Comparative genomic hybridization detects novel amplifications in fibroadenomas of the breast

Comparative genomic hybridization analysis was performed for identification of chromosomal imbalances in 23 samples of fibroadenomas of the breast. Chromosomal gains rather than losses were a feature of these lesions. Only two cases with a familial and/or previous history of breast lesions had gain of 1q or 16q as the sole abnormality. The most frequently overrepresented segments were 5p14 (10/23 cases), 5q34-qter (6/23 cases), 13q32-qter (6/23 cases), 10q25-qter (5/23 cases), and 18q22 (4/23 cases). Some of these regions have previously been associated with breast carcinoma, but this study indicates that gain of these regions can also occur in benign breast lesions. Our findings may provide a basis for conducting further investigations to locate and identify genes associated with proliferation that may be involved in the early steps of tumorigenesis of the breast. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Antioxidant Evaluation of Coriander Extract and Ascorbyl Palmitate in Sunflower Oil Under Thermoxidation

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

Using visual cues of microhabitat traits to find home: the case study of a bromeliad-living jumping spider (Salticidae)

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

Predation risk and jumping behavior in Pseudopaludicola aff. falcipes tadpoles

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

Effects of topical levobunolol or fixed combination of dorzolamide-timolol or association of dorzolamide-levobunolol on intraocular pressure, pupil size, and heart rate in healthy cats

Estudaram-se e compararam-se os efeitos do levobunolol, da combinação fixa de dorzolamida 2%-timolol 0,5% e da associação de dorzolamida 2% com levobunolol 0,5% sobre a pressão intra-ocular (PIO), o diâmetro pupilar (DP), a freqüência cardíaca (FC) e a hiperemia conjuntival em 18 gatos saudáveis. PIO, DP, FC e hiperemia conjuntival foram aferidos diariamente, em três horários distintos (9h, 14h e 18h). Três grupos foram formados (n=6) e um olho de cada animal recebeu, aleatoriamente, uma gota de levobunolol (L), ou a combinação comercial à base de dorzolamida-timolol (DT), ou a associação de dorzolamida com levobunolol (DL). Parâmetros basais foram aferidos no primeiro dia (dia 0). Nos quatro dias consecutivos, os fármacos foram instilados às 8h e 20h e os parâmetros aferidos nos mesmos horários. Todos os parâmetros decresceram significativamente em relação aos valores basais (P<0,001) e não se observou hiperemia conjuntival. O levobunolol reduziu significativamente a PIO, o DP e a FC e o foi o fármaco que mais reduziu a FC. Não se observou efeito sinérgico na redução da PIO quando a dorzolamida foi adicionada ao levobulol.

Velocidade de crescimento, características da carcaça, análise hormonal e morfologia do epitélio intestinal de cordeiros sob dois fotoperíodos

Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito do fotoperíodo sobre o desenvolvimento de ovinos até o peso vivo em torno de 38-40kg, foram utilizados 26 cordeiros Ile de France x Corriedale, divididos aleatoriamente em 2 grupos: fotoperíodo longo(18h de luz/ 6h de escuridão) e fotoperíodo controle(12h de luz/ 12h de escuridão). Diariamente, dados sobre consumo alimentar foram coletados e, semanalmente, os animais eram pesados e amostras de sangue eram colhidas para dosagem dos níveis plasmáticos dos hormônios Triiodotironina(T3), Tiroxina(T4) e Cortisol. Amostras de jejuno e íleo foram coletadas para análise morfométrica do epitélio intestinal, e foram estudadas características da carcaça. Os cordeiros submetidos ao fotoperíodo longo, apresentaram maior consumo alimentar e maior ganho de peso (P<0,05). Não se verificou diferença significativa nas concentrações plasmáticas dos hormônios estudados, na morfometria intestinal e nas características da carcaça. Concluiu-se que o fotoperíodo longo influencia, positivamente, o desempenho dos cordeiros, sendo esta prática economicamente viável.

Avaliação da resistência à corrosão do aço AISI 420 depositado por processos variados de aspersão térmica

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Visible PL phenomenon at room temperature in disordered structure of SrWO4 powder

The SrWO4 (SWO) powders were synthesized by the polymeric precursor method and annealed at different temperatures. The SWO structure was obtained by X-ray diffraction and the corresponding photoluminescence (PL) spectra was measured. The PL results reveal that the structural order-disorder degree in the SWO lattice influences in the PL emission intensity. Only the structurally order-disordered samples present broad and intense PL band in the visible range. To understand the origin of this phenomenon, we performed quantum-mechanical calculations with crystalline and order-disordered SWO periodic models. Their electronic structures were analyzed in terms of band structure. The appearance of localized levels in the band gap of the order-disordered structure was evidenced and is a favorable condition for the intense PL to occur.

Evaluation of grinding fluids in the grinding of a martensitic valve steel with CBN and alumina abrasives

In this paper the performances of different cutting fluids and grinding wheel types were analysed in the grinding of SAE HVN-3 workpieces. The resulting residual stress, wheel wear and roughness were evaluated. The influence of the cutting fluid jet velocity v(j) was also analysed. As a conclusion, the lubrication ability seems to be the governing factor in the cutting fluid performance. The use of CBN wheels can significantly reduce the thermal damage in grinding, leading to compressive residual stresses. The CBN wheel and the cutting oil give an optimum combination for performing this grinding operation.

Dinâmica do potássio no solo e nutrição potássica da soja

Potassium deficiency in soybeans has spread iii São Paulo State, Brazil, as a consequence of soil K reserve depletion. Exchangeable and nonexchangeable K dynamics in soil were investigated in order to understand the reserve exaustion and its significance to soybean nutrition. Soybean was grown in 8 1 pots with five soils differing in K and clay contents, in presence or absence of K fertilization. Soil samples were taken at 20 days interval and soybean was harvest at R6. Exchangeable (H2SO4 0,05 N) and nonexchangeable K (boiling HNO3) were estimated in soil sample. Two of the soils were very poor in exchangeable K, and even so there was no response in dry matter due to K fertilization. In spite of some differences in K contents in some of the soybeans parts, generally K absorption was not affected by K fertilization, except in grains. Potassium acumulation in soybean plants were affected by soils, but the response was not closely related to exchangeable K in soil. The main K source to the plants was the HNO3 extrated K, showing that this form is not at all nonexchangeable. After the period of maximum plant demand there was a sharp increase in extractable K in soil showing a tendency to a natural equilibrium.

Packaging to Preserve 'Aurora-1' Peaches from Two Maturity Stages

The main objective of this research was to evaluate chemical and physical changes in 'Aurora-1' peach harvested at two maturity stages, packed in different types of packaging and kept under refrigeration. Fruit were harvested at the mature green and ripe stages, packed in four different types of packaging (control, PD-900 (TM), PVC and PET) and stored at 6 degrees C. The following variables were evaluated every eight days: coloration, accumulated fresh mass loss, firmness, appearance, acidity, total soluble solids contents, soluble sugars, and percentage of pectin solubilization. We observed that the postharvest life was influenced by packaging and the mature green fruits showed lower disease occurrence. Fresh mass loss was lower in packed fruits. The peel of mature green fruits developed a characteristic ripe peach color at the end of storage, but PD-900 (TM) provided a delay in color change. Packaging also influenced the firmness, allowing for more firmness retention than for the control fruits at both harvest stages. The organic acid content decreased in the packaged fruits and increased in the control fruits. In the packaged fruit, the amount of sugar increased until the eighth day and then decreased until the end of the storage period. The 'Aurora-1' peaches did not show compromised quality by packaging use and exhibited an increase in harvest life to 24 days (compared to 16 days for the control).

Optimization of Radial Basis Function neural network employed for prediction of surface roughness in hard turning process using Taguchi's orthogonal arrays

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effects of stocking density on growth of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, fingerlings in Southern Brazil

Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, fingerlings (mean length: 4.0±0.5 cm) were stocked into sixteen 16-m2 tanks with cement walls and earth bottoms. Four stocking densities were used: 10, 15, 20, and 25 fish/m2. Fish were fed a prepared diet containing 36% protein according to a fish size/water temperature-dependant chart for 120 days. Fish were stocked on January 20, 1992. Average water temperature varied from 19.7°C to 28.5°C. Final mean values of individual fish length and weight were significantly higher (P < 0.05) for the density of 10 fish/m2 and averaged 19.4±2.6 cm and 70.0±16.9 g, respectively. Food conversion ratio was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for fish stocked at rate of 25 fish/m2. Survival rates averaged 91.4%, with no significant differences (P > 0.05) found among treatments. These results demonstrate the viability of channel catfish fingerling growth in southern Brazil.