ORIGIN AND EARLY DIVERSIFICATION OF THE PHYLUM CNIDARIA VERRILL: MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ANALYSIS OF THE TAXON'S PROTEROZOIC-CAMBRIAN HISTORY

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

EFFECT OF BIOMETRIC VARIABLES ON TWO-DIMENSIONAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENTS IN THE RED-TAILED BOA (BOA CONSTRICTOR CONSTRICTOR)

The effects of body biometrics on cardiac measurements and description of cardiac anatomy were performed in red-tailed boas (Boa constrictor constrictor) (n = 29) using real-time B-mode ultrasonography. Statistical comparison of measured cardiac metrics according to sex and body measurements demonstrated no significant difference between sexes but a highly significant linear increase between body length and mass and all cardiac metrics.

"Will It Rain?" Activities Investigating Aerosol Hygroscopicity and Deliquescence

Climate change and its consequences seem to be increasingly evident in our daily lives. However, is it possible for students to identify a relationship between these large-scale events and the chemistry taught in the classroom? The aim of the present work is to demonstrate that chemistry can assist in elucidating important environmental issues. Simple experiments are used to demonstrate the mechanism of cloud formation, as well as the influence of anthropogenic and natural emissions on the precipitation process. The experiments presented show the way in which particles of soluble salts commonly found in the environment can absorb water in the atmosphere and influence cloud formation.

O discurso de Lourenço Filho em defesa da pedagogia do estado novo

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

Frequência de ressonância e sondagem peri-implantar em implantes curtos sob carga imediata com prótese total fixa em cantiléver na arcada mandibular: acompanhamento de um ano

This paper presents a case report with the use of short dental implants and immediate prosthesis placement. After 13 months of follow-up, peri-implant probing values are near 1.87 mm and ISQ values around 78.56.

Educação escolar e constituição do afetivo: algumas considerações a partir da psicologia histórico-cultural

Cultural-Historical Psychology alleges the thesis of social experience as the basis of human formation and points the affective-cognitive unity as the intermediate in subject relations with the knowledge on the development of psychological functions. This article presents some elements that indicate the constitution of affective processes from the relations the subject maintains with human objectifications. Part of the critics to the organismic and subjectivist thought that, both in Psychology and in Education, separates emotions from other functions of human consciousness – treating them as deterrents in the teaching and school learning processes – and signs the importance of (re) thinking the relations the subject establishes with reality, the role of knowledge and of the concrete conditions of life and education that produce the affective processes. It defends that thinking and feeling are psychological processes developed from history of appropriation and objectification of signs and instruments that each subject realizes and affirms in scholar education, and the intentional character of teaching – in the organizational and pedagogical practice – as determinant elements in the transformation of the ways of thinking and feeling.

Modeling architecture and reference models for the ERF5 project

The adoption of ERPs systems by small and middle-sized companies may not be possible due to their cost. At the same time, when adapting ERP to the company's particular needs, the user keeps depending on the system's sellers due to the lack of access and knowledge of the respective code. Free and open-source software may promote advantages to the enterprises, however, for its adoption it is necessary the development of techniques and tools in order to facilitate its deployment and code maintenance. This article emphasizes the importance of defining modeling architectures and reference models for the development and maintenance of open-source ERPs, in special the ERP5 project.

Oxidative stress and inflammatory response biomarkers in dogs with mammary carcinoma

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

A standartized research protocol for platelet-rich plasma (PRP) preparation in rats

Introduction: The urgent need for studies using standardized protocols to evaluate the real biological effects of PRP has been emphasized by several authors. Objective: The purpose of this study was to standardize a methodology for autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) preparation in rats. Material and methods: Twentyfour, 5 to 6-month-old, male rats, weighing 450 to 500 g were used. After general anesthesia, 3.15 ml of blood was collected from each animal, via cannulation of the jugular vein. A standardized technique of double centrifugation was used to prepare PRP. PRP samples and peripheral blood platelets were then manually counted using a Neubauer chamber. Student’s t-test was used to compare the differences between the number of platelets in peripheral blood and PRP samples (p < 0.05). In addition, PRP and peripheral blood smears were stained to see platelets’ morphology. Results: All surgical procedures were well tolerated by the animals and they were healthy during the entire experimental period. PRP samples showed higher significantly platelet concentrations than peripheral blood samples (2,677,583 and 683,680 respectively). Conclusion: Within the limits of this study, it can be concluded that the method used produced autologous PRP with appropriated platelet quantity and quality, in rats.

Acesso, segurança e uso de medicamentos por usuários

The present study aims to identify families who have stock and are making use of medications, as well as assess the conditions of storage, security and use of these drugs. The study was conducted in a city of São Paulo, the interviews were conducted in households enrolled in one of ten units of the Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF) that the city provides and the sample was defined by means of stratified random sampling (134households, IC 95%). Data collection was conducted through interviews with a semistructured questionnaire during the first half of 2011. We interviewed 118 (88.0%) households, of which 112 (95.0%) had medications that were stored n insecure or inadequate places in 75.4% of households, non-prescription self-medication was a common practice in 46 (47 4%) households, and lack of identification and security of medications stored was observed in 60 (53.6%) households. Most households had stock of medicines, which were done improperly or unsecure, or have specialties with lack of identification and security, which can lead to poisoning or e ineffective therapy. The Pharmaceutical Assistance under SUS lacks social initiatives, with actions directed for medications users, which can be supplied by the presence of the pharmacist in the ESF, essential for the promotion of racional use of medicines, that, through the Pharmaceutical Care, can identify, correct and prevent possible problems related to drugs.

Avaliação clínica e radiográfica de pacientes submetidos ao levantamento da membrana do seio maxilar

Implant dentistry is a dental specialty which presents great predictability in the rehabilitation at posterior, partially edentulous maxillary areas. Early tooth loss results in significant jaw remodeling. The maxillary sinus lifting followed by implant placement is a predictable technique initially described in 1980. Since then, several different techniques have been investigated varying filling materials and the management of complications in order to provide effective guidance in the rehabilitation of these patients. The current study evaluated ten patients who underwent sinus lifting before implant placement and crown installation. First, a retrospective analysis of the medical records was conducted to obtain information about possible postoperative complications. Clinical and radiographic analyses were performed at baseline and 180 days after surgeries. The sinus lifting with immediate implant placement provided satisfactory outcomes and can be considered a safe procedure. Treatment predictability was demonstrated in 90% of patients and for 86.96% of implants placed. It is important to highlight knowledge of anatomical structures at this area, the use of delicate surgical techniques, and strict patient follow-up.

The Enhanced Tool-Kit of Two Groups of Wild Bearded Capuchin Monkeys in the Caatinga: Tool Making, Associative Use, and Secondary Tools

The use of stones to crack open encapsulated fruit is widespread among wild bearded capuchin monkeys (Cebus libidinosus) inhabiting savanna-like environments. Some populations in Serra da Capivara National Park (Piaui, Brazil), though, exhibit a seemingly broader toolkit, using wooden sticks as probes, and employing stone tools for a variety of purposes. Over the course of 701.5 hr of visual contact of two wild capuchin groups we recorded 677 tool use episodes. Five hundred and seventeen of these involved the use of stones, and 160 involved the use of sticks (or other plant parts) as probes to access water, arthropods, or the contents of insects` nests. Stones were mostly used as ""hammers""-not only to open fruit or seeds, or smash other food items, but also to break dead wood, conglomerate rock, or cement in search of arthropods, to dislodge bigger stones, and to pulverize embedded quartz pebbles (licking, sniffing, or rubbing the body with the powder produced). Stones also were used in a ""hammer-like"" fashion to loosen the soil for digging out roots and arthropods, and sometimes as ""hoes"" to pull the loosened soil. In a few cases, we observed the re-utilization of stone tools for different purposes (N = 3), or the combined use of two tools-stones and sticks (N = 4) or two stones (N = 5), as sequential or associative tools. On three occasions, the monkeys used smaller stones to loosen bigger quartz pebbles embedded in conglomerate rock, which were subsequently used as tools. These could be considered the first reports of secondary tool use by wild capuchin monkeys. Am. J. Primatol. 71:242-251, 2009. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Surgical Performance During Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy Is Improved With Training in a Porcine Model

Background and Purpose: Becoming proficient in laparoscopic surgery is dependent on the acquisition of specialized skills that can only be obtained from specific training. This training could be achieved in various ways using inanimate models, animal models, or live patient surgery-each with its own pros and cons. Currently, there are substantial data that support the benefits of animal model training in the initial learning of laparoscopy. Nevertheless, whether these benefits extent themselves to moderately experienced surgeons is uncertain. The purpose of this study was to determine if training using a porcine model results in a quantifiable gain in laparoscopic skills for moderately experienced laparoscopic surgeons. Materials and Methods: Six urologists with some laparoscopic experience were asked to perform a radical nephrectomy weekly for 10 weeks in a porcine model. The procedures were recorded, and surgical performance was assessed by two experienced laparoscopic surgeons using a previously published surgical performance assessment tool. The obtained data were then submitted to statistical analysis. Results: With training, blood loss was reduced approximately 45% when comparing the averages of the first and last surgical procedures (P = 0.006). Depth perception showed an improvement close to 35% (P = 0.041), and dexterity showed an improvement close to 25% (P = 0.011). Total operative time showed trends of improvement, although it was not significant (P = 0.158). Autonomy, efficiency, and tissue handling were the only aspects that did not show any noteworthy change (P = 0.202, P = 0.677, and P = 0.456, respectively). Conclusions: These findings suggest that there are quantifiable gains in laparoscopic skills obtained from training in an animal model. Our results suggest that these benefits also extend to more advanced stages of the learning curve, but it is unclear how far along the learning curve training with animal models provides a clear benefit for the performance of laparoscopic procedures. Future studies are necessary to confirm these findings and better understand the impact of this learning tool on surgical practice.

The relationship between social support and functional capacity in elderly persons with cognitive alterations

The objective of this study was to identify the relationship between social support and the functional capacity of elderly persons with cognitive alterations. It is a descriptive, cross-sectional and quantitative study. The subjects were 101 elderly persons registered in Family Health Centers whose performance in the Mini-Exam for Mental Status was below a certain specified level in a previous study. The Medical Outcomes Study questionnaire, Katz Index and Pfeffer Questionnaire were applied. The dimensions of material, affective, emotional, informational and positive social interaction support resulted in an average final score of 74.32 points, indicating a better level of material and affective support in relation to the other dimensions of support. There was a statistically significant correlation between emotional support and the Katz Index. Knowledge about this relationship favors the development of a nursing care pathway for the elderly which is capable of maintaining their functional capacity and ensuring satisfactory social relations.

Caffeine Determination at a Carbon Fiber Ultramicroelectrodes by Fast-Scan Cyclic Voltammetry

Caffeine determination using a fast-scan voltammetric procedure at a carbon fiber ultramicroelectrode (CF-UME) is described. The CF-UME was submitted to electrochemical pretreatment. Parameters such as number of acquisition cycles, scan rate, potential window, and the electrochemical surface pretreatment were optimized. Using the optimized conditions, it was possible to achieve a LDR from 10.0 up to 200 mu mol L-1, with a LOD of 3.33 mu mol L-1. The method has been applied in the determination of caffeine in commercial samples, with errors of 1.0-3.5% in relation to the label values and recoveries of 97-114% within the linear range.