Bats from Fazenda Intervales, Southeastern Brazil: species account and comparison between different sampling methods

Assessing the composition of an area's bat fauna is typically accomplished by using captures or by monitoring echolocation calls with bat detectors. The two methods may not provide the same data regarding species composition. Mist nets and harp traps may be biased towards sampling low flying species, and bat detectors biased towards detecting high intensity echolocators. A comparison of the bat fauna of Fazenda Intervales, southeastern Brazil, as revealed by mist nets and harp trap captures, checking roosts and by monitoring echolocation calls of flying bats illustrates this point. A total of 17 species of bats was sampled. Fourteen bat species were captured and the echolocation calls of 12 species were recorded, three of them not revealed by mist nets or harp traps. The different sampling methods provided different pictures of the bat fauna. Phyllostomid bats dominated the catches in mist nets, but in the field their echolocation calls were never detected. No single sampling approach provided a complete assessment of the bat fauna in the study area. In general, bats producing low intensity echolocation calls, such as phyllostomids, are more easily assessed by netting, and bats producing high intensity echolocation calls are better surveyed by bat detectors. The results demonstrate that a combined and varied approach to sampling is required for a complete assessment of the bat fauna of an area.

Aplicação de exercício isotônico durante a hemodiálise melhora a eficiência dialítica

INTRODUÇÃO: A doença renal crônica (DRC) é decorrente de uma lesão renal e perda progressiva e irreversível da função dos rins. A hemodiálise substitui parcialmente essa função, com o objetivo de corrigir as alterações metabólicas na DRC. Para acompanhar a adequação da diálise, é determinado o Kt/V - índice de depuração da ureia por sessão de hemodiálise. O exercício físico de moderada intensidade tem se mostrado de fundamental importância para melhorar os efeitos adversos ao tratamento dialítico. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o Kt/V em indivíduos com DRC submetidos ao exercício físico isotônico de baixa intensidade durante a hemodiálise. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Analisados dados de 15 voluntários de ambos os sexos, submetidos à hemodiálise três vezes por semana. Após duas horas do início da diálise, foi aplicado um protocolo de exercícios isotônicos de baixa intensidade de membros superiores e inferiores com duração de 30 minutos, por um período de três meses. Os valores do Kt/V foram comparados no período de três meses anteriores sem exercício e após três meses de exercício. RESULTADOS: A média dos valores do Kt/V nos três meses sem exercício foi de 1,13 ± 0,11 e após aplicação do programa de exercícios foi de 1,29 ± 0,12 (p < 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: O programa de exercício físico isotônico de baixa intensidade em pacientes com DRC, aplicados durante a sessão de diálise mostrou a melhora da eficiência dialítica.

Correlações entre os níveis de L-carnitina plasmática, o estado nutricional e a função ventilatória de portadores de doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os níveis de L-carnitina livre no plasma, o estado nutricional, a função pulmonar e a tolerância ao exercício em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica e verificar as correlações entre a composição corporal e as frações de L-carnitina no plasma. MÉTODOS: Quarenta pacientes entre 66,2±9 anos, com diagnóstico clínico de doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, foram divididos em dois grupos: G1, com índice de massa corporal menor que 20kg/m², e G2, com índice de massa corporal maior que 20kg/m². Foram mensurados os parâmetros espirométricos, a tolerância ao exercício no teste de caminhada, a força muscular respiratória, a composição corporal por meio da impedância bioelétrica e as dosagens da L-carnitina plasmática, através de amostras de sangue. RESULTADOS: Foram observados menores valores das variáveis espirométricas (p<0,01), da força muscular respiratória e dos níveis de L-carnitina nos pacientes do G1; porém, não houve diferença entre os grupos quanto à capacidade de realizar exercício físico dinâmico de baixa intensidade. Correlações significativas entre o percentual de gordura e os níveis de L-carnitina plasmática foram observadas nos pacientes (r=0,53 com p<0,002); sendo que, nos pacientes com índice de massa corporal menor que 18kg/m², essa relação aumentou (r<0,73 com p<0,01). CONCLUSÃO: Na doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, a desnutrição está associada tanto aos prejuízos da função pulmonar e da força muscular respiratória, quanto aos baixos níveis de L-Carnitina plasmática.

Influence of photodynamic therapy on the development of ligature-induced periodontitis in rats

Background: the purpose of this study was to evaluate, histologically and radiographically, the effect of photodynamic therapy on the progression of experimentally induced periodontal disease in rats.Methods: Ligatures were placed at the first mandibular molar in rats. The animals were divided into four groups: group 1 (C) received no treatment; group 2 was treated topically with methylene blue (MB; 100 mu g/ml); group 3 was treated with low-level laser therapy (LLLT); and group 4 was treated topically with methylene blue followed by LLLT (4.5 J/cm(2)) (photodynamic therapy; PDT). Rats were sacrificed 5, 15, or 30 days postoperatively. Standardized radiographs were taken to measure bone loss around the mesial root surface of the first molar. Data were analyzed statistically (analysis of variance and Tukey test; P < 0.05). A scoring system was used to evaluate the connective tissue, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone histologically. Data were analyzed statistically (Kruskal-Wallis test; P < 0.05).Results: Radiographic examination showed that there was significantly less bone loss in Group PDT compared to Group C at 5 and 15 days postoperatively. There was no significant difference in bone loss at 30 days. At 15 days, the histologic results showed significant differences in the extent of inflammatory reaction in the gingival tissue, with a greater extent of chronic inflammatory reaction in Group LLLT.Conclusion: PDT transiently reduced the periodontal tissue destruction.

Effects of intra-PAG infusion of ovine CRF on defensive behaviors in Swiss-Webster mice

The midbrain dorsal periaqueductal gray (DPAG) is part of the brain defensive system involved in active defense reactions to threatening stimuli. Corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) is a peptidergic neurotransmitter that has been strongly implicated in the control of both behavioral and endocrine responses to threat and stress. We investigated the effect of the nonspecific CRF receptor agonist, ovine CRF (oCRF), injected into the DPAG of mice, in two predator-stress situations, the mouse defense test battery (MDTB), and the rat exposure test (RET). In the MDTB, oCRF weakly modified defensive behaviors in mice confronted by the predator (rat); e.g. it increased avoidance distance when the rat was approached and escape attempts (jump escapes) in forced contact. In the RET, drug infusion enhanced duration in the chamber while reduced tunnel and surface time, and reduced contact with the screen which divides the subject and the predator. oCRF also reduced both frequency and duration of risk assessment (stretch attend posture: SAP) in the tunnel and tended to increase freezing. These findings suggest that patterns of defensiveness in response to low intensity threat (RET) are more sensitive to intra-DPAG oCRF than those triggered by high intensity threats (MDTB). Our data indicate that CRF systems may be functionally involved in unconditioned defenses to a predator, consonant with a role for DPAG CRF systems in the regulation of emotionality. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparative analysis of drilling frequencies in recent brachiopod-mollusk associations from the Southern Brazilian Shelf

Over 14,000 specimens-5,204 brachiopods, 9,137 bivalves, and 178 gastropods-acquired from 30 collecting stations (0 to 45 m depth) in the Ubatuba and Picinguaba bays, southern Brazil, were compared for drilling frequencies. Beveled (countersunk) circular-to-subcircular borings (Oichnus-like drill holes) were found in diverse bivalves but also in the rhynchonelliform brachiopod Bouchardia rosea-a small, semi-infaunal to epifaunal, free-lying species that dominates the brachiopod fauna of the southern Brazilian shelf. Drill holes in bivalve mollusks and brachiopods are comparable in their morphology, average diameter, and diameter range, indicating attacks by a single type of drilling organism. Drill holes in brachiopods were rare (0.4%) and found only at five sampling sites. Drillings in bivalves were over 10 times as frequent as in brachiopods, but the average drilling frequency was still low (5.6%) compared to typical boring frequencies of Cenozoic mollusks. Some common bivalve species, however, were drilled at frequencies up to 50 times higher than those observed for shells of B. rosea from the same samples. Due to scarcity of drilled brachiopods, it is not possible to evaluate if the driller displayed a nonrandom (stereotyped) site, size, or valve preference. Drilled brachiopods may record (1) naticid or muricid predation, (2) predation by other drillers, (3) parasitic drillings, and (4) mistaken or opportunistic attacks. Low drilling frequency in brachiopods is consistent with recent reports on ancient and modern examples. The scarcity of drilling in brachiopods, coupled with much higher drilling frequencies observed in sympatric bivalves, suggests that drilling in brachiopods may have been due to facultative or erroneous attacks. The drilling frequencies observed here for the brachiopod-bivalve assemblages are remarkably similar to those reported for Permian brachiopod-bivalves associations. This report adds to the growing evidence for an intriguing macroecological stasis: multiple meta-analytical surveys of present-day and fossil rhynchonelliform brachiopods conducted in recent years also point to persistent scarcity and low intensity of biotic interactions between brachiopods and drilling organisms throughout their evolutionary history.

Cardiac benefits of exercise training in aging spontaneously hypertensive rats

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

Chemiluminescence as a PDT light source for microbial control

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

Assistência Odontológica em Crianças com Paralisia Cerebral e Perspectivas Tecnológicas de Reabilitação

The improvement of oral health and quality of life is closely related to transdisciplinary dialogue, technological development and social responsibility. In patients with cerebral palsy, the lesion of motor areas of the brain compromises the development and function of the craniofacial complex. Considering all the ethiopathogenic conditions, the treatment of such patients involves great difficulties. The dentist and other professionals related to their rehabilitation need to deal with difficulty in chewing, respiration, phonation, besides the poor oral hygiene resulted from abnormal involuntary movements of facial and masticatory musculature, tongue, and upper limb. It is also relevant the lack of understanding about the importance of oral health care due to mental deficits of these individuals. This study aims to review some aspects of oral health in patients with cerebral palsy proposing rehabilitation associated to technology. Few studies concerned about the effectiveness of therapies for oral rehabilitation in patients with cerebral palsy. Laser therapy, electromyography, electrostimulation and LED therapy should be analyzed as options for treatment of patients with cerebral palsy. Following research projects should focus more attention on the dynamic and oral function of these patients to achieve positive repercussions in their overall health. © ArquiMed, 2010.

Efeitos do treinamento com pesos nas funções cognitivas de idosos com doença de Alzheimer

Deterioration in cognitive functions is characteristic in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and may be associated with decline in daily living activities with consequent reduced quality of life. Objective: To analyze weight training effects on cognitive functions in elderly with AD. Subjects: 34 elderly with AD were allocated into two groups: Training Group (TG) and Social Gathering Group (SGG). Methods: Global cognitive status was determined using the Mini-Mental State Exam. Specific cognitive functions were measured using the Brief Cognitive Battery, Clock Drawing Test and Verbal Fluency Test. The protocols were performed three times a week, one hour per session. The weight training protocol consisted of three sets of 20 repetitions, with two minutes of rest between sets and exercises. The activities proposed for the SGG were not systematized and aimed at promoting social interaction among patients. The statistical analyses were performed with the U Mann Whitney and Wilcoxon tests for group comparisons. All analyses were considered statistically significant at a p-value of 0.05. Results: There were no significant differences associated to the effects of the practice of weight training on cognition in AD patients. Conclusion: In this study, no improvement in cognitive functions was evident in elderly with AD who followed a low intensity resistance exercise protocol. Thus, future studies could evaluate the effect of more intense exercise programs.

Treatment of experimental periodontitis in rats using repeated adjunctive antimicrobial photodynamic therapy

The aim of this study was to histologically and histometrically evaluate the influence of repeated adjunctive antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) on bone loss (BL) in furcation areas in rats. Periodontitis was induced by placing a ligature around the mandibular molar in 75 rats. The animals were divided into five groups: the SS group was treated with saline solution (SS); the SRP group received scaling and root planing (SRP); the aPDT1 group received SRP as well as toluidine blue (TBO) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT; InGaAlP, 660 nm; 4.94 J/cm2/point) postoperatively at 0 h; the aPDT2 group received SRP as well as TBO and LLLT postoperatively at 0, 24, 28, and 72 h; and the aPDT3 group received SRP, TBO, and LLLT postoperatively at 0, 48, 96, and 144 h. The area of BL in the furcation region of the molar was histometrically analyzed. Data were analyzed statistically (P < 0.05). Animals treated with a single episode of aPDT showed less BL at days 7 and 30 than those who received only SRP treatment. No significant differences were found among the aPDT groups (P > 0.05). Repeated aPDT did not improve BL reduction when compared to a single episode of aPDT. © 2012 Springer-Verlag London Ltd.

Effects of LLLT in combination with bisphosphonate on bone healing in critical size defects: A histological and histometric study in rat calvaria

The purpose of this study was to analyze histologically the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in combination with bisphosphonate on bone healing in surgically created critical size defects (CSD) in rat calvaria. One hundred Wistar female rats sham operated (sham) and ovariectomized (Ovx) were maintained untreated for 1 month to allow for the development of osteopenia in the Ovx animals. A CSD was made in the calvarium of each rat, and the animals were divided into five groups according to following treatments: (1) sham rats (control), (2) Ovx rats, (3) Ovx rats treated with LLLT, (4) Ovx rats treated with bisphosphonate, and (5) Ovx rats treated with bisphosphonate and LLLT. Groups 4 and 5 were irrigated with 1 ml of bisphosphonate, and groups 3 and 5 were submitted to LLLT (GaAlAs), 660 nm, 24 J, and 0.4285 W/cm2 on the CSD. Ten animals of each treatment were killed at 30 and 60 days. Histomorphometric assessments, using image analysis software, and histological analyses were performed. No defect was completely regenerated with the bone. Histometrically, it can be observed that groups 3 (37.49 ± 1.94%, 43.11 ± 2.39%) and 5 (35.05 ± 1.57%, 41.07 ± 1.89%) showed a significant bone neoformation when compared to groups 1 (16.81 ± 1.57%, 27.54 ± 1.49%), 2 (11.68 ± 0.98%, 22.51 ± 1.05%), and 4 (14.62 ± 1.70%, 25.67 ± 1.41%) in all experimental periods (P < 0.05). It was possible to conclude that the LLLT associated or not with bisphosphonate treatment was effective for stimulating bone formation in CSD in the calvaria of rats submitted to ovariectomy. © 2012 Springer-Verlag London Ltd.

Adjunctive antimicrobial photodynamic treatment of experimentally induced periodontitis in rats with ovariectomy

Background: The aim of this study is to compare antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) as an adjunctive therapy to scaling and root planing (SRP) for the treatment of experimentally induced periodontitis in rats with ovariectomy (OVX) that are or are not treated with estrogen replacement. Methods: A total of 270 female rats were divided into three groups: 1) normal rats; 2) rats with OVX; and 3) rats with OVX with estrogen replacement. Periodontal disease was induced through the introduction of a cotton thread around the mandibular left first molar. After 7 days, the ligature was removed, and the rats were randomly divided into the following treatment groups: 1) SRP plus saline solution; 2) SRP plus low-level laser therapy (LLLT); and 3) SRP plus toluidine blue O irrigation followed by LLLT. Ten rats from each group were euthanized at days 7, 15, and 30 after dental treatment. Bone loss (BL) in the furcation region was evaluated using histometric and immunohistochemical analyses. Results: aPDT treatment resulted in reduced BL compared with SRP treatment at all time points. Additionally, rats treated with aPDT exhibited reduced numbers of tartrate-resistant acid-phosphatase-positive cells and more proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells in all treatment groups regardless of estrogen status. Whereas rats treated with aPDT showed weak immunoreactivity to the receptor activator of nuclear factor-k B ligand at day 7 post-treatment, strong osteoprotegerin immunoreactivity was observed at day 15 post-treatment. Conclusion: aPDT is an effective adjunctive therapy for the treatment of periodontitis in rats with OVX that are or are not given estrogen replacement therapy.

Theoretical and experimental study of the excitonic binding energy in GaAs/AlGaAs single and coupled double quantum wells

This paper discusses the theoretical and experimental results obtained for the excitonic binding energy (Eb) in a set of single and coupled double quantum wells (SQWs and CDQWs) of GaAs/AlGaAs with different Al concentrations (Al%) and inter-well barrier thicknesses. To obtain the theoretical Eb the method proposed by Mathieu, Lefebvre and Christol (MLC) was used, which is based on the idea of fractional-dimension space, together with the approach proposed by Zhao et al., which extends the MLC method for application in CDQWs. Through magnetophotoluminescence (MPL) measurements performed at 4 K with magnetic fields ranging from 0 T to 12 T, the diamagnetic shift curves were plotted and adjusted using two expressions: one appropriate to fit the curve in the range of low intensity fields and another for the range of high intensity fields, providing the experimental Eb values. The effects of increasing the Al% and the inter-well barrier thickness on E b are discussed. The Eb reduction when going from the SQW to the CDQW with 5 Å inter-well barrier is clearly observed experimentally for 35% Al concentration and this trend can be noticed even for concentrations as low as 25% and 15%, although the Eb variations in these latter cases are within the error bars. As the Zhao's approach is unable to describe this effect, the wave functions and the probability densities for electrons and holes were calculated, allowing us to explain this effect as being due to a decrease in the spatial superposition of the wave functions caused by the thin inter-well barrier. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.