Stable isotopes (H-2, O-18 and C-13) in groundwaters from the northwestern portion of the Guarani Aquifer System (Brazil)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effect of chronic treatment with Clomipramine on food intake, macronutrient selection and body weight gain in rats

Long-term treatment with clomipramine (CMI), a tricyclic antidepressant, induces food craving and body weight gain in patients. The present study investigated the effects of chronic treatment with CMI on total food intake, macronutrient selection, and body weight gain in rats. Male Wistar rats were maintained on a dietary self-selection regime with separate sources of protein, fat and carbohydrate. Animals received i.p. injections of CMI (0, 3, 10, 30 mg/kg) during 27 consecutive days. Food consumption and body weight were recorded daily and results were calculated as average of three consecutive days, namely during pre-treatment (3 d before pharmacological treatment), treatment (7th-9th; l6th-l8th and 25th-27th days), and post-treatment (28th-33rd days). Results showed that CMI (30 mg/kg) significantly decreased energy intake during all treatment period, an effect that was related to a decrease in both carbohydrate-rich diet intake and body weight gain. At dose of 3 mg/kg CMI increased the total energy intake in the 16th-18th days, suggesting an apparent biphasic effect of chronic treatment with CMI on caloric intake. Chronic administration with CMI (27 d) did not alter protein-rich or fat-rich diet consumption. The main result of this study indicated that chronic treatment with CMI decreases rather than increase food consumption and body weight gain in rats exposed to a macronutrient self-selection procedure.

Antinociceptive effects of epidural buprenorphine or medetomidine, or the combination, in conscious cats

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

Plasma concentrations of buprenorphine after epidural administration in conscious cats

Buprenorphine plasma concentrations were measured after administering buprenorphine (20 mu g/kg) into the lumbosacral epidural space of conscious cats chronically instrumented with an epidural catheter. Blood was collected from a jugular vein before injection and 15, 30, 45 and 60 min and 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12 and 24 h after administration. Plasma buprenorphine concentrations were measured using ELISA. Background concentration (before injection) was 1.27 +/- 0.27 ng/mL (mean +/- SD). Including background concentration, the mean peak plasma concentration was obtained 15 min after injection (5.82 +/- 3.75 ng/mL), and ranged from 3.79 to 2.20 ng/mL (30 min-3 h), remaining between 1.93 and 1.77 ng/mL (412 h), and declined to 1.40 +/- 0.62 ng/mL at 24 h. Elimination half-life was 58.8 +/- 40.2 min and clearance 56.7 +/- 21.5 mL/min. Results indicate early rapid systemic uptake of buprenorphine from epidural administration with plasma concentrations similar to using buccal or IM routes by 15 min postinjection. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Finite element analysis of anisotropic optical waveguide with arbitrary index profile

This work presents the application of a scalar finite element formulation for Ex (TE-like) modes in anisotropic planar and channel waveguides with diagonal permittivity tensor, diffused in both transversal directions. This extended formulation considers explicitly both the variations of the refractive index and their spatial derivates inside of each finite element. Dispersion curves for Ex modes in planar and channel waveguides are shown, and the results compared with solutions obtained by other formulations.

Nanostructured films of perylene derivatives: High performance materials for taste sensor applications

Four perylene derivatives (PTCD) have been used as transducing materials in taste sensors fabricated with nanostructured Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films deposited onto interdigitated gold electrodes. The Langmuir monolayers of PTCDs display considerable collapse pressures, with areas per molecule indicative of an edge-on or head-on arrangement for the molecules at the air/water interface. The sensing units for the electronic tongue were produced from 5-layer LB films of the four PTCDs, whose electrical response was characterized with impedance spectroscopy. The distinct responses of the PTCDs, attributed to differences in their molecular structures, allowed one to obtain a finger printing system that was able to distinguish tastes (salty, sweet, bitter and sour) at 1 μM concentrations, which, in some cases, are three orders of magnitude below the human threshold. Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) data analysis, the electronic tongue also detected trace amounts of a pesticide and could distinguish among samples of ultrapure, distilled and tap water, and two brands of mineral water. © 2004 by American Scientific Publishers. All rights reserved.

Clonagem do abacateiro variedade Duke 7 (Persea americana Mill.) por alporquia

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Expression of the nonclassical HLA-G and HLA-E molecules in laryngeal lesions as biomarkers of tumor invasiveness

Introduction: HLA-G and HLA-E are two nonclassical class I molecules, which have been well recognized as modulators of innate and adaptive immune responses, and the expression of these molecules in virus infected cells has been associated with subversion of the immune response. Objective: In this study we performed a cross-sectional study, systematically comparing the expression of HLA-G and HLA-E in benign, premalignant and malignant laryngeal lesions, correlating with demographic and clinical variables and with the presence of high-risk and low-risk HPV types. Materials and methods: Laryngeal lesions were collected from 109 patients and stratified into 27 laryngeal papillomas, 17 dysplasias, 10 in situ laryngeal carcinomas, 27 laryngeal carcinomas without metastases, 28 laryngeal carcinomas with metastasis along with their respective draining cervical lymph nodes, and 10 normal larynx specimens. The expression of HLA-G and HLA-E molecules was determined by immunohistochemistry. HPV DNA detection and typing was performed using generic and specific primers. Results: HLA nonclassical molecules showed a distinct distribution pattern, according to the larynx lesion grade. HLA-G expression increased in benign and premalignant lesions, and gradually decreased in invasive carcinomas and in respective draining cervical lymph nodes. Conversely, HLA-E expression increased as far as lesion grade increased, including increased molecule expression in the draining lymph nodes of malignant lesions. Only 17 (15.6%) patients were HPV DNA positive. Conclusions: Overexpression of HLA-E and underexpression of HLAG appear to be good markers for malignant larynx lesion.

A psicologia do ego de ernst kris e seu legado para a psicanálise da arte

This article intends to discuss the importance of the ego-psychology towards the psychoanalytical interpretation of the aesthetic experience. Its focus is based on the Ernst Kris original work, therefore it intends to present certain basis of his aesthetical thinking. In this case, however, it will suggest one certain reading which emphasizes the problem of sublimation as a drive destination-and not as a defense mechanism-in within this relationship between art and psychoanalysis; hence, it brings out a phenomenon that crosses the psychoanalytical thinking since its first conception.

Microstructural characterization of layers produced by plasma nitriding on austenitic and superaustenitic stainless steel grades

High chromium content is responsible for the formation of a protective passive surface layer on austenitic stainless steels (ASS). Due to their larger amounts of chromium, superaustenitic stainless steels (SASS) can be chosen for applications with higher corrosion resistance requirements. However, both of them present low hardness and wear resistance that has limited their use for mechanical parts fabrication. Plasma nitriding is a very effective surface treatment for producing harder and wear resistant surface layers on these steel grades, without harming their corrosion resistance if low processing temperatures are employed. In this work UNS S31600 and UNS S31254 SASS samples were plasma nitrided in temperatures from 400 °C to 500 °C for 5 h with 80% H 2-20% N2 atmosphere at 600Pa. Nitrided layers were analyzed by optical (OM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and Vickers microhardness testing. Observations made by optical microscopy showed that N-rich layers were uniform but their thicknesses increased with higher nitriding temperatures. XRD analyses showed that lower temperature layers are mainly composed by expanded austenite, a metastable nitrogen supersaturated phase with excellent corrosion and tribological properties. Samples nitrided at 400 °C produced a 5 μm thick expanded austenite layer. The nitrided layer reached 25 lm in specimens treated at 500 °C. There are indications that other phases are formed during higher temperature nitriding but XRD analysis was not able to determine that phases are iron and/or chromium nitrides, which are responsible for increasing hardness from 850 up to 1100 HV. In fact, observations made by TEM have indicated that formation of fine nitrides, virtually not identified by XRD technique, can begin at lower temperatures and their growth is affected by both thermodynamical and kinetics reasons. Copyright © 2012 by ASTM International.

Modernization and new services of the Brazilian active control network

The Brazilian Network for Continuous Monitoring of GNSS - RBMC is a national network of continuously operating reference GNSS stations. Since its establishment in December of 1996, it has been playing an essential role for the maintenance and user access of the fundamental geodetic frame in the country. In order to provide better services for RBMC, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics - IBGE and the National Institute of Colonization and Land Reform - INCRA are both partners involved in the National Geospatial Framework Project - PIGN. This paper provides an overview of the recent modernization phases the RBMC network has undergone highlighting its future steps. These steps involve the installation of new equipment, provide real time data from a group of core stations and compute real-time DGPS corrections, based on CDGPS (The real-time Canada-Wide DGPS Service) (The Real-Time Canada-Wide DGPS Service. http://www.cdgps.com/ 2009a). In addition to this, a post-mission Precise Point Positioning (PPP) service has been established based on the current Geodetic Survey Division of NRCan (CSRS-PPP) service. This service is operational since April 2009 and is in large use in the country. All activities mentioned before are based on a cooperation signed at the end of 2004 with the University of New Brunswick, supported by the Canadian International Development Agency and the Brazilian Cooperation Agency. The Geodetic Survey Division of NRCan is also participating in this modernization effort under the same project. This infrastructure of 66 GNSS stations, the real time, post processing services and the potentiality of providing Wide Area DGPS corrections in the future show that the RBMC system is comparable to those available in USA and Europe. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2012.

Possible mechanism by which zinc protects the testicular function of rats exposed to cigarette smoke

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in testicular function of rats due to cigarette smoke exposure and the possible mechanism by which zinc protects against these alterations. Methods: MaleWistar rats (60 days old) were randomly divided into 3 groups: control (G1, n = 10); exposed to cigarette smoke (G2, n = 10; 20 cigarettes/day/9 weeks) and exposed to cigarette smoke and supplemented with zinc (G3, n = 8; 20 cigarettes/day/9 weeks; 20 mg/kg zinc chloride daily for 9 weeks, by gavage). After the treatment period, the animals were euthanized, and materials were collected for analyses. Results: G2 rats showed a reduction in body mass; impaired sperm concentration, motility, morphology and vitality; and increased malonaldehyde and thiol group levels and superoxide dismutase activity as compared to G1. Zinc prevented the reduction of sperm concentration and the excessive increase of lipid peroxidation and induced an increase in plasma testosterone levels, wet weight of testis and thiol group concentration. Conclusions: Exposure to cigarette smoke led to harmful effects on testicular function at least partially due to the exacerbation of oxidative stress. Supplementary zinc had an important modulator/protector effect on certain parameters. The mechanism of zinc protection can be through an increase of SH concentration. Thus, zinc supplementation may be a promising addition to conventional treatments for male infertility related to smoking. Copyright © 2012 by Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences.

Systematics of spiny-backed treefrogs (Hylidae: Osteocephalus): An Amazonian puzzle

Spiny-backed tree frogs of the genus Osteocephalus are conspicuous components of the tropical wet forests of the Amazon and the Guiana Shield. Here, we revise the phylogenetic relationships of Osteocephalus and its sister group Tepuihyla, using up to 6134 bp of DNA sequences of nine mitochondrial and one nuclear gene for 338 specimens from eight countries and 218 localities, representing 89% of the 28 currently recognized nominal species. Our phylogenetic analyses reveal (i) the paraphyly of Osteocephalus with respect to Tepuihyla, (ii) the placement of 'Hyla' warreni as sister to Tepuihyla, (iii) the non-monophyly of several currently recognized species within Osteocephalus and (iv) the presence of low (<1%) and overlapping genetic distances among phenotypically well-characterized nominal species (e.g. O. taurinus and O. oophagus) for the 16S gene fragment used in amphibian DNA barcoding. We propose a new taxonomy, securing the monophyly of Osteocephalus and Tepuihyla by rearranging and redefining the content of both genera and also erect a new genus for the sister group of Osteocephalus. The colouration of newly metamorphosed individuals is proposed as a morphological synapomorphy for Osteocephalus. We recognize and define five monophyletic species groups within Osteocephalus, synonymize three species of Osteocephalus (O. germani, O. phasmatus and O. vilmae) and three species of Tepuihyla (T. celsae, T. galani and T. talbergae) and reallocate three species (Hyla helenae to Osteocephalus, O. exophthalmus to Tepuihyla and O. pearsoni to Dryaderces gen. n.). Furthermore, we flag nine putative new species (an increase to 138% of the current diversity). We conclude that species numbers are largely underestimated, with most hidden diversity centred on widespread and polymorphic nominal species. The evolutionary origin of breeding strategies within Osteocephalus is discussed in the light of this new phylogenetic hypothesis, and a novel type of amplexus (gular amplexus) is described. © 2013 The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.

Roots of the Invasive Species Carduus nutans L. and C-acanthoides L. Produce Large Amounts of Aplotaxene, a Possible Allelochemical

The invasive thistle Carduus nutans has been reported to be allelopathic, yet no allelochemicals have been identified from the species. In a search for allelochemicals from C. nutans and the closely related invasive species C. acanthoides, bioassay-guided fractionation of roots and leaves of each species were conducted. Only dichloromethane extracts of the roots of both species contained a phytotoxin (aplotaxene, (Z,Z,Z)-heptadeca-1,8,11,14-tetraene) with sufficient total activity to potentially act as an allelochemical. Aplotaxene made up 0.44 % of the weight of greenhouse-grown C. acanthoides roots (ca. 20 mM in the plant) and was not found in leaves of either species. It inhibited growth of lettuce 50%(I-50) in soil at a concentration of ca. 0.5 mg g(-1) of dry soil (ca. 6.5 mM in soil moisture). These values gave a total activity in soil value (molar concentration in the plant divided by the molarity required for 50 % growth inhibition in soil = 3.08) similar to those of some established allelochemicals. The aplotaxene I-50 for duckweed (Lemna paucicostata) in nutrient solution was less than 0.333 mM, and the compound caused cellular leakage of cucumber cotyledon discs in darkness and light at similar concentrations. Soil in which C. acanthoides had grown contained aplotaxene at a lower concentration than necessary for biological activity in our short-term soil bioassays, but these levels might have activity over longer periods of time and might be an underestimate of concentrations in undisturbed and/or rhizosphere soil.