Loss minimization by the predictor-corrector modified barrier approach

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Synthesis and characterization of Fe(III)-doped ceramic membranes of titanium dioxide and its application in photoelectrocatalysis of a textile dye

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

2D evaluation of crack openings using smeared and embedded crack models

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

MRT letter: Extended depth from focus reconstruction method for stretch zone measurement in 15-5PH steel

The stretch zone width (SZW) data for 15-5PH steel CTOD specimens fractured at -150 degrees C to + 23 degrees C temperature were measured based on focused images and 3D maps obtained by extended depth-of-field reconstruction from light microscopy (LM) image stacks. This LM-based method, with a larger lateral resolution, seems to be as effective for quantitative analysis of SZW as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM), permitting to clearly identify stretch zone boundaries. Despite the worst sharpness of focused images, a robust linear correlation was established to fracture toughness (KC) and SZW data for the 15-5PH steel tested specimens, measured at their center region. The method is an alternative to evaluate the boundaries of stretched zones, at a lower cost of implementation and training, since topographic data from elevation maps can be associated with reconstructed image, which summarizes the original contrast and brightness information. Finally, the extended depth-of-field method is presented here as a valuable tool for failure analysis, as a cheaper alternative to investigate rough surfaces or fracture, compared to scanning electron or confocal light microscopes. Microsc. Res. Tech. 75:11551158, 2012. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Cardiorespiratory and endocrine effects of endogenous opioid antagonism by naloxone in ponies anaesthetised with halothane

Halothane depresses cardiorespiratory function and activates the pituitary-adrenal axis, increasing beta endorphin. In horses, beta endorphin may enhance the anaesthetic-associated cardiorespiratory depression and mortality risk. The authors studied endogenous opioid effects on cardiorespiratory function and pituitary-adrenal activity in halothane-anaesthetised ponies by investigating opioid antagonism by naloxone. Six ponies were anaesthetised three times (crossover design). Anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone and maintained with 1.2 per cent halothane for 2 hours. Immediately after induction, naloxone was administered either intra venously (0.5 mg kg(-1) bolus then 0.25 mg kg(-1) hour(-1) for 2 hours) or intrathecally (0.5 mg) or was replaced by saline as control. Pulse and respiratory rates, arterial blood gases, cardiac output and plasma cortisol and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) concentrations were measured. All groups developed cardiorespiratory depression (40 per cent decrease in cardiac output) and plasma cortisol increased. Plasma ACTH concentration was higher in ponies treated with intrathecal naloxone. Endogenous opioids may inhibit ACTH Secretion, attenuating the stress response to halothane anaesthesia in equidae. (C) 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.

Esophagectomy and substitution of the thoracic esophagus in dogs

OBJETIVO: Avaliar, em cadáveres de cães, uma técnica para remoção do esôfago torácico sem toracotomia e dois métodos de substituição do esôfago torácico. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 27 cadáveres de cães. Estes foram aleatoriamente divididos em três grupos de nove animais, em que se estudou: G1 - esofagectomia torácica total pelo método de invaginação retrógrada; G2 - esofagectomia torácica total com substituição esofágica pelo estômago inteiro; G3 - esofagectomia torácica total com substituição esofágica por um gastrotubo confeccionado de acordo com a técnica de Büchler de gastroplastia por rotação do fundo. Após a ressecção esofágica no grupo 1, a integridade da rota intratorácica foi avaliada por endoscopia e solução de azul de metileno a 1%. RESULTADOS: A ruptura da pleura visceral ocorreu em todos os animais, especialmente no terço caudal. Entretanto, a rota transtorácica mediastinal permitiu a elevação de ambos os substitutos esofágicos (G2 e G3) para a realização da anastomose com a extremidade caudal do esôfago cervical. CONCLUSÕES: A substituição por estômago inteiro apresentou menor tensão na anastomose, maior facilidade e rapidez comparada à técnica de gastroplastia por rotação do fundo. Os resultados em cadáveres suportam a realização de estudos clínicos para validação da técnica.

Romifidine or xylazine combined with ketamine in dogs premedicated with methotrimeprazine

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

Zona thinning with a noncontact diode laser in ICSI embryos from women of advanced age

Purpose: the objective of this study was to determine if the zona thinning (ZT) technique improved the rates of implantation and clinical pregnancy for patients aged, greater than or equal to38 years submitted to an ICSI program.Methods: A total of 100 patients submitted to ICSI and aged, greater than or equal to38 years were divided in a prospective and randomized manner into two groups: Group I - patients submitted to ZT (n = 50); a laser diode with 1.48 mum wavelength (Fertilaser) was used for the ZT procedure with 1-2 irradiations of 10 ms applied to four different positions on the zona pellucida (ZP) of each embryo to thin 60-90% of the ZP (each point with a 15-20 mum length of ZT). Group II - patients with no ZT (n = 50). In both groups, embryo transfer was performed on the second or third day.Results: the age of Group I patients (39.8 +/- 1.3) did not differ (p = 0.67) from that of Group II patients (40 +/- 1.9). The number of oocytes retrieved at metaphase II from Group I (6.4 +/- 4.2) and Group II (6.8 +/- 5) was similar (p = 0.94). Normal fertilization rates and cleavage rates were similar (p = 0.78 and p = 0.63, respectively) for Group I (71.5 +/- 22% and 96.7 +/- 11%) and Group II (73.5 +/- 19.7% and 96 +/- 11%, respectively). The number of embryos transferred was similar (p = 0.53) for the two groups (Group I = 3.1 +/- 1.3; Group II = 2.9 +/- 1.1). The thickness of the ZP of Group I embryos (16.9 +/- 2.4 mum) did not differ (p = 0.97) from that of Group II embryos (16.9 +/- 2.3 mum). The rates of embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy per embryo transfer were similar (p = 0.67, p = 0.61) for Group I (7 and 16%, respectively) and for Group II (8.2 and 22%, respectively).Conclusions: These results suggest that ZT in the population aged, 38 years may have no impact on ICSI success rates. However, this conclusion is limited to a situation in which length of the laser ZT was less than or equal to 20 mum and the laser was applied to four different positions.

Influence of Maternal Hyperglycemia on IL-10 and TNF-alpha Production: The Relationship with Perinatal Outcomes

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

Group B streptococci colonization in pregnant women: risk factors and evaluation of the vaginal flora

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

Treatment with Azadirachta indica in diabetic pregnant rats: Negative effects on maternal outcome

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

Subpopulations of mononuclear leukocytes associated with inhibition of Ehrlich ascites tumor growth by treatment with Bothrops jararaca venom

Snake venoms have been used as antineoplastic substances in several experimental models. We demonstrated in previous studies that Bothrops jararaca venom (BjV) induces inhibition of Ehrlich ascites tumor ( EAT) growth accompanied by an increase of mononuclear (MN) leukocytes in all groups inoculated with EAT and/or venom. The objective of the present study was to characterize the subpopulations of MN leukocytes involved in the inhibition of EAT growth by treatment with BjV. Swiss mice were inoculated with 1.0 x 10(3) EAT cells by the intraperitoneal route and treated with 0.4 mg/kg of BjV by the same route ( Group TV). Treatment was started 24 h after tumor cell inoculation and consisted of five intraperitoneal injections performed at 72 h intervals. After 2, 8 and 14 days, groups of animals were sacrificed and the number of B, TCD4 and TCD8 lymphocytes, macrophages and natural killer cells present in the peritoneal cavity was determined by flow cytometry. The control group consisted of animals inoculated with EAT and treated with 0.1 ml of saline under the same conditions as the experimental group ( Group T). Two additional control groups consisted of animals not inoculated with EAT and treated with saline or venom. Data were analyzed statistically by the Kruskal - Wallis nonparametric test for independent samples. on the 2nd and 8th day we observed a difference between groups T and TV ( group T > group TV) for all cell types, except natural killer cells, that only differed on the 2nd day. However, on the 14th day there was no difference in MN cells among groups. These data suggest that the inhibition of EAT is related to the toxic action of BjV on tumor cells and/or to the proteolytic effect of the venom on the mediators produced by the cells for growth modulation.

Lack of Chemopreventive Activity of Agaricus blazei Mushroom on the Development of 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine-Induced Colonic Aberrant Crypt Foci in Rats

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

Beak trimming methods and their effect on the performance and egg quality of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) during lay

A total number of 720 Japanese quail females, reared under identical management conditions, and receiving feed and water ad libitum, was used. Quails were housed and reared from 1-35 days of age in litter pens in a rearing house, and then were transferred to a quail layer house. This study aimed at verifying if different beak trimming method could optimize egg production and quality by reducing stress and cannibalism among birds. A completely randomized experimental design was used, with six treatments in a 2x3 factorial arrangement, with two beak trimming ages (14 and 21 days) and three beak trimming variants (non-trimmed, 1/3 of the beak trimmed, or 1/2 of the beak trimmed), 6 replicates of 20 birds each. Performance was evaluated by feed intake, percentage of lay, egg mass, feed conversion ratio per dozen and per kg eggs, and mortality. Performance was influenced by trimming variant, with the best results obtained by birds with intact and those with 1/3 of the beak trimmed. Better specific gravity was in quails submitted to beak trimming at 21 days of age, whereas other egg quality parameters did not present significant results. Based the results obtained in the present study, it is recommended to submit to beak trimming either at 14 or 21 days of age.

Comparison of progesterone-based protocols with gonadotropin-releasing hormone or estradiol benzoate for timed artificial insemination or embryo transfer in lactating dairy cows

The objective was to compare two protocols for synchronizing ovulation in lactating Holstein cows submitted to timed AI (TAI) or timed ET (TET). Within each farm (n = 8), cows (n = 883; mean +/- SEM 166.24 +/- 3.27 d postpartum, yielding 36.8 +/- 0.34 kg of milk/d) were randomly assigned to receive either: 1) an intravaginal progesterone insert (CIDR (R)) with 1.9 g of progesterone + GnRH on Day -10, CIDR (R) withdrawal + PGF2 alpha on Day -3, and 1 mg estradiol cypionate on Day -2 (treatment GP-P-E; n(TAI) = 180; n(TET) = 260); or 2) a CIDR (R) insert + 2 mg estradiol benzoate on Day -10, PGF2 alpha on Day -3, CIDR (R) withdrawal + 1 mg estradiol cypionate on Day -2 (treatment EP-P-E; n(TAI) = 174; n(TET) = 269). Cows were subsequently randomly assigned to receive either TAT on Day 0 or TET on Day 7. Serum progesterone concentration on Day -3 was greater in GP-P-E than in EP-P-E (2.89 +/- 0.15 vs 2.29 +/- 0.15 ng/mL; P < 0.01), with no significant effect of group on serum progesterone on Day 7. Compared to cows submitted to TAI, those submitted to TET had greater pregnancy rates on Day 28 (44.0% [233/5291 vs 29.7% [105/354]; p < 0.001) and on Day 60 (37.6% [199/529] vs 26.5 [94/354]; P < 0.001). However, there were no effects of treatments (GP-P-E vs EP-P-E; P > 0.10) on synchronization (87.0% [383/440] vs 85.3% [378/443]), conception (TAI: 35.3% [55/156] vs 33.8% [50/148]; TET: 50.7% [115/227] vs 51.3% [118/230]) and pregnancy rates on Days 28 (TAT: 30.5% [55/180] vs 28.7% 150/174]; TET: 44.2% [115/260] vs 43.9% [118/2691) and 60 (TAI: 27.2% [49/80] vs 25.9% [45/174]; TET: 38.8% [101/260] vs 36.4% [98/269]). In conclusion, GP-P-E increased serum progesterone concentrations on Day -3, but rates of synchronization, conception, and pregnancy were not significantly different between cows submitted to GP-P-E and EP-P-E protocols, regardless of whether they were inseminated or received an embryo. (c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.