1,324 results match your criteria: "Brazilian Center for Research in Energy & Materials (CNPEM)[Affiliation]"

We discuss the photoelectroanalytical performance of a brookite-phase titanium dioxide (TiO) platform electrodeposited onto graphene foam (GF) at low temperatures. The scalable electrosynthesis process eliminates the need for thermal annealing, which is impractical for carbon-based electrodes. Films resulting from a 10 min electrodeposition (TiO-10/GF) exhibit enhanced photocurrents, reaching 170 μA cm -twice the value for TiO films on traditional screen-printed carbon electrodes (82 μA cm ).

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Galactokinase and galactose metabolism in Leishmania spp.

Exp Parasitol

December 2024

Laboratorio de Enzimología de Parásitos, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela. Electronic address:

In Leishmania, the nucleotide-sugar UDP-galactose can be synthesized by a salvage pathway, the Isselbacher route, involving phosphorylation of galactose and the action of UDP-sugar pyrophosphorylase. The first enzyme of the pathway, galactokinase, has yet to be studied in this parasite. Here, we report a molecular and biochemical characterization of this enzyme in Leishmania mexicana.

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Physiological and hematological traits and productive performance of Spanish Majorera and Palmera goats reared on the Island of Tenerife-Spain were assessed. 50 adult, clinically healthy, multiparous female goats were studied for 18 months. The data were analyzed in a two (breeds) x four (season) factorial scheme.

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Well-managed grass is a key strategy for carbon storage and stabilization in anthropized Amazon soils.

J Environ Manage

December 2024

Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory, National Center for Research in Energy and Materials (LNBR/CNPEM), Rua Giuseppe Máximo Scolfaro 10000, Polo II de Alta Tecnologia, Campinas, SP, 13083-100, Brazil; Center for Carbon Research in Tropical Agriculture (CCARBON), University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, 13418-900, Brazil. Electronic address:

Soils under anthropic use in the Amazon region are often associated with soil carbon (C) stock losses. More recently, the restoration of degraded pastures and the introduction of integrated systems have changed this pattern, and soil C accumulation is often observed. This study evaluated an 11-year field experiment to quantify soil C changes and elucidate C stabilization mechanisms in areas under anthropic uses in the southern Amazon of Brazil.

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Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an emerging mosquito-borne viral pathogen whose infection results in arthritogenic disease. Despite ongoing research efforts, MAYV biology is largely unknown. Physical virology can assess MAYV nanoparticle metastability, assembly/disassembly, and polymorphism, allowing us to understand virion architecture and dynamics.

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Article Synopsis
  • Trypanosoma cruzi is the protozoan responsible for Chagas Disease, which lacks effective diagnostic and treatment options, prompting a study of its metabolism and adaptation to different environments.
  • Recent research shows T. cruzi can utilize various carbon sources, including threonine, during growth and starvation, leading to the discovery of a pathway for threonine degradation.
  • The study identified a compound (TCMDC-143160) that inhibits a key enzyme (TcTDH) involved in threonine catabolism, providing insights into potential therapeutic targets for Chagas Disease.
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This study aimed to obtain paraprobiotics from Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bb-12 (BB) presenting optimized antimicrobial activity against Salmonella enterica (SE). The paraprobiotics of BB (BBP) were obtained using ohmic heating (OH) under different conditions, and their effects on critical features of Salmonella, such as bacterial growth, biofilm formation, and adherence to Caco-2 cells, were studied.

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Article Synopsis
  • Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a promising method for producing green hydrogen, with a strong focus on efficient photoanode design.
  • Key factors like morphology optimization and defect engineering are essential for improving the technology.
  • The article discusses semiconductor properties, examines hematite as a model for analyzing how structure and chemical changes impact performance, and highlights future challenges and directions in PEC device development.
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The increase in anthropogenic activities has led to the release of numerous chemicals and pollutants into aquatic ecosystems, raising significant concerns for water quality and health. Among the emerging issues is the interaction between pollutants and nanomaterials (mixture effects). In this work, it was studied the combined toxicity of boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS) and cadmium (Cd) incorporating the influence of natural organic matter (NOM) to enhance ecological relevance for the first time.

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The Amazon, an important biodiversity hotspot, remains poorly explored in terms of its microbial diversity and biotechnological potential. The present study characterized the metabolic potential of Gram-positive strains of the Actinomycetes and Bacilli classes isolated from soil samples of an Amazon Conservation Unit. The sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene classified the strains ACT015, ACT016, and FIR094 within the genera , , and , respectively.

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Upon exposure to biological environments, nanoparticles are rapidly coated with biomolecules, predominantly proteins, which alter their colloidal stability, biodistribution, and cell interactions. Despite extensive efforts to investigate the nanoparticles' fate, only a few studies use high-resolution characterization methods that allow in-depth characterization, and the existing methodologies are unable to differentiate particles internalized at the onset of incubation from those taken up toward the end of an incubation period. In this study, these limitations related to incubation disparities are overcame and precisely monitored the spatiotemporal displacement of colloidally stable protein corona-coated nanoparticles within cells.

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The advent of memristors and resistive switching has transformed solid-state physics, enabling advanced applications such as neuromorphic computing. Inspired by these developments, we introduce the concept of Mem-emitters, devices that manipulate light-emission properties of semiconductors to achieve memory functionalities. Mem-emitters, influenced by past exposure to stimuli, offer a new approach to optoelectronic computing with potential for enhanced speed, efficiency, and integration.

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The more fun, the more dangerous: The nutritional quality of foods with child-directed marketing.

Food Res Int

December 2024

Food Labeling Observatory, Nutrition and Food Service Research Center (CPPNAC), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Santos, SP, Brazil. Electronic address:

Article Synopsis
  • The study analyzed the nutritional quality of foods and beverages that employ child-directed marketing on their labels in Brazil, assessing data from over 8,900 products collected before new labeling laws were introduced.
  • More than 10% of the products used child-targeted marketing, with over half having high sugar and fat content, indicating poor overall nutritional quality.
  • The findings showed low agreement among different nutritional classification systems, with a recommendation for stricter regulations to limit marketing unhealthy foods to children.
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Cis-eQTL analysis reveals genes involved in biological processes of the immune system in Nelore cattle.

Gene

February 2025

University José do Rosário Vellano (UNIFENAS), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV-UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address:

The combination of transcriptional profiling and genotype data analyses enables the identification of genetic variants that may affect gene expression (eQTL - expression quantitative trait loci). This study aimed to identify cis-eQTL in Nellore cattle muscle tissue and determine their biological processes related to the immune system and involved eGenes. Genotypic data (SNP-Chip) and gene expression data (RNA-Seq) from a commercial population of 80 Nellore animals were evaluated.

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Forensic environmental geochemistry to reveal the extent, characteristics, and fate of waxy tarballs spilled over the northeast coast of Brazil in 2022.

Mar Environ Res

November 2024

Laboratory for Assessment of Organic Contaminants (LACOr), Institute of Marine Sciences-Federal University of Ceará (LABOMAR/UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207-Meireles, CEP: 60165-081, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Tropical Marine Sciences Program/LABOMAR/UFC, Brazil; Laboratory of Petroleum Engineering and Exploration (LENEP), North Fluminense State University (UENF), Macaé, Rio de Janeiro 27925-535, Brazil. Electronic address:

Article Synopsis
  • The study focused on analyzing tarballs that contaminated the Brazilian coast in late 2022 using forensic environmental geochemistry techniques.
  • Gas chromatography and FT-ICR mass spectrometry were employed to identify distinct biomarkers in tarball samples from five Brazilian states, revealing they shared a common source but differed from previous oil spills in 2019 and 2022.
  • The analysis indicated that the tarballs were made from mature marine crude oil, showed low weathering, and likely came from ship tank washings, suggesting their potential for long-term environmental impact.
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A novel frameshift variant in the gene causing a mild phenotype of GLUT1 deficiency syndrome: case report.

Mol Genet Metab Rep

December 2024

Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Article Synopsis
  • - GLUT1 deficiency syndrome is a genetic disorder that leads to low glucose levels in the brain, causing symptoms like seizures, developmental delays, and movement disorders, which can vary in severity.
  • - Treatment typically involves a ketogenic diet that provides an alternative energy source for the brain.
  • - The study identifies a new genetic mutation in a preschool child with atypical symptoms and highlights the need for genetic testing in patients with developmental delays.
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Heterogeneous neutrophils in lung transplantation and proteolytic CXCL8 activation in COVID-19, influenza and lung transplant patient lungs.

Cell Mol Life Sci

December 2024

Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Rega - Herestraat 49, box 1042, Leuven, 3000, Belgium.

Elevated neutrophil counts in broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) fluids of lung transplant (LTx) patients with chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) are associated with disease pathology. However, phenotypical characteristics of these cells remained largely unknown. Moreover, despite enhanced levels of the most potent human neutrophil-attracting chemokine CXCL8 in BAL fluid, no discrimination had been made between natural NH-terminally truncated CXCL8 proteoforms, which exhibit up to 30-fold differences in biological activity.

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Enhancing therapeutic efficacy: In vivo mechanisms and biochemical effects of lycopene encapsulated in nanomicelles for acute inflammation and lipid metabolism.

Eur J Pharm Biopharm

November 2024

Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission, Nuclear Engineering Institute, Laboratory of Nanoradiopharmacy and Synthesis of New Radiopharmaceuticals, Rio de Janeiro, 21941906, RJ, Brazil; National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology, Av. Nossa Sra. das Graças, 50 - Xerém, Duque de Caxias, RJ, 25250-020, Brazil; Rio de Janeiro State University, Laboratory of Radiopharmacy and Nanoradiopharmaceuticals, Rio de Janeiro, 23070200, RJ, Brazil. Electronic address:

Article Synopsis
  • * Lycopene nanomicelles show strong anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects by inhibiting pro-inflammatory pathways and promoting cancer cell death, alongside improving liver health.
  • * Although promising, the research also highlights the need for further investigation into the effects of lycopene on lipid metabolism and emphasizes the importance of safety evaluations for potential clinical use.
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Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are being increasingly recognized as viable materials for environmental remediation due to their capacity to adsorb contaminants such as glyphosate (GLY) on their surfaces. Nevertheless, the ecotoxicological implications of IONPs associated with GLY necessitate thorough evaluation to ascertain the safety of such remediation strategies. In this context, the present investigation was conducted to examine hepatic biomarkers pertinent to the redox system, as well as ultrastructural hepatic alterations in Poecilia reticulata, following a 21-day exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of IONPs, iron ions (Fe), and glyphosate in its pure form (GLY) as well as a commercial glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH).

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Despite the potentialities of electrochemical sensors, these devices still encounter challenges in devising high-throughput and accurate drug susceptibility testing. The lack of platforms for providing these analyses over the preclinical trials of drug candidates remains a significant barrier to developing medicines. In this way, ultradense electrochemical chips are combined with machine learning (ML) to enable high-throughput, user-friendly, and accurate determination of the viability of 2D tumor cells (breast and colorectal) aiming at drug susceptibility assays.

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Differential Replication and Oncolytic Effects of Zika Virus in Aggressive CNS Tumor Cells: Insights from Organoid and Tumoroid Models.

Viruses

November 2024

Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center (CEGH-CEL), Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo 05508-090, SP, Brazil.

Article Synopsis
  • CNS cancers like Glioblastoma and pediatric tumors face significant treatment challenges due to their poor response to conventional therapies such as radiation and chemotherapy.* -
  • Recent research highlights the potential of the Zika virus (ZIKV) as an oncolytic treatment, showing its ability to infect and kill malignant CNS tumor cells while having a preference for tumor rather than normal cells.* -
  • Experiments using hybrid co-culture models demonstrated that ZIKV replication was enhanced in tumor cells compared to normal cells, leading to notable reductions in the number of certain tumor types, although not uniformly effective across all cancers.*
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We introduce ssc-cdi, an open-source software package from the Sirius Scientific Computing family, designed for memory-efficient, single-node multi-GPU ptychography reconstruction. ssc-cdi offers a range of reconstruction engines in Python version 3.9.

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Schwann cells exposed to articaine display distinct toxic pathways compared to lidocaine.

Chem Biol Interact

November 2024

CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal. Electronic address:

Articaine (ATC) has emerged as one of the most popular local anesthetics (LA) in dental clinics, despite its relatively recent introduction to the market. As a member of the amino-amide class of LA, ATC possesses unique features, including a thiophene ring and an ester group, which allow for its use at higher clinical concentrations. However, reports have indicated a higher incidence of paresthesia associated with ATC, though the underlying cause of this effect remains unclear.

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Forage ecology of Neotropical fish in Brazilian biomes using stable isotopes.

Sci Total Environ

December 2024

Applied Ecology Laboratory, University of Sorocaba, Rodovia Raposo Tavares - km 92 a 100, Vila Artura, CEP 18023-000 Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil.

Article Synopsis
  • Neotropical regions are critical for freshwater fish diversity and ecosystem services, but human activities like land use changes threaten these ecosystems.
  • The study examines how human disturbances impact the foraging ecology of freshwater fishes in Brazil by analyzing stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen to understand changes in fish diets.
  • Results indicate that increased human disturbance correlates with higher assimilation of carbon from non-native sources in fish diets, while nitrogen levels showed no significant change, highlighting the need for specific site analysis for better understanding of aquatic food webs.
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Article Synopsis
  • - T cell receptors (TCRs) that target cancer neoantigens play a crucial role in triggering immune responses and improving cancer immunotherapy, and understanding their structure can lead to better TCR designs.
  • - Researchers determined the crystal structures of a specific TCR with two NRAS neoantigen peptides and MHC, uncovering how TCRs can specifically recognize different versions of the same peptide.
  • - The study also utilized AlphaFold to model these TCR-peptide-MHC complexes, demonstrating the effectiveness of this tool in predicting immunological interactions despite some challenges with accuracy in certain cases.
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