Problems related to the employment of thin uranium films as neutron dosimeters

Thin uranium films built on muscovite mica basis and obsidian samples having known ages were irradiated with thermal neutrons at the IPEN/CNEN reactor, São Paulo. Comparing thin film performance with the obsidian one, it was observed that the latter feel a greater neutron fluence. Nominal fluences at the used facility are in agreement with the results obtained analysing the obsidian samples. A probable hypothesis to explain this disagreement, namely, the uranium loss from the thin films, was ruled out. © 1995.

Employment of a noninvasive magnetic method for evaluation of gastrointestinal transit in rats

AC Biosusceptometry (ACB) was previously employed towards recording gastrointestinal motility. Our data show a reliable and successful evaluation of gastrointestinal transit of liquid and solid meals in rats, considering the methods scarcity and number of experiments needed to endorsement of drugs and medicinal plants. ACB permits real time and simultaneous experiments using the same animal, preserving the physiological conditions employing both meals with simplicity and accuracy. © 2012 Quini et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Sediment toxicity assessment of Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Guanabara Bay (GB) comprises of estuarine and marine environments of high ecological and socio-economic relevance, together with port, industrial and urban areas. The anthropogenic activities produce environmental impacts, including the aquatic pollution. The sediment quality assessment is important to evaluate the effects of contamination, once sediments are a repository for most of the contaminants. In this Study, the quality of sediments from GB was evaluated, in rainy and dry periods, throughout the employment of acute toxicity tests with the amphipod Tiburonella viscana, and chronic bioassays with embryos of the sea-urchin Lytechinus variegatus. In the dry period, acute toxicity was found in the sediments from stations 1, 2 3 (NW) and 7 (near Guapimirim Environmental Protection Area). The bioassays with liquid phases showed effects, but were strongly influenced by the unionized ammonia levels, which were high in this period. In the rainy period, acute toxicity was found in sediments samples from stations 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12 and 15. Chronic toxicity could be clearly detected, as ammonia concentrations tended to be low in the most part of the samples. The results showed that the sediment toxicity is influenced by precipitation rates, which increase the input of contaminants to the Bay, and also allowed subdividing GB in three main zones: northwest (stations 1, 2, 3, 5), northeast (stations 6, 7, 8, 9) and centre-south (stations 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15). Results also showed that the quality of GB sediments is poor, and that toxicity tests could determine the combined effects of pollutants.

A nested-PCR assay for detection of Xylella fastidiosa in citrus plants and sharpshooter leafhoppers

Aims: Detection of Xylella fastidiosa in citrus plants and insect vectors.Methods and Results: Chelex 100 resin matrix was successfully standardized allowing a fast DNA extraction of X. fastidiosa. An amplicon of 500 bp was observed in samples of citrus leaf and citrus xylem extract, with and without symptoms of citrus variegated chlorosis, using PCR with a specific primer set indicating the presence of X. fastidiosa. The addition of insoluble acid-washed polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPP) prior to DNA extraction of insect samples using Chelex 100 resin together with nested-PCR permitted the detection of X. fastidiosa within sharpshooter heads with great sensitivity. It was possible to detect up to two bacteria per reaction. From 250 sharpshooter samples comprising four species (Dilobopterus costalimai, Oncometopia facialis, Bucephalogonia xanthopis and Acrogonia sp.), 87 individuals showed positive results for X. fastidiosa in a nested-PCR assay.Conclusions: the use of Chelex 100 resin allowed a fast and efficient DNA extraction to be used in the detection of X. fastidiosa in citrus plants and insect vectors by PCR and nested-PCR assays, respectively.Significance and Impact of the study: the employment of efficient and sensitive methods to detect X. fastidiosa in citrus plants and insect vectors will greatly assist epidemiological studies.

Feeding habits of the spider crab Libinia spinosa H. Milne Edwards, 1834 (Decapoda, Brachyura) in Ubatuba Bay, São Paulo, Brazil

The main goal of this study was the identification of the items of the diet of the L. spinosa, based on the stomach contents analysis. The crabs were obtained from Ubatuba region north-eastern shore of São Paulo State. In the laboratory, all the individuals were dissected, the stomach was retreated and fixed in 10% formaline. The alimentary items were identified under stereomicroscope and analysed by the method of Frequency of Occurrence. A total of 194 stomachs was analysed and nine alimentary items were obtained. Unindentified material was found in 98% of analysed stomach and poriferan were present in less then 1% of stomachs. These results pointed a diversified diet explored by this crab, as well as the employment of some different methods for food intake. This suggested that these crabs could occupy different position in the trophic chain.

Species composition and spatial distribution of a stream fish assemblage in the east coast of Brazil: comparison of two field study methodologies

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Production and characterization of cellulase-free xylanase from Trichoderma inhamatum

The production of extracellular cellulase-free xylanase from Trichoderma inhamatum was evaluated in liquid Vogel medium with different carbon sources as natural substrates and agricultural or agro-industrial wastes. Optimal production of 244.02 U/mL was obtained with xylan as carbon source, pH 6.0 at 25 degrees C, 120 rpm, and 60-h time culture. Optimal conditions for enzyme activity were 50 degrees C and pH 5.5. Thermal stability of T. inhamatum xylanolytic complex expressed as T(1/2) was 2.2 h at 40 degrees C and 2 min at 50 degrees C. The pH stability was high from 4.0 to 11.0.These results indicate possible employment of such enzymatic complex in some industrial processes which require activity in acid pH, wide-ranging pH stability, and cellulase activity absence.

Effect of grape pre-drying and static pomace contact on physicochemical properties and sensory acceptance of Brazilian (Bordo and Isabel) red wines

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Treatment options for the occlusal surface of first permanent molars

Restorative dentistry has been increasingly concerned with preservation of the dental structure. For that reason, ultraconservative cavity preparations have been performed with air abrasion systems. The aim of this study was to present treatment options for the occlusal surface of first permanent molars with employment of the conventional method and the air abrasion system for accomplishment of the cavity preparation and a composite occlusal matrix for an accurate reproduction of the tooth surface.

Influence of IBA and boric acid on rooting of stem-cuttings of Aloysia triphylla (L'Hérit) Britton

Aloysia triphylla (L'Hérit) Britton is a perennial and bushy plant, with simple, entire, lanceolate and whorl shaped leaves and originally from South America. It is used as medicinal plant in Brazil with stomatic and sedative properties. The employment of stem cuttings for propagation of pre-selected plants, acquired great importance, because it eliminates the juvenile phase of seedlings, which can be produced in a shorter period of time. The rooting of stem cuttings is stimulated by auxin and, boric acid supply is essential for growth and development of initial rootlets. This micronutrient is required 48 hours after plant segments have been placed into auxin solution and it can be supplied any time, including the seedling growth period. The experiment was carried out in the Department of Plant Production, UNESP-Botucatu-SP-Brazil, with stem-cuttings of Aloysia triphylla (L'Hérit) Britton, Verbenaceae obtained from the Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Garden. The aim of the work was to verify the influence of growth regulators and boric acid on stem cutting rooting of this species. The 15 cm-stem cuttings, without leaves, were submerged during 24 hs in the following solutions: water; 150 mg.L-1 of IBA; 150 mg.L-1 of IBA+ Boric acid; 250 mg.L-1 of IBA; 250 mg.L-1 of IBA + Boric acid. The statistical design was entirely randomized with 5 treatments and 3 replications, totalizing 15 plots with 10 stem cuttings each. They were planted on propylene trays with vermiculite and kept under spraying condition during twenty five days. The best results were observed in treatment 250 mg.L -1 of IBA+ Boric acid on number of roots, length of roots, rooting percentage, fresh and dry weight of leaves when compared with all other treatments. We can conclude that this treatment is the most suitable for stem cutting rooting of this species.

Estudo de viabilidade de implantação de usina de moagem de entulho com recursos da iniciativa privada no município de Bauru

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Adaptação cultural do Detailed Assessment of Speed of Handwriting (DASH) para escolares de ensino público

Pós-graduação em Fonoaudiologia - FFC

Improvement of submerged culture conditions to produce colorants by Penicillium purpurogenum

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

The therapeutic potential of exercise to treat cachexia

To discuss the role of physical exercise in the attenuation of cancer cachexia-associated symptoms, and upon the outcome of chemotherapy, with special focus on the anti-inflammatory role of chronic exercise. The review addresses the recent findings regarding the positive effects of endurance and strength exercise training upon metabolic dysfunction, systemic inflammation and body composition alterations in the syndrome of cachexia. The employment of different exercise protocol strategies, in respect to intensity, duration, work load and in concomitance with pharmacological treatment is considered. Cachexia is a multifactorial wasting syndrome afflicting patients with cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic heart failure, trauma, among other diseases. This condition markedly compromises the quality of life, treatment outcome and survival. Recent literature indicates an unequivocal role of chronic exercise in modulating cachexia and other cancer-associated dysfunctions. Exercise is proposed as a complementary treatment in cancer, and represents a function-preserving, anti-inflammatory and metabolism-modulating strategy with low cost, and high versatility and availability. Furthermore, exercise decreases cancer recurrence and presents a positive impact on public health management, reducing hospitalization and medication costs.

Expression of growth-related factors in skeletal muscle of Pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) during growth

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