. That was validated for several APs, with more than 110 companies from several states of Brazil.

Most countries in the world has been increasing the use of the natural gas, motivated by the need of an environmental and versatile energy source. However, to obtain high benefits of the natural gas use, it is necessary to spread its use through alternatives that make possible high energy efficiency. Among these alternatives, the substitution of the electricity use for heating or cooling, and the PLG use in the kitchens, as well as the supply for cogeneration systems must be emphasized. The adoption of these strategies will produce effective economical environmental returns mainly in the residential and commercial sectors, if residences and commercial establishments do have access to natural gas and also information concerning the new available technologies for operation in those small scale consumption sectors. Therefore, it is fundamental that the natural gas dealers provide better acessibility to the distribution infrastructures. Considering that the decision concerning the infrastructures implantation for distribution of natural gas is strategic, the primordial objective of this work is to build a model to minimize the costs of providing of infrastructures for natural gas distribution. For this, a mathematical model was developed using binary linear programming to indicate infrastructures to be implemented which minimize the total supply costs. The software LINGO 7.0. was used to help in the solution of the problem. Three tests of the model were run which present good reults. The model led to optimal solutions even when subjected to variations of the input parameters, proving to be efficient and flexible. These variations, considered in the different sceneries, represent real situations that may happen during the operation of natural gas distribution system.

Modified gold surface with organosulfur species, 1,4-dithiane (1,4-dt) and 4- mercaptopyridine (pyS), was studied in this work. The study was carried out using the following electrochemical techniques: linear polarization with rotate disk electrode, cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, electrohydrodynamic impedance and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Other techniques also gave support, such as, atomic force microscopy (AFM), Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), RAMAN spectroscopy and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). For the modified gold surface with the 1,4-dt, it was observed the decrease of the redox-active [Fe(CN)6]3- species with the increase of the immersion time of the gold electrode in the modifier solution. These results suggest that the fractional coverage increases with the modification time. The electrohydrodynamic impedance results together with the MFA and MST results suggest that this surface is partially blocked presenting defects on the formed film. The RAMAN spectra suggest that those defects can be resulting of the adsorption of the different configuration of the modifier molecules (1,4-dt) on the surface ("trans" and "gauche"). The electrochemical results about the modified gold surfaces with the molecule pyS indicate an increase of the electron transfer process with the increase of the immersion time, which suggests the loss of the covering power on the modified gold surface with this species. The AFM results agree the previous results demonstrating that this surface presents larger amount of defects for longer modification times. The frequency curves variation (ΔF) versus the immersion time indicate a mass increase on the modified gold surface with the species 1,4-dt and a process desorption for the species pyS confirming the results obtained previously.

The present work presents the development of a synthesis methodology and characterization of kaolins modified chemically, leaving of natural kaolins of the northeast area of Brazil. The kaolins were modified through procedures of removal organic matter, obtaining in a sodic way, obtaining of form amoniacal, obtaining in the acid way and collation with dimethylsulfoxide. For characterization of the kaolins obtained after all the modification, techniques of X–Ray diffraction (DRX), chemical analysis (atomic absorption), thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and infrared absorption spectroscopy (FT-IR). The results obtained through the chemical analysis and of X–Ray diffraction confirmed that the composition of the kaolins was basically kaolinite and some sludges, such as, present Mica as clay mineral joined in the gray kaolin. Through the obtained results of capacity of change cationic (CTC), it was possible to evaluate and to adapt the methodologies for the obtaining of better results. The evaluation of the thermodynamic stability of the dimethylsulfoxide inserted in the structures of the kaolins it was accomplished through thermogravimetry, tends as base the method of Ozawa, where starting from the curves TG in the reasons of heating 2, 5, 7 and 10oC.min-1, it was obtained the graph of the heating reason by the reciprocal of the temperature, later he/she took place lineal regression, soon after it was obtained the coefficient angular(B), that when substituted in the expression: ? E = -18,2045.B, it is obtained the activation energy, being this a fundamental thermodynamic parameter in the evaluation of the stability. The dimethilsulfoxide inserted in the structure of the white kaolin it demonstrated more expressive values of activation energy (Ea) in relation to the inserted in the gray kaolin, denoting like this a larger thermodynamic stability, being able to in that way a better departure material to be considered in the obtaining of adsorventes of larger efficiency.

Neste trabalho foi realizado o estudo da caracterização quimica e reologica do cimento asfaltico produzido recentemente no pais, oriundo de petroleo do Campo Fazenda Alegre, no estado do Espirito Santo. Para efeito de comparação, tambem foram estudados os asfaltos da refinaria Vale do Paraiba e os estrangeiros arabe e venezuelano. Os asfaltos foram modificados por incorporação dos polimeros SBS e EVA, e os efeitos resultantes da modificação foram avaliados. Os parâmetros investigados visaram a avaliação de problemas usuais como: deformação permanente, trincas termicas e oxidação. Os polimeros foram caracterizados atraves de termogravimetria e calorimetria exloratoria diferencial e por espectroscopia no infravermelho. Os asfaltos puros e modificados foram caracterizados por espectroscopia no infravermelho, ressonância magnetica nuclear, calorimetria exploratoria diferencial, termogravimetria e cromatografia de permeação em gel. A composição quimica foi realizada atraves do fracionamento SARA e teor de enxofre. Ensaios empiricos como ponto d amolecimento, penetração e retorno elastico tambem foram realizados. As propriedades reologicas foram avaliadas através da viscosidade absoluta e de ensaios dinâmico-mecânicos. O envelhecimento oxidativo dos asfaltos foi avaliado a partir da analise dos espectros no infravermelho e de ressonância magnética nuclear, alem da variação do modulo complexo de cisalhamento dinâmico. Observou-se que os asfaltos brasileiros diferem em relação aos teores de carbonos aromáticos, quando comparados com o asfalto árabe. Alem disso, apresentam comportamento diversos frente à presença de oxigênio. Nos asfaltos modificados pos SBS, o ensaio de calorimetria exploratória diferencial mostrou uma diminuição na transição vítrea do material. A presença do SBS aumentou a resistência do asfalto ao processo oxidativo. A adição do SBS e do EVA provocou um aumento da viscosidade do asfalto de forma não linear indicando que os polímeros não são aditivos inertes. O comportamento Newtoniano não foi verificado para os ligantes modificados. Ensaios dinâmicos-mecânicos demonstraram que o SBS elevou o grau de desempenho dos ligantes. Os ensaios com as aparas da industria de calçados (EVA), indicaram uma melhoria na elasticidade do ligante.

In this work, the [Ru(bpy)(dcbpy)(TCNQ)Cl] and [Ru(bpy)(dcbpy)(TCNE)Cl] complexes, called Ru-TCNQ and Ru-TCNE, respectively, where bpy = 2,2’- bipyridine and dcbpy = 4,4’-dicarboxy-2,2’-bipyridine, were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopy and electrochemical techniques. The absorption spectra of the Ru-TCNQ and Ru-TCNE complexes showed bands assigned to metalto-ligand charge transfer transitions (MLCT). The luminescence spectra, with excitation at the MLCT, exhibited emission with maximum of intensity at 570 and 605 nm for the Ru-TCNQ and Ru-TCNE complexes, respectively. The luminescence decay of the complexes follows a biexponential law, with the Ru-TCNQ complex showing shorter lifetime than the Ru-TCNE complex. The infrared vibrational spectra of the complexes show a larger number of nitrile stretching bands, comparatively to the free ligands of coordination. These suggesting that the TCNX compounds are coordinated to the ruthenium atom. Upon coordenation, the shifts of these bands for lower energy values are indicative of the TCNX reduced form (TCNX⋅–). These results are confirmed by EPR spectra with g = 2.007 and 2.010 for Ru-TCNQ and Ru-TCNE complexes, respectively. The degree of charge transfer (Z) for the Ru-TCNQ and Ru-TCNE compounds was evaluated as 0.66 and 0.78, respectively. The RuIII/II redox potentials of the Ru-TCNQ (0.70V) and Ru-TCNE (1.30V) compounds, shifted for more positive potentials, when compared to the starting complex, cis- [Ru(dcbpy)(bpy)Cl2] (0,67V). These results inducate that the ligands acts as π-acceptor allowing a π-back-bonding interaction which imply in a thermodynamic stability of the metal in the reduced state (RuII). The data, all together, suggest that the TCNE compound presents a higher πback-bonding interaction capability than TCNQ compound.

The aim of this work was to investigate mixed systems of triblock copolymer type E62P39E62 (commercially denoted F87) and E137S18E137 (prepared by oxyanionic polymerization) as novel vehicles for solubilisation and controlled delivery of aromatics drugs The desirable gelation characteristics of solutions of the EmPnEm copolymers with the greater solubilising capacities of solutions of the EmSnEm were investigatedo using an inverted tube test method and by oscillatory rheometry. The structure of the gels was obtained by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and polarized-light microscopy (PLM).The hydrodynamic radius (rh) of the micelle was obtained by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The solubilisation capacity (scp) for the separate copolymers and for mixtures of the two in the range 50/50 to 90/10 wt % E137S18E137/E62P39E62was evaluated by UV-Vis. The fluid/gel boundaries for the copolymers alone and its mixtures were determined by the tube inversion method and confirmed by rheometry. SAXS and PLM for mixture 1 (50/50 wt % E137S18E137/E62P39E62 and for E137S18E137 and E62P39E62 alone) all have shown similar body-centred cubic (bcc) structures with similar lattice dimensions as confirmed by rheology. DLS indicated micelle formation determined by E62P39E62 copolymer. The scp measured for the separate copolymers and its mixtures revealed promise results for application of binary mixtures of copolymer as systems for drug release involving in situ gelation

The use of mushrooms as nutritional and medicinal through the milenar culture in oriental has arrived progressively in the Occident, take by the necessity of the population to search of a more healthy nutrition. Further more, the scientific community has revealed through publications, important findings in relation to the nutritional values and the therapeutic activities of mushrooms. As a contribution for a better knowledge of the properties of this fungus, studies are being tackled with Agaricus blazei Murill cultivated in Brazil in two distinct regions: Piedade, in the state of São Paulo and Guaramiranga, in the state of Ceará. In the first stage, the studies were devoted to the cultivated mushrooms in Ceará (Cog-Ce). The results of the spectroscopy analysis (FTIR and NMR) demonstrated that the purified polysaccharides and fractions (F1 and F4) showed characteristics of the presence of carbohydrates and proteins. After the fractionation was completed, through successive precipitations in ethanol, it was observed by the FTIR spectrum, a reduction of the carbohydrate content and an increase in the protein content. Molecular absorption of the samples indicated the absence of free protein in the purificated polysaccharides and its fractions, which point to the existence of the effective link between carbohydrate and protein, characteristics of the proteoglucans. The analyses revealed the presence of glucans of configuration b(1®6) and a(1®4), with the first having the most representative content. The glucose monosaccharides were predominant between the sugars present and the mineral phosphorus element was the major constituent between the elements analysed. The study of the purified polysaccharides and the isolated fractions of the Agaricus blazei Murill, cultivated in São Paulo (Cog-SP) were carried out in a second stage of the research. The isolated purified polysaccharides, after analyses of the constituents, were characterized and its properties in solutions were investigated, taking into consideration physical-chemical parameters and rheological properties. Furthermore, biological assays were also carried out for evaluation in the case of therapeutic activities. The analyses by 1H and 13C NMR made evident the presence of b glucans (1®6) and a(1®4), which the glucana b(1®6) was predominant. The presence of glucans a(1®4) were greater in relation to the presented content by Cog- Ce. The glucose monosaccharides and the mineral phosphorus element were also predominants in Cog-SP, in relation to the sugars and the minerals present respectively. The greater protein content and the smallest carbohydrate content were found for the purified polysaccharides of Cog-SP when compared to the Cog-Ce. Glucans b(1®6) were isolated through the specific purification procedure with the use of Timol. FTIR and 1H, 13C NMR and the bidimensional COSY and HMQC, confirmed the purity of the material in the b(1®6) configuration, with indication of the link to protein group. The study of purified polysaccharides in solutions showed compounds with high molecular weight. The confirmation of random coils was strongly suggested by light scattering, which was, probably, due to the presence of protein and mineral elements. Low viscosities were observed in the polysaccharides when compared to those of the glucans traditionally used in foods. Rheological measurements demonstrated a Newtonian behavior of the materials. Physical-chemical parameters, such as surface tension and critical micelle concentration (cmc), as well as others, demonstrated similar characteristics to those found for polymers with tensoactive properties. Due to these characteristics, the purified polysaccharides were tested in relation to the solubilizing capacity using the poorly water soluble drug griseofulvin as a model solubilizate. The preliminary test suggest that these polysaccharides, in the gluco-protein form, in solution, are potentially useful to act as a solubilizer for aromatic drugs. The biological test carried out with the purified polysaccharides and/or proteoglucans, demonstrated that they present anti-tumoral activities in vitro, through inhibition of the replication of poliovirus and anti-tumoral in vivo against the Sarcoma 180.

O linfoma de Hodgkin (LH) é uma doença linfoproliferativa maligna caracterizada morfologicamente pela presença da célula de Reed-Sternberg imersa em um substrato celular inflamatório. A célula RS é essencial para o diagnóstico histopatológico do LH, porém não é patognomônica. A etiologia dessa doença ainda é controversa, sendo provavelmente derivada de linfócitos B. A imunohistoquímica tem valor no diagnóstico do LH e na distinção de outras desordens linfoproliferativas com células RS símile. Neste trabalho, tem-se como objetivo analisar os fatores envolvidos na refratariedade do linfoma de Hodgkin clássico (LHc) ao tratamento poliquimioterápico inicial com o esquema ABVD (Doxrubicina, Bleomicina, Vinblastina e Dacarbazina) em relação aos marcadores imunológicos CD 15 e CD 20, a dados epidemiológicos dos pacientes e a exames complementares. Também se tem como objetivo descrever a distribuição dos casos de acordo com as variáveis de sexo, idade, subtipo histológico, estádio clínico da doença ao diagnóstico e presença de sintomas B; classificar os pacientes quanto à presença dos marcadores imunológicos CD 15, CD 20 e CD 30, além de descrever a porcentagem de pacientes com infiltração da medula óssea pelo linfoma, a porcentagem de pacientes refratários ao tratamento inicial com o esquema ABVD e a porcentagem de recidiva do LHc. Este trabalho consiste em uma análise estatística retrospectiva e prospectiva dos pacientes com LHc com diagnóstico histopatológico firmado entre janeiro de 2000 e dezembro de 2004. A análise foi retrospectiva de janeiro de 2000 a dezembro de 2003, e prospectiva de janeiro de 2004 a dezembro de 2005, quando se parou o acompanhamento. Foram relacionados todos os 143 pacientes com diagnóstico histopatológico de LHc que iniciaram acompanhamento no Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio ou no Instituto do Câncer do Ceará, entre janeiro de 2000 e dezembro de 2004. Quarenta e seis pacientes foram excluídos da pesquisa. Um total de 97 pacientes permaneceu na pesquisa, sendo que destes 51 (52,6%) eram do sexo feminino e 46 pacientes (47,4%) eram do sexo masculino. A idade dos pacientes, ao diagnóstico, variou de cinco anos a 76 anos, com mediana de 24 anos. Verificou-se apenas um pico de incidência, o qual ocorreu entre 10 e 39 anos, com 78 pacientes (80,4%). Quanto ao subtipo histológico, 65 pacientes (67,0%) eram portadores de LHc subtipo esclerose nodular, 21 pacientes (21,6%) apresentaram o subtipo celularidade mista, cinco pacientes (5,2%) apresentaram o subtipo rico em linfócitos, quatro pacientes (4,1%) apresentaram o subtipo depleção linfocítica e dois pacientes (2,1%) apresentaram o subtipo interfolicular. Sete pacientes (7,2%) apresentavam-se, ao diagnóstico, em estádio clínico I da classificação de Cotswolds, 43 pacientes (44,3%) apresentavam-se em estádio clínico II, 23 pacientes (23,7%) em estádio clínico III e 24 pacientes (24,8%) em estádio clínico IV. Sintomas B estavam presentes em 63 pacientes (64,9%) e ausentes em 34 pacientes (35,1%). Onze pacientes (11,3%) apresentaram infiltração da medula óssea, ao diagnóstico. A prevalência do marcador CD 15 foi de 81,4% (79 pacientes), do CD 20 foi de 38,1% (37 pacientes) e do CD 30 foi de 100,0% (97 pacientes). Vinte e seis pacientes (26,8%) foram refratários ao tratamento inicial com o esquema ABVD. Em seis (8,5%) dos 71 pacientes que atingiram remissão completa, ocorreu recidiva do linfoma. Treze pacientes (13,4%) foram a óbito durante o período de acompanhamento. O tempo de acompanhamento dos pacientes variou de um dia a 68 meses, com tempo médio de acompanhamento igual a 32,5 meses. O tempo livre de doença variou de zero a 60 meses, com mediana de 17,5 meses. A análise do prognóstico do LHc quanto a refratariedade ao tratamento inicial com o esquema poliquimioterápico ABVD foi realizada avaliando o sexo do paciente, a idade do paciente (<50 anos x ≥50 anos), a classificação histológica do linfoma, a positividade do marcador imunológico CD 15 e do CD 20, o estádio clínico da doença (graus I e II x graus III e IV), a presença de sintomas B, o hematócrito (<42% x ≥42% em homens e <37% x ≥37% em mulheres), a hemoglobina (<13 mg/dL x ≥13 mg/dL em homens e <12 mg/dL x ≥12 mg/dL em mulheres), o tempo livre de doença, a leucometria, a linfometria, a plaquetometria, o valor do VHS, o valor da glicemia sérica de jejum, o valor da fosfatase alcalina sérica, o valor do LDH sérico e a presença de biópsia de medula óssea infiltrada pelo linfoma. Na análise bivariada a presença do CD 20 positivo, a presença de sintomas B e a elevação do valor da desidrogenase lática apresentaram relação de pior prognóstico no que se refere a refratariedade, com p<0,05. Em uma análise multivariada tipo regressão logística envolvendo todas as variáveis que apresentaram p<0,2 na análise bivariada, a presença do marcador CD 20 positivo aumentou a chance de refratariedade em 3,60 vezes e a presença de sintomas B aumentou a chance de refratariedade em 5,41 vezes, refletindo um pior prognóstico no que se refere a refratariedade do LHc ao tratamento inicial com o esquema ABVD.

OBJECTIVE: Neonatal sepsis is currently the most frequent infection and an important cause of death among the newborns admitted at NICU. In order to evaluate the extension of this problem in a tertiary care University Hospital of Northeastern Brazil, a retrospective cohort survey was carried out on all inborn and admitted infants at the Assis Chateaubriand NICU from October 1997 to April 1998. METHOD: the survey design was a retrospective cohort carried out on all inborn infants admitted at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit during seven consecutive months; 422 newborns were enrolled in the study and each one was followed up from birth to discharge from NCIU or death at the NICU. To compare the levels of the risk factors, two groups were formed: one by the all subjects who developed the outcome and another by all those who did not to. Each member of the cohort was investigated for 34 potential predictors variables concerning mothers factors, neonates factors and hospital procedures. In case of presence of sepsis, the variables were measured just up to the outcome. Standard National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (NNIS-CDC) definitions of sepsis were used. Chi Square and Fischer’s exact tests were applied for comparison of frequencies; relative risk (RR) with their respective confidence interval of 95% (CI95%) was calculated. Subsequently, a multivariate analysis was done using logistic regression of most significant factors (OR). The level of statistical significance considered was p=0,05. RESULTS: The cohort sepsis incidence was 40,4 for each hundred of newborn admitted at NICU. The bacterias more prevalent of the confirmed cases were the gram-negative bacilli. Most sepsis episodes appeared in the first six days of life (67%). The time of NICU hospitalization of the sick newborn was 4,3 times longer compared to that non-sick newborn. Five factors were selected as independent predictors for neonatal sepsis: central venous catheter (OR=8,7, CI95%=2,31 to 32,69, p=0,001), birth weight of 1000-1499g (OR=4,8, CI95%=2,39 to 9,97, p=0,000), blood transfusions (OR=3,6, CI95%=1,81 to 7,45, p=0,003), singular gestation (OR=2,3, CI95%=1,04 to 5,44, p=0,04) and birth weight of 1500<2500g (OR=2,3, CI95%=1,34 to 4,04, p=0,002). Global mortality reached 25,59% of the cohort. Mortality associated to sepsis was 41,31% with Relative Risk for death = 2,8. CONCLUSION: neonatal sepsis incidence and mortality rates found are higher than in developed countries rates. Birth weight under 2500g, singular gestation, central venous catheter and blood transfusions proved be independent predictors related to neonatal sepsis. This study may contribute for the future strategies for reduction of neonatal sepsis rates and its sequels in our hospital.

Introduction: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a neoplasm characterized by clonal proliferation of lymphocytes of mature appearance. Clinically and prognostic heterogeneous. Rai and Binet established clinical prognostic systems that classify LLC in low, intermediate and high risk. Soon, the biological markers of prognosis that increased the predictive power of the LLC. Objective: To characterize the clinical and biological markers of pognóstico of patients with CLL the outpatient department of a university hospital (HUWC) / Center for Hematology and Hemotherapy Ceará / HEMOCE). Methodology: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional and observational 43 patients LLC, recruited so randomisation, from August 2007 to June 2009. We collected patient data from medical records, interview and three samples with 5.0 ml of peripheral venous blood in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) for blood, for automated methodology CellDyn ® equipment, model 3500, measurement of ß2-microglobulin (ß2 - M) serum by automated quantitative test on the device MINI-VIDAS (BioMérieux ®) and immunophenotyping on flow cytometry Beckman Coulter ® EPICS XL-MCL (Coulter). Then collect the puncture of bone marrow aspirate and bone marrow examination for 4 to 5 ml in 2 ml of heparin for cytogenetic evaluation by Banda - G. Data analysis was performed using the statistical programs Biostat 4.0 and GraphPad Prism (version 5.00), the Phi coefficient test and the test coefficient Contingency C. The Fisher and chi-square test with significance level α = 5%. Kaplan-Meier survival function and log rank test. The results were generated using the free software R, version 2.7. Results: The patients (74.42%) were aged over 60 years, 58.14% 41.86% men and women, the majority (32.56%) worked in agriculture; brown (74.42%), coming the capital (53.49%), family history of unknown LLC (46.51%), symptomatic at diagnosis (53.49%), with comorbidity (arterial hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus) (51.16%), stage 0 ( 34.89%), I and II (51.16%), III and IV (13.95%) Rai, A (44.19%), B (44.19%) and C (11.62%) of Binet, lymphocyte doubling time (SRT) absent (81.40%), bone marrow biopsy with non-diffuse pattern (57.14%), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) normal (83.72%), valued at diagnosis. The tests obtained during the course of the patients showed an immunophenotypic profile of classic B-CLL with expression of CD5 +, CD19 +, CD23 + surface immunoglobulin and low-expression, most with Zap-70 negative (77.50%); expression CD38 negative (73.81%), beta-2 microglobulin increased (55.81%), normal karyotype (44.4%) and genetic alterations in 11, 11% by classical cytogenetics. Survival curves of patients with Zap-70 negative and CD38 showed longer survival free of treatment. Conclusion: The patients studied were elderly, to encourage improve with late diagnosis due to the socioeconomic context, LLC indolent presented by classical staging criteria (Rai, Binet, TDL, standard bone marrow histology, LDH) and biological (the expression of Zap -70 and CD38), except for beta-2 microglobulin, but without statistical significance. Those with Zap-70 and CD38 negative had higher survival free of treatment. Male patients showed progress and prognosis similar to female. The prevalent treatment was associated with chlorambucil prednisone and did not lead patients to clinical remission or hematologic. The prognostic markers of the correlation tended to identify patients within the subgroups of risk.

Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by parasites of the genus Schistosoma, killing hundreds of thousands of people each year worldwide.. The Schistosoma has several species of clinical interest. In our country the cause of Schistosomiasis is the S. mansoni and the main reservoir host and the parasite is starting with the man that the eggs are removed in feces. The snails are the intermediate host. The main species of snails host of Schistosoma mansoni in Brazil are: Biomphalaria glabrata, Biomphalaria tenagophila and Biomphalaria straminea. The third kind in the predominant in Ceará. The disease has presence in over 74 countries (virtually all underdeveloped). Around state 500 to 600 million people are at risk of being affected and more than 200 million are infected every year, and this is mainly due to lack of sanitation and health education. To the best prevention of this disease is to be made the diagnosis and treatment of the population to avoid targeting comes in contact with water containing snails (ponds, lakes, rivers etc). It is a disease that can develop into serious complications, possibly leading to death according to extensive fibrosis caused by the presence in liver parenchyma of the Schistosoma mansoni eggs, forming granulomas. So the main objective of this study was to develop a strategy to increase effectiveness in identifying patients positive for Schistosomiasis in areas of low endemic in the state of Ceara, using a protocol combining a technique in which antibodies (IgG - ELISA) with examinations of sequential stool. This work was followed by steps, in which the first of the 287 patients who underwent the method of Kato-Katz, 11 (3.8%) showed positive results for S. mansoni. On the other helminths are: Trichuris trichiura 25 (8.7%), A. lumbricoides 19 (6.6%) and Hookworms 15 (5.2%). For the tests, ELISA, 97 (33.8%) were positive. All patients who had eggs in the feces were positive in the serologic test. In this group are included the 11 that were positive in feces analysis (Figure 1). From patients with Elisa positive and negative Kato-Katz, only 56 handed the three samples of stool for a second analysis Of these, 14 (25%) were positive for Schistosoma mansoni. Of the 42 patients who remained negative, 22 responded in the questionnaire that had never schistosomiasis but never received treatment for the disease. Our present study was to not only determine the prevalence of the disease in the municipality, and to identify the largest possible number of infected individuals, the serological method was applied in order to accommodate the population living in those areas of risk of transmission or at risk of infection, mainly by domestic and leisure activities. In view of our results, we believe, in agreement with other authors, that using the ELISA technique combined with repeated analysis of at least 5 simples of feces, it becomes easier to diagnose patients positive for schistosomiasis, thus improving the hypothesis that probably in the near future, being able to combine parasitological and sorological in the programme for the control of schistosomiasis, an important factor for detection of new carriers of the disease.

Worldwide, the number of individuals whose age is over 60 years will grow exponentially. Is provided an increase of 694 million in the number of older people in 2025. Ageing is a complex process that negatively impacts the development of the immune system and its ability to function. Immunosenescence is a multifactorial condition leading to many pathologically significant health problems in the aged population, it is becoming recognized that the immune system declines with age, a term known as immunosenescence, which leads to a higher incidence of infections, neoplasia and autoimmune diseases. This study attempts to describe the immunological profile of a population of healthy elderly. Thirty five elderly patients aged 60 years were subjected to a study and the same numbers of young volunteers aged between twenty and thirty eight were examinated like control group. Were investigated sixteen laboratorial exams to define the main changes in immunosenescence. The results showed changes in both innate immunity and adaptive immunity in the elderly body. The changes found in innate immunity were: increase the number of neutrophils in venous blood, increasing the concentration of C4 complement component, and increased levels of interleukin-6. Changes in adaptative immunity were: reduction in the number of lymphocytes (WBC) and lymphocyte subsets CD2 +, CD3 + and CD8 + (immunophenotyping) and increased concentration of immunoglobulin IgA and decreased IgM concentration. In cloncusion, this work was important to define the normal parameters of the immune system of a healthy elderly and improve our understanding of this system. Thus, it also constitutes a necessary step to identify how best to treat the underlying causes of immunosenescence and its consequence.

Cytokine genetic polymorphisms studies are helpful to determine diverse genetic profiles, to correlate populations, and to promote the knowledge of ethnic influence on the genetic susceptibility to diseases. The aim of the present study was to correlate TNF-α -308, TGF-β, codon 10 and codon 25, IL-10 -1082, -819, -592, IL-6 -174, and IFN-γ +874 polymorphisms with the susceptibility and the protection to M. tuberculosis and M. leprae infection. The study included 194 patients, 65 of them with leprosy and 129 with tuberculosis, and 168 healthy volunteers. The local Ethical Committee approved the study and all of the participants consented. To DNA purification and amplification 3-5 mL of peripheral blood was collected. An Easy-DNA (Invitrogen) kit was used to purification. Cytokines SNPs TNF-α (-308G>A), TGF-β codon 10 and 25, IL-10 (-1082G>A, -819C>T, -592C>A), IL-6 (-174G>C) and IFN-γ (+874T>A) were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction using sequence-specific primers (SSP-PCR) (One-Lambda). Statistical analysis was proceeded using GraphPad prism 5, and p values were determined by the Fisher test, with significance when p<0.05. Frequencies of TNFα genotypes were not different among patients and controls. However, IL-10 genotypes analyses showed a reduction on the frequency of the GCC/GCC in patients (7.1% vs 17.9%, p=0.006). This reduction was also observed with the IL-6 GC (22.1% vs 32.8%, p=0.04) and IFNγ TA (36.6% vs 51.6%, p=0.01) genotypes. In contrast, the frequencies of the IL-6 GG (72.1% vs 57.0%, p=0.008) and the IFNγ AA (54.0% vs 41.4%, p=0.03) genotypes were increased in patients. Furthermore, there was a trend to an increase in the frequency of the TGFβ CC/GC genotype (7.5% vs 0.8%, p=0.06). In conclusion, IL-10 (GCC/GCC), IL-6 (GC) and IFN-γ (TA) genotypes conferred protection against, while TGF-β (CC/GC), IL-6 (GG) and IFN-γ (AA) genotypes determined susceptibility to mycobacteria infection. On the other hand, T allele in codon 10 and G allele in codon 25 of the TGF-β gene, determined protection against tuberculosis. In contrast, the IL-6 -174G conferred susceptibility to mycobacteria infection.