Antiretroviral resistance mutations in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infected patients enrolled in genotype testing at the Central Public Health Laboratory, São Paulo, Brazil: preliminary results

Antiretroviral resistance mutations (ARM) are one of the major obstacles for pharmacological human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) suppression. Plasma HIV-1 RNA from 306 patients on antiretroviral therapy with virological failure was analyzed, most of them (60%) exposed to three or more regimens, and 28% of them have started therapy before 1997. The most common regimens in use at the time of genotype testing were AZT/3TC/nelfinavir, 3TC/D4T/nelfinavir and AZT/3TC/efavirenz. The majority of ARM occurred at protease (PR) gene at residue L90 (41%) and V82 (25%); at reverse transcriptase (RT) gene, mutations at residue M184 (V/I) were observed in 64%. One or more thymidine analogue mutations were detected in 73%. The number of ARM at PR gene increased from a mean of four mutations per patient who showed virological failure at the first ARV regimens to six mutations per patient exposed to six or more regimens; similar trend in RT was also observed. No differences in ARM at principal codon to the three drug classes for HIV-1 clades B or F were observed, but some polymorphisms in secondary codons showed significant differences. Strategies to improve the cost effectiveness of drug therapy and to optimize the sequencing and the rescue therapy are the major health priorities.

Comparison of the shear bond strengths of conventional mesh bases and sandblasted orthodontic bracket bases

This study aimed to compare in vitro the shear bond strength between metallic brackets (Abzil) with conventional mesh bases and metallic brackets with bases industrially sandblasted with aluminum oxide using three adhesive systems, in order to assess the influence of sandblasting on adhesiveness and to compare 3 different bonding systems. Two hundred and forty bovine incisors were used and randomly divided into 6 groups (40 teeth in each group), according to the bracket base and to the bonding system. The brackets were direct-bonded in bovine teeth with 3 adhesive systems: System A - conventional Transbond™ XT (3M -Unitek); System B - Transbond™ Plus Self Etching Primer + Transbond™ XT (3M - Unitek) and System C - Fuji ORTHO LC resin-reinforced glass ionomer cement in capsules (GC Corp.). Shear bond strength tests were performed 24 hours after bonding, in a DL-3000 universal testing machine (EMIC), using a load cell of 200 kgf and a speed of 1 mm/min. The results were submitted to statistical analysis and showed no significant difference between conventional and sandblasted bracket bases. However, comparison between the bonding systems presented significantly different results. System A (14.92 MPa) and system C (13.24 MPa) presented statistically greater shear bond strength when compared to system B (10.66 MPa). There was no statistically significant difference between system A and system C.

Frequency of Blastocystis hominis and other intestinal parasites in stool samples examined at the Parasitology Laboratory of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the São Paulo State University, Araraquara

Blastocystis hominis é um protozoário, causador de infecção intestinal denominada blastocistose humana, cujo diagnóstico é realizado pelo exame coproparasitológico e por meio de técnicas de coloração permanente. Este estudo foi desenvolvido para avaliar a freqüência da infecção por Blastocystis hominis em habitantes da região de Araraquara/SP, bem como comparar diferentes métodos para a pesquisa desse protozoário em amostras de fezes. Foram estudadas 503 amostras de fezes submetidas ao exame direto a fresco, às técnicas de Faust e cols, Lutz e de Rugai e cols, além das colorações pela hematoxilina férrica, tricrômio e de Kinyoun modificada. Entre as 503 amostras examinadas, 174 (34,6%) apresentaram-se positivas para a presença de parasitas intestinais. O protozoário e o helminto mais freqüentes foram Entamoeba coli (14,6%) e Strongyloides stercoralis (6,7%), respectivamente. Blastocystis hominis foi observado em 23 (4,6%) amostras fecais com consistência predominantemente pastosa, não caracterizando quadro diarréico. Apesar da baixa freqüência de Blastocystis hominis encontrada na região de Araraquara, comparativamente a outras regiões brasileiras, é importante a realização do diagnóstico laboratorial desse protozoário. O encontro de Blastocystis hominis em material fecal é indicativo de contaminação de alimentos e água de consumo, desde que se admita a rota de transmissão oral-fecal desse parasita, o que implica na orientação da população sobre as medidas de saneamento básico e higiene como meio para se controlar problemas de saúde ocasionados pelos enteroparasitas.

Interpretation of Resistivity Piezocone Tests in a Contaminated Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Site

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

Experimental performance of a direct evaporative cooler operating during summer in a Brazilian city

This paper presents the basic principles of the evaporative cooling process for human thermal comfort, the principles of operation for the direct evaporative cooling system and the mathematical development of the equations of thermal exchanges, allowing the determination of the effectiveness of saturation. It also presents the results of experimental tests in a direct evaporative cooler that take place in the Air Conditioning Laboratory at the University of Taubate Mechanical Engineering Department, and the experimental results are used to determinate the convective heat transfer co-efficient and to compare with the mathematical model. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd and IIR. All rights reserved.

Qualitative and quantitative characterization of aluminium alloys after corrosion testing

The 2024 and 7050 aluminium alloys used as aircraft components were subjected to laboratory corrosion tests in sodium chloride solution, Light-microscope examinations make it possible to characterise morphological aspects of the localised corrosion. Image analysis was used to determine both depth and width of pits over corroded surfaces. It has been concluded that the annealing could reduce the pit growth in both alloys, by means of grains recrystallization or recovery. The 2024 alloy also tends to present an exfoliation mechanism, mainly throughout non-recrystallized and recrystallized grain boundaries, increasing the width and sustaining the depth of pit cavities during exposition to saline atmosphere. SEM and EDS analysis reveal the morphology and elemental distribution of the corrosion products formed after immersion corrosion test. Some of these products were identified by X-ray diffraction analysis. For 2024, Al(OH)(3), MS(OH)(2) and Cu2O were found. AI(OH)(3) and Cu2O were also found in 7050 samples.

Shear bond strength of aesthetic materials bonded to Ni-Cr alloy

Objectives. This study was undertaken to evaluate the shear bond strength of four materials used as aesthetic material bonded to Ni-Cr alloy.Methods. Sixty-eight alloy discs were prepared and divided equally into four groups, and received four treatments for veneering: conventional feldspathic porcelain (Noritake EX-3) and three light-cured prosthodontic composite resins (Artglass, Solidex and Targis). The aesthetic materials were applied after metal structure conditioning in accordance with the manufacturers' recommendations. The specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 degreesC for 7 days. A universal testing machine was used to measure the shear bond strength of the specimens at a cross head speed of 0.5 mm/min. Fractured specimens were examined by using both optical and scanning electron microscope.Results. The analysis of variance and Tukey's test showed that the strongest mean shear bond was obtained with Noritake EX-3 (mean shear bond strength 42.90 +/- 7.82 MPa). For composites, the highest mean shear bond strength was observed for Targis (12.30 +/- 1.57 MPa); followed by Solidex (11.94 +/- 1.04 MPa) and Artglass (10.04 +/- 0.75 MPa). Optical analysis of the fractured surf aces indicated that for Targis and Noritake EX-3 all failures were a mixture of both cohesive and adhesive patterns. As for Artglass and Solidex, the fractures were mainly adhesive in nature.Conclusions. The Solidex system was equivalent to the Targis system in bond strength and exhibited greater strength than the Artglass system. The porcelain fused-to-metal showed considerably higher shear bond strength than the three metal-resin bonding techniques. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. Ali rights reserved.

Shear bond strength of metal-ceramic repair systems

Statement of problem. When clinical fractures of the ceramic veneer on metal-ceramic prostheses can be repaired, the need for remake may be eliminated or postponed. Many different ceramic repair materials are available, and bond strength data are necessary for predicting the success of a given repair system.Purpose. This study evaluated the shear bond strength of different repair systems for metal-ceramic restorations applied on metal and porcelain.Material and methods. Fifty cylindrical specimens (9 X 3 mm) were fabricated in a nickel-chromium alloy (Vera Bond 11) and 50 in feldspathic porcelain (Noritakc). Metal (M) and porcelain (P) specimens were embedded in a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ring and received I of the following bonding and resin composite repair systems (n=10): Clearfil SE Bond/Clearfil AP-X (CL), Bistite II DC/Palfique (BT), Cojet Sand/Z100 (Q), Scotchbond Multipurpose Plus/Z100 (SB) (control group), or Cojet Sand plus Scotchbond Multipurpose Plus/Z100 (CJSB). The specimens were stored in distilled water for 24 hours at 37 degrees C, thermal cycled (1000 cycles at 5 degrees C to 55 degrees C), and stored at 37 degrees C for 8 days. Shear bond tests between the metal or ceramic specimens and repair systems were performed in a mechanical testing machine with a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. Mean shear bond strength values (MPa) were submitted to 1-way ANOVA and Tukey honestly significant difference tests (alpha=.05). Each specimen was examined under a stereoscopic lens with X 30 magnification, and mode of failure was classified as adhesive, cohesive, or a combination.Results. on metal, the mean shear bond strength values for the groups were as follows: MCL, 18.40 +/- 2.88(b); MBT, 8.57 +/- 1.00(d); MCJ, 25.24 +/- 3.46(a); MSB, 16.26 +/- 3.09(bc); and MCJSB, 13.11 +/- 1.24(c). on porcelain, the mean shear bond strength values ofeach group were as follows: PCL, 16.91 +/- 2.22(b); PBT, 18.04 +/- 3.2(ab); PCJ, 19.54 +/- 3.77(ab); PSB, 21.05 +/- 3.22(a); and PCJSB, 16.18 +/- 1.71(b). Within each substrate, identical superscript letters denote no significant differences among groups.Conclusions. The bond strength for the metal substrate was significantly higher using the Q system. For porcelain, SB, Q, and BT systems showed the highest shear bond strength values, and only SB was significantly different compared to CL and CJSB (P <.05).

Effect of temporary cements on the shear bond strength of luting cements

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate, by shear bond strength (SBS) testing, the influence of different types of temporary cements on the final cementation using conventional and self-etching resin-based luting cements. Material and Methods: Forty human teeth divided in two halves were assigned to 8 groups (n=10): I and V (no temporary cementation); II and VI: Ca(OH)(2)-based cement; III and VII: zinc oxide (ZO)based cement; IV and VIII: ZO-eugenol (ZOE)-based cement. Final cementation was done with RelyX ARC cement (groups I to IV) and RelyX Unicem cement (groups V to VIII). Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey's test at 5% significance level. Results: Means were (MPa): I - 3.80 (+/- 1.481); II - 5.24 (+/- 2.297); III - 6.98 (+/- 1.885); IV - 6.54 (+/- 1.459); V - 5.22 (+/- 2.465); VI - 4.48 (+/- 1.705); VII - 6.29 (+/- 2.280); VIII - 2.47 (+/- 2.076). Comparison of the groups that had the same temporary cementation (Groups II and VI; III and VII; IV and VIII) showed statistically significant difference (p<0.001) only between Groups IV and VIII, in which ZOE-based cements were used. The use of either Ca(OH) 2 based (Groups II and VI) or ZO-based (Groups III and VII) cements showed no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) for the different luting cements (RelyX (TM) ARC and RelyX (TM) Unicem). The groups that had no temporary cementation (Groups I and V) did not differ significantly from each other either (p>0.05). Conclusion: When temporary cementation was done with ZO- or ZOE-based cements and final cementation was done with RelyX ARC, there was an increase in the SBS compared to the control. In the groups cemented with RelyX Unicem, however, the use of a ZOE-based temporary cement affected negatively the SBS of the luting agent used for final cementation.

Preliminary Fusion Testing Between Whole Young Colonies of Coptotermes gestroi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Influence of Surface Treatment on the Shear Bond Strength of Ceramics Fused to Cobalt-Chromium

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of surface treatment on the shear bond strength between a Co-Cr alloy and two ceramics.Materials and Methods: Forty-eight metal cylinders were made (thickness: 4 mm, height: 3.7 mm) according ISO TR 11405. The 48 metallic cylinders were divided into four groups (n = 12), according to the veneering ceramic (StarLight Ceram and Duceram Kiss) and surface treatments: air-particle abrasion with Al(2)O(3) or tungsten drill (W). Gr1: StarLight + Al(2)O(3); Gr2: StarLight + W; Gr3: Duceram + Al(2)O(3); and Gr4: Duceram + W. The specimens were aged using thermal cycling (3000 x, 5 to 55 degrees C, dwell time: 30 seconds, transfer time: 2 seconds). The shear test was performed with a universal testing machine, using a load cell of 100 kg (speed: 0.5 mm/min) and a specific device. The bond strength data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's test (5%), and the failure modes were analyzed using an optical microscope (30x).Results: The means and standard deviations of the shear bond strengths were (MPa): G1 (57.97 +/- 11.34); G2 (40.62 +/- 12.96); G3 (47.09 +/- 13.19); and G4 (36.80 +/- 8.86). Ceramic (p = 0.03252) and surface treatment (p = 0.0002) significantly affected the mean bond strength values.Conclusions: Air-particle abrasion with Al(2)O(3) improved the shear bond strength between metal and ceramics used.

Evaluation of the shear bond strength of a composite resin in sound, demineralized and hypermineralized bovine dentin after irradiation with Er:YAG and Nd:YAG lasers, employing a self-etching adhesive system

Background and Objectives. The adhesion of dental materials is important for the success of treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the bond strength of a composite resin applied with a self-etching adhesive system in different dentins after irradiation with Er:YAG and Nd:YAG lasers, observing their morphologic pattern using Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM). Materials and Methods. The buccal surface of 72 bovine incisors was worn until exposure of medium depth dentin. The specimens were divided into three groups; GI: normal, GII: demineralized and GIII: hypermineralized dentin. These were also divided into two subgroups; A-irradiated for 30 s with Er:YAG laser in noncontact mode at 40 mJ and 6 Hz and B- irradiated for 30 s with Nd:YAG laser in contact mode at 60 mJ and 10 Hz. The adhesive system Clearfil SE. Bond (Kuraray) and composite resin Tetric Ceram (Vivadent) were applied on the irradiated area by the incremental technique. After storage for 24 h in distilled water at 37 degrees C, the specimens were submitted to the shear strength test in a universal testing machine (EMIC) at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/min. Other specimens were made to be analyzed by SEM. Results. The results were statistically analyzed by Analysis of Variance and the Tukey test. Regardless of the type of dentin, the bond strength of specimens irradiated with the Nd:YAG laser (8,94 +/- 2,07) was higher compared to specimens irradiated with the Er:YAG laser (7,03 +/- 2,47); the highest bond strength was obtained for the group of hypermineralized dentin irradiated with the Nd:YAG laser. The SEM analysis showed that the Er:YAG laser caused opening of tubules and the Nd:YAG laser produced areas of fusion as well as regions of opening of dentinal tubules. Conclusions. The dentin showed different morphological patterns and the laser promote alterations on their surfaces, influencing the bond strength of the composite resin. (C) 2010 Laser Institute of America.

Micro-Shear Bond Strength of Different Adhesives to Human Dental Enamel

The aim of this study was to evaluate the micro-shear bond strength of 5 adhesive systems to enamel, one single-bottle acid-etch adhesive (O), two self-etching primers (P) and two all-in-one self-etching adhesives (S). Method: Sixty premolar enamel surfaces (buccal or lingual) were ground flat with 400- and 600-grit SiC papers and randomly divided into 5 groups (n=12), according to the adhesive system.. SB2 - Single Bond 2 (O); CSE - Clearfil SE Bond (P); ADS - AdheSE (P); PLP - Adper Prompt L-Pop (S); XE3 - Xeno III (S). Tygon tubing (inner diameter of 0.8mm) restricted the bonding area to obtain the resin composite (Z250) cylinders. After storage in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24h and thermocycling, micro-shear testing was performed (crosshead speed of 0.5mm/min). Data were submitted to one-way ANOVA and Tukey test (a=5%). Samples were also subjected to stereomicroscopic and SEM evaluations after micro-shear testing. Mean bond strength values (MPa +/- SD) and the results of Tukey test were: SB2: 36.36(+/- 3.34)a; ADS: 33.03(+/- 7.83)a; XE3: 32.76(+/- 5.61)a; CSE: 30.61(+/- 6.68)a; PLP: 22.17(+/- 6.05)b. Groups with the same letter were not statistically different. It can be concluded that no significant difference was there between SB2, ADS, XE3 and CSE, in spite of different etching patterns of these adhesives. Only PLP presented statistically lower bond strengths compared with others. J Clin Pediatr Dent 35(3): 301-304, 2011

On saturation control of a non-ideal vibrating portal frame foundation type shear-building

In this paper, we examine the nonlinear control method based on the saturation phenomenon and of systems coupled with quadratic nonlinear ties applied to a shear-building portal plane frame foundation that supports an unbalanced direct cut-rent with limited power supply (non-ideal system). We analyze the equations of motion by using the method of averaging and numerical simulation. The interaction of the non-ideal structure with the saturation controller may lead to the occurrence of interesting phenomena during the forward passage through the several resonance states of the systems. Special attention is focused on passage through resonance when the non-ideal excitation frequency is near the portal frame natural frequency and when the non-ideal system frequency is approximately twice the controller frequency (two-to-one internal resonance).

Development and testing of anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells with slurry-coated electrolyte and cathode

A laboratory setup was designed and put into operation for the development of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The whole project consisted of the preparation of the component materials: anode, cathode and electrolyte, and the buildup of a hydrogen leaking-free sample chamber with platinum leads and current collectors for measuring the electrochemical properties of single SOFCs. Several anode-supported single SOFCs of the type (ZrO(2):Y(2)O(3)+NiO) thick anode/(ZrO(2):Y(2)O(3)) thin electrolyte/(La(0.65)Sr(0.35)MnO(3)+ZrO(2):Y(2)O(3)) thin cathode have been prepared and tested at 700 and 800 degrees C after in situ H(2) anode reduction. The main results show that the slurry-coating method resulted in single-cells with good reproducibility and reasonable performance, suggesting that this method can be considered for fabrication of SOFCs. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.