Chemiluminescent determination of leukocyte alkaline phosphatase: An advantageous alternative to the cytochemical assay

The determination of leukocyte alkaline phosphatasd (LAP) is used as an aid to diagnose many diseases in the laboratory. For example, it can be used to distinguish chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) from other myeloproliferative disorders (particularly myelofibrosis and polycythemia) and leukemoid reactions (LR). Traditionally, this test is performed with the use of subjective cytochemical assays that assign a score to the level of LAP. Here we present a nonsubjective, quantitative, sensitive, and inexpensive chemiluminescent technique that determines LAP based on the commercial reagent Immulite (R) (AMPPD). To validate this methodology, intact leukocytes obtained from 32 healthy subjects, nine CML patients, and nine LR patients were submitted to the optimized protocol. By measuring the light emission elicited by four concentrations of neutrophils, we were able to estimate the activity of LAP per cell (the slope of the curve obtained by linear regression). A high linear correlation was found between the chemiluminescent result (slope) and the cytochemical score. The slope for healthy individuals ranged between 0.61 and 8.49 (10(-5) mV.s/cell), with a median of 2.04 (10(-5) mV.s/cell). These results were statistically different from those of CML patients (range = 0.07-1.75, median = 0.79) and LR patients (range = 3.84-47.24, median 9.58; P < 0.05).

Transference in vitro of the resistance to the antimicrobials between Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus spp. and Salmonella enteritidis isolated from chickens

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a possibilidade de transferência de resistência aos antimicrobianos entre bactérias normais da microbiota de frangos e Salmonella Enteritidis. Utilizamos amostras de Lactobacillus spp. (L. spp.), Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) e Escherichia coli (E. coli) previamente isolados de frangos, selecionados após prova de sensibilidade antimicrobiana in vitro conforme metodologia padrão (Comitê Nacional para Padrões Clínicos de Laboratório). Utilizamos aqueles com resistência e sensibilidade aos antimicrobianos indutores, chamados de bactérias doadoras e receptoras, respectivamente. Os antimicrobianos indutores foram utilizados para estimular a transferência de resistência aos antimicrobianos entre as bactérias. A possibilidade de transferência foi verificada da E. coli resistente para a SE e L. spp. Também foi verificada a transferência de uma amostra de L. spp resistente aos antimicrobianos indutores para a SE. Só foi possível verificar a transferência da resistência aos antimicrobianos indutores quando a bactéria doadora foi a E. coli e a bactéria receptora foi a SE. No presente estudo concluímos que a transferência de resistência aos antimicrobianos entre bactérias é possível, mas nem todas as bactérias participam desse evento, não transmitindo e nem adquirindo esta resistência.

Toxic acute hepatitis associated to the administration of prostaglandin in a dog

A prostaglandina F2a pode ser usada em caes para aumentar o volume do ejaculado em casos de inseminação artificial, criopreservação seminal ou biotecnologias de reprodução. Os efeitos colaterais após a administração da PGF2a, como taquicardia, salivação, emese, diarréia e convulsões geralmente são relacionadas com a dose utilizada. Esse trabalho objetiva relatar a ocorrência de hepatite tóxica aguda após a administração de PGF2a em um cão, e discutir a importância de se utilizar essa droga com cautela nessa espécie.

Analysis of floristic composition and structure as an aid to monitoring protected areas of dense rain forest in southeastern Brazil

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

Basis sets applied to the theoretical study of the vibrational structure of hexaaquaaluminum(III) ion

Gaussian basis sets were developed with the Generator Coordinate Hartree-Fock (GCHF) method for the atoms from H (14s), O (23s16p), and Al (29sl9p) in the ground state. These basis sets were then contracted to 3s (12,1,1), 5s3p (18,2,1,1,1/14,1,1), and 7s5p (20,3,2,1,1,1,1/14,2,1,1,1) for H, O and Al atoms, respectively, by a standard procedure. The quality of contracted basis sets in molecular calculations was evaluated through studies of the total and orbital (epsilon(HOMO) and epsilon(HOMO-1)) energies at the HF level for the hexaaquaaluminum(III) ion, [AI(H(2)O)(6)](3+). For the O atom, the 5s3p was supplemented with d polarization function and it was used in combination with 3s, and 7s5p for H and Al atoms was used to the theoretical interpretation of the Infrared (IR) spectrum of hexaaquaaluminum(III) ion. The calculations of the IR-spectrum were also performed at the HF level and it showed that the basis sets obtained with the aid of GCHF method lead to the selection of useful contracted Gaussian basis sets for the theoretical study of vibrational property of ionic specie of our interest. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of Wood Moisture Content on the Modulus of Elasticity in Compression Parallel to the Grain

Brazilian Standard ABNT NBR7190:1997 for timber structures design, adopts a first degree equation to describe the influence of wood moisture content. Periodically, when necessary, the referred standard is revised in order to analyze inconsistencies and to adopt considerations according new realities verified. So, the present paper aims to examine the adequacy of its equation which corrects to 12% of moisture the values of rigidity properties obtained on experimental tests. To quantify the moisture influence on modulus of elasticity, it was applied tests of compression parallel to the grain for six specimens of different strength classes, considering nominal moisture of 12; 20; 25; 30%. As results, modulus of elasticity in the moisture range 25-30% showed statistically equivalents, and was obtained a first degree equation to correlate the studied variables which leads to statically equivalent estimations when compared with results by ABNT NBR7190:1997 equation. However, it was indicated to maintain the current expression for the next text of the referred document review, without prejudice to statistical significance of the estimates.

Contracted GTF basis sets applied to the theoretical interpretation of the Raman spectrum of hexaaquachromium(III) ion

Contracted GTF basis sets designed with aid of the Generator Coordinate Hartree-Fock (GCHF) method for H(2S), O2-(1S), and Cr3+(4F) atomic species are applied to perform theoretical interpretation of the Raman spectrum of hexaaquachromium(III) ion. The 16s, 16s 10p, and 24s17p13d GTF basis sets were contracted to [4s] for H atom, [6s4p], and [9s6p3d] for O2- and Cr3+, respectively, by Dunning's scheme. For Cr3+, the [9s6p3d] basis set was enriched with f polarization function and used in combination com [4s] and [6s4p] in the study of our interest. The results obtained in this report show that the contracted GTF basis sets used are a useful alternative for the theoretical interpretation of Raman spectrum of hexaaquachromium(III) ion and that GCHF method is an effective alternative to selection of GTF basis sets for theoretical study of vibrational properties of poliatomic species. © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

DIGITAL ELEVATION MODEL VALIDATION WITH NO GROUND CONTROL: APPLICATION TO THE TOPODATA DEM IN BRAZIL

Digital Elevation Model (DEM) validation is often carried out by comparing the data with a set of ground control points. However, the quality of a DEM can also be considered in terms of shape realism. Beyond visual analysis, it can be verified that physical and statistical properties of the terrestrial relief are fulfilled. This approach is applied to an extract of Topodata, a DEM obtained by resampling the SRTM DEM over the Brazilian territory with a geostatistical approach. Several statistical indicators are computed, and they show that the quality of Topodata in terms of shape rendering is improved with regards to SRTM.

A new tuning fork with different vibration frequencies as an aid to bronchopulmonary hygiene physiotherapy

Background: The main function of the mucociliary system is the removal of particles or substances that are potentially harmful to the respiratory tract. The tuning fork therapeutic for the purpose of bronchial hygiene has still not been described in the literature. The optimal vibration frequency to mobilize secretions is widely debated and varies between 3 and 25 Hz. It is expected that a tuning fork is able to generate vibrations in the thorax, facilitating bronchial hygiene. The aim of the present study is to develop tuning forks with different frequencies, for use in bronchopulmonary hygiene therapy. Methods: The first tuning fork was made with a fixed frequency of 25 Hz and it was recorded in the Brazilian institution of patent registration. This device generated a frequency of 25 Hz and had a weight of 521 g, with dimensions of 600 mm in total length. The device is characterized by a bottom end containing a transducer with a diameter of 62 mm and a thickness of 5/16 mm (8''), a rod removable 148 mm, fork length of 362 mm and an extension at the upper end of sinuous shape bilaterally.The tuning forks must be applied at an angle of 90° directly on the chest wall of the patient after pulmonary auscultation for location of secretions. The tuning fork is activated by squeezing the tips of the extensions together and releasing them in a sudden movement. Results: This study shows the result of the development of others three tuning forks of different dimensions to generate different frequencies. Each equipment reaches a fixed frequency preset of 12, 15 and 20 Hz measured by digital oscilloscope. Conclusions: The tuning fork models developed in this study generated different frequencies proposed by the scientific literature as effective in the mobilization of pulmonary secretions.

A Family of Stationary Solutions to the Euler Equations and Generalized Solutions

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

The illuminist discourse of the digital divide: a critic to the Post-Fordist Informatic Mundaneum from Knoxville, Tennessee

This article discusses the project of the Information Society and the discourses that undergo it, as part of a political and ideological conception universalized by those countries that created and dominate computer technology, which is in turn is aligned with the Post-Fordist industrial capitalist order and its emphasis on economic accumulation and consumerism. We explain how information technology creates routines and legitimate social orders, taking for analyzes the case of the Clinton-Gore policy in the United States, when the discourse of the computer society was associated with the development and social welfare. This association is revealed in the speech made by Clinton in the city of Knoxville in year 1996. There we see the beginnings of the concern about the Digital Divide as a new form of "social disease" that prevents the passage to a better world, focused on productivity, accumulation and consumption in information-dense societies. This generates a clash between the industrial-graph-centric world and the oral-pre-industrial communities, as a result of attempting to transplant the institutional forms of the developed West. We explain the pillars of the new computerized order, and how they replaced previous epic narratives creating techno-deterministic or techno-phobic discourses in prejudice of more critical approaches. We identify the effects such deterministic discourses that connote the association between the Information Society, welfare and development, questioning the urgency of deploying this system at global level without profound critical discussion, clear goals focused on the benefit of the human beings, and the open participation of the users of the system.

Improvement to the physical quality and imbibition pattern in seeds of candeia (Eremanthus incanus (Less.) Less.)

The objective of this work was to develop a methodology for seed processing and X-ray analysis and to study imbibition pattern in seeds of candeia (Eremanthus incanus). Seeds were gathered in 2001 and 2002 in Morro do Pilar and Lavras respectively, processed and stored in a cold chamber (5ºC/60%RH) until the start of experiments. In order to identify unfilled seeds, a protocol was developed for X-ray use combining radiation energy (Kv) and exposure time (seconds). For elimination of unfilled seeds, an experiment was conducted using a South Dakota seed blower whereby different opening settings and ventilation times were combined. Original seed lots and categorized lots following radiograph viewing were tested by germination tests, with seeds being cleansed in sodium hypochlorite and scattered over blotting paper in 'gerboxes' and then taken to germinators with alternating temperatures of 20º-30ºC and 10 hours of light, for up to 15 days. Imbibition curves were determined under the conditions 30ºC, 20º-30ºC/10 hours of light and 30º-20ºC/10 hours of light. The X-ray protocol that best allowed viewing of internal seed structures was 30Kv for 45 seconds. Seed separation using the blower setting at a 3.0 opening for 30 seconds raised the number of embryonic seeds to values exceeding 99%, also raising the germination rates as a consequence. The imbibition pattern is three-phased and the germination process is completed in 72 hours. Under alternate temperatures, primary root growth is favored.