Physiological Concentrations of Acute-Phase Proteins and Immunoglobulins in Equine Synovial Fluid

Synovial fluid (SF) is capable of reflecting infectious, immunological, or inflammatory joint conditions in horses by altering its composition and appearance. Although plasma and SF compositions are quantitatively different, this latter compartment reflects changes in plasma macromolecules. Therefore, changes in serum immunoglobulin protein concentrations tend also to alter intracapsular levels. Therefore, it is necessary to know the physiological concentrations of proteins present in SF. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of total protein, albumin, transferrin, haptoglobin, α1-acid glycoprotein, ceruloplasmin, and immunoglobulins A and G in SF of six healthy horses. The synovial proteinogram was obtained by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The SF proteins reached a maximum of 25% of serum concentrations, varying inversely with molecular weight of the protein, except for the ceruloplasmin. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.

Alkali activated materials based on fluid catalytic cracking catalyst residue (FCC): Influence of SiO2/Na2O and H 2O/FCC ratio on mechanical strength and microstructure

Reuse of industrial and agricultural wastes as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in concrete and mortar productions contribute to sustainable development. In this context, fluid catalytic cracking catalyst residue (spent FCC), a byproduct from the petroleum industry and petrol refineries, have been studied as SCM in blended Portland cement in the last years. Nevertheless, another environmental friendly alternative has been conducted in order to produce alternative binders with low CO2 emissions. The use of aluminosilicate materials in the production of alkali-activated materials (AAMs) is an ongoing research topic which can present low CO2 emissions associated. Hence, this paper studies some variables that can influence the production of AAM based on spent FCC. Specifically, the influence of SiO 2/Na2O molar ratio and the H2O/spent FCC mass ratio on the mechanical strength and microstructure are assessed. Some instrumental techniques, such as SEM, XRD, pH and electrical conductivity measurements, and MIP are performed in order to assess the microstructure of formed alkali-activated binder. Alkali activated mortars with compressive strength up to 80 MPa can be formed after curing for 3 days at 65°C. The research demonstrates the potential of spent FCC to produce alkali-activated cements and the importance of SiO2/Na2O molar ratio and the H2O/spent FCC mass ratio in optimising properties and microstructure. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fuzzy control embedded in microcontroller and applied to an experimental apparatus using magnetorheological fluid damper

This work focuses on applying fuzzy control embedded in microcontrollers in an experimental apparatus using magnetorheological fluid damper. The non-linear behavior of the magnetorheological dampers associated with the parametric variations on vehicle suspension models corroborate the use of the fuzzy controllers. The fundamental formulation of this controller is discussed and its performance is shown through numeric simulations. An experimental apparatus representing a two degree of freedom system containing a magnetorheological damper is used to identify the main parameters and to evaluate the performance of the closed-loop system with the embedded low-cost microcontroller-based fuzzy controller. © 2013 Brazilian Society for Automatics - SBA.

New seminal plasma removal method for freezing stallion semen

Seminal plasma removal, an indispensable step in equine semen cryopreservation, is usually done by centrifugation, but this might cause mechanical damage to sperm. A new method for seminal plasma removal from stallion semen, namely a filter composed of a synthetic hydrophilic membrane (Sperm Filter, BotuPharma, Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil), was recently proposed. The objective of this study was to test the use of the Sperm Filter in the removal of seminal plasma before freezing stallion semen. Ejaculates from 31 stallions were divided into two groups and cryopreserved. In group 1 (G1), seminal plasma was removed with the Sperm Filter, and in group 2 (G2), seminal plasma was removed by centrifugation (600× g for 10 minutes). There were no differences (P < 0.05) between G1 and G2 in sperm kinetic parameters or plasma membrane integrity before or after cryopreservation. However, sperm recovery rate was higher (P < 0.05) for G1 versus G2 (mean ± SD, 89.4 ± 7.4% vs. 80.9 ± 5.5%). Therefore, the Sperm Filter was as efficient as centrifugation in removing seminal plasma from the stallion ejaculate. However, filtering was more practical and had significantly fewer sperm lost than the centrifugation technique. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.

Three-dimensional transient complex free surface flows: Numerical simulation of XPP fluid

In this paper we present a finite difference MAC-type approach for solving three-dimensional viscoelastic incompressible free surface flows governed by the eXtended Pom-Pom (XPP) model, considering a wide range of parameters. The numerical formulation presented in this work is an extension to three-dimensions of our implicit technique [Journal of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics 166 (2011) 165-179] for solving two-dimensional viscoelastic free surface flows. To enhance the stability of the numerical method, we employ a combination of the projection method with an implicit technique for treating the pressure on the free surfaces. The differential constitutive equation of the fluid is solved using a second-order Runge-Kutta scheme. The numerical technique is validated by performing a mesh refinement study on a pipe flow, and the numerical results presented include the simulation of two complex viscoelastic free surface flows: extrudate-swell problem and jet buckling phenomenon. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Energetic, ecologic and fluid-dynamic analysis of a fluidized bed gasifier operating with sugar cane bagasse

This work aims to study the thermodynamic, ecological and fluid-dynamic aspects of a circulating fluidized bed gasifier using sugar cane bagasse as biomass, in order to estimate a model of its normal operation. In the initial stage was analysed the composition of biomass selected (sugar cane bagasse) and its lower heating value (LHV) was calculated. The energy balance of the gasifier was done, being the volumetric flow of air, synthesis gas and biomass estimated. Also the power produced by this gasifier was theoretically estimated. Then the circulating fluidized bed gasifier was designed for operation with approximately 100 kg/h of processed biomass. Cross-sectional area of the reactor, feeder size, diameter of the exit zone of the gases and minimum height of the expanded bed were selected. Some bed gasifier hydrodynamic factors were also studied. The minimum fluidization velocity, fluidization terminal velocity, and average fluidizing velocity were calculated, in order to understand the fluid-dynamic behaviour of gasification of this fuel. It was obtained a theoretical model that can support a possible prototype of circulating fluidized bed gasifier biomass. Finally, there were studied the ecological aspects of the gasifier, through an overall methodology. Ecological efficiencies were estimated for two scenarios: first considering the carbon cycle and thereafter disregarding the carbon cycle. In both cases, it can be proved the ecological viability of the project. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Biochemical Profile of Amniotic and Allantoic Fluid During Different Gestational Phases in Mares

Fetal fluids have different vital functions that sustain both pregnancy and normal parturition. The biochemical composition of amniotic fluid during gestation is not well established; thus the purpose of the present study was to determine the biochemical profile of both amniotic and allantoic fluids from mares during initial, mid, and latter third phases of pregnancy. Samples were collected after slaughter, using allantocentesis and amniocentesis. Sixty samples of fetal fluids were analyzed. Alkaline phosphatase (AP), glucose, total protein (TP), urea, creatinine, Ca, chloride (Cl), Na, and K concentrations were measured using commercially available kits. The AP concentration in amniotic fluid was higher than that in allantoic fluid during the three gestational phases (P < .05). There were no differences between glucose mean values of allantoic and those of amniotic fluids (P < .05). However, glucose values were higher in the allantoic fluid in the last trimester of pregnancy. TP was higher in the amniotic fluid than in allantoic fluid (P < .05). Urea values varied among the phases; however, there were no differences between the amniotic and allantoic fluid values (P > .05). Creatinine values were higher in allantoic fluid (P < .05). Na and Cl concentrations were higher in amniotic fluid (P < .05). However, Ca and K concentrations were higher in the allantoic fluid. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Análise histoquímica e molecular comparada do fluido espermatecal e da secreção das glândulas espermatecais das fêmeas e das glândulas de muco dos machos em três espécies de abelhas com diferentes níveis de sociabilidade

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Celular e Molecular) - IBRC

Efeitos da separação materna e do alcoolismo sobre a vesícula seminal e a galândula de coagulação de ratos UCh (bebedores voluntários de etanol a 10%)

Pós-graduação em Biologia Geral e Aplicada - IBB

Avaliação dos parâmetros espermáticos e caracterização do perfil bioquímico do plasma seminal de cães (Canis familiaris – LINNAEUS, 1758) com hiperplasia prostática benigna, tratados com toxina botulínica A

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

Avaliação seminal e testicular de cães submetidos à administração de cisplatina

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

Efeito da concentração espermática e da metodologia de inseminação artificial com sêmen equino congelado

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

Caracterização eletroforética do perfil protéico e análise bioquímica do plasma seminal canino

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

Efeito dos anti-inflamatórios esteróides na reação inflamatória e na fertilidade de éguas normais e susceptíveis à endometrite persistente após inseminação artificial

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

Viabilidade e capacitação espermáticas, geração de peróxido de hidrogênio(H2O2) e lipoperoxidação no sêmen ovino adicionado de plasma seminal ou antioxidante após a criopreservação

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FMVZ