Alterações em Variáveis Agrometeorológicas pelo Uso de Estufa Plástica

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo verificar o efeito da cobertura plástica de polietileno de baixa densidade (PEBD) sobre a temperatura do ar, umidade relativa do ar, déficit de saturação e tensão de vapor d'água no ar. Pelos resultados encontrados neste trabalho as médias mensais de temperatura do ar no interior da estufa plástica foram superiores em 7,5%, a umidade relativa do ar em 7%, o déficit de saturação em 34% e a tensão atual de vapor d'água no ar em 4,7%, em relação aos valores determinados à campo. Observou-se maior efeito da cobertura plástica sobre as temperaturas máximas, as quais levaram as médias mensais a ficar entre 3,8 a 7,8 oC acima dos valores médios determinados no campo. Os valores médios mensais mínimos de temperatura e umidade relativa do ar entre a estufa e o campo apresentaram menor amplitude de variação que os valores máximos.

Os estudos geopolíticos no Brasil: uma contribuição para sua avaliação

O texto faz um balanço dos estudos geopolíticos realizados no Brasil, mostrando os principais temas discutidos no período 1920-1980.

Predictors of Beta-Blocker Intolerance and Mortality in Patients After Acute Coronary Syndrome

Purpose: To investigate the predictors of intolerance to beta-blockers treatment and the 6-month mortality in hospitalized patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).Methods: This was a single-center, prospective, and longitudinal study including 370 consecutive ACS patients in Killip class I or II. BBs were prescribed according to international guidelines and withdrawn if intolerance occurred. The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee of our university. Statistics: the clinical parameters evaluated at admission, and the related intolerance to BBs and death at 6 months were analyzed using logistic regression (p<0.05) in PATIENTS.Results: BB intolerance was observed in 84 patients and was associated with no prior use of statins (OR: 2.16, 95%CI: 1.26-3.69, p= 0.005) and Killip class II (OR: 2.5, 95%CI: 1.30-4.75, p=0.004) in the model adjusted for age, sex, blood pressure, and renal function. There was no association with ST-segment alteration or left anterior descending coronary artery plaque. Intolerance to BB was associated with the greatest risk of death (OR: 4.5, 95%CI: 2.15-9.40, p<0.001).Conclusions: After ACS, intolerance to BBs in the first 48 h of admission was associated to non previous use of statin and Killip class II and had a high risk of death within 6 months.

Autonomic modulation and its relation with body composition in swimmers

This study compared autonomic modulation in swimmers and non-athletes in relation to body composition. A total of 28 athletes with a mean age of 19.7 +/- 2.9 years were evaluated who had at least 2 years of swimming training, trained approximately 7,000 m per day, with a frequency of 5 days per week, and who competed at national level. The control group was made up of 21 volunteers (23.0 +/- 2.5 years), who did not practice regular physical activity (<2 hours per week). Body composition was estimated using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and autonomic modulation was assessed by heart rate variability (HRV). The results show that there were significant differences in autonomic modulation and body composition between the groups, and that the athletes had a higher overall variability (standard deviation of all normal intervals between consecutive heart beats [SDNN]: 78.1 [72.5-93.5] x 61.1 [56.4-75.7], p = 0.022) and greater autonomic balance (LF/HF: 0.96 [0.88-1.35] x 0.71 [0.56-0.93], p = 0.023), compared with the non-athletes, respectively. In addition, a moderate and positive relation was obtained between fat-free mass and the square root of the squared differences between consecutive heartbeat intervals (RMSSD: r = 0.526, p = 0.004 x r = 0.456, p = 0.038), (SDNN: r = 0.617, p = 0.001 x r = 0.571, p = 0.007) and low frequency (LFms(2): r = 0.517, p = 0.005 3 r = 0.600, p = 0.004) in the athletes and non-athletes, respectively, without a correlation between fat mass (FM). The conclusion is that young highly trained swimmers had lower FM, increased fat-free mass, and better HRV than young adult non-athletes and suggests that a lower quantity of FM and, especially, a greater fat-free mass (FFM) are linked to better autonomic modulation. Thus, this study could contribute to coaches and trainers establishing greater performance by better autonomic modulation and greater quantity of FFM.

Anticorpos naturais e infecção: anticorpos naturais na doença de Chagas e na paracoccidioidomicose

Using ELISA technique, natural antibodies against self and non self antigens were determined in 80 patients chronically intected by T. cruzi and 40 individuals suffering from a deep mycosis frequentely found in Latin Amarica (Paracoccidioidomycosis - PCM). Two forms of PCM were investigated: adult forms and juvenil type of disease. Eighty percent (80%) of the former group had significantly elevated anti-laminin antibody levels (M=4.7,SD±1.8) compared with healthy controls and different specificities of antibody were associated with anti-laminin in pathological sera. A notable binding to cytoskeletal proteins was observed, specially with band 3 and their peptides derivates, such as 62 kDa peptide. By means of Protein A chromatography we were able to show that natural anti-Gal antibodies may be bound by their Fab region to other immunoglobulins and/or to Protein A by alternative sites of binding. The finding of lgG anti-Gal antibodies in circulating immune complexes isolated from chagasic sera supported the first alternative. However, it is possible that some of lgG anti-Gal antibodies, belong to VH111 subgroup of immunoglobulins, that bind directly to Protein A. Among the 40 sera from PCM examined, the majority was considered as not exhibiting a signilicantly higher binding than normal sera to antigens tested. However thirty percent (30%) of the chronic patients had an increased levels of natural antibodies at least for one specificity such as actyn, myosin and Gala1,3Gal epitopes. ln juvenil type of PCM the mean value found for actyn was also increased 2,42 (range 1,0 to 5,3). Utilizing the polyethylene glicol precipitation the presence of circulating immune complexes was investigated in PCM sera. Specific antibodies for soluble antigens from P. brasiliensis and natural antibodies against myoglobin, myosin and Gala1,3 Gal epitopes were characterized

Sexual Precocity of Nellore Bulls that are Offspring of Super Precocious, Precocious and Normal Cows in Extensive Farming Conditions

Contents The objective of this work was to verify that mothers classified as super precocious (M1) and precocious (M2) produce more precocious bulls than females classified as normal (M3). This study included 21186 animals with an average age of 21.29 +/- 1.77months that underwent a breeding soundness evaluation from 1999 to 2008. Of these animals, 2019, 6059 and 13108 were offspring of M1, M2 and M3 females, respectively. In the breeding soundness examination, the animals were classified as sound for reproduction, sound under a natural mating regime, unsound for reproduction and discarded. To compare the averages obtained for each category of mother within the individual breeding soundness classes, a chi-square test with a 5% error probability was used, considering the effects of year and month of birth and farm. For the three classes of mothers (M1, M2 and M3), 67.26, 67.22 and 64.16% of bull calves were considered sound for reproduction and 19.71, 19.46 and 21.90% were considered unsound for reproduction, respectively. There was no difference in the frequency of animals that were sound for reproduction under the natural breeding regime between the three classes of mothers (8.87, 9.31 and 9.19%, respectively). There was a difference between the numbers of precocious and normal females that were discarded, with frequencies of 4.01 and 4.75%, respectively (p<0.05). There were differences in year and month of birth and farm between super precocious and precocious cows in relation to the breeding soundness classification of the animals. It was concluded that the bull offspring of super precocious and precocious cows presented a higher percentage of approval in the breeding soundness examination than the bull offspring of normal cows, demonstrating that the selection for precocity of females has contributed to an increase in the sexual precocity of the herd in relation to the sexual maturity of bulls.

Estudo morfométrico do canal do hipoglosso

The hypoglossal nerve (HN) is responsible for the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue. Knowledge of this is extremely important because this nerve is responsible for tongue movement. HN paralysis can be associated to the disease itself in various zones in which the NH travels, mainly the hypoglossal canal (HC). Variations in shape of the hypoglossal canal have been pointed to as the cause of HN paralysis in several studies. Four hundred dried intact human skulls without sex or race identification, belonging to the Discipline of Anatomy of ICTSJC – UNESP were studied. Each canal was classified into types: type I (without division in the HC), type II (HC with low bone spike), type III (HC more than two projections bone), type IV (presence of complete bony bridge without dividing HC into two distinct canals) and type V (presence of bone bridge by dividing into two HC canals). HC was found in 100% of skulls studied in both side. Regarding types, we found 538 (67.25%) hypoglossal canal of type I (34%, right side and 33.25%, left side), 108 (13.5%) of type II (7.38%, right side, and 6.13%, left side), 60 (7.5%) hypoglossal canal of type III (3.5%, right side and 4.0%, left side) 84 (10.5%) of type IV (4.75%, right side and 5.75%, left side) and 5 (0.63%) of the type V (0.13%, right side and 0.5%, left side). We found 5 (0,63%) different HC and classified ourselves in type VI, VII and VIII. The average angle was 51,3º on right side and 50,25º on left side. Detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the CH supports professionals in interventions of bloody skull base and also in giving the correct diagnosis of the probable causes of paralysis of the hypoglossal nerve

Growth and development time of subtropical Cladocera Diaphanosoma birgei Korinek, 1981 fed with different microalgal diets

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

Uma nova abordagem analítica sobre teores de 'Zn' por HR-CSAAS em plantas medicinais voltadas ao emagrecimento

The following research project deals with the development of new analytical procedures aimed at the identification and quantification of the element zinc in different fractions of vegetable drugs used for weight loss, using the high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry in flame. The determination of the levels of zinc was made in an AnalytikJena ContrAA 300 spectrometer in the principal line of Zn at 213.857 nm and wavelength integrated absorbance equal to 3 pixels. Calibration curves were obtained with linear dynamic range from 0.10 to 1.00 mg L-1, correlation coefficient equal to 0.9991 and limit of detection equal to 0.020 mg L-1. The total Zn content in the samples obtained after microwave-assisted acid digestion system were: 28.06 mg kg-1 (Artichoke), 31.49 mg kg-1 (Chamomile), 77.16 mg kg-1 (Gorse), 105.38 mg kg-1 (Horsetail), 32.37 mg kg-1 (Fennel) and 5.00 mg kg-1 (Senna). The extraction in aqueous environment assisted by microwave radiation produced extracts containing: 5.40 mg kg-1 (Artichoke), 10.65 mg kg-1 (Chamomile), 14.83 mg kg-1 (Gorse), 18.90 mg kg-1 (Horsetail), 7.80 mg kg-1 (Fennel), 3.24 mg kg-1 (Senna), corresponding to 19%, 34%, 19%, 18%, 24% and 64% of their total content of Zn, respectively. The amounts of Zn in the extracted samples from some plants indicate that this metal was strongly bounded to the plant's matrix. The sequential extraction using solvents and mixtures with different polarities (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, propanol, methanol, ethanol-water 1:1 (v/v), water) aimed the separation of different Zn containing species and water was considered the most efficient extractor. The Zn contents extracted were: 14.82 mg kg-1 (Artichoke), 16.82 mg kg-1 (Chamomile), 34.09 mg kg-1 (Gorse), 4.75 mg kg-1 (Senna), corresponding to 53% in the first two samples, 44% and 95% for the last two, respectively. It was observed that Zn is found complexed under

Análise do chute de bola parada em indivíduos não praticantes de futebol

In the soccer game, the player needs to be ready to attend the outlined requirements in differents extrategic moments. The fundamentals of soccer optimize their participation in a game, however, a correct execution of the movements can ensure their efficiency. From those fundamentals, we highlight the kick executed with the lower limbs characterized mainly by being an appeal of offensive played moving or stopped. Therefore, the objective of this review was to evaluate the kick's ability in the non- practitioners of this modality. Through a descripitive search, the objective followed by the protocol proposed by Mor-Cristian in 1979 was reached. The sample consisted of 48 individuals from both sexes, aged between 19 and 43 years old, students of Physics’ Education of a private University in the State of São Paulo - Brazil. The average of target 01 was 15.92 points, target 02 was 3.83, target 03 showed an average of 4.75 points and the target 04 had the average of 10.33. From the results we can observe that the target 01 have received the highest score over the other arcs. We conclude that the lower arches shown to be more likely to hit compared to the upper arches as being individuals who do not practice soccer.

Influences of the pH on the adsorption properties of an antimicrobial peptide on titanium surfaces

The adsorption behavior of the Tet-124 antimicrobial peptide and the Tet-124 peptide modified at the C- and N-terminus with the sequence glycine-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine-glycine (G-DOPA-G) on titanium surfaces was studied using quartz crystal micro balance with dissipation (QCM-D). At a low pH level (4.75) Tet-124 and Tet-124-G-DOPA-G form rigid layers. This is attributed to the electrostatic interactions of the positively charged lysine and arginine residues in the peptide sequence with the negatively charged titanium oxide layer. At an elevated pH level (6.9) Tet-124 shows a lower mass adsorption at the surface than Tet-124-G-DOPA-G. This is attributed to the interaction of the catechol due to the formation of complexes with the titanium oxide and titanium surface layer. The C terminal and N terminal modification with the sequence G-DOPA-G shows similar adsorption rate and mass adsorption coverage at saturation; however it is presented a more loosely layers on the G-DOPA-G-TeT-124. Fibroblast adhesion and the biocompatibility test of both the surfaces following modification with Tet-124-G-DOPA-G and the titanium alloy control showed similar results. In addition, no changes in the adhesion of E. coli bacteria due to the modification of the surface were detected.

Role of ATM and PTEN in prostatic carcinogenic dog prostate: validation of aCGH results

The canis lupus familiares is the only species besides human that spontaneously develop prostatic carcinoma (PCa). In addition, the metastatic sites are similar to those frequently reported in men. For these reasons, the dog is the best natural model to study the molecular mechanisms in PCa development providing a natural animal model for treatment by molecular targets. Previously, we investigated copy number alterations by arrayCGH (Canine Genome CGH Microarray 4x44K-G2519F, Agilent Technologies) in canine prostatic lesions: 3 benign prostatic hyperplasias (BPH), 4 proliferative inflammatory atrophies (PIA), and 14 PCa. Five histologically normal prostatic tissues were used as reference. Genomic alterations were evaluated using Genomic Workbench Standard Edition 5.0.14. This previous study revealed significant copy number losses of Atm and Pten exclusively in PCa. In the present study, ATM and PTEN immunoexpression were investigated using a tissue microarray (TMA) containing 149 canine prostatic paraffin-embedded lesions (BPH, PIA and PCa) collected from 67 animals. Immunohistochemical reactions were performed using the polyclonal rabbit antibody anti-PTEN (Santa Cruz Biotech, 1:50) and anti-ATM (Abcam, 1:50). The sections were developed with diaminobenzidine (DAB) and peroxidase. The immunohistochemical staining was assessed in each core by the distribution of positive cells for each antibody per lesion (score 1: <25% cells positive, 2: 26% to 50%, 3: being 51% and 75% and 4:> 75%) and intensity (1: weak, 2: moderate, 3: intense). Chi-square or Fisher exact test was used to determine the association between the categorical variables using GraphPad Prism 5 (GraphPad Software Inc., La Jolla, CA). Distribution of positive cells did not differ among lesions. PCa and PIA showed more samples with weak intensity for ATM when compared to normal prostatic tissue and BPH (PCa: p=0,032 and PIA: p=0,025). Benign prostatic hyperplasia and normal samples presented intense PTEN immunostaining than PCa (p=0,021) and PIA (p=0,0013). These results suggest that ATM and PTEN proteins expression in canine prostatic carcinoma are downregulated possibly by copy number losses. These findings are similar from those described in prostate carcinomas from human corroborating for the use of dogs as a natural model to study prostatic disease in men.

Avaliação imunoistoquimica da cérvix de cadelas saudáveis e com o diagnóstico de piometra

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Prevalence of Arterial Hypertension Among Seventh-Day Adventists of the Sao Paulo State Capital and Inner Area

Background: Inadequate life habits are known to favor hypertension, and Adventists recommend healthy life habits. Objective: To assess the prevalence of hypertension among Seventh-Day Adventists from the inner Sao Paulo state and Sao Paulo state capital. Methods: This study assessed 264 Adventists (mean age, 41.17 +/- 15.27 years; women, 59.8%) with a high religiosity level assessed by use of the Duke University Religion Index. Blood pressure was measured with a validated automatic device. The significance level adopted was p < 0.05. Results: The total prevalence of hypertension was 22.7% (27.4% in the inner state and 15% in the capital). The Adventists from the capital differed from those of inner state as follows (p < 0.05), respectively: higher education (62% vs 36.6%); employed by a third party (44%) vs self-employed (40.9%); family income (8.39 +/- 6.20 vs 4.59 +/- 4.75 minimum wages); individual income (4.54 +/- 5.34 vs 6.35 +/- 48; couple responsible for family income (35% vs 39.6%); vegetarianism (11% vs 3%); blood pressure (115.38 +/- 16.52/68.74 +/- 8.94 vs 123.66 +/- 19.62/74.88 +/- 11.85 mmHg); white ethnicity (65% vs 81.1%); married (53% vs 68.9%); lower tangible support in the social aspect (15.7 +/- 5.41 vs 16.9 +/- 4.32); and recalling the last time one's blood pressure was measured (65% vs 48.8%). On multivariate analysis, hypertension associated with the following: 1) vegetarianism (OR 0.051; 95% CI: 0.004-0.681); 2) educational level (OR 5.317; 95% CI: 1.674-16.893); 3) recalling the last time one's blood pressure was measured (OR 2.725; 95% CI: 1.275-5.821); 4) being retired (OR 8.846; 95% CI: 1.406-55.668); and 5) being responsible for family income (OR 0.422; 95% CI: 0.189-0.942). Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension among Adventists was lower as compared with that reported in Brazilian studies, and it was lower in the Sao Paulo state capital as compared with that in the inner Sao Paulo state, possibly because of the better socioeconomic conditions and life habits of the former. (Arq Bras Cardiol 2012; 98(4): 329-337)

Impact of diabetes mellitus on arterial stiffness in a representative sample of an urban Brazilian population

Background Independent of other cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, increased arterial stiffness has been established as a predictor of morbidity and mortality. The main aim of this study was to investigate the impact of diabetes on arterial stiffness in a representative sample of an urban Brazilian population plus Amerindians. Methods A total of 1,415 individuals from the general population were randomly selected plus 588 Amerindians from a native community in Brazil. In addition, a sub-sample of 380 individuals from the general population had 5-year follow-up data. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured with a non-invasive automatic device (Complior, Colson; Garges les Gonesses, France) and increased arterial stiffness was defined as PWV ≥ 12 m/s. Results In the overall group, diabetic individuals had higher frequencies of increased arterial stiffness and hypertension. They also had higher values of PWV, body mass index, total cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressures compared to non-diabetic individuals (p < 0.01). In an analysis stratified by hypertension, PWV values and increased arterial stiffness frequency were higher in diabetic individuals in both groups (hypertensive and non-hypertensive) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, higher risk for increased arterial stiffness was observed in the diabetic individuals from the overall group (OR = 2.27; CI = 1.47-3.52, p < 0.001) and from the hypertensive group (OR = 2.70; CI = 1.58-4.75, p < 0.001), adjusted for covariates. Regarding the ethnic stratification, diabetic individuals from Amerindian, White, and Mulatto (mixed-race) groups had higher PWV values and a greater frequency of increased arterial stiffness compared to non-diabetic individuals. Both diabetic and non-diabetic individuals had higher PWV values after 5 years. There was no significant difference in the 5-year PWV progression in diabetic compared to non-diabetic individuals. Conclusions These results confirm, in a sample of Brazilian population, that the presence of diabetes is associated with increased arterial stiffness and it may contribute in part to increased cardiovascular risk in diabetic patients.