Morphology of ileal and jejunal pouches used as rectal substitutes

PURPOSE: Our aim was to determine whether the mucosa of a canine jejunal pouch used as a rectal substitute after proctocolectomy retains its morphologic features better than the mucosa of a canine ileal pouch so used. METHODS: Among ten dogs that underwent proctocolectomy, five had a jejunal pouch-distal rectal anastomosis and five an ileal pouch-distal rectal anastomosis. After six months, the animals were killed, the intestinal pouches and portions of unaltered distal ileum were removed, and a blinded, mucosal morphometric analysis was performed. RESULTS: The mucosa of the jejunal pouches had an overall thickness (mean ± standard deviation, anterior and posterior walls, 1,300 ± 140 μm), villous height (286 ± 46 μm), and crypt depth (790 ± 77 μm) greater than that of the ileal pouches (920 ± 170, 208 ± 47, and 530 ± 130 μm, respectively; P < 0.05). Moreover, the mucosal thickness of the jejunal pouches was similar to that of the distal ileum proximal to the pouch (1,200 ± 200 μm; P > 0.05), whereas the mucosal thickness of the ileal pouch was thinner (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The jejunal mucosa retains its major morphometric features when the jejunum is used as a rectal substitute after proctocolectomy. In contrast, the ileal mucosa atrophies when the ileum is so used.

The application of neural networks to the analysis of dissolved gases in insulating oil used in transformers

The state of insulating oils used in transformers is determined through the accomplishment of physical-chemical tests, which determine the state of the oil, as well as the chromatography test, which determines possible faults in the equipment. This article concentrate on determining, from a new methodology, a relationship among the variation of the indices obtained from the physical-chemical tests with those indices supplied by the chromatography tests.The determination of the relationship among the tests is accomplished through the application of neural networks. From the data obtained by physical-chemical tests, the network is capable to determine the relationship among the concentration of the main gases present in a certain sample, which were detected by the chromatography tests.More specifically, the proposed approach uses neural networks of perceptron type constituted of multiple layers. After the process of network training, it is possible to determine the existent relationship between the physical-chemical tests and the amount of gases present in the insulating oil.

The effect of filter cakes enriched with soluble phosphorus used as a fertilizer on the sugarcane ratoons

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

Determination of water insoluble dyes used as marking of commercial petroleum products using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

This paper describes an analytical method using high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) separationcoupled with electrochemical detection to detect three dyes, Solvent Blue 14 (SB-14), Solvent Blue 35 (SB-35) andSolvent Red 24 (SR-24). The dyes were eluted and separated using a reversed-phase column (C-8) under isocraticelution with the mobile phase containing a mixture of acetonitrile/ammonium acetate (5.0 mmol L1) at the ratio of75: 25 (v/v). Two sample pretreatment methods were tested and successfully applied to quantify SB14, SB-35 and SR-24 dyes in gasoline samples. The proposed method was simple, fast and suitable to detect and quantify marker dyes ingasoline sample at low concentration.

cDNA representational difference analysis used in the identification of genes expressed by Trichophyton rubrum during contact with keratin

Dermatophytes are adapted to infect skin, hair and nails by their ability to utilize keratin as a nutrient source. Trichophyton rubrum is an anthropophilic fungus, causing up to 90% of chronic cases of dermatophytosis. The understanding of the complex interactions between the fungus and its host should include the identification of genes expressed during infection. To identify the genes involved in the infection process, representational difference analysis (RDA) was applied to two cDNA populations from T. rubrum, one transcribed from the RNA of fungus cultured in the presence of keratin and the other from RNA generated during fungal growth in minimal medium. The analysis identified differentially expressed transcripts. Genes related to signal transduction, membrane protein, oxidative stress response, and some putative virulence factors were up-regulated during the contact of the fungus with keratin. The expression patterns of these genes were also verified by real-time PCR, in conidia of T. rubrum infecting primarily cultured human keratinocytes in vitro, revealing their potential role in the infective process. A better understanding of this interaction will contribute significantly to our knowledge of the process of dermatophyte infection.

The oxidation of p-phenylenediamine, an ingredient used for permanent hair dyeing purposes, leads to the formation of hydroxyl radicals: oxidative stress and DNA damage in human immortalized keratinocytes

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

Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of two hair dyes used in the formulation of black color

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), some hair dyes are considered mutagenic and carcinogenic in in vitro assays and exposed human populations. Epidemiological studies indicate that hairdressers occupationally exposed to hair dyes have a higher risk of developing bladder cancer. In Brazil, 26% of the adults use hair dye. In this study, we investigated the toxic effects of two hair dyes, Basic Red 51 (BR51) and Basic Brown 17 (BB17), which are temporary dyes of the azo group (R-N=N-R'), used in the composition of the black hair dye. To this end, MTT and trypan blue assays (cytotoxicity), comet and micronucleus assay (genotoxicity) were applied, with HepG2 cells. For cytotoxic assessment, dyes were tested in serial dilutions, being the highest concentrations those used in the commercial formula for hair dyes. For genotoxic assessment concentrations were selected according to cell viability. Results showed that both dyes induced significant cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in the cells, in concentrations much lower than those used in the commercial formula. Genotoxic effects could be related to the azo structure present in the composition of the dyes, which is known as mutagenic and carcinogenic. These results point to the hazard of the hair dye exposure to human health.

Determination of the p-monochlorophenol residue in the calcium hydroxide plus p-monochlorophenol combination used as an intracanal dressing in pulpless teeth of dogs with induced chronic periapical lesion

To determine the presence of p-monochlorophenol in the calcium hydroxide (Calen) + p-monochlorophenol combination after its use as intracanal dressing, periapical lesions were induced in 60 root canals of upper and lower premolars of four dogs, After biomechanical preparation, the root canals received the intracanal medication, which was removed from the apical third after 2, 4, 7, and 14 days for chemical analysis by spectrophotometry, the results showed a p-monochlorophenol loss of approximately 50.0% in the dressing after 48 h, with no further significant loss after longer periods of times, p-Monochlorophenol was still present in the medication after 14 days.

Microhardness of luting agents used for fiber post cementation submitted to thermo cycling

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the microhardness of three resin cements used in cementing glass fiber posts in bovine incisor. The microhardness was analyzed in cervical, middle and apical thirds before and after thermocycling process. Materials and Methods: Bovine teeth were instrumented and divided into 3 groups composed of 10 teeth each. Then, the teeth were sectioned and obturated and had their canals prepared at a depth of 12mm. Once proceeded the desobturation, the roots and glass fiber posts were prepared for adhesive cementation. After cementation, the microhardness reading was carried out. After initial reading, the samples were placed in a thermocycler and subjected to 2,000 cycles and a new microhardness reading. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Turkey’s test. Results: It was observed a statistical difference among the microhardness of resin cements. However, the statistical difference of microhardness before and after thermocycling appeared only in group U-200. Conclusion: Thermocycling reduced microhardness values in all cements evaluated in this study. The autopolymerizing cement Multilink presented the most stable microhardness mean values after thermocycling in the coronal, middle and apical thirds.

Different esthetic techniques used in combination to improve the smile

This is a clinical case report of a patient who presented with dental stains in the buccal and proximal aspects of the anterior teeth. Buccal stains were removed using the enamel microabrasion technique, and vital tooth bleaching with carbamide peroxide was also performed. Restorative procedures employing composite resin were done for a better result in the proximal aspect of teeth. Clinical significance: The authors observed the combination of these esthetic techniques improved the patient's smile. Today, dental esthetics attempts to imitate natural teeth by making them white, well-shaped, and aligned with no spots. This has enabled the development of several esthetic techniques, such as microabrasion to remove dental enamel surface stains and surface irregularities,1-6 and vital tooth bleaching to treat yellowish teeth.7 The enamel microabrasion technique uses different abrasive agents associated with chemical solutions,1,2,4,6 allowing the removal of intrinsic, hard-texture stains, and different coloring spots on the enamel surface, as well as correction of irregularities on the dental buccal surface.1,8 The various microabrasive products include the Opalustre® (Ultradent Products, http://www.ultradent.com)or Prema® Compound (Premier Dental Products, http://www.premusa.com), a low-concentration hydrochloric acid product associated with silica microparticles that is certainly effective for microabrasion technique,4,6,9,10 providing a good safety profile for the patient and professional. The microabrasion technique also promotes micro-reduction on the adamantine surface.4,5,10 In some cases, after its completion, microabrasion may cause teeth to become darker or yellowish because of the thinner remaining enamel surface, leading to more evident observation of the dentinal tissue, which in general determines tooth color. In these clinical conditions, correction of the color pattern of dental elements can be obtained with carbamide peroxide products applied in custom trays, such as the bleaching products Whiteness Perfect at 10% or 16% (FGM Productos Odontologicos, http://www.fgm.ind.br) or Opalescence® at 10% or 15% (Ultradent Products), with a considerable margin of clinical success, provided it is well indicated, well performed, and supervised by the professional.4,6,9,10 Considering all the aforementioned aspects, the authors present a clinical case about a dental-enamel microabrasion technique used to remove buccal enamel surface stains associated with dental vital bleaching and restorative procedures in the proximal aspect of anterior teeth. - See more at: https://www.dentalaegis.com/cced/2010/08/different-esthetic-techniques-used-in-combination-to-recover-the-smile#sthash.McFoH7El.dpuf

Moringa extracts used in sugarcane juice treatment and effects on ethanolic fermentation

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of sugarcane juice treatment using Moringa oleifera leaf and seeds extracts on ethanolic fermentation. The experiment was arranged in a split plot statistical design, with four replications. Main treatments were three sedimentation agents (synthetic polyelectrolyte, moringa leaf and seed extracts) and control while the secondary treatments were two sugarcane varieties (RB867515 and CTC4). Extracted sugarcane juice was clarified by simple defecation with pH adjusted to 6.0. The flocculating agents were added in a decanter before the limed juice. After then, the juice was standardized to 16° Brix at pH 4.5, and musts were inoculated with yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain, FT858. At the end of the fermentation process, wines were recovered by centrifugation. In all experimental stages, extracted juice, clarified juice and wine were chemically and technologically characterized. The use of moringa leaf and seed extracts as sedimentation adjuvants did not increase the sedimentation speed of impurities. However, there was a high sludge compaction, which was essential for maintenance of yeast and bud population at the beginning of fermentation, and yeast budding rate in the end. The use of different sedimentation agents as adjuvants in juice treatment did not affect wine quality and ethanol yield.

Improving logistics services through the technology used in fleet management

Outsourcing logistics has established itself in the area of the LSP (Logistics Service Provider), which offers a range of services to its customers. In this line, transportation is characterized as one of the most important services, and therefore efficient fleet management is essential for establishing a high level of customer service. With advances in technology and vehicle tracking systems, this approach of management has gained new possibilities for the improvement of logistics services. By studying the specific case of an LSP, this paper investigates the use of these technologies in the management of their business and services. The results indicate that the LSP seeks to increase its services and to streamline information in order to respond to customer needs in real time. It is also evident in this case under study that the combination of the technology available together with the fleet management system has become a distinguishing feature for this LSP, one which increases their skills and important information for both customers and business.

Coagulation-flocculation of TiO2 in suspension used in heterogeneous photocatalysis

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