Sexual dimorphism and phenotypic plasticity in the antennal lobe of a stingless bee, Melipona scutellaris

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

Acromyrmex charruanus: a new inquiline social parasite species of leaf-cutting ants

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

The Cuticular Hydrocarbons Profiles in the Colonial Recognition of the Neotropical Eusocial Wasp, Mischocyttarus cassununga (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Evaluation of DNA damage and lipoperoxidation of propofol in patients undergoing elective surgery

Inhaled anaesthetics have been studied regarding their genotoxic and mutagenic potential in vivo. Propofol differs from volatile anaesthetics because it does not show mutagenic effects and it has been reported to be an antioxidant. However, there are no studies with propofol and genotoxicity in vivo. The study aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that propofol is not genotoxic and it inhibits lipid peroxidation [malondialdehyde (MDA)] in patients undergoing propofol anaesthesia. ASA physical status I patients scheduled for elective surgery, lasting at least 90 min, were enrolled in this study. Initially, the estimated plasma concentration of propofol was targeted at 4 microg ml(-1) and then maintained at 2-4 microg ml(-1) until the end of surgery. Haemodynamic data were determined at baseline (before premedication) and in conjunction with target-controlled infusion of propofol: after tracheal intubation, 30, 60 and 90 min after anaesthesia induction and at the end of the surgery. Venous blood samples were collected at baseline, after tracheal intubation, at the end of the surgery and on the postoperative first day for evaluating DNA damage in white blood cells (WBCs), by comet assay, and MDA levels. Haemodynamic data did not differ among times. No statistically significant differences were observed for the levels of DNA damage in WBCs, nor in plasma MDA, among the four times. Propofol does not induce DNA damage in WBCs and does not alter MDA in plasma of patients.

Dynamics of foraging trails in the Neotropical termite Velocitermes heteropterus (Isoptera: Termitidae)

Foraging behavior in termites varies with the feeding habits of each species but often occurs through the formation of well-defined trails that connect the nest to food sources in species that build structured nests. We studied the formation of foraging trails and the change in caste ratio during foraging in the termite Velocitermes heteropterus. This species is widespread in Cerrado vegetation where it builds epigeal nests and forages in open-air at night. Our aim was to understand the processes involved in the formation of foraging trails, from the exploration of new unmarked areas to the recruitment of individuals to food and the stabilization of traffic on the trails, as well as the participation of the different castes during these processes. Foraging trails were videotaped in the laboratory and the videos were then analyzed both manually and automatically to assess the flow of individuals and the caste ratio on the trails as well as to examine the spatial organization of traffic over time. Foraging trails were composed of minor workers, major workers, and soldiers. The flow of individuals on the trails gradually increased from the beginning of the exploration of new areas up to the discovery of the food. The caste ratio remained constant throughout the foraging excursion: major workers, minor workers and soldiers forage in a ratio of 8:1:1, respectively. The speed of individuals was significantly different among castes, with major workers and soldiers being significantly faster than minor workers. Overall, our results show that foraging excursions in V. heteropterus may be divided in three different phases, characterized by individual speeds, differential flows and lane segregation.

Seal, replacement or monitoring amalgam restorations with occlusal marginal defects? Results of a 10-year clinical trial

The aim of this prospective and blind clinical trial was to assess the effectiveness of sealing localized marginal defects of amalgam restoration that were initially scheduled to be replaced. A cohort of twenty six patients with 60 amalgam restorations (n=44Class I and n=16Class II), that presented marginal defects deviating from ideal (Bravo) according to USPHS criteria, were assigned to either sealing or replacement groups: A: sealing n=20, Replacement n=20, and no treatment (n=20). Two blind examiners evaluated the restorations at baseline (K=0.74) and after ten years (K=0.84) according with USPHS criteria, in four parameters: marginal adaptation (MA), secondary caries (SC), marginal staining (MS) and teeth sensitivity (TS). Multiple comparison of restorations degradation/upgrade was analyzed by Friedman test and the comparisons within groups were performed by Wilcoxon test. After 10 years, 44 restorations were assessed (73.3%), Group A: n=14 and Group B: n=16; and Group C: n=14 sealing and replacement amalgam restorations presented similar level of quality in MA (p=0.76), SC (p=0.25) and TS (p=0.52), while in MS (p=0.007) presented better performance in replacement group after 10-years. Most of the occlusal amalgam restorations with marginal gaps showed similar long term outcomes than the restorations were sealed, replaced, or not treated over a 10-year period. Most of the restorations of the three groups were clinically acceptable, under the studied parameters. All restorations had the tendency to present downgrade/deterioration over time.

Comparison of droperidol and ondansetron prophylactic effect on subarachnoid morphine-induced pruritus

The prophylactic effect of ondansetron on subarachnoid morphine-induced pruritus is controversial, while evidence suggests that droperidol prevents pruritus. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of droperidol and ondansetron on subarachnoid morphine-induced pruritus. 180 ASA I or II patients scheduled to undergo cesarean sections under subarachnoid anesthesia combined with morphine 0.2mg were randomized to receive, after the child's birth, metoclopramide 10mg (Group I - control), droperidol 2.5mg (Group II) or ondansetron 8mg (Group III). Postoperatively, the patients were assessed for pruritus (absent, mild, moderate or severe) or other side effects by blinded investigators. Patients were also blinded to their group allocation. The tendency to present more severe forms of pruritus was compared between groups. NNT was also determined. Patients assigned to receive droperidol [Proportional odds ratio: 0.45 (95% confidence interval 0.23-0.88)] reported less pruritus than those who received metoclopramide. Ondansetron effect was similar to metoclopramide [Proportional odds ratio: 0.95 (95% confidence interval 0.49-1.83)]. The NNT for droperidol and ondansetron was 4.0 and 14.7, respectively. Ondansetron does not inhibit subarachnoid morphine-induced pruritus.

A comparative, prospective and randomized evaluation of roux-en-y gastric bypass with and without the silastic ring: a 2-year follow up preliminary report on weight loss and quality of life

Currently, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is one of the most widely used bariatric surgeries. Banding the pouch forms a banded gastric bypass operation, an accepted and frequently used variant. Placing a silastic ring around the pouch to band the gastric bypass operation increases the restriction mechanism. However, the ubiquitous use of the banded gastric bypass remains controversial. One of the controversies is the effect of the silastic ring on patients' perception of their well being after surgery because of the frequency of vomiting. A prospective, blindly randomized, comparative trial was undertaken to resolve this controversy. Four hundred subjects scheduled for gastric bypass surgery were randomized into two arms of the trial, 200 with a silastic ring (WR) and 200 without (NR). After 2-year follow-up, the variables associated with the scores of Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS) were analyzed. The initial median weight (125 kg), BMI (47), and age (36 years) were the same in both the NR and WR groups. The median excess weight loss, weight regain, and incidence of vomiting were 71, 10.5, and 7.75 %, respectively, in the NR group vs. 75.4 and 1.1, and 24.4 % in the WR group. The mean QOL score was 79 % in the NR group vs. 80 % in the WR group. After 2-year follow-up, silastic ring placement in the RYGB resulted in greater weight loss and weight stability and a threefold greater incidence of vomiting. There was no difference in the scores in the quality of life analysis.

Análise da espessura da película de cimentos de ionômero vítreo e fosfato de zinco, empregados na cimentação de coroas totais metálicas, preparadas in vivo

Pós-graduação em Odontologia Restauradora - ICT

Cancelamento de cirurgias eletivas: dos motivos à compreensão do itinerário Agendamento-Centro Cirúrgico

Pós-graduação em Enfermagem - FMB

Projeto de controlador gain scheduling usando realimentação derivativa via LMI

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Elétrica - FEIS

Multivariate morphometrics and allometry and allometry in a polymorphic ant

In this paper we describe how morphological castes can be distinguished using multivariate statistical methods combined with jackknife estimators of the allometric coefficients. Data from the polymorphic ant, Camponotus rufipes, produced two distinct patterns of allometric variation, and thus two morphological castes. Morphometric analysis distinguished different allometric patterns within the two castes, with overall variability being greater in the major workers. Caste-specific scaling variabilities were associated with the relative importance of first principal component. The static multivariate allometric coefficients for each of 10 measured characters were different between castes, but their relative magnitudes within castes were similar. Multivariate statistical analysis of worker polymorphism in ants is a more complete descriptor of shape variation than, and provides statistical and conceptual advantages over, the standard bivariate techniques commonly used.

Diferenças individuais no comportamento forrageiro de Polistes versicolor Olivier, 1872 (Vespidae, Polistinae)

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia) - IBRC

Efeito do tabagismo, atividade física e obesidade sobre os valores de proteína C reativa em adultos jovens de ambos os sexos: coorte de 12 meses

Pós-graduação em Fisioterapia - FCT

Avaliação da erosão hídrica e transporte de sedimentos através do modelo hidrossedimentológico SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool)

Pós-graduação em Geociências e Meio Ambiente - IGCE