Caracterização morfológica do útero e tubas uterinas de fetos bovinos da raça Nelore (Bos primigenius indicus) em diferentes fases de gestação

Para a realização desta pesquisa, foram coletados vinte fetos fêmeas em diferentes fases de gestação da raça Nelore. Os cornos uterinos e as tubas uterinas foram dissecados, mensurados e os fragmentos fixados em paraformaldeído tamponado a 4,00%, processados e incluídos em paraplástico. Os cortes com 5 mm foram corados com hematoxilina e eosina, tricrômio de Masson (para fibras colágenas), Verhoeff (para fibras elásticas) e com reticulina (para fibras reticulares). Os resultados mostraram que não há diferença significativa das mensurações entre os lados direito e esquerdo para os cornos uterinos e tubas uterinas, porém há correlação entre os valores obtidos das mensurações dos órgãos em função da idade dos fetos, ou seja, o crescimento dos órgãos acompanha o crescimento fetal. O epitélio de revestimento do útero não apresenta variações morfológicas evidentes no período analisado. A partir de 23 semanas de gestação, a mucosa uterina apresenta evolução marcante no desenvolvimento das projeções e não há aparecimento de glândulas endometriais na parede uterina no período analisado. A camada muscular apresenta a subcamada circular interna desenvolvida até 23 semanas de gestação e a partir de 24 semanas há presença das duas subcamadas. A camada serosa é típica e não mostra variabilidade no decorrer da gestação. As tubas uterinas apresentam diferenças de crescimento, principalmente dos pregueamentos que a partir de 23 semanas de gestação tornaram-se mais altos e ramificados, porém sem aparecimento de pregas terciárias. Com o desenvolvimento fetal, os cílios epiteliais do pregueamento tubárico são maiores em tamanho e em número. Até 32 semanas de gestação, a camada muscular das tubas uterinas apresenta apenas a subcamada circular interna. A camada serosa e o mesosalpinge são típicos e não apresentam variações importantes. As variações mais marcantes para os órgãos estudados ocorreram a partir de 23 semanas de gestação.

Absence of relaxor-like ferroelectric phase transition in (Pb,Sr)TiO3 thin films

We have performed dielectric and micro-Raman spectroscopy measurements in the 298 - 673 K temperature range in polycrystalline Pb0.50Sr0.50TiO3 thin films prepared by a soft chemical method. The phase transition have been investigated by dielectric measurements at various frequencies during the heating cycle. It was found that the temperature corresponding to the peak value of the dielectric constant is frequency-independent, indicating a non-relaxor ferroelectric behavior. However, the dielectric constant versus temperature curves associated with the ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition showed a broad maximum peak at around 433 K. The observed behavior is explained in terms of a diffuse phase transition. The obtained Raman spectra indicate the presence of a local symmetry disorder, due to a higher strontium concentration in the host lattice. The monitoring of some modes, conducted in the Pb0.50Sr0.50TiO3 thin films, showed that the ferroelectric tetragonal phase undergoes a transition to the paraelectric cubic phase at around 423 K. However, the Raman activity did not disappear, as would be expected from a transition to the cubic paraelectric phase. The strong Raman spectrum observed for this cubic phase is indicative that a diffuse-type phase transition is taking place. This behavior is attributed to distortions of the perovskite structure, allowing the persistence of low-symmetry phase features in cubic phase high above the transition temperature. This result is in contrast to the forbidden first-order Raman spectrum, which would be expected from a cubic paraelectric phase, such as the one observed at high temperature in pure PbTiO3 perovskite.

ANATOMICAL STUDY OF THE OPOSSUM (DIDELPHIS-ALBIVENTRIS) EXTRAOCULAR-MUSCLES

The anatomy of the extraocular muscles was studied in 10 adult opossums (Didelphis albiventris) of both sexes. Eight extraocular muscles were identified: 4 rectus muscles, 2 oblique muscles, the levator palpebrae superioris and the retractor ocular bulbi. The rectus muscles originate very close one to another between the orbital surfaces of the presphenoid and palatine bones. These muscles diverge on the way to their insertion which occurs at about 2 mm from the limbus. The levator palpebrae superioris originates with the dorsal rectus and is positioned dorsally in relation to it. The retractor ocular bulbi forms a cone which embraces the optic nerve and is located internally in relation to the rectus muscles. The dorsal oblique originates on the presphenoid bone and after a tendinous trajectory through a trochlea on the medial wall of the orbit, inserts into the ocular bulb. The only muscle arising from the anterior orbital floor is the ventral oblique. The main nerve supply for these muscles is the oculomotor, except for the dorsal oblique which is innervated by the trochlear nerve, and the lateral rectus which is innervated by the abducens nerve. The retractor ocular bulbi receives branches from the inferior division of the oculomotor nerve and some branches from the abducens nerve.

Influence of water level variation on biomass and chemical composition of the aquatic macrophyte Eichhornia azurea (Kunth) in an oxbow lake of the Rio Mogi-Guacu (São Paulo, Brazil)

The influence of water level variation (flood pulse) on the biomass and chemical composition of the aquatic macrophyte Eichhornia azurea, was investigated in a tropical oxbow lake of the Rio Mogi-Guacu, State of São Paulo, Brazil. The flood pulse causes an increase in total nitrogen content from 0.67 to 1.35 mg/L and total phosphorus content from 10.5 to 101.0 mu g/L of the water. This fertilization, associated with other factors, determines a typical seasonal variation in the biomass and chemical composition of the macrophyte.

Effects of direction and curvature on variable error pattern of reaching movements

A number of studies have analyzed various indices of the final position variability in order to provide insight into different levels of neuromotor processing during reaching movements. Yet the possible effects of movement kinematics on variability have often been neglected. The present study was designed to test the effects of movement direction and curvature on the pattern of movement variable errors. Subjects performed series of reaching movements over the same distance and into the same target. However, due either to changes in starting position or to applied obstacles, the movements were performed in different directions or along the trajectories of different curvatures. The pattern of movement variable errors was assessed by means of the principal component analysis applied on the 2-D scatter of movement final positions. The orientation of these ellipses demonstrated changes associated with changes in both movement direction and curvature. However, neither movement direction nor movement curvature affected movement variable errors assessed by area of the ellipses. Therefore it was concluded that the end-point variability depends partly, but not exclusively, on movement kinematics.

Crystallization of the secondary alcohol dehydrogenase from Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus 39E.

The secondary alcohol dehydrogenase from the thermophile Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus 39E has been crystallized at 40 degrees C by vapour difussion using polyethelene glycol as a precipitant. The orthorhombic crystals belong to the space group P 2(1)2(1)2 with cell constants of a=170.0 Angstrom, b=125.7 Angstrom and c=80.5 Angstrom. A native X-ray diffraction data set has been collected to 2.7 Angstrom resolution.

New X-ray powder diffraction data and Rietveld refinement for Gd2O3 monodispersed fine spherical particles

Nominally pure Gd2O3 C-form structure from basic carbonate fine spherical particles and its differences concerning the XRD data among literature patterns using Rietveld method is reported. Gd2O3: Eu3+ from basic carbonate and Gd2O3 from oxalate were also investigated. All samples, except the one from oxalate precursor, are narrow sized, 100-200 nm. Only non-doped Gd2O3 from basic carbonate presents XRD data with smaller d(hkl) values than the literature ones. From Rietveld refinement, non-doped Gd2O3 from basic carbonate has the smallest crystallite size and from oxalate shows the greatest one. Also, the unit cell parameters indicate a plan contraction of the Gd2O3 from basic carbonate. The presence of Eu3+ increases crystallite size when basic carbonate precursor is used to prepare Gd2O3 and avoids plan contraction. The structural differences observed among Gd2O3 samples obtained are related to the type of precursor and to the presence or not of doping ion. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. (USA). All rights reserved.

Thermodynamic models for water sorption by grape skin and pulp

The enthalpy-entropy compensation theory was applied to water sorption for grapes of Italy variety. The moisture sorption isotherms were analyzed using the static gravimetric method at 35, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 75 degrees C. For isotherms construction, the skin and pulp of the grape were used separately and it was possible to observe significant differences. The GAB equation was fitted to the experimental data, using direct nonlinear regression analysis; the agreement between experimental and calculated values was satisfactory. The net isosteric heat or enthalpy of water sorption, determined from the equilibrium sorption data, showed a different behavior when compared with other works, as it was obtained for skin and pulp separately. Plots of Delta h vs Delta S for skin and pulp provided the isokinetic temperatures T-Bs = 423.2 +/- 27.6 K and T-Bp = 424.5 +/- 25.3 K, respectively, indicating an enthalpy-controlled desorption process over the whole range of moisture content considered.

Theoretical studies on the stability of N-methylformamide in both liquid and gas phases

Ab initio (restricted Hartree-Fock and DFT) and molecular mechanics calculations at MM2 level were performed for N-methylformamide (NMF) molecule and for three dimers in order to investigate the relative stability of the cis and trans conformers. The ab initio calculations show that no intramolecular interaction is relevant for the stability of the conformers explored. The trans conformer is the most stable. The MM calculations revealed that a double H-bonded cyclic cis-cis dimer is the most stable among the studied dimers, followed by a 'linear' H-bonded trans-trans dimer. This 'linear' dimer, however, is prevalent in the liquid phase. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Phase II clinical study of an association for the treatment of interstitial cystitis (Cystex (R))

Painful bladder syndrome associated with interstitial cystitis (PBS/IC) is a clinical condition characterized pelvic pain, urinary urgency, and urinary frequency. In this study, 22 patients were assigned to make two visits over a three weeks period. The patients were randomly, double-blinded assigned in two groups. The first group received Cystex (R) capsules. The second group received placebo capsules. Two capsules were taken three times a day away from meals. The change from baseline in the O'Leary-Sant IC symptom and problem index was the primary outcome parameter. Changes in functional bladder capacity and intensity of pain and urgency have been chosen as secondary outcome parameters. Mood as well as physical and sexual activity were rated by 10 questions on a scale 0 to 6. The ratings were analyzed and the average for each patient in both groups Cystex (R) and placebo was determined as the quality of life index. For the primary outcome there was a statistically significant difference between the groups. Mean symptom score-sum decreased from 28.4 to 20.5 in the Cystex (R) group compared with 29.5 to 26.8 in the placebo group (p<0.05). For the secondary end points, pain and urgency intensity improved statistically significantly in the Cystex (R) group compared with the placebo group (p<0.05). The frequency and functional bladder capacity improved to greater degree in the Cystex (R) group. The differences were statistically significant for comparison of frequency (p<0.05) and not for functional bladder capacity (p>0.05). In our study, Cystex (R) enhanced quality of life over the placebo showing a statistically significant. This trial have shown that the efficacy and safety of therapy with Cystex (R) in the treatment of interstitial cystitis and is an alternative for patients suffering from this pathology. Therefore, it can be concluded that the composition of Cystex (R), increased the quality of life in treated patients.

Development of intraxylary phloem and internal cambium in Ipomoea hederifolia (Convolvulaceae)

V. S. PATIL (Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara-390002 India), K. S. RAO (BRD School of Bioscieces, S. P. University, Vallabh Vidyanagar, India), and K. S. RAJPUT (Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara-390002 India). Development of intraxylary phloem and internal cambium in Ipomoea hederifolia (Convolvulaceae). J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 136: 423-432. 2009-In Ipomoea hederifolia L. (Convolvulaceae), internal/intraxylary phloem originated as isolated strands from the procambially derived cells after the formation of protoxylem and protophloem. Bands of internal phloem were apparent in the sixth internode after the development of metacambium. In the relatively thick stems several small arcs/segments of internal cambium ensues from the parenchyma cells between the protoxylem and internal protophloem. Though all the segments were active, some of them (two of them located opposite to each other) were relatively more active. Bidirectional differentiation of these segments gave rise to secondary xylem centrifugally and secondary phloem centripetally, resulting inverted vascular bundles. Rest of the internal cambium segments were unidirectional and formed only secondary phloem centripetally. Like external vascular cambium, the internal cambium was non-storied. Structurally, secondary xylem and phloem was composed of axial and radial system in which rays were mostly uni- to biseriate. Secondary xylem produced by the internal cambium was more or less similar to the xylem formed by the external successive cambia. Secondary phloem produced by the internal cambium was composed of sieve tubes, companion cells, axial and ray parenchyma cells. Simple sieve plates of internal phloem were mostly arranged on transverse end walls in contrast to compound and obliquely placed sieve plates of external phloem formed by the successive cambia.

Dielectric relaxation and dc conductivity on the PVOH-CF(3)COONH(4) polymer system

In the present paper, the ionic conductivity and the dielectric relaxation properties on the poly(vinyl alcohol)-CF(3)COONH(4) polymer system have been investigated by means of impedance spectroscopy measurements over wide ranges of frequencies and temperatures. The electrolyte samples were prepared by solution casting technique. The temperature dependence of the sample's conductivity was modeled by Arrhenius and Vogel-Tammann-Fulcher (VTF) equations. The highest conductivity of the electrolyte of 3.41x10 (-aEuro parts per thousand 3) (Omega cm) (-aEuro parts per thousand 1) was obtained at 423 K. For these polymer system two relaxation processes are revealed in the frequency range and temperature interval of the measurements. One is the glass transition relaxation (alpha-relaxation) of the amorphous region at about 353 K and the other is the relaxation associated with the crystalline region at about 423 K. Dielectric relaxation has been studied using the complex electric modulus formalism. It has been observed that the conductivity relaxation in this polymer system is highly non-exponential. From the electric modulus formalism, it is concluded that the electrical relaxation mechanism is independent of temperature for the two relaxation processes, but is dependent on composition.