Three new South American species of Salacia with fasciculate inflorescences (Celastraceae, Hippocrateoideae)

Three new fasciculate flowered species of Salacia L. (Celastraceae, Hippocrateoideae) from the Amazon basin are described: S. acevedoi Lombardi is distinguished by its small flowers, stamens with short filaments, disc connate to ovary, and size of fruits; S. negrensis Lombardi differs by its habit, characteristics and shape of leaves, flower diameter, features and size of stamens, and number of ovules: and S. odorata Lombardi is characterized by its long pedicels, conical flower buds, strongly adherent petals. and flat disc with fimbriate outer border.

Three new species of Vitaceae from mesoamerica

Three new species, Cissus nicaraguensis, C. patellicalyx, and Ampelocissus mesoamericana, are described from Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and El Salvador, respectively. Cissus nicaraguensis can be distinguished from all other Neotropical species by the combination of urceolate calyx and simple leaves. Cissus patellicalyx is recognized by its subspherical floral buds, immature fruits minutely tuberculate when dried, and the distinctly raised nerves of the abaxial leaf surface. Ampelocissus mesoamericana is characterized by lenticels, indument, and the obpyriform flower buds.

Analysis of the association of polymorphism in the osteoprotegerin gene with susceptibility to chronic kidney disease and periodontitis

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Association of 3D Reconstruction and Conventional Radiography for the Description of the Appendicular Skeleton of Chelonoidis carbonaria (Spix, 1824)

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

Phase II clinical study of an association for the treatment of interstitial cystitis (Cystex (R))

Painful bladder syndrome associated with interstitial cystitis (PBS/IC) is a clinical condition characterized pelvic pain, urinary urgency, and urinary frequency. In this study, 22 patients were assigned to make two visits over a three weeks period. The patients were randomly, double-blinded assigned in two groups. The first group received Cystex (R) capsules. The second group received placebo capsules. Two capsules were taken three times a day away from meals. The change from baseline in the O'Leary-Sant IC symptom and problem index was the primary outcome parameter. Changes in functional bladder capacity and intensity of pain and urgency have been chosen as secondary outcome parameters. Mood as well as physical and sexual activity were rated by 10 questions on a scale 0 to 6. The ratings were analyzed and the average for each patient in both groups Cystex (R) and placebo was determined as the quality of life index. For the primary outcome there was a statistically significant difference between the groups. Mean symptom score-sum decreased from 28.4 to 20.5 in the Cystex (R) group compared with 29.5 to 26.8 in the placebo group (p<0.05). For the secondary end points, pain and urgency intensity improved statistically significantly in the Cystex (R) group compared with the placebo group (p<0.05). The frequency and functional bladder capacity improved to greater degree in the Cystex (R) group. The differences were statistically significant for comparison of frequency (p<0.05) and not for functional bladder capacity (p>0.05). In our study, Cystex (R) enhanced quality of life over the placebo showing a statistically significant. This trial have shown that the efficacy and safety of therapy with Cystex (R) in the treatment of interstitial cystitis and is an alternative for patients suffering from this pathology. Therefore, it can be concluded that the composition of Cystex (R), increased the quality of life in treated patients.

Clinical evaluation of the association of noncarious cervical lesions, parafunctional habits, and TMD diagnosis

Objective: To verify a potential association between the presence of noncarious cervical lesions, parafunctional habits, and temporomandibular disorder (TMD) diagnosis. Method and Materials: Sample-size calculation provided a value of 130 participants with a confidence level of 95% and an error margin of 5%. A population of 132 volunteers (30 men: mean age, 23.7 +/- 3.05 years; 102 women: mean age, 24.9 +/- 5.86 years) underwent an oral examination and was interviewed by a trained dentist. The following parameters were registered: personal details, TMD diagnosis, parafunctional habits, and noncarious cervical lesion presence. The population was then divided into a noncarious cervical lesion group and a control group and subjected to the t test, chi-square test, Fisher exact test, and Spearman correlation (alpha = .05). Results: Noncarious cervical lesions were present in 39% of the population, with the largest concentrations found in the maxillary premolars (32%). The data showed a significant association between noncarious cervical lesion presence, tooth clenching (P = .03), and nail biting (P = .02), as well as a relation with TMD diagnosis (Fonseca Index [P = .01] and Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD) [P = .004] ). In the noncarious cervical lesion group, direct rank correlation was found between maxillary premolars and clenching (P = .03), mandibular canines and nail biting (P = .05), and mandibular incisors and parafunctional habits without dental contacts (P = .02). Conclusion: Parafunctional habits and TMD presence should be taken into account in the diagnosis and treatment plan of noncarious cervical lesions.

Recognition of Cretaceous, Paleocene, and Neogene tectonic reactivation through apatite fission-track analysis in Precambrian areas of southeast Brazil: Association with the opening of the south Atlantic Ocean

Apatite fission-track analysis was used for the determination of thermal histories and ages in Precambrian areas of southeast Brazil. Together with geological and geomorphologic information, these ages enable us to quantify the thermal histories and timing of Mesozoic and Cenozoic epirogenic and tectonic processes. The collected samples are from different geomorphologic blocks: the high Mantiqueira mountain range (HMMR) with altitude above 1000 m, the low Mantiqueira mountain range (LMMR) under 1000 m, the Serra do Mar mountain range (SMMR), the Jundiá and Atlantic Plateaus, and the coastline, all of which have distinct thermal histories. During the Aptian (∼120 Ma), there was an uplift of the HMMR, coincident with opening of the south Atlantic Ocean. Its thermal history indicates heating (from ∼60 to∼80 °C) until the Paleocene, when rocks currently exposed in the LMMR reached temperatures of ∼100 °C. In this period, the Serra do Mar rift system and the Japi erosion surface were formed. The relief records the latter. During the Late Cretaceous, the SMMR was uplifted and probably linked to its origin; in the Tertiary, it experienced heating from ∼60 to ∼90 °C, then cooling that extends to the present. The SMMR, LMMR, and HMMR were reactivated mainly in the Paleocene, and the coastline during the Paleogene. These processes are reflected in the sedimentary sequences and discordances of the interior and continental margin basins. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Physical characterization of K-doped 0.9PMN-0.1PT synthesized by an association of the columbite route and the polymeric precursor method

The solid solution 0.9PbMg 1/3Nb 2/3O 3-0.1PbTiO 3 is one of the most widely investigated relaxor ceramic, because of its high dielectric constant and low sintering temperatures. PMN-PT powders containing single perovskite phase were prepared by using a Timodified columbite precursor obtained by the polymeric precursor method. Such precursor reacts directly with stoichiometric amount of PbO to obtain pyrochlore-free PMN-PT powders. The structural effects of K additive included in the columbite precursor and 0.9PMN-0.1PT powders were also studied. The phase formation at each processing step was verified by XRD analysis, being these results used for the structural refinement by the Rietveld method. It was verified the addition of K in the columbite precursor promotes a slight increasing in the powder crystallinity. There was not a decrease in the amount of perovskite phase PMN-PT for 1mol% of K, and the particle and grain size were reduced, making this additive a powerful tool for grain size control.

Effect of rotary instrumentation and of the association of calcium hydroxide and chlorhexidine on the antisepsis of the root canal system in dogs

This study aimed at evaluating the antisepsis of the root canal system (RCS) and periapical region (PR) provided by rotary instrumentation associated with chlorhexidine + calcium hydroxide as intracanal medicament. Chronic periapical lesions were induced in 26 pre-molar roots in two dogs. After microbiological sampling, automatic instrumentation using the Profile system and irrigation with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution, with a final rinse of 14.3% EDTA followed by profuse irrigation with physiological saline were carried out in 18 root canals. After drying the canals, a paste based on calcium hydroxide associated with a 2% chlorhexidine digluconate solution was placed inside them. After 21 days, the medication was removed, leaving the root canals empty and coronally sealed. After 96 hours, a final microbiological sample was obtained, followed by histomicrobiological processing by the Brown & Brenn method. Eight untreated root canals represented the control group (C-G). Based on the Mann-Whitney test at a confidence level of 5% (p < 0.05), the procedures of antisepsis used offered significant efficacy (p < 0.05) resulting in 100.0% of the canals free of microorganisms. In the C-G, an elevated incidence of various microbial morphotypes was confirmed in all sites of the RCS, with the presence of microbial colonies in the periapical region. In contrast, the experimental group showed a similar pattern of infection in the RCS, although less intense and a reduced level of periapical infection (p < 0.05). It was concluded that adequate instrumentation followed by the application of calcium hydroxide + chlorhexidine offered significant elimination of microorganisms.

Effect of the association of nystatin with a tissue conditioner on its ultimate tensile strength

Purpose: This study evaluated the ultimate tensile strength of a tissue conditioner without nystatin incorporation (GI - control group) and the same tissue conditioner modified by the addition of nystatin in two concentrations: GII - 500,000 International Units (U) and GIII - 1,000,000 U, in which each milligram of the medicament corresponded to 6079 U. Materials and Methods: Dumbbell-shaped specimens (N = 7) with a central cross-sectional area of 33 × 6 × 3 mm were produced for the three experimental groups. After polymerization following manufacturer's instructions, specimens were immersed in distilled water at 37°C for either 24 hours or 7 days and then tested in tension in the MTS 810 at 40 mm/minute. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test, at 95% level of confidence. Results: The means (force-grams (gf) ± standard deviation) of the ultimate tensile strength were: GI - 634.29 ± 122.80; GII - 561.92 ± 133.56; and GIII - 547.30 ± 73.47 for 24-hour storage, and GI - 536.68 ± 54.71; GII - 467.50 ± 143.51; and GIII - 500.62 ± 159.76 for 7-day storage. There were no statistically significant differences among the three experimental groups (p > 0.05). The ultimate tensile strength means of all experimental groups after 7 days were significantly lower than those observed after 24 hours (p = 0.04). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the addition of nystatin into the tissue conditioner investigated in concentrations below 1,000,000 U did not affect its ultimate tensile strength. Copyright © 2006 by The American College of Prosthodontists.

Hunger and malnutrition in the countries of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS)

Includes bibliography

Hunger and malnutrition in the countries of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS)

Includes bibliography

The Deoxyhypusine Synthase Mutant dys1-1 Reveals the Association of eIF5A and Asc1 with Cell Wall Integrity

The putative eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) is a highly conserved protein among archaea and eukaryotes that has recently been implicated in the elongation step of translation. eIF5A undergoes an essential and conserved posttranslational modification at a specific lysine to generate the residue hypusine. The enzymes deoxyhypusine synthase (Dys1) and deoxyhypusine hydroxylase (Lia1) catalyze this two-step modification process. Although several Saccharomyces cerevisiae eIF5A mutants have importantly contributed to the study of eIF5A function, no conditional mutant of Dys1 has been described so far. In this study, we generated and characterized the dys1-1 mutant, which showed a strong depletion of mutated Dys1 protein, resulting in more than 2-fold decrease in hypusine levels relative to the wild type. The dys1-1 mutant demonstrated a defect in total protein synthesis, a defect in polysome profile indicative of a translation elongation defect and a reduced association of eIF5A with polysomes. The growth phenotype of dys1-1 mutant is severe, growing only in the presence of 1 M sorbitol, an osmotic stabilizer. Although this phenotype is characteristic of Pkc1 cell wall integrity mutants, the sorbitol requirement from dys1-1 is not associated with cell lysis. We observed that the dys1-1 genetically interacts with the sole yeast protein kinase C (Pkc1) and Asc1, a component of the 40S ribosomal subunit. The dys1-1 mutant was synthetically lethal in combination with asc1Δ and overexpression of TIF51A (eIF5A) or DYS1 is toxic for an asc1Δ strain. Moreover, eIF5A is more associated with translating ribosomes in the absence of Asc1 in the cell. Finally, analysis of the sensitivity to cell wall-perturbing compounds revealed a more similar behavior of the dys1-1 and asc1Δ mutants in comparison with the pkc1Δ mutant. These data suggest a correlated role for eIF5A and Asc1 in coordinating the translational control of a subset of mRNAs associated with cell integrity. © 2013 Galvão et al.