Avaliação do uso de fantomas antropomórficos na análise experimental dos fatores que afetam o contraste de imagens radiográficas

This experimental study aimed the evaluation of the use of anthropomorphic phantoms in the analysis of the influence of the acquisition parameters in the contrast of radiographic images. The analyzed factors were the variation of the peak kilovoltage (kVp) and the product of the filament circuit by the time of exposition (mAs). The influence of these factors was verified for different anthropomorphic phantoms: foot, knee and chest. The image contrast behavior with the simulators was compared to values obtained with the use of an aluminum ladder being the behavior of this reference for analysis and discussion. To assure the reproducibility of images, quality control tests were made and evaluation of procedure conditions before the experiments. The results obtained are shown in a scale of images where it was possible to evaluate the impact in the darkness of images. Regions with different compositions were analyzed which were different in image, this way the values of optical density and contrast are represented as charts and graphics. We conclude that the use of anthropomorphic phantoms in the evaluation of the influence of tension of the tube and time of exposition in the contrast of the radiographic images is not indicated for a quantitative analysis through optical density, once they present incompatible results with the data as reference as the aluminum ladder even so these simulators present a great property in qualitative analysis regarding the differentiation of structures and subjective evaluations

Desenvolvimento e validação de uma técnica quantitativa de análise de imagem para avaliação do teste do cometa corado pela prata

The comet assay is a method of DNA damage analysis widely used to quantify oxidative damage, crosslinks of DNA, apoptosis and genotoxicity of chemicals substances as chemical, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals products, among others. This technique is suitable to detect DNA strand breaks, alkali-labile sites and incomplete excision repair sites and is based on the migration of DNA fragments by microeletroforesis, DNA migrates for the anode forming a “tail”, and the formed image has the appearance of a comet. The slides can be stained with fluorescence or silver, having differences in the microscopy type used for the analysis and the possibility of storage of the slides, moreover, the first one is a stained-method with more difficulties of accomplishment. The image analysis can be performed by a visual way, however, there is a disadvantage as the subjectivity on the results, that can be minimized by an automated method of digital analysis. This process was studied in this report with the aim to perceive the validation of the digital analysis turning it a quantitative method with larger reproductibility, minimizing the variability and imprecision due to the subjective analysis. For this validation we selected 50 comets photographed in a standardized way and printed, afterwards, pictures were submitted to three experienced appraisers, who quantified them manually. Later, the images were processed by free software ImageJ 1.38x, printed and quantified manually by the same appraisers. The intraclass correlation was higher to comet measures after image processing. Following, an algorithm of automated digital analysis from the measures of the comet was developed; the values obtained were compared with those 12 estimated manually after the processing resulting high correlation among the measures. The use of image analysis systems increases ...(Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Histoquímica de musculaturas de Astyanax altiparanae de ambientes perturbados

Atualmente, é grande a quantidade de cursos d’água continentais que se encontram contaminados por poluentes, tais como produtos químicos, metais, esgoto e detergentes biodegradáveis. Tendo em vista o fato de a musculatura possuir um papel fundamental na realização do nado em peixes, sua importância se reflete em atividades como caça, fuga, procura pelo alimento, defesa, migração, etc. Alterações na estrutura muscular de peixes, que possam vir a ocorrer devido à presença de poluentes na água trarão sérias implicações para o modo de vida destes, especialmente no caso de Astyanax altiparanae que é uma espécie pelágica e nadadora ativa. Consequentemente, tem havido uma crescente preocupação em relação aos poluentes e os efeitos que estes podem ter sobre as populações de peixes que habitam esses ambientes aquáticos poluídos, uma vez que estes constituem uma das fontes de alimento mais importantes para certas populações humanas assim como a principal fonte de renda para comunidades pesqueiras. Sendo assim, pretendeu-se por meio do presente estudo, analisar e identificar possíveis alterações na estrutura morfológica da musculatura peitoral e caudal em peixes de pequeno porte como Astyanax altiparanae, bem como analisar a ocorrência de um possível envelhecimento precoce destas, que possam ter sido causados pelos poluentes contidos na água com detergente diluído, na água do Lago Azul, Rio Claro, SP, em comparação com a água pura do poço artesiano da UNESP – Campus Rio Claro que foi clorada de acordo com o modelo requerido pela SABESP e constituiu o grupo controle. A análise foi feita com base na comparação do grupo controle com aqueles expostos aos poluentes e foram utilizadas técnicas de histologia, histoquímica e fluorescência

Geração e análise da imunogenicidade de plasmídeos contendo epítopos CD8 sub-dominantes expressos em Trypanosoma cruzi

Durante a infecção experimental por Trypanosoma cruzi, a resposta imune adaptativa mediada por células CD8+ é direcionada a poucos epítopos imunodominantes e subdominantes. Em estudos anteriores, foi demonstrado que, em diferentes linhagens de camundongos, a imunização com plasmídeos ou proteínas recombinantes, que expressam epítopos CD8 imunodominantes, antecipa a resposta imune após o desafio e proporciona resposta imune protetora contra infecções letais com T.cruzi. Em nosso estudo atual, desenvolvemos a hipótese que também é possível gerar resposta imune protetora a partir de imunizações com plasmídeos que expressam epítopos subdominantes. Neste caso, esta resposta poderia se somar a resposta imune dominante ampliando o espectro da resposta imuno-protetora. Para testar nossa hipótese, nós tivemos que construir diferentes plasmídeos contendo a ORF do gene da proteína 2 de superfície de amastigota (asp-2) de T.cruzi contendo mutações que: i) retiraram os epítopos imunodominantes CD8 (VNHRFTLV para H-2Kb ou TEWETGQI para H-2Kk) ;ii) trocaram o epítopo imunodominante por epítopos sub-dominantes (TsKb-18 ANYDFTLV ou TsKb-20 ANYKFTLV). Além disso, também foi construído um plasmídeo contendo somente a porção P4-P7 (261° a 500° aminoácidos) da asp-2. Após a construção destes plasmídeos, testamos a imunogencidade de dois deles, denominados pRE-P4P7 e o pIgSP-VNHRATLA, foram testados individualmente na vacinação de camundongos F1(C57BL/6 x B10.A) (H-2Kb e H- 2Kk) ou de CB10 (H-2Kb), respectivamente, e desafiados com tripomastigotas da cepa Y de T.cruzi. A vacinação de camundongos F1 (C57BL/6 x B10.A) com o plasmídeo pré- P4-P7 aumentou significativamente a resposta imune de células CD8+ específicas ao epítopo sub-dominante TEWETGQI, restrito ao MHC H-2kk, porém não diminuiu a resposta ...(Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)

Avaliação da eficácia da analgesia com acupuntura pela análise imuno-histoquimica da expressão de proteína C-Fos: estudo em modelo experimental de dor aguda em ratos

The behavior and experience of pain are characterized by alertness and anxiety, which disappear soon after the healing process begins. Based on this area, the present study aimed to quantify the expression of c-fos in segments of the brain of rats after surgical stimulation in one rear hind paw (analgesia), using anesthesia with sodium thiopental and practices of acupuncture pre and post operative. The animals were stimulated with intraperitoneal injections of solution (NaCl) 0.2% (2ml), and divided into three groups, control, preoperative and postoperative. Each treatment was divided in manual acupuncture (AM) and electroacupuncture (EA). The animals were randomly distributed in each group. The c-fos expression was quantitated using immunohistochemistry for all situations. The results showed a great efficiency of all treatment compared to the control group (p <0.001), thus reenforcing data in the literature on the potential of acupuncture analgesia. There were no statistical differences among the different treatments, although there was a trend of EA being more efficient than AM

Expressão do gene Glipican 3 (Gpc3) no urotélio da bexiga de ratos expostos ao diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea) por 7 dias e 20 semanas

Diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea) is a substituted urea herbicide widely used in crops of sugar cane, cotton and soybeans. In 1997, this agent has been classified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as known/likely human carcinogen because it induced tumors in the urinary bladder and renal pelvis of rats, and breast and skin of mice exposed to 2500 ppm for feed for two years. A previous study from our group demonstrated dose-response relationship in the gene expression profile associated with severe necrosis on bladder urothelium and increased incidence of simple hyperplasia in male Wistar rats treated with different concentrations of diuron for 20 weeks. To check how early the molecular changes occurs, rats were fed for 7 days with diets containing diuron at 0, 125, 500 or 2500 ppm. The main observations recorded were urothelium ultrastructural alterations and disruptions of molecular pathways associated with cell-cell interaction and the tissue organization maintenance. Particularly, the gene Glypican 3 (Gpc3), a surface proteoglycan related to cellular adhesion and apoptosis induction, was down regulated on urothelium exposed to 2500ppm diuron for 7 days and 20 weeks. The aim of this study was validate by quantitative RT-PCR real time, the reduced Gpc3 gene expression in epithelial cells of the urinary bladder of male Wistar rats treated with different concentrations of diuron for 7 days and 20 weeks. The endogenous control of the quantitative PCR real time technique was the β-actin gene and the target was the gene Gpc3. The relative quantification (RQ) was obtained by the method of relative quantification 2-ΔΔCt . Animals exposed to diuron for 7 days or for 20 weeks presented reduction of Gpc3 gene expression compared to the control group. This reduction was statistically significant only for the 7 days study. Moreover, by comparing animals exposed for 7 days with the exposed for 20 weeks, it was ...

Caracterização dos rastros branquiais de Astyanax altiparanae (Characidae) por técnicas histoquímicas e ultramorfológicas

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

Expressão e localização de aquaporinas no epidídimo do gerbilo, Meriones unguiculatus, em diferentes fases do desenvolvimento pós-natal

Aquaporins (AQPs) are membrane protein channels expressed in a wide variety of cells and tissues that are involved in the transport of water. In the male excurrent duct, the movement of fluid and solutes across the epithelium is essential for establishing the proper luminal environment in which sperm mature and are stored. The initial aim of the present propose is to localize AQP 2 e 9 in epithelium of the initial segment, caput, corpus and cauda epididymidis in Mongolian gerbil during postnatal development (10, 30, 60, 120 and 300 days), observing possible changes in the pattern of expression of the AQPs along the postnatal development. The animals will be killed by inhalation of carbon dioxide. After euthanasia, the epididymis will be removed and the different regions will be isolated. The biological material obtained will be processed in accordance with the routines of histological techniques and imunnohistochemistry to study the expression and localization of the AQPs 2 and 9. The results obtained will be analyzed and photographed in conventional light microscope

Cicatrização cutânea por segunda intenção em pequenos animais

This study has the objective to show the physiologic process involved in the small animals wound healing, including his phases, types of wounds, the topic products, like anti-septic and ointments, and his mains indications for wound by second intention. In the actual market exists the increasing emergence of topic using products, vegetable healing ointments , being plants extracts or oils despite of a searching for more efficient products, fasters and cheaper, although don´t know much about the effects of these products What are the new types of treatment for wounds expected for the future

Análises de solos e sedimentos de corrente, nas áreas das usinas de fundição de chumbo do Calabouço (CIEM-CPRM) e de beneficiamento de minério aurífero do Morro do Ouro (Parque Municipal Morro do Ouro), no município de Apiaí - SP

Located in Apiaí, Vale do Ribeira, southern region of São Paulo state, the Usina do Calabouço areas (CIEM / CPRM) and Morro do Ouro (Parque Municipal do Morro do Ouro), were targeted for stud ies due to its old buildings, respectively a foundry in lead ore, called Experimental de Chumbo e Prata (Usina Calabouço), and a gold mine with processing plant of the gold-bearing ore produced there. Nowadays, the areas are used for public visitation, and in both places the rests of the buildings remains. Particularly in the CIEM/CPRM, due to the materials witch was produced before, it can suggest the existence of anomalous amounts of the involved metals (CIEM / CPRM) and possible contaminations by chemical products used in the improvement of the auriferous ore (P. M. Morro do Ouro). These potential contamination were confirmed with geochemical survey of soils and current sediments accomplished in both areas, for the elements arsenic, cadmium, lead, copper, mercury, silver and zinc, which were used as parameters guiding values for soil and groundwater the state of São Paulo (CETESB), and watershed values stipulated by CPRM (poor, background and anomalous), in it rising geochemistry during Folha Apiaí's execution (SG-22-X-B-V).

Marcadores de superfície de Células-tronco: estudo de reação cruzada inter-espécies

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult multipotent cells with fibroblastoid morphology and adherent to plastic. Furthermore, they can be obtained from different sources. Besides bone marrow, these cells are taken from umbilical cord blood, umbilical vein, saphenous vein, peripheral blood, arteries, liver and fetal pancreas, placenta, dental pulp and adipose tissue. MSCs derived from adipose tissue are important because of the abundant number of cells that can be obtained from this tissue, easy access and little discomfort to the patient. This study compared two techniques for obtaining MSCs from adipose tissue: mechanical dissociation (MD) and enzymatic digestion (ED). We also analyzed the inter-species cross-reactions using commercial monoclonal antibodies directed against surface antigens of stem cells from different species: mouse, horse, rabbit, monkey and human. We found that MD technique is favorable in relation to ED within 15 days of culture, and ED is more efficient in the first days of culture. The data also showed that MD causes less damage to cellular DNA. About inter-species cross-reactions, the monoclonal antibody A69 directed against stem cells from rabbits, which can be used in veterinary medicine, particularly in research involving horses

Plano educacional: uma estratégia para conservação de habitats de polinizadores

Tem havido uma preocupação global com o desaparecimento de polinizadores dos campos de cultivo, podendo causar uma queda na produção de alimentos, e consequentemente, afetar a segurança alimentar em decorrência de déficits de polinização. Dessa forma, ações visando à conservação de espécies polinizadoras e de seus habitats vem assumindo uma importância cada vez maior. A região do município de Guapiara destaca-se no Estado de São Paulo como a principal produtora de tomate. O tomateiro possui flores hermafroditas e autofecundadas, porém uma melhor produtividade pode ser alcançada com a polinização por abelhas. A região apresenta uma diversidade de habitats agrícolas próximos a ambientes naturais preservados (Parque Estadual Intervales e Parque Estadual Turístico do Alto Ribeira), o que favorece o estabelecimento de uma fauna de polinizadores diversificada, mas fortemente impactada pela aplicação intensiva de produtos químicos nos cultivos. A proposição de um plano de manejo objetivando a conservação de espécies de abelhas junto às áreas cultivadas se justifica plenamente para a região, considerando a fauna rica em espécies de abelhas com potencial de polinização para cultivos agrícolas. Planos de divulgação sobre a importância da conservação das espécies ou habitats alvo são parte integrante dos planos de manejo. Entre as ações de divulgação, a elaboração de material impresso é importante pela capacidade de alcance de diferentes setores envolvidos com as espécies e habitats a serem manejados e conservados. Este trabalho é parte integrante de um amplo estudo sobre a importância das abelhas em cultivos de tomate na região de Guapiara. Informações foram coletadas ao longo de dois anos, no qual foi elaborado um diagnóstico do estado de conservação da área, uma descrição da fauna de abelhas associada às flores de tomateiros e uma avaliação do potencial de manejo. O objetivo geral...

Avaliação dos efeitos do piretróide permetrina nas glândulas salivares de fêmeas de carrapatos Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae)

Devido à grande importância médico-veterinária dos carrapatos e a ampla utilização de produtos químicos sintéticos para o seu controle, tais como a permetrina, o presente estudo trouxe uma análise morfofisiológica, citoquímica e da reorganização do citoesqueleto durante os processos de degeneração e de morte celular que ocorreram nas glândulas salivares de fêmeas semi-ingurgitadas de carrapatos Rhipicephalus sanguineus quando expostas a 206, 1031 e 2062 ppm de permetrina. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a permetrina é um potente agente químico que interfere na morfofisiologia do tecido glandular desta espécie, causando severas alterações na forma dos ácinos, bem como intensa vacuolização citoplasmática nas células acinares e acentuada desorganização do tecido glandular, culminando num avançado processo de degeneração, com consequente formação de corpos apoptóticos. Além disso, este piretróide comprometeu a capacidade de secreção das glândulas salivares, visto a drástica redução de proteínas, lipídeos e polissacarídeos nas diferentes células acinares. O material genético do tecido glandular também mostrou severas alterações induzidas pela permetrina, tais como: na forma e no tamanho do núcleo das células acinares, marginalização da cromatina, fragmentação nuclear, bem como surgimento de núcleos picnóticos, principalmente quando aplicadas as maiores concentrações do produto. Com relação à reorganização do citoesqueleto, os resultados revelaram que a permetrina foi capaz de modificar o citoesqueleto das glândulas salivares de R. sanguineus por meio de um processo gradual de desintegração à medida que as concentrações do acaricida aumentaram. Nestas células glandulares, os processos de morte celular ocorreram num ritmo mais acelerado do que em condições naturais, nas quais esse processo dar-se-ia somente no final do ingurgitamento da fêmea. Como consequência da...

Criação de novo procedimento de engenharia que possibilite a rastreabilidade das tubulações de uma indústria química

The number of piping in an industry is high. Through this piping are conducted several kind of products at several temperature and pressure conditions. In a chemical company, the piping quantity conducting harmful chemical products to human health and to the environment is higher. Nowadays the theme sustainability is often mentioned and harm to environment may cause irreversible damage to the human being, to the fauna, to the flora and to company´s credibility. In this context, controlling over the piping to avoid accidents is mandatory. The objective of this monograph is to create a procedure which enables the chemical companies piping traceability. This monograph analyses the several existent traceability system in the three economy sectors and approaches the technical question of industrial piping in order to create a procedure that achieves its objectives as a technical document and at the same time be economically feasible, with low complexibility level and high practicability. Some possibilities to elaborate this procedure had been studied, as the creation of an alphanumeric code and making with a chisel in the pipeline based on ASTM F2897 and the use of chips to store the information. However, the procedure which best meet the requirement as low cost and high applicability is filling out an electronic plan with information about welding process, welding certification, welding consumables and inspections

Toxicidade de petróleo bruto sobre microcrustáceo Daphnia similis em água de rio e água de produção de petróleo

Aquatic ecosystems are suffering many impacts caused by human activities resulting from the activities occurring around them. With technological progress observed in recent years, this environment has received large amounts of chemicals from industries, agriculture and urban area that affect the aquatic biota. Among these sources of contamination, the oil industry has contributed to the pollution of aquatic environments with both effluents as produced water well as oil spills and their derivatives having toxicity to various organisms. With all the environmental issues has increased concern about water quality and has been used ecotoxicological tests with aquatic organisms to ecosystems to assess the toxicity of chemicals present in the water. In this context the microcrustacea Daphnia similis stands out as a freshwater organism very representative of the aquatic fauna of rivers and high sensitivity to environmental impacts. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the lethal toxicity of crude oil and produced water on this microcrustacea. The results showed that the microcrustacea presented high sensitivity to contaminants primarily crude oil. There was also the influence of environmental variables pH and temperature on the survival of organisms