Polyacrylic acid polymers hydrogels intended to topical drug delivery: preparation and characterization

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Analysis of linearity and frequency response of a novel piezoelectric flextensional actuator using a homodyne interferometer and the J(1)-J(4) method

Piezoelectric transducers are widely used in high-resolution positioning systems. This paper reports the experimental analysis of a novel piezoelectric flextensional actuator (PFA), which is designed by using the topology-optimization method through a low-cost homodyne Michelson interferometer. By applying the J(1) - J(4) method for signal demodulation, which provides a linear and direct measurement of dynamic optical phase shift independent of fading, the nanometric displacements of the PFA were determined. Linearity and frequency response of the PFA were evaluated up to 50 kHz. PFA calibration factor and amplification rate were determined for the PFA operating in the quasi-static regime. To confirm the observed frequencies of resonance, an impedance analyzer is also utilized to measure the magnitude and phase of the PFA admittance.

Evaluation of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions in oral tumor progression

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

Does occupational exposure to anesthetic gases lead to increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines?

There is great concern about the possible harmful effects of exposure to volatile anesthetics. The current study aimed at evaluating, for the first time, the effects of occupational exposure to anesthetic gases on physicians who work in operating rooms, by determining several inflammatory cytokines. Plasma inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, -6, -8, -10, -12, TNF-α) were investigated in 30 individuals who were allocated into two groups of 15: the exposed group, consisting of operating room medical personnel exposed to a mixture of anesthetic gases for 3 years, and a control group composed of medical personnel not exposed to anesthetic gases. The concentrations of volatile anesthetics were measured in the operating room by means of an infrared portable analyzer Our findings suggest an increase of the pro-inflammatory IL-8 (p < 0.05) in medical personnel exposed to high concentrations of anesthetic gases, even for a relatively short period.

Neutrophil extracellular traps identification in tegumentary lesions of patients with paracoccidioidomycosis and different patterns of NETs generation in vitro

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

Análise da proteína EGFR em carcinoma espinocelular de lábio

Pós-graduação em Biopatologia Bucal - ICT

Perfil bioquímico das galinhas poedeiras na região de Araçatuba-SP

The establishment of reference values is extremely important for successful diagnosis and treatament. Considering that in most species the serum chemistry profile is influenced by race, climate and management, we decided to determine the values of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), uric acid, creatinine, creatine kinase (CK), phosphatase alkaline (ALP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), total protein (TP) and albumin of Dekalb hens in the region of Araçatuba - SP. All samples were processed soon after harvesting in an automatic biochemical analyzer calibrated and monitored with control serum levels I and II. The following confidence intervals were obtained: 44-65,5 U / L (AST); 18,4-21,2 U / L (ALT), 2.1-2.5 mg / dL (uric acid); 1.7 to 5.7 U / L (CK); CI 1.2-2.2 mg / dL (creatinine), 1276-1506 U / L (FA); 18-23,4 U / L (GGT); 27.12 to 29 g / L (PT), from 11.4 to 12.16 g / L (albumin).

Evaluation of the vitality of nelore calves born of normal or dystocic parturitions

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

Fluoretação das águas de abastecimento público em um município com diferentes fontes de captação

Maintaining the levels of fluoride ion in public water supply within the parameters of adequacy it becomes essential so the measure carries a greater impact on caries prevention and control, without increasing the prevalence of dental fluorosis. Thus, it is necessary a rigorous control of the process, avoiding the undesired effects at levels above recommended levels, as well as avoiding levels below the recommended that do not offer the highest benefit. The aim of this study was to analyze the content of fluoride in public water supply in the city of Birigui, SP, with different sources of supply, checking if the fluoride levels are within the recommended. The samples were collected monthly from points previously established, with the knowledge of the distribution network of water and identifying the amount and location of supply sources and water treatment plant. Analyses were performed in duplicate in the period from January to December of 2009, in the laboratory - NEPESCO - of the Dental School of Araçatuba, Univ Estadual Paulista – UNESP, using an ion analyzer coupled to a specific electrode for fluoride. Of the total samples (n = 512), 44% (n = 224) had adequate levels and 56% (n = 288) inadequate levels, 10% (n = 49) lower levels and 46% (n = 239) showed levels above the recommended. There were differences in results when comparing the analysis of different sources. The fluoride concentration in the majority of the samples from deep wells was classified as inadequate not offering the desired benefit, or exposing the population to the risk of dental fluorosis.

Fluoretação das águas de abastecimento público no município de Araçatuba/SP

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

Avaliação sensorial quantitativa da sensibilidade dentária com o uso de um dessensibilizante

O tratamento clareador se destaca por ser uma técnica conservadora, que pode proporcionar elevação da autoestima e melhorar o convívio social das pessoas. No entanto, pacientes expostos a essa terapia experimentam diferentes níveis de ocorrência e de intensidade de sensibilidade dentária. Essa sintomatologia é preocupante, pois tem sido apontada como o reflexo de uma eventual resposta pulpar frente ao tratamento realizado. Por outro lado, a presença de dor é desestimulante aos pacientes, prejudicando a evolução do tratamento e reduzindo o sentimento de satisfação. Apesar dessa importância, a maior parte dos estudos de sensibilidade dentária ainda emprega métodos subjetivos, dificultando a reprodutibilidade e interpretação dos resultados. Objetivo: nesse sentido, o presente artigo objetiva analisar a resposta neurossensorial proporcionada pela aplicação de estímulos térmicos gerados pelo equipamento TSA II (Medoc TSA II Neurosensory Analyzer, Israel), em um paciente submetido ao tratamento clareador, seguido pelo uso ou não uso de um dessensibilizante. Métodos: as análises foram realizadas antes do clareamento (AC), depois do clareamento (DC) e depois da aplicação ou não do dessensibilizante (DD) em cada hemiarcada estudada. Os dados foram submetidos ao teste t de Student, com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: observou-se que o clareamento dentário alterou o limiar de sensação ao frio, provocando aumento da sensibilidade dentária, e que o uso do dessensibilizante foi efetivo. Conclusão: o uso de testes sensoriais quantitativos mostrou-se promissor para o estudo da sensibilidade dentária, podendo colaborar no estabelecimento de terapias seguras e confortáveis.

A sewage sludge co-composting process using respirometric monitoring method in hermetic rotary reactor

This paper has the objective of monitoring the biological activity of composting process of sewage sludge, sugarcane bagasse and ground coffee in a hermetic rotary reactor using the respirometric method in laboratory scale, in order to obtain parameters and system design for large scale projects. Another particularity of this study is the use of a hermetic reactor with gas purging cycles. Purging was performed when the percentage of oxygen reached less than 5%, thus eliminating the gaseous mixture (with elevated CO2 ratio) and the introduction of environmental air with around 21% of O2, successively until the compost was stabilized. The average purge intervals obtained were 29 h and 2 min with reactor rotation frequency of 15 min. The time of the compost stabilization was optimized in 60% if compared to the 90 days in the traditional method. The results obtained can be used to design the process in industrial scale using a simple O2 gas analyzer.

Composição fenólica das partes comestíveis das uvas BRS Carmem e BRS Magna

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Influência de adjuvantes no espectro de gotas de ponta com indução de ar

This study aimed to verify the influence of adjuvants on the droplet spectrum of an air induction nozzle. The experiment used nine spray solutions, one including only water and eight containing adjuvants: Nimbus® (mineral oil), Óleo vegetal Nortox (vegetal oil), Li-700® (a mixture of lecithin and propionic acid), Agral® (nonyl phenoxy poly ethanol), In-Tec® (nonyl phenol ethoxylate), Antideriva (nonyl phenol ethoxylate), Silwet® L-77 Ag (copolymer polyester and silicon) and TA 35 (sodium lauryl ether sulfate). A flat fan air induction nozzle Hypro® Guardian Air 110 03 was used for the droplet spectrum evaluation. The study was conducted at the Laboratory for Particle Size Analysis (Lapar), at FCAV/UNESP, Jaboticabal/SP - Brazil. The determination of the droplet spectrum characteristics (Volume Median Diameter/VMD, percentage of droplets smaller than 100 micrometers and span) was carried out by a particle size analyzer by laser diffraction Mastersizer S (Malvern Instruments). For statistical analysis the mean values were compared using Confidence Interval at 95% (CI 95%). The results showed that for the Hypro® GA air induction nozzle the oil based adjuvants (Óleo Vegetal Nortox e Nimbus®) increased the VMD. The percentage of droplets smaller than 100 micrometers was lower for the Agral®, Antideriva, In-Tec® e TA 35, in comparison with the Óleo Vegetal Nortox and Li-700®. The span was higher for the oil based adjuvants (Óleo Vegetal Nortox e Nimbus®) and lower for the TA 35 (sodium lauryl ether sulfate), showing that the TA 35 adjuvant has a potential to improve the quality of the droplet spectrum of the Hypro® GA 11003 nozzle.

Caracterização física e química e potencial de deriva de caldas contendo surfatantes em pulverizações agrícolas

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the addition of different surfactants in physical and chemical properties of spray solutions, droplets spectra and drift potential on agricultural spraying. The surfactants and concentrations (v v-1) were: Haiten (0.1%), Antideriva and Intec (0.05% and 0.1%). The following characteristics were analyzed: surface tension, viscosity, density and electric conductivity. The droplet size spectrum was determined by a laser particle analyzer (Mastersizer S®, version 2.15) including measurements of volume medium diameter (VMD), the percent of droplets below 50 and 100 μm (V50 e V100) and index span. In order to estimate the drift potential, a series of wind tunnel tests were performed with a Teejet XR 8003 flat fan nozzle at 200 kPa (medium droplets) used to apply the spray solutions containing water, the adjuvants and a food color dye (Brilliant blue FD & C no 1) at 0,6% m v-1. The drift was collected on nylon strips transversally fixed along the tunnel at different distances from the nozzle and different high from the bottom part of the tunnel. Drift deposits were evaluated by spectrophotometry. The results showed that the addition of adjuvants changed physical and chemical properties of spray solutions in different magnitudes according to the surfactant. Surfactants changed the droplet spectrum and drift potential, indicating that higher VMD and smaller V100 induced higher percentage of drift.