Evaluation of a portable clinical analyzer for the determination of blood gas partial pressures, electrolyte concentrations, and hematocrit in venous blood samples collected from cattle, horses, and sheep

Objective To compare results reported for blood gas partial pressures, electrolyte concentrations, and Hct in venous blood samples collected from cattle, horses, and sheep and analyzed by use of a portable clinical analyzer (PCA) and reference analyzer (RA).Animals-Clinically normal animals (24 cattle, 22 horses, and 22 sheep).Procedures-pH; Pco(2); Po(2); total carbon dioxide concentration; oxygen saturation; base excess; concentrations of HCO(3)(-), Na(+), K(+), and ionized calcium; Hct; and hemoglobin concentration were determined with a PCA. Results were compared with those obtained for the same blood sample with an RA. Bias (mean difference) and variability (95% confidence interval) were determined for all data reported. Data were also subjected to analyses by Deming regression and Pearson correlation.Results-Analysis of Bland-Altman plots revealed good agreement between results obtained with the PCA and those obtained with the RA for pH and total carbon dioxide concentration in cattle, K(+) concentration in horses and sheep, and base excess in horses. Except for Na(+) concentration and Hct in horses and sheep, correlation was good or excellent for most variables reported.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Data from blood gas and electrolyte analyses obtained by use of the PCA can be used to evaluate the health status of cattle, horses, and sheep. Furthermore, the handheld PCA device may have a great advantage over the RA device as a result of the ability to analyze blood samples on farms that may be located far from urban centers. (Am J Vet Res 2010;71:515-521)

A Semi-Continuous Analyzer for the Fluorimetric Determination of Atmospheric Formaldehyde

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Discrete wavelet transform signal analyzer

This paper addresses the problem of processing biological data, such as cardiac beats in the audio and ultrasonic range, and on calculating wavelet coefficients in real time, with the processor clock running at a frequency of present application-specified integrated circuits and field programmable gate array. The parallel filter architecture for discrete wavelet transform (DWT) has been improved, calculating the wavelet coefficients in real time with hardware reduced up to 60%. The new architecture, which also processes inverse DWT, is implemented with the Radix-2 or the Booth-Wallace constant multipliers. One integrated circuit signal analyzer in the ultrasonic range, including series memory register banks, is presented. © 2007 IEEE.

Evaluation of zebu nellore cattle blood samples using the Cell-Dyn 3500 hematology analyzer

The Cell-dyn 3500 is a multiparameter flow cytometer, which may analyze samples from several species performing several simultaneous analyses. It is able to perform white blood cells, red blood cells and platelet counts, besides differential leukocyte counts, packed cell volume and hemoglobin determination. Cell-Dyn 3500 performs total leukocyte count both optically and by impedance. The equipment may choose one or other method, based on the reliability of the results. Erythrocyte and platelet counts are determined by impedance. Leukocyte differentiation is based on an optical principle, using separation in multiangular polarized light. The objective of this study was to compare the results of complete blood count of Zebu Nellore heifers from Cell-dyn 3500, with those obtained from a semi-automated cell counter (Celm CC 510) and the manual technique. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein in 5 mL EDTA vacuum tubes from 58 Nellore heifers, at 24 months of age. Samples were processed in parallel in the three different techniques. Results were analyzed using paired t test, Pearson's correlation and the Bland-Altmann method. There was a strong correlation for all parameters analyzed by Cell-Dyn 3500, manual method and semi-automated cell counter, except for basophils and monocytes counts. These results confirm that this analyzer is reliable for blood samples analysis of zebu cattle.

Estudo de adulteração em méis brasileiros através de razão isotópica do carbono

Neste trabalho, objetivou-se analisar isotopicamente méis comercializados nas regiões Sul e Sudeste do Brasil, para a detecção de fraude. Foram colhidas amostras comerciais com registro no Serviço de Inspeção Federal, Estadual ou Municipal. As amostras foram submetidas à combustão no Analisador Elementar EA 1108 CHN e analisadas no espectrômetro de massas de razão isotópica DELTA-S (Finningan Mat). Os valores isotópicos (δ13C) dos méis in natura foram comparados aos de suas respectivas proteínas (padrão interno). Foram consideradas adulteradas as amostras cuja diferença entre o valor isotópico da proteína e do mel foi igual ou inferior a -1 . As amostras consideradas adulteradas pela análise isotópica foram submetidas a testes químicos qualitativos que não foram capazes de indicar adulteração para algumas delas. Das 61 amostras analisadas, 18,0% encontram-se adulteradas, sendo 11,5% na Região Sudeste e 6,5% na Região Sul. Ao contrário dos testes químicos, a análise isotópica mostrou-se eficaz em identificar e quantificar a adulteração de méis comerciais.

(-)-Hinokinin-loaded poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) microparticles for Chagas disease

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Alterações morfométricas no plexo mioentérico do cólon menor equino distendido experimentalmente

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Distribuição volumétrica e diâmetro de gotas de pontas de pulverização de energia hidráulica para controle de corda-de-viola

As pontas de pulverização são responsáveis pela formação das gotas, e cada ponta apresenta características próprias relacionadas ao espectro de gotas e perfil de deposição, específicas para determinados alvos. Este trabalho teve o objetivo de caracterizar o diâmetro e a uniformidade das gotas e o perfil de distribuição volumétrica das pontas de pulverização AI 110015 e TTI 110015, bem como seu efeito sobre a mortalidade de corda-de-viola, com herbicida pré-emergente, associado ou não a adjuvantes. Avaliou-se o número de plantas emergidas e os pesos secos da parte aérea e radicular das plantas. Os perfis de distribuição volumétrica para a altura de 40 cm foram avaliados em mesa de deposição. A partir dos perfis de distribuição, simulou-se o padrão de deposição ao longo da barra de pulverização. O espectro do diâmetro de gotas foi determinado em analisador de tamanho de partículas por difração de luz laser . O herbicida diuron + hexazinona foi eficiente no controle em préemergência de corda-de-viola, podendo ser utilizado polimetil siloxano organomodificado ou óleo mineral como adjuvantes, associados às pontas de pulverização AI 110015 ou TTI 110015. O uso de adjuvantes proporcionou aumento no diâmetro mediano volumétrico e redução na porcentagem de gotas com diâmetro inferior a 100 µm. O espaçamento sugerido entre os bicos na barra de pulverização foi de 70 cm para o modelo AI 110015 e 80 cm para o modelo TTI 110015.

Diferentes diâmetros de gotas e equipamentos para aplicação de inseticida no controle de Pseudoplusia includens

It was aimed to evaluate the spectrum and uniformity of droplets in function of sprayers, spraying volumes and rates of chemical insecticide on the mortality of Pseudoplusia includens in laboratory. The work was carried out at UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil. The following treatments were applied over the caterpillars: two equipments (atomizer and hydraulic nozzle); two spray volumes (17 and 50 L ha(-1) for the atomizer and 50 and 100 L ha(-1) for the hydraulic nozzle); and two dosages of the insecticide endosulfan (0.5 and 1.0 L pc ha(-1)), in fully randomized plots, in a factorial scheme 2x2x2 and 1 untreated check. The caterpillars mortality was evaluated until the 6(th) day after the application of treatments. The spectrum of the droplets was evaluated in a particle size analyzer in real time determining the diameter and spectrum of droplets sprayed through the laser beam of the analyser. It was verified that the spray volume can be reduced by 17 L ha(-1) without losses on the P. includens control. The doses of 0.5 L pc ha(-1) (recommended for Anticarsia gemmatalis) did not satisfactorily control the caterpillar soybean looper. The atomizer produces droplets of higher uniformity (SPAN: 0.52) and lower percentage of droplets susceptible to drift (3.3%) compared to hydraulic nozzle (SPAN: 1.34 e % droplets <= 100 mu m: 15.2).

Avaliação morfométrica da área do epidídimo e dos dúctulos eferentes e ductos epididimários da codorna doméstica, no decorrer do ano

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

Efficacy evaluation of a commercial neem cake for control of Haematobia irritans on Nelore cattle

Muita atenção tem sido dada ao desenvolvimento de inseticidas vegetais buscando-se um efetivo controle de ectoparasitas de bovinos, sem prejudicar animais, consumidores e meio ambiente. Este estudo, realizado de abril a julho de 2008, na Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA) Pecuária Sudeste, em São Carlos, SP, Brasil, avaliou a eficácia de uma torta comercial de nim (Azadirachta indica) no controle da mosca-dos-chifres (Haematobia irritans) em bovinos. A torta de nim, misturada ao sal mineral na concentração de 2%, foi fornecida a 20 vacas Nelore, durante nove semanas, e sua eficácia foi monitorada através de contagens semanais nos grupos tratado e controle. Infestações individuais foram registradas por meio de fotos digitais em todos os animais de ambos os grupos, e o número de moscas foi, posteriormente, quantificado com o auxílio de um sistema de análise de imagem computadorizado. A quantificação dos componentes da torta de nim, por cromatografia líquida, revelou a presença de azadiractina (421 mg.kg-1) e 3-tigloyl-azadirachtol (151 mg.kg-1). A adição da torta de nim a 2% reduziu o consumo de sal mineral em cerca de 22%. O tratamento com torta de nim a 2% não reduziu as infestações por mosca-dos-chifres em bovinos durante as nove semanas do estudo.

Técnica de medição de área foliarconsumida por insetos através de digitalizador de imagens

Este trabalho teve por objetivo verificar a viabilidade do uso de digitalizador de imagens manual, acoplado a um microcomputador, para a avaliação do consumo de folhas de soja, por lagartas de 5o instar de Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lep.: Noctuidae), em comparação com o método de pesagem e do planímetro, baseando-se na eficiência dos métodos e no tempo gasto para a avaliação. Os testes foram realizados utilizando-se folhas de soja `IAC 8' e lagartas criadas em dieta artificial. Foram realizados 2 tipos de teste: 1o) oferecimento de folíolos inteiros de soja às lagartas e, 2o) oferecimento de disco de folhas de área conhecida. No 1o teste comparou-se o método de pesagem com o digitalizador de imagens (scanner); no 2o experimento foram comparados o método do planímetro com o digitalizador de imagens que emprega o programa PCXAREA. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que não existem diferenças nas medições de folíolos e discos de soja consumidos por A. gemmatalis quando comparados os métodos tradicionais (planímetro e pesagem) e o de digitalização de imagens. A medição com o digitalizador reduziu o tempo de avaliação em 88,5% e 87%, em relação ao planímetro e método de pesagem, respectivamente, sendo plenamente viável a sua utilização.

A New Impedance Measurement System for PZT-Based Structural Health Monitoring

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

An investigation of pile diameter influence in the bearing capacity on Dynamic Load Test (DLT)

During the construction of five residential buildings in the city of Taubate, State of São Paulo, it was possible to carry out one comprehensive investigation of the behavior of precast concrete piles in clay shales. This paper describes the results of Dynamic Load Tests (DLT's) executed in three piles with different diameters and with the same embedded length. The tests were monitored using the PDA(R) (Pile Driving Analyzer) and the pile top displacement was measured by pencil and paper procedure. From the curves of RMX versus DMX resulted from CASE(R) method, CAPWAPC(R) analyses were made for signals where the maximum mobilized soil resistance was verified. The results were compared with the predicted bearing capacity using the semi-empirical method of Decourt & Quaresma (1978) and Decourt (1982) based on SPT values and the description of the soil profile. Some comments related to the values of quake and damping used for clay shales in the analyses are also presented.

Comparison of a sidestream capnograph and a mainstream capnograph in mechanically ventilated dogs

Objective-To compare the ability of a sidestream capnograph and a mainstream capnograph to measure end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) and provide accurate estimates of Paco(2) in mechanically ventilated dogs.Design-Randomized, double Latin square.Animals-6 healthy adult dogs.Procedure-Anesthesia was induced and neuromuscular blockade achieved by IV administration of pancuronium bromide. Mechanical ventilation was used to induce conditions of standard ventilation, hyperventilation, and hypoventilation. While tidal volume was held constant, changes in minute volume ventilation and Paco(2) were made by changing the respiratory rate. Arterial blood gas analysis was performed and ETCO2 measurements were obtained by use of either a mainstream or a sidestream capnographic analyzer.Results-A linear regression model and bias analysis were used to compare Paco(2) and ETCO2 measurements; ETCO2 measurements obtained by both capnographs correlated well with Paco(2). Compared with Paco(2), mainstream ETCO2 values differed by 3.15 +/- 4.89 mm Hg (mean bias +/- SD), whereas the bias observed with the sidestream ETCO2 system was significantly higher (5.65 +/- 5.57 mm Hg). Regardless of the device used to measure ETCO2, bias increased as Paco(2) exceeded 60 mm Hg.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Although the mainstream capnograph was slightly more accurate, both methods of ETCO2 measurement correlated well with Paco(2) and reflected changes in the ventilatory status. However, ETCO2 values > 45 mm Hg may inaccurately reflect the severity of hypoventilation as Paco(2) may be underestimated during conditions of hypercapnia (Paco(2) > 60 mm Hg).