LESION OF THE ANTEROVENTRAL 3RD VENTRICLE REGION IMPAIRS THE RECOVERY OF ARTERIAL-PRESSURE INDUCED BY HYPERTONIC SALINE IN RATS SUBMITTED TO HEMORRHAGIC-SHOCK

The effect of intravenous infusion of hypertonic saline (HS, 7.5% NaCl) on the recovery of mean arteria pressure (MAP) after hemorrhage was studied in sham-operated rats and in rats with electrolytic lesion of the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) region (4 h, 4 and 20 days). Rats anesthetized with thiopental sodium were bled (about 2.8 ml/100 g) until the MAP was stabilized at the level of 60 mmHg for 30 min. In sham-lesioned rats, MAP increased to 90 mmHg and became stable near this level after intravenous infusion of 7.5% NaCl (4 ml/kg b.wt.). In AV3V-lesioned rats, the same infusion induced a smaller increase in MAP (80 mmHg) and the MAP returned to pre-infusion levels within 30 min. These results show that the AV3V region plays an important role in the recovery of arterial pressure induced by hypertonic saline in rats submitted to hemorrhagic shock.

Influence of fluoride-containing solutions on the translucency of flowable composite resins

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of fluoride-containing solutions on the translucency of flowable composite resins, with respect the immersion time. Flow-It! (FI) and Natural Flow (NF) composite resins and three commercial brands of fluoride-containing solutions (Fluordent, Fluorgard and Oral B) were used. Specimens were prepared and stored in the solutions at 37degreesC, until the measurements were made after the following treatments: T1 - after 1 hour in relative humidity; T2 - after 1 h in solution; T3 - 24 h; T4 - 48 h; T5 - after a week; from T9, the measurements were accomplished weekly, up to 30-day immersion. To obtain translucency values an electrophoresis equipment was employed. Data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey tests. The results disclosed that NF showed highest values of translucency and was statistically different from FI (p < 0.001). As regards the solutions, Fluordent and Oral B presented similar values and were statistically superior to Fluorgard (p < 0.05). Concerning the immersion time, similar results were observed for the different evaluation periods. It may be concluded that the fluoride-containing solutions affected the translucency of the composite resins, independently of the materials used. Among the tested resins, NF presented the best performance. (C) 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

UV-visible absorption characteristics of TEOS-derived and Cr-doped silica sonogels aged in different pH solutions and heat treated up to 600 degrees C

Cr-doped xerogels were obtained by sol-gel process from the acid-catalyzed and ultrasound-stimulated hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) with addition of CrCl3.6H(2)O in water solution during the liquid step of the process. The gels were aged immersed in different pH solutions for about 30 days, after that they were allowed to dry. The samples were annealed at temperatures ranging from 40 to 600degreesC and analyzed by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. Cr3+ is the preferable oxidation state of the chromium ion in the gels annealed up to 250-300degreesC, in the case of aging in solutions of pH=5 and 11. A high UV absorption below similar to320 nm, due to the host gel, and different absorption bands, depending on the temperature, due to the chromium ion were observed in the xerogels at temperatures below similar to250degreesC, in the case of aging in solutions of pH=1 and 2. These absorption bands have not been assigned. Above 300degreesC up to 600degreesC, Cr5+, and possibly Cr6+, are the preferable oxidation states of the chromium ion independent of the pH of the aging solution, so the xerogels turn to a yellowish appearance in all cases.

INTEGRATION OF THE NONLINEAR POISSON BOLTZMANN-EQUATION FOR CHARGED VESICLES IN ELECTROLYTIC SOLUTIONS

The Poisson-Boltzmann equation (PBE), with specific ion-surface interactions and a cell model, was used to calculate the electrostatic properties of aqueous solutions containing vesicles of ionic amphiphiles. Vesicles are assumed to be water- and ion-permeable hollow spheres and specific ion adsorption at the surfaces was calculated using a Volmer isotherm. We solved the PBE numerically for a range of amphiphile and salt concentrations (up to 0.1 M) and calculated co-ion and counterion distributions in the inside and outside of vesicles as well as the fields and electrical potentials. The calculations yield results that are consistent with measured values for vesicles of synthetic amphiphiles.

An infection control protocol: effectiveness of immersion solutions to reduce the microbial growth on dental prostheses

This investigation evaluated the effectiveness of an infection control protocol for cleansing and disinfecting removable dental prostheses. Sixty-four dentures were rubbed with sterile cotton swab immediately after they had been taken from patients' mouths. Samples were individually placed in the culture medium and immediately incubated at 37 +/- 2 degreesC. The dentures were scrubbed for 1 min with 4% chlorhexidine, rinsed for 1 min in sterile water and placed for 10 min in one of the following immersion solutions: 4% chlorhexidine gluconate, 1% sodium hypochlorite, Biocide (iodophors) and Amosan (alkaline peroxide). After the disinfection procedures, the dentures were immersed in sterile water for 3 min, reswabbed and the samples were incubated. All samples obtained in the initial culture were contaminated with micro-organisms. All the lower dentures immersed in Biocide showed positive growth, and the upper dentures were positive for growth in six of eight dentures. The 4% chlorhexidine gluconate, 1% sodium hypochlorite and Amosan solutions have been proved effective to reduce the growth of the micro-organisms in the 10 min immersion period. The protocol evaluated in this study seems to be a viable method to prevent cross-contamination between dental personnel and patients.

A general treatment for the conductivity of electrolytes in the whole concentration range in aqueous and nonaqueous solutions

Despite the great importance of ion transport, most of the widely accepted models and theories are valid only in the not very practical limit of low concentrations. Aiming to extend the range of applicability to moderate concentrations, a number of modified models and equations (some approximate, some fundamented on different assumptions, and some just empirical) have been reported. In this work, a general treatment for the electrical conductivity of ionic solutions has been developed, considering the electrical conductivity as a transport phenomenon governed by dissipation and feedback. A general expression for the dependence of the specific conductivity on the solution viscosity (and indirectly on concentration), from which the whole conductivity curve can be obtained, has been derived. The validity of this general approach is demonstrated with experimental results taken from the literature for aqueous and nonaqueous solutions of electrolytes.

Precipitation of rare earth phosphates from H3PO4 solutions

A study of several factors has been carried out in order to determine their influence on rare earth phosphates precipitation from H3PO4 solutions obtained after the treatment of the Kola phosphate rock.