Multivariate optimization and validation of an analytical methodology by RP-HPLC for the determination of losartan potassium in capsules

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Fuzzy Logic and Geostatistical Techniques for Spatialization of Soil Texture in Region with Rough Terrains

From the geotechnical standpoint, it is interesting to analyse the soil texture in regions with rough terrain due to its relation with the infiltration and runoff processes and, consequently, the effect on erosion processes. The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology that provides the soil texture spatialization by using Fuzzy logic and Geostatistic. The results were correlated with maps drawn specifically for the study area. The knowledge of the spatialization of soil properties, such as the texture, can be an important tool for land use planning in order to reduce the potential soil losses during rain seasons. (c) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of Spatial Statistics 2011

Opinion of hepatic transplant waiting list patients regarding split liver transplantation

Background. Split liver transplantation (SLT) increases organ supply for hepatic transplantation. Long-term patient survival and complication rates seem to be equivalent between orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and SLT. There are controversies among transplant physicians due to an ethical dilemma between benefiting individual needs or those of society. Barshes and Goss (Am J Transplant 5:2047, 2005) demonstrated that the majority of adult liver transplant candidates are favorable to SLT. The aim of our study was to evaluate the opinions of patients at a Brazilian university hospital regarding SLT.Materials and Methods. A questionnaire with 14 questions was applied to 50 patients included in a hepatic transplant waiting list regarding SLT.Results. The overall attitudes of 66% of the participants were classified as utilitarian, 31% were classified as self-preserving, and 3% were undecided. Ninety-one percent of patients would be willing to share even if their expected survival after SLT was shorter than that with OLT. For 77% of patients, children must have priority over adults. However, 83% were unaware of the donors for pediatric transplantations.Conclusions. SLT is a consistent solution for organ demand despite controversies among transplant physicians. The present study demonstrated that most patients were favorable to SLT. In conclusion, attitudes toward graft sharing are not barriers to SLT.

A total laparoscopic technique for endovascular thoracic stent graft deployment

Background: Limitations of endovascular thoracic aneurym treatment include small, tortuous, or severely calcified iliac Back, arteries. We present our experience with a total laparoscopic access to deploy thoracic endografts.Methods. A total laparoscopic left retrocolic approach was used in all cases. A Dacron conduit was laparoscopically sutured to either the iliac artery or to the aorta directly. The endograft was inserted through this conduit. After graft deployment, the Dacron prosthesis was tunneled to the groin and anastomosed with the femoral artery.Results. The laparoscopic procedure could successfully be performed in 11 patients. In six cases, the aorta was used as all access and in five patients, the iliac arteries were preferred. In one of these cases, the right iliac artery, was used for deployment of the endograft. After successful aorto- or ileo-femoral bypass grafting, all patients had an improvement of their ankle brachial index postoperatively. The mean operative time was almost four hours, including laparoscopy, laparoscopic anastomosis, endograft deployment, and femoral artery anastomosis or profundaplasty.Conclusion: Totally laparoscopic assisted graft implantation in aorta or iliac arteries provides a safe and effective access for the endovascular delivery system. However, further evaluation and long follow-up are necessary to ensure the potential advantages of this technique. It is a less invasive option to overcome access-related problems with thoracic endograft deployment, giving the patient the advantage of a totally minimal invasive procedure. (J Vasc Surg 2010;51:504-8.)

Anticorpos contra Toxoplasma gondii em equinos com histórico de ataxia

Stelmann U.J.P., Silva R.C., Langoni H., Borges A.S. & Amorim R.M. [Antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in horses with history of ataxia]. Anticorpos contra Toxoplasma gondii em equinos corn historic de ataxia. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinaria, 33(4):200-202, 2011. Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Medicina Veterinaria, Departamento de Clinica Veterinaria, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinaria e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho, Campus de Botucatu, Distrito de Rubiao Junior, s/n, Botucatu, SP 18618-970, Brasil. E-mail: stelmann.ppgctia@gmail.comThe frequency of antibodies in blood serum and cerebrospinal fluid against Toxoplasma gondii in horses with a history of ataxia from the state of São Paulo, Brazil was carried out. Modified agglutination test was used to determine antibodies against T gondii, considering as positive samples with titers >= 2. of the blood samples tested, only 8 of 23 (34.78%) were positive, while CSF samples were negative when used the same technique. According to the negative results obtained for CSF, we concluded that T gondii was not the etiological agent of the myeloencephalitis in studied horses with neurological manifestation of ataxia, while the blood serological results indicated a previously exposure to T gondii.

DERMOID CYST IN SHEEP - A CASE REPORT

Stelmann U.J.P., Silva A.A, Souza B.G., Oliveira G.F., Mello E.B.F.R.B, Souza G.C.J. & Hess T.M. Dermoid cyst in sheep - A Case Report. [Cisto dermoide em ovino - Relato de Caso]. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinaria, 34(2):127-130, 2012. Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ciencia, Tecnologia e Inovacao em Agropecuaria, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, BR 465, Km 7, Seropedica, RJ 23890-000, Brasil. E-mail: stelmann.ppgctia@gmail.comA dermoid cyst is a non-neoplasic, benign dermatologic injury. This article describes the finding of a dermoid cyst that was surgically extracted in a nine months aged ewe. The patient was admitted to the Large Animal Veterinary Hospital Department at the Federal Rural of Rio de Janeiro University, with a history of a non-healing wound that also contained fur. The ewe was referred to the surgical service and the histopathologic analysis of the lesion revealed a structure lined by stratified epithelium containing hair follicles, sudoriparous and sebaceous glands, which are conclusive for a dermoid cyst diagnosis.

Equine neosporosis: search for antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid and sera from animals with history of ataxia

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeito paradoxal do tratamento de manifestações convulsivas desencadeadas por exercício físico em uma potra - Relato de caso

Laskoski L.M., Doria R.G.S., Avila L.G., Rocha T.G., Freitas S.H. de & Lacerda Neto J.C. [Paradoxal effect of the seizures treatment caused by physical exercise in a foal - Case report]. Efeito paradoxal do tratamento de manifestacoes convulsivas desencadeadas por exercicio fisico em uma potra - Relato de caso. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinaria, 33(2):95-98, 2011. Rua Presidende Wenceslau Braz, numero 670, apart. 1101. Morada do Sol, Cuiaba, 78043-508. MT, Brasil. Email: lucianelaskoski@hotmail.comNeurological disturbs, in special seizures, are rare in adult horses and are normally observed in young animals in consequence of several diseases. A foal was admitted with neurological signs characterized by seizures during exercise. A maintenance protocol with anticonvulsants was not possible to establish therefore all the drugs had aggravated the seizures even with low dosages. Restriction of physical activity was the option, leaving the animal in stall until it had reached the maturity and at this time the neurological signs had stopped.

An in vitro evaluation of apicoectomies and retropreparations using different methods

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

Assessing the surface roughness of a posterior resin composite: effect of surface sealing

This study assessed the in vitro influence of surface sealing on the surface roughness of a posterior resin composite before and after tooth-brushing. Thirty. specimens (13 nun diameter x 1 mm high) were fabricated from Filtek-P60 resin composite and randomly assigned to three groups (n=10): a non-sealed control and two groups sealed with one of the tested materials-a surface-penetrating sealant (Protect-it!-PI) and a one bottle adhesive system (Single Bond-SB). The samples were subjected to a surface roughness reading to determine the initial roughness, then submitted to simulated toothbrushing with 35,600 cycles for 100 minutes. Specimens were then cleaned and a post-abrasion surface roughness reading accomplished. Means (pm), recorded before (B) and after (A) toothbrushing, and standard deviations were: Control-(B): 0.032 (+/-0.005), (A): 0.054 (+/-0.005); PI-(B): 0.034 (+/-0.005), (A): 0.060 (+/-0.034); SB (B): 0.031 (+/-0.004), (A): 0.047 (+/-0.007). Data were tabulated and submitted to two-way ANOVA. No statistically significant difference was observed when the control and experimental groups were compared. However, a significant difference (p<0.05) was found between the measurements performed before and after toothbrushing. Based on these results, it may be concluded that using either a surface penetrating sealant or a one bottle adhesive system did not provide the optimization of superficial integrity. The use of a dentifrice and toothbrush resulted in significant alterations to the surface smoothness of the resin composite.

Evaluation of Ultrasonic and ErCr:YSGG Laser Retrograde Cavity Preparation

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

Influência do horário de colheita sobre o rendimento e composição do óleo essencial de erva-cidreira brasileira [Lippia alba (Mill.) N. E. Br.]

Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar se o horário de colheita da erva-cidreira brasileira [Lippia alba (Mill.) N. E. Br.], fenotipo carvona-limoneno, tem influência sobre a produção de massa foliar, rendimento e composição do óleo essencial. Foram avaliados cinco horários de colheita quando a cultura estava com 145 dias desde o transplante: 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 e 16:00 h com cinco repetições, distribuídos em blocos casualizados. O experimento foi conduzido na Fazenda Experimental Lageado da FCA-UNESP/Botucatu no Setor de Horticultura do Departamento de Produção Vegetal. A colheita foi realizada a 15 cm da superfície do solo e o óleo essencial obtido através de hidrodestilação, em aparelho tipo Clevenger. Levou-se em consideração os fatores agronômicos e o rendimento obtido por hidrodestilação. O óleo essencial foi analisado em cromatógrafo gasoso acoplado a espectrômetro de massas (CG/EM). Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância (Teste F) e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey. Não houve diferença estatística para produção de massa foliar, teor de óleo essencial e produtividade de óleo essencial em massa fresca e seca. No entanto, entre os compostos majoritários do óleo essencial das folhas, carvona e limoneno, a melhor produtividade de carvona foi obtida às 10:00 h, em matéria fresca (2,050 L ha-1) e em matéria seca (2,068 L ha-1), e para o limoneno às 16:00 h, em matéria fresca (1,068 L ha-1) e em matéria seca (1,060 L ha-1).

Severe food restriction induces myocardial dysfunction related to SERCA2 activity

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

Antiepileptic effect of acylpolyaminetoxin JSTX-3 on rat hippocampal CA1 neurons in vitro

The Joro spider toxin (JSTX-3), derived from Nephila clavata, has been found to block glutamate excitatory activity. Epilepsy has been studied in vitro, mostly on rat hippocampus, through brain slices techniques. The aim of this study is to verify the effect of the JSTX-3 on the epileptiform activity induced by magnesium-free medium in rat CA1 hippocampal neurons. Experiments were performed on hippocampus slices of control and pilocarpine-treated Wistar rats, prepared and maintained in vitro. Epileptiform activity was induced through omission of magnesium from the artificial cerebrospinal fluid (0-Mg2+ ACSF) superfusate and iontophoretic application of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA). Intracellular recordings were obtained from CA] pyramidal neurons both of control and epileptic rats. Passive membrane properties were analyzed before and after perfusion with the 0-Mg2+ ACSF and the application of toxin JSTX-3. During the ictal-like activity, the toxin JSTX-3 was applied by pressure ejection, abolishing this activity. This effect was completely reversed during the washout period 2. when the slices were formerly perfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) and again with 0-Mg2+ ACSF. Our results suggest that the toxin JSTX-3 is a potent blocker of induced epileptiform activity. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.