Comments on the validity of Haemaphysalis cinnabarina Koch, 1844 (Acari : Ixodidae), a taxon known solely by the type specimens from northern Brazil

The types of Haemaphysalis cinnabarina Koch and its junior synonym H. sanguinolenta Koch, both from State of Para, Brazil, have been studied. Although H. cinnabarina has been considered a synonym of H. punctata Canestrini and Fanzago (a Palearctic species), they were compared to another closely related species H. chordedis (Packard) (a Nearctic species). Based on the morphology and geographical distance among of H. cinnabarina, H. chordedis and H. punctata, we are reasonably sure that all are valid taxa. The lack of additional reports of H. cinnabarina is more related to few investigations in South America, mainly in Northern Brazil, rather than suggesting that it does not exist.

Effects of type II pyrethroid cyhalothrin on rat innate immunity: A flow cytometric study

Synthetic type II pyrethroids induce anxiety, immunosuppresion or, alternatively, immunostimulatory effects in laboratory animals. Macrophages and neutrophils are known to be key elements in cellular immune responses. The present study was designed to investigate the in vivo effects of cyhalothrin (1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg/once daily for 7 days) on macrophage and neutrophil activities, using a flow cytometry method. Results showed that cyhalothrin treatment decreased the percentage and intensity of phagocytosis performed by macrophages, but did not alter these parameters in neutrophils: and also decreased basal neutrophil oxidative burst and increased S. aureus-induced neutrophil oxidative burst, but did not alter these responses in macrophages. The present results are discussed in the light of a possible indirect action of cyhalothrin on macrophage and neutrophil activities via hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis activation. A possible direct effect of cyhalothrin on macrophage and neutrophil activities is also considered. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of equine chorionic gonadotropin and type of ovulatory stimulus in a timed-AI protocol on reproductive responses in dairy cows

The objectives were to evaluate the effects of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) supplementation (with or without eCG) and type of ovulatory stimulus (GnRH or ECP) on ovarian follicular dynamics, luteal function, and pregnancies per AI (P/AI) in Holstein cows receiving timed artificial insemination (TAI). On Day 0, 742 cows in a total of 782 breedings, received 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB) and one intravaginal progesterone (P4) insert (CIDR). On Day 8, the CIDR was removed, and all cows were given PGF2 alpha and assigned to one of four treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement: (1) CG: GnRH 48 h later; (2) CE: ECP; (3) EG: eCG + GnRH 48 It later; (4) EE: eCG + ECP. There were significant interactions for eCG x ovulatory stimulus and eCG x BCS. Cows in the CG group were less likely (28.9% vs. 33.8%; P < 0.05) to become pregnant compared with those in the EG group (odds ratio [OR] = 0.28). There were no differences in P/AI between CE and EE cows (30.9% vs. 29.1%; OR = 0.85; P = 0.56), respectively. Thinner cows not receiving eCG had lower P/AI than thinner cows receiving eCG (15.2% vs. 38.0%; OR = 0.20; P < 0.01). Treatment with eCG tended to increase serum progestesterone concentrations during the diestrus following synchronized ovulation (P < 0.10). However, the treatment used to induce ovulation did not affect CL volume or serum progesterone concentrations. In conclusion, both ECP and GnRH yielded comparable P/AI. However, eCG treatment at CIDR removal increased pregnancy rate in cows induced to ovulate with GnRH and in cows with lower BCS. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Pre-treatment of cattle sperm and/or oocyte with antibody to lipocalin type prostaglandin D synthase inhibits in vitro fertilization and increases sperm-oocyte binding

The present study was conducted to determine the affect of pre-treating of oocytes and/or sperm with a rabbit polyclonal antibody against recombinant cattle lipocalin type prostaglandin D synthase (alpha L-PGDS) on in vitro sperm-oocyte binding and fertilization. In vitro matured cattle oocytes were incubated (39 degrees C, 5% CO2 in air) for I It in the following treatments either 500 mu L of fertilization medium (FM) or FM with alpha L-PGDS (1:2000). Frozen-thawed spermatozoa were washed by a 45/90% layered Percoll gradient centrifugation and incubated for I h either FM or FM with a L-PGDS. This study utilized five different treatments: (1) no antibody (control); (2) a rabbit IgG against a non-bovine antigen, bacterial histidase (alpha-hist); (3) a L-PGDS at fertilization time (with fertilization medium); (4) alpha L-PGDS-treated oocytes; or (5) a L-PGDS-treated sperm. Pre-treated oocytes were incubated with 10 X 10(4) washed spermatozoa per 25 oocytes. Oocytes used to assess sperm binding were stained with Hoescht 33342, and the number of sperm bound per zonae pellucidae counted. The remaining oocytes were fixed in acid alcohol, stained with 1% acetate-orcein and observed to determine the presence of pronuclei. More sperm bound to the zonae pellucidae when oocytes and/or sperm were pre-treated with alpha. L-PGDS: (1) 26.4 +/- 3.0; (2) 25.6 +/- 3.0; (3) 59.7 +/- 3.0; (4) 56.4 +/- 3.0; and (5) 57.1 +/- 3.0. Addition of alpha L-PGDS with sperm, oocytes, or both, decreased fertilization (P < 0.05) compared with the control: (1) 89.2 +/- 2.0%; (2) 87.5 +/- 2.0%; (3) 19.4 +/- 2.0%; (4) 27.2 +/- 3.1%; and (5) 14.1 +/- 3.4%. The alpha L-PGDS reacts with both oocytes and spermatozoa, resulting in increases of in vitro sperm-oocyte binding and inhibition of fertilization. These observations suggest that L-PGDS may have a role in cattle fertilization. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Apoptotic and developmental effects of bovine Herpesvirus type-5 infection on in vitro-produced bovine embryos

Bovine Herpesvirus type-5 (BoHV-5), which is potentially neuropathogenic, was recently described to be related with reproductive disorders in cows. The objective was to elucidate mechanisms involved in propagation of BoHV-5 in embryonic cells. For this purpose, bovine embryos produced in vitro were assayed for apoptotic markers after experimental infection of oocytes, in vitro fertilization, and development. Host DNA fragmentation was detected with a TUNEL assay, expression of annexin-V was measured with indirect immunofluorescence, and viral DNA was detected with in situ hybridization. Infective BoHV-5 virus was recovered from embryos derived from exposed oocytes after two consecutive passages on Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells. The viral DNA corresponding to US9 gene, localized between nucleotides 126243 to 126493, was detected in situ and amplified. There was no significant difference between the ratio of TUNEL stained nuclei and total cells in good quality blastocysts (0.87 +/- 0.05, mean SD), but there were differences (P < 0.05) between infected (0.18 +/- 0.05) and uninfected blastocysts (0.73 +/- 0.07). The Annexin-V label was more intense in uninfected embryos (0.79 +/- 0.04; P < 0.05). The quality of infected and uninfected embryos was considered equal, with no significant effect on embryonic development. In conclusion, we inferred that BoHV-5 infected bovine oocytes, replicated, and suppressed some apoptotic pathways, without significantly affecting embryonic development. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of Trypsin Treatment on the Inactivation of Bovine Herpesvirus Type 1 on In Vitro Produced Pre-implantation Embryos

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of trypsin treatment on the inactivation of bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) on in vitro produced by fertilization and artificially infected bovine embryos. Bovine embryos on day 7 were exposed with 10 mu l of BoHV-1, Los Angeles strain 10(7.5) TCID. These embryos and control embryos were divided in two groups: submitted to the sequential washes or to the trypsin treatment according to the International Embryo Transfer Society (IETS) guidelines. The embryos and the last washing drop of each group were used as inoculum to infect Madin Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells and submitted to nested PCR reaction using the primer that encodes the gene conserved region of virus glycoprotein gB. The data have shown that the control embryos and their last washing drop were negative. The exposed embryos that were treated with trypsin have shown positive results on the n-PCR and MDBK culture, and their last washing drop were negative. Our data have demonstrated that the trypsin treatment was not able to eliminate the BHV-1 of the embryos, suggesting an interaction between virus and embryo.

Differences in thermoregulatory ability between slick-haired and wild-type lactating Holstein cows in response to acute heat stress

Animals inheriting the slick hair gene have a short, sleek, and sometimes glossy coat. The objective of the present study was to determine whether slick-haired Holstein cows regulate body temperature more effectively than wild-type Holstein cows when exposed to an acute increase in heat stress. Lactating slick cows (n = 10) and wild-type cows (n = 10) were placed for 10 h in an indoor environment with a solid roof, fans, and evaporative cooling or in an outdoor environment with shade cloth and no fans or evaporative cooling. Cows were exposed to both environments in a single reversal design. Vaginal temperature, respiration rate, surface temperature, and sweating rate were measured at 1200, 1500, 1800, and 2100 h (replicate 1) or 1200 and 1500 h (replicate 2), and blood samples were collected for plasma cortisol concentration. Cows in the outdoor environment had higher vaginal and surface temperatures, respiration rates, and sweating rates than cows in the indoor environment. In both environments, slick-haired cows had lower vaginal temperatures (indoor: 39.0 vs. 39.4 degrees C; outdoor 39.6 vs. 40.2 degrees C; SEM = 0.07) and respiration rate (indoor: 67 vs. 79 breaths/min; outdoor 97 vs. 107 breaths/min; SEM = 5.5) than wild-type cows and greater sweating rates in unclipped areas of skin (indoor: 57 vs. 43 g.h(-1)/m(2); outdoor 82 vs. 61 g.h(-1)/m(2); SEM = 8). Clipping the hair at the site of sweating measurement eliminated the difference between slick-haired and wild-type cows. Results indicate that slick-haired Holstein cows can regulate body temperature more effectively than wild-type cows during heat stress. One reason slick-haired animals are better able to regulate body temperature is increased sweating rate.

Physical-mechanical properties of glass ionomer cements indicated for atraumatic restorative treatment

Background: This study evaluated mechanical properties of glass ionomer cements (GICs) used for atraumatic restorative treatment. Wear resistance, Knoop hardness (Kh), flexural (F(s)) and compressive strength (C(s)) were evaluated. The GICs used were Riva Self Cure (RVA), Fuji IX (FIX), Hi Dense (HD), Vitro Molar (VM), Maxxion R (MXR) and Ketac Molar Easymix (KME). Methods: Wear was evaluated after 1, 4, 63 and 365 days. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests (P = 0.05) analysed differences in wear of the GICs and the time effect. F(s), C(s), and Kh were analysed with one-way ANOVA. Results: The type of cement (p < 0.001) and the time (p < 0.001) had a significant effect on wear. In early-term wear and Kh, KME and FIX presented the best performance. In long-term wear, F(s) and C(s), KME, FIX and HD had the best performance. Strong explanatory power between F(s) and the Kh (r(2) = 0.85), C(s) and the Kh (r(2) = 0.82), long-term wear and F(s) of 24 h (r(2) = 0.79) were observed. Conclusions: The data suggested that KME and FIX presented the best in vitro performance. HD showed good results except for early-term wear.

Influence of Blood Contamination on Bond Strength of a Self-etching Adhesive to Dental Tissues

Purpose: The aim of this study was to detect the influence of (1) storage period of heparinized blood, (2) type of blood and presence of contaminant, (3) application mode of cleansing agents, and (4) efficacy of cleansing agents on contaminated enamel and dentin during the adhesion process of a one-step adhesive system. Materials and Methods: One hundred four human molars were sectioned into halves along the long axis for enamel and dentin tests. Heparinized and fresh blood were obtained from the same donor, applied and dried to maintain a layer of dry blood on the top of samples. The cleansing agents used were hydrogen peroxide, anionic detergent, and antiseptic solution. A one-step adhesive system (Clearfil S3 Bond) was applied on the dental surface, and composite resin cylinders were built up using Tygon tubing molds. After 24 h, the mu SBS test (1 mm/min) and fracture analysis were performed. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in bond strength values regarding the storage period of heparinized blood and the types of blood. Groups without contamination presented higher bond strengths than contaminated groups. The application mode of the cleansing agents had no influence on bond strength results. There was no statistically significant difference among cleansing agents and they were as effective as a water stream in counteracting the effect of blood contamination. Conclusion: Heparinized blood can be used as a contaminant for up to one week, and it is a reliable procedure to standardize the contaminant. The cleansing agents can be used without friction. A water stream is sufficient to remove blood contamination from dental tissues, before the application of a one-step adhesive system.

Periodontal disease in gestational and type 1 diabetes mellitus pregnant women

Objective: The present study evaluated the relationship between periodontal disease and its clinical variables in Brazilian non-diabetic pregnant women (C), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), or type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Subjects and methods: A periodontal exam was performed in one hundred and sixty-one pregnant women (GDM:80; T1DM:31; C:50) by a single-blinded calibrated examiner who recorded plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding index (BI), gingival margin location (GM), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), and tooth mobility index (MI). The medical variables were age, pregestational body mass index (pre-BMI), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)). Results: The GI, GM, PD, CAL, BOP, and MI were significantly higher (P < 0.01) among GDM and T1DM than for C. The PI was higher in GDM and similar between C and T1DM. The Adjusted Final Model for medical variables to evaluate the effects of groups on periodontal parameters confirmed these results. Conclusions: The presence of periodontal disease was significantly higher in Brazilian diabetic pregnancies (GDM and T1DM) when compared to non-diabetic pregnant women (C). The degree of periodontal disease was similar between the GDM and T1DM groups. Age, pregestational BMI, and HbA(1c) were factors related to CAL development in these two types of diabetes mellitus.

Understanding Contradictory Data in Contraction Stress Tests

The literature shows contradictory results regarding the role of composite shrinkage and elastic modulus as determinants of polymerization stress. The present study aimed at a better understanding of the test mechanics that could explain such divergences among studies. The hypothesis was that the effects of composite shrinkage and elastic modulus on stress depend upon the compliance of the testing system. A commonly used test apparatus was simulated by finite element analysis, with different compliance levels defined by the bonding substrate (steel, glass, composite, or acrylic). Composites with moduli between 1 and 12 GPa and shrinkage values between 0.5% and 6% were modeled. Shrinkage was simulated by thermal analogy. The hypothesis was confirmed. When shrinkage and modulus increased simultaneously, stress increased regardless of the substrate. However, if shrinkage and modulus were inversely related, their magnitudes and interaction with rod material determined the stress response.

Measuring Bond Strength Between Fiber Post and Root Dentin: A Comparison of Different Tests

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of bond strength tests to accurately measure the bond strength of fiber posts luted into root canals Materials and Methods The test methods studied were hourglass microtensile (HM), push-out (PS), modified push out (MP) and pull out (PL) The evaluated parameters were bond strength values, reliability (using Weibull analysis), failure mode (using confocal microscopy), and stress distribution (using finite element analysis) Forty human intact single rooted and endodontically treated teeth were divided into four groups Each group was assigned one of the test methods The samples in the HM and PS groups were 1 0 +/- 0 1 mm thick, the HM samples were hourglass shaped and the PS samples were disk shaped For the PL and MP groups, each 1 mm dentin slice was luted with a fiber post piece Three dimensional models of each group were made and stress was analyzed based on Von Mises criteria Results PL provided the highest values of bond strength followed by MP both of which also had greater amounts of adhesive failures PS showed the highest frequency of cohesive failures MP showed a more homogeneous stress distribution and a higher Weibull modulus Conclusion The specimen design directly influences the biomechanical behavior of bond strength tests

A critical view on biaxial and short-beam uniaxial flexural strength tests applied to resin composites using Weibull, fractographic and finite element analyses

Objective. To evaluate the biaxial and short-beam uniaxial strength tests applied to resin composites based upon their Weibull parameters, fractographic features and stress distribution. Methods. Disk- (15 mm x 1 mm) and beam-shaped specimens (10 mm x 2 mm x 1 mm) of three commercial composites (Concept/Vigodent, CA; Heliomolar/Ivoclar-Vivadent, HE; Z250/3M ESPE, FZ) were prepared. After 48h dry storage at 37 degrees C, disks and beams were submitted to piston-on-three-balls (BI) and three-point bending (UNI) tests, respectively. Data were analyzed by Weibull statistics. Fractured surfaces were observed under stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope. Maximum principal stress (sigma(1)) distribution was determined by finite element analysis (FEA). Maximum sigma(1-BI) and sigma(1-UNI) were compared to FZ strengths calculated by applying the average failure loads to the analytical equations (sigma(a-BI) and sigma(a-UNI)). Results. For BI, characteristic strengths were: 169.9a (FZ), 122.4b (CA) and 104.8c (HE), and for UNI were: 160.3a (FZ), 98.2b (CA) and 91.6b (HE). Weibull moduli ( m) were similar within the same test. CA and HE presented statistically higher m for BI. Surface pores ( BI) and edge flaws ( UNI) were the most frequent fracture origins. sigma(1-BI) was 14% lower than sigma(a-BI.) sigma(1-UNI) was 43% higher than sigma(a-UNI). Significance. Compared to the short-beam uniaxial test, the biaxial test detected more differences among composites and displayed less data scattering for two of the tested materials. Also, biaxial strength was closer to the material`s strength estimated by FEA. (C) 2009 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Finite Element Analysis of Shear Versus Torsion Adhesive Strength Tests for Dental Resin Composites

Stress distributions in torsion and wire-loop shear tests were compared using three-dimensional (3-D) linear-elastic finite element method, in an attempt to predict the ideal conditions for testing adhesive strength of dental resin composites to dentin. The torsion test presented lower variability in stress concentration at the adhesive interface with changes in the proportion adhesive thickness/resin composite diameter, as well as lower variability with changes in the resin composite elastic modulus. Moreover, the torsion test eliminated variability from changes in loading distance, and reduced the cohesive fracture tendency in the dentin. The torsion test seems to be more appropriate than wire-loop shear test for testing the resin composite-tooth interface strength. (c) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2009

Effect of different surface treatments on the repair bond strength of indirect composites

Purpose: To evaluate the tensile bond strength of indirect composites repaired with different surface treatments and direct composites. Methods: 180 specimens were prepared with Targis, belleGlass HP and Sculpture indirect composites, light-activated and post-cured according to the manufacturers` recommendations. The specimens were stored in distilled water for 24 hours at 37 degrees C. The bonding surfaces were prepared with air abrasion, hydrofluoric acid or hydrofluoric acid followed by a neutralizing solution. All the treated surfaces were subject to the application of a silane and a bonding agent before the repair procedures with Tetric Ceram and Tetric Flow for the Targis specimens, Herculite XRV and Revolution for the belleGlass HP specimens and Sculp-It and Flow-It for Sculpture specimens. The tensile bond strength tests were carried out using a universal testing machine at cross-head speed of 0.5 mm/minute. The type of fracture was observed under a light microscope at x40 magnification. Data were analyzed by a two-way ANOVA and Tukey`s post-hoc tests (P<0.05). Results: Targis showed a statistically higher repair bond strength than belleGlass HP and Sculpture, which were not significantly different from each other. Air abrasion increased the repair bond strength of belleGlass HP and Sculpture. For Targis, all the surface treatments resulted in similar repair bond strength. The different viscosity of repair composites did not affect the repair of indirect composites. Fractured surfaces showed mostly adhesive failures, mainly with hydrofluoric acid treatment.