Aspectos da biologia reprodutiva de Eretmochelys imbricata (testudines, cheloniidae) no litoral sul do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil

Female hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) nesting along the southeastcoastline of Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil (6º13'40"S, 35º03'05"W) were captured and weighed during the four months from January to April 2007, in the course of the annual egglaying season, which extended from 06 rd November 2006 to 30 rd May 2007. In all, 99 weight measurements were performed. On first contact the females exhibited an average post-oviposition weight of 79.1 kg (range 56.2-98.9 kg, SD = 10.9 kg, n = 44 females). Those individuals which were subsequently recaptured showed a mean weight loss of 1.7 kg (range 0.7-4.5 kg, SD = 1.0 kg, n = 39 sets of measurements on 20 females) in the interval between two consecutive post-ovipositions, separated by a maximum time interval of 17 days. In the cases where the female aborted the nesting process, the pre-oviposition weight was measured. The clutch weight, that is to say, the weight loss between consecutive pre-oviposition and post-oviposition measurements (separated by a maximum time interval of 3 days), was found to be 5.2 kg (range 4.3-6.0 kg, SD = 0.9 kg, n = 6 sets of measurements). This value is significantly higher (t-test, p<0.001) than the loss between two consecutive post-oviposition measurements with the same female. The mean recovery in body weight, that is to say, the average gain in weight between successive post-oviposition and pre-oviposition captures of the same individual (separated by a time interval of 12 to 17 days), was found to be 3.0 kg (range 1.9-4.3 kg, SD = 1.0 kg, n = 4 sets of measurements) Although the small sample size makes it unwise to generalise, the recovery in body weight was found to be always significantly lower (t-test, p<0.005) than the clutch weight. This fact is in agreement with the observed weight loss tendency throughout the breeding season for this species. Considering the clutch weight and the internidal recovery in body weight we found that the total weight loss of the adult hawksbill females after three to five nesting events varied from 10.4% (range 8.7-11.9%, SD = 1.6%, n = 3) to 14.1% (range 11.8-15.4%, SD = 1.3%, n = 6) in relation to their initial pre-oviposition weight. If there were no body weight recovery during the internesting interval we estimate that a female that nests three to five times in the course of the season would lose from 19% to 31% of its initial weight. We emphasise that our clutch weight estimate was performed by weighing the females and not by multiplying the number of eggs in the nest by their average unit weight. In this way, our measurements take into account the loss of liquid during the oviposition. Despite the unequivocal evidence of body weight recovery during the internidal interval, it is not clear if the cause of this process is rehydration or feeding

Estudo das propriedades críticas do processo epidêmico por par com difusão de pares

The pair contact process - PCP is a nonequilibrium stochastic model which, like the basic contact process - CP, exhibits a phase transition to an absorbing state. While the absorbing state CP corresponds to a unique configuration (empty lattice), the PCP process infinitely many. Numerical and theoretical studies, nevertheless, indicate that the PCP belongs to the same universality class as the CP (direct percolation class), but with anomalies in the critical spreading dynamics. An infinite number of absorbing configurations arise in the PCP because all process (creation and annihilation) require a nearest-neighbor pair of particles. The diffusive pair contact process - PCPD) was proposed by Grassberger in 1982. But the interest in the problem follows its rediscovery by the Langevin description. On the basis of numerical results and renormalization group arguments, Carlon, Henkel and Schollwöck (2001), suggested that certain critical exponents in the PCPD had values similar to those of the party-conserving - PC class. On the other hand, Hinrichsen (2001), reported simulation results inconsistent with the PC class, and proposed that the PCPD belongs to a new universality class. The controversy regarding the universality of the PCPD remains unresolved. In the PCPD, a nearest-neighbor pair of particles is necessary for the process of creation and annihilation, but the particles to diffuse individually. In this work we study the PCPD with diffusion of pair, in which isolated particles cannot move; a nearest-neighbor pair diffuses as a unit. Using quasistationary simulation, we determined with good precision the critical point and critical exponents for three values of the diffusive probability: D=0.5 and D=0.1. For D=0.5: PC=0.89007(3), β/v=0.252(9), z=1.573(1), =1.10(2), m=1.1758(24). For D=0.1: PC=0.9172(1), β/v=0.252(9), z=1.579(11), =1.11(4), m=1.173(4)

Condutividade elétrica e teor de água inicial das sementes de soja

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

Acute phase proteins: a potential approach for diagnosing chronic infection by Trypanosoma vivax

O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar possíveis alterações nas proteínas de fase aguda em ovinos infectados experimentalmente com Trypanosoma vivax. Para tanto, foram utilizados oito ovinos machos, sendo quatro usados como controle e quatro infectados com 10(5) tripomastigotas de T. vivax. Colheram-se amostras de sangue em dois tempos antes da infecção e, posteriormente, aos 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105 e 120 dias após a infecção (dpi); após centrifugação e aliquotização das amostras. As proteínas de fase aguda foram separadas por eletroforese em gel de acrilamida, contendo dodecil sulfato de sódio, e suas concentrações foram determinadas através de densitometria computadorizada. A dosagem de proteína total foi realizada pelo método colorimétrico do biureto. A contagem dos tripanossomas foi realizada diariamente, utilizando-se uma alíquota de 5 µL de sangue disperso em lâmina de microscopia, sob lamínula de 22 × 22 mm, contando-se os parasitos em 100 campos microscópicos, com objetiva de 40×, multiplicados pelo fator de correção do microscópio, e o resultado expresso em parasitos por mL de sangue. Para a análise estatística, empregou-se o teste de Wilcoxon a 5% de probabilidade. Foi observada a diminuição de diversas proteínas de fase aguda e aumento de antitripsina e transferrina que podem ser utilizadas para auxiliar no diagnóstico da infecção por T. vivax, principalmente na fase crônica da infecção.

Condutividade elétrica em função do teor de água inicial de sementes de amendoim

O vigor de sementes de amendoim (Arachis hypogaea L.) avaliado pelo teste de condutividade elétrica demonstra estreita relação com o desempenho no campo, mas alguns fatores podem afetar o resultado da condutividade elétrica, sendo um destes o teor de água inicial das sementes. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o teor de água ou faixa de umidade da semente mais adequado para a avaliação da condutividade elétrica em sementes de amendoim. Quatro lotes de sementes da cultivar 'IAC Tatu ST' e quatro da cultivar 'IAC Runner 886' foram avaliados quanto ao seu potencial fisiológico e posteriormente o teor de água foi ajustado para 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 e 15%, pelo método da atmosfera úmida. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 4×6 (lotes × teores de água) para as sementes de cada cultivar, em quatro repetições e os resultados para o fator teor de água foram submetidos à análise de regressão. A maior relação da condutividade elétrica com vigor das sementes ocorreu naquelas com teor de água entre 9 a 15%, de forma que sementes com 5 a 7% de umidade não devem ser submetidas ao teste de condutividade elétrica, porque os lotes expressam alto padrão de germinação e vigor. A condutividade elétrica de sementes de amendoim é influenciada pelo teor de água e a estabilização dos resultados ocorre quando elas estão com teor de água entre 10 e 14%.

Desempenho produtivo, composição corporal e parâmetros fisiológicos de pacu alimentado com níveis crescentes de fibra

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de teores de fibra bruta na dieta sobre o desempenho produtivo, composição centesimal da carcaça e parâmetros fisiológicos de juvenis de pacu. O experimento teve duração de 84 dias, e foram utilizados 360 juvenis de pacu, com peso médio de 23,97±0,59 g, distribuídos aleatóriamente em 30 tanques com 180 L de água, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com seis tratamentos (5, 7, 9, 11, 13 e 15% de fibra bruta) e cinco repetições. Dietas com altos teores de fibra (11, 13 e 15%) resultaram em piores taxas de ganho de peso, conversão alimentar e crescimento específico, além de menor eficiência proteica e consumo de ração. A composição da carcaça dos animais foi alterada pelo aumento do teor de fibra das dietas. Os teores de proteína e cinza tiveram aumento com o incremento nos teores de fibra. O metabolismo foi alterado com o emprego de teores crescentes de fibra, o que resultou em pequena elevação do colesterol plasmático. Teores de fibra bruta de até 9% não tiveram efeitos negativos no metabolismo; entretanto, teores acima de 11% reduziram o crescimento dos peixes.

A description of the nymph of Anacroneuria ofaye Froehlich (Plecoptera: Perlidae) and a apparatus for rearing Neotropical stonefly species

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Sleep, ageing and night work

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

Mucociliary clearance and its relation with the level of physical activity in daily life in healthy smokers and nonsmokers

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

DEA and DSC study of cubic silsesquioxane epoxy resin nanocomposites

Non-isothermal dielectric analysis (DEA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques were used to study the epoxy nanocomposites prepared by reacting 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15-octa[dimethylsiloxypropylglycidylether] pentaciclo [9.5.1.1(3,9).1(5,15).1(7,13)] octasilsesquioxane (ODPG) with methylenedianiline (MDA). Loss factor (epsilon) and activation energy were calculated by DEA. The relationships between the loss factor, the activation energy, the structure of the network, and the mechanical properties were investigated. Activation energies determined by DEA and DSC, heat of polymerization, fracture toughness and tensile modulus show the same profile for mechanical properties with respect to ODPG content.

4-amine-2-mercaptopyrimidine modified silica gel applied in Cd(II) and Pb(II) extraction from an aqueous medium

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

Estudo prospectivo observacional sobre a incidência de injúria renal aguda em unidade de terapia intensiva de um hospital universitário

OBJETIVO: Analisar comparativamente características clínicas e evolução de pacientes com e sem IRA adquirida em UTI geral de um hospital universitário terciário. MÉTODO: Estudo prospectivo observacional com 263 pacientes acompanhados diariamente durante a internação em UTI Geral do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu no período de julho de 2007 a abril de 2008. RESULTADOS: A incidência de IRA foi de 31,2%. Os grupos foram semelhantes quanto ao sexo e diferiram quanto à etiologia da admissão em UTI (sepse: 31,7% x 13,1%, p < 0,0001, pós-operatório: 11% x 43%, p < 0,0001), idade (59,6 ± 18,1 x 50,2 ± 18,6 anos, p < 0,0001), APACHE II: (21 ± 11,1 x 11 ± 4,8, p = 0,002), oligúria (67,7% x 4,5%, p < 0,0001), presença de ventilação mecânica (81,7 x 57,7%, p = 0,0014), uso de drogas vasoativas (62,2 x 32,6%, p < 0,0001) e enfermaria de procedência (PS: 22 x 14,5%, p = 0,02 e centro cirúrgico: 42,7 x 62,6%, p = 0,03). Quanto às comorbidades, os grupos foram diferentes quanto à presença de HAS e IRC (42,6 x 35,9%, p = 0,005 e 15,8 x 2,1%, p = 0,04, respectivamente) e semelhantes quanto à presença de diabetes e ICC (19,5 x 11%, ns e 6 x 1,1%, ns, respectivamente). A mortalidade foi superior nos pacientes que contraíram IRA (62,1 x 16,5%, p < 0,0001). CONCLUSÃO: A incidência de IRA é elevada em UTI e presente em pacientes com parâmetros clínicos e índices prognósticos de maior gravidade, o que justifica a maior mortalidade observada neles.

Dietary factors associated with metabolic syndrome in Brazilian adults

Background: Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is defined as the association of numerous factors that increase cardiovascular risk and diet is one of the main factors related to increase the MS in the population. This study aimed to evaluate the association of diet on the presence of MS in an adult population sample.Methodology: 305 adults were clinically screened to participate in a lifestyle modification program. Anthropometric assessments included waist circumference (WC), body fat and calculated BMI (kg/m(2)) and muscle-mass index (MMI kg/m(2)). Dietary intake was estimated by 24 h dietary recall. Fasting blood was used for biochemical analysis. MS was diagnosed using NCEP-ATPIII (2001) criteria with adaptation for glucose (>= 100 mg/dL). Logistic regression (Odds ratio) was performed in order to determine the odds ratio for developing MS according to dietary intake.Results: An adequate intake of fruits, OR = 0.52 (CI:0.28-0.98), and an intake of more than 8 different items in the diet (variety), OR = 0.31 (CI: 0.12-0.79) showed to be a protective factor against a diagnosis of MS. Saturated fat intake greater than 10% of total caloric value represented a risk for MS diagnosis, OR = 2.0 (1.04-3.84).Conclusion: Regarding the dietary aspect, a risk factor for MS was higher intake of saturated fat, and protective factors were high diet variety and adequate fruit intake.

The importance of endogenous nutrition of chicks from divergent strains for growing tested by deutectomy

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

Characteristics of seminal plasma proteins and their correlation with canine semen analysis

The objectives were to separate canine seminal plasma proteins (with SDS-PAGE) and to determine the correlation between specific proteins and semen characteristics. Three ejaculates from 20 mixed-breed dogs, of unknown fertility, were collected by digital manipulation. Ejaculate volume and color, sperm motility, sperm vigor, percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa, and membrane integrity (hypoosmotic swelling test and fluorescent staining) were assessed. For each dog, seminal plasma was pooled from all three ejaculates and proteins were separated with SDS-PAGE, using polyacrylamide concentrations of 13% and 22% in the separation gels. After staining, gel images were digitized to estimate molecular weights (MW) and integrated optical density (IOD) of each lane and of individual bands. Total seminal plasma protein concentration was 2.19 +/- 1.56 g/dL (mean +/- SD; range 1.12-5.19 g/dL). A total of 37 protein bands were identified (although no dog had all 37 bands). In the 13% gel, molecular weights ranged from 100.6 to 17.1 kDa, with four bands (49.7, 33.2, 26.4, and 19.5 kDa) present in samples from all dogs. In the 22% gel, molecular weights ranged from 15.6 to 3.6 kDa, with nine bands (15.6, 13.5, 12.7, 11.7, 10.5, 8.7, 7.8, 5.6, and 4.9 kDa) present in samples from all dogs. Combined for both gels, the majority of bands (85%) had molecular weights < 17 kDa, with B20 (15.6 kDa) in high concentrations in samples from all dogs. There were positive correlations (P <= 0.01) between two bands, 134 (67 kDa) and B5 (58.6 kDa), and sperm motility (r = 0.66 and r = 0.46), sperm vigor (r = 0.56 and r = 0.66), percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa (r = 0.55 and r = 0.59), the hypoosmotic swelling test (r = 0.76 and r 0.68), and fluorescent staining (r = 0.56 and r = 0.59), respectively. In conclusion, 37 proteins were identified in seminal plasma; two were significantly correlated with semen characteristics. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.