Alumina porous ceramics: mathematical behavior at different commercial starch concentration

Several researches have been developed in order to verify the porosity effect over the ceramic material properties. The starch consolidation casting (SCC) allows to obtain porous ceramics by using starch as a binder and pore forming element. This work is intended to describe the porous mathematical behavior and the mechanical resistance at different commercial starch concentration. Ceramic samples were made with alumina and potato and corn starches. The slips were prepared with 10 to 50 wt% of starch. The specimens were characterized by apparent density measurements and three-point flexural test associated to Weibull statistics. Results indicated that the porosity showed a first-order exponential equation e(-x/c) increasing in both kinds of starches, so it was confirmed that the alumina ceramic porosity is related to the kind of starch used. The mechanical resistance is represented by a logarithmic expression R = A + B/1+10((Log(x0)-P)C).

Ferrocene adsorbed into the porous octakis(hydridodimethylsiloxy) silsesquioxane after thermolysis in tetrahydrofuran media: An applied surface for ascorbic acid determination

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

Extraocular muscle fixation to porous polyethylene orbital implants using 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Gel and porous polyethylene implants for anophthalmic cavity reconstruction-evaluation using the B scan ultrasound

AIM: To evaluate the host response of the gel and porous polyethylene implants in anophthalmic cavities using the B scan ultrasound.METHODS: Thirty-six white rabbits underwent unilateral enucleation with placement of gel or porous polyethylene spheres implants. The animals were submitted to clinical examination weekly and to ultrasound evaluation on 30, 60 and 90 days after surgery.RESULTS: All rabbits with gel polyethylene spheres, except one, showed implant extrusion probably because the gel spheres have hydrated and increased in volume. The B ultrasound of the gel polyethylene implant did not show vessels inside during the following period. Five animals (27.8%) with porous polyethylene spheres presented implant extrusion after 30 days of surgery. According to B ultrasound, the porous polyethylene implant showed irregular and heterogeneous architecture and reflective peaks similar to vascularized tissues.CONCLUSION: More studies are required to determine the ideal volume of gel polyethylene implant necessary to correct the diminished orbital content in the anophthalmic cavity. The B ultrasound effectiveness showed in this study for anophthalmic socket implants evaluation provides useful information for further in vivo studies and might substitute expensive methods of implants vascularization evaluation,

Comparison of synthetic hydroxyapatite and porous polyethylene implants in eviscerated rabbit eyes

Purpose: Synthetic hydroxyapatite and porous polyethylene (Polipore) spheres were placed in rabbits' eviscerated cavities to evaluate tissue reaction and volume maintenance.Methods. Fifty-six Norfolk albino rabbits underwent unilateral evisceration and implantation of synthetic hydroxyapatite (H group, 28 animals) or porous polyethylene spheres (P group, 28 animals). Postoperative reactions, animal behavior, and socket conditions were monitored. Light microscopy and morphometric evaluation with statistical analysis of the exenterated orbits were performed at 7, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 days. Scanning electron microscopy was appraised 7, 60, and 180 days after surgery.Results: Two animals from the H group and 1 from the P group had extrusion 7 days after surgery. Throughout the experimental period, the synthetic hydroxyapatite caused more inflammation than the porous polyethylene material. Ingrowth in the sphere occurred 7 to 15 days after the surgery in both groups, and the tissue reaction became denser at approximate to60 to 90 days, when bony metaplasia began in the H group. Volume maintenance was better in the P group and with a smaller pseudocapsule surrounding the implanted sphere than in the H group.Conclusions: Clinical findings demonstrated mild inflammation inside the sphere and in the pseudocapsule surrounding it and better cavity volume maintenance in the P group animals. The authors consider porous polyethylene a more suitable material than synthetic hydroxyapatite for use in anophthalmic cavity reconstruction.

Reversion to virulence evaluation of a 9R vaccine strain of Salmonella enterica serovar gallinarum in commercial brown layers

The live vaccine Cevac S. Gallinarum, made from a rough strain of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotype Gallinarum is used for preventing fowl typhoid, a disease that still causes considerable economic losses in countries with a developing poultry industry. The objective of this paper was to evaluate a possible reversion to virulence of the strain used in a vaccine in commercial brown layers. Only Salmonella-free chicks were utilized. One hundred twenty (120) 12-day-old Dekalb brown layers divided in two trials were used. The first trial had six groups of 15 birds each. Birds of group 1 were vaccinated with 10 doses of Cevac S. Gallinarum subcutaneously and 10 doses orally, in a total of 20 doses of vaccine. Then the birds of groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 received inocula that contained feces and a pool of organs with fragments of liver, heart, spleen, and cecal tonsils obtained from the immediately previous group. The second trial had three groups with 10 birds each. Birds in group 7 received inocula containing a pool of organs from birds of group 5 from trial 1, whilst the birds in group 8 were vaccinated subcutaneously with one dose of vaccine. Both trials included negative control groups (6 and 9). Throughout the experimental period, birds were monitored for reactions to the vaccination on the site of administration, clinical signs, and post-mortem lesions. In each passage, in addition to the birds euthanized to provide the inocula material, two birds from each group were euthanized for assessment of possible lesions, and their organs (liver, heart, spleen and cecal tonsils) were cultured in an attempt to isolate the vaccine strain. Except for one bird from group 1, that had a local reaction on the site of vaccination - a small vesicle with less that 0.5 mm that persisted until the third day post vaccination -, no other bird had any local reaction to the vaccine or any visible clinical alteration. Birds in group 8 did not present any reaction or clinical alteration because of the vaccine. We only managed to re-isolate the vaccine strain in the inocula made from organs of birds in group 1. We confirmed the isolation by means of biochemical tests, serology, and acriflavine agglutination test. All other cultures made from organs or feces, from all the other experimental groups did not show any growth of the vaccine strain or any other Salmonella serovar, suggesting that the vaccinated birds did not shed the SG9R vaccine strain. No bird presented any clinical symptoms or died during the trials, and no gross lesions were observed in the post-mortem examinations. Under the controlled conditions and time-frame of the present experiment, it was possible to conclude that the rough 9R strain of Salmonella Gallinarum present in the vaccine Cevac S. Gallinarum (Ceva Campinas Ltda. - Campinas, SP - Brazil) did not revert to virulence.

Morphological changes of the intestinal mucosa of broilers and layers as affected by fasting before sample collection

The present study aimed at evaluating the histo-morphological changes resulting from different fasting periods before the collection of tissue samples in different segments of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) of 7-d-old male chicks of a broiler and a layer strain. A completely randomized experimental design in in a 2x7 factorial arrangement, being two strains with different growth rates (Ross 308 and HyLine® W36) and seven fasting periods (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 hours ), with six replicates, totaling 84 birds. The comparison of the morphometrics of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum of broiler and layer chicks demonstrated faster digestive tract development in broilers relative to layers. The fasting period caused morphological changes in the liver and small and large intestines in both strains. Therefore, it must be highlighted that in studies involving organ weights and intestinal morphometrics, birds must not be submitted to fasting before tissue collection.

Effects of dietary trace mineral sources and levels fed to layers in their second laying cycle on the quality of eggs stored at different temperatures and for different periods

This study aimed at evaluating the effects of trace mineral levels and sources supplemented to diets fed to semi-heavy layers in their second laying cycle on the quality of eggs stored for 14 days at different temperatures. The experimental diets consisted of the inclusion of inorganic trace minerals (T1 - control: 100% ITM) and five supplementation levels of organic trace minerals (carboaminophopho chelates) (110, 100, 90, 80, and 70% OTM). Trace mineral inclusion levels (mg/kg feed) were: T1: control - 100% ITM: Zn (54), Fe (54), Mn (72), Cu (10), I (0.61) Se (0.3); T2 - 110% OTM: Zn (59.4), Fe (59.4), Mn (79.2), Cu (11.88), I (1.21) Se (0.59); T3 - 100%: OTM: Zn (54), Fe (54), Mn (72), Cu (10.8), I (1.10) Se (0.54); T4 - 90% OTM: Zn (48.6), Fe (48.6), Mn (64.8), Cu (9.72), I (0.99) Se (0.49); T5 - 80% OTM: Zn (43.2), Fe (43.2), Mn (57.6), Cu (8.64), I (0.88), Se (0.43); T6 - 70% OTM: Zn (37.8), Fe (37.8), Mn (50.4), Cu (7.56), I (0.77) Se (0.38). A completely randomized experimental design in a split-plot arrangement with 60 treatments of four replicates each was applied. The combination of six diets versus storage temperature (room or under refrigeration) was randomized in plots, whereas the sub-plots consisted of storage times (0, 3, 7, 10, and 14 days). Data were submitted to analysis of variance of a model in slip-plots in time using the software package SAS (2000) at 5% probability level. It was concluded that 70% OTM supplementation can be used with no damage to egg quality, independently from storage temperature or time. The quality of refrigerated eggs stored up to 14 days is better than those stored at room temperature.

Effect of organic mineral supplementation on the egg quality of semi-heavy layers in their second cycle of lay

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of dietary trace mineral levels and sources on egg quality parameters of second-cycle semi-heavy layers. A number of 360 72-week-old layers were submitted to forced molting. Upon return of lay (83 weeks of age), birds were distributed according to a completely randomized experimental design of six treatments with six replicates of 10 birds each. The control treatment consisted of 0.10% dietary supplementation of trace minerals from inorganic sources, which was proportionally replaced by five levels (110, 100, 90, 80, 70%) of an organic trace mineral supplement containing 30, 30, 40, 6, 0.61, and 0.3 g/kg product of Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, I, and Se, respectively. All diets contained equal protein, energy, and amino acid levels. Every 28 days of the experimental period (112 days) four eggs per replicate were collected for egg quality evaluation. The following parameters were evaluated: specific gravity, yolk, albumen and eggshell percentages, yolk index, Haugh units, and eggshell thickness and breaking strength. One sample per replicate, consisting of the pool of the yolks of three eggs collected at the end of each experimental period, was used to assess protein and mineral (Ca, P, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) contents. The results were submitted to ANOVA, and means to the test of Tukey at 5% significance level. The evaluated trace mineral levels and sources did not influence any of the studied egg quality parameters. It was concluded that reducing organic trace mineral supplementation in up to 70% relative to 100% inorganic trace mineral supplementation does not affect egg parameters and therefore, can be applied to the diet of semi-heavy layers in their second cycle of lay.

Calcium levels and limestone particle size in the diet of commercial layers at the end of the first production cycle

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Effect of the calcium level and limestone particle size on the performance of semi-heavy layers in the second cycle of egg production

An experiment was carried out at the Research and Development Unit of Brotas aiming at evaluating dietary calcium level and limestone particle size on the production performance of commercial (Hy-Line Brown) layers in the second lay cycle. Experiment duration was 112 days. A total number of 288 hens, with 83 weeks of age in the beginning of the experiment, were used in a completely randomized experimental design in a factorial arrangement of 2x3, with two calcium levels (3.5 and 4.0%) and three limestone particle size compositions: 100% fine limestone (FL), 30% coarse limestone (CL) + 70% fine limestone (FL), and 50% (CL) + 50% (FL), with six replicates of eight birds each. Egg weight (g), egg production (%), egg mass (%), feed intake (g), feed conversion ratio (kg/dz and kg/kg), mortality (%), and egg loss (%) were evaluated. The analysis of variance did not detect significant differences (p>0.05) among treatments on any of the evaluated performance parameters. It was concluded that the tested calcium levels and limestone particle composition did not influence the performance of semi-heavy layers in second production cycle.

Cholesterol levels and nutritional composition of commercial layers eggs fed diets with different vegetable oils

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

The effects of alternative forced-molting methods on the performance and egg quality of commercial layers

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

Metabolizable energy and oil intake in brown commercial layers

With the objective to establish the best metabolizable energy (ME) intake for layers, and the best dietary vegetable oil addition level to optimize egg production, an experiment was carried out with 432 30-week-old Hisex Brown layers. Birds were distributed into nine treatments with six replicates of eight birds each according to a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement, consisting of three daily metabolizable energy intake (280, 300 or 320 kcal/bird/day) and three oil levels (0.00; 0.75 and 1.50 g/bird/day). Daily feed intake was limited to 115, 110 and 105 g/bird in order to obtain the desired energy and oil intake in each treatment. The following parameters were evaluated: initial weight, final weight, body weight change, egg production, egg mass, feed conversion ratio per dozen eggs and per egg mass and energy conversion. There was no influence of the treatments on egg production (%) or egg mass (g/bird/day). Final weight and body weight change were significantly affected by increasing energy intake. Feed conversion ratio per egg mass, feed conversion ratio per dozen eggs and energy conversion significantly worsened as a function of the increase in daily energy intake. An energy intake of 280 kcal/bird/day with no addition of dietary oil does not affect layer performance.

Maxillary Bone Defect Reconstruction Using Porous Polyethylene Implants

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the bone repair process in the maxillary sinus in monkeys treated with high-density porous polyethylene (Medpor)Methods: Four capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) were submitted to bilateral horizontal osteotomies in the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus and divided into 2 groups: control group, left side with no implants, and porous polyethylene group, right side with Medpor. After a period of 145 days after implant placement, the maxillae were removed for histologic and histometric analyses.Results: Bone repair in osteotomized areas took place by connective tissue in 58.5% and 58.7% in the control group and the porous polyethylene group, respectively. In the contact surface with Medpor, bone repair occurred in 41.3%.Conclusions: Medpor was not reabsorbed within the period of this study and allowed bone repair surrounding it. The porous polyethylene constitutes a feasible alternative for bone defect reconstruction.