Evaluation of the counterimmunoelectrophoresis reaction as a serodiagnosis test for swine leptospirosis

Avaliou-se a reação de contraimunoeletroforese (CIE) como teste gênero-específico para diagnóstico da leptospirose suína, usando-se três extratos solúveis de Leptospira sp, sorovares pomona, icterohaemorrhagiae e patoc, obtidos pelo tratamento com Triton X-100 a quente e aplicados a amostras de soro de suínos subdivididos em três grupos: Grupo 1, 10 suínos experimentalmente infectados com estirpe Pomona; Grupo 2, 50 suínos naturalmente infectados e Grupo 3, controle. As amostras de soros foram submetidas à reação de CIE e os resultados comparados aos da Soroaglutinação Microscópica (SAM), técnica de referência pela WHO. Os Grupos 1 e 3 foram monitorados por 93 dias após a inoculação (p.i.). Pela SAM a soroconversão do Grupo 1 ocorreu por volta do 10º dia p.i., enquanto pela CIE, empregando-se qualquer extrato antigênico, foi anterior à SAM. Quando a CIE foi realizada frente a antigeno homólogo à infecção, seus resultados foram equivalentes aos da SAM, não se verificando o mesmo frente aos antígenos heterólogos. Neste aspecto, os Grupos 1 e 3 mostraram comportamento diferente pois não houve diferença significativa entre os resultados da CIE frente aos três antígenos, o que poderia significar serem independentes do sorovar responsável pelo surto ou infectante. Embora a CIE seja segura, rápida, de fácil execução, de baixo custo e ideal para análise em grande escala de amostras, revelou-se de limitada capacidade gênero-específica, o que não é desejavel para testes de triagem de campo; mas poderia ser útil na detecção precoce de resposta sorológica em relação à SAM.

Comparative Studies of the (Anti) Mutagenicity of Baccharis dracunculifolia and Artepillin C by the Bacterial Reverse Mutation Test

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

Upper-mantle seismic anisotropy from SKS splitting in the South American stable platform: A test of asthenospheric flow models beneath the lithosphere

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Mutagenicity of Flavonoids Assayed by Bacterial Reverse Mutation (Ames) Test

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

SEX-RELATED DIFFERENCES IN THE ANALGESIC RESPONSE TO THE RAT TAIL IMMERSION TEST

The analgesic response was evaluated by the tail immersion test in adult male (N = 30), female (N = 21) and androgenized female Wistar rats (N = 15). The reaction time for tail withdrawal from the hot water bath was faster for male than for female rats (3.48 +/- 0.12 vs 6.46 +/- 0.42 s). The reaction time of androgenized female rats was similar to that of male rats (3.08 +/- 0.16 s). Blockade of opiate receptors with naloxone (2 mg/kg, ip) decreased the sensitivity to the noxious stimuli in males (4.08 +/- 0.10 s) and in androgenized females (3.69 +/- 0.19 s) but increased it in female rats (5.01 +/- 0.41 s). These data show sex-related differences in the analgesic response evaluated by the tail immersion test and indicate that administration of androgens to newborn female rats affects their pain sensitivity.

Non-newtonian heat transfer on a plate heat exchanger with generalized configurations

For the configuration optimization of plate heat exchangers (PHEs), the mathematical models for heat transfer and pressure drop must be valid for a wide range of operational conditions of all configurations of the exchanger or the design results may be compromised. In this investigation, the thermal model of a PHE is adjusted to fit experimental data obtained from non-Newtonian heat transfer for eight different configurations, using carboxymethylcellulose solutions (CMC) as test fluid. Although it is possible to successfully adjust the model parameters, Newtonian and non-Newtonian heat transfer cannot be represented by a single generalized correlation. In addition, the specific heat, thermal conductivity and power-law rheological parameters of CMC solutions were correlated with temperature, over a range compatible with a continuous pasteurization process.

Eficácia do tetra-test como ferramenta de gestão da qualidade do leite cru refrigerado

The effectiveness of a new management tool for screening refrigerated raw milk quality in a dairy industry is provided. Three hundred and seventy-four samples of raw milk from individual producers and 125 samples from bulk milk carriers from the same producers were analyzed. Producers' samples underwent a fast tube reduction test, or Tetra-Test, to estimate total bacteriological charge and their predominant microbiota. Bulk milk samples underwent standard plate count (SPC) as reference method. Tetra-test was effective in screening and assessing the microbiological quality of refrigerated raw milk, since 82.4% of samples with more than 106UFC/mL were readily detected (5 minutes to 2h). The test may be employed as a management tool either in screening or in interventions on the detected problem. In fact, its results provided complementary information on the characteristics of dominant microbiota. Most samples failed in compliance to IN 51 requirements. Further, 211 samples (56.4%) showed high microbial charge and, consequently, poor quality raw milk. Psychrotrophic groups were not yet the main degrading factors of cooled raw milk, albeit present in 76.8% of samples.

Selection of desulfurizing agents and optimization of operational variables in hot metal desulfurization

The growing demand for steels with tighter compositional specifications led the Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN) to develop more efficient processes. To solve this problem this paper aims to identify the operational variables more impacting in the desulfurization process, specifically in torpedo car, as well as its causes and solutions. Then select and test, with laboratorial and industrial tests, desulfurizing agents based of CaC 2, CaO, CaCO3, and Mg to assess the cost per quantity of product desulfurized. The mixture with best results was not that one with highest content of CaC2. It is believed that this mixture showed better efficiency because of the increased agitation of the bath, produced by the releasing of gas from compound CaCO3 present in this mixture. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

The effect of locked screw angulation on the biomechanical properties of the S.P.S. Free-Block plate

Objectives: Among the locked internal fixators is one denominated S.P.S. (Synthesis Pengo System) Free-Block, which was designed with a locking ring that allows the screw to be locked and positioned obliquely. Due to the paucity of biomechanical studies on this system, the present work aimed to evaluate the influence of locked screw angulation on the resistance of the S.P.S. Free--Block plate. Methods: Forty synthetic bone cylinders with 10 mm fracture gap were used. Forty seven-hole 3.5 mm stainless steel plates (two AO-like dynamic compression holes and five locked holes) were assembled according to the orientation of the locked screws: mono cortical screws were positioned at 90° to the long axis of the cylinder (Group 1), and monocortical screws were positioned at 70° to its cylinder long axis (Group 2). In both groups, AO-like dynamic compression hole screws were positioned bicortically and neutrally. For each group, six specimens were tested until failure, three in bending and three in compression, to determine the loads for fatigue testing. Subsequently, for each group, 14 specimens were tested for failure --seven by bending and seven in compression. Results: No significant failure differences were observed between Groups 1 and 2 under static-loading or fatigue test. Clinical significance: In a fracture gap model the orientation of the locked monocortical screws did not show any influence on the mechanical performance of the S.P.S. Free-Block to tests of axial compression and four-point bending. © Schattauer 2013.

Avaliação da cultura do milho e da decomposição da palhada submetida à Hormesis

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Energia na Agricultura) - FCA

Avaliação da eficacia do tetra-test como ferramenta de gestão da qualidade do leite cru refrigerado

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Subchronic effects of fluoxetine on conditioned suppression produced by a hot air blast

Conditioned suppression is an animal model of anxiety disorders that has been broadly used to investigate the behavioral effects of different drugs. However, various methodological variables (e.g., the type of aversive stimulus) that supposedly interfere with the acquisition of conditioned suppression may also contribute to conflicting results among the studied drugs. Additionally, few studies have sought to investigate the effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The present study investigated the effect of subchronic 5-day administration of 5 mg/kg fluoxetine in the retention of conditioned suppression produced by a hot air blast (HAB). The subjects were 12 albino Wistar rats distributed into an Experimental Group (EG) and Control Group (CG). After sessions were conducted to pair two stimuli, a sound and HAB, fluoxetine (EG) or saline (CG) was administered. Twentyfour hours after the last injection, a test session was conducted. The results showed no difference between groups. Fluoxetine (5 mg/kg) did not exert anxiolytic effects in this model of conditioned suppression produced by a HAB. Keywords: conditioned suppression; fluoxetine; subchronic; hot air blast.

Influence on alveolar resorption of the buccal bony plate width in the edentulous ridge expansion (ERE) - an experimental study in the dog

Objective: To compare the hard tissue changes at implants installed applying edentulous ridge expansion (E.R.E.) at sites with a buccal bony wall thickness of 1 or 2 mm.Material and methods: In six Labrador dogs, the first and second maxillary incisors were extracted, and the buccal alveolar bony plates and septa were removed. After 3 months of healing, partial-thickness flaps were dissected, and the E.R.E. was applied bilaterally. Hence, an expansion of the buccal bony crest was obtained in both sides of the maxilla with a displacement of either a 1- or a 2-mm-wide buccal bony plate at the test and control sites, respectively. After 3 months of healing, biopsies were obtained for histological analyses.Results: A buccal vertical resorption of the alveolar crest of 2.3 +/- 0.8 and 2.1 +/- 1.1 mm, and a coronal level of osseointegration at the buccal aspect of 2.7 +/- 0.5 and 2.9 +/- 0.9 mm were found at the test (1 mm) and control (2 mm) sites, respectively. The differences did not reach statistical significance. The mean values of the mineralized bone-to-implant contact (MBIC%) ranged from 62% to 73% at the buccal and lingual sites. No statistically significant differences were found. Horizontal volume gains of 1.8 and 1.1 mm were observed at the test and control sites, respectively, and the difference being statistically significant.Conclusions: Implants installed using the E.R.E. technique yielded a high degree of osseointegration. It is suggested that the displacement of buccal bony plates of 1 mm thickness is preferable compared with that of wider dimensions.

FLOW AROUND A SQUARE CYLINDER POSITIONED NEAR A SMOOTH FLAT PLATE

Vortex shedding phenomenon produced by a square cylinder placed close to a smooth flat plate is experimentally studied by means of flow visualization techniques and hot-film anemometry. Qualitative and quantitative information about the flow field has been obtained for Reynolds numbers up to 1,000. Vortex shedding images in several Reynolds number have been captured and the non dimensional vortex shedding frequency has been obtained as a function of the Reynolds number.

Estudo das características térmicas e mecânicas de formulações de adesivos PSA HOT MELT contendo variações de borrachas SBC e resinas taquificantes

The properties of the hot melt adhesive pressure sensitive (HMPSA) using an elastomer as a base polymer a copolymer of styrene and butadiene (SBS) and variation of tackifiers resins such as hydrocarbon resins and hydrogenated hydrocarbon were investigated. The formulations were prepared by mixing process within shear. The adhesives prepared were evaluated in test Brookfield viscosity and softening point Ring and Ball to compare the formulations and the influence of variations in raw materials. Infrared analyzes were performed to detect the reactions between the inputs and investigate the chemical interactions of the same properties of the adhesive. In thermal analysis, the assay was performed thermogravimetry (TG) and diferencial exploratory calorimetry (DSC). Were investigated the parameters of the tensile test on each of the formulations. Finally, were analysed comparatively the basic formulations of adhesives with their respective raw materials