Heart rate variability in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

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

Heterologous expression and biochemical and functional characterization of a recombinant alpha-type myotoxin inhibitor from Bothrops alternatus snake

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

THE RETINAL TARGETS OF CENTRIFUGAL NEURONS AND THE RETINAL NEURONS PROJECTING TO THE ACCESSORY OPTIC-SYSTEM

In birds, neurons of the isthmo-optic nucleus (ION), as well as ''ectopic'' neurons, send axons to the retina, where they synapse on cells in the inner nuclear layer (INL). Previous work has shown that centrifugal axons can be divided into two anatomically distinct types depending on their mode of termination: either ''convergent'' or ''divergent'' (Ramon y Cajal, 1889; Maturana and Frenk, 1965). We show that cytochrome-oxidase histochemistry specifically labels ''convergent'' centrifugal axons and target neurons which appear to be amacrine cells, as well as three ''types'' of ganglion cells: two types found in the INL (displaced ganglion cells) and one in the ganglion cell layer. Labeled target amacrine cells have distinct darkly labeled ''nests'' of boutons enveloping the somas, are associated with labeled centrifugal fibers, and are confined to central retina. Lesions of the isthmo-optic tract abolish the cytochrome-oxidase labeling in the centrifugal axons and in the target amacrine cells but not in the ganglion cells. Cytochromeoxidase-labeled ganglion cells in the INL are large; one type is oval and similar to the classical displaced ganglion cells of Dogiel, which have been reported to receive centrifugal input; the other type is rounder. Rhodamine beads injected into the accessory optic system results in retrograde label in both types of cells, showing that two distinct types of displaced ganglion cells project to the accessory optic system in chickens. The ganglion cells in the ganglion cell layer that label for cytochrome oxidase also project to the accessory optic system. These have proximal dendrites that ramify in the outer inner plexiform layer. Neither the target amacrine cells nor either of the displaced ganglion cells are immunoreactive for the inhibitory transmitter gamma aminobutyric acid. At least some of the target amacrine cells may, however, be cholinoceptive: we found that the antibody to the alpha-7 subunit of the nicotinic ACh receptor labels a population of cells in the INL that are similar in location, size, and the presence of labeled bouton-like structures to those we find labeled with cytochrome oxidase. This antibody also labels neurons in the ION proper but not ectopic cells. In conclusion, it appears that cytochrome oxidase may be a marker for ''convergent'' centrifugal axons and at least one of their target cells in the INL.

Increased Expression of Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptors in the Solitary-Vagal Complex Blunts Renovascular Hypertension

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

RESPONSE OF CORN GROWN IN TILLAGE SYSTEM FOR THE APPLICATION OF NITROGEN DOSES IN A SEQUENCE OF PLANT COVER

The use of cover crops can produce large amounts of biomass, improving the cycling of nutrients, particularly nitrogen, promoting productivity gains and cost savings. Given this, the objective was to evaluate the use of N rates associated to cover crops grown in pre-harvest nutritional status, nitrogen accumulation and corn yield in both years. The experiment was conducted in an Oxisol with maize, no-tillage system. The experimental design was a randomized block, split plot with four replications. The main treatments were: six cropping systems (sun hemp, jack bean, lablab, millet, and velvet bean fallow) in secondary treatments: four doses of nitrogen (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha(-1) N). Corn yield was not affected by the type of coverage for pre-season, regardless of the nitrogen applied in the soil. Still, the use of nitrogen fertilizer in the soil promotes gains in grain yield in the first year of cultivation, regardless of the type of coverage in pre-season. In the first year (2006/2007) the species of coverage produced more biomass were velvet bean, jack bean, sun hemp and lablab, while in the second year (2007/08) were the sun hemp, millet, lablab, jack bean and velvet bean, respectively.

BIOMECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF THE SYSTEM PROSTHESIS/DENTAL IMPLANT: ANALYSIS BY THE PHOTOELASTICITY METHOD

One of the main reasons for the failure in dental implant treatments is the overload, which can cause bone resorption and later, the osseointegration loss in the implant. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the tension generated around dental implants in the rehabilitation of three mandible posterior teeth, varying the connection type, the disposal, and the quantity of implants. The photoelasticity method was used in order to accomplish it. Through photoelasticity, the quantity and localization of the tensions around the implants in the different studied groups were compared (three straight line implants, three offset placement implants, two implants with a mesial cantilever, and two implants with a pontic). The results showed that the tension quantity and disposition around the dental implants of the connection external hexagon and internal hexagon were similar in all groups. In the group where the cantilever was used, an increase of the tension around the implant, adjacent to the cantilever, was observed. From the results it is concluded that the type of connection used in this study did not influence the tension quantity and distribution around the implants; however, the prosthetic configuration with the cantilever use, led to an increase of the tension around the implant, adjacent to the cantilever.

Activation of the brain melanocortin system is required for leptin-induced modulation of chemorespiratory function

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

Effect of the association between the tray and impression techniques on angulated implants using the All-on-Four system

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

Comparative clinical sample preparation of DNA and RNA viral nucleic acids for a commercial deep sequencing system (Illumina MiSeq (R))

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

On the effects of mistuning a force-excited system containing a quasi-zero-stiffness vibration isolator

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Synthesis of Structured Lipids by Enzymatic Interesterification of Milkfat and Soybean Oil in a Basket-Type Stirred Tank Reactor

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

How population loss through habitat boundaries determines the dynamics of a predator-prey system

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

Cleaning capacity promoted by motor-driven or manual instrumentation using ProTaper Universal system: Histological analysis

The aim of this study was to assess the cleaning capacity of the Protaper system using motor-driven or manual instrumentation. Materials and Methods: Ten mandibular molars were randomly separated into 2 groups (n = 5) according to the type of instrumentation performed, as follows: Group 1 - instrumentation with rotary nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) files using ProTaper Universal System (Dentsply/Maillefer); and, Group 2 - instrumentation with Ni-Ti hand files using ProTaper Universal (Dentsply-Maillefer). Afterwards, the teeth were sectioned transversely and submitted to histotechnical processing to obtain histological sections for microscopic evaluation. The images were analyzed by the Corel Photo-Paint X5 program (Corel Corporation) using an integration grid superimposed on the image. Results: Statistical analysis (U-Mann-Whitney - P < 0.05) demonstrated that G1 presented higher cleaning capacity when compared to G2. Conclusions: The rotary technique presented better cleaning results in the apical third of the root canal system when compared to the manual technique.

Immunolocalization of myosin Va in the developing nervous system of embryonic chicks

Myosins are molecular motors associated with the actin cytoskeleton that participate in the mechanisms of cellular motility. During the development of the nervous system, migration of nerve cells to specific sites, extension of growth cones, and axonal transport are dramatic manifestations of cellular motility. We demonstrate, via immunoblots, the expression of myosin Va during early stages of embryonic development in chicks, extending from the blastocyst period to the beginning of the fetal period. The expression of myosin Va in specific regions and cellular structures of the nervous system during these early stages was determined by immunocytochemistry using a polyclonal antibody. Whole mounts of chick embryos at 24-30-h stages showed intense immunoreactivity of the neural tube in formation along its full extent. Cross-sections at these stages of development showed strong labeling in neuroepithelial cells at the basal and apical regions of the neural tube wall. Embryos at more advanced periods of development (48h and 72 h) showed distinctive immunolabeling of neuroepithelial cells, neuroblasts and their cytoplasmic extensions in the mantle layer of the stratified neural tube wall, and neuroblasts and their cytoplasmic extensions in the internal wall of the optic cup, as well as a striking labeling of cells in the apparent nuclei of cranial nerves and budding fibers. These immunolocalization studies indicate temporal and site-specific expression of myosin Va during chick embryo development, suggesting that myosin Va expression is related to recruitment for specific cellular tasks.

Immunohistochemical approach to the pathogenesis of clinical cases of bovine Herpesvirus type 5 infections

Meningoencephalitis by Herpesvirus type 5 (BoHV-5) in cattle has some features that are similar to those of herpetic encephalitis in humans and other animal species. Human Herpesvirus 3 (commonly known as Varicella-zoster virus 1), herpes simplex viruses (HSV), and equid Herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) induce an intense inflammatory, vascular and cellular response. In spite of the many reports describing the histological lesions associated with natural and experimental infections, the immunopathological mechanisms for the development of neurological disorder have not been established. A total of twenty calf brains were selected from the Veterinary School, University of São Paulo State, Araçatuba, Brazil, after confirmation of BoHV-5 infection by virus isolation as well as by a molecular approach. The first part of the study characterized the microscopic lesions associated with the brain areas in the central nervous system (CNS) that tested positive in a viral US9 gene hybridization assay. The frontal cortex (Fc), parietal cortex (Pc), thalamus (T) and mesencephalon (M) were studied. Secondly, distinct pathogenesis mechanisms that take place in acute cases were investigated by an immunohistochemistry assay. This study found the frontal cortex to be the main region where intense oxidative stress phenomena (AOP-1) and synaptic protein expression (SNAP-25) were closely related to inflammatory cuffs, satellitosis and gliosis, which represent the most frequently observed neurological lesions. Moreover, MMP-9 expression was shown to be localized in the leptomeninges, in the parenchyma and around mononuclear infiltrates (p < 0.0001). These data open a new perspective in understanding the role of the AOP-1, MMP-9 and SNAP-25 proteins in mediating BoHV-5 pathogenesis and the strategies of host-virus interaction in order to invade the CNS.