Doppler ultrasonography principles and methods of evaluation of the reproductive tract in mares

Background: Doppler ultrasonography is a non-invasive real time pulse-wave technique recently used for the transrectal study of the reproductive system hemodynamics in large animals. This technic is based in the Doppler Effect Principle that proposes the change in frequency of a wave for an observer (red blood cells) moving relative to the source of the respective wave (ultrasonic transducer). This method had showed to be effective and useful for the evaluation of the in vivo equine reproductive tract increasing the diagnostic, monitoring, and predictive capabilities of theriogenology in mares. However, an accurate and truthful ultrasonic exam requires the previous knowledge of the Doppler ultrasonography principles. Review: In recent years, the capabilities of ultrasound flow imaging have increased enormously. The current Doppler ultrasound machines offer three methods of evaluation that may be used simultaneously (triplex mode). In B-mode ultrasound, a linear array of transducers simultaneously scans a plane through the tissue that can be viewed as a two-dimensional gray-scale image on screen. This mode is primarily used to identify anatomically a structure for its posterior evaluation using colored ultrasound modes (Color or Spectral modes). Colored ultrasound images of flow, whether Color or Spectral modes, are essentially obtained from measurements of moving red cells. In Color mode, velocity information is presented as a color coded overlay on top of a B-mode image, while Pulsed Wave Doppler provides a measure of the changing velocity throughout the cardiac cycle and the distribution of velocities in the sample volume represented by a spectral graphic. Color images conception varies according to the Doppler Frequency that is the difference between the frequency of received echoes by moving blood red cells and wave frequency transmitted by the transducer. To produce an adequate spectral graphic it is important determine the position and size of the simple gate. Furthermore, blood flow velocity measurement is influence by the intersection angle between ultrasonic pulses and the direction of moving blood-red cells (Doppler angle). Objectively colored ultrasound exam may be done on large arteries of the reproductive tract, as uterine and ovary arteries, or directly on the target tissue (follicle, for example). Mesovarium and mesometrium attachment arteries also can be used for spectral evaluation of the equine reproductive system. Subjectively analysis of the ovarian and uterine vascular perfusion must be done directly on the corpus luteum, follicular wall and uterus (endometrium and myometrium associated), respectively. Power-flow imaging has greater sensitivity to weak blood flow and independent of the Doppler angle, improving the evaluation of vessels with small diameters and slow blood flow. Conclusion: Doppler ultrasonography principles, methods of evaluation and reproductive system anatomy have been described. This knowledge is essential for the competent equipment acquisition and precise collection and analysis of colored ultrasound images. Otherwise, the reporting of inconsistent and not reproducible findings may result in the discredit of Doppler technology ahead of the scientific veterinary community.

Retention and processing methods of nasal prosthesis

Patients with congenital malformations, traumatic or pathological mutilation and maxillofacial developmental disorders can be restored aesthetically and emotionally by the production and use of facial prostheses. The aim of this study was to review the literature about the retention and processing methods of facial prostheses, and discuss their characteristics. A literature review on Medline (PubMed) database was performed by using the keywords maxillofacial prosthesis, silicone, resin, pigment, cosmetic, prosthetic nose, based on articles published from 1956 to 2010. Several methods of retention, from adhesives to the placement of implants, and different processing methods such as laser, CAD/CAM and rapid prototyping technologies have been reported. There are advantages and disadvantages of each procedure, and none can be classified as better compared to others.

Comparison of different methods of measuring albumin concentration in ring-necked pheasants

The purpose of this study was to compare albumin concentrations in ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) using two different dye-binding methods: the bromocresol green (BCG) and bromocresol purple (BCP). High positive correlation was observed for albumin in BCG and BCP methods. Compared to BCP, the BCG-binding method yielded significantly higher (p < 0. 0001) albumin values for adult female ring-necked pheasants. © 2012 Springer-Verlag London Limited.

Comparative analysis between three methods of bone estimating age in individuals with down syndrome by mode of the hand and wrist ray

The wrist and hand region has been the most commonly used for estimating age and osseous development due to the great number of ossification centers. The aim was to determine which method, Tanner & Whitehouse's (TW3), Greulich & Pyle's (GP) or Eklof & Ringertz's, more closely relates to the chronological age in subjects with Down syndrome with chronological ages between 61 and 180 months, using wrist and hand radiographs. The sample consisted of 85 radiographs, 52 of males and 33 of females. Eklof & Ringertz's method was computerized (Radiomemory). Greulich & Pyle's atlas was used and compared with the wrist and hand radiographs. For the TW3 method, 13 ossification centers were evaluated; for each one of them, there are seven or eight development stages to which scores are assigned; these scores are then added and the results are transformed into osseous age values. No statistically significant differences were observed between the male and female genders for methods TW3 and GP, contrasting with the observed differences for the Eklof & Ringertz method. Correlation (r2) between osseous and chronological ages was 0.8262 for TW3 and 0.7965 for GP, while for the method of Eklof & Ringertz, it was 0.7656 for females and 0.8353 for males. The author concluded that the osseous age assessment method that better related to the chronological age was the TW3, followed by Greulich & Pyle's and Eklof & Ringertz's.

Effect of different methods of cutting fluid application on turning of a difficult-to-machine steel (SAE EV-8)

In this study, different methods of cutting fluid application are used in turning of a difficult-to-machine steel (SAE EV-8). Initially, a semisynthetic cutting fluid was applied using a conventional method (i.e. overhead flood cooling), minimum quantity of cutting fluid, and pulverization. A lubricant of vegetable oil (minimum quantity of lubricant) was also applied using the minimum quantity method. Thereafter, a cutting fluid jet under high pressure (3.0 MPa) was singly applied in the following regions: chip-tool interface, top surface of the chip (between workpiece and chip) and tool-workpiece contact. Moreover, two other methods were used: an interflow between conventional application and chip-tool interface jet (combined method) and, finally, three jets simultaneously applied. In order to carry out these tests, it was necessary to set up a high-pressure system using a piston pump for generating a cutting fluid jet, a venturi for fluid application (minimum quantity of cutting fluid and minimum quantity of lubricant) and a nozzle for cutting fluid pulverization. The output variables analyzed included tool life, surface roughness, cutting tool temperature, cutting force, chip form, chip compression rate and machined specimen microstructure. Among the results, it can be observed that the tool life increases and the cutting force decreases with the application of cutting fluid jet, mainly when it is directed to the chip-tool interface. Excluding the methods involving jet fluid, the conventional method seems to be more efficient than other methods of low pressure, such as minimum quantity of volume and pulverization, when considering just the cutting tool wear. © 2013 IMechE.

Different methods of cutting fluid application on turning of a difficult-to-machine steel

Different methods of cutting fluid application are used on turning of a difficult-tomachine steel (SAE EV-8). A semi-synthetic cutting fluid was applied using a conventional method, minimum quantity of cutting fluid (MQCF), and pulverization. By the minimum quantity method was also applied a lubricant of vegetable oil (MQL). Thereafter, a cutting fluid jet under high pressure (3.0 MPa) was singly applied in the following regions: chip-tool interface; top surface of the chip; and tool-workpiece contact. Two other methods were used: an interflow between conventional application and chip-tool interface jet and, finally, three jets simultaneously applied. In order to carry out these tests, it was necessary to set up a high pressure system using a piston pump for generating a cutting fluid jet, a Venturi for fluid application (MQCF and MQL), and a nozzle for cutting fluid pulverization. The output variables analyzed included tool life, surface roughness, cutting tool temperature, cutting force, chip form, chip compression rate and machined specimen microstructure. It can be observed that the tool life increases and the cutting force decreases with the application of cutting fluid jet, mainly when it is directed to the chip-tool interface. Excluding the methods involving jet fluid, the conventional method seems to be more efficient than other methods of low pressure. © (2013) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.

Effect of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy on periodontally infected tooth sockets in rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) in alveolar treatment of areas with induced periodontitis. Thirty male Wistar rats were subjected to ligature-induced periodontal disease (PD) in the first left inferior molars, while the right side molars did not receive ligatures. After 7 days of PD evolution, ligatures were removed from the left side, and the first left and right mandibular molars were extracted. Afterwards, animals were divided into groups according to the following treatments: control (C)-no treatment; mechanical debridement (MD)-mechanical debridement and irrigation with saline solution; and aPDT-mechanical debridement, irrigation with toluidine blue O (TBO), and 1 min of laser irradiation (GaAlAs, 660 nm, 30 mW, 32 J/cm2, 60 s). Ligatures were removed and samples of the alveolar content after extraction and after each treatment were collected for microbial processing by real-time polymerase chain reaction with specific primers for Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Treponema denticola. Data were submitted to statistical analysis by multiple comparison tests (McNemar test; p < 0.05). T. denticola was not found in the collected samples. A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis were found in ligature samples. Tooth socket samples without periodontitis induction presented lesser microbial charge than samples with induced periodontitis (p < 0.05). aPDT significantly reduced A. actinomycetemcomitans levels on the left side (p < 0.05). It was concluded that aPDT was an effective antimicrobial treatment for tooth sockets in areas affected by induced periodontitis. © 2013 Springer-Verlag London.

Methods of Analysis for Peritubular Capillaritis and Glomerulitis in Acute Renal Rejection: Capillaritis in Management of Routine Diagnosis

Glomerulitis and peritubular capillaritis have been recognized as important lesions in acute renal rejection (AR). We studied glomerulitis and peritubular capillaritis in AR by 2 methods and investigated associations with C4d, type/grade of AR, and allograft survival time. Glomerulitis was measured according to Banff scores (glomerulitis by Banff Method [gBM]) and by counting the number of intraglomerular inflammatory cells (glomerulitis by Quantitative Method [gQM]). Capillaritis was classified by the Banff scoring system (peritubular capillaritis by Banff Method [ptcBM]) and by counting the number of cells in peritubular capillaries in 10 high-power fields (hpf; peritubular capillaritis by Quantitative Method [ptcQM]). These quantitative analyses were performed in an attempt to improve our understanding of the role played by glomerulitis and capillaritis in AR. The g0 + g1 group (gBM) associated with negative C4d (P = .02). In peritubular capillaritis, a larger number of cells per 10 hpf in peritubular capillaries (ptcQM) were observed in positive C4d cases (P = .03). The group g2 + g3 (gBM) correlated with graft loss (P = .01). Peritubular capillaritis was not significantly related to graft survival time. Our study showed that the Banff scoring system is the best method to study glomerulitis and observed that the evaluation of capillaritis in routine biopsies is difficult and additional studies are required for a better understanding of its meaning in AR biopsy specimens of renal allografts.

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Silver Nanoparticles for Carboxymethylcellulose Film Applications in Food Packaging

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Evaluation of different methods of cooling-lubrication in cylindrical grinding of advanced ceramic dip

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

Finite element evaluation of three methods of stable fixation of condyle base fractures

The surgical treatment of mandibular condyle fractures currently offers several possibilities for stable internal fixation. In this study, a finite element model evaluation was performed of three different methods for osteosynthesis of low subcondylar fractures: (1) two four-hole straight plates, (2) one seven-hole lambda plate, and (3) one four-hole trapezoidal plate. The finite element model evaluation considered a load applied to the first molar on the contralateral side to the fracture. Results showed that, although the three methods are capable of withstanding functional loading, the lambda plate displayed a more homogeneous stress distribution for both osteosynthesis material and bone and may be a better method when single-plate fixation is the option.

Radiographic evaluation of root canal cleaning, main and laterals, using different methods of final irrigation

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Estimation methods of reference evapotranspiration (ETo) for Uberlândia -MG

One approach to verify the adequacy of estimation methods of reference evapotranspiration is the comparison with the Penman-Monteith method, recommended by the United Nations of Food and Agriculture Organization - FAO, as the standard method for estimating ET0. This study aimed to compare methods for estimating ET0, Makkink (MK), Hargreaves (HG) and Solar Radiation (RS), with Penman-Monteith (PM). For this purpose, we used daily data of global solar radiation, air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed for the year 2010, obtained through the automatic meteorological station, with latitude 18° 91' 66 S, longitude 48° 25' 05 W and altitude of 869m, at the National Institute of Meteorology situated in the Campus of Federal University of Uberlandia - MG, Brazil. Analysis of results for the period were carried out in daily basis, using regression analysis and considering the linear model y = ax, where the dependent variable was the method of Penman-Monteith and the independent, the estimation of ET0 by evaluated methods. Methodology was used to check the influence of standard deviation of daily ET0 in comparison of methods. The evaluation indicated that methods of Solar Radiation and Penman-Monteith cannot be compared, yet the method of Hargreaves indicates the most efficient adjustment to estimate ETo.

Assessment of antimicrobial activity of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) essential oil combined with EDTA and polyethylene glycol in yogurt

Essential oils (EOs) are technological options that may be employed in natural foods due to their antimicrobial activities. However, restrictions exist when high EOs concentrations are required which, in their turn, affect sensory qualities. Technological alternatives, such as combination of EOs with chelating and dispersing agents, have been proposed in the literature. Current research determined the antimicrobial activity of cinnamon EO against microbial spoilage in yogurt when added at the highest acceptable sensory EO concentration, alone or associated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and/or polyethylene glycol. Cinnamon EO's chemical analysis was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Sensory analysis was conducted to define the highest acceptable sensory concentration of cinnamon EO in yogurt, stipulated at 0.04% cinnamon EO. Antimicrobial activity in yogurt was then evaluated for aerobic mesophiles, psychrotrophilic microorganisms, yeasts and molds counts. Treatments comprised (1) control, (2) 0.04% EO, (3) 0.04% EO + 0.01% EDTA, (4) 0.04% EO + 0.02% polyethylene glycol; (5) 0.04% EO + 0.01% EDTA + 0.2% polyethylene glycol, in triplicates. Concentration 0.04% of cinnamon EO, alone or associated with EDTA and/or polyethylene glycol, failed to show any antimicrobial activity against aerobic mesophiles, yeasts and molds.