Capacidade predatória de chrysoperla externa sobre bemisia tabaci biótipo b expostas ao fungo metarhizium anisopliae

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of Metarhizium anisopliae on the predatory capacity and functional response of Chrysoperla externa fed Bemisia tabaci B biotype rearing cotton. The stock rearings of B. tabaci B biotype and C. externa were maintained in cages according to preexisting methodologies. Upon hatching, predator larvae were fed on eggs of Ephestia küehniella until their 3rd instar and then fed on whitefly nymphs in density exceeding their intake capacity (150 nymphs/individual). The nymphs were offered on cotton leaf disks (5 cm diameter), 24 hours after the treatments application following: T1: Control (water); T2: M. anisopliae at the concentration of 105 conidia cm-3; T3: 10 8 conidia cm-3 origined from Metharril® formulation of the 109 viable conidia cm-3 M. anisopliae active principle. The predatory capacity was obtained by the difference between the numbers of nymphs supplied and nymphs left. Five different nymphal densities (130, 160, 190, 220, and 250) were selected for the functional response study. The number of nymphs preyed was recorded after 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. The M. anisopliae entomopathogenic fungi did not influence predatory capacity of C. externa which ranged from 70.6 individuals at the highest concentration to 87.1 in the control. Conclued that the C. externa predatory capacity was not affected by fungi M. anisopliae concentrations. The predator showed a type-II functional response after 24 hours, and a type-I response after 48, 72s, and 96 hours independent from fungi concentrations.

In vitro analysis with human bone marrow stem cells on Ti-15Mo alloy for dental and orthopedic implants application

Aim: Nowadays, research on orthopedic and dental implants is focused on titanium alloys for their mechanical properties and corrosion resistance in the human body environment. Another important aspect to be investigated is their surface topography, which is very important to osseointegration. With laser beam irradiation for roughening the implants surface an easier control of the microtopography is achieved, and surface contamination is avoided. The aim of this study was to assess human bone marrow stem cells response to a newly developed titanium alloy, Ti-15Mo, with surface topography modified by laser beam irradiation. Materials and methods: A total of 10 Ti machined disks (control), 10 Ti-15Mo machined disks and 10 Ti-15Mo disks treated by laser beam-irradiation were prepared. To study how Ti-15Mo surface topografy can induce osteoblast differentiation in mesenchymal stem cells, the expression levels of bone related genes and mesenchymal stem cells marker were analyzed, using real time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction. Results: In Test 1 (comparison between Ti-15Mo machined disks and Ti-machined disks) quantitative real-time RT-PCR showed a significant induction of ALPL, FOSL1 and SPP1, which increase 20% or more. In Test 2 (comparison between Ti-15Mo laser treated disks and Ti-machined disks) all investigated genes were up-regulated. By comparing Test 1 and Test 2 it was detected that COL1A1, COL3A1, FOSL1 and ENG sensibly increased their expression whereas RUNX2, ALPL and SPP1 expression remained substantially unchanged. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that laser treated Ti-15Mo alloys are promising materials for implants application.

Evaluation of tissue reaction, cell viability and cytokine production induced by Sealapex Plus

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), Sealapex, and a combination of Sealapex and MTA (Sealapex Plus) on the reaction of subcutaneous connective tissue of rats, and on cell viability and cytokine production in mouse fibroblasts. The tissue reaction was carried out with dentin tubes containing the materials implanted in the dorsal connective tissue of rats. The histological analysis was performed after 7 and 30 days. Millipore culture plate inserts with polyethylene tubes filled with materials were placed into 24-well cell culture plates with mouse fibroblasts to evaluate the cell viability by MTT assay. ELISA assays were also performed after 24 h of exposure of the mouse fibroblasts to set material disks. Histopathologic examination showed Von Kossa-positive granules that were birefringent to polarized light for all the studied materials at the tube openings. No material inhibited the cell viability in the in vitro test. It was detected IL-6 production in all root-end filling materials. MTA and Sealapex Plus induced a slight raise of mean levels of IL-1β. The results suggest that Sealapex Plus is biocompatible and stimulates the mineralization of the tissue.

Color stability of resins and nylon as denture base material in beverages

Purpose: Staining of prosthodontic materials may result in patient dissatisfaction and additional expense for replacement. This study aimed to determine the color stability of two heat-cured denture base acrylic (Lucitone 550, Vipi Cril) and one nylon denture base resin (Transflex) after immersion in beverages. Materials and Methods: Forty disks of each resin (20.0-mm diameter, 3.0-mm thick) were prepared and stored in distilled water for 24 hours at 37°C. During that time (T 0), the color of all specimens was spectrophotometrically measured. Each specimen was immersed in coffee, cola, red wine, and distilled water as a means of control. After 15-day (T 1) and 30-day (T 2) periods of immersion, the color of the specimens was measured again. The CIE (Commission Internationale de L' Eclairage) L*a*b* system was used to determine mean ΔE (color changes) values for each material and compared statistically with two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni intervals at 0.95. Results: In ΔET 0T 1 and ΔET 0T 2 the most severe staining was apparent with red wine (p < 0.001), followed by coffee (p < 0.01), when compared to the specimens stored in distilled water. Transflex also showed significant color change after immersion in cola (p < 0.01). In ΔET 1T 2 only red wine promoted significant staining of all resins (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Chromatic changes were exhibited by specimens immersed in red wine, followed by coffee. For Transflex, cola also promoted color changes. The values of color changes converted to National Bureau of Standard units showed them to be perceivable to the human eye. © 2011 by the American College of Prosthodontists.

Simulation of the flow through automatic valves of hermetic compressors by the immersed boundary method approach

The main goal of the present work is to verify the applicability of the Immersed Boundary Method together with the Virtual Physical Model to solve the flow through automatic valves of hermetic compressors. The valve was simplified to a two-dimensional radial diffuser, with diameter ratio of D/d = 1.5, and simulated for a one cycle of opening and closing process with a imposed velocity of 3.0 cm/s for the reed, dimensionless gap between disks in the range of 0.07 < s/d < 0.10, and inlet Reynolds number equal to 1500. The good results obtained showed that the methodology has great potential as project tool for this type of valve systems. © The Authors, 2011.

Effectiveness of mechanical brushing with different denture cleansing agents in reducing in vitro Candida albicans biofilm viability

The adhesion of Candida albicans to surfaces is the prerequisite for occurrence of denture stomatitis, a common disease diagnosed among denture wearers. A routine of denture cleansing is essential to prevent biofilm formation and the onset of this infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of combining brushing and cleansing agents in killing C. albicans biofilm. Disks of acrylic resin were made, sterilized, and inoculated with C. albicans (107 cfu/mL). After incubation (37°C/48 h), specimens were randomly assigned to 10 experimental groups (n=9): 5 subjected to brushing with distilled water or cleansing agents - dentifrice slurry, 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX), 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), and Polident fresh cleanse® (combined method) - and 4 exposed to the cleansing agents without brushing (immersion). Non-cleansed specimens were used as positive controls. The viability of cells was evaluated by XTT reduction method. Results were analyzed by Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests (α=0.05). The combined method was significantly more effective (p<0.0001) in reducing biofilm viability than the immersion. Brushing with CHX and NaOCl resulted in 100% removal of the biofilm. Immersion in the agents reduced significantly (p<0.0001) the biofilm viability, with CHX being the most effective (p<0.0001). The use of the combined method of brushing with cleansing agents is an effective method to reduce C. albicans biofilm, being CHX and NaOCl the most effective solutions.

Efficacy and cytotoxicity of a bleaching gel after short application times on dental enamel

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate and correlate the efficacy and cytotoxicity of a 35 % hydrogen peroxide (HP) bleaching gel after different application times on dental enamel. Materials and methods: Enamel/dentin disks in artificial pulp chambers were placed in wells containing culture medium. The following groups were formed: G1, control (no bleaching); G2 and G3, three or one 15-min bleaching applications, respectively; and G4 and G5, three or one 5-min bleaching applications, respectively. Extracts (culture medium with bleaching gel components) were applied for 60 min on cultured odontoblast-like MDPC-23 cells. Cell metabolism (methyl tetrazolium assay) (Kruskal-Wallis/Mann-Whitney; α = 5 %) and cell morphology (scanning electron microscopy) were analyzed immediately after the bleaching procedures and the trans-enamel and trans-dentinal HP diffusion quantified (one-way analysis of variance/Tukey's test; α = 5 %). The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was evaluated 24 h after the contact time of the extracts with the cells (Kruskal-Wallis/Mann-Whitney; α = 5 %). Tooth color was analyzed before and 24 h after bleaching using a spectrophotometer according to the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage L*a*b* system (Kruskal-Wallis/Mann-Whitney; α = 0.05). Results: Significant difference (p < 0.05) in cell metabolism occurred only between G1 (control, 100 %) and G2 (60.6 %). A significant decrease (p < 0.05) in ALP activity was observed between G2, G3, and G4 in comparison with G1. Alterations on cell morphology were observed in all bleached groups. The highest values of HP diffusion and color alterations were observed for G2, with significant difference among all experimental groups (p < 0.05). G3 and G4 presented intermediate color change and HP diffusion values with no statistically significant differences between them (p > 0.05). The lowest amount of HP diffusion was observed in G5 (p < 0.05), which also exhibited no significant color alteration compared to the control group (p > 0.05). Conclusions: HP diffusion through dental tissues and its cytotoxic effects were proportional to the contact time of the bleaching gel with enamel. However, shorter bleaching times reduced bleaching efficacy. Clinical relevance: Shortening the in-office tooth bleaching time could be an alternative to minimize the cytotoxic effects of this clinical procedure to pulp tissue. However, the reduced time of bleaching agent application on enamel may not provide adequate esthetic outcome. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Delimitação entre os lenhos juvenil e adulto de pinus elliottii engelm

Trees produce different types of woody tissue during growth. The xylem produced in the first years until a certain cambial age is called juvenile wood and has different physical, mechanical, chemical and anatomical characteristics from that produced later, when the cambial cells have matured. Thus, prior knowledge of the quality of the wood is of fundamental importance for choosing the best use of the material. This work aimed at using data from length of the tracheid and wood density to define the age transition from juvenile to mature wood. For this, three Pinus elliottii var. elliottii trees, aged 35 years, were collected at the Itapetininga Experimental Station, located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. From each tree, disks of about 5 cm thick were obtained 0.05 m above the ground and used to determine the radial density by the gamma ray attenuation method and to measure the length of the tracheids. The results obtained by linear regression analysis showed that juvenile wood is limited to the first seven years of tree growth and the formation of mature wood occurs after twenty years. For the mature wood, there are significant differences among the averages obtained from the tracheid length and wood density.

Altering the adsorptive and electronic properties of Pt through poly(vinyl alcohol) adsorption

In the present paper we investigated the effect of adsorbed PVA on Pt electrodes on classic electrochemical processes such as hydrogen UPD, oxygen reduction and CO electro-oxidation. Upon adsorption PVA blocks roughly 50% of the hydrogen sites and can not be removed from the Pt surface through cycling in the potential range of 0.05-1.0 V vs. RHE. Potentiodynamic experiments under controlled hydrodynamic conditions provided by rotating disk electrode experiments showed a negative impact of the adsorbed PVA on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Cyclic-voltammetry results revealed that not even CO was able to remove PVA from the Pt surface. Regarding the oxidation of CO, the adsorbed polymer positively shifted the CO oxidation peak potential, therefore higher potentials are required to free the Pt surface from CO poisoning. In situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy evidenced that the presence of PVA shifted the linearly bound CO frequency toward higher wavenumbers, a process found to be independent of the Pt surface orientation. In situ electrochemical X-ray absorption spectroscopy results showed that PVA also impacted the electronic properties of platinum by decreasing the occupancy of the Pt conducting 5d band. Our findings clearly support the efforts toward understanding the nature of the interaction between polymers and metallic surfaces as well as the impact on technological applications (e.g. in PEMFCs). © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Smoking is associated with remodeling of gap junction in the rat heart: Smoker's paradox explanation?

Background: In a previous study utilizing the rat model, exposure to tobacco smoke for 5 weeks increased survival after AMI, despite similar age and infarct size between the smokers and nonsmokers, and absence of reperfusion. Objective: Thus, this study aimed to analyze the effects of exposure to tobacco smoke on intensity, distribution or phosphorylation of connexin 43 in the rat heart. Methods: Wistar rats weighing 100 g were randomly allocated into 2 groups: 1) Control (n = 25); 2) Exposed to tobacco smoke (ETS), n = 23. After 5 weeks, left ventricular morphometric analysis, immunohisthochemistry and western blotting for connexin 43 (Cx43) were performed. Results: Collagen volume fraction, cross-sectional areas, and ventricular weight were not statistically different between control and ETS. ETS showed lower stain intensity of Cx43 at intercalated disks (Control: 2.32 ± 0.19; ETS: 1.73 ± 0.18; p = 0.04). The distribution of CX43 at intercalated disks did not differ between the groups (Control: 3.73 ± 0.12; ETS: 3.20 ± 0.17; p = 0.18). ETS rats showed higher levels of dephosphorylated form of Cx43 (Control: 0.45 ± 0.11; ETS: 0.90 ± 0.11; p = 0.03). On the other hand, total Cx43 did not differ between control and ETS groups (Control: 0.75 ± 0.19; ETS: 0.93 ± 0.27; p = 0.58). Conclusion: Exposure to tobacco smoke resulted in cardiac gap junction remodeling, characterized by alterations in the quantity and phosphorylation of the Cx43, in rats hearts. This finding could explain the smoker's paradox observed in some studies.

Crustal growth in the 3.4-2.7Ga São José de Campestre Massif, Borborema Province, NE Brazil

The Archean (3.45-2.70Ga) rocks of the São José do Campestre Massif (SJCM) in the Borborema Province (NE Brazil) make up a small area (~6000km2) and are composed of granitoids and metasupracrustal rocks that define a complex magmatic and deformational history. The massif provides the opportunity to study mantle- and crustal-derived magmas generated since the Palaeoarchean. The orthogneisses of the SJCM are composed of: (1) tonalite to granodiorite with diorite enclaves (Bom Jesus gneiss, 3412±8Ma; TDM Nd model ages from 4.1 to 3.5Ga and negative epsilon Nd values); (2) biotite and ferroan-diopside monzogranite (Presidente Juscelino complex, 3356±21Ma and 3251±44Ma; TDM model ages range from 4.1 to 3.4Ga and epsilon Nd values that are slightly positive to negative); (3) hornblende tonalite to granodiorite (Brejinho complex, 3333±77Ma and 3187±8Ma; dominantly positive epsilon Nd values and TDM ages from 3.6 to 3.2Ga); (4) biotite monzogranite (São Pedro do Potengi gneiss, 3120±22Ma; TDM =3.5Ga; negative epsilon Nd value); (5) ferroan-diopside-grossular anorthosite and metagabbro (Senador Elói de Souza complex, 3033±3Ma); and (6) quartz diorite to syenogranite (São José do Campestre complex; 2685±9Ma and 2655±4Ma; negative epsilon Nd values and TDM ages from 3.9 to 3.3Ga). The orthogneisses are subalkaline to faintly alkaline, magnesian to ferroan, M- and I-type granitoids that follow either the K-enrichment or the trondhjemite trends. Each group has a subset with REE characteristics similar to Archean TTG and another that is analogous to Phanerozoic granitoids. They have negative Ta-Nb and Ti anomalies and have trace element contents of granitoids from subduction zones. Geochemical and Nd isotope data suggest that subducted oceanic crust and a depleted and metasomatised mantle wedge both acted as the magma sources. We propose a convergent tectonic model in which hybridisation of the upper mantle occurs through interactions with adakitic or trondhjemitic melts and recycling of earlier crust. The results imply that both the subducted oceanic crust and the mantle wedge played major roles in continent formation throughout successive episodes of arc accretion in Palaeo- and Mesoarchean times. The Archean rocks of the SJCM shares some similarities with the Pilbara, Kaapvaal, West African, and São Francisco cratons. However, the most reliable comparisons with the SJCM are with the neighbouring basement of the Nigeria and Cameroon shields. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Development and evaluation of praziquantel solid dispersions in sodium starch glycolate

Purpose: To develop and characterize solid dispersions of praziquantel (PZQ) with sodium starch glycolate (SSG) for enhanced drug solubility. Methods: PZQ solid dispersion (SD) was prepared using co-precipitation method by solvent evaporation. The ratios of PZQ to SSG were 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 (w/w). PZQ solubility was evaluated in purified water, and PZQ dissolution test was carried out in 0.1N HCl. Structural characterization of the dispersions was accomplished by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) while the external morphology of the SDs, SSG and PZQ were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mucoadhesion properties of the SD (1:3) and SSG, on mucin disks were examined using texture profile analysis. Results: The highest solubility was obtained with 1:3 solid dispersion, with PZQ solubility of 97.31 %, which is 3.65-fold greater than the solubility of pure PZQ and physical misture (PM, 1:3). XRD results indicate a reduction in PZQ crystallinity while infrared spectra showed that the functional groups of PZQ and SSG were preserved. SEM showed that the physical structure of PZQ was modified from crystalline to amorphous. The amount of PZQ in PM and SD (1:3) that dissolved in 60 min was 70 and 88 %, respectively, and these values increased to 76 and 96 %, respectively. The solid dispersion reduced the mucoadhesive property of the glycolate. Conclusion: Solid dispersion formulation using SSG is a good alternative approach for increasing the dissolution rate of PZQ. © Pharmacotherapy Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, 300001 Nigeria. All rights reserved.

Non-conventional vortex configurations in a mesoscopic flat disk

The influence of superficial defects on the vortex configurations of a thin superconducting disk is investigated within the time dependent Ginzburg-Landau formalism. The free energy, magnetization, vorticity, and the Cooper pair density are calculated for both metastable and stable vortex configurations and different number of defects on its surface in the presence of an external magnetic field applied perpendicular to the disk area. We show that the competition between the confinement geometry and the geometric position of the defects leads to non-conventional vortex configurations which are not compatible with the symmetry of the sample geometry.

Photodynamic inactivation of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis biofilms in vitro

The purpose of this study was to evaluate specific effects of photodynamic inactivation (PDI) using erythrosine (ER) and Rose Bengal (RB) photosensitizers and a blue light-emitting diode (LED) on the viability of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis biofilms. Biofilms were grown in acrylic disks immersed in broth to production of biofilms, inoculated with microbial suspension (106 cells/mL) and incubated for 48 h. After the formation of biofilms, the effects of the photosensitizers ER and RB at a concentration of 5 μM for 5 min and blue LED (455 ± 20 nm) for 180 s, photosensitizers alone and conjugated were evaluated. Next, the disks were placed in tubes with sterile physiological solution (0.9 % sodium chloride) and sonicated for to disperse the biofilms. Tenfold serial dilutions were carried and aliquots seeded in brain heart infusion agar which were then incubated for 48 h. Then the numbers colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL; log 10) were counted and analyzed statistically (ANOVA, Tukey test, P ≤ 0.05). Significant decreases in the viability of all microorganisms were observed for biofilms exposed to PDI mediated by both photosensitizers. The reductions with RB and ER were, 0.62 and 0.52 log10 CFU mL -1 for S. mutans biofilms (p = 0.001), and 0.95 and 0.88 log 10 CFU mL-1 for S. sanguinis biofilms (p = 0.001), respectively. The results showed that biofilms formed in vitro by S. mutans and S. sanguinis, were sensitive to PDI using a blue LED associated with photosensitizers ER or RB, indicating its use in the control of caries and periodontal diseases. © 2012 Springer-Verlag London Ltd.

Irregular satellites of Jupiter: Three-dimensional study of binary-asteroid captures

Among the hidden pieces of the giant puzzle, which is our Solar system, the origins of irregularsatellites of the giant planets stand to be explained, while the origins of regular satellites arewell explained by the in situ formation model through matter accretion. Once they are notlocally formed, the most acceptable theory predicts that they had been formed elsewhere andbecame captured later, most likely during the last stage of planet formation. However, underthe restricted three-body problem theory, captures are temporary and there is still no assistedcapture mechanism which is well established. In a previous work, we showed that the capturemechanism of a binary asteroid under the co-planar four-body scenario yielded permanentcaptured objects with an orbital shape which is very similar to those of the actual progradeirregular Jovian satellites. By extending our previous study to a 3D case, here we demonstratethat the capture mechanism of a binary asteroid can produce permanent captures of objects byitself which have very similar orbits to irregular Jovian satellites. Some of the captured objectswithout aid of gas drag or other mechanisms present a triplet: semi-major axis, eccentricityand inclination, which is comparable to the already known irregular Jovian objects. © 2013 The Authors Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society.