Evaluation of naturally and artificially aged seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Seed ageing is natural phenomenon that occurs in all seeds, including those stored in dry and low temperature rooms. Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. 'Carioca' seeds harvested in five different years were stored in at 15°C. Seed samples were germinated and evaluated according to The Brazilian Rules for Testing Seeds. The newest seed sample was submitted to artificial ageing. Small (∼1g) samples of all materials (naturally and artificially aged) were ground and proteins extracted. Equal quantities of protein were loaded onto the gels and electrophoresis carried out. Although seeds submitted to 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of artificial ageing did not show any statistical difference (5%) in relation to unaged seeds in physiological parameters related to emergence, some statistically different parameters related to dry matter and length of shoots and roots occurred. A 24 h of artificial ageing at 41°C improved these factors. Protein patterns were changed after 72 h of artificial ageing and naturally aged seeds showed alterations after two years storage at 15°C. Aged seeds, naturally and artificially, had decreasing germination, vigour, and changes in the characteristic banding pattern of proteins. Physiological parameters and electrophoresis examination showed that for naturally aged seeds physiological parameters were more sensitive while artificially aged seeds, (41°C/100% RH), had electrophoretic profiles that were more efficient for seed lot discrimination.

Structural study of aged saturated silica gels obtained from tetramethoxysilane sonohydrolysis with different water/tetramethoxysilane molar ratio

The structural characteristics of saturated silica sonogels were studied by means of small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG), after a long time of aging in saturated conditions. The sonogels were obtained by a sol-gel routine from ultrasound stimulated tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) hydrolysis carried out with the initial water/TMOS molar ratio (r) ranging from 2 to 10. The saturated sonogel structure can be described as composed by mass fractal-like aggregates (clusters) of primary silica particles, all imbibed in a liquid phase. The values of the mass fractal dimension (D) of the clusters was found all around 2.5, while the characteristic size of the clusters (ξ) was found generally increasing with r, going from approximately 2.3 nm (r = 2) to 4.5 nm (r = 10). The volume fraction of the clusters was estimated from the SAXS data. The results were compared to the values of weight loss fraction at the inflection point that has been found in the derivative of the TG curve, which should accounts for the instant in which the meniscus of the liquid phase penetrates into the clusters under a rapid evaporation process as in a TG test.

Dielectric and viscoelastic properties of cross-linked polyethylene aged under multi stressing conditions

Different measurements were performed in cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) employed as insulating material in coaxial cables that were field-aged and laboratory-aged under multi-stressing conditions at room temperature. Samples were peeled from the XLPE cable insulation in three different positions: just below the external semiconductor layer (outer layer), in the middle (middle layer) and just above the internal semiconductor layer of the cable (inner layer). The imaginary part of the electric susceptibility showed three peaks that obey the Dissado-Hill model. For laboratory-aged XLPE samples peeled from the inner and from the middle positions the peak at very low frequency region increased while in samples from the outer position a quasi-DC conduction process was observed. In medium frequency range a broadening of the peak was observed for all samples. Viscoelastic properties determined through dynamic mechanical analysis suggested that the aging generates processes that promoted changes of the crystallinity and the cross-linking degrees of the polymer. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements revealed an increase of oxidation products (esters), evidence of polar residues of the bow-tie tree and the presence of cross-linking by-products (acetophenone). Optical and scanning electronic microscope (SEM) measurements in aged samples revealed the existence of voids and bow-tie trees that were formed during aging in the middle region of the cable.

Dielectric behavior of XLPE aged under multi-stressing conditions

In this work fresh cables were laboratory aged under multi-stressing conditions at room temperature. Foils were peeled from cables, with approximately 150 ?m thickness, from the outer, middle and inner positions of the XLPE cable insulating layer. For samples obtained from the outer cable layer position, an increasing near-permanent electrical conduction process with aging time was observed. At the middle and inner cable layer positions a flat-loss relaxation process was observed becoming a dominating process on the ageing. In addition, PEA results confirmed that degradation in the outer region of the XLPE cables arises from the simultaneous presence of dipoles and injected space charge that distorts the internal electric field on the ageing.

Evaluation of children's behavior aged 0-3 years during dental care: A longitudinal analysis

Child temperament has been studied in various researches and may be useful to predict how a child responds to dental treatment, especially very young children. The purpose of the present longitudinal study was to evaluate the behavioral manifestation of children aged 0 to 3 years, considering different types of dental situation. A total of 169 children were selected and the following data were collected: the age of the child, gender, age of the mother, number of dental visits and their respective dates, stimuli offered to the child, and behavioral response to these stimuli. The children and their respective behaviors were divided into five groups according to the dental situation offered: control, missed visits, fluoride varnish, restoration, and dental trauma. The data were submitted to descriptive and inferential analysis using the chi-square test, with the level of significance set at 5%. Analysis of the different situation offered to infants during routine dental care revealed a predominance of collaborating and partially collaborating behavior, and age at the time of dental care influenced the behavior of the infants, irrespective of the stimulus group. The different types of dental situation provoked changes in the behavioral response of the children of certain age groups, especially in the dental trauma group.

Longitudinal behavioral analysis during dental care of children aged 0 to 3 years

Abstract: When and how the dentist intervenes have repercussions on children's physical and emotional patterns. The objective of the present study was to conduct a longitudinal behavioral analysis during dental care of babies aged 0 to 3 years. A total of 216 patients seen at the Baby Clinic of the School of Dentistry at Araçatuba, São Paulo State University (UNESP), were selected. The selection criterion was attendance at ten dental care sessions at bimonthly intervals for routine procedures such as clinical examination and oral hygiene. There was a predominance of cooperative behavior compared to uncooperative behavior when each visit was analyzed separately. The behavior of the patients must have been directly influenced by their psychomotor development. Constant attendance and exposure of the baby to non-stressful dental stimuli are factors that favor a cooperative behavior.

Nutritional status, biological maturation and cardiorespiratory fitness in Azorean youth aged 11-15 years

Background: Sex and individual differences in biological maturity status can influence height, weight, and body fat. Thus, the rigorous control of these variables seems necessary for estimating overweight and obesity in adolescents. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and over-fatness in Azorean adolescents and to examine the contributions of chronological age, sex, estimated maturity status, and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) to the risk of overweight and obesity and over-fatness. Methods. The sample comprised 1,206 youth aged 11-15 years (626 boys and 580 girls) from the Azores Islands, Portugal. Body mass, stature, and skinfolds (triceps and subscapular) were measured. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and percent fat was predicted from skinfolds. Age- and sex-specific IOTF cut-off values of the BMI defined nutritional status. Biological maturation was estimated as present height expressed as a percentage of predicted adult (mature) stature. The CRF was analyzed from the 20-m shuttle run test. Results: The total prevalence rates of overweight/obesity and over-fatness were of 31% and 27%, respectively. Low CRF (unfit) and being average and advanced in maturity status were positively and significantly associated with overweight/obesity and with risk of being over-fatness in both sexes. Conclusions: High prevalence rates of overweight/obesity and over-fatness were identified in Azorean youth, and low CRF and advanced biological maturation were positively associated with overweight/obesity and over-fatness in our sample of adolescents. © 2013 Coelho-e-Silva et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

The most frequent cardiovascular risk factors in Brazilian aged 80 years or older

To identify the most frequent cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) in Brazilian participants. Sample of 113 individuals aged 80 to 95 years (83.4 + 2.9 years), of both sexes, from Presidente Prudente, São Paulo state. Waist circumference (WC), body mass index, percentage of total body fat (% BF), hypertension, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, and glucose were used for characterization of risk factors. The chi-square test was used to assess proportions of risk factors and Student's t test to compare the results between the sexes. High prevalence of risk factor was observed, mainly hypertension (67.3%) and % BF (79.6%). Male participants presented higher weight, height, and WC (p <.001), and female participants, higher TC and % BF (p <.001). Only 7.1% of male and 4.2% of female participants showed no risk factors, and 71.3% of male and 85.9% of female participants had three or more. The participants presented a high prevalence of CRFs, particularly percentage of body fat and hypertension, and, in addition, female participants also presented TC. © The Author(s) 2011.

Phenotypic and metabolic aspects of prostatic epithelial cells in aged gerbils after antisteroidal therapy: Turnover in the state of chromatin condensation and androgen-independent cell replacement

The gerbil is a rodent considered a good model for studies of prostatic morphophysiology under different experimental conditions. Studies involving castration and steroidal blockers of aged gerbils showed that the glandular epithelium persists after long-term therapy, preventing the organ atrophy. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the phenotypic characteristics and behavior of prostatic epithelial cells that remained after different periods of hormone ablation in aged gerbils. The identification of elements that influenced the survival of this cell type was performed by morphometric, nuclear phenotypes, ultrastructural and immune histochemical analysis. The most significant responses to treatment, by analyzing morphometric features, were observed during the first three time points (day 1, day 3, and day 7), after which there appeared to be an adjustment of the gland to the hormone ablation. All treatments led to changes in the state of chromatin condensation, DNA methylation pattern and phenotypic changes indicated cell senescence. Additionally, an increase in the basal cells seemed to guarantee self-renewal properties to the epithelium. These data indicate that changes occur at many levels, including gene expression and nuclear architecture in the epithelial cells, when aging and steroidal blockade are associated. These aspects are important when considering castration-resistant prostate cancer, a malignant tumor posing difficult therapeutic intervention. © 2013 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Effects of magnesium sulphate on the pharmacodynamics of rocuronium in patients aged 60 years and older: A randomised trial

BACKGROUND There is little information on the interaction between magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) and rocuronium in elderly patients. With a growing number of older patients who need surgical procedures, it is increasingly important to study this age group. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of MgSO4 administration on the pharmacodynamics of rocuronium in patients aged 60 years or older. DESIGN A randomised controlled trial. SETTING A tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS Sixty-four patients, aged 60 years or older, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classes I to III, scheduled for elective oncological head and neck surgery. Exclusion criteria were severe renal insufficiency (calculated creatinine clearance <30 ml min-1), preoperatorive serum magnesium concentration of more than 1.25 mmol l1 and patients receiving drugs known to affect neuromuscular function. INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomly allocated to one of two groups: in the magnesium group, patients received MgSO4 30mgkg1 intravenously, for 10 min, and then a continuous intravenous infusion at a rate of 1 g h-1. The control group received the same volume of physiological saline. Neuromuscular function was evaluated continuously in both groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Total recovery time was the primary outcome. Onset time, clinical duration, recovery index and recovery time were considered as secondary endpoints. Values are given as mean [SD]. RESULTS Total recovery time from neuromuscular block (NMB) was 113 [36] min in the magnesium group and 101 [39] min in the control group. Clinical duration was 69 [23] min in the magnesium group and 59 [28] min in the control group. Recovery index was 19 [36] min in the magnesium group and 17 [6] min in the control group. Recovery timewas 44 [22] min in the magnesium group and 42 [18] min in the control group. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in any of the recovery indices. In the magnesium group, the mean onset time was 144 [58] s, significantly shorter than the onset time in the group that received physiological saline, which was 187 [90] s (P-0.03). Group variances were compared using an F test: onset time varied significantly less in the magnesium group (P-0.02). CONCLUSION In oncology patients of 60 or more years of age, preadministration of MgSO4, with the doses used in this study, significantly reduced the onset time of NMB induced by rocuronium. © 2013 European Society of Anaesthesiology.

Association between bone mass and functional capacity among elderly people aged 80 years and over

Objetivo:Analisar a associação entre a massa óssea e capacidade funcional de idosos com 80 anos ou mais.Métodos:A amostra foi composta por 93 idosos entre 80 e 91 anos (83,2 ± 2,5 anos), 61 mulheres (83,3 ± 2,7 anos) e 32 homens (83,1 ± 2,2 anos) da cidade de Presidente Prudente. A avaliação da massa óssea foi feita pela absorptiometria de dupla energia de raios X (DXA), na qual foram mensurados os valores de conteúdo mineral ósseo (BMC) e densidade mineral óssea (BMD) do fêmur e da coluna (L1-L4). A capacidade funcional foi avaliada por meio dos testes de velocidade para caminhar, equilíbrio estático e força de membros inferiores contidos no questionário Saúde, Bem-Estar e Envelhecimento (Sabe). As variáveis da massa óssea e capacidade funcional foram categorizadas de acordo com os valores de mediana e a pontuação obtida nos testes, respectivamente. Para tratamento estatístico fez-se o teste qui-quadrado, o software usado foi SPSS (13.0) e o nível de significância estabelecido foi de 5%.Resultados:Os idosos do sexo masculino com maior desempenho nos testes funcionais apresentaram maiores valores de BMC de fêmur comparados com os de menor desempenho, resultado não encontrado quando avaliadas as mulheres.Conclusão:Dessa forma, a massa óssea do fêmur para idosos longevos do sexo masculino está associada à capacidade funcional. A avaliação constante da massa mineral óssea e a prática de atividade física ao longo da vida seriam medidas para prevenção das quedas em idosos.

Diabetes mellitus activates fetal gene program and intensifies cardiac remodeling and oxidative stress in aged spontaneously hypertensive rats

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Treadmill Training Increases SIRT-1 and PGC-1 alpha Protein Levels and AMPK Phosphorylation in Quadriceps of Middle-Aged Rats in an Intensity-Dependent Manner

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)