A theoretical study on cytosine tautomers in aqueous media by using continuum models

B3LYP/6-31 + + G** and MP2/6-31 + + G** calculations have been carried out to study six tautomers of the nucleic acid base cytosine in aqueous media. Solvent effects have been analyzed using the self-consistent reaction field theory with two continuum methods. Relative stabilities and optimized geometries have been calculated for the tautomers and compared with experimental data. The present results show the importance of electrostatic solvent effects in determining observable properties of the cytosine tautomers. The amino-oxo form (C1) is the most abundant tautomer in aqueous media while the other amino-oxo form (C4) is the most energetically favored when solvent effects are included. These results can be justified by the larger values of the dipole moments for both C1 and C4 tautomers. Theoretical and experimental results of the harmonic vibrational frequencies and rotational constants show good agreement. (C) 2000 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Inseticidas químicos e microbianos no controle da lagarta-do-cartucho na fase inicial da cultura do milho

The objective this work was to evaluate the effect of microbial and chemical insecticides on the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda in the development initial phase of crop corn. The work was lead in the experimental area of the State University of Mato Grosso do sul, in Cassilandia (MS) city. The treatments had been: 1) control; 2) fipronil; 3) thiametoxan; 4) Beauveria bassiana (0,5 kg of p.c/ha), 5) Beauveria bassiana (1 kg of p.c/ha), 6) teflubenzuron and 7) spinosad, in the doses and recommended way of application. After the tenth second after the emergency of the plants (DAE), had been day applied the treatments in foliar spraying (PF), being evaluated to the 2, 9, 15 and 21 days after the application (DAA), the number of small caterpillars (lesser that 1,5 cm) for parcel in 20 showed plants. The applied results show that teflubenzuron and spinosad in PF to the 12 DAE had been most efficient (71 and 83% respectively). The microbial's insecticides had not differed significantly from the chemical insecticides in the percentage of plants attacked for the pest and the 15 and 21 DAA.

Heart failure alters matrix metalloproteinase gene expression and activity in rat skeletal muscle

Heart failure is associated with a skeletal muscle myopathy with cellular and extracellular alterations. The hypothesis of this investigation is that extracellular changes may be associated with enhanced mRNA expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP). We examined MMP mRNA expression and MMP activity in Soleus (SOL), extensor digitorum longus (EDL), and diaphragm (DIA) muscles of young Wistar rat with monocrotaline-induced heart failure. Rats injected with saline served as age-matched controls. MMP2 and MMP9 mRNA contents were determined by RT-PCR and MMP activity by electrophoresis in gelatin-containing polyacrylamide gels in the presence of SDS under non-reducing conditions. Heart failure increased MMP9 mRNA expression and activity in SOL, EDL and DIA and MMP2 mRNA expression in DIA. These results suggest that MMP changes may contribute to the skeletal muscle myopathy during heart failure.

The Incremental Shuttle Walk Test in Older Brazilian Adults

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

Distribuição da hipovitaminose A no Brasil nas últimas quatro décadas: ingestão alimentar, sinais clínicos e dados bioquímicos

O presente estudo teve como objetivo o registro e a apresentação de trabalhos realizados no Brasil nos últimos 40 anos, relacionados com a investigação sobre a deficiência de vitamina A. Esta deficiência tem sido diagnosticada por um ou mais dos seguintes critérios: ingestão deficiente de alimentos fontes de vitamina A, exame clínico, níveis séricos de retinol abaixo dos aceitos como normais, concentração hepática de retinol, teste de adaptação ao escuro e corante de Rosa Bengala. A deficiência foi diagnosticada em grupos populacionais de vários Estados e capitais brasileiras em cidades grandes e pequenas e em zonas rurais. A maioria dos trabalhos foi desenvolvida em grupos populacionais de baixa renda. Quanto às conseqüências clínicas, relataram-se achados de sinais oculares leves, como cegueira noturna, manchas de Bitot e xerose conjuntival, encontrados principalmente na Região Nordeste. Alguns autores observaram, em menor número de casos, lesões graves, como lesões corneanas e ceratomalácia. Trabalhos da última década indicaram associação entre a hipovitaminose A e o aumento da morbidade e mortalidade, principalmente em crianças pré-escolares.

Teste tuberculínico em indivíduos com infecção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana: relação com número de linfócitos T periféricos e atividade tuberculosa

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados do teste tuberculínico e relacioná-los com a presença ou não de tuberculose em atividade e com a contagem de linfócitos T CD4+/CD8+. MÉTODOS: Foram revisados 802 prontuários de pacientes com síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida atendidos no período de agosto de 1985 a março de 2003. Cento e oitenta e cinco pacientes realizaram o teste tuberculínico (23,1%) e, destes, 107 eram do sexo masculino (57,8%). A média de idade no grupo de reatores ao teste tuberculínico foi de 30,6 anos, com desvio-padrão de 6,62 anos, e entre os não reatores de 34,45 anos com desvio-padrão de 10,32 anos. Foram constituídos dois grupos de estudo: reatores ao teste tuberculínico, com 28 pacientes, e não reatores ao teste tuberculínico, com 157 pacientes. RESULTADOS: Grande parte dos indivíduos foi pouco responsiva ao teste tuberculínico. Constatou-se, no grupo de reatores, maior porcentagem de indivíduos com tuberculose ativa à época da realização do teste, quando se comparou com os não reatores. Dez pacientes entre os reatores e onze entre os não reatores apresentavam alguma forma clínica de tuberculose em atividade à época da realização do teste, sendo que seis do primeiro grupo e oito do segundo tinham contagem de linfócitos T CD4+ menor que 200 células/mm³. CONCLUSÃO: Indurações maiores do que 5 mm não se relacionaram com contagens absolutas mais altas de células T CD4+.

MOTOR NERVE CONDUCTION and REPETITIVE NERVE STIMULATION IN CAPTIVE RING-TAILED COATI (NASUA NASUA)

There are few electrophysiologic studies in wild animals. The aim of this study was to determine normal data for motor nerve conduction studies and repetitive stimulation in sciatic-tibial and ulnar nerves in clinically normal captive coati. Eight adult ring-tailed coatis (Nasua nasua), two females and six males weighing 68 kg, were used. Average nerve conduction velocity was 70.81 m/sec (standard deviation [SD] = 3.98) and 56.93 m/sec (SD = 4.31) for the sciatic-tibial and ulnar nerves, respectively. Repetitive stimulation responses demonstrated minimal variations of the area of the compound muscle action potentials at low (3 Hz) and high (20 Hz) frequencies. The maximal obtained decremental area response was 8%. These normal data of conduction studies may be used in assessing abnormalities for clinical diagnosis. In addition, the obtained normal repetitive stimulation data were similar to dogs and humans and may be used for post- and presynaptic disturbances of the neuromuscular transmission in coatis.

Identification, characterization and expression analysis of hepcidin gene in sheep

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Flow cytometric assessment of canine erythrocytes and platelets for dog erythrocyte antigen 1.1

Background: In human medicine, transfusion of ABO-mismatched platelets has been associated with shortened platelet survival and refractoriness to platelet transfusion because of expression of certain blood group antigens on platelets. It remains unknown if canine platelets express dog erythrocyte antigens (DEAs). Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a flow cytometric assay for DEA 1.1 and determine whether DEA 1.1 is present on canine platelets.Methods: Blood was collected from 172 clinically healthy dogs. Platelets and erythrocytes from each dog were tested for DEA 1.1 by flow cytometry using anti-DEA 1.1 blood-typing sera. Erythrocytes from each dog were also assessed for DEA 1.1 using a standard tube-typing test (T1) and using a second tube method (T2), if the flow cytometric and T1 results differed.Results: Using flow cytometry, DEA 1.1 was detected on erythrocytes of all 110 dogs shown by T1 or T2 testing to be DEA 1.1-positive. Initial results of the T1 test had a diagnostic accuracy of 93% (160 correct/ 172 tests). The frequency of erythrocyte DEA 1.1 positivity in previously untyped dogs (n = 118) was 56%. DEA 1.1 expression was not detected on platelets from DEA 1.1-positive dogs.Conclusions: Flow cytometry was a reliable method for detection of DEA 1.1 on canine erythrocytes. The absence of DEA 1.1 on platelets from DEA 1.1-positive dogs suggests that their platelets do not express DEA 1.1 and will not induce production of anti-DEA 1.1 antibodies that might lead to platelet refractoriness or reactions to a subsequent transfusion of DEA 1.1positive erythrocytes.

Ocorrência de lesões hepáticas provocadas por larvas de Strongylus spp diagnosticadas no exame post mortem de eqüídeos abatidos em Apucarana, Paraná

The objective of this study was to determinate the occurrence of hepatic lesions caused by migratory large Strongyle larvaes in horses slaughtered in city of Apucarana in state of Parana. The lesions were diagnostic in post mortem exam by macro and microscopic analysis. From April 2003 to April 2004,38,363 animals, coming from different regions of Brazil, were examined. The occurrence of granulomas in liver was observed in 14,443 (37.64%), with adhesions and spot in 6,645 (17,32%), and 17,275 (45.03%) without macroscopic lesions. Macroscopic analysis revealed the presence of livers with calcified nodules, the presence of whitish spots, and adhesions in the format of "lines" over the hepatic capsule. No larvae were found in the livers. Hepatic fragments were histologically processed and revealed, by optical microscopy, inflammatory cells with predominance of eosinophils around the granulomas with a moderate amount of macrophages and the presence of fibroblasts.

Comparison of progesterone-based protocols with gonadotropin-releasing hormone or estradiol benzoate for timed artificial insemination or embryo transfer in lactating dairy cows

The objective was to compare two protocols for synchronizing ovulation in lactating Holstein cows submitted to timed AI (TAI) or timed ET (TET). Within each farm (n = 8), cows (n = 883; mean +/- SEM 166.24 +/- 3.27 d postpartum, yielding 36.8 +/- 0.34 kg of milk/d) were randomly assigned to receive either: 1) an intravaginal progesterone insert (CIDR (R)) with 1.9 g of progesterone + GnRH on Day -10, CIDR (R) withdrawal + PGF2 alpha on Day -3, and 1 mg estradiol cypionate on Day -2 (treatment GP-P-E; n(TAI) = 180; n(TET) = 260); or 2) a CIDR (R) insert + 2 mg estradiol benzoate on Day -10, PGF2 alpha on Day -3, CIDR (R) withdrawal + 1 mg estradiol cypionate on Day -2 (treatment EP-P-E; n(TAI) = 174; n(TET) = 269). Cows were subsequently randomly assigned to receive either TAT on Day 0 or TET on Day 7. Serum progesterone concentration on Day -3 was greater in GP-P-E than in EP-P-E (2.89 +/- 0.15 vs 2.29 +/- 0.15 ng/mL; P < 0.01), with no significant effect of group on serum progesterone on Day 7. Compared to cows submitted to TAI, those submitted to TET had greater pregnancy rates on Day 28 (44.0% [233/5291 vs 29.7% [105/354]; p < 0.001) and on Day 60 (37.6% [199/529] vs 26.5 [94/354]; P < 0.001). However, there were no effects of treatments (GP-P-E vs EP-P-E; P > 0.10) on synchronization (87.0% [383/440] vs 85.3% [378/443]), conception (TAI: 35.3% [55/156] vs 33.8% [50/148]; TET: 50.7% [115/227] vs 51.3% [118/230]) and pregnancy rates on Days 28 (TAT: 30.5% [55/180] vs 28.7% 150/174]; TET: 44.2% [115/260] vs 43.9% [118/2691) and 60 (TAI: 27.2% [49/80] vs 25.9% [45/174]; TET: 38.8% [101/260] vs 36.4% [98/269]). In conclusion, GP-P-E increased serum progesterone concentrations on Day -3, but rates of synchronization, conception, and pregnancy were not significantly different between cows submitted to GP-P-E and EP-P-E protocols, regardless of whether they were inseminated or received an embryo. (c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Perfil dos constituintes do sangue no puerpério imediato de ovelhas submetidas a cesariana eletiva e de ovelhas com parto normal

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

Imaging studies of the hindlimbs of pacas (Cuniculus paca) bred in captivity

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Influence of low-level laser therapy on wound healing in nicotine-treated animals

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been shown to have several biological effects that favor the healing process, and nicotine has been shown to delay the healing process. In this study we investigated the healing of open wounds created on the back of rats treated with nicotine with or without LLLT. of 115 animals, 59 received subcutaneous injections of saline solution, and the others received subcutaneous injections of nicotine (3 mg/kg body weight), twice a day throughout the study period. After 30 days, skin wounds were created on the back of the animals. The animals receiving saline injections were divided into two groups: group 1 (G1, n = 29), in which the wounds were left untreated, and group 2 (G2, n = 30), in which the wounds were treated with LLLT (GaAlAs, 660 nm, 30 mW, 5.57 J/cm(2) per point, 0.39 J, 13 s per point, 0.42 W/cm(2)). The animals receiving nicotine injections were also divided into two groups: group 3 (G3, n = 29), in which the wounds were left untreated, and group 4 (G4, n = 27), in which the wounds were treated with LLLT. The animals were killed 3, 7 or 14 days after surgery. Wound healing was evaluated histologically both qualitatively and semiquantitatively. Wounds of G2 showed a delay in epithelial migration and connective tissue organization compared to those of G1. Wounds of G2 showed faster healing than those of G1; similarly, wounds of G4 showed more advanced healing than those of G3. LLLT acted as a biostimulatory coadjuvant agent balancing the undesirable effects of nicotine on wound tissue healing.

Evaluation of the Bond Strength of Denture Base Resins to Acrylic Resin Teeth: Effect of Thermocycling

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