N-acetylcysteine in high-sucrose diet-induced obesity: Energy expenditure and metabolic shifting for cardiac health

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

Gas exchange and ventilation during dormancy in the tegu lizard Tupinambis merianae

The tegu lizard Tupinambis merianae exhibits an episodic ventilatory pattern when dormant at 17 degrees C but a uniform ventilatory pattern when dormant at 25 degrees C. At 17 degrees C, ventilatory episodes were composed of 1-22 breaths interspaced by non-ventilatory periods lasting 1.8-26min, Dormancy at the higher body temperature was accompanied by higher rates of O-2 consumption and ventilation. The increase in ventilation was due only to increases in breathing frequency with no change observed in tidal volume. The air convection requirement for O-2 did not differ at the two body temperatures. The respiratory quotient was 0.8 at 17 degrees C and 1.0 at 25 degrees C. We found no consistent relationship between expired gas composition and the start/end of the ventilatory period during episodic breathing at 17 degrees C. However, following non-ventilatory periods of increasing duration, there was an increase in the pulmonary O-2 extraction that was not coupled to an equivalent increase in elimination of CO2 from the lungs. None of the changes in the variables studied could alone explain the initiation/termination of episodic ventilation in the tegus, suggesting that breathing episodes are shaped by a complex interaction between many variables. The estimated oxidative cost of breathing in dormant tegus at 17 degrees C was equivalent to 52.3% of the total metabolic rate, indicating that breathing is the most costly activity during dormancy.

de Sitter special relativity

A special relativity based on the de Sitter group is introduced, which is a theory that might hold up in the presence of a non-vanishing cosmological constant. Like ordinary special relativity, it retains the quotient character of spacetime, and a notion of homogeneity. As a consequence, the underlying spacetime will be a de Sitter spacetime, whose associated kinematics will differ from that of ordinary special relativity. The corresponding modified notions of energy and momentum are obtained, and the exact relationship between them, which is invariant under a re-scaling of the involved quantities, explicitly exhibited. Since the de Sitter group can be considered a particular deformation of the Poincare group, this theory turns out to be a specific kind of deformed (or doubly) special relativity. Some experimental consequences, as well as the causal structure of spacetime-modified by the presence of the de Sitter horizon-are briefly discussed.

Características biológicas do solo indicadoras de qualidade após dois anos de aplicação de biossólido industrial e cultivo de milho

A utilização agrícola de biossólidos tem sido muito incentivada, mas, como esses resíduos apresentam composição química variada, o valor agronômico e os efeitos sobre características indicadoras de qualidade do solo precisam ser avaliados caso a caso, a fim de estabelecer normas de segurança para uso desses materiais. Neste trabalho foram avaliadas características biológicas, após a aplicação, por dois anos consecutivos, de doses crescentes (0, 6, 12, 18 e 24 t ha-1 base seca) de um biossólido gerado por uma indústria de fibras e resinas PET e da adubação mineral completa no cultivo de milho, em um Cambissolo distrófico, comparados aos de uma área adjacente, sob Brachiaria sp. e sem cultivo nos últimos 10 anos, usada como referência. Os valores de C e N da biomassa microbiana, a respiração basal e as atividades das enzimas urease e beta-glicosidase e da hidrólise do diacetato de fluoresceína (FDA) aumentaram, enquanto a atividade da fosfatase ácida diminuiu com a elevação das doses de biossólido, porém estas não tiveram efeito sobre o quociente metabólico (qCO2). A diminuição da atividade da fosfatase se deveu ao aumento da disponibilidade de P no solo, não caracterizando efeito adverso da aplicação do biossólido. Com aplicação de 12 t ha-1 de biossólido (recomendação agronômica), a respiração e a hidrólise da FDA foram maiores e a atividade da fosfatase foi menor que a obtida no solo com adubação mineral, mas as demais características avaliadas não diferiram entre estes tratamentos. A colonização micorrízica de Brachiaria sp. não diferiu entre plantas de crescimento espontâneo nas parcelas anteriormente cultivadas com milho e aquelas da área adjacente. Apesar do menor número de esporos, verificou-se enriquecimento de espécies de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMAs) nas parcelas cultivadas. O carbono orgânico (Corg) e a biomassa microbiana apresentaram alta correlação com os demais parâmetros avaliados, indicando que as alterações na quantidade e qualidade da matéria orgânica, promovidas pela aplicação do biossólido, refletiram na dinâmica da microbiota e influenciaram positivamente os parâmetros biológicos de qualidade do solo.

Efeito do sistema de plantio e doses do nicosulfuron sobre a atividade microbiana do solo

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o efeito do atrazine em mistura com nicosulfuron sobre a atividade microbiológica do solo em sistema de cultivo convencional ou semeadura direta. O estudo foi realizado em área de integração milho-braquiária, sendo feitas aplicações dos herbicidas atrazine + nicosulfuron em duas dosagens (1.500 + 10 e 1.500 + 30 g h-1) e mantidas duas áreas testemunhas: não capinada e capinada sem cultivo. Por ocasião do florescimento, foram retiradas amostras do solo em cada unidade experimental, para determinação da taxa de desprendimento de CO2, carbono da biomassa microbiana (CBM) e quociente metabólico (qCO2). Entre os sistemas de cultivo, a taxa de desprendimento de CO2 foi menor nas parcelas não capinadas. O CBM foi maior no sistema de plantio direto, sendo afetado negativamente pela ausência de vegetação. Menores valores para CBM foram observados nas amostras de solo das parcelas capinadas. Os maiores valores de qCO2 foram observados no sistema convencional. No sistema de plantio direto não se verificou diferença entre os tratamentos cujo solo recebeu herbicida e o isento de capinas. Dessa forma, pode-se concluir que os indicadores microbiológicos avaliados foram sensíveis aos tratamentos propostos, indicando menor distúrbio ao solo quando em sistema de semeadura direta. Entretanto, na integração lavoura-pecuária em sistema convencional de cultivo, o efeito negativo dos herbicidas é aumentado com o incremento na dose do nicosulfuron.

Auditory processing disorder in perisylvian syndrome

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Model approach for estimating potato pesticide bioconcentration factor

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

Effects of olive oil and its minor phenolic constituents on obesity-induced cardiac metabolic changes

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

As diferentes “personalidades” do número racional trabalhadas através da resolução de problemas

We address the different "personalities" of the rational number and the concept of proportionality, analyzing the possibilities for using the Mathematics Teaching and Learning through Problem-solving Method. This method is based on the principle that knowledge can be constructed through the use of problems that generate new concepts and new contents. The different meanings of rational number - rational point, quotient, fraction, ratio, and operator - are constructs that depend on mathematical theories in which they are imbedded and the situations that evoke them in problem-solving. Some data will be presented from continuing education courses for teachers, aiming to contribute to understanding regarding the different "personalities" of the rational number. In general, these "personalities" are not easily identified by teachers and students, which is the reason for the many difficulties encountered during problem-solving involving rational numbers. One of these "personalities", the ratio, provides the basis for the concept of proportionality, which is relevant because it is a unifying idea in mathematics.

Status sócio econômico e deficiência intelectual em escolares

Raven's Progressive Matrices were completed by 536 school children. Wechsler's Intelligence Scale for Children was applied to children who performed badly on Raven's Test (percentile 5 or less). Father's occupation and education, items of property and sums of spending money were assessed in all families. Clinical history and physical examination were recorded for deficient children. Mental deficiency was present in 94 children (17.5%); it was more frequent in those from lower socioeconomic classes (90 deficient children in a total of 427); it was more frequent in the peripheral school (69 deficient children) than in the midtown school (relatively less poor children); no significant difference was found in sex distribution among social classes. 67 children had an intelligence quotient between 50 and 69. Undernourishment was severe marked (18 children), moderate (48 children) or absent (26 children). Most children (67) were insufficiently stimulated by their parents.

Evolução neurológica e eletrencefalográfica em crianças após meningencefalites purulentas

Twenty children with diagnosed meningitis were available for prospective study; each was submitted to neurological and electroencephalographic examination, Distractability Quotient (Gesell) and Intelligence Quotient (Raven) tests. Patients were followed from 6 months to 3 years after the acute phase of the disease. There is a statistically significant difference between the D.Q of post-meningitic children and the D.Q. of non meningitic controls of the same social class and ages, when the onset of illness was before 30 months of age. No statistically significant correlation was found between the D.Q. and the patient's length of hospitalization or the first cerebrospinal fluid protein level. There is a possibility that significant correlation between the D.Q. and age at onset of illness may be observed by studying a larger number of patients. No statistically significant difference was found between the I.Q. of post-meningitic children and controls when the onset of illness was after age 4.

Nutritional management and weight changes during hospitalization of Brazilian infants with diarrhoea: Primary reliance on oral feeding or continuous nasogastric drip with locally made, modulated minced chicken formula

The nutritional management of infants admitted with diarrhoea to the University Hospital of Botucatu includes a change from bolus feeding of a modulated minced-chicken formula to a continuous nasogastric drip (NGD) feeding, whenever the required calorie intake is not achieved or the diarrhoea does not subside. To evaluate this approach, the clinical course and weight changes of 63 children, aged 1-20 months, were reviewed; most (81 per cent) were below the third percentile for weight at admission and 76 per cent had a total duration of diarrhoea ≥10 days. Associated infections, mainly systemic, were present at or after admission in 70 per cent of them. Twenty-five survivors needed nutritional support (NS), predominantly NGD, for a median duration of 30 per cent of their admission time, and were compared to 31 survivors managed without NS. Those who necessitated NS lost weight for a significantly longer median time (12x4 days, p<0.005), but their total weight loss was similar (5x4 per cent) as well as diarrhoea's duration (8x7 days). There was a tendency for a longer hospitalization (21x16 days 0.05quotient and daily weight gain during admission were similar for both groups. Both groups of survivors received similar amounts of energy, although the initial increase was delayed for those who needed the NGD. Seven infants (11 per cent) died, most of overwhelming infection, and presented a high total weight loss, albeit receiving NS for 71 per cent of their admission's time. It was concluded that feeding diarrhoeic infants with a NGD when necessary, possibly prevented a greater nutritional insult for the survivors. The NGD can be safely employed and should be valued, provided weight losses are carefully monitored in order to detect infants at highest risk.

Apert syndrome: Factors involved in the cognitive development

Apert syndrome is characterized by craniosynostosis, symmetric syndactyly and other systemic malformations, with mental retardation usually present. The objective of this study was to correlate brain malformations and timing for surgery with neuropsychological evaluation. We also tried to determine other relevant aspects involved in cognitive development of these patients such as social classification of families and parents' education. Eighteen patients with Apert syndrome were studied, whose ages were between 14 and 322 months. Brain abnormalities were observed in 55.6% of them. The intelligence quotient or developmental quotient values observed were between 45 and 108. Mental development was related to the quality of family environment and parents' education. Mental development was not correlated to brain malformation or age at time of operation. In conclusion, quality of family environment was the most significant factor directly involved in mental development of patients with Apert syndrome.

Desenvolvimento motor de criança com paralisia cerebral: Avaliação e intervenção

The objective of this study was to analyze the motor development of a ten year old child with ataxic cerebral palsy and the effects of a motor activities program in the swimming pool. Motor development was measured according to the motor assessment and the intervention program of motor activities in the swimming pool conducted at Sesi/Londrina, twice a week, during 45 minute sessions over a 2 month period, with an attendance rate of 87%. Data was analyzed descriptively comparing the results with before and after tests. Generally, the motor quotient regarding all items was classified as very low, characterizing motor deficit, with exception of temporal organization, presented as normal low. After intervention, the only area that showed positive change was balance; this result showed that the child gained 12 months in motor age, without corresponding alterations in the other areas.

Electroglottographic analysis of actresses and nonactresses' voices in different levels of intensity

Background: Previous studies with long-term average spectrum (LTAS) showed the importance of the glottal source for understanding the projected voices of actresses. In this study, electroglottographic (EGG) analysis was used to investigate the contribution of the glottal source to the projected voice, comparing actresses and nonactresses' voices, in different levels of intensity. Method: Thirty actresses and 30 nonactresses sustained vowels in habitual, moderate, and loud intensity levels. The EGG variables were contact quotient (CQ), closing quotient (QCQ), and opening quotient (QOQ). Other variables were sound pressure level (SPL) and fundamental frequency (F0). A KayPENTAX EGG was used. Variables were inputted in a general linear model. Results/Discussion: Actresses showed significantly higher values for SPL, in all levels, and both groups increased SPL significantly while changing from habitual to moderate and further to loud. There were no significant differences between groups for EGG quotients. There were significant differences between the levels only for F0 and CQ for both groups. Conclusion: SPL was significantly higher among actresses in all intensity levels, but in the EGG analysis, no differences were found. This apparently weak contribution of the glottal source in the supposedly projected voices of actresses, contrary to previous LTAS studies, might be because of a higher subglottal pressure or perhaps greater vocal tract contribution in SPL. Results from the present study suggest that trained subjects did not produce a significant higher SPL than untrained individuals by increasing the cost in terms of higher vocal fold collision and hence more impact stress. Future researches should explore the difference between trained and nontrained voices by aerodynamic measurements to evaluate the relationship between physiologic findings and the acoustic and EGG data. Moreover, further studies should consider both types of vocal tasks, sustained vowel and running speech, for both EGG and LTAS analysis. © 2013 The Voice Foundation.