Physicochemical properties of endodontic sealers of different bases

Objective: To assess the setting time (ST), flow (FL), radiopacity (RD), solubility (SB) and dimensional change following setting (DC) of different sealers (AH Plus (R), Polifil, Apexit Plus (R), Sealapex (R), Endomethasone (R) and Endofill (R)) according to American National Standards Institute/American Dental Association (ANSI/ADA) Specification 57. Material and methods: Five samples of each material were used for each test. For ST, cast rings were filled with sealers and tested with a Gillmore needle. For FL, the sealer was placed on a glass plate. After 180 s, another plate with 20 g and a load of 100 g were applied on the material, and the diameters of the discs formed were measured. In RD, circular molds were filled with the sealers, radiographed and analyzed using Digora software. For SB, circular molds were filled with the sealers, a nylon thread was placed inside the material and another glass plate was positioned on the set, pressed and stored at 37 degrees C. Samples were weighed, placed in water, dried and reweighed. The water used for SB was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. For DC, circular molds were filled with the sealers, covered by glass plates and stored at 37 degrees C. Samples were measured and stored in water for 30 days. After this period, they were dryed and measured again. Results: Regarding ST, AH Plus (R), Apexit (R) and Endofil (R) sealers are in accordance with ANSI/ADA standards. Endomethasone's manufacturer did not mention the ST; Polifil is an experimental sealer and Sealapex (R) did not set. Considering RD, SB and DC, all sealers were in accordance with ANSI/ADA. The spectrometric analysis showed that a significant amount of K+ and Zn2(+) ions was released from Apexit Plus (R) and Endofill (R), respectively. Conclusion: Except for DC, all other physicochemical properties of the tested sealers conformed to ANSI/ADA requirements.

Comparison of naturally acquired parasite burdens among Florida Native, Rambouillet and crossbreed ewes

The response to natural infection by gastrointestinal nematodes was evaluated in three groups of lambing mature ewes: 16 Florida Native; 21 Rambouillet; and 18 1/2 Florida Native x 1/2 Rambouillet (F1 generation). Fecal egg counts (FEC),packed cell volume (PCV) and plasma protein levels were determined periodically through a one-year period. The highest FEC was recorded in Rambouillet ewes, with most of the means higher than 1000 eggs per gram (EPG). Florida Native and Fl ewes showed similar trends in FEC, with most of the means below 500 EPG. The highest mean PCV values were recorded in Florida Native ewes, followed in decreasing order by Fl and Rambouillet ewes. Fl ewes showed the lowest plasma protein levels and Florida Natives the highest. Fecal cultures revealed the highest percentages of Haemonchus larvae in Rambouillet ewes (>64%) and the lowest percentages in Florida Native ewes. Florida Native and Fl ewes were more resistant to gastrointestinal nematode infections than were Rambouillet ewes. High negative correlation coefficients between FEC x PCV and FEC x plasma protein levels coincided with peaks in mean FEC of Rambouillet (May and July), Florida Native and Fl ewes (October). This study showed that crossbreeding Rambouillet and Florida Native sheep resulted in the production of Fl ewes resistant against gastrointestinal nematode infections. (C) 1999 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Determination of metal ions in natural waters by flame-AAS after preconcentration on a 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol modified silica gel.

5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol groups attached on a silica gel surface have been used for adsorption of Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Fe(III), Ni(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) from aqueous solutions. The adsorption capacities for each metal ion were (in mmol.g(-1)): Cd(II)= 0.35, Co(II)= 0.10, Cu(II)= 0.15, Fe(III)= 0.20, Hg(Il)= 0.46, Ni(II)= 0.16, Pb(II)= 0.13 and Zn(II)= 0.15. The modified silica gel was applied in the preconcentration and quantification of trace level metal ions present in water samples (river, and bog water).

Tafonomia de tempestitos conchíferos amalgamados da formação Teresina em Rio Preto (Estado do Paraná, permiano médio, bacia do Paraná) e suas implicações paleoambientais

The deposits of the Permian Teresina Formation are mainly characterized by fi ne-grained siliciclastic rocks and centimetric intercalations of tempestites (bioclastic sandstones and coquinas). Despite the relevance of the bivalve-rich carbonate beds of the Teresina Formation to paleoenvironmental studies, their taphonomy is still poorly studied. The fossil concentration studied in this work was found in a quarry in the city of Irati, Rio Preto district, Parana State. The fossil concentration is located in the middle/upper portion of the unit, far from the top. The studied bed is a bioclastic, intraclastic, peloidal, grainstone/ packstone, with abundant bivalve shell fragments, pelitic and micritic intraclasts, peloids, rare ooids and oncoids, as well as permineralized of Lycophyta microphylles and fish scales. The grains of this carbonate concentration show: high degree of time-averaging, variable degree of packing (dense to disperse), no sorting and chaotic orientation. Notably, the concentration includes a mixture of elements which are indicative of: a) restrictive, low energy, carbonate environment (peloids, ooids and oncoids); b) subaerial environment surrounding the main body of water (Lycophyta microphylles) and c) quiet-water environment punctuated by storm events, where the suspension-feeding bivalves thrived. At least four depositional events caused by storm fl ows were recorded. The amalgamated nature of the bed is a result of storm events in an intracratonic basin with very low seafl oor slope and low rates of sedimentation and subsidence.

Crystal structure of the platelet activator convulxin, a disulfide-linked alpha(4)beta(4) cyclic tetramer from the venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus

Convulxin (CVX), a C-type lectin, isolated from the venom of the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus, causes cardiovascular and respiratory disturbances and is a potent platelet activator which hinds to platelet glycoprotein GPVI. The structure of CVX has been solved at 2.4 Angstrom resolution to a crystallographic residual of 18.6% (R-free =26.4%). CVX is a disulfide linked heterodimer consisting of homologous alpha and beta chains. The heterodimers are additionally linked by disulfide bridges to form cyclic alpha(4)beta(4)heterotetramers. These domains exhibit significant homology to the carbohydrate-binding domains of C-type lectins, to the factor IX-binding protein (IX-bp), and to flavocetin-A (Fl-A) but sequence and Structural differences are observed in both the domains in the putative Ca2+ and carbohydrate binding regions. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Bond strength and morphology of resin materials applied to the occlusal surface of primary molars

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2012; 22: 435441 Background. Hydrophilic adhesives may be used as pit and fissure sealants (sealants), but there is concern about the ability of self-etching adhesives to bond sealants to enamel. Aim. To study the bond strength (BS) and morphology of adhesive systems used as sealants. Design. OptiBond FL, OptiBond All-in-One, combined OptiBond All-in-One + OptiBond FL adhesive, and Fluroshield were applied to the occlusal surfaces of 16 primary molars (n = 4). Teeth were stored in distilled water (24 h at 37 degrees C) and sectioned through the interface to obtain sticks (0.8 mm2) tested under a tensile load (0.5 mm/min). Failure modes were observed. Data were analysed by ANOVA and Tukeys tests (a = 5%). The morphology of 12 primary molars was examined in terms of the etching pattern and resin reproduction. Results. Differences in the BS were found (P = 0.001), with OptiBond FL showing the highest (36.84 +/- 5.7 MPa), Fluroshield (24.26 +/- 2.13 MPa) and OptiBond All-in-One (17.12 +/- 4.97 MPa) similar, and OptiBond All-in-One + OptiBond FL adhesive the lowest (9.8 +/- 2.94 MPA). OptiBond FL showed the best results in terms of morphology. Conclusion. Under the conditions of this study, OptiBond FL was the best material to be used for sealing.

Search for the rare decay B-s(0) -> mu(+)mu(-)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Search for anomalous t(t)over-bar production in the highly-boosted all-hadronic final state

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in raw cane sugar (rapadura) in Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Determinação da idade fetal por meio da técnica ultra-sonográfica de fetometria e de morfologia fetal em cabras

Utilizaram-se 13 cabras gestantes da raça Saanen, para estudo das características da gestação a partir do 60º dia, segundo as técnicas de fetometria e avaliação morfológica fetal, utilizando-se ultra-sonografia em modo-B. Analisaram-se: diâmetro orbital (DO), diâmetro interorbital (DIO), diâmetro biorbital (DBO), diâmetro biparietal (DBP), comprimento do fêmur (CF), comprimento da tíbia (CT), comprimento do rádio (CR), diâmetro do tórax (DT), diâmetro abdominal transversal (DAT), diâmetro abdominal anteroposterior (DAP), diâmetro occípito-frontal (DOF), diâmetro transversal renal (RIMT), diâmetro longitudinal renal (RIML), comprimento da escápula (ESC), comprimento do metacarpo (MEC), medida da pelve (COX) e comprimento do úmero (CU). As médias dos valores achados foram correlacionadas com a idade fetal. As equações de regressão inversa foram criadas para cada parâmetro, sendo que DBP (R²=0,93), CF (R²=0,95), CU (R²=0,96), do (R²= 0,84) e DAT (R²= 0,91) foram as variáveis de melhor correlação estatística, cuja equação pode ser representada pela fórmula: idade fetal = 34,5 + 4,8DBP + 9,9 CF - 7,5 CU - 2,3 do + 6,1 DAT.

Effect of flooding on survival and initial growth of Ocotea pulchella (Nees) Mez. seedlings in semi-controlled light conditions

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

Herança de formato e produção de frutos imaturos em abobrinha (Cucurbita moschata)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a herança de formato e produção de frutos imaturos de 2 novas linhagens de C. moschata. Para tal obtiveram-se as gerações Fl, F2 e retrocruzamentos para ambos os progenitores. Para a avaliação das diferentes gerações utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos ao acaso com 4 repetições e número variável de plantas por repetição. As estimativas dos parâmetros genéticos foram obtidas segundo o modelo de MATHER & JINKS. Foram avaliados o peso, comprimento e diâmetros próximos das extremidades peduncular e estilar dos frutos. Observou-se dominância para maior velocidade de crescimento dos frutos, caracterizada pelos maiores comprimentos, diâmetros e peso médio na geração F1. Observou-se também dominancia para frutos mais bojudos e com menor relação entre o comprimento e a média dos diâmetros. Devido ao maior peso médio de frutos, e não ao número, obteve-se heterose significativa (20,5%) para produção total por planta.

Heterochromatin patterns in triatomines of the genus Panstrongylus

Spermatogenesis was analysed by C-banding in two species of triatomines, Panstrongylus megistus and Fl herreri. Both species revealed interstitial and terminal bands in the autosomes, which is a common pattern in Heteroptera. The terminal bands corroborated the hypothesis that in holocentric chromosomes the heterochromatin is preferentially located at the telomere. The sex chromosomes in FI herreri were totally heterochromatic in spermatogenesis, and in P. megistus the X chromosomes alternated between positive and negative banding.

Avaliação do peso à desmama e do ganho médio de peso de bezerros cruzados, no estado do Mato Grosso do Sul

O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar o desempenho de bezerros mestiços de diferentes grupos genéticos até a desmama. Informações de 3631 bezerros F1 filhos de vacas Nelore com touros Aberdeen Angus, Brangus, Brangus (pelagem vermelha), Canchim, Gelbvieh, Nelore e Simental foram usadas (Grupo 1). Foram usadas também informações de 1896 bezerros de fêmeas Nelore com touros das raças supracitadas e de fêmeas F1 retrocruzadas com touros Gelbvieh e Nelore (Grupo 2). Os pesos à desmama foram ajustados aos 230 dias (PD230) e aos 240 dias (PD240), para os grupos 1 e 2, respectivamente, e o ganho médio diário até a desmama (GMD), para ambos os grupos, foi determinado. O modelo matemático usado nas análises pelo método de quadrados mínimos incluiu os efeitos fixos de grupo contemporâneo (GC), grupo genético do bezerro (GG) e idade do bezerro e idade da vaca. GC e GG influenciaram as características estudadas em ambos os grupos. A idade do bezerro não influiu significativamente no PD230 e GMD no Grupo 1, mas no Grupo 2 foi significativa para PD240 e GMD. A idade da vaca ao parto influenciou as características estudadas tanto no Grupo 1 como no Grupo 2. Os animais cruzados foram superiores aos puros Nelore em ambos os grupos. Foi obtido, a partir do Grupo 2, um terceiro conjunto de dados, Grupo 3, contendo os produtos do retrocruzamento de fêmeas F1, Nelore-Gelbvieh, com touros Gelbvieh e Nelore, contendo 722 informações de PD240 e GMD. Nesse arquivo foram estimados os efeitos aditivos direto e materno e heterótico individual. Apenas o efeito heterótico individual foi significativo.

A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF 4 DIFFERENT STAINING METHODS FOR ESTIMATION OF LIVE YEAST FORM CELLS OF PARACOCCIDIOIDES-BRASILIENSIS

A comparative study of four different staining methods for estimation of live yeast form cells of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis was carried out. The staining methods used were fluorescent staining, vital dye exclusion tests with erythrosin B and by Janus green and lactophenol cotton blue staining. Colony forming units (cfu) of the yeast form of eight P. brasiliensis isolates on brain heart infusion agar (BHIA) supplemented with 4% horse serum plus 5% P. brasiliensis cell extract (BHIA + HS + EXT) were examined for reliability of staining in determining the number of live fungal units in eight different isolates. Cfu on BHIA + HS + EXT plates showed an excellent plating efficiency over 96% in all isolates tested. The percentage of the live cells indicated by fluorescent staining (FL) or vital dye exclusion test with erythrosin B (EB) or Janus green (JG-1) was lower than that of cfu. By contrast, the percentage due to modified dye exclusion test with Janus green (JG-2) and that due to lactophenol cotton blue staining (LPCB) showed a close correration to that of cfu. Our results indicate that the modified dye exclusion test with Janus green and lactophenol cotton blue staining are useful for estimating cell viability of yeast form cells of P. brasiliensis.