Molecular, kinetic, thermodynamic, and structural analyses of Mycobacterium tuberculosis hisD-encoded metal-dependent dimeric histidinol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.23)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Photodynamic inactivation of biofilms formed by Candida spp., Trichosporon mucoides, and Kodamaea ohmeri by cationic nanoemulsion of zinc 2,9,16,23-tetrakis(phenylthio)-29H, 31H-phthalocyanine (ZnPc)

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

Behavior of cardiac variables in animals exposed to cigarette smoke

OBJECTIVE: To assess the behavior of cardiac variables in animals exposed to cigarette smoke. METHODS: Two groups of Wistar rats were studied as follows: control group (C), comprising 28 animals; and smoking group (S), comprising 23 animals exposed to cigarette smoke for 30 days. Left ventricular cardiac function was assessed in vivo with transthoracic echocardiography, and myocardial performance was analyzed in vitro in preparations of isolated left ventricular papillary muscle. The cardiac muscle was assessed in isometric contractions with an extracellular calcium concentration of 2.5 mmol/L. RESULTS: No statistical difference was observed in the values of the body variables of the rats and in the mechanical data obtained from the papillary muscle between the control and smoking groups. The values of left ventricular systolic diameter were significantly greater in the smoking animals than in the control animals (C= 3.39 ± 0.4 mm and S= 3.71 ± 0.51 mm, P=0.02). A significant reduction was observed in systolic shortening fraction (C= 56.7 ± 4.2% and S= 53.5 ± 5.3%, P=0.02) and in ejection fraction (C= 0.92 ± 0.02 and S= 0.89 ± 0.04, P=0.01). CONCLUSION: The rats exposed to cigarette smoke had a reduction in left ventricular systolic function, although their myocardial function was preserved.

Stock assessment and fishery management of the pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis Latreille, 1970 and F. paulensis Pérez-Farfante, 1967 in Southeastern Brazil (23° to 28° S)

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

Produção e qualidade do milheto semeado em duas épocas e adubado com nitrogênio

O trabalho foi conduzido na FCAV-UNESP, câmpus de Jaboticabal, com o objetivo de avaliar as características fisiológicas de crescimento, produção de matéria seca (MS) e teores de proteína bruta (PB), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) e digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca (DIVMS) de dois genótipos de milheto (Pennisetum americanum) cultivar Comum e CMS 02/Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA), semeados em duas épocas (23/11/94 e 10/3/95) e submetidos a quatro doses de N (0; 75; 150 e 225 kg ha-1). O delineamento experimental adotado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com parcelas subdivididas, e três repetições. Na primeira época de semeadura, a cv. Comum apresentou produção de MS total significativamente superior (6.995 kg ha-1) à do genótipo CMS 02 (6.177 kg ha-1), e a aplicação de 150 kg ha-1 foi a dose mais adequada nesse período. Na segunda época de semeadura, a produção de MS total dos genótipos foi, em média, de 2.799 kg ha-1, e a adubação nitrogenada não revelou efeito significativo. Plantas da primeira época de semeadura apresentaram, nos dois primeiros cortes, alta produção de folhas, cujos teores de PB foram superiores a 20%, e os valores de DIVMS em torno de 70%.

Distribution of 45S and 5S rDNA sites in 23 species of Eleocharis (Cyperaceae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Evaluation by Free Vibration Method of Moisture Absorption Effects in Polyamide/Carbon Fiber Laminates

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

Fully relativistic calculations on the potential energy surfaces of the lowest 23 states of molecular chlorine

The electronic structure and spectroscopic properties (R(e), omega(e), omega(e)x(e), beta(e), and T(e)) of the ground state and the 22 lowest excited states of chlorine molecule were studied within a four-component relativistic framework using the MOLFDIR program package. The potential energy curves of all possible 23 covalent states were calculated using relativistic complete open shell configuration interaction approach. In addition, four component multireference configuration interaction with single and double excitation calculations were performed in order to infer the effects due to dynamical correlation in vertical excitations. The calculated properties are in good agreement with the available experimental data.

Cytotoxic effects of current dental adhesive systems on immortalized odontoblast cell line MDPC-23

Objectives: Evaluate the cytotoxic effect of the three dental adhesive systems. Methods: The immortalized mouse odontoblast cell line (MDPC-23) was plated (30,000 cell/cm 2) in 24 well dishes, allowed to grow for 72 h, and counted under inverted light microscopy. Uncured fresh adhesives were added to culture medium to simulate effects of unset adhesive. Three adhesives systems were applied for 120 min to cells in six wells for each group: Group 1) Single Bond (3M), Group 2) Prime & Bond 2.1 (Dentsply), and Group 3) Syntac Sprint (Vivadent). In the control group, PBS was added to fresh medium. The cell number was counted again and the cell morphology was assessed under SEM. In addition, the adhesive systems were applied to circles of filter paper, light-cured for 20 s, and placed in the bottom of 24 wells (six wells for each experimental materials and control group). MDPC-23 cells were plated (30,000 cell/cm 2) in the wells and allowed to incubate for 72 h. The zone of inhibition around the filter papers was measured under inverted light microscopy; cell morphology was evaluated under SEM; and the MTT assay was performed for mitochondrial respiration. Results: The fresh adhesives exhibited more toxic (cytopathic effects) to MDPC-23 cells than polymerized adhesives on filter papers, and as compared to the control group. The cytopathic effect of the adhesive systems occurred in the inhibition zone around the filter papers, which was confirmed by the MTT assay and statistical analysis (ANOVA) combined with Fisher's PLSD test. In the control group, MDPC-23 cells were dense on the plastic substrate and were in contact with the filter paper. In the experimental groups, when acid in the adhesive systems was removed by changing the culture medium, or when the adhesives were light-cured, some cells grew in the wells in spite of the persistent cytotoxic effect. Significance: All dentin adhesive systems were cytotoxic odontoblast-like cells. Both acidity and non-acidic components of these systems were responsible for the high cytopathic effect of those dental materials. © 1999 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cytotoxic effects of hard-setting cements applied on the odontoblast cell line MDPC-23

Objective: The present study evaluated the cytotoxic effects of hard setting applied on the odontoblastlike cells MDPC-23. Study design: Eighty round-shaped samples were prepared with the following experimental materials: calcium hydroxide, Vitrebond, RelyX Luting, and RelyX Unicem. The samples were placed in serum-free culture medium and incubated for 24 hours or 7 days at 37°C with 5% CO 2 and 95% air. The odontoblast cells were plated in the wells and incubated for 72 hours. After this period, the complete culture medium was replaced by the extracts obtained from every sample, and the methyltetrazolium assay was carried out to evaluate the cell metabolism. Results: For the 24-hour period, the experimental materials calcium hydroxide, Vitrebond, RelyX Luting, and RelyX Unicem decreased the cell metabolic activity by 91.52%, 81.14%, 78.17%, and 2.64%, respectively. For the 7-day period, calcium hydroxide, Vitrebond, RelyX Luting, and RelyX Unicem decreased the metabolic activity of the MDPC-23 cells by 91.13%, 87.27%, 79.04%, and 10.51%, respectively. Conclusion: RelyX Unicem presented the lowest cytopathic effects to the cultured odontoblast cell line. © 2007 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Parâmetros fisiológicos de cultivares de cevada sob déficits hídricos

The objective of this study was to evaluate some physiological parameters in six barley cultivars (Borema, Lagoa, BRS-180, BRS-195, EMB-128 e BRS-225), under water stress in different crop phenological phases. The treatments were as follows: TI - pots constantly irrigated until harvest: T2: - water stress starting from 45 days after sowing (DAS) and T3 - water stress starting from 65 DAS. Leaf resistance to water vapor diffusion (Rs), relative water content (RWC), and leaf water potential (Ψ1) were used to evaluate drought tolerance. Pots were arranged in a randomized block design with four blocks, six barley cultivars, and three treatments, in a total of seventy two pots. The experiment was conducted from August to November 2005 in a polyethylene greenhouse located at the experimental area of Rural Engineering Department - FCA, UNESP - Botucatu - SP. The results showed that all barley cultivars presented some adaptation to water stress, but EMB-128 was the most likely and BRS-180 the least likely to be drought tolerant. The results revealed that only one drought cycle may increase tolerance to drought.

Policultivo do camarão de água doce Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862) com a Tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) alimentadas com rações peletizada e farelada

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of fresh water shrimp Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862) in performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) cultivated in polyculture system and feeding with ration pelleted and mashed. The work was realized in Centro de Pesquisa em Aqüicultura Ambiental-CPAA/IAP - Toledo/PR during 37 days. Were utilized like experimental unit 16 ponds excavated, covered with concrete but with bottom of soil with dimension the 4 x 3 m and useful volume the 3,5 m 3. Were utilized 30 tilapias e 150 shrimps for experimental unit distributed at an entirely randomized design with 4 treatments and 4 replications, where TF: tilapia feeding with ration mashed; TCF: tilapia and shrimp feeding with ration mashed; TP: tilapia feeding with ration pelleted; TCP: tilapia and shrimp feeding with ration pelleted. The density used were the 2,6 fishes/m 2 with medium initial weight the 5,58 ± 0,10 g and initial length the 5,56 cm, and the density of shrimp was the 13 shrimps/m 2 with initial length the 1,04 cm. The temperature was gauged daily, while the variables dissolved oxygen, pH and electrical conductivity, weekly. The quantity of ration supplied was the 10% of total biomass of fishes, with feed frequency the 4 times a day, being corrected weekly in function of the biometry. During the experimental period the medium values of temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and electrical conductivity of the ponds water were 23,42 ± 0,83°C, 5,32 ± 0,52 mg/L, 7,02 ± 0,39, e 100,96 ± 1,81 μS/ cm respectively. Won't registering any influence of shrimp during the cultivation and the ration pelleted provide the better conversion alimentary and performance of tilapias.

Highlights from the I international symposium of thrombosis and anticoagulation in internal medicine, October 23-25, 2008, Sao Paulo, Brazil

The importance of thrombosis and anticoagulation in clinical practice is rooted firmly in several fundamental constructs that can be applied both broadly and globally. Awareness and the appropriate use of anticoagulant therapy remain the keys to prevention and treatment. However, to assure maximal efficacy and safety, the clinician must, according to the available evidence, choose the right drug, at the right dose, for the right patient, under the right indication, and for the right duration of time. The first International Symposium of Thrombosis and Anticoagulation in Internal Medicine was a scientific program developed by clinicians for clinicians. The primary objective of the meeting was to educate, motivate and inspire internists, cardiologists and hematologists by convening national and international visionaries, thought-leaders and dedicated clinician-scientists in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This article is a focused summary of the symposium proceedings. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2009.

Cytotoxic effects of white-MTA and MTA-Bio cements on odontoblast-like cells (MDPC-23)

This study evaluated the cytotoxic effects of 2 mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) cements - White-MTA-Angelus and a new formulation, MTA-Bio - on odontoblast-like cell (MDPC-23) cultures. Twenty-four disc-shaped (2 mm diameter x 2 mm thick) specimens were fabricated from each material and immersed individually in wells containing 1 mL of DMEM culture medium for either 24 h or 7 days to obtain extracts, giving rise to 4 groups of 12 specimens each: G1 - White-MTA/24 h; G2 - White-MTA/7 days; G3 - MTA-Bio/24 h; and G4 - MTA-Bio/7 days. Plain culture medium (DMEM) was used as a negative control (G5). Cells at 30,000 cells/cm 2 concentration were seeded in the wells of 24-well plates and incubated in a humidified incubator with 5% CO 2 and 95% air at 37°C for 72 h. After this period, the culture medium of each well was replaced by 1 mL of extract (or plain DMEM in the control group) and the cells were incubated for additional 2 h. Cell metabolism was evaluated by the MTT assay and the data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). Cell morphology and the surface of representative MTA specimens of each group were examined by scanning electron microscopy. There was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) between G1 and G2 or between G3 and G4. No significant difference (p>0.05) was found between the experimental and control groups either. Similar cell organization and morphology were observed in all groups, regardless of the storage periods. However, the number of cells observed in the experimental groups decreased compared to the control group. MTA-Bio presented irregular surface with more porosities than White-MTA. In conclusion, White-MTA and MTA-Bio presented low cytotoxic effects on odontoblast-like cell (MDPC-23) cultures.