The Effect of Serial Culture and Storage on the Protective Potential of a Competitive Exclusion Preparation

Cultura de fezes (Método de Exclusão Competitiva - EC) utilizada para prevenir a colonização cecal de aves por Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) foi submetida a cultivos seriados para evitar a presença de patógenos e, após o tratamento mais adequado, foi armazenada em temperatura de refrigeração antes do seu uso por até 63 dias. Os resultados mostraram que o cultivo repetido por 14 vezes não prejudica a ação protetora da cultura (CE), a qual continua inibindo a colonização cecal por SE. O produto submetido a 12 cultivos e armazenado durante 28 dias em temperatura de refrigeração também continua eficaz.

Power-law distributions for the citation index of scientific publications and scientists

The number of citations of a scientific publication or of an individual scientist has become an important factor of quality assessment in science. We report a study of the statistical distribution of the citation index of both scientific publications and scientists. We give numerical evidence that Tsallis (power law) statistics explains the entire distribution over eight orders of magnitude (10-4 to 10(4)). Also, we draw Zipf plots in order to analyze the statistical distribution of the citation index of Brazilian and international physicists and chemists. The relatively small group of Brazilian scientists seems more adequate to explain the dynamics of the citation index. In this case, we find that the distribution of the citation index can also be explained by a gradually truncated power law with similar parameters. We finally discuss possible mechanisms behind the citation index of scientists and scientific publications.

Clinical research on new drugs (Phase I). Profile of scientific publications: data from the pre-clinical phase and bioethical aspects

OBJETIVO: Traçar o perfil das publicações científicas de fase I e procurar saber se a publicação oferece dados da fase pré-clínica com ênfase nos aspectos bioéticos. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados 61 artigos científicos publicados no ano de 2007, que relatam pesquisas envolvendo seres humanos com novos fármacos, medicamentos ou vacinas em fase I. Foi elaborado um roteiro para coleta de dados, com o qual fosse possível analisar e avaliar os artigos científicos. O roteiro contempla itens referentes à fase pré-clínica (associados à fase clínica) e itens referentes às características da amostra. RESULTADOS: Nos artigos analisados, a maioria das pesquisas foi realizada nos EUA. Devido ao grande número de publicações destinadas às doenças oncológicas a maioria delas foi realizada com voluntários doentes. Quanto às informações sobre a fase pré-clínica presente nas publicações de fase I observamos que são pobres ou inexistentes. Mesmo que os autores julguem a pesquisa fase I como promissora e sugiram estudos futuros de fase II, ao leitor não é possível este mesmo julgamento pela escassez de informações da fase pré-clínica. CONCLUSÃO: O perfil das publicações levanta dados que merecem reflexão e análise para melhor avaliação do que está ocorrendo com as publicações de fase I.

Allocation of protective devices in distribution circuits using nonlinear programming models and genetic algorithms

The optimized allocation of protective devices in strategic points of the circuit improves the quality of the energy supply and the system reliability index. This paper presents a nonlinear integer programming (NLIP) model with binary variables, to deal with the problem of protective device allocation in the main feeder and all branches of an overhead distribution circuit, to improve the reliability index and to provide customers with service of high quality and reliability. The constraints considered in the problem take into account technical and economical limitations, such as coordination problems of serial protective devices, available equipment, the importance of the feeder and the circuit topology. The use of genetic algorithms (GAs) is proposed to solve this problem, using a binary representation that does (1) or does not (0) show allocation of protective devices (reclosers, sectionalizers and fuses) in predefined points of the circuit. Results are presented for a real circuit (134 busses), with the possibility of protective device allocation in 29 points. Also the ability of the algorithm in finding good solutions while improving significantly the indicators of reliability is shown. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Prevalence of dementia in Latin America: a collaborative study of population-based cohorts

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Epidemiological aspects of rheumatoid arthritis patients affected by oral bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws

This literature review aims to evaluate the epidemiologic profile of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that developed a bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis that affect the jaws (BRONJ), including demographic aspects, as well as clinical and therapeutic issues. A search of PUBMED/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane databases from January 2003 to September 2011 was conducted with the objective of identifying publications that contained case reports regarding oral BRONJ in RA patients. Patients with RA who develop oral BRONJ are usually women above 60 years taking steroids and long-term alendronate. Most of them have osteoporosis, and lesions, triggered by dental procedures, are usually detected at stage II in the mandible. Although there is no accepted treatment protocol, these patients seem to have better outcomes with conservative approaches that include antibiotic therapy, chlorhexidine, and drug discontinuation.

Effectiveness of chlorhexidine on the disinfection of complete dentures colonised with fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans: in vitro study

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effectiveness of Photodynamic Therapy for the Inactivation of Candida spp. on Dentures: In Vitro Study

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Light microscopy and computer three-dimensional reconstruction of the blood capillaries of the enamel organ of rat molar tooth germs

We performed a light microscope and a computer three-dimensional reconstruction study of serial sections of the molar enamel organ of 3- and 5-day-old rats perfused with Indian ink through the arterial system. The tooth germs were fixed in Bouin's solution, embedded in paraffin, sectioned and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. For the three-dimensional reconstruction, light micrographs of the serial sections were digitized, and aligned using the serial EM Align software downloaded from http://synapses.bu.edu/tools/. After alignment, the boundaries of the India-ink-filled blood vessels were manually traced with a mouse using the software IGL trace (version 1.26b), also downloaded from the above website. After tracing, a three-dimensional representation of the blood vessel contours was generated in a VRML format and visualized with the help of the software Cortona Web3D viewer (version 4.0) downloaded from http://www.parallelgraphics.com/products/cortona. Our results showed that in regions where ameloblasts are polarized the capillaries are arranged in three distinct levels: (1) penetrating and leaving capillaries in relation to the outer enamel epithelium; (2) capillaries crossing and branching inside the stellate reticulum; and (3) capillaries branching and anastomosing profusely within the stratum intermedium, thereby forming an extensive capillary plexus intimately associated with the cells of the stratum intermedium. The existence of a conspicuous capillary plexus intermingled with cells of the stratum intermedium, as shown in our results, suggests that some molecules produced by cells of the stratum intermedium could be released into the capillary plexus and thereafter carried to the dental follicle.

Synaptonemal polycomplexes in spermatids: a characteristic trait of Orthoptera?

Spermatogenesis was analysed in a cricket, Eneoptera surinamensis (Gryllidae, Orthoptera), using ultrathin serial sections and transmission electron microscopy. Special attention was placed on documentation of the development and structure of synaptonemal polycomplexes (PCs) within spermatid nuclei. Pachytene spermatocytes showed the usual tripartite synaptonemal complexes in the nuclear lumen. PCs were situated close to chromosomes at the periphery of spindles in prometaphase I spermatocytes, where microtubule density was low. The PCs are probably incorporated into the daughter nuclei of both meiotic divisions by adhesion to chromosomes. Finally, PCs end up within spermatid nuclei. Analysis of serial sections through three nuclei of young spermatids revealed at least one PC within each. The PCs were intimately attached to an electrondense spherical nuclear body. This topographical correlation was confirmed through inspection of random sections. The PCs may have an affinity to the spherical bodies. In more developed spermatids, PCs and nuclear bodies were missing. Disassembly products of the PCs may play a role in spermatid maturation. In a series of other Orthoptera species, PCs have been reported to occur in the cytoplasm or the nuclei of spermatids. In most other systematic groups, PCs do not form at all or disassemble earlier. The presence of PCs in young spermatids, therefore, seems to be typical of Orthoptera.

Effect of different exposure times on microwave irradiation on the disinfection of a hard chairside reline resin

Purpose: This study evaluated the effectiveness of different exposure times of microwave irradiation on the disinfection of a hard chairside reline resin. Materials and Methods: Sterile specimens were individually inoculated with one of the tested microorganisms (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and Bacillus subtilis) and incubated for 24 hours at 37°C. For each microorganism, 10 specimens were not microwaved (control), and 50 specimens were microwaved. Control specimens were individually immersed in sterile saline, and replicate aliquots of serial dilutions were plated on selective media appropriate for each organism. Irradiated specimens were immersed in water and microwaved at 650 W for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 minutes before serial dilutions and platings. After 48 hours of incubation, colonies on plates were counted. Irradiated specimens were also incubated for 7 days. Some specimens were prepared for scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis. Results: Specimens irradiated for 3, 4, and 5 minutes showed sterilization. After 2 minutes of irradiation, specimens inoculated with C. albicans were sterilized, whereas those inoculated with bacteria were disinfected. One minute of irradiation resulted in growth of all microorganisms. SEM examination indicated alteration in cell morphology of sterilized specimens. The effectiveness of microwave irradiation was improved as the exposure time increased. Conclusion: This study suggests that 3 minutes of microwave irradiation can be used for acrylic resin sterilization, thus preventing cross-contamination. © 2008 by The American College of Prosthodontists.

Dysregulation of Anti-Inflammatory Annexin A1 Expression in Progressive Crohns Disease

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Análise da produção científica nacional fonoaudiológica acerca da linguagem escrita

TEMA: a produção científica nacional sobre a linguagem escrita no âmbito da Fonoaudiologia. OBJETIVO: analisar parte da produção fonoaudiológica brasileira acerca da linguagem escrita, entre os anos de 1980 a 2004, levando em conta o período da publicação; a distribuição de freqüência por período; os tipos de publicações; as sub-temáticas abordadas e a autoria. MÉTODO: a pesquisa de caráter documental configurou a opção metodológica selecionada para a realização desse estudo. Foram analisados livros, capítulos de livros e artigos publicados em sete periódicos nacionais de Fonoaudiologia (1980 a 2004). RESULTADOS: as produções científicas em torno da linguagem escrita, no período considerado, perfazem um total de 236 publicações. Desse total, 3,39% foram publicadas na década de 1980; 44,1% na década de 1990; e 52,5% durante o período de 2000-2004. Quanto ao tipo das publicações, 18,5% foram publicadas em forma de livro, 39% de capítulo de livro e 42,5% de artigo em periódico. Quanto à autoria das publicações, 42 autores (76,36%), são vinculados a instituições de ensino superior, como docentes ou discentes, com maior concentração no Estado de São Paulo e menor no Rio de Janeiro. As produções analisadas versaram sobre cinco sub-temáticas: distúrbios de linguagem escrita (52%); processo de apropriação da linguagem escrita (23,5%); surdez e linguagem escrita (8,90%); alterações neurológicas e linguagem escrita (8,22%) e escola e linguagem escrita (7,53%). CONCLUSÃO: a pesquisa permitiu recuperar parte da memória acerca da construção de um campo de atuação e de conhecimento da área fonoaudiológica: a linguagem escrita. O ascendente crescimento de publicações em torno dessa temática aponta para o implemento de pesquisas nesse campo da Fonoaudiologia e, portanto, a pertinência de estudos que objetivem analisar os rumos da produção científica relativa ao mesmo.

Percepção dos profissionais que atuam na Estratégia de Saúde da Família quanto à assistência prestada aos idosos: revisão integrativa da literatura

A presente investigação é uma revisão integrativa cujo objetivo foi buscar na literatura e avaliar a percepção dos profissionais quanto ao atendimento dispensado ao idoso pelas equipes da Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF). Para a seleção dos trabalhos, utilizaram-se duas bases de dados, Medline e Lilacs, compondo a amostra que se constitui de dez publicações. Após a análise dos trabalhos incluídos na revisão, os resultados evidenciaram que os profissionais da ESF reconheceram a falta de preparo da equipe em relação à pessoa idosa, enfatizaram a dificuldade da estrutura organizacional e política da ESF no que se refere à velhice e admitiram a falta de integralização do cuidado das equipes à assistência ao idoso.

Collenchyma in Panicum maximum (Poaceae): localisation and possible role

This work relates the occurrence and distribution of collenchyma in Panicum maximum Jacq. P. maximum leaves were collected at different phases of development and sampled from both the base of the sheath and from the sheath-leaf blade transition area. For the stems, the study was made by using hand-cut sections of the internodal base. In the leaves, analyses of serial sections showed, at the base and sheath-leaf blade transition area, a sudden change of tissue at vascular bundle. The vascular bundles are surrounded by sclerenchyma, both in the sheath and the leaf blade, as well as by fibrous threads that occur on the adaxial side of the central bundles. However, at the base of the sheath and at the sheath-leaf blade transition area, sclerenchyma was substituted for collenchyma. In the stem, the substitution of sclerenchyma associated with vascular bundles for collenchyma occurs at the base of the internode, in the pulvinus region. The analyses from transmission electron microscopy showed the presence of lamellated cell wall and active protoplast in collenchyma cells.