Estudo da influência de argilas organofílicas no processo de biodegradação do PLA

In this study nanocomposites of PLA and organoclays Cloisite 20A and Cloisite 30B were prepared by melt intercalation. The influence from the organoclays on the biodegradation of PLA was evaluated based on the respirometry method. The incorporation of clay Cloisite 20A did not change the mineralization curve of PLA. The nanocomposite with Cloisite 30B, on the other hand, presented a different behavior, indicating a delay in the polymer biodegradation. The materials were characterized by X-ray Diffraction, Thermogravimetric Analysis and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. The materials characterization indicated nanocomposites with an intercalated structure as well as reduced thermal stability and a slight increase in the degree of crystallinity compared to the pure polymer.

Effect of steam thermal treatment on the drying process of Eucalyptus dunnii variables

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

Influence of Sm3+ doping on the dielectric properties of CaCu3Ti4O12 ceramics synthesized via autocombustion

Ca-1 -xSmxCu3Ti4O12 (x = 0.0, 0.2, 03) electronic ceramics were fabricated via the chemical route using metal nitrate solutions in order to improve the dielectric properties of this ceramic. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated the formation of a single CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO). Grain size of the samples doped with Sm3+ was in the range of 1-2 mu m, as opposed to 50-100 mu m in the pure samples of CCTO. The cutoff frequency with the doping was remarkably shifted, from 1 MHz (pure CCTO) to 10 MHz (doped CCTO). Meanwhile, the real dielectric (epsilon(r)) and imaginary dielectric (epsilon '') constants showed a decrease as the doping was increased. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Stress Abolishes the Effect of Previous Chronic Ethanol Consumption on Drug Place Preference and on the Mesocorticolimbic Brain Pathway

BackgroundConditioned place preference (CPP) to ethanol (EtOH) is an important addiction-related alteration thought to be mediated by changed neurotransmission in the mesocorticolimbic brain pathway. Stress is a factor of major importance for the initiation, maintenance, and reinstatement of drug abuse and modulates the neurochemical outcomes of drugs. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of concomitant exposure to chronic EtOH and stress on CPP to this drug and alterations of dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmission in mice.MethodsMale Swiss mice were chronically treated with EtOH via a liquid diet and were exposed to forced swimming stress. After treatment, animals were evaluated for conditioning, extinction, and reinstatement of CPP to EtOH. Also, mice exposed to the same treatment protocol had their prefrontal cortex (PFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc), and amygdala dissected for the quantitation of dopamine, serotonin, and their metabolites content.ResultsData showed that previous chronic exposure to EtOH potentiated EtOH conditioning and increased dopaminergic turnover in PFC. Exposure to stress potentiated EtOH conditioning and decreased dopaminergic turnover in the NAc. However, animals exposed to both chronic EtOH and stress did not display alterations of CPP and showed an elevated content of dopamine in amygdala. No treatment yielded serotonergic changes.ConclusionsThe present study indicates that previous EtOH consumption as well as stress exposure induces increased EtOH conditioning, which can be related to dopaminergic alterations in the PFC or NAc. Interestingly, concomitant exposure to both stimuli abolished each other's effect on conditioning and PFC or NAc alterations. This protective outcome can be related to the dopaminergic increase in the amygdala.

Virulence genes in Escherichia coli isolated from feces and urine of cats

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

Identification of Candida species isolated from cows suffering mastitis in four Brazilian states

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

Survey of Minas frescal cheese from Southwest Minas Gerais for virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli isolates

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

CROSSOVER CLINICAL TRIAL OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE USE OF ADHESIVE ON BIOFILM FORMATION

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

THE RETINAL TARGETS OF CENTRIFUGAL NEURONS AND THE RETINAL NEURONS PROJECTING TO THE ACCESSORY OPTIC-SYSTEM

In birds, neurons of the isthmo-optic nucleus (ION), as well as ''ectopic'' neurons, send axons to the retina, where they synapse on cells in the inner nuclear layer (INL). Previous work has shown that centrifugal axons can be divided into two anatomically distinct types depending on their mode of termination: either ''convergent'' or ''divergent'' (Ramon y Cajal, 1889; Maturana and Frenk, 1965). We show that cytochrome-oxidase histochemistry specifically labels ''convergent'' centrifugal axons and target neurons which appear to be amacrine cells, as well as three ''types'' of ganglion cells: two types found in the INL (displaced ganglion cells) and one in the ganglion cell layer. Labeled target amacrine cells have distinct darkly labeled ''nests'' of boutons enveloping the somas, are associated with labeled centrifugal fibers, and are confined to central retina. Lesions of the isthmo-optic tract abolish the cytochrome-oxidase labeling in the centrifugal axons and in the target amacrine cells but not in the ganglion cells. Cytochromeoxidase-labeled ganglion cells in the INL are large; one type is oval and similar to the classical displaced ganglion cells of Dogiel, which have been reported to receive centrifugal input; the other type is rounder. Rhodamine beads injected into the accessory optic system results in retrograde label in both types of cells, showing that two distinct types of displaced ganglion cells project to the accessory optic system in chickens. The ganglion cells in the ganglion cell layer that label for cytochrome oxidase also project to the accessory optic system. These have proximal dendrites that ramify in the outer inner plexiform layer. Neither the target amacrine cells nor either of the displaced ganglion cells are immunoreactive for the inhibitory transmitter gamma aminobutyric acid. At least some of the target amacrine cells may, however, be cholinoceptive: we found that the antibody to the alpha-7 subunit of the nicotinic ACh receptor labels a population of cells in the INL that are similar in location, size, and the presence of labeled bouton-like structures to those we find labeled with cytochrome oxidase. This antibody also labels neurons in the ION proper but not ectopic cells. In conclusion, it appears that cytochrome oxidase may be a marker for ''convergent'' centrifugal axons and at least one of their target cells in the INL.

Impact of Replacing Conventional Complete Dentures with Implant-Supported Fixed Complete Dentures

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of replacing conventional mandibular complete dentures with implant-supported fixed complete dentures (ISFDs) on the oral health related quality of life (OHOOL) of edentulous patients and on the associated kinesiographic parameters. The patients had their complete dentures replaced by ISFDs and were assessed after 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months. An improvement of general OHQOL was observed 2 months after treatment with ISFDs. Kinesiographic recordings revealed significant mandibular vertical and horizontal opening increases and a greater vertical intrusion of the maxillary complete dentures during clenching after the treatment with ISFD.

Overexpression of the activated form of the AtAREB1 gene (AtAREB1 Delta QT) improves soybean responses to water deficit

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Evaluation of the antimutagenic activity and mode of action of the fructooligosaccharide inulin in the meristematic cells of Allium cepa culture

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Projeto de recuperação da planta termelétrica do Laboratório de Vapor do Departamento de Energia da Faculdade de Engenharia de Guaratinguetá

Brazil is nowadays the greatest bet of investors for the future due to its stable economy growth. The country has grown side by side with the greatest demand for electrical energy. The international appeal for renewable sources is causing a change in the Brazilian energetic matrix, raising the amount of energy generated by thermoelectric power plants. The construction of new power plants, running on biomass, requires a crescent number of capacitated personnel to run them. The Faculdade de Engenharia de Guaratinguetá – UNESP – has a steam laboratory; witch is deactivated, which has a thermoelectric plant of small capacity. The laboratory reactivation and the return of its activities can be an important tool in order to graduate engineer able to operate on such units. This paper proposes four new experiments to be simulated on the Collage’s Energy Dep. Steam Lab when it gets back to its educational activities