In vitro evaluation of permeation, toxicity and effect of praziquantel-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles against Schistosoma mansoni as a strategy to improve efficacy of the schistosomiasis treatment

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Manipulation of the periovulatory sex steroidal milieu affects endometrial but not luteal gene expression in early diestrus Nelore cows

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

Thermochemical equilibrium modeling of biomass downdraft gasifier: Stoichiometric models

The aim of this work is to develop stoichiometric equilibrium models that permit the study of parameters effect in the gasification process of a particular feedstock. In total four models were tested in order to determine the syngas composition. One of these four models, called M2, was based on the theoretical equilibrium constants modified by two correction factors determined using published experimental data. The other two models, M3 and M4 were based in correlations, while model M4 was based in correlations to determine the equilibrium constants, model M3 was based in correlations that relate the H-2, CO and CO2 content on the synthesis gas. Model M2 proved to be the more accurate and versatile among these four models, and also showed better results than some previously published models. Also a case study for the gasification of a blend of hardwood chips and glycerol at 80% and 20% respectively, was performed considering equivalence ratios form 0.3 to 0.5, moisture contents from 0%-20% and oxygen percentages in the gasification agent of 100%, 60% and 21%. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tribocorrosion response of the Ti6Al4V alloys commonly used in femoral stems

In prosthesis, tribochemical reactions occur at the stem/bone interface. When coupled with micromotions it can lead to the loosening of the implant, osteolysis, release of metal ion and wear particles. The effect of these movements and the underlying mechanisms are quite unknown. This work investigates the tribocorrosion behavior of etched Ti6Al4V alloys under reciprocating sliding. Tests were performed in a phosphate buffer solution (PBS) containing proteins. A normal load of 1 N and anodic potentials of -0.1 and +0.5 V/SCE were applied. The destruction pathways of the top surface layers (adsorbed proteins, passive film) were studied. The results showed that the favorable/undesired effect of proteins in solution depends on the characteristics of the passive film under a mechanical stress. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of flunixin meglumine administration on physiological and performance responses of transported feeder cattle

The objective was to evaluate the effects of flunixin meglumine administration on physiological and performance responses of transported cattle during feedlot receiving. Forty-five Angus x Hereford steers were ranked by BW on d 0 and assigned to 1 of 3 treatments:1) transport for 1,280 km in a commercial livestock trailer and administration of flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg BW; intravenous) at loading (d 0) and unloading (d 1; FM), 2) transport for 1,280 km in a commercial livestock trailer and administration of 0.9% saline (0.022 mL/kg BW; intravenous) at loading (d 0) and unloading (d 1; TRANS), or 3) no transport and administration of 0.9% saline (0.022 mL/kg BW; intravenous) concurrently with loading (d 0) and unloading (d 1) of FM and TRANS cohorts (CON). Upon arrival and processing for treatment administration on d 1, steers within each treatment were ranked by BW and assigned to 15 feedlot pens (5 pens/treatment, 3 steers/pen). Full BW was recorded before (d -1 and 0) treatment application and at the end of experiment (d 28 and 29) for ADG calculation. Total DMI was evaluated daily from d 1 to 28. Blood samples were collected on d 0 (before treatment administration), 1 (after unloading but before treatment administration), 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28. Body weight shrink from d 0 to 1 was less (P < 0.01) in CON vs. FM and TRANS but similar (P = 0.94) between TRANS and FM. Mean ADG was greater (P <= 0.04) in CON vs. FM and TRANS but similar (P = 0.69) between TRANS and FM. No treatment effects were detected on DMI, but CON had greater G:F vs. TRANS (P = 0.08) and FM (P = 0.02), whereas G:F was similar (P = 0.68) between TRANS and FM. Mean plasma cortisol concentrations tended (P <= 0.09) to be greater in TRANS vs. FM and CON but was similar (P = 0.87) between CON and FM. Plasma NEFA concentrations were greater (P <= 0.02) for TRANS and FM vs. CON on d 1 and greater (P <= 0.04) for FM vs. TRANS and CON on d 4. Plasma ceruloplasmin concentrations were greater (P <= 0.03) for TRANS vs. CON on d 1, 4, and 7, greater (P <= 0.05) for TRANS vs. FM on d 4 and 7, and greater (P <= 0.04) for FM vs. CON on d 1 and 4. Plasma haptoglobin concentrations were greater (P < 0.01) for TRANS vs. CON and FM on d 1 and 4 and greater (P <= 0.05) for FM vs. CON on d 1 and 4. In conclusion, flunixin meglumine reduced the cortisol and acute-phase protein responses elicited by road transport but did not improve receiving performance of feeder cattle.

The role of superstructure material on the stress distribution in mandibular full-arch implant-supported fixed dentures. A CT-based 3D-FEA

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

Midpalatal suture maturation: Classification method for individual assessment before rapid maxillary expansion

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

Time reduction of light curing: Influence on conversion degree and microhardness of orthodontic composites

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of curing time and power on the degree of conversion and surface microhardness of 3 orthodontic composites. Methods: One hundred eighty discs, 6 mm in diameter, were divided into 3 groups of 60 samples according to the composite used-Transbond XT (3M Unitek, Monrovia, Calif), Opal Bond MV (Ultradent, South Jordan, Utah), and Transbond Plus Color Change (3M Unitek)-and each group was further divided into 3 subgroups (n = 20). Five samples were used to measure conversion, and 15 were used to measure microhardness. A light-emitting diode curing unit with multiwavelength emission of broad light was used for curing at 3 power levels (530, 760, and 1520 mW) and 3 times (8.5, 6, and 3 seconds), always totaling 4.56 joules. Five specimens from each subgroup were ground and mixed with potassium bromide to produce 8-mm tablets to be compared with 5 others made similarly with the respective noncured composite. These were placed into a spectrometer, and software was used for analysis. A microhardness tester was used to take Knoop hardness (KHN) measurements in 15 discs of each subgroup. The data were analyzed with 2 analysis of variance tests at 2 levels. Results: Differences were found in the conversion degree of the composites cured at different times and powers (P < 0.01). The composites showed similar degrees of conversion when light cured at 8.5 seconds (80.7%) and 6 seconds (79.0%), but not at 3 seconds (75.0%). The conversion degrees of the composites were different, with group 3 (87.2%) higher than group 2 (83.5%), which was higher than group 1 (64.0%). Differences in microhardness were also found (P < 0.01), with lower microhardness at 8.5 seconds (35.2 KHN), but no difference was observed between 6 seconds (41.6 KHN) and 3 seconds (42.8 KHN). Group 3 had the highest surface microhardness (35.9 KHN) compared with group 2 (33.7 KHN) and group 1 (30.0 KHN). Conclusions: Curing time can be reduced up to 6 seconds by increasing the power, with a slight decrease in the degree of conversion at 3 seconds; the decrease has a positive effect on the surface microhardness.

Signaling Pathways Activation by Primary Endodontic Infectious Contents and Production of Inflammatory Mediators

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

Large-scale analysis of the SDSS-III DR8 photometric luminous galaxies angular correlation function

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Genetic parameters for production traits of dairy Gyr (Bos indicus) x Holstein cattle estimated with a random regression model

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

Autonomic modulation and its relation with body composition in swimmers

This study compared autonomic modulation in swimmers and non-athletes in relation to body composition. A total of 28 athletes with a mean age of 19.7 +/- 2.9 years were evaluated who had at least 2 years of swimming training, trained approximately 7,000 m per day, with a frequency of 5 days per week, and who competed at national level. The control group was made up of 21 volunteers (23.0 +/- 2.5 years), who did not practice regular physical activity (<2 hours per week). Body composition was estimated using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and autonomic modulation was assessed by heart rate variability (HRV). The results show that there were significant differences in autonomic modulation and body composition between the groups, and that the athletes had a higher overall variability (standard deviation of all normal intervals between consecutive heart beats [SDNN]: 78.1 [72.5-93.5] x 61.1 [56.4-75.7], p = 0.022) and greater autonomic balance (LF/HF: 0.96 [0.88-1.35] x 0.71 [0.56-0.93], p = 0.023), compared with the non-athletes, respectively. In addition, a moderate and positive relation was obtained between fat-free mass and the square root of the squared differences between consecutive heartbeat intervals (RMSSD: r = 0.526, p = 0.004 x r = 0.456, p = 0.038), (SDNN: r = 0.617, p = 0.001 x r = 0.571, p = 0.007) and low frequency (LFms(2): r = 0.517, p = 0.005 3 r = 0.600, p = 0.004) in the athletes and non-athletes, respectively, without a correlation between fat mass (FM). The conclusion is that young highly trained swimmers had lower FM, increased fat-free mass, and better HRV than young adult non-athletes and suggests that a lower quantity of FM and, especially, a greater fat-free mass (FFM) are linked to better autonomic modulation. Thus, this study could contribute to coaches and trainers establishing greater performance by better autonomic modulation and greater quantity of FFM.

Experimental evidence of enhanced ferroelectricity in Ca doped BiFeO3

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Capturing Transition Paths and Transition States for Conformational Rearrangements in the Ribosome

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

Hemodynamic effects of combined sildenafil and L-arginine during acute pulmonary embolism-induced pulmonary hypertension

Sildenafil attenuates acute pulmonary embolism-induced pulmonary hypertension. However, the hemodynamic effects of sildenafil in combination with other vasodilators during acute pulmonary embolism have not been examined yet. In the present study, we examined the hemodynamic effects of combined sildenafil (0.25 mg/kg, i.v.) and L-arginine (100, 200, 500, and 1000 mg/kg/h, i.v.) in an anesthetized dog model of acute pulmonary embolism. Plasma nitrite/nitrate (NOx) and cGMP concentrations were determined using an ozone-based chemiluminescence assay and a commercial enzyme immunoassay, respectively. We found that L-arginine alone did not attenuate acute pulmonary embolism-induced pulmonary hypertension. However, significant decreases in mean pulmonary artery pressure were observed 30, 45, 60, and 75 min after the administration of sildenafil alone or after the combined administration of sildenafil and L-arginine (all P<0.05). No significant differences among groups were observed in the respiratory parameters. While L-arginine significantly increased NOx concentrations, cGMP concentrations increased only when sildenafil was administered (all P<0.05). These results suggest that while sildenafil attenuates acute pulmonary embolism-induced pulmonary hypertension, L-arginine does not enhance the beneficial hemodynamic effects of sildenafil. In addition, these findings suggest that stimulation of NO synthesis with L-arginine during acute pulmonary embolism does not produce beneficial effects. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.