Delimiting the Origin of a B Chromosome by FISH Mapping, Chromosome Painting and DNA Sequence Analysis in Astyanax paranae (Teleostei, Characiformes)

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

Intra-abdominal pressure as a predictor of acute kidney injury in postoperative abdominal surgery

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine if intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) could predict acute renal injury (AKI) in the postoperative period of abdominal surgeries, and which would be its cutoff value. Patients and methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in the period from January 2010 to March 2011 in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of the University Hospital of Botucatu Medical School, UNESP. Consecutive patients undergoing abdominal surgery were included in the study. Initial evaluation, at admission in ICU, was performed in order to obtain demographic, clinical surgical and therapeutic data. Evaluation of IAP was obtained by the intravesical method, four times per day, and renal function was evaluated during the patient's stay in the ICU until discharge, death or occurrence of AKI. Results: A total of 60 patients were evaluated, 16 patients developed intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH), 45 developed an abnormal IAP (>7 mmHg) and 26 developed AKI. The first IAP at the time of admission to the ICU was able to predict the occurrence of AKI (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve was 0.669; p=0.029) with the best cutoff point (by Youden index method) >= 7.68 mmHg, sensitivity of 87%, specificity of 46% at this point. The serial assessment of this parameter did not added prognostic value to initial evaluation. Conclusion: IAH was frequent in patients undergoing abdominal surgeries during ICU stay, and it predicted the occurrence of AKI. Serial assessments of IAP did not provided better discriminatory power than initial evaluation.

Population differentiation and speciation in the genus Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae): effects of reproductive and chromosomal barriers

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Aggressiveness of pratylenchus brachyurus to sugarcane, compared with key nematode p. zeae

Pratylenchus zeae, Meloidogyne javanica and M. incognita are considered key species of nematodes in sugarcane in Brazil, but P. brachyurus is also frequently found. This study was conducted to determine the aggressiveness of P. brachyurus compared with P. zeae to sugarcane. Plants were grown in pots (100 L) in an open area with initial inoculation of 10, 100, 1,000, 10,000 and 100,000/plant for P. brachyurus and P. zeae. The nematode inocula were from in vitro, carrot-cylinder cultures. Sampling was performed every 60 days until 300 days after inoculation. At harvest, we evaluated the population dynamics of the nematodes and plant growth characteristics. The population for the initial levels of 10 and 100,000 specimens/plant, for P. brachyurus and P. zeae at 300 days after inoculation were similar. This fact shows that, upon detection of nematodes in a certain place during the planting of sugarcane, the ratoon on this area should be treated so as to control populations of P. brachyurus and/or P. zeae. The damage caused by the initial population of 10 specimens of P. brachyurus was similar to those of 10.000 specimens of P. zeae. The variety CTC 2 was classified as susceptible to P. zeae and intolerant to P. brachyurus. Compared to the control, the losses as measured by the volume and fresh weight of shoots by the nematode species were 29.82% and 40.34%, respectively. Pratylenchus brachyurus was more aggressive than P. zeae to the CTC 2 sugarcane variety.

Produtividade e qualidade de grãos de canola em função da adubação nitrogenada e sulfatada

The canola (Brassica napus, L.) cultivation was encouraged for grain and oil production at the 80's, and it is also considered a good option for crop rotation. The nitrogen is one of the most required nutrients by the plant to increase its production, while sulfur is essential to provide seed quality. Thus, the objective of this study was, at Cerrado region, evaluate the effects of nitrogen and sulfur fertilization at yield and contents of oil and crude protein in the grains. We also sought relate to grain yield the S content in the soil and concentrations of N and S in the diagnosis leaf. The experiment was conducted in Uberaba County, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in an Oxisol, utilizing the Hyola 401 hybrid. The treatments consisted in a factorial scheme 5 x 4 (five N rates: 0, 60, 100, 140 and 180 kg ha(-1) and; four S rates: 0, 15, 30 and 60 kg ha(-1)) in a randomized blocks design, with four replicates. The nitrogen and sulfur fertilization increased canola grain yield, without significantly alter contents of oil and crude protein. Rates higher than to 140 kg ha(-1) of N and 15 kg ha(-1) of S provided grain yield above 1100 kg ha(-1). Plots with yield higher than to 1000 kg ha(-1) presented foliar concentration of N above 52 g kg(-1). The highest S content was observed at the 0.15-0.30 m layer, proving the sulfate anion mobility. The lowest grain yield were observed when the S content in the soil at this layer were less than 4 mg dm(-3). The N concentrations in the diagnostic leaf and S-SO4-2 content in the 0.15-0.30 m layer correlated positively with crop yield.

Soil microbiological attributes under summer/winter crops rotation in a no-tillage system

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

Concurrent training effect on muscle fibers in Wistar rats

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Phase II clinical study of an association for the treatment of interstitial cystitis (CYSTEX)

Painful bladder syndrome associated with interstitial cystitis (PBS/IC) is a clinical condition characterized pelvic pain, urinary urgency, and urinary frequency. In this study, 22 patients were assigned to make two visits over a three weeks period. The patients were randomly, double-blinded assigned in two groups. The first group received Cystex® capsules. The second group received placebo capsules. Two capsules were taken three times a day away from meals. The change from baseline in the O’Leary-Sant IC symptom and problem index was the primary outcome parameter. Changes in functional bladder capacity and intensity of pain and urgency have been chosen as secondary outcome parameters. Mood as well as physical and sexual activity were rated by 10 questions on a scale 0 to 6. The ratings were analyzed and the average for each patient in both groups Cystex® and placebo was determined as the quality of life index. For the primary outcome there was a statistically significant difference between the groups. Mean symptom score-sum decreased from 28.4 to 20.5 in the Cystex® group compared with 29.5 to 26.8 in the placebo group (p<0.05). For the secondary end points, pain and urgency intensity improved statistically significantly in the Cystex® group compared with the placebo group (p<0.05). The frequency and functional bladder capacity improved to greater degree in the Cystex® group. The differences were statistically significant for comparison of frequency (p<0.05) and not for functional bladder capacity (p>0.05). In our study, Cystex® enhanced quality of life over the placebo showing a statistically significant. This trial have shown that the efficacy and safety of therapy with Cystex® in the treatment of interstitial cystitis and is an alternative for patients suffering from this pathology. Therefore, it can be concluded that the composition of Cystex®, increased the quality of life in treated patients.

Double-Blind clinical study of a multivitamin and polymineral complex associated with Panax ginseng (Gerovital)

The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a multivitamin and poly minerals supplemented with Panax ginseng extract (Gerovital®) on patients suffering from common physical or mental stress. The study design was controlled, parallel and double blind. Patients were randomly divided in two groups and underwent a thorough clinical and laboratory examination. Group A received placebo capsules and group B received Gerovital® capsules. In both cases, two capsules were taken daily during meals for eight weeks. Mood as well as physical activity were evaluated through a questionnaire assessing quality of life. From the 126 patients enrolled, 12 patients (8 in group A and 4 in group B) were excluded due to voluntary withdrawal, 55 patients completed the study in group A and 59 in group B. The treatment with Gerovital® significantly increased the quality of life when compared to placebo. After 15 days of study no difference between groups was observed. However, at 30th, 45th and 60th day, group B showed a statistically significant increase in average score from 30.05 to 41.96, 47.01 and finally 50.81 points. No increase in body weight was detected in either group. No difference in blood pressure or heart rate was also observed between treatments. The present study has shown that the daily use of Gerovital® over a 2-month period can be effective in improving quality of life in patients suffering from physical and mental stress among individuals of different ages, ranging from adults to elderly. Moreover, its use has been associated to a lower incidence of flu-like seasonal respiratory illnesses. Finally, the incidence of undesired effects was similar to placebo.

Brands Analysis Using Informational Ergonomics Concepts: A Proposal

Currently, a lot of visual information present in all media is form vehemently, for example, in print media and interfaces used for publicity in conjunction with informational design. This visual information has great influence in the life of human beings, since the vision of these individuals is the most used sense. Studies on visual identity have not explored this issue in a satisfactory manner, favoring thus the subject of this small development projects in the area. It is noted the need for analyzes to enable implementation principles of project, making them accessible to the comprehension of most individuals. This study aimed to propose an evaluation of visual identities, which were analyzed by means of visual concepts of usability, design methodologies and Gestalt. We contacted design firms specialized in visual identity projects, places where interviews were conducted to collect the brands allowed for analysis. The results point to a frequent demand for the employment of visual usability principles, design methodologies and Gestalt design in visual identities.

Low-intensity laser therapy effect on the recovery of traumatic spinal cord injury

Scientific advances have been made to optimize the healing process in spinal cord injury. Studies have been developed to obtain effective treatments in controlling the secondary injury that occurs after spinal cord injury, which substantially changes the prognosis. Low-intensity laser therapy (LILT) has been applied in neuroscience due to its anti-inflammatory effects on biological tissue in the repairing process. Few studies have been made associating LILT to the spinal cord injury. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the LILT (GaAlAs laser-780 nm) on the locomotor functional recovery, histomorphometric, and histopathological changes of the spinal cord after moderate traumatic injury in rats (spinal cord injury at T9 and T10). Thirty-one adult Wistar rats were used, which were divided into seven groups: control without surgery (n = 3), control surgery (n = 3), laser 6 h after surgery (n = 5), laser 48 h after surgery (n = 5), medullar lesion (n = 5) without phototherapy, medullar lesion + laser 6 h after surgery (n = 5), and medullar lesion + laser 48 h after surgery (n = 5). The assessment of the motor function was performed using Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scale and adapted Sciatic Functional Index (aSFI). The assessment of urinary dysfunction was clinically performed. After 21 days postoperative, the animals were euthanized for histological and histomorphometric analysis of the spinal cord. The results showed faster motor evolution in rats with spinal contusion treated with LILT, maintenance of the effectiveness of the urinary system, and preservation of nerve tissue in the lesion area, with a notorious inflammation control and increased number of nerve cells and connections. In conclusion, positive effects on spinal cord recovery after moderate traumatic spinal cord injury were shown after LILT.

Production and characterization of lipases and immobilization of whole cell of the thermophilic Thermomucor indicae seudaticae N31 for transesterification reaction

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Single Origin of Sex Chromosomes and Multiple Origins of B Chromosomes in Fish Genus Characidium

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

Karyotype diversity and patterns of chromosomal evolution in Eigenmannia (Teleostei, Gymnotiformes, Sternopygidae)

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

Ácidos graxos da gordura de cobertura do contrafilé de bovinos Nelore e Canchim terminados em confinamento e alimentados com diferentes níveis de concentrado nas dietas

The objective was to evaluate fatty acids composition of the back fat in loin meat (Longissimus muscle) from Nellore and Canchim young bulls. The animals were finished at feedlot and received sugar cane diets with two concentrate levels (40 and 60% of dry matter). The concentrates were formulated with sunflower grains, corn, soybean meal, dry sugar cane yeast, urea and mineral mixture. The experimental design was a completely randomized design with a 2x2 factorial arrangement (genetic group x concentrate level), and the results were submitted to the variance analysis and means compared by Tukey test at 5% probability, when the interaction was significant. The loin backfat of Nellore bulls had higher concentration of conjugated linoleic acids than Canchim bulls (0.86 and 0.59%, respectively). On the other hand, the loin back fat of Canchim bulls had higher concentrations of estearic (17.07%) and linoleic acids (2.40%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids than Nellore bulls, that showed values of 13.47 and 1.44%, respectively. The Nellore and Canchim loin back fat presents significant amounts of beneficial fatty acids to human health. Levels of 40 and 60% of concentrate in the diet did not alter the fatty acids composition of loin backfat.