Equine Perineal and Vulvar Conformation Correction Using a Modification of Pouret's Technique

An incompetent vulvar seal leads to reproductive failure, and a surgical intervention might be required. The present paper describes modifications to Pouret's surgery. We suggest the use of a simple interrupted vertical mattress suture, which avoids seroma. Eighteen Brazilian Jumping Horse mares, older than 20 years and barren for 3-5 consecutive years, underwent modified Pouret's surgery. A horizontal skin incision of 3-4 cm was made half way between the anus and upper commissure of the vulva. The submucosal and connective tissue were dissected, and the rectovaginal shelf was split horizontally by sectioning the muscular and ligamentous connections between the anus, vulva, caudal portion of the rectum, and vagina until the vulva was oriented vertically. The wound was changed from a horizontal plane to a vertical plane by placing the suture vertically using approximately eight interrupted U sutures distributed in two layers with polyamide thread. The modified Pouret's surgical technique provided a perfect coaptation of the vulvar lips and a correct perineal position. Those mares that presented with horizontally tipped vulvar lips due to advanced age and stretching of the pelvic tissues by multiple foaling had their vulvas replaced. Also, the surgical procedure was easy to perform. As to fertility, of the 18 initial mares, 14 were inseminated, and all became pregnant. Thus, it was possible to conclude that the anatomical changes performed throughout the surgical procedure predisposed to a better vulvar coaptation, correcting the pneumovagina. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Carbon paste electrode modified with ascorbic acid and carbon nanotubes for determination copper in sugar cane spirit

This work has been carried out in order to determine the copper content in sugar cane spirit samples from the south of Minas Gerais, using a carbon paste electrode modified with ascorbic acid and carbon nanotubes using the square wave voltammetry technique. The following parameters were studied: Ed (deposit potencial). Td (deposit time), f (frequency), A (amplitude) and ΔEs (increment scanning). The analytical curve was built in an interval from 0.5 to 12 mg L-1 and a coefficient of linear correlation of 0.997 Three sugar cane spirit samples were analysed, which presented copper content ranging from 0.29 to 1.59 mg L-1.

One-Year Evaluation of a Simplified Ethanol-Wet Bonding Technique: A Randomized Clinical Trial

O objetivo deste ensaio clínico randomizado foi avaliar o comportamento clínico das restaurações adesivas, usando um adesivo convencional de três passos (CTP), um adesivo autocondicionante de um passo (AUP) e uma técnica simplificada da adesão úmida por etanol (AUET) antes da aplicação de uma resina composta em lesões cervicais não-cariosas. Noventa e três restaurações (31 para cada grupo) foram realizadas em 17 pacientes por um único operador. Nenhum preparo cavitário foi realizado. Depois de 6 e 12 meses, as restaurações foram avaliadas por 2 examinadores previamente treinados, utilizando critérios de Ryge modificados para retenção (kappa=1,00) e adaptação/manchamento marginal (kappa=0,81), e os resultados foram analisados pelos testes Exato de Fisher e Kruskal-Wallis, respectivamente. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os grupos aos 6 e 12 meses para qualquer um dos critérios avaliados (p≥0,05). A análise intra-grupo feita pelos testes Q de Cochran (para retenção) e Wilcoxon (para adaptação/manchamento marginal) revelou diferenças significativas entre os intervalos de tempo baseline/12 meses para a adaptação marginal no AUP (p=0,0180) e manchamento marginal no CTP (p=0,0117). A análise de sobrevivência para o critério retenção realizada utilizando o teste de log-rank não apresentou diferenças significantes (p≥0,05). As restaurações feitas utilizando a técnica simplificada da adesão úmida por etanol comportaram-se igualmente às outras estratégias adesivas empregadas.

Implant-retained finger prosthesis with modified retention system

Background: Amputations affect both the physical and the psychological aspects of an individual, causing significant impact on self-esteem. The main causes of finger amputations are work-related accidents with dangerous machinery, road traffic accidents, and animal bites, as well as systemic diseases such as diabetes. This report aims to describe a simple technique for fabrication of implant-retained finger prosthesis with a modified base of the retention system.Case Description and Methods: The O-Ring retention system was used with a modified hexagon-shaped base and a metallic capsule adapted to the acrylic resin to attach the prosthesis to the implant.Findings and Outcomes: The prosthesis was made with silicone, and after osseointegration, it was installed without complications, leading to a patient satisfied with the end result and encouraged to return to social life.

DEVELOPMENT OF A BIOMIMETIC SENSOR MODIFIED WITH HEMIN AND GRAPHENE OXIDE FOR MONITORING OF CARBOFURAN IN FOOD

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

Development of a method for sampling and determination of corrosion inhibitors in modified atmospheres

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Amorphous silicon carbonitride films modified by plasma immersion ion implantation

Amorphous silicon carbonitride (a-SiCN:H) films were deposited from hexamethyldisilazane (HMDSN) organic compounds via radio-frequency (RF) glow discharges. Afterwards the films were bombarded, from 15 to 60 min, with nitrogen ions using Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation (PIII) technique. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that O-containing groups increased, while C-C and/or C-H groups decreased with treatment time. This result indicates chemical alterations of the polymeric films with the introduction of polar groups on the surface, which changes the surface wettability. In fact, the hydrophobic nature of a-SiCN:H films (contact angle of 100 degrees) was changed by nitrogen ion implantation and, and after aging in atmosphere air, all samples preserved the hydrophilic character (contact angle <80 degrees) independently of treatment time. The exposure of the films to oxygen plasma was performed to evaluate the etching rate, which dropped from 24% to 6% while the implantation time increased from 15 to 60 min. This data suggests that Pill increased the film structure strength, probably due to crosslinking enhancement of polymeric chains. Therefore, the treatment with nitrogen ions via Pill process was effective to modify the wettability and oxidation resistance of a-SiCN:H films. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Determination of sulfate in ethanol fuel using an electrode chemically modified with polypyrrole by flow injection analysis

In this work, an electrode chemically modified with polypyrrole (PCME) was employed for determination of sulfate in ethanol fuel using a FIA system. The PCME was prepared by polymerization of pyrrole at a glassy carbon electrode by means of cyclic voltammetry technique. An analytical curve from 1.0 x 10−5 to 8.0 x 10−5 mol L−1 was obtained in flow injection system based on the PCME. An amperometric sensibility of 2.3 x 10−3 A mol−1 L and a detection limit of 2.5 x 10−6 mol L−1 were achieved. The proposed method was employed for determination of sulfate ions in commercial samples of ethanol fuel. The results were in good agreement with those obtained by the ionic chromatographic method.

Push-out bond strength of fiber posts to root dentin using glass ionomer and resin modified glass ionomer cements

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Use of high-resolution thermogravimetric analysis (HRTG) technique in spent FCC catalyst/Portland cement pastes

Thermogravimetric analysis is one of the most common instrumental techniques used for the characterization of pastes, mortars and concretes based on both calcium hydroxide and Portland cement. Important information about pozzolanic materials can be assessed concerning calcium hydroxide consumption and the formation of new hydrated products. Nevertheless, in some cases, problems associated with the overlapped decomposition processes for hydrates make the analysis of obtained data difficult. In this paper, the use of high-resolution thermogravimetric analysis, a powerful technique that allows separating decomposition processes in analysis of hydrated binders, was performed for spent FCC catalyst-Portland cement pastes. These pastes were monitored for 1, 4, 8 h and 1, 2, 3, 7 and 28 curing days. In order to study the influence of the pozzolanic material (spent FCC catalyst), Portland cement replacements of 5, 15 and 30 % by mass were carried out. The presence of spent FCC catalyst in blended pastes modified the amount and the nature of the formed hydrates, mainly ettringite and stratlingite.

Voltammetric Behavior of a Chemically Modified Silsesquioxane with 4-Amino-5-Phenyl-4h-[1,2,4]-Triazole-3-Thiol and its Application for Detection of L-Dopamine

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

TF-Test Modified: new diagnostic dool for human enteroparasitosis

Intestinal parasitosis is highly prevalent worldwide, being among the main causes of illness and death in humans. Currently, laboratory diagnosis of the intestinal parasites is accomplished through manual technical procedures, mostly developed decades ago, which justifies the development of more sensitive and practical techniques. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to develop, evaluate, and validate a new parasitological technique referred to as TF-Test Modified, in comparison to three conventional parasitological techniques: TF-Test Conventional; Rugai, Mattos & Brisola; and Helm Test/Kato-Katz. For this realization, we collected stool samples from 457 volunteers located in endemic areas of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, and statistically compared the techniques. Intestinal protozoa and helminths were detected qualitatively in 42.23% (193/457) of the volunteers by TF-Test Modified technique, against 36.76% (168/457) by TF-Test Conventional, 5.03% (23/457) by Helm Test/Kato-Katz, and 4.16% (19/457) by Rugai, Mattos & Brisola. Furthermore, the new technique presented almost perfect kappa agreement in all evaluated parameters with 95% (P < 0.05) of estimation. The current study showed that the TF-Test Modified technique can be comprehensively used in the diagnosis of intestinal protozoa and helminths, and its greater diagnostic sensitivity should help improving the quality of laboratory diagnosis, population surveys, and control of intestinal parasites.

Clinical evaluation of a composite resin and a resin-modified glass-ionomer cement in non -carious cervical lesions: one year result

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical performance of 124 non-carious cervical lesion restorations at 12 months. Materials And Methods: Three study groups were formed according to the material and technique used. All teeth received 37% phosphoric acid etching in enamel and dentin. The teeth of Group I received the conventional adhesive system Scotch Bond Multi Purpose, followed by resin composite Filtek Z350; teeth of Group II were restored with resin-modified glass-ionomer cement Fuji II LC; teeth of Group III were restored with the same resin-modified glass-ionomer cement however, before it was inserted, 2 coats of primer of the Scotch Bond Multi Purpose adhesive system were applied to dentinal tissue. The teeth were evaluated by 2 examiners with regard to the factors of retention, marginal adaptation, marginal discoloration, color alteration, presence of marginal caries lesion, anatomic shape, and sensitivity. Results: Application of the Kruskal-Wallis test showed no statistically significant difference for anatomic shape, marginal discoloration, color alteration, caries lesion, marginal adaptation, and sensitivity among the three study groups, but the variable retention presented statistically significant difference at 12 months, with Group III presenting a behavior superior to that of Group II but similar to that of Group I. Conclusion: The analyzed restorations of non-carious cervical lesions presented a good clinical performance at 12 months.

TF-Test modified: new diagnostic tool for human enteroparasitosis

Intestinal parasitosis is highly prevalent worldwide, being among the main causes of illness and death in humans. Currently, laboratory diagnosis of the intestinal parasites is accomplished through manual technical procedures, mostly developed decades ago, which justifies the development of more sensitive and practical techniques. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to develop, evaluate, and validate a new parasitological technique referred to as TF-Test Modified, in comparison to three conventional parasitological techniques: TF-Test Conventional; Rugai, Mattos & Brisola; and Helm Test/Kato-Katz. For this realization, we collected stool samples from 457 volunteers located in endemic areas of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, and statistically compared the techniques. Intestinal protozoa and helminths were detected qualitatively in 42.23% (193/457) of the volunteers by TF-Test Modified technique, against 36.76% (168/457) by TF-Test Conventional, 5.03% (23/457) by Helm Test/Kato-Katz, and 4.16% (19/457) by Rugai, Mattos & Brisola. Furthermore, the new technique presented “almost perfect kappa” agreement in all evaluated parameters with 95% (P < 0.05) of estimation. The current study showed that the TF-Test Modified technique can be comprehensively used in the diagnosis of intestinal protozoa and helminths, and its greater diagnostic sensitivity should help improving the quality of laboratory diagnosis, population surveys, and control of intestinal parasites.

Environmental effects in kelvin force microscopy of modified diamond surfaces

We have explored the effects of atmospheric environment on Kelvin force microscopy (KFM) measurements of potential difference between different regions of test polycrystalline diamond surfaces. The diamond films were deposited by microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition, which naturally produces hydrogen terminations on the surface of the films formed. Selected regions were patterned by electron-beam lithography and chemical terminations of oxygen or fluorine were created by exposure to an oxygen or fluorine plasma source. For KFM imaging, the samples were mounted in a hood with a constant flow of helium gas. Successive images were taken over a 5-h period showing the effect of the environment on KFM imaging. We conclude that the helium flow removes water molecules adsorbed on the surface of the samples, resulting in differences in surface potential between adjacent regions. The degree of water removal is different for surfaces with different terminations. The results highlight the importance of taking into account the atmospheric environment when carrying out KFM analysis. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.