Hardness evaluation of prosthetic silicones containing opacifiers following chemical disinfection and accelerated aging

We evaluated the effects of disinfection and aging on the hardness of silicones containing opacifiers and intended for use in facial prosthetics. A total of 90 samples were produced using a cylindrical metal mold 3 mm in height and 30 mm in diameter. The samples were fabricated from Silastic MDX 4-4210 silicone in three groups: GI contained no opacifier, GII contained barium sulfate (Ba), and GIII contained titanium dioxide (Ti). The samples were disinfected using effervescent tablets (Ef), neutral soap (Ns), or 4% chlorhexidine (Cl) 3 times a week for 60 days. After this period the samples underwent 1,008 hours of accelerated aging. The hardness was measured using a durometer immediately following the disinfection period and after 252, 504, and 1,008 hours of aging. The data were statistically analyzed using 3-way ANOVA and the Tukey test (p < .05). The GIII group exhibited the greatest variation in hardness regardless of elapsed time. All groups displayed greater hardness after 1,008 hours of accelerated aging independent of disinfectant type. All of the hardness values were within the clinically acceptable range.

Estrutura do capim-braquiária durante o diferimento da pastagem

This experiment was performed aiming to evaluate tiller population density, forage mass and its morphological components on pastures of Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk. during deferment. The treatments encompassed four deferred grazing periods (18, 46, 74 and 121 days). A randomized block design with two replications was used. The numbers of vegetative tillers (VT), reproductive tillers (RT) and dead tillers (DT) in the pasture were determined. The masses of green leaf blade (GLBM), dead stem (DSM) and dead forage (DFM) were also determined. There was a reduction in the number of VT (from 1, 491 to 944 tiller m-2) during the deferment period. RT and DT numbers were not influenced by the deferment periods. Their averages were 211 and 456 tiller m-2, respectively. Longer deferring periods resulted in an increase in GSM (from 2, 965 to 4, 877 kg ha-1 of dry mass) and DFM (from 2, 324 to 4, 823 kg ha-1 of dry mass), but it did not influence GLBM (average of 2, 047 kg ha-1 of dry mass). In Viçosa, Minas Gerais State Brazil, Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk pasture fertilized and deferred in the beginning of March must be kept deferred for about 70 days in order to conciliate both quality and quantity forage production.

Somatotropina bovina recombinante (rbST) e grupos raciais sobre a precocidade reprodutiva de cabras

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of rbST and breed group on the reproductive precocity of goat females. Eighteen goat females of Alpine breed and breed groups 1/2 Boer + 1/2 Alpine (1/2 BA) and 3/4 Boer + 1/4 Alpine (3/4 BA) were used, distributed in two homogeneous groups of 9 animals, received treatments: Group 1-0,3 mg of recombinant bovine somatotropin by kg of body weight each 14 days and Group 2 - control and aplication was subcutaneous. Animals from control group received saline solution in same dose and interval. The administration of hormone begins after weaning of animals (approximate 45 days of age). The train of the development of females was made by weighed weekly until reaching the previously definitive weight of 30 kg of live weight (LW). For evaluation of the reproductive performance it was made observations of the signals related to the oestrus. The characteristics evaluated was: Weight gain at born until weaning, weaning at 120 days, 150 and 180 days of age, weight to the oestrus, age to the rutting and the 30 age to kg of LW. It was not observed influence of growth hormone and the breed group for weight to rutting, age to rutting and age to reach 30 kg LW. The use of rbST in growth females did not modify the parameters of sexual precocity.

A importância das informações aferentes podais para o controle postural

Introduction. The postural control involves a complex mechanism for connecting the afferent and efferent pathways and their integration into the central nervous system (CNS). Three systems are responsible to obtain outside information: visual, vestibular and sensory. Recent studies have shown that among such systems, the CNS shows a greater predilection for sensory information to postural control. Objective. Given this, the review proposes to discuss the feet sensory information importance and its reflection in postural control mechanisms. Method. For this reason, a literature search was carried out by PubMed and Bireme libraries, and papers of the last five years were selected. Specific books were also used. Discussion. Studies were separated into topics on sensory information integration to neuro-motor answer, postural feed-forward adjustments recruitment mechanisms; neuro-muscular coordination and synergy responses and the musculoskeletal tissues role. Conclusion. Despite has been found a large number of studies, the real mechanism that the CNS uses to filter, integrate and process the sensory information and select the appropriate motor response, be it for the movement or posture for the stabilization remains obscure.

Role of nitric oxide in the remodelling of extracellular matrix in myxomatous mitral valve degeneration of dogs and pigs

Myxomatous mitral valve degeneration (MMVD) or endocardiosis is a heart valve disease that occurs in many mammalian species, especially in humans, dogs and pigs. Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in the MMVD development. NO can be indirectly evaluated by the nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) expression and by the histochemical reaction of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d). The aim of this study was to evaluate NOS activity, by NADPH-d reaction, in the anterior leaflet of dogs with regular mitral valves and in those with MMVD, as well as in young swine and old females, comparing the reaction level with the degree of endocardiosis disease and also the histological alterations. Twelve mitral valves of dogs and 22 of swine were used for the research. All the valves were macroscopically analyzed for the occurrence or not of endocardiosis. They were fixed in a 4% paraformaldehyde, exposed to NADPH-d reaction, routinely processed and microscopically evaluated for the detection of mucopolysaccharides (MPS) deposition, collagen degeneration, fibrosis and level of endocardiosis. In dogs, relation was observed between higher intensity of the NADPH-d reaction, higher endocardiosis degree, MPS deposition as well as the collagen degeneration. No alteration in color was observed in pigs ́ valves during NADPH-d reaction. In conclusion, NO works in canine mitral valve remodeling extracellular matrix and plays an important role in endocardiosis disease. In swine, the lack of reaction reinforces the absence of macroscopical endocardiosis lesions, suggesting restrict NO action or major differences in the structures of swine valves.

Antitumor properties of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides and terpenoids

Ganoderma lucidum is an edible medicinal mushroom with immunomodulatory and antitumor properties, which are mainly attributed to polysaccharides and triterpenes that can be isolated from mycelia, fruiting bodies and spores. G. lucidum has been us d in a powdered form, as a medicinal beverage and a nutraceutical food (usually dried). In the present review we report some historical facts and the experimental evidence that polysaccharides and triterpenes obtained from this mushroom present potential antitumor activity. Direct effects on tumor cells include induction of apoptosis and interference in the cell cycle, whereas indirect effects are based on the modulation of immune response, usually impaired by cancer cells. Data indicate that G. lucidum can be used as a complementary tool for treatment of cancer patients. © by São Paulo State University.

Influência da irrigação, da densidade de plantio e da adubação nitrogenada nas características morfogênicas, estruturais e de produção do capim-tanzânia

This experiment was carried out to evaluate canopy height of guinea grass with 95% of photosynthetic active radiation interception and quantify the nitrogen fertilization influence and plants' density on the morphogenesis and structural characteristics of Tanzania grass. Four doses of N (0, 80, 160 e 320 kg.ha -1), were arranged with three plant densities (9, 25 and 49 plants.m -2), according to 4 × 3 completely randomized design, with three repetitions. Total dry matter (DM) accumulation throughout the experimental period was influenced by nitrogen fertilization and plants' density. In the rainy period, the higher nitrogen fertilization decreased the harvesting intervals, and consequently, increased the number of harvests. The rate of leaf appearance and the phyllochron were influenced only under nitrogen fertilization in the transition period of rainy and dry weather. Tanzania grass canopy height under 95% of light interception was positively influenced because of the plant densities in rainy period and transition period between rainy/drought and drought. Tanzania grass height under 95% of light interception presented variations along the evaluations and the values were higher (near 70 cm) in the rainy period, followed by transition period rain/drought and drought. © 2011 Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia.

Expression of the nonclassical HLA-G and HLA-E molecules in laryngeal lesions as biomarkers of tumor invasiveness

Introduction: HLA-G and HLA-E are two nonclassical class I molecules, which have been well recognized as modulators of innate and adaptive immune responses, and the expression of these molecules in virus infected cells has been associated with subversion of the immune response. Objective: In this study we performed a cross-sectional study, systematically comparing the expression of HLA-G and HLA-E in benign, premalignant and malignant laryngeal lesions, correlating with demographic and clinical variables and with the presence of high-risk and low-risk HPV types. Materials and methods: Laryngeal lesions were collected from 109 patients and stratified into 27 laryngeal papillomas, 17 dysplasias, 10 in situ laryngeal carcinomas, 27 laryngeal carcinomas without metastases, 28 laryngeal carcinomas with metastasis along with their respective draining cervical lymph nodes, and 10 normal larynx specimens. The expression of HLA-G and HLA-E molecules was determined by immunohistochemistry. HPV DNA detection and typing was performed using generic and specific primers. Results: HLA nonclassical molecules showed a distinct distribution pattern, according to the larynx lesion grade. HLA-G expression increased in benign and premalignant lesions, and gradually decreased in invasive carcinomas and in respective draining cervical lymph nodes. Conversely, HLA-E expression increased as far as lesion grade increased, including increased molecule expression in the draining lymph nodes of malignant lesions. Only 17 (15.6%) patients were HPV DNA positive. Conclusions: Overexpression of HLA-E and underexpression of HLAG appear to be good markers for malignant larynx lesion.

Estudio histológico comparativo de la reparación ósea entre hueso alveolar y extra-alveolar en los cerdos sometidos a osteotomía con alta y baja velocidad, con refrigeración líquida

Taking into account the bone repair process in pigs has shown a greater similarity among the histological variables studied compared to other biological models, the present study has as its aim to evaluate the histological bone repair process of osteotomy performed on alveolar and extra-alveolar bones, using drilling tools with liquid refrigeration. Material and method: Eighteen Large White pigs weighing between 20 and 25 Kg were divided into three groups of six animals in order to evaluate the osteotomy repairs with low and high speed in the alveolar bone and threes in the extra-alveolar area, study periods of 7, 14 and 28 days. Results: It was observed that in the alveolar bone at the postoperative times of 14 and 28 days, the best repair results were in the osteotomy performed with low speed, while in the 7 day postoperative period, the results with high speed were slightly better, in alveolar areas as well as extra-alveolar areas. There no statistically significant differences between the alveolar and extra-alveolar bone repair process. Conclusions: The repair process, by means of microscopic analysis in the alveolar and extra-alveolar areas, are similar with better results observed in osteotomies performed with low speed drills in the 14 and 28 day study periods, and at 7 days postoperative the results with high speed drills and refrigeration were slightly better. Research works using pigs as an animal model are perfectly viable. © 2011 SECOM.

Produtividade, estabilidade e adaptabilidade em progênies de Myracrodruon urundeuva F.F. & M.F. Allemão-Anacardiaceae

The use and inadequate exploitation of natural resources is restricting the occurrence of aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva F.F. & M.F. Allemão), which now is on the FAO list of endangered species. This exploitation causes a decrease in the genetic base of M. urundeuva populations, which makes it difficult to find genotypes with stability and adaptability to different growing conditions. This study aimed at estimating the genetic variation and productivity, stability and adaptability of progenies of a M. urundeuva natural population, from the Ecological Station of Paulo de Faria-SP, under different planting systems. DBH (diameter at breast height) was evaluated in four progeny tests of M. urundeuva: i) planted with Anandenanthera falcata and Guazuma ulmifolia (TP-AMA); ii) single (TP-ASO); iii) planted with annual crops (TP-SAF) and iv) planted with Corymbia citriodora (TP-EUCA), installed in Selvíria-MS. The experimental design consisted of complete randomized blocks with three replications and a variable number of plants per plot in each of the four planting systems. From the joint analysis of the planting systems studied, it was found that: i) there were variations among planting systems particularly in TP-SAF; ii) only in TP-EUCA it was possible to detect variations among the progenies; iii) the effects of the genotype x environment interaction were not significant. Thereby, the harmonic mean of genotypic values (MHVG), the relative performance of genotypic values from the mean of each site (PRVG) and the harmonic mean of the relative performance of genotypic values (MHPRVG) for DBH showed, respectively: progenies with greater stability, adaptability, and stability and simultaneous adaptability within different planting systems. The use of these selection criteria provided a more refined selection of the best progenies of M. urundeuva under the different planting systems studied.

Processamento da ração no desempenho de juvenis de jundiá (Rhamdia voulezi) cultivados em tanques-rede

The aim of this study was to evaluate the zootechnical performance and chemical composition of jundia juveniles Rhandia voulezi fed with mash, pelletized and extruded diets and cultivated in cages. One hundred and fifty fish were distributed in fifteen cages (0.20 m3), arranged in cages (5m3), in the hydroelectric plant of Governador José Richa, in Iguaçu River (Paraná-Brazil). The fish were fed five times a day, with mash, pelletized and extruded diets, containing 30% of protein and 3250 Kcal/kg of digestible energy/kg. At the end of 60 days, significant differences (p<0.05) were observed on fish performance. The fish that were fed with pelletized diet, presented higher average of final weight (44.08g), final length (16.51cm) and weight gain (36.65g). The different processes did not influence fish survival. The averages of protein and mineral matter of carcass chemical composition did not differ statistically (p<0.05), while the values of humidity and lipideos presented differences among treatments. The highest average of lipideos (8.59%) was observed in peletized diet. The mash diet provided fish with lower lipideo (5.45%) and higher humidity (75.98%) rates. A pelleted diet is most suitable for juvenile catfish R. voulezi cultivation in cages.

Influence of different disinfecting solutions on the color change of artificial irises used in ocular prostheses

Making an artificial iris with an aesthetically acceptable color is an important aspect of ocular rehabilitation. This work evaluated the influence of different disinfecting solutions on changes to the color of artificial irises used in ocular prostheses. Fifty samples simulating ocular prostheses were produced with cobalt blue artificial irises and divided (n = 10) according to the disinfectant used: neutral soap, Opti-free, Efferdent, 1% hypochlorite, and 4% chlorhexidine. The samples were disinfected for 120 days and subjected to a color readings by spectrophotometry, using the CIE L*a*b* system, before the disinfection period (B), after 60 days of disinfectant exposure (T 1), and after 120 days of disinfectant exposure (T 2). Color differences (ΔE) were calculated for the intervals between T 1 and B (T 1B), and between T 2 and B (T 2B). The data were evaluated by analysis of variance and the Tukey Honestly Significantly Different (α = 0.05). All disinfectant groups exhibited color changes. The mean color change observed for all groups overall during T 2B (ΔE = 3.51) was significantly greater than that observed during T 1B (ΔE = 2.10). All groups exhibited greater color change for the b* values when compared to the a* and L* values. There were no significant differences between the disinfectant groups. It can be concluded that the time period of disinfection and storage significantly affected the stability of artificial iris color, independent of the disinfectant used. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Toxicidade de águas e sedimentos em um rio afetado por atividades mineradoras pretéritas

The Ribeira de Iguape River basin received intense mining activities for lead exploiting and, as a result, the river received the discharges of estimated amounts of 5.5 tons/month of material rich in As, Ba, Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr and Zn. In this article, the toxicity of waters and sediments collected in Ribeira de Iguape River was assessed aiming to estimate environmental quality. Three sampling campaigns were conducted, from 2009 to 2010. Toxicity tests with the cladoceran Daphnia similis were done for water samples and for sediments, in this case using sediment-water interface exposure. Results showed in general absence of toxicity for sediments and waters, and only eventually were acute effects registered (marginal toxicity). Results are consistent with the conditions indicated by the literature, of low concentrations of metals in waters and sediments; however they differ from the monitoring made by the state environmental agency, which registered chronic toxicity. The occurrence of eventual acute toxicity indicates that although Ribeira de Iguape River quality is being restored, conditions still are not totally under control.

Crescimento, comportamento ingestivo e desempenho reprodutivo de novilhas mestiças holandês x zebu, em pastejo, submetidas à suplementação protéica durante a época das águas

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplemental protein during the rainy season on body growth, ingestive behavior and reproductive performance of crossbred Gir x Holstein dairy heifers, with mean age of 21 ± 4.1 months and average initial body weight of 296.7 ± 57.3 kg, distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and six replicates per treatment. Heifers remained on Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu pasture, managed according to a rotational grazing system and, as treatment, it was supplemented with protein concentrate (34%, 43%, 56% and 66% BW) and level of supply of 0.30% body weight (BW). The animals were weighed and the mean weight of the lot was used for the calculation of adjustment of the amount of concentrate offered. Heifers that reached 330.0 kg of live weight were artificially inseminated and, 45 days after insemination, pregnancy diagnosis was performed for the calculation of pregnancy rate and age at conception. No significant difference of protein levels was observed on grazing, eating behavior, productive performance and age at conception of dairy heifers on pasture. The average daily weight gain of BW and age at conception were, on average, 0.907 kg/animal and 24.03 months, respectively.

Cenografia e autoria em Campo Geral

The analyses of Guimarães Rosa's works often consider relevant facts connected to the author's personal life: his childwood in Sertão of Minas Gerais and his posterior wanderings through this region, his medical and diplomatic career, his deep knowledge of several languages, his misticism. His literary work would be a quite faithful reflection of his life. In this work, an analysis of Campo Geral (1956) [1977], considered by many critics as an autobiographical novel, is proposed, aiming to conciliate the inevitable influence of the author's biographical life without confounding or mixing enunciation scene with historical situation. Therefore, it was taken into account concepts of scenography, paratopia and of person-writer-inscriber, as proposed by Maingueneau (2006).