New seminal plasma removal method for freezing stallion semen

Seminal plasma removal, an indispensable step in equine semen cryopreservation, is usually done by centrifugation, but this might cause mechanical damage to sperm. A new method for seminal plasma removal from stallion semen, namely a filter composed of a synthetic hydrophilic membrane (Sperm Filter, BotuPharma, Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil), was recently proposed. The objective of this study was to test the use of the Sperm Filter in the removal of seminal plasma before freezing stallion semen. Ejaculates from 31 stallions were divided into two groups and cryopreserved. In group 1 (G1), seminal plasma was removed with the Sperm Filter, and in group 2 (G2), seminal plasma was removed by centrifugation (600× g for 10 minutes). There were no differences (P < 0.05) between G1 and G2 in sperm kinetic parameters or plasma membrane integrity before or after cryopreservation. However, sperm recovery rate was higher (P < 0.05) for G1 versus G2 (mean ± SD, 89.4 ± 7.4% vs. 80.9 ± 5.5%). Therefore, the Sperm Filter was as efficient as centrifugation in removing seminal plasma from the stallion ejaculate. However, filtering was more practical and had significantly fewer sperm lost than the centrifugation technique. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.

Determination of sildenafil and vardenafil by capillary zone electrophoresis using capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection

A method based on capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (CE-C4D) for determination of two important phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors (sildenafil and vardenafil) is introduced. The background electrolyte (BGE) consisted of an aqueous solution of 500 mmol L-1 acetic acid, and the capillary was previously treated with polybrene solution to prevent cationic analytes from adsorbing onto the inner surface. Although the analytes migrate in the counter flow, the total time is short. An instrument with two C4D detectors allowed a seamless transition from a fast method (less than one minute) but of low-efficiency using the first detector to a more efficient method using the second detector. The analysis of commercial tablets showed no significant difference between CE-C4D and HPLC methods. Conductivity detection is a well-known low selectivity detection scheme, which in conjunction with the high mobility of the co-ion in the BGE (hydroxonium) allows one to predict that other cationic analogues of sildenafil can also be detected. This is an interesting feature given the increasing number of compounds in this class. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Differences in loosely bound fluoride formation and anticaries effect of resin-based fluoride varnishes

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2013; 23: 166-172 Objective. Our in vitro study evaluated calcium fluoride formation in enamel and the anticaries effect of seven resin-based varnishes under cariogenic challenge. Methods. Enamel blocks were subjected to pH cycling. The experimental groups received fluoride varnish application, the positive control received topical fluoride gel treatment, and the negative control did not receive any treatment. The pH cycling surface hardness (SH1) and integrated loss of subsurface hardness (ΔKHN) were then determined. We measured the amount of fluoride released into the demineralizing and remineralizing (DE-RE) solutions used in pH cycling. The fluoride concentration in the enamel was determined 24h after application of the products as loosely bound fluoride and firmly bound fluoride. Results. Higher deposits of loosely bound fluoride were observed for Duofluorid, followed by Biophat. For Duraphat, Bifluorid, Duraflur, and Duofluorid, no difference was observed in the SH1 and ΔKHN values, with the lowest mineral loss compared to the other groups. The Bifluorid and Duofluorid groups released high fluoride amounts into the DE-RE, and statistically significant difference was noted between them. Conclusions. The anticaries effect showed no correlation with higher deposited fluoride amounts, resin type, or fluoride source. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd, BSPD and IAPD.

Independent and Combined Effects of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior on Blood Pressure in Adolescents: Gender Differences in Two Cross-Sectional Studies

Objectives: To examine the independent and combined association of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) on both systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in adolescents from two observational studies. Methods: Participants from two cross-sectional studies, one conducted in Europe (n = 3,308; HELENA study) and the other in Brazil (n = 991; BRACAH study), were selected by complex sampling. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (outcomes), PA and SB, both independently and combined, and potential confounders were analyzed. Associations were examined by multilevel linear regression. Results: Performing the recommended amount of PA (≥60 min/d) attenuated the effect of SB on DBP in BRACAH study girls and in boys from both studies. In contrast, PA did not attenuate the effects of SB on the SBP of girls in the HELENA study. The combination of less than recommended levels of PA with 2-4 h/d of sedentary behavior was found to be associated with increased SBP in boys from both studies. Conclusions: Meeting current PA recommendations could mediate the association between SB and DBP in both sexes. In boys, the joint effect of low levels of PA and excessive sedentary activity increases SBP levels. Longitudinal studies are required to confirm these findings. © 2013 de Moraes et al.

Avaliação da liberação de íon fluoreto de cimentos ionoméricos antes e após a recarga e com proteção da superfície

Objective: To evaluate fluoride ion release from two anhydrous glass ionomer cements (GICs) and two resin-modified GICs (RMGICs) before and after recharge with 2% neutral sodium fluoride for 4 min and after surface protection of the Maxxion R GIC with an adhesive system, a cavity varnish and a colorless nail polish. Method: A stainless steel 2x6 mm matrix was used for fabricating 5 specimens of each material, which were immersed in 5 mL of deionized water, renewed every 24 h. Measurements with a potentiometer were performed on days 1, 2, 9 and 17, in the 1st and 2nd phases, and the specimens were buffered with a TISAB III solution. In the 2nd phase, the specimens were subjected to recharge and immersed again in 5 mL of deionized water. In the 3rd phase, the GIC surfaces were protected and readings were made at 5 min, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. Tukey's post-hoc and Student's t tests were used for statistical analyses (p<0.05). Results: There was statistically significant difference in the comparison between the 1st and 2nd phases for all materials, except at day 2 for Vidrion R and VitroFil LC. In the 3rd phase, it was observed that for all materials, comparison of the first 5 min with the other times revealed statistically significant differences among the means of fluoride ion release. In the comparison with the other times, both the varnish and the colorless nail polish presented statistically significant difference between 24 and 48 h as well as between 24 and 72 h. Conclusion: The anhydrous GICs were more effective in fluoride ion release and recharge compared with the RMGICs. Maxxion R presented a homogeneous and statistically significant behavior in both phases. All materials for surface protection were efficient and the colorless nail polish had the best behavior.

Digital proficiency and digital inclusion: Comparison between students of computer science, public relations and engineering

New information and communication technologies may be useful for providing more in-depth knowledge to students in many ways, whether through online multimedia educational material, or through online debates with colleagues, teachers and other area professionals in a synchronous or asynchronous manner. This paper focuses on participation in online discussion in e-learning courses for promoting learning. Although an important theoretical aspect, an analysis of literature reveals there are few studies evaluating the personal and social aspects of online course users in a quantitative manner. This paper aims to introduce a method for diagnosing inclusion and digital proficiency and other personal aspects of the student through a case study comparing Information System, Public Relations and Engineering students at a public university in Brazil. Statistical analysis and analysis of variances (ANOVA) were used as the methodology for data analysis in order to understand existing relations between the components of the proposed method. The survey methodology was also used, in its online format, as a research instrument. The method is based on using online questionnaires that diagnose digital proficiency and time management, level of extroversion and social skills of the students. According to the sample studied, there is no strong correlation between digital proficiency and individual characteristics tied to the use of time, level of extroversion and social skills of students. The differences in course grades for some components are partly due to subject 'Introduction to Economics' being offered to freshmen in Public Relations, whereas subject 'Economics in Engineering' is offered in the final semesters of Engineering and Information Systems courses. Therefore, the difference could be more tied to the respondent's age than to the course. Information Systems students were observed to be older, with access to computers and Internet at the workplace, compared to the other students who access the Internet more often from home. This paper presents a pilot study aimed at conducting a diagnosis that permits proposing actions for information and communication technology to contribute towards student education. Three levels of digital inclusion are described as a scale to measure whether information technology increases personal performance and professional knowledge and skills. This study may be useful for other readers interested in themes related to education in engineering. © 2013 IEEE.

Análise do princípio centrando do método pilates e de indicadores de resistência e estabilidade da coluna lombar

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeito de multicaminho de alta frequência no posicionamento relativo GPS estático: detecção e atenuação utilizando wavelets

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Aspectos farmacológicos da cetamina S(+) associada ou não ao midazolam, em cães

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Avaliação de sessões de hemodiálise em cães portadores de injúria renal aguda assiciada à infecções

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FMVZ

Precisão de planta planialtimétrica gerada por modelagem numérica de superfície a partir de coordenadas UTM plano retangulares coletadas em receptor GPS topográfico

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Energia na Agricultura) - FCA

Eficácia do programa de remediação fonológica em escolares com dificuldades de aprenizagem

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Estudo dos efeitos do nitrato de lítio na expansão de argamassas sujeitas a reação álcali-sílica

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Análise densitométrica, histomorfométrica e biomecânica em fêmures de ratos submetidos à ausência de carga e atividade física em esteira

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

Sexualidade(S) em cena: as contribuições do discurso audiovisual para a problematização das diferenças no espaço escolar

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)