Forest natural regeneration and biomass production after slash and burn in a seasonally dry forest in the Southern Brazilian Amazon

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

Durability of adhesives based on different epoxy/aliphatic amine networks

The mechanical and adhesives properties of epoxy formulations based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A cured with various aliphatic amines were evaluated in the glass state. Impact tests were used to determine the impact energy. The adhesive properties have been evaluated in terms single lap shear using steel adherends. Its durability in water at ambient temperature (24 degrees C) and at 80 degrees C has also been analyzed. The fracture mechanisms were determined by optical microscopy. It was observed a strong participation of the cohesive fracture mechanisms in all epoxy system studied. The 1-(2-aminoethyl)piperazine epoxy adhesive and piperidine epoxy adhesive presents the best adhesive strength and the largest impact energy. The durability in water causes less damage to piperidine epoxy networks. This behavior appears to be associated with the lower water uptake tendency of homopolymerised resins due to its lower hydroxyl group concentration. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Spermatozoon ultrastructure and sperm cryopreservation of the Brazilian dry season spawner fish pirapitinga, Brycon nattereri

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Treatment of venous ulcers with surgical adhesives derived from snake venom

A Brazilian dictionary states that "ulcer", from the Latin word ulcuserise, is a superficial lesion on skin or mucous membrane characterized by an inflammatory process and loss of tissue. Ulcers are a relatively frequent problem that may be worsen by infection or long-time duration. In these cases, they can represent a serious public health issue, since the increased case number contributes to the burden on the public health service. In recent decades, wound treatment has advanced in technological and scientific aspects regarding both development of new products and techniques. Ongoing research in this area is providing new products for wound treatment. Among newly tested substances that have presented successful results is fibrin glue, a snake venom derivative that promotes reduction of infection and edema as well as bleeding control and pain decrease. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate fibrin glue effects on ulcers of venous origin in 24 patients that were divided into two groups. The first one (G1) consisted of 11 patients treated without the adhesive while the second group (G2) was composed of 13 persons who were under therapy with the adhesive. The results of this study revealed that patients treated with fibrin glue evolved to a satisfactory healing when compared to the other group. Therefore, fibrin glue is an appropriate alternative for treating leg ulcers with several advantages: easy application, less pain, early hospital discharge, not transmiting diseases, lower cost than the adhesive currently available in Brazil and, finally, it is a Brazilian technology.

Distribution of contagious and environmental mastitis agents isolated from milk samples collected from clinically health buffalo cows between brazilian dry and rainy seasons of the year

The present study was performed to evaluate the microbiological characteristics of clinically health quarters submitted to milking and also to observe the distribution of contagious and environmental agents between brazilian dry and rainy seasons of the year. During nine months 734 quarters from 37 buffalo cows were submitted monthly to udder inspection, palpation and strip cup test before milking. 734 asseptic milk samples were inoculated in 10% ovine blood agar and in MacConkey agar media, then incubated for 72 hours at 37 C. Among the 580 isolated microrganisms, 182 (31,38%) were recovered from samples collected during the rainy season and 398 (68,62%) from the dry season. In the rainy period the most prevalent agents were: bacteria from the genus Corynebacterium sp (53,30%), Staphylococcus sp (19,78%) and Rhodococcus equi (13,74%). In the dry period, the commonest ones were: Corynebacterium sp (44,97%), Staphylococcus sp (18,84%) and Micrococcus sp (9,55%). The results demonstrated that the methods used to select health quarters in brazilian dairy buffalo farms allow the transmission of contagious bacteria during both seasons of the year, maintaining agents known to cause mainly subclinical inflammatory reactions that compromise cronically the physiology and production of the mammary gland.

Use of high moisture corn silage replacing dry corn on intake, apparent digestibility, production and composition of milk of dairy goats

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

Voluntary intake of dry matter and performance of Nellore cows and their Nellore and crossbred Simental x Nellore calves

This study aimed to investigate the influence of calf genetic group on the performance of Nellore lactating cows. The variables studied included milk ingestion, pasture intake, calf weight gain and cow body weight. A total of 13 Nellore calves and 8 crossbred Simental x Nellore calves were used, all born from Nellore mothers. During the experimental period of 210 days, calves were weighted at birth and at 30-day intervals, whereas cows were weighed every 14 days. Milk intake was estimated using the weigh-suckle-weigh method. Pasture intake was determined 6, 12, and 24 weeks after birth by using chromic oxide as an external marker and indigestible acid detergent fiber as an internal marker. Average weight of crossbred calves was 10.1 kg and their milk intake was 0.42 kg higher than in purebred calves. There was no difference, however, in pasture intake between genetic groups. In Nellore cows, body weight and pasture consumption (9.2 kg of DM/cow/day) were not influenced by calf heterosis.

Voluntary intake of dry matter and performance of Nellore cows and their Nellore and crossbred Simental × Nellore calves

This study aimed to investigate the influence of calf genetic group on the performance of Nellore lactating cows. The variables studied included milk ingestion, pasture intake, calf weight gain and cow body weight. A total of 13 Nellore calves and 8 crossbred Simental × Nellore calves were used, all born from Nellore mothers. During the experimental period of 210 days, calves were weighted at birth and at 30-day intervals, whereas cows were weighed every 14 days. Milk intake was estimated using the weigh-suckle-weigh method. Pasture intake was determined 6, 12, and 24 weeks after birth by using chromic oxide as an external marker and indigestible acid detergent fiber as an internal marker. Average weight of crossbred calves was 10.1 kg and their milk intake was 0.42 kg higher than in purebred calves. There was no difference, however, in pasture intake between genetic groups. In Nellore cows, body weight and pasture consumption (9.2 kg of DM/cow/day) were not influenced by calf heterosis.

Etch and rinse versus self-etching adhesives systems: Tridimensional micromechanical analysis of dentin/adhesive interface

The purpose of this study was to evaluate stress distribution in the hybrid layer produced by two adhesive systems using three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA). Four FEA models (M) were developed: Mc, a representation of a dentin specimen (41 x 41 x 82 mu m) restored with composite resin, exhibiting the adhesive layer, hybrid layer (HL), resin tags, peritubular dentin, and intertubular dentin to simulate the etch-and-rinse adhesive system; Mr, similar to Mc, with lateral branches of the adhesive; Ma, similar to Mc, however without resin tags and obliterated tubule orifice, to simulate the environment for the self-etching adhesive system; Mat, similar to Ma, with tags. A numerical simulation was performed to obtain the maximum principal stress (sigma(max)). The highest sigma(max) in the HL was observed for the etch-and-rinse adhesive system. The lateral branches increased the sigma(max) in the HL. The resin tags had a little influence on stress distribution with the self-etching system. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Anatomic study of the mandibular foramen, lingula and antilingula in dry mandibles, and its statistical relationship between the true lingula and the antilingula

The authors verified the anatomical location of the mandibular foramen, lingula and antilingula in dry mandibles, aiming to obtain information that could be used when performing mandibular osteotomies. Forty-four mandibles (88 sides) were evaluated. The distances were measured using a sliding calliper, with the mandibles fixed in a reproducible position. Results showed that the mandibular foramen is on average 5.82 mm below the lingula. Regarding the statistical comparison between the mandibular foramen entrance and the anti lingula position, there is no correlation between the position of those two structures in the studied sample. The mandibular foramen is slightly posterior in relation to the centre of the ramus. The lingula is an important anatomic landmark for ramus surgery, and for determining the distance to the mandibular foramen entrance. The use of the antilingula as a landmark for the position of the vertical ramus osteotomy is not recommended.

THE EFFECT of IMMEDIATE DENTIN SEALING on THE MARGINAL ADAPTATION and BOND STRENGTHS of TOTAL-ETCH and SELF-ETCH ADHESIVES

Statement of problem. Sealing ability and bond strengths of total-etch and self-etch dentin adhesives used for immediate dentin sealing have not been assessed and established.Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of immediate dentin sealing (IDS) using total-etch or self-etch dentin adhesives on microleakage and microtensile bond strength.Material and methods. Twenty recently extracted molars were selected, and standard MOD inlay preparations were made with the gingival margins located below the cemento-enamel unction. The teeth were assigned to 4 experimental groups (n=5) according to the indirect composite restoration cementation technique used: (1) immediate dentin sealing with Adper Single Bond (TEBI); (2) conventional adhesive cementation technique using Adper Single Bond (TEAI); (3) immediate dentin sealing using Adper Prompt L-Pop (SEBI); or (4) conventional adhesive cementation technique using Adper Prompt L-Pop (SEAI). The restored teeth were thermal cycled 1,000 times between 5 degrees and 55 degrees C and then immersed in 50% ammoniacal silver nitrate. Three specimens per restoration were evaluated for microleakage, according to predefined scores, and submitted to Friedman's test (alpha-.05). The specimens were then sectioned to obtain 0.8 +/- 0.2-mm-thick sticks (with n ranging from 32 to 57 specimens) and submitted to microtensile bond strength (mu TBS) testing. The obtained data were submitted to 2-way ANOVA test (alpha=.05).Results. None of the experimental groups demonstrated complete elimination of marginal microleakage. There were significant differences in microleakage of the tested adhesives (P>.001). IDS microleakage scores were similar to those obtained using the conventional cementation technique (CCT) for both adhesives. The highest mean bond strengths were obtained with TEBI (51.1 MPa), whereas SEAI showed the lowest mean bond strengths (1.7 MPa). IDS resulted in significantly higher bond strengths than CCT (P<.001).Conclusions. Total-etch and self-etch adhesives have a significant effect on IDS. IDS resulted in high bond strengths for both adhesives; however, the microleakage was similar to that obtained with CCT (J Prosthet Dent 2009;102:1-9)