7,469 research outputs found
The Ability of Cyanobacterial Cells to Restore UV-B Radiation Induced Damage to Photosystem II is Influenced by Photolyase Dependent DNA Repair
No full textDamage of DNA and Photosystem-II are among the most significant effects of UV-B irradiation in photosynthetic organisms. Both damaged DNA and Photosystem-II can be repaired, which represent important defense mechanisms against detrimental UV-B effects. Correlation of Photosystem-II damage and repair with the concurrent DNA damage and repair was investigated in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC6803 using its wild type and a photolyase deficient mutant, which is unable to repair UV-B induced DNA damages. A significant amount of damaged DNA accumulated during UV-B exposure in the photolyase mutant concomitant with decreased Photosystem-II activity and D1 protein amount. The transcript level of psbA3, which is a UV-responsive copy of the psbA gene family encoding the D1 subunit of the Photosystem-II reaction center, is also decreased in the photolyase mutant. The wild-type cells, however, did not accumulate damaged DNA during UV-B exposure, suffered smaller losses of Photosystem-II activity and D1 protein, and maintained higher level of psbA3 transcripts than the photolyase mutant. It is concluded that the repair capacity of Photosystem-II depends on the ability of cells to repair UV-B-damaged DNA through maintaining the transcription of genes, which are essential for protein synthesis-dependent repair of the Photosystem-II reaction center
Variability of atmospheric dimethylsulphide over the southern Indian Ocean due to changes in ultraviolet radiation
No full textDimethylsulphide (DMS) is a climatically important component of global biogeochemical cycles, through its role in the sulphur cycle. Changes in ultraviolet radiation (UV) exhibit both positive and negative forcings on the dynamics of production and turnover of DMS and its precursor dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP). In this study we investigate the net forcing of UV on atmospheric DMS. The work is based on a 10-year record of observed DMS at Amsterdam Island in the southern Indian Ocean, and satellite-based retrievals of surface UV and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). The results show an inverse relationship between UV radiation and atmospheric DMS associated with extreme changes (defined as the greatest 5%) in daily UV, independent of changes in wind speed, sea surface temperature, and PAR
UV-B photoreceptor-mediated protection of the photosynthetic machinery in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
No full textInternational audienceLife on earth is dependent on the photosynthetic conversion of light energy into chemical energy. However, absorption of excess sunlight can damage the photosynthetic machinery and limit photosynthetic activity, thereby affecting growth and productivity. Photosynthetic light harvesting can be down-regulated by nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ). A major component of NPQ is qE (energy-dependent nonphotochemical quenching), which allows dissipation of light energy as heat. Photodamage peaks in the UV-B part of the spectrum, but whether and how UV-B induces qE are unknown. Plants are responsive to UV-B via the UVR8 photoreceptor. Here, we report in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii that UVR8 induces accumulation of specific members of the light-harvesting complex (LHC) superfamily that contribute to qE, in particular LHC Stress-Related 1 (LHCSR1) and Photosystem II Subunit S (PSBS). The capacity for qE is strongly induced by UV-B, although the patterns of qE-related proteins accumulating in response to UV-B or to high light are clearly different. The competence for qE induced by acclimation to UV-B markedly contributes to photoprotection upon subsequent exposure to high light. Our study reveals an anterograde link between photoreceptor-mediated signaling in the nucleocytosolic compartment and the photoprotective regulation of photosynthetic activity in the chloroplast
Development of an immunoblot assay for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in human serum using a portable UV illuminator
No full textA rapid quantum dot (QD) based immunoblot assay is developed to detect CEA in human serum using a portable UV illuminator. Here, photostable QD-conjugated antibodies were utilized that bind CEA in human serum, previously blotted on a nitrocellulose membrane for point-of-care applications
Emprego da geração fotoquímica de vapor para análise de especiação e determinação de elementos-traço por espectrmetria atômica e de massa
No full textTese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências Físicas e Matemáticas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, Florianópolis, 2015.Este trabalho abrange duas técnicas distintas para a determinação de elementos-traço com auxílio da geração fotoquímica de vapor: uma utilizando uma lâmpada de ultravioleta (UV) para a geração da radiação UV com detecção por espectrometria de massa com plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP-MS) e outra utilizando uma interface micro-ondas/ultravioleta (MW/UV) para a geração da radiação UV e acoplamento com cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (HPLC) e espectrometria de fluorescência atômica (AFS) para fins de especiação de Hg. Para a análise por ICP-MS, foi desenvolvido um reator fotoquímico aplicável à determinação de Co, Ni e Te em bebidas alcoólicas e determinação de Fe, Sc, Hg e V em amostras de água de mar. Espécies voláteis de Co, Ni, Te, Fe, Sc, Hg e V foram geradas a partir da combinação entre as respectivas soluções padrão e uma mistura dos ácidos fórmico e acético após exposição a uma fonte de UV. Os limites de quantificação de 0,5, 0,1 e 0,4 ng mL-1 para Co, Ni e Te, respectivamente, foram obtidos para a análise de bebidas alcoólicas, os quais correspondem a ganhos de 9, 35 e 3 vezes em relação à análise com nebulização pneumática. Para Hg e V, os limites de quantificação foram de 1,5 e 5,0 ng mL-1, respectivamente, ao passo que Fe e Sc não puderam ser quantificados nas amostras de água do mar, embora a detecção tenha sido realizada com sucesso. Em um segundo projeto, a técnica de geração fotoquímica de vapor por meio de uma interface MW/UV foi acoplada à cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência e à espectrometria de fluorescência atômica (HPLC-AFS) para a quantificação de mercúrio inorgânico, metilmercúrio e etilmercúrio. Durante o processo de desenvolvimento da metodologia foram utilizados os ácidos fórmico, acético, malônico e cítrico para estudos, e o emprego de ácido fórmico como fase móvel mostrou-se mais eficiente para a foto-decomposição de compostos organometálicos de mercúrio e para a redução de Hg2+ a Hg0 sob as condições de MW/UV. Diversos parâmetros operacionais foram avaliados, incluindo o tipo de ácido orgânico e sua concentração, potência de MW, composição da fase móvel de HPLC e ação catalítica de nanopartículas de TiO2. Sob as condições otimizadas, os limites de detecção foram de 0,15, 0,15 e 0,35 ng mL-1 para o mercúrio inorgânico, metilmercúrio e etilmercúrio, respectivamente. O método desenvolvido foi aplicado à análise de três materiais de referência certificados, todos de procedência biológica. A interface online da cromatografia líquida com a fluorescência atômica e a geração fotoquímica de vapor para a determinação de mercúrio é simples, contribui para redução do impacto ambiental associado à análise e representa uma alternativa atraente para o sistema de geração química de vapor baseada no uso de tetraidroborato.Abstract : This work consists of two distinct approaches for the determination of trace elements by spectrometric techniques, following photochemical vapor generation: in the first approach, an ultraviolet lamp (UV) was used for the generation of volatile species prior to determination by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS); the second approach involved a microwave/ultraviolet (MW/UV) interface for the generation of UV radiation and coupling with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) to carry out speciation analysis. Firstly, a photochemical reactor was built and applied to the development of a new and sensitive method for the determination of Co, Ni and Te in alcoholic beverages and for the identification of Fe, Sc, Hg and V in seawater samples. For these applications, photochemical vapor generation was coupled to an ICP-MS instrument. The volatile species of Co, Ni, Te, Fe, Sc, Hg and V were generated from the combination of a mixture of formic and acetic acid after exposure to a UV source. Limits of quantification of 0.5, 0.1 and 0.4 ng mL-1 for Co, Ni and Te, respectively, were obtained for the analysis of alcoholic beverages, which correspond to 9 (Co), 35 (Ni), and 3 (Te) times improvements over those obtained with conventional pneumatic nebulization. The same setup was adopted for the detection of Hg and V, resulting in quantification limits of 1.5 and 5.0 ng mL-1, respectively. Iron and Sc could not be quantified in seawater samples, although both elements could be effectively detected. On a second project, the hyphenation of photochemical vapor generation with HPLC-AFS was described for the quantification of inorganic mercury, methylmercury and ethylmercury in biological tissues. Formic acid, which was chosen as the mobile phase, was used for the photodecomposition of organomercury compounds and for the reduction of Hg2 + to Hg0 vapor under MW/UV irradiation. The influence of several operating parameters on the response and chromatographic separation efficiency of the species were evaluated, including the type of organic acid and its concentration, MW power, composition of the HPLC mobile phase and catalytic action of TiO2 nanoparticles. Under the optimized conditions, the limits of detection were 0.15, 0.15 and 0.35 ng mL- 1 for inorganic mercury, methylmercury and ethylmercury, respectively. The main analytical figures of merit were determined and the method was applied to the analysis of three certified reference materials. The online interfacing of liquid chromatography with photochemical-vapor generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry for mercury determination was proven relatively simple, environmentally friendly and represents an attractive alternative to the use of chemical vapor generation methods that adopt tetrahydroborate as a reagent
An evaluation of the infection control potential of a UV clinical podiatry unit
No full textBackground: Infection control is a key issue in podiatry as it is in all forms of clinical practice. Airborne
contamination may be particularly important in podiatry due to the generation of particulates during treatment.
Consequently, technologies that prevent contamination in podiatry settings may have a useful role. The aims of this
investigation were twofold, firstly to determine the ability of a UV cabinet to protect instruments from airborne
contamination and secondly to determine its ability to remove microbes from contaminated surfaces and
instruments.
Method: A UV instrument cabinet was installed in a University podiatry suite. Impact samplers and standard
microbiological techniques were used to determine the nature and extent of microbial airborne contamination.
Sterile filters were used to determine the ability of the UV cabinet to protect exposed surfaces. Artificially
contaminated instruments were used to determine the ability of the cabinet to remove microbial contamination.
Results: Airborne bacterial contamination was dominated by Gram positive cocci including Staphylococcus aureus.
Airborne fungal levels were much lower than those observed for bacteria. The UV cabinet significantly reduced
(p < 0.05) the observed levels of airborne contamination. When challenged with contaminated instruments the
cabinet was able to reduce microbial levels by between 60% to 100% with more complex instruments e.g. clippers,
remaining contaminated.
Conclusions: Bacterial airborne contamination is a potential infection risk in podiatry settings due to the presence
of S. aureus. The use of a UV instrument cabinet can reduce the risk of contamination by airborne microbes. The UV
cabinet tested was unable to decontaminate instruments and as such could pose an infection risk if misused.
Keywords: Infection control, UV, Bacteria, Fungi, Dermatophytes, Contaminatio
UV LEDs: new avenues with nanowires
No full textInternational audienceNanowires have emerged as an alternative approach to develop novel UV LEDs. We have explored two kind of core-shell UV quantum well (QWs) systems grown by MOVPE: GaN/AlGaN and GaN/AlN. The UV wavelength is controlled by tuning the thickness of GaN QWs as well as by varying the Al-content of the AlGaN barriers. Single-wire UV µLEDs is fabricated and electroluminescence is tuned down to 310 nm using thinner QWs and Al-rich barriers. We have also developed the growth of core-shell GaN/AlGaN digital alloys with a demonstration of an UV LED at 310 nm. Finally, assemblies of nanowires embedded in PDMS are peeled off and transferred to fabricate flexible large UV LEDs. This work paves the way for the development of novel UV-LED devices, from µLEDs to flexible LEDs
Block copolymer line roughness measurements via PSD: application to fingerprint samples
No full textInternational audienceThis paper introduces line roughness characterization non-straight patterns made of block copolymers (fingerprint patterns). Line Width Roughness have been determined using Power Spectral Density based on a special edge detection developed at CEA-LETI to extract edges contours. We investigated several process parameters impact on LWR such as the degree of polymerization of different BCPs and the impact of UV irradiation on the roughness of the PS block
UV-filter pollution: current concerns and future prospects.
No full textUV-filters are widely used in cosmetics and personal care products to protect users' skin from redamage caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Globally, an estimated 16,000 to 25,000 tonnes of products containing UV-filters were used in 2014 with modern consumption likely to be much higher. Beyond this use in cosmetics and personal care products, UV-filters are also widely used to provide UV-stability in industrial products such as paints and plastics. This review discusses the main routes by which UV-filters enter aquatic environments and summarises the conclusions of studies from the past 10 years that have investigated the effects of UV-filters on environmentally relevant species including corals, microalgae, fish, and marine mammals. Safety data regarding the potential impact of UV-filters on human health are also discussed. Finally, we explore the challenges surrounding UV-filter removal and research on more environmentally friendly alternatives to current UV-filters. [Abstract copyright: © 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
Photoprotective potential of emulsions formulated with Buriti oil (Mauritia flexuosa) and Vitamin E against UV irradiation on human keratinocytes and fibroblasts cell lines
No full textConsidering the belief that natural lipids and edible substances are safer for topical applications and that carotenoids are able to protect cells against photooxidative damage, wea have investigated whether topical creams and lotions, produced with Buriti oil and commercial surfactants, can exert photoprotective effect of against UVA and UVB irradiation. Emulsions and plain Buriti oil were diluted in DMEM medium supplemented with 10% FBS. Cell treatment was divided in two stages, prior and after being exposed to 30 minutes of UVA plus UVB radiation or 60 minutes to UVA radiation. Emulsions prepared with ethoxylated fatty alcohols as surfactants and containing α-tocopherol caused phototoxic damage to the cells, especially when applied prior to UV exposure. Damage reported was due to prooxidant activity and phototoxic effect of the surfactant. Emulsions prepared with Sorbitan Monooleate and PEG-40 castor oil and containing panthenol as active ingredient, were able to reduce the damages caused by radiation when compared to non-treated cells. When the different cells lines used in the study were compared, keratinocytes showed an increase in cell viability higher than fibroblasts. The Buriti oil emulsions can be considered potential vehicles to transport antioxidants precursors and also be used as adjuvant in sun protection
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