Photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer is a therapeutic modality in the treatment of tumors in which visible light is used to activate a photosensitizer. Cell membranes have been identified as an important intracellular target for singlet oxygen produced during the photochemical pathway. This study analyzed the cytotoxicity in specific cellular targets of a photosensitizer used in PDT in vitro. The photosensitizing effects of chloroaluminum phthalocyanine liposomal were studied on the mitochondria, cytoskeleton and endoplasmic reticulum of HeLa cells. Cells were irradiated with a diode laser working at 670 nm, energy density of 4.5 J/cm2 and power density of 45 mW/cm2. Fluorescence microscopic analysis of the mitochondria showed changes in membrane potential. After PDT treatment, the cytoskeleton and endoplasmic reticulum presented basic alterations in distribution. The combined effect of AlPHCl liposomal and red light in the HeLa cell line induced photodamage to the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and actin filaments in the cytoskeleton.
The standard Mattson method to evaluate the cooking time of beans on breeding programs presents disadvantages. We have tested and improved a non-conventional method previously proposed to evaluate the percentage of cooked grains on an automatic pressure cooker. It showed a similar trend as Mattson’s for the cooking behavior of contrasting genotypes, but the first showed a higher correlation with sensory tests. Differently, it is closer to the Brazilian domestic bean preparation. It is a simple and more affordable procedure for application in a huge routine, once it requires a shorter time to run simultaneously a larger number of samples with confident results. Its positive correlation with sensory analysis helps breeders to select promising genotypes from early breeding generations to attend consumer demands more efficiently. We recommend the standard method be used preferably to evaluate the advanced generations to validate the cooking quality of selected materials and to attend cultivar releasing normative.
The main characteristic of ready mix mortar is to remain workable for up to 72hours after mixing. This greater duration of workability is obtained by use of hydration stabilizing admixtures and air-entrained admixtures. Thus, the behavior of this mortar depends on the compatibility between Portland cement and these two admixtures. Within this context, the objective of this article is to evaluate the influence of Portland cement type and water content on the properties of ready mix mortars in fresh state. Three types of Portland cement and four water/dry material ratios were evaluated. The produced mortars were analyzed with respect to their properties in fresh state: consistency index, specific gravity, air entrained content and rheological behavior by squeeze-flow. The properties were determined for three storage durations (0, 24 and 48 hours). The results show that both types of cement (mainly, the rheological behavior) and water content (mainly, the air entrained content, consistency and rheological behavior) influenced the ready mix mortar properties. Therefore, these two parameters must be evaluated for mortar dosages in order to obtain the required properties in fresh state.
The use of manufactured fine aggregates in Portland cement concrete has been increasing in the last years owing to environmental and economic reasons. This type of aggregate normally has flaky and elongated particles that negatively affect workability. Producers have been making efforts to overcome this problem by the use of better crushers capable of improving particle shape. However, even using modern crushers, the particle shape depends on the rock mineralogy and the production variables. Thereby, it is of foremost importance to determine a shape index that can be used both as a production control parameter and for improvements on the aggregate performance. Hence, this paper presents a simplified digital image processing method to measure a particle shape index for fine aggregates based on the concept of volumetric coefficient recommended by French standard AFNOR XP P18-54. The validation tests were undertaken in coarse aggregate samples and showed a very good agreement with manual measurements. Experimental tests were also carried out on mortar samples produced with three different manufactured fine aggregates with distinct shape index measured by the proposed method. The results showed that mortar flow is strongly influenced by the particle shape measured by the proposed method.
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