The use of culture-independent tools to characterize bacteria in endo-tracheal aspirates from pre-term infants at risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Although premature infants are increasingly surviving the neonatal period, up to one-third develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Despite evidence that bacterial colonization of the neonatal respiratory tract by certain bacteria may be a risk factor in BPD development, little is known about the role these bacteria play. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of culture-independent molecular profiling methodologies to identify potential etiological agents in neonatal airway secretions. This study used terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) and clone sequence analyses to characterize bacterial species in endo-tracheal (ET) aspirates from eight intubated pre-term infants. A wide range of different bacteria was identified in the samples. Forty-seven T-RF band lengths were resolved in the sample set, with a range of 0-15 separate species in each patient. Clone sequence analyses confirmed the identity of individual species detected by T-RFLP. We speculate that the identification of known opportunistic pathogens including S. aureus, Enterobacter sp., Moraxella catarrhalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus sp., within the airways of pre-term infants, might be causally related to the subsequent development of BPD. Further, we suggest that culture-independent techniques, such as T-RFLP, hold important potential for the characterization of neonatal conditions, such as BPD.

Interactive sensory objects for and by people with learning disabilities

This project engages people with learning disabilities to participate as co-researchers and explore museum interpretation through multisensory workshops using microcontrollers and sensors to enable alternative interactive visitor experiences in museums and heritage sites. This article describes how the project brings together artists, engineers, and experts in multimedia advocacy, as well as people with learning disabilities in the co-design of interactive multisensory objects that replicate or respond to objects of cultural significance in our national collections. Through a series of staged multi-sensory art and electronics workshops, people with learning disabilities explore how the different senses could be utilised to augment existing artefacts or create entirely new ones. The co-researchers employ multimedia advocacy tools to reflect on and to communicate their experiences and findings.

Purification, and Biochemical and Biophysical Characterization of Cellobiohydrolase I from Trichoderma harzianum IOC 3844

Because of its elevated cellulolytic activity, the filamentous fungus Trichoderma harzianum has a considerable potential in biomass hydrolysis applications. Trichoderma harzianum cellobiohydrolase I (ThCBHI), an exoglucanase, is an important enzyme in the process of cellulose degradation. Here, we report an easy single-step ion-exchange chromatographic method for purification of ThCBHI and its initial biophysical and biochemical characterization. The ThCBHI produced by induction with microcrystalline cellulose under submerged fermentation was purified on DEAE-Sephadex A-50 media and its identity was confirmed by mass spectrometry. The ThCBHI biochemical characterization showed that the protein has a molecular mass of 66 kDa and pi of 5.23. As confirmed by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), both full-length ThCBHI and its catalytic core domain (CCD) obtained by digestion with papain are monomeric in solution. Secondary structure analysis of ThCBHI by circular dichroism revealed alpha-helices and beta-strands contents in the 28% and 38% range, respectively. The intrinsic fluorescence emission maximum of 337 nm was accounted for as different degrees of exposure of ThCBHI tryptophan residues to water. Moreover, ThCBHI displayed maximum activity at pH 5.0 and temperature of 50 degrees C with specific activities against Avicel and p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-cellobioside of 1.25 U/mg and 1.53 U/mg, respectively.

Mighty Impressive: After 38 years as dean, vice president, dancer, and friend, Janice Kassman retires. But her legacy lives on

After 38 years, longtime dean Janice Kassman has retired. She leaves a legacy of accomplishment and countless Colby friends.

Desenvolvimento folicular de embriões de frangos de corte de diferentes genótipos expostos ao estresse térmico crônico

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar as alterações tegumentares (morfogênese da pena), em embriões de frangos de corte de linhagens de diferentes padrões de crescimento, obtidos de ovos incubados sob diferentes temperaturas. Os ovos foram obtidos de matrizes das linhagens Cobb 500 e ISA JA57, distribuídos proporcionalmente em três incubadoras. do primeiro (D1) ao sexto dia (D6) de incubação, utilizou-se uma temperatura padrão (37,8°C). A partir do sétimo dia (D7) e até o momento do nascimento aos 21 dias (D21), uma das incubadoras teve a temperatura reduzida para 36,8°C (fria) e uma outra alterada para 38,8°C (quente). A terceira incubadora foi mantida a 37,8°C (controle). O delineamento adotado foi o inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3 x 2 (temperatura de incubação e linhagem). A temperatura de incubação e a linhagem não alteraram a densidade dos folículos da pena (número médio de folículos por área de 337,5µm²) nas regiões femural e dorsopélvica dos embriões até os 11 dias (D11). Entretanto, observou-se aumento na densidade folicular na região dorsal dos embriões aos 16 dias (D16) devido ao aumento da temperatura, permanecendo até o momento do nascimento. É possível oncluirque embriões incubados em temperatura acima da recomendada (38,8°C) apresentam uma maior densidade de folículos na região dorsopélvica. Apesar disso, a morfogênese dos folículos permaneceu inalterada.

Composição em ácidos graxos e qualidade da carne de tourinhos Nelore e Canchim alimentados com dietas à base de cana-de-açúcar e dois níveis de concentrado

O objetivo neste trabalho foi avaliar a composição de ácidos graxos e a qualidade do contrafilé (músculo Longissimus lumborum) de tourinhos das raças Nelore e Canchim. Os animais foram terminados em confinamento e alimentados com dietas contendo cana-de-açúcar e dois níveis de concentrado (40 e 60% na matéria seca). Os concentrados foram compostos de grãos de girassol, milho, farelo de soja, levedura seca de cana-de-açúcar, uréia e núcleo mineral. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 2 × 2 (grupo genético × nível de concentrado). Não foram observadas diferenças nos teores de umidade, proteína e extrato etéreo da carne. Os animais da raça Nelore apresentaram maiores concentrações de ácido linoléico conjugado (0,52%), ácidos graxos insaturados (46,82%) e também relações mais elevadas de ácidos graxos insaturados:saturados (1,02) e monoinsaturados:saturados (0,86) em comparação aos tourinhos da raça Canchim. Os tourinhos da raça Canchim apresentaram maior intensidade das cores vermelha e amarela no contrafilé e maior luminosidade da gordura de cobertura. Houve interação para força de cisalhamento, que foi menor nos tourinhos Nelore alimentados com 40% de concentrado. Tourinhos da raça Nelore apresentam carne com melhor composição de ácidos graxos na gordura intramuscular do ponto de vista da saúde humana.

Lócus de controle e conceito de maternidade e paternidade em adolescentes

Locus of control is a construct that seeks to explain people's perceptions about the source of control of events, if the subject's own - internal - or belonging to some element outside of oneself - external. The location of individual s locus of control will suffer influence of their developmental period. During adolescence, individuals turn to the construction of their identity, and the structuring of sexual identity is a relevant part of this process, since the roles of males and females are the most important from the socio-cultural point of view. One of the roles that adolescents can take is the mother or father. We chose to head the adolescents who are not mothers and fathers, and question them about their concepts of parenthood. It is hypothesized that adolescents with internal locus of control will probably develop concepts of maternity and paternity in which they attach to themselves the responsibility for children. The aim of this study was to relate the locus of control s predominant dimension in adolescence and the way that these young people conceptualize parenthood. This is an exploratory analytical cross-sectional study accomplished with 400 adolescents from the classes of the sixth to ninth grade of high school at public schools in Natal / RN. We used as protocols: structured questionnaire involving sociodemographic questions and questions about the concept of parenthood, and the Multifactorial Scale of Locus of Control. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with the aid of statistical package SPSS 18.0. The results regarding questions about the concept of maternity and paternity were analyzed using the analysis program often ALCESTE 4.7. The results showed that for boys and girls, maternity and paternity were characterized by the acquisition and assumption of responsibilities of adulthood. This concept is supported by the locus of control s classification of individuals, since most of the subjects of this study was characterized as individuals who tend to take responsibility for their life's events. For young people from lower classes (as the subjects of this research), the project of autonomy and social mobility is realized by the constitution of his own family and the ability to sustain it

SEABATHER'S ERUPTION: A CLINICAL and EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY of 38 CASES IN SANTA CATARINA STATE, BRAZIL

Seabather's eruption (SBE) is an intensely itchy, papule-erythematous dermatitis that occurs predominantly in regions of the body covered by bathing costumes, after exposure to marine water. The planulae larvae of Linuche unguiculata scyphomedusae (thimble jellyfish) are the etiologic agent of the dermatitis, which is frequent in waters of Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and Florida. The authors report 38 cases of SBE in the State of Santa Catarina (Southern region of Brazil), with emphasis on their clinical and epidemiological aspects, such as profile of victim, topography of the papules and conditions predisposing to the accident.

Effects of prolonged running performed at the intensity corresponding to the onset of blood lactate accumulation, on maximum isokinetic strength in active non-athletic individuals

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os efeitos da corrida contínua prolongada realizada na intensidade correspondente ao início do acúmulo do lactato no sangue (OBLA) sobre o torque máximo dos extensores do joelho analisado em diferentes tipos de contração e velocidade de movimento em indivíduos ativos. MÉTODO: Oito indivíduos do gênero masculino (23,4 ± 2,1 anos; 75,8 ± 8,7 kg; 171,1 ± 4,5 cm) participaram deste estudo. Primeiramente, os sujeitos realizaram um teste incremental até a exaustão voluntária para determinar a velocidade correspondente ao OBLA. Posteriormente, os sujeitos retornaram ao laboratório em duas ocasiões, separadas por pelo menos sete dias, para realizar 5 contrações isocinéticas máximas para os extensores do joelho em duas velocidades angulares (60 e 180º.s-1) sob as condições excêntrica (PTE) e concêntrica (PTC). Uma sessão foi realizada após um período de aquecimento padronizado (5 min a 50%VO2max). A outra sessão foi realizada após uma corrida contínua no OBLA até a exaustão voluntária. Essas sessões foram executadas em ordem randômica. RESULTADOS: Houve redução significante do PTC somente a 60º.s-1 (259,0 ± 46,4 e 244,0 ± 41,4 N.m). Entretanto, a redução do PTE foi significante a 60º.s-1 (337,3 ± 43,2 e 321,7 ± 60,0 N.m) e 180º.s-1 (346,1 ± 38,0 e 319,7 ± 43,6 N.m). As reduções relativas da força após o exercício de corrida foram significantemente diferentes entre os tipos de contração somente a 180º.s-1. CONCLUSÃO: Podemos concluir que, em indivíduos ativos, a redução no torque máximo após uma corrida contínua prolongada no OBLA pode ser dependente do tipo de contração e da velocidade angular.

High Prevalence of bla(CTX-M) Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates from a Tertiary Care Hospital: First report of bla(SHV-12), bla(SHV-31), bla(SHV-38), and bla(CTX-M-15) in Brazil

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

Discussion on the limit cycles of the Lev Ginzburg equation by M. Bellamy and R.E. Mickens, Journal of Sound and Vibration 308 (2007) 337-342

The authors M. Bellamy and R.E. Mickens in the article "Hopf bifurcation analysis of the Lev Ginzburg equation" published in Journal of Sound and Vibration 308 (2007) 337-342, claimed that this differential equation in the plane can exhibit a limit cycle. Here we prove that the Lev Ginzburg differential equation has no limit cycles. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of antioxidant agents on bond strength of composite to bleached enamel with 38% hydrogen peroxide

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

Change in the ascorbic-acid content of acerolas (Malpighia-glabra L) as function of harvest maturation degree and storage-temperature

The content of ascorbic acid was assayed in acerolas harvested in three phases of maturation: green-yellow fruits (I); light red (II) and wine-coloured (III). Phase I and Phase II fruit were packed in aluminium sheets and stoppered flasks and stored in freezer (-10o.C) and in refrigerator (8o.C). Samples of 8 fruits from each experimental condiction were analysed for ascorbic acid determination by 2-chlorophenol indophenol discolouration method. The averages of 1.393,5 mg./100g. for Phase I sample, 1024,9 for Phase II and 756,5 for Phase III fruits, showed a statistically significative linear decreasing of the ascorbic acid content related with the maturation extent Phase I samples stored in freezing showed statitically significative decreasing of that vitamin at 408 hours of storage in both: aluminium sheet and stoppered flask package; in chilling temperature there was significative reduction of ascorbic acid content after 240 and 312 hours, respectively, for fruits packed in aluminium sheet and stopped flasks. Phase Il samples showed significative lost at 72 hours of storage when maintained in freezing temperature either, in aluminium sheet or in stoppered flasks: When stored in chilling temperature showed progressive lost of ascorbic acid in all measuring periods in every package. After 144 hours suffered deterioration suggested by colour changes.

Penetration of 38% hydrogen peroxide into the pulp chamber in bovine and human teeth submitted to office bleach technique

This study evaluated the pulp chamber penetration of peroxide bleaching agent in human and bovine teeth after office bleach technique. All the teeth were sectioned 3 mm apical of the cement-enamel junction and were divided into 2 groups, A (70 third human molars) and B (70 bovine lateral incisors), that were subdivided into A1 and B1 restored by using composite resin, A2 and B2 by using glass ionomer cement, and A3 and B3 by using resin-modified glass ionomer cement; A4, A5, B4, and B5 were not restored. Acetate buffer was placed in the pulp chamber, and the bleaching agent was applied for 40 minutes as follows: A1-A4 and B1-B4, 38% hydrogen peroxide exposure and A5 and B5, immersion into distilled water. The buffer solution was transferred to a glass tube in which leuco crystal violet and horseradish peroxidase were added, producing a blue solution. The optical density of the blue solution was determined by spectrophotometer and converted into microgram equivalents of hydrogen peroxide. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and Dunnett, Kruskal-Wallis, and Tukey tests (5%). A higher level of hydrogen peroxide penetrated into the pulp chamber in resin-modified glass ionomer cements in bovine (0.79 +/- 0.61 mu g) and human (2.27 +/- 0.41 mu g) groups. The bleaching agent penetration into the pulp chamber was higher in human teeth for any experimental situation. The penetration of the hydrogen peroxide depends on restorative materials, and under the conditions of this study human teeth are more susceptible to penetration of bleaching agent into the pulp chamber than bovine teeth.