Serum haptoglobin types in patients with hemoglobinopathies

Haptoglobin types were determined in 626 individuals living in the State of Sao Paulo (Brazil). Of these, 484 had Hb AA, 31 major beta thalassemia, 43 minor beta thalassemia, 14 Hb SS, and 54 Hb AS. Frequency distribution of the three most common types observed among patients with type beta thalassemia differed significantly from that observed in the Caucasian group with Hb AA. There was a significant increase in Hp 1-1, which led us to assume that these disorders participate in a selective process acting on haptoglobins and altering the equilibrium of their frequencies. This relationship was not observed when we compared patients with Hb SS and Hb AS with Black patients with Hb AA, although the type most often observed among patients with Hb SS was Hp 1-1. The distributions of Hp groups observed among Caucasian and Black patients with Hb AA were similar to those obtained by other investigators for the South and Southeast regions of Brazil, with the exception of Rio de Janeiro.

Distribution of Xylella fastidiosa in citrus rootstocks and transmission of citrus variegated chlorosis between sweet orange plants through natural root grafts

To study translocation of Xylella fastidiosa to citrus rootstocks, budsticks from citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC)-affected cv. Pera sweet orange (Citrus sinenesis (L.) Osb.) were top grafted on 15 citrus rootstocks. Disease symptoms were conspicuous 3 months later on all 15 rootstocks tested. The presence of X. fastidiosa was confirmed by light microscopy, double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and polymerase chain reaction in rootlets and main roots of CVC-symptomatic Pera sweet orange in 11 of the 15 rootstocks tested. These results suggest that bacterial translocation from the aerial plant parts to the root system occurs but is not essential for X. fastidiosa to induce symptoms in the aerial parts. Bacterial translocation to the roots was not correlated with CVC leaf-symptom severity in the Pera scion. To determine if CVC disease could be transmitted by natural root grafts, two matched seedlings of each of four sweet orange cultivars (Pera, Natal, Valencia, and Caipira) were transplanted into single pots. One seedling rootstock of each pair was inoculated by top grafting with a CVC-contaminated budstick while the other seedling rootstock was cut but not graft inoculated. Transmission of X. fastidiosa from an inoculated plant to a noninoculated plant sharing the same pot was observed in all four sweet orange cultivars tested. Transmission was confirmed by observation of natural roots grafts between the two plants, presence of X. fastidiosa in the root grafts, and disease development in the uninoculated plants. This is the first report of transmission of CVC disease through natural root grafts.

Confinement and soliton solutions in the SL(3) Toda model coupled to matter fields

We consider an integrable conformally invariant two-dimensional model associated to the affine Kac-Moody algebra sl3(ℂ). It possesses four scalar fields and six Dirac spinors. The theory does not possesses a local Lagrangian since the spinor equations of motion present interaction terms which are bilinear in the spinors. There exists a submodel presenting an equivalence between a U(1) vector current and a topological current, which leads to a confinement of the spinors inside the solitons. We calculate the one-soliton and two-soliton solutions using a procedure which is a hybrid of the dressing and Hirota methods. The soliton masses and time delays due to the soliton interactions are also calculated. We give a computer program to calculate the soliton solutions. © 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.

Subnotificação de acidentes do trabalho não fatais em Botucatu, SP, 2002

Objective: The implementation of work-related injury prevention policies has been hindered by underreporting of incidents among formal workers, and substantial underreporting among informal workforce. This study aimed at estimating the underreporting of work-related injury in a median-sized city. Methods: A random survey was carried out among residences in the urban area of Brazil. Residents were interviewed about the occurrence of work-related injury to people aged more than nine years in the last 90 days. All incidents reported were double checked in the National Social Security Institute (INSS) records. Results: There were 9,626 residences visited. It was estimated 79.5% (CI 95%: 78.8%-80.3%) of underreporting of work-related injury. Conclusions: Work-related injury reporting is poor in the study location and this may be occurring in other cities. Data suggest the need to build up information systems on Brazilian workers' health. It should incorporate methods, materials and human recourses necessary to recognize, store, analyze, and spread information support injury prevention policies and promote workers' health programs.

Measurement of the tt̄ production cross section in pp̄ collisions at √s = 1.96 TeV in dilepton final states

We present a measurement of the top quark pair (tt̄) production cross section in pp̄ collisions at √s=1.96 TeV using events with two charged leptons in the final state. This analysis utilizes an integrated luminosity of 224-243 pb-1 collected with the DØ detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. We observe 13 events in the e+e -, eμ and μ+μ- channels with an expected background of 3.2±0.7 events. For a top quark mass of 175 GeV, we measure a tt̄ production cross section of σtt̄=8. 6-2.7 +3.2(stat)±1.1(syst)±0.6(lumi) pb, consistent with the standard model prediction. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Estratégias biotecnológicas para a liberação controlada de antígenos e adjuvantes em vacinas através de lipossomas

Liposomes (LP) are colloidal systems with ability to compartmentalize therapeutic molecules in order to improve biological activity, decreases the potential toxicity, and to obtain prolonged effect. In this work it was discussed the role of the various liposomes types to encapsulate drug molecules able to provoke some immunological response (drugs, antigens and DNA). The effect of the liposomes and the parameters about the formation of the structures are also analyzed. Detailed literature review shows that, depending on the molecules polarity and the superficial charge of the liposome structures, the system may be efficiently used to optimize the therapeutic effects by means of the release control or through a drug delivery mechanism.

Histological investigation of a 10% metronidazole and 2% lidocaine dressing on wound healing in rats.

AIM: Alveolitis is considered a disturbance of the alveolar healing process that is characterized by blood clot disintegration, alveolar wall infection and extreme pain. Several substances have been investigated to improve healing and guarantee postoperative comfort to patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate, microscopically, in rats, the healing process in non-infected tooth sockets, after application of a 10% metronidazole and 2% lidocaine dressing, using lanolin as vehicle and mint as flavoring. METHODS: Forty-five rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus, Wistar) had their right incisor extracted and were randomly assigned to 3 groups (n=15): Group I (control): the sockets were filled with blood clot; Group II: application of adrenaline solution at 1:1 000 with an absorbent paper point during 1 min plus filling of the socket with a 10% metronidazole and 2% lidocaine dressing, with lanolin as vehicle, and mint as flavoring; Group III: filling of the socket with the 10% metronidazole and 2% lidocaine dressing, with lanolin as vehicle and mint as flavoring. After 6, 15 and 28 days postoperatively, 5 animals per group were euthanized with an injectable anesthetic overdose. Histological and statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: The results showed that the 10% metronidazole and 2% lidocaine dressing with lanolin as vehicle and mint as flavoring yielded similar response as that of the normal repair group and may be used to prevent the onset of alveolitis in those cases in which any predisposing factor is present. CONCLUSIONS: The use of this dressing has shown a good postoperative patient's comfort and does not cause a significant delay in the alveolar healing process.

α-Lipoic acid-enrichment partially reverses tissue ascorbic acid depletion in pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) fed vitamin C-devoid diets

Effects of dietary α-lipoic acid (LA) and ascorbic acid (AA) on the growth, tissue vitamin C and tocopherol (vitamin E) levels, and malondialdehyde levels were examined in the tropical fish pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus. Pacu juveniles were fed one of four casein-gelatin-based diets for 8 weeks: with 0.05% AA and 0.1% LA (+AA+LA), with AA and without LA (+AA-LA), without AA and with LA (-AA+LA), and without AA and LA (-AA-LA). When the fish received quantities of feed equal to 1.9-2.5% of its body weight, growth was not influenced, regardless of the presence of AA or LA throughout most of the experimental period. Growth was, however, slightly but significantly lower at week 8 in the AA-deficient/LA-supplemented group. An AA-deficient diet caused a highly significant reduction in both total AA and dehydroascorbic acid content in the liver and gill tissues. This reduction of tissue AA concentrations was reversed in a significant manner by LA (antioxidant-sparing effect). The 8-week-long vitamin C deprivation was sufficient to initiate the reduction in tissue ascorbic acid; however, total ascorbate in the liver of fish in the (-)AA/(+)LA group was 127.7±54.3 nmol g-1 tissue, whereas it was 28.6±26.3 nmol g-1 in the (-)AA/(-)LA group, a 4.4-fold difference. This mitigating effect of the addition of the endogenous antioxidant LA to the diet indicates that LA exerts a vitamin C-sparing effect in teleost fish that by far exceeds the phenomena demonstrated in non-scurvy-prone mammals. There was no difference among the different diet groups for vitamin E and malondialdehyde levels in the liver. These results suggest that LA is a potent substance for the prevention of AA deficiency in cultured fishes. The optimal dietary level of LA needs to be determined in the light of the slight reduction in body weight gain after 8 weeks of feeding in the absence of AA. © Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. 2006.

Generating VRS data using atmospheric models: How far can we go?

Nowadays, with the expansion of the reference stations networks, several positioning techniques have been developed and/or improved. Among them, the VRS (Virtual Reference Station) concept has been very used. In this paper the goal is to generate VRS data in a modified technique. In the proposed methodology the DD (double difference) ambiguities are not computed. The network correction terms are obtained using only atmospheric (ionospheric and tropospheric) models. In order to carry out the experiments it was used data of five reference stations from the GPS Active Network of West of São Paulo State and an extra station. To evaluate the VRS data quality it was used three different strategies: PPP (Precise Point Positioning) and Relative Positioning in static and kinematic modes, and DGPS (Differential GPS). Furthermore, the VRS data were generated in the position of a real reference station. The results provided by the VRS data agree quite well with those of the real file data.

A novel single-phase hpf hybrid rectifier suitable for front-end trolleybus systems

This paper proposal presents the development and the experimental analysis of a new single-phase hybrid rectifier structure with high power factor (PF) and low harmonic distortion of current (THDI), suitable for application in traction systems of electrical vehicles pulled by electrical motors (trolleybus), which are powered by urban distribution network. This front-end rectifier structure is capable of providing significant improvements in trolleybuses systems and in the urban distribution network costs, and efficiency. The proposed structure is composed by an ordinary single-phase diode rectifier with parallel connection of a switched converter. It is outlined that the switched converter is capable of composing the input line current waveform assuring high power factor (HPF) and low THDI, as well as ordinary front-end converter. However, the power rating of the switched converter is about 34% of the total output power, assuring robustness and reliability. Therefore, the proposed structure was named single-phase HPF hybrid rectifier. A prototype rated at 15kW was developed and analyzed in laboratory. It was found that the input line current harmonic spectrum is in accordance with the harmonic limits imposed by IEC61000-3-4. The principle of operation, the mathematical analysis, the PWM control strategy, and experimental results of a 15kW prototype are also presented in this paper. © 2009 IEEE.

Determinação bromatológica de pleurotus ostreatus cultivado em resíduos de diferentes cultivares de bananeira

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Resposta de cultivares de trigo ao nitrogênio com e sem tratamento fúngico

The fungicide can enhance response of nitrogen fertilization on wheat crop, since the application of higher N rates can provide better conditions for the development of some diseases. The present study investigated the effects of different nitrogen doses and fungicide application in preventive character on the yield of two cultivars of wheat irrigated, in Savannah conditions. The experiment was conducted in Selvíria - MS, in a Distrophic Red Latosol (Typic Haplustox). Treatments were arranged in a randomized block design, in a 4x2x2 factorial scheme: four N rates (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha-1), topdressing at the early boot stage as urea, two wheat cultivars (IAC 24 and IAC 370), and with and without fungicide application (Tebuconazole and Triciclazol), with four replications. The cultivars IAC 24 and IAC 370 present similar grain yield. The increase of N doses influences the mass hectoliter negatively and the leaf N content and number of ears per m2 positively. The increment of N doses increase the grain yield up to dose of 116 kg ha -1 of N, regardless of cultivar and of the fungicide application in preventive character, due to non occurrence of diseases in the experiment.

Mume clonal rootstocks for 'Aurora-1' peach in São Paulo State, Brazil

In spite of significant results achieved with scion genetic improvement in stone fruits, the peach culture in Brazil still needs studies and new technologies regarding the use of rootstocks. A wide research project has being developed at the Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil, dealing with the use of mume clones (Prunus mume) as rootstocks for peach trees, which has produced promising results. In this research, two mume genotypes propagated by herbaceous cuttings were tested as rootstocks for peach cultivar Aurora-1. Three different tree spacing were used: 6 x 2 m, 6 x 3 m and 6 x 4 m. The experiment was carried out at Vista Alegre do Alto (21°10'14 S, 48°37'45 W, 700 m of altitude), São Paulo State, Brazil. Growing field conditions included Hapludalfs soil with medium sandy texture and using micro sprinkler irrigation. The region has an average chilling accumulation 17.9 hours per year. The evaluations were taken in 2005 and 2006 (2nd and 3rd year after planting, respectively). The trunk diameter was evaluated every three months, from the 24th to the 41st month after planting, totalizing seven evaluations. Plants on 'Rigitano' had higher trunk diameter on the 33rd, 39th and 41st month after planting (May/06, November/06 and February/07, respectively). No significant differences were observed in the other evaluations. The diameter at 5 cm above to the graft point was larger than below, but no incompatibility symptoms were observed between rootstocks and scion. Spacing tested did not influence trunk diameter, phenology and flower bud production in 'Aurora-1' scion. In conclusion, 'Rigitano' and 'Clone 15' are recommended for high density plantings of peach 'Aurora-1' in Brazil, and the 6 x 2 m spacing can be recommended, with productivity advantages for peach under low air relative humidity and mild winter conditions. © ISHS 2012.

Qualidade do leite: Utopia sem um programa sério de monitoramento da ocorrência de mastite bovina

Bovine mastitis is still a costly issue in dairy farms, besides public health aspects considering the pathogen transmission to humans. Its multiple etiology with a high number of pathogens involved, demands a rigorous control program for monitoring and milk quality control, based on diagnostic actions and epidemiological vigilance regarding parameters which indirectly are associated with the occurrence of mastitis in dairy herds, as the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and Somatic Cell Count (SCC/mL of milk), of individual milk samples obtained from each cow, and from bulk tank which also allows the Total Bacteria Count (TBC), usually related to the incidence of mastitis, especially in subclinical cases. It is important to reinforce the microbiological milk exam, also to stress the importance of the milking process as a critical point, and to determine risk factors for mastitis. Based on these aspects, this review is presented with the aim to obtain high quality milk products, compromising the personal enrolled in milk production to be conscious that milk quality depends on all, inclusive the consumers which are the final element in the milk production chain.