Magnetic multiparticulate colonic delivery systems evaluated by AC Biosusceptometry

The biomagnetic technique called Alternate Current Biosusceptometry (ACB) is a proposal to evaluate a multiparticulate drug delivery system in the human gastrointestinal tract. Results show that ACB was able to quantify the gastrointestinal transit and spreading of the magnetic material and is an attractive tool for pharmaceutical research. © 2007.

Síntese e modelagem molecular do novo derivado indolinônico como candidato a antiinflamatório COX-2 seletivo

Anti-inflammatory drugs are known to be the most widely-marketed drugs in the world, despite their serious side effects, mainly on the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, there are constant efforts to discover new prototypes with improved therapeutic activity and safety for the patient. Since the advent of the computational chemistry, the theoretical study of the physiological behavior of a new compound and hence an understanding of its supposed mechanism of action have been made a lot more accessible. Thus, molecule-receptor mathematical modeling was applied to compound I (1-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)indolin-2-one), to predict theoretically its ability to inhibit, selectively, the COX-2 isoform of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase (PGHS-2), and the best positions to introduce chemical groups and to make molecular modifications.

Fontes de distorções da rede geodésica Brasileira

The Brazilian Geodetic Network started to be established in the early 40's, employing classical surveying methods, such as triangulation and trilateration. With the introduction of satellite positioning systems, such as TRANSIT and GPS, that network was densified. That data was adjusted by employing a variety of methods, yielding distortions in the network that need to be understood. In this work, we analyze and interpret study cases in an attempt to understand the distortions in the Brazilian network. For each case, we performed the network adjustment employing the GHOST software suite. The results show that the distortion is least sensitive to the removal of invar baselines in the classical network. The network would be more affected by the inexistence of Laplace stations and Doppler control points, with differences up to 4.5 m.

Alterações reprodutivas em ratos machos expostos perinatalmente aos frutos da Solanum lycocarpum

This work employed pregnant rats treated with Solanum lycocarpum unripe fruits (10% in diet) from gestation day (GD) 06 to post-natal day (PND) 07, for the evaluation of the sperm number, daily sperm production and epididymal sperm transit time of the male offspring at PND 60 and PND 90. No differences were observed in the daily sperm production (DSP) and sperm number in the testis of the exposed males at PND 60 and PND 90. Also, no alterations were observed in sperm transit time in the caput epididymis of the exposed males at PND 60 and PND 90. However, a reduced sperm transit time was observed in the corpus/cauda epididymis of the experimental males at PND 90. The last data may explain the reduced sperm number observed in the corpus/cauda epididymis of the experimental male rats at PND 90. These data show that the male rats exposed to S. lycocarpum fruits during gestation did not present alterations in testis sperm production and number, however the sperm transit time through epididymis was impaired, resulting in a decreased number of spermatozoa in epididymis cauda. We conclude that S. lycocarpum may cause imbalance on hypothalamus-pituitary gland axis.

Constipação intestinal

It was reviewed the definition, mechanisms and classification of functional constipation. The diagnostic resources available were showed and it was underlined the importance to investigate and exclude the multiple causes of secondary constipation. The therapy was divided in general measures, like diet and specialized, involving laxatives and others alternatives. It was commented the different categories of laxatives, their actions and adverse effects. It was concluded that the best approach to functional defecatory disorder is biofeedback. Otherwise, for defecatory disturbance caused by mechanical obstruction and refractory constipation due to slow transit the therapeutical option is surgery.

Tempo de passagem de sementes pelo trato digestório de aves frugívoras, uma primeira avaliação no Brasil

The transit time of seeds ingested by frugivorous animals has important implications for the spatial distribution of seeds and their dispersal distance. Nevertheless, this parameter is rarely included in seed dispersal studies. In this paper, we provide information about the transit time of seeds of nine species of plants ingested by individuals of six species of captive birds (Turdus albicollis, T. amaurochalinus, T. leucomelas, T. rufiventris, Stephanophorus diadematus and Saltator similis). We found that (1) seeds are regurgitated quickly through the digestive tract of birds than defecated seeds, and (2) large seeds (e.g., > 5 mm in diameter for Turdus spp.) are regurgitated rather than defecated. These results corroborate other studies, but the relationship between seed size and transit time seems to be quite complex and variable, requiring more detailed studies on this important aspect of the ecology of seed dispersal and digestive physiology of frugivorous birds.

Effects of Cigarette Smoking Intensity on the Mucociliary Clearance of Active Smokers

Background: Smoking impairs mucociliary clearance and increases respiratory infection frequency and severity in subjects with and without smoking-related chronic lung diseases. Objective: This study evaluated the effects of smoking intensity on mucociliary clearance in active smokers. Methods: Seventy-five active smokers were grouped into light (1-10 cigarettes/day; n = 14), moderate (11-20 cigarettes/day; n = 34) and heavy smokers (≥21 cigarettes/day; n = 27) before starting a smoking cessation programme. Smoking behaviour, nicotine dependence, pulmonary function, carbon monoxide in exhaled air (exCO), carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) and mucociliary clearance measured by the saccharin transit time (STT) test were all evaluated. An age-matched non-smoker group (n = 24) was assessed using the same tests. Results: Moderate (49 ± 7 years) and heavy smokers (46 ± 8 years) had higher STT (p = 0.0001), exCO (p < 0.0001) and COHb (p < 0.0001) levels compared with light smokers (51 ± 15 years) and non-smokers (50 ± 11 years). A positive correlation was observed between STT and exCO (r = 0.4; p < 0.0001), STT and cigarettes/day (r = 0.3, p = 0.02) and exCO and cigarettes/day (r = 0.3, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Smoking impairs mucociliary clearance and is associated with cigarette smoking intensity. Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Parasitism level by helminths and weight gain of calves kept in organic and conventional grazing

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Slimmer or Fertile? Pharmacological Mechanisms Involved in Reduced Sperm Quality and Fertility in Rats Exposed to the Anorexigen Sibutramine

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

Light microscope observations on the epididymis of paca (Agouti paca)

The features of paca epididymis, based on its appearance in light microscope, is described in this paper. The cellular population of the epithelial lining comprises principal cells, basal cells, apical cells, narrows cells, and hallo cells. The epididymis is divided in five distinct and continuous regions, Zone I, or initial segment, and zone II, are both localized into the head. Zone III comprises the distal head and all the body. Zones IV and V are restricted to the tail, in the proximal and distal cauda epididymis respectively. Each zone can be readily distinguished on the basis of morphological characteristics. The height of epididymal epithelium is greater in zone I. There is a progressive increase in the diameter of the tubular lumen through the different areas, with the maximum in the zone V. The presence of a high epithelium, and the virtual absence of sperm in zone I suggest fast transit of spermatozoa in this region. Zone V comprises the distal tail, has smaller epithelial lining, greater luminal diameter, shorter stereocilia than the other zones, and contains spermatozoa packed inside the lumen, that characterizes this zone as a place of sperm storage. The findings are compared with other reports in rodents and other domestic animals, to contribute to the understanding of epididymal morphophysiology. © 2013 Firenze University Press.

Effect of pectin extracted from citrus pulp on digesta characteristics and nutrient digestibility in broilers chickens

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

Indeterminaçáo e fenomenôs fronteiriços: Consideraçóes se gundo o ponto de vista do pragmatismo peirceano

Pragmatism, as a formal method, has provided a fabulous arena for discussions about the way concepts may be constructed, irrespective of any anthropomorphic or linguistic position. We will see that the pragmatic maxim possesses an interesting thesis regarding the indetermination of the meaning. Such idea helps to understand the transit between the indefinite and the defined, indeterminate and determined, as well as some found intermediate borders in the processes of relative determination.

Efeito do sabor azedo e da temperatura fria na fase oral da deglutição no acidente vascular encefálico

Pós-graduação em Bases Gerais da Cirurgia - FMB

O efeito do sabor azedo e da temperatura fria no tempo de trânsito faríngeo da deglutição em indivíduos após acidente vascular encefálico hemisférico isquêmico

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

Movimentos na escrita inicial de crianças: um estudo longitudinal de hipersegmentações

Pós-graduação em Estudos Linguísticos - IBILCE