Probing neutrino mass with multilepton production at the Tevatron in the simplest R-parity violation model

We analyse the production of multileptons in the simplest supergravity model with bilinear violation of R parity at the Fermilab Tevatron. Despite the small .R-parity violating couplings needed to generate the neutrino masses indicated by current atmospheric neutrino data, the lightest supersymmetric particle is unstable and can decay inside the detector. This leads to a phenomenology quite distinct from that of the R-parity conserving scenario. We quantify by how much the supersymmetric multilepton signals differ from the R-parity conserving expectations, displaying our results in the m0 ⊙ m1/2 plane. We show that the presence of bilinear R-parity violating interactions enhances the supersymmetric multilepton signals over most of the parameter space, specially at moderate and large m0. © SISSA/ISAS 2003.

Estudo comparativo dos efeitos hemodinâmicos e ventilatórios da ventilação controlada a volume ou a pressão, em cães submetidos ao pneumoperitônio

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pressure controlled ventilation (PCV) is available in anesthesia machines, but there are no studies on its use during CO 2 pneumoperitoneum (CPP). This study aimed at evaluating pressure-controlled ventilation and hemodynamic and ventilatory changes during CPP, as compared to conventional volume controlled ventilation (VCV). METHODS: This study involved 16 dogs anesthetized with thiopental, fentanyl and pancuronium, which were randomly assigned to two groups: VC - volume controlled ventilation (n=8) and PC - pressure controlled ventilation (n=8). Hemodynamic and ventilatory parameters were monitored and recorded in 4 moments: M1 (before CPP), M2 (30 minutes after CPP = 10 mmHg), M3 (30 minutes after CPP=15 mmHg) and M4 (30 minutes after deflation). RESULTS: With CPP, there has been significant increase in tidal volume in PC group; there has been increase in airway pressures (peak and plateau), decrease in compliance with increase in CPP pressure, increase in heart rate, maintenance of mean blood pressure with higher values in the VC group in all stages; there was also increase in right atrium pressure with significant decrease after deflation, decrease in arterial pH with minor variations in PC group, greater arterial pCO 2 stability in PC group, and no significant changes in arterial pO 2. CONCLUSIONS: There were some differences in hemodynamic and ventilatory data between both ventilation control modes (VC and PC). It is possible to use pressure controlled ventilation during CPP, but the anesthesiologist must monitor and take a close look at alveolar ventilation, adjusting inspiratory pressure to ensure proper CO 2 elimination and oxygenation. © Sociedade Brasileira de Anestesiologia, 2005.

Bezafibrate for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia in HIV1-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy

The use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HIV-infected patients has been associated with the development of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CD) including dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia being the most frequent metabolic disturbance in these patients. Fibrates are indicated when hypertriglyceridemia is accentuated and persists for over six months. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of bezafibrate for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia in HIV-infected individuals on HAART. All patients received 400mg/day of bezafibrate and were evaluated three times: Mo (pre-treatment), M1 (one month after treatment), and M2 (six months after treatment). Fifteen adult individuals, eight males and seven females with mean age = 41.2 ± 7.97 years and triglyceride serum levels ≥400mg/dL were included in the study. Smoking, alcohol ingestion and sedentarism rates were 50%, 6.66% and 60%, respectively. Family history of CD, hypertension and diabetes mellitus was reported in 33.3%, 40% and 46.7% of the cases, respectively, while dyslipidemia was reported by only 13.3%. More than half of the patients were using a protease inhibitor plus a nucleotide analog transcriptase inhibitor. Eutrophy and tendency toward overweight were observed at all three study time points. There were significant reductions in triglyceride serum levels from Mo to M1 and from Mo to M2. No significant changes were observed in the serum levels of creatine phosphokinase, hepatic enzymes, CD4 +, CD8 + and viral load. Therefore, bezafibrate seems to be safe and effective for the reduction of hypertriglyceridemia in HIV-infected patients on HAART. © 2006 by The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Contexto Publishing. All rights reserved.

Avaliação radiográfica, densitométrica e histológica do uso de perfurações ósseas para o estímulo de consolidação de fraturas do terço distal do rádio de cães

To stimulate the bone callus development process from distal third of radius, 24 adult mongrel dogs used were from both sexes. These dogs were separated in two experimental groups of 12 animals each, named control and treated, divided in 4 moments (M1=15 days; M2=30 days; M3=45 days; M4=60 days), who underwent were performed surgical fractures. In treated group, it was performed bone perforations on proximal and distal edges, craniolateral and mediolateral to the fracture site. At the end of each moment, control and treated animals were evaluated by radiography, histology, and bone mineral densitometry (BMD) was determined on fracture site. According to the radiographic data of treated dogs, it was verified on days 15 and 30 more intense bone regeneration than control group. During M3 and M4, it wasn't detected any difference in bone reparation process betweencontrol and treated groups. In densitometric study, BMD values were greater in treated animals than in control dogs. Histological studies revealed at 15 and 30 days chondrocyte hyperplasia and initial endochondral ossification on drilled limbs; control group showed sustainment connective tissue and initial chondrocyte hiperplasia. At M3 and M4 of the treated group, were verified development and remodeling of periosteal callus in more advanced phases when comparing with limbs from control group. It can be concluded that using perforations enhances blood flow supply and activation of osteogenic cells on fracture site, stimulating the beginning of fracture consolidation process.

Alterações de propriedades físicas de um nitossolo vermelho pela sucessão milheto-soja na fase de implantação do sistema de semeadura direta

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of a millet-soybean rotation, during the implantation phase of no-tillage system on the physical properties of a Nitossolo Vermelho distroférrico and the dry mass production of millet and the productivity of soybean. The experimental design used was a randomized blocks, in a split splot arrangement, with four replications. The parcels was constituted by three sowings (E1, E2 and E3) and the subparcels was constituted by harvests, where each harvest handling was: M1 - harvest each blooming and covering withdrawal; M2 - harvest each blooming and covering permanency; M3 - only in the first harvest on blooming and covering withdrawal; M4 - only in the first harvest on blooming and covering permanency, and M5-free growing, with no harvest. Samples were collected from three soil layers: 0-0,05, 0,05-0,10 and 0,10-0,20 m. The E2 showed smaller values of soil density and larger values of total porosity. The E3 resulted in smaller values of flocculation degree and mean weight diameter of the aggregates. The E3 showed smaller production of dry mass.

Fatty acid production by four strains of Mucor hiemalis grown in plant oil and soluble carbohydrates

Four Mucor hiemalis strains (M1, M2, M3 and M4), isolated from soil at a depth of 0 - 15 cm in the Juréia-Itatins Ecology Station (JIES), in the state of São Paulo, Brazil and were evaluated for the production of γ-linolenic (GLA) and other unsaturated fatty acids. Five growth variables (temperature, pH, carbon source, nitrogen source, and vegetable oils) were studied. Liquid media containing 2% vegetable oil (palm oil, canola oil, soybean oil, sesame oil, or sunflower oil) or 2% carbohydrate (fructose, galactose, glycerol, glucose, lactose, maltose, sucrose, sorbitol or xylose) and 1% yeast extract as a nitrogen source were used. The greatest biomass production was observed with M3 and M4 strains in palm oil (91.5 g l -1) and sunflower oil (68.3 g l -1) media, respectively. Strain M4 produced greater quantities of polyunsaturated acids in medium containing glucose. The GLA production in the M4 biomass was 1,132.2 mg l -1 in glucose medium. Plant oils were inhibitors of fatty acid production by these strains. © 2007 Academic Journals.

Pattern of macrophage activation in yersinia-resistant and yersinia-susceptible strains of mice

Th1 cells, in cooperation with activated macrophages, are required to overcome Yersinia enterocolitica infection in mice. The pathway macrophages utilize to metabolize arginine can alter the outcome of inflammation in different ways. The objective of this study was to verify the pattern of macrophages activation in Y. enterocolitica infection of BALB/c (Yersinia-susceptible) and C57BL/6 (Yersinia-resistant) mice. Both strains of mice were infected with Y. enterocolitica O:8 WA 2707. Peritoneal macrophages and spleen cells were obtained on the 1st, 3rd and 5th day post-infection. The iNOS and the arginase activities were assayed in supernatants of macrophage cultures, by measuring their NO/citrulline and ornithine products, respectively. TGFβ-1 production was also assayed. The Th1 and Th2 responses were evaluated in supernatants of lymphocyte cultures, by IFN-γ and IL-4 production. Our results showed that in the early phase of Y. enterocolitica infection (1st and 3rd day), the macrophages from C57BL/6 mice produced higher levels of NO/citrulline and lower levels of ornithine than macrophages from BALB/c mice. The infection with Y. enterocolitica leads to an increase in the TGF-β1 and IL-4 production by BALB/c mice and to an increase in the IFN-γ levels produced by C57BL/6 mice. These results suggest that Y. enterocolitica infection leads to the modulation of M1 macrophages in C57Bl/6 mice, and M2 macrophages in BALB/c mice. The predominant macrophage population (M1 or M2) at the 1st and 3rd day of infection thus seems to be important in determining Y. enterocolitica susceptibility or resistance.

Análise das condições hidrológicas em bacias hidrográficas com differentes uso e ocupação do solo

The analysis of the physical medium in hydrographic basins requires knowledge of the processes involved and characteristics of variables at different geographic scales. Considering the principle that the micro-basins can be categorized, they are then considered territorial units of ideal work for the analysis of hydrologic conditions. The objective of this work was to compare water resources of four hydrographic basins' with different land use and occupation. Five sampling points along the drainage network of hydrographic basins of first order of magnitude and a sampling point in the river mouth of M1 and M4 micro-basins were established. The water collections occurred at monthly intervals from August, 2006 to August, 2007. Temperature (°C), turbidity (NTU), odor, pH, electric conductivity (μS cm-1), dissolved oxygen (mg/L), total dissolved solids (ppm) and total phosphorous (mg/L) were the variables evaluated in the study. The highest variability of the parameters was found in hydrographic basins M2 and M3. The characterization of the hydrologic conditions of the hydrographic micro-basins indicated that agricultural activities, including cultural practices of anthropic activities affect water resources.

Avaliação hematológica de cães naturalmente infectados por Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi submetidos a tratamento com antimoniato de meglumina

The present research was carried out aiming to assess the hematological response of dogs with visceral leishmaniasis submitted to treatment. For this, seven animals naturally infected by Leishmania sp. were submitted to a treatment with 75 mg/kg meglumine antimoniate subcutaneously, 12-12h/3 weeks. In all animals, a complete blood count and bone marrow aspiration biopsy were carried out for a descriptive evaluation at up to seven moments: before the treatment, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days after the start of the treatment. Before the beginning of the experiment hematological alterations were observed in four of the seven dogs (57.1%), among them, nonregenerative anemia, lymphopenia, lymphocytosis and monocytosis. During the course of the experiment the occurrence of leukocytoses, such as left shift neutrophilia and eosinophilia, were observed in some of the animals. Before the beginning of the treatment (M1), the occurrence of erythrocytic hypoplasia was detected by bone marrow cytology in two of the dogs (28.6%). This was reversed through an increase in the amount of erythroid progenitor cells after the administration of meglumine antimoniate. Thus, it can be concluded that the treatment led to normalization of the hematological alterations and recovery of the bone marrow.

Evaluations hematological and biochemical by the use of sodium diclofenac, meloxicam and firocoxib in rats

This work has evaluated the hematological and biochemical profile by the use of sodium diclofenac, meloxicam and firocoxib in Wistar rats. The rats were distributed in groups: G1 (control), G2 (diclofenac sodium: 15 mg/kg), G3 (meloxicam: 2.0 mg/ kg), G4 (meloxicam: 10.0 mg/ kg), G5 (firocoxib: 5.0 mg/ kg) e G6 (firocoxib: 25.0 mg/ kg). The drugs were administered intragastrically (gavage) once a day, during five days and evaluated in three moments: M1 (48 hours after the beginning of the treatment), M2 (96 hours after the beginning of the treatment) and M3 (72 hours after the ending of the treatment). In each moment of each group, five to seven animals were evaluated and laboratory exams were performed. There were no significant changes observed in the biochemical and hematological parameters by the use of meloxicam and firocoxib. One of the effects of the sodium diclofenac was eritrogram variation as hematocrit, erythrocytes, hemoglobin decrease during the treatment. In addition, the platelets and total white blood cells counts did not change except for basophil. There was no changes in AST, ALP, GGT, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium values. However, the values of protein, globulin and albumin decreased. It was concluded that diclofenac sodium does not provide large variations in the hemogram and biochemical profile than the meloxicam and firocoxib do not provide delletery effects in laboratories tests.

DNA repair gene polymorphism is associated with the genetic basis of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease

Background: Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) is a multifactorial process that appears to be caused by the interaction of environmental risk factors with multiple predisposing genes. It is nowadays accepted that increased levels of DNA damage induced by xenobiotics play an important role in the early phases of atherogenesis. Therefore, in this study, we focus on determining whether genetic variations in xenobiotic-metabolizing [glutathione-S-transferase theta 1 (GSTT1), glutathione-S-transferase mu 1 (GSTM1), cytochrome P450 IIEI (CYP2E1)] and DNA repair [X-ray cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1)] genes might be associated with increased risk for CAD. Methods: A case-control study was conducted with 400 individuals who underwent subjected to coronary angiography. A total of 299 were patients diagnosed with effective coronary atherosclerosis (case group; >20% obstructive lesion), and 101 (control group) were individuals diagnosed as negative for CAD (<20% obstructive lesions). The polymorphism identifications for GSTM1 and GSTT1, and for CYP2E1 and XRCC1 genes were performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and by PCR-RFLP, respectively. Results and conclusions: The XRCC1 homozygous wild-type genotype Arg/Arg for codon 399 was statistically less pronounced in the case subjects (21.4%) than in controls (38.5%); individuals with the variant XRCC1 genotype had a 2.3-fold increased risk for coronary atherosclerosis than individuals with the wild-type genotype (OR=2.3, 95% CI=1.13-4.69). Conversely, no association between GSTM1, GSTT1, and CYP2E1gene polymorphisms and coronary atherosclerosis was detected. The results provide evidence of the role of DNA damage and repair in cardiovascular disease. © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evolução metamórfica e termobarometria das rochas metamáficas/metabásicas da região de Pontalina - GO

At the Pontalina region, the Magmatic Arc of Goiás is constituted by orthogneisses, metasediments, metaultramafics and metamafic/metabasics, geochemically related to island arcs. Mineral assemblages related to metamorphic peak observed in the study area are typically of the amphibolite facies and were generated before or during the initial stage of the development of the main foliation (S n). Thermobarometric data show the P and T conditions for the amphibole + plagioclase and plagioclase + garnet + amphibole assemblages in the metamafic/metabasic rocks correspond to amphibolite facies (medium to upper grade), and plot in the kyanite stability field. The results indicate that the metamorphic peak (M1) in the amphibolite facies (medium up to upper grade) reached temperatures slightly higher than 700°C, not exceeding 775°C, under conditions of medium pressure (∼10 kbar). Thermobarometric and petrographic data, related to the metamorphism, indicate a clockwise P-T path for the surrounding rocks.

Micromechanics of dentin/adhesive interface in function of dentin depth: 3d finite element analysis

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the stress distribution on dentin/adhesive interface (d/a) through a 3-D finite element analysis (FEA) varying the number and diameter of the dentin tubules orifice according to dentin depth, keeping hybrid layer (HL) thickness and TAǴs length constant. Materials and Methods: 3 models were built through the SolidWorks software: SD - specimen simulating superficial dentin (41 x 41 x 82 μm), with a 3 μm thick HL, a 17 μm length Tag, and 8 tubules with a 0.9 μm diameter restored with composite resin. MD - similar to M1 with 12 tubules with a 1.2 μm diameter, simulating medium dentin. DD - similar to M1 with 16 tubules with a 2.5 μm diameter, simulating deep dentin. Other two models were built in order to keep the diameter constant in 2.5 μm: MS - similar to SD with 8 tubules; and MM - similar to MD with 12 tubules. The boundary condition was applied to the base surface of each specimen. Tensile load (0.03N) was performed on the composite resin top surface. Stress field (maximum principal stress in tension - σMAX) was performed using Ansys Wokbench 10.0. Results: The peak of σMAX (MPa) were similar between SD (110) and MD (106), and higher for DD (134). The stress distribution pathway was similar for all models, starting from peritubular dentin to adhesive layer, intertubular dentin and hybrid layer. The peak of σMAX (MPa) for those structures was, respectively: 134 (DD), 56.9 (SD), 45.5 (DD), and 36.7 (MD). Conclusions: The number of dentin tubules had no influence in the σMAX at the dentin/adhesive interface. Peritubular and intertubular dentin showed higher stress with the bigger dentin tubules orifice condition. The σMAX in the hybrid layer and adhesive layer were going down from superficial dentin to deeper dentin. In a failure scenario, the hybrid layer in contact with peritubular dentin and adhesive layer is the first region for breaking the adhesion. © 2011 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Osseointegration of implants with dendrimers surface characteristics installed conventionally or with Piezosurgery®. A comparative study in the dog

Aim: The first aim of the present experiment was to compare bone healing at implants installed in recipient sites prepared with conventional drills or a piezoelectric device. The second aim was to compare implant osseointegration onto surfaces with and without dendrimers coatings. Material and Methods: Six Beagles dogs were used in this study. Five implants with two different surfaces, three with a ZirTi® surface (zirconia sand blasted, acid etched), and two with a ZirTi®-modified surface with dendrimers of phosphoserine and polylysine were installed in the right side of the mandible. In the most anterior region (P2, P3), two recipient sites were prepared with drills, and one implant ZirTi® surface and one coated with dendrimers implants were installed at random. In the posterior region (P4 and M1), three recipient sites were randomly prepared: two sites with a Piezosurgery® instrument and one site with drill and two ZirTi® surface and one coated with dendrimers implants installed. Three months after the surgery, the animals were sacrificed for histological analysis. Results: No complications occurred during the healing period. Three implants were found not integrated and were excluded from analysis. However, n = 6 was obtained. The distance IS-B at the buccal aspect was 2.2 ± 0.8 and 1.8 ± 0.5 mm, while IS-C was 1.5 ± 0.9 and 1.4 ± 0.6 mm at the Piezosurgery® and drill groups, respectively. Similar values were obtained between the dendrimers-coated and ZirTi® surface implants. The BIC% values were higher at the drill (72%) compared to the Piezosurgery® (67%) sites. The BIC% were also found to be higher at the ZirTi® (74%) compared to the dendrimers-coated (65%) implants, the difference being statistically significant. Conclusion: This study has revealed that oral implants may osseointegrate equally well irrespective of whether their bed was prepared utilizing conventional drills with abundant cooling or Piezosurgery®. Moreover, the surface coating of implants with dendrimers phosphoserine and polylysine did not improve osseointegration. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Improvement of Matrinxã, Brycon amazonicus, Larviculture by Exposing Eggs to Triiodothyronine

This work evaluated the effect of triiodothyronine (T3) on larviculture of matrinxã, Brycon amazonicus. Oocytes of three females were pooled, fertilized with pooled semen of two males and separated in four batches that were immersed in triiodothyronine solutions as follows: M1 (control - water); M2 (0.01mg/L T3); M3 (0.05mg/L T3); and M4 (0.1mg/L T3). Triiodothyronine did not affect fertilization rate and number of hatched larvae. Weight of hatched larvae was significantly higher in treatments M3 and M4, as well as among larvae sampled at Day 12 in all treatments. After 12d of rearing, biomass gain was higher in the hormone treatments (M1 688±569mg; M2 2436±562mg; M3 3572±569mg; and M4 4129±770mg). In general, coefficients of variation of weight (CVw) and length (CVl) did not differ among treatments and cannibalism was registered between 36 and 72hours post-hatching (h.p.h.) without differences among treatments. Larval survival increased in the hormone treatments (M1 26.5%; M2 37.6%; M3 40.6%; and M4 40.8%). The results indicate that the immersion of matrinxã eggs in triiodothyronine can promote beneficial effects to its larviculture and indicate promising perspectives for culture of this tropical species. © by the World Aquaculture Society 2013.