Luteal changes after treatment with sub-luteolytic doses of prostaglandin (cloprostenol sodium) in cattle

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

Hematological changes and cytogenotoxicity in the tilapia Oreochromis niloticus caused by sub-chronic exposures to mercury and selenium

Fish bioassays are valuable tools that can be used to elucidate the toxicological potential of numerous substances that are present in the aquatic environment. In this study, we assessed the antagonistic action of selenium (Se) against the toxicity of mercury (Hg) in fish (Oreochromis niloticus). Six experimental groups with six fish each were defined as follows: (1) control, (2) mercury (HgCl2), (3) sodium selenite (Na2Se4O3), (4) sodium selenate (Na2Se6O4), (5) mercury + sodium selenite (HgCl2 + Na2Se4O3), and (6) mercury + sodium selenate (HgCl2 + Na2Se6O4). Hematological parameters [red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and erythroblasts (ERB)] in combination with cytogenotoxicity biomarkers [nuclear abnormalities (NAs) and micronuclei (MN)] were examined after three, seven, ten, and fourteen days. After 7 days of exposure, cytogenotoxic effects and increased erythroblasts caused by mercury, leukocytosis triggered by mercury + sodium selenite, leukopenia associated with sodium selenate, and anemia triggered by mercury + sodium selenate were observed. Positive correlations that were independent of time were observed between WBC and RBC, ERB and MN, and NA and MN. The results suggest that short-term exposure to chemical contaminants elicited changes in blood parameters and produced cytogenotoxic effects. Moreover, NAs are the primary manifestations of MN formation and should be included in a class characterized as NA only. Lastly, the staining techniques used can be applied to both hematological characterization and the measurement of cytogenotoxicity biomarkers.

Sub-MICs of Mentha piperita essential oil and menthol inhibits AHL mediated quorum sensing and biofilm of Gram-negative bacteria

Bacterial quorum sensing (QS) is a density dependent communication system that regulates the expression of certain genes including production of virulence factors in many pathogens. Bioactive plant extract/compounds inhibiting QS regulated gene expression may be a potential candidate as antipathogenic drug. In this study anti-QS activity of peppermint (Menthe piperita) oil was first tested using the Chromobacterium violaceum CVO26 biosensor. Further, the findings of the present investigation revealed that peppermint oil (PMO) at sub-Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (sub-MICs) strongly interfered with acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) regulated virulence factors and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aeromonas hydrophila. The result of molecular docking analysis attributed the QS inhibitory activity exhibited by PMO to menthol. Assessment of ability of menthol to interfere with QS systems of various Gram-negative pathogens comprising diverse AHL molecules revealed that it reduced the AHL dependent production of violacein, virulence factors, and biofilm formation indicating broad-spectrum anti-QS activity. Using two Escherichia colt biosensors, MG4/pKDT17 and pEAL08-2, we also confirmed that menthol inhibited both the las and pqs QS systems. Further, findings of the in vivo studies with menthol on nematode model Caenorhabditis elegans showed significantly enhanced survival of the nematode. Our data identified menthol as a novel broad spectrum QS inhibitor.

Distribution, composition and seasonality of aquatic birds in the Nhecolandia sub-region of South Pantanal, Brazil

Despite remarkable significance of Pantanal for the conservation of aquatic birds, the status of their populations, the spatiotemporal patterns of distribution and habitat use and structure of communities are little known. Thus, we studied three aquatic environments (Negro river, bays and salines) from 2007 to 2009 in the Nhecolandia Pantanal to verify the distribution and composition of aquatic birds and also if there is significant seasonal influence on these aspects. We adopted the transect method (288 hours of sampling) and recorded 135 species (7.834 individuals). The Negro river showed the highest diversity, while the salines the lowest. The similarity of aquatic bird communities was higher between bays and salines, followed by Negro river and bays and lower between salines and Negro river. The equidistribution is more variable in the salines and more stable in the Negro river. The environments strongly differ from each other in aquatic bird composition in space (habitat use and distribution) and time (seasonal water fluctuations). The diversity of bird community in the dry season varies significantly in the salines, followed by the bays and more stable in the Negro river. The Negro river, regardless of large annual amplitude of flow, is more seasonally stable since its riparian vegetation is continuous (not isolated) and constant. These aspects provide better conditions to stay all year, contributing to decrease the seasonal nomadic tendencies of aquatic birds. Finally, all these data provide strong arguments to the preservation of all phytophysiognomies in the Nhecolandia sub-region of Pantanal, but with special attention to the salines widely used by many flocks of aquatic birds (mainly in the dry season) and migrant and/or rare species restricted to this habitat.

Sub-crestal positioning of implants results in higher bony crest resorption: an experimental study in dogs

To compare peri-implant soft- and hard-tissue integration at implants installed juxta- or sub-crestally. Furthermore, differences in the hard and soft peri-implant tissue dimensions at sites prepared with drills or sonic instruments were to be evaluated. Three months after tooth extraction in six dogs, recipient sites were prepared in both sides of the mandible using conventional drills or a sonic device (Sonosurgery(®) ). Two implants with a 1.7-mm high-polished neck were installed, one with the rough/smooth surface interface placed at the level of the buccal bony crest (control) and the second placed 1.3 mm deeper (test). After 8 weeks of non-submerged healing, biopsies were harvested and ground sections prepared for histological evaluation. The buccal distances between the abutment/fixture junction (AF) and the most coronal level of osseointegration (B) were 1.6 ± 0.6 and 2.4 ± 0.4 mm; between AF and the top of the bony crest (C), they were 1.4 ± 0.4 and 2.2 ± 0.2 mm at the test and control sites, respectively. The top of the peri-implant mucosa (PM) was located more coronally at the test (1.2 ± 0.6 mm) compared to the control sites (0.6 ± 0.5 mm). However, when the original position of the bony crest was taken into account, a higher bone loss and a more apical position of the peri-implant mucosa resulted at the test sites. The placement of implants into a sub-crestal location resulted in a higher vertical buccal bone resorption and a more apical position of the peri-implant mucosa in relation to the level of the bony crest at implant installation. Moreover, peri-implant hard-tissue dimensions were similar at sites prepared with either drills or Sonosurgery(®) .

Prevalência de coinfecção e fatores associados ao Papilomavírus Humano (HPV) e à Chlamydia tracomatis em mulheres em idade reprodutiva atendidas em Program de Prevençao de Câncer do Colo Uterino na região sudeste do Brasil: sub-titulo / (se houver)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Processamento digital de imagens de radiografias periapicais sub-expostas aos raios X

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether digitized images obtained from periapical radiographs taken with low dose of radiation could be improved with the aid of a computer software (PhotoStyler) for digital treatrnent. Serial and standardized radiographs of molar and premolar areas were studied. A total of 57 images equivalent to the radiographs taken with reduced exposure time ( 60 and 80% of the time considered normal), digitized and treated, were submitted to the evaluation of seven exanúners which compared them with those images without treatment. lt was verified that about 80% of the images equivalem to lhe radiographs taken with 60% reduction of ordinary exposure time were considered to having quality for supporting diagnosis. As for the images taken with 80% reduction of ordinary exposure time, about 50% of them were considered suitable for the sarne purpose

Impact of sub-inhibitory concentrations of amoxicillin on helicobacter pylori virulence factors

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

Nanostructured TiO2-based composites for light absorption

Metal oxide nanocomposites were prepared by two different routes: polyol and sol-gel. Characterization by X ray diffraction showed that the first process produces directly a two-phase material, while the sol-gel powder never showed second phase below 600°C. Light spectroscopy of the treated powders indicated similarities for the processed materials. Although the overall material compositions are about the same, different structural characteristics are found for each processing. With the exception of Ti-Zn materials, all the double metal oxide powders showed higher absorbance than either TiO2 powder.

Photocatalytic decomposition of rhodamine-b using scandium and silver-modified TiO2 powders

Semiconductor-mediated photocatalytic oxidation is an interesting method for water decontamination and a specially modified TiO2 is said to be a promising material. This study verified that the synthesis of 1wt%Ag modified-Sc0.01Ti0.99O1.995 powder samples prepared by Polymeric Precursor Method is capable of forming a mixture of anatase-rutile phase with high photocatalytic performance. This kind of material is found to have a lower bandgap compared to the TiO2-anatase commercial powders, which can be associated to an innovative hybrid modification. The simultaneous insertion of scandium in order to generate a p-type semiconductor and a metallic silver nanophase acting as an electron trapper demonstrated being capable of enhancing the degradation of rhodamine B compared to the commercial TiO2. In spite of the different thermal treatments or phase amounts, the hybrid modified powder samples showed higher photocatalytic activity than the commercial ones.

Synthesis and characterization of nanostructured TiO2-SnO2 composite

Nanostructured composites based on titanium dioxide have been studied in order to improve optical and photo-catalytic properties, as well as their performance in gas sensors. In this work, titanium and tin dioxides were simultaneously synthesized by the polyol method resulting in TiO2 platelet coated with SnO2 nanoparticles as was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The thermal analysis showed that the combined synthesis promotes more easily the crystallization of the TiO2 rutile phase. The composite obtained after heat treatment at 500 °C showed to be formed of almost only rutile phases of both oxides. The optical properties analyzed by UV-Vis spectroscopy showed that the combined oxides have higher absorbance, which reinforces a model found in the literature based on the flow of photo-generated electrons to the conduction band of SnO2 delaying the recombination of charges.

Teores e quantidade de alguns elementos no córrego Lavapés, sub-bacia do rio Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brasil

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

Simulações de onda de cheia na sub-bacia do Ribeirão Claro - SP

Watersheds are considered important study units when it comes to environmental planning, with regard to the optimal use of water resources. Water scarcity is predicted and feared by many societies, and proves to be an increasingly tangible problem nowadays. Still from the perspective of extreme events, this dissertation considers the study of flood waves in the sub-basin of the stream Claro, which belongs to the Corumbataí watershed. - SP, since thay can also have devastating effects for the population, A Decision Support System for Flood Routing Analysis in Complex Basins, ABC 6 software was applied in order to obtain hydrographs and peak flows in the sub-basin of the stream Claro, for return periods of 10 and 100 years, aiming to comprise events of different magnitudes. The model Soil Conservation Service (SCS) and the triangular SCS hydrograph were adopted for the simulations. Simultaneously, the Kokei Uehara method was applied for the obtainment of peak flow values under the same conditions, seeking to compare results. Data collection was performed using geoprocessing tools. For data entry in ABC 6, the fragmentation of sub-basin of the stream Claro was necessary, which generated 7 small watersheds, in order to fulfill a software demand, as the maximum drainage area it accepts is 50km² for each watershed analyzed. For RT = 10 and 100 years, respectively, the results of peak flow with use of ABC 6 were 46.10 and 95.45 m³/s, while for Kokei Uehara method, the results were 47.17 and 65.26 m³/s. The adoption of a single value of discretization time for all watersheds was indicated as limitation of ABC 6, which interfered in the final results. Kokei method Uehara considered the sub-basin of the stream Claro as a whole, which reduced the error accumulation probability

Distribuição espacial dos incêndios em vegetação registrados pelo 2º Sub-Grupamento do Corpo de Bombeiros de Rio Claro/SP e o tempo atmosférico entre 2009 e 2013

Many fire occurrences in vegetation happen annually in the city of Rio Claro, causing material losses, environmental damage and discomfort to population. When identified the source, notes that the higher index is intentional, however, climatic factors such as wind speed, temperature, relative air humidity, rainfall, or even the local relief also affects in the spread and its devastating effects. Scientific studies that would assist the local community in the prevention and repression of them still are scarce. This way, the work has as objective contributes in the understanding of the relationship among the fire occurrences in vegetation registered (recorded) by Fire Department of Rio Claro/SP, and their relationships with the atmospheric time. To achieve this goal was made to build a database related to fires in vegetation during the years 2009-2013, and subsequently correlated with data of precipitation and relative humidity the air, provided by Center for Analysis and Planning Environmental (CEAPLA). The result identified the profile of the fires, the seasons of higher frequency, neighborhoods and districts with the highest number of records and correlate events with climatic factors that act in the ignition, propagation and control of fires in the Municipal district of Rio Claro/SP

Ocupação do solo em nove sub-bacias incluídas na bacia hidrográfica do Ribeirão do Faxinal - Botucatu (SP)

Expansion of agricultural practice, cattle raising and forestry, in a disorderly way and no limits of land use, generates the degradation of natural resources such as soil, water and vegetation. That fact brings consequences, impacts the environment and the rural landscape. This study aimed to identify and quantify the land use in nine watersheds included in the watershed of Faxinal creek, located in western Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil, at 22º 51’ 35” and 22º 57’ 02” – Latitude S and 48º 39’ 42” and 48º 38’ 01” – Longitude W. The basin was subdivided into 9 subunits, being eight from second and one from third-order branch. The diagnosis of the subunits was carried out with geospatial technologies, in order to gather data on the use and occupation of the soil. Based on the obtained results, was concluded that the sub watersheds are occupied by the sum of areas of Citrus, horticulture, coffee plantation and small other occupations (25,81%), followed by reforestation (24,80%), as an isolated occupation element, has occupied the largest area.