Analytical procedures for cadmium determination in facial make-up samples by graphite furnace AAS

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

Interaction between the septal area and the subfornical organ in the control of water intake induced by thirst-eliciting procedures

Rats bearing lesions in the septal area followed by lesions in the subfornical organ were submitted to various thirst-eliciting procedures. The rats with hyperdipsia induced by lesions of the septal area drank more water than either during the control period or after lesion of the subfornical organ under the same thirst-eliciting or angiotensin-liberating stimuli (polyethyleneglycol, isoproterenol, water deprivation and ligation of the inferior vena cava). The overdrinking elicited by lesions in the septal area was blocked after lesion of the subfornical organ. Neither hypovolemia, nor hypotension or water deprivation could elicit increased water intake in animals whose subfornical organ had been destroyed. Animals with lesions in the subfornical organ showed decreased water intake after cellular dehydration. The results obtained suggest that the subfornical organ acts as a more important structure than the septal area in the regulation of water intake elicited by angiotensin, with two opposite effects: a direct one facilitating water intake, and an indirect one inhibiting the septal area. The septal area has an inhibitory effect on the subfornical organ and on water intake. © 1980.

Painful procedures and analgesia in the NICU: what has changed in the medical perception and practice in a ten-year period?

To compare the use of analgesia versus neonatologists' perception regarding analgesic use in painful procedures in the years 2001, 2006, and 2011. This was a prospective cohort study of all newborns admitted to four university neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) during one month in 2001, 2006, and 2011. The frequency of analgesic prescription for painful procedures was evaluated. Of the 202 neonatologists, 188 answered a questionnaire giving their opinion on the intensity of pain during lumbar puncture (LP), tracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation (MV), and postoperative period (PO) using a 10-cm visual analogic scale (VAS; pain >3cm). For LP, 12% (2001), 43% (2006), and 36% (2011) were performed using analgesia. Among the neonatologists, 40-50% reported VAS >3 for LP in all study periods. For intubation, 30% received analgesia in the study periods, and 35% (2001), 55% (2006), and 73% (2011) of the neonatologists reported VAS >3 and would prescribe analgesia for this procedure. As for MV, 45% (2001), 64% (2006), and 48% (2011) of patient-days were under analgesia; 56% (2001), 57% (2006), and 26% (2011) of neonatologists reported VAS >3 and said they would use analgesia during MV. For the first three PO days, 37% (2001), 78% (2006), and 89% (2011) of the patients received analgesia and more than 90% of neonatologists reported VAS >3 for major surgeries. Despite an increase in the medical perception of neonatal pain and in analgesic use during painful procedures, the gap between clinical practice and neonatologist perception of analgesia need did not change during the ten-year period.

Effect of antioxidants during bovine in vitro fertilization procedures on spermatozoa and embryo development

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Comparison of Two Roadside Survey Procedures for Dwarf Mistletoes on the Sawtooth National Forest, Idaho

Two roadside surveys were conducted for dwarf mistletoes parasitizing lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir on the Sawtooth National Forest, Idaho. One survey used variable-radius plots located less than 150 m from roads. The 2nd survey used variable-radius plots established at 200-m intervals along 1600-m transects run perpendicular to the same roads. Estimates of the incidence (percentage of trees infected and percentage of plots infested) and severity (average dwarf mistletoe rating) for both lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir dwarf mistletoes were not significantly different for the 2 survey methods. These findings are further evidence that roadside-plot surveys and transect-plot surveys conducted away from roads provide similar estimates of the incidence of dwarf mistletoes for large forested areas.

Chemical and morphological features of nanofilled composite resin: Influence of finishing and polishing procedures and fluoride solutions

This study evaluated the influence of finishing and polishing procedures and different fluoride solutions on superficial morphology and chemistry of the nanofilled composite resin Supreme XT (3M) through the EDX analysis and SEM evaluation. Circular specimens (n = 30) of 10 mm diameter and 2 mm thickness were prepared, with half of the sample assays finished and polished with Super-Snap (R) sandpaper. The experimental groups were divided according to the presence or absence of finishing and polishing and solutions (artificial saliva, 0.05% of manipulated sodium fluoride solution, Fluordent Reach, Oral B, Fluorgard). Specimens were immersed in each respective solution for 1 min per day, during 60 days and stored in artificial saliva at 37 +/- 1 degrees C between immersion periods. Topography and chemical analysis was qualitative. It was observed that specimens submitted to finishing and polishing procedures had lower superficial degradation. Fluoride solutions promoted superficial alterations on specimens, being the highest degradation obtained with Fluordent Reach. It can be concluded that finishing and polishing procedures and the immersion media influence the superficial morphology of composite resin tested; the Fluordent Reach was the fluoride solution that most affected the material's surface. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2011., (c) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effect of different restorative procedures on the fracture resistance of teeth submitted to internal bleaching

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different restorative procedures on the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth submitted to intracoronal bleaching. Fifty upper central incisors were distributed into 5 groups: GI - healthy teeth; GII - endodontically treated teeth sealed with Coltosol; GIII - endodontically treated teeth bleached and sealed with Coltosol; GIV - endodontically treated teeth bleached and restored with composite resin; and GV - endodontically treated teeth bleached and restored with a fiberglass post and composite resin. In the bleached specimens, a cervical seal was made prior to bleaching with 38% hydrogen peroxide. The gel was applied on the buccal surface and in the pulp chamber, and was then light-activated for 45 s. This procedure was repeated three times per session for four sessions, and each group was submitted to the restorative procedures described above. The specimens were submitted to fracture resistance testing in a universal testing machine. There were statistically significant differences among the groups (p < 0.05). The mean value found for GIII was the lowest (0.32 kN) and was significantly different from the values found for GI (0.75 kN), GII (0.67 kN), GIV (0.70 kN), and GV (0.72 kN), which were not significantly different from each other (p > 0.05). The restorative procedures using composite resin were found to successfully restore the fracture resistance of endodontically treated and bleached teeth.

Novel aryl beta-aminocarbonyl derivatives as inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi trypanothione reductase: binding mode revised by docking and GRIND2-based 3D-QSAR procedures

Trypanothione reductase has long been investigated as a promising target for chemotherapeutic intervention in Chagas disease, since it is an enzyme of a unique metabolic pathway that is exclusively present in the pathogen but not in the human host, which has the analog Glutathione reductase. In spite of the present data-set includes a small number of compounds, a combined use of flexible docking, pharmacophore perception, ligand binding site prediction, and Grid-Independent Descriptors GRIND2-based 3D-Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships (QSAR) procedures allowed us to rationalize the different biological activities of a series of 11 aryl beta-aminocarbonyl derivatives, which are inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi trypanothione reductase (TcTR). Three QSAR models were built and validated using different alignments, which are based on docking with the TcTR crystal structure, pharmacophore, and molecular interaction fields. The high statistical significance of the models thus obtained assures the robustness of this second generation of GRIND descriptors here used, which were able to detect the most important residues of such enzyme for binding the aryl beta-aminocarbonyl derivatives, besides to rationalize distances among them. Finally, a revised binding mode has been proposed for our inhibitors and independently supported by the different methodologies here used, allowing further optimization of the lead compounds with such combined structure- and ligand-based approaches in the fight against the Chagas disease.

A Randomized comparative clinical study of two surgical procedures to improve root coverage with the acellular dermal matrix graft

Aim This randomized, controlled, clinical study compared two surgical techniques for root coverage with the acellular dermal matrix graft (ADMG) to evaluate which procedure could provide better root coverage and greater amounts of keratinized tissue. Materials and Methods Fifteen pairs of bilateral Miller Class I or II gingival recessions were treated and assigned randomly to the test group, and the contra-lateral recessions were assigned to the control group. The ADMG was used in both groups. In the control group, the graft and flap were positioned at the level of the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ), and in the test group, the graft was positioned 1 mm apical to the CEJ and the flap 1 mm coronal to the CEJ. The clinical parameters were taken before the surgeries and after 6 months. The gingival recession area, a new parameter, was measured in standardized photographs through a special device and software. Results There were statistically significant differences favouring the proposed technique for all parameters except for the amount of keratinized tissue at 6 months. Conclusions The proposed test technique is more suitable for root coverage procedures with ADMG, and the new parameter evaluated appears valuable for root coverage analysis. (Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01175720).

Further results in J and CTOD estimation procedures for SE(T) fracture specimens - Part I: Homogeneous materials

This study provides further developments of the evaluation procedure for J and CTOD in SE(T) fracture specimens based on plastic eta-factors and load separation analysis. Non-linear finite element analyses for plane-strain and 3-D models provide the relationship between plastic work and crack driving forces which define the eta-values. Further analyses based on the load separation method define alternative eta-values for the analyzed specimen configurations. Overall, the present results provide improved estimation equations for J and CTOD as a function of loading condition (pin load vs. clamp ends), crack geometry and strain hardening properties. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Foreign Body Ingestion During Dental Implant Procedures

Two cases of swallowing of foreign material related to dental implants during dental practice are described. A conservative approach by clinical-radiographic follow-up was performed in both cases; however, one of the patients required colonoscopy under general anesthesia for the removal of the impacted foreign body from the intestinal region. These complications not only have associated economic cost but also carry the risk of malpractice litigation against the professional; thus, the surgeon was responsible for all the costs of hospital and surgery management of this case. Details of the clinical signs, radiographic examinations, type of treatment, and follow-up are presented.

Felypressin Increases Blood Pressure During Dental Procedures in Hypertensive Patients

Background: Felypressin has been added to local anesthetic to increase the length of the anesthetic effect and reduce toxicity during dental procedures. However, the effect on blood pressure remains uncertain, and this may be highly relevant in the dental treatment of hypertensive patients. Objective: To investigate the effect of felypressin on blood pressure in hypertensive patients with controlled BP. Methods: 71 subjects with these characteristics and in need of periodontal treatment were studied. After 10 minutes of rest, local anesthesia (prilocaine) was infiltrated with and without addition of felypressin. Then, a deep subgingival scaling was performed. Blood pressure was measured by an automated oscillometric device (DIXTAL DX2010). Ten minutes after the administration of the anesthetic, peak anesthetic action was recorded. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to assess the patients' trait anxiety. Results: Systolic blood pressure increased after anesthesia, regardless of association with felypressin, throughout the dental procedure (p<0.05) and this response can be explained, at least in part, by the trait anxiety levels of the subjects. However, a further increase in diastolic blood pressure was observed when prilocaine was associated with felypressin (p<0.05), but this response did not change with trait anxiety levels. Conclusion: Felypressin increased the diastolic blood pressure of hypertensive patients with controlled blood pressure. Patients with high trait anxiety presented increases in systolic blood pressure upon some procedures, suggesting that an increase in blood pressure might also be related to fear or anxiety. (Arq Bras Cardiol 2012;99(2):724-731)

Association between particulate matter air pollution and monthly inhalation and nebulization procedures in Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo State, Brazil

The study was designed to investigate the impact of air pollution on monthly inhalation/nebulization procedures in Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, from 2004 to 2010. To assess the relationship between the procedures and particulate matter (PM10) a Bayesian Poisson regression model was used, including a random factor that captured extra-Poisson variability between counts. Particulate matter was associated with the monthly number of inhalation/nebulization procedures, but the inclusion of covariates (temperature, precipitation, and season of the year) suggests a possible confounding effect. Although other studies have linked particulate matter to an increasing number of visits due to respiratory morbidity, the results of this study suggest that such associations should be interpreted with caution.

Enhancing spiral-wound ultrafiltration performance for direct drinking water treatment through operational procedures improvement: A feasible option for the Sao Paulo Metropolitan Region

This work aimed to evaluate the influence of specific operational conditions on the performance of a spiral-wound ultrafiltration pilot plant for direct drinking water treatment, installed at the Guarapiranga's reservoir, in the Sao Paulo Metropolitan Region. Results from operational tests showed that the volume of permeate produced in the combination of periodic relaxation with flushing and chlorine dosage procedures was 49% higher than the volume obtained when these procedures were not used. Two years of continuous operation demonstrated that the ultrafiltration pilot plant performed better during fall and winter seasons, higher permeate flow production and reduced chemical cleanings frequency. Observed behavior seems to be associated with the algae bloom events in the reservoir, which are more frequent during spring and summer seasons, confirmed by chlorophyll-a analysis results. Concentrate clarification using ferric chloride was quite effective in removing NOM and turbidity, allowing its recirculation to the ultrafiltration feed tank. This procedure made it possible to reach almost 99% water recovery considering a single 54-hour recirculation cycle. Water quality monitoring demonstrated that the ultrafiltration pilot plant was quite efficient, and that potential pathogenic organisms, Escherichia coil and total coliforms, turbidity and apparent color removals were 100%, 95.1%, and 91.5%, respectively. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Association between particulate matter air pollution and monthly inhalation and nebulization procedures in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil

The study was designed to investigate the impact of air pollution on monthly inhalation/nebulization procedures in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil, from 2004 to 2010. To assess the relationship between the procedures and particulate matter (PM10) a Bayesian Poisson regression model was used, including a random factor that captured extra-Poisson variability between counts. Particulate matter was associated with the monthly number of inhalation/nebulization procedures, but the inclusion of covariates (temperature, precipitation, and season of the year) suggests a possible confounding effect. Although other studies have linked particulate matter to an increasing number of visits due to respiratory morbidity, the results of this study suggest that such associations should be interpreted with caution.