Cytogenetic analysis of A- and B-chromosomes of Prochilodus lineatus (Teleostei, Prochilodontidae) using different restriction enzyme banding and staining methods

Different cytogenetic techniques were used to analyse the chromosomes of Prochilodus lineatus with the main objective of comparing the base composition of A- and B-chromosomes. The results of digestion of chromosomes with 10 different restriction endonucleases (REs), silver staining, CMA(3) staining and C-banding indicated the existence of different classes of highly repetitive DNA in the A-set and also suggested the existence of compositional differences between the chromatin of A- and B-chromosomes. The 5-BrdU incorporation technique showed a late replicating pattern in all B-chromosomes and in some heterochromatic pericentromeric regions of A-chromosomes. The cleavage with RE BamHI produced a band pattern in all chromosomes of P. lineatus which permitted the tentative pairing of homologues in the karyotype of this species. We concluded that the combined use of the above techniques can contribute to the correct identification of chromosomes and the karyotypic analysis in fishes. on the basis of the results, some aspects of chromosome structure and the origin of the B-chromosomes in P. lineatus are discussed.

Chromosomal painting and ZW sex chromosomes differentiation in Characidium (Characiformes, Crenuchidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Glass transitions and state diagram for freeze-dried pineapple

Glass transition temperature of freeze-dried pineapple conditioned by adsorption at various water activities at 25 degreesC was determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). High moisture content samples corresponding to water activities higher than 0.9, obtained by liquid water addition, were also analysed. The DSC traces showed a well-visible shift in baseline at the glass transition temperature (T(g)). Besides, no ice formation was observed until water activity was equal to 0.75. For water activities lower than 0.88, the glass transition curve showed that T(g) decreased with increasing moisture content and the experimental data could be well-correlated by the Gordon-Taylor equation. For higher water activities, this curve exhibited a discontinuity, with suddenly increasing glass transition temperatures approaching a constant value that corresponds to the T(g) of the maximally freeze-concentrated amorphous matrix. The unfreezable water content was determined through melting enthalpy dependence on the sample moisture content.

Histological evaluation of the response of apical tissues to glass ionomer and zinc oxide eugenol based sealers in dog teeth after root canal treatment

The object of the study was to compare two commercial root canal sealers: Ketac-Endo (a glass ionomer cement) and Fill Canal (a zinc oxide-eugenol cement). A total of 34 root canals from dog premolars with vital pulps were used. After instrumentation, the root canals were sealed with Ketac-Endo and Fill Canal cements using gutta-percha and a lateral condensation technique. After 270 days the animals were sacrificed with an anesthetic overdose and the maxillae and mandibles were removed and fixed in formalin for 48 h. After routine histological processing the sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Mallory trichrome stains. Microscopic analysis revealed that Ketac-Endo cement presented better results than Fill Canal cement.

Glass structure and ion dynamics of lead-cadmium fluorgermanate glasses

Glass structure and fluorine motion dynamics are investigated in lead-cadmium fluorgermanate glasses by means of differential scanning calorimetry, Raman scattering, x-ray absorption (EXAFS), electrical conductivity (EC), and F-19 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. Glasses with composition 60PbGeO(3)-xPbF(2)-yCdF(2) (in mol %), with x+y=40 and x=10, 20, 30, 40, are studied. Addition of metal fluorides to the base PbGeO3 glass leads to a decrease of the glass transition temperature (T-g) and to an enhancement of the ionic conductivity properties. Raman and EXAFS data analysis suggest that metagermanate chains form the basic structural feature of these glasses. The NMR study leads to the conclusion that the F-F distances are similar to those found in pure crystalline phases. Experimental results suggest the existence of a heterogeneous glass structure at the molecular scale, which can be described by fluorine rich regions permeating the metagermanate chains. The temperature dependence of the NMR line shapes and relaxation times exhibits the qualitative and quantitative features associated with the high fluorine mobility in these systems. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.

Collapse and Color Changes in Grapefruit Juice Powder as Affected by Water Activity, Glass Transition, and Addition of Carbohydrate Polymers

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Application of compression test in analysis of mechanical and color changes in grapefruit juice powder as related to glass transition and water activity

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Penetration of a light-cured glass ionomer and a resin sealant into occlusal fissures and etched enamel.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the penetration of a light-cured glass ionomer and a resin sealant into occlusal fissures and etched enamel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight maxillary and mandibular caries-free premolars scheduled for extraction for orthodontic reasons were isolated, the occlusal surfaces subjected to prophylaxis and acid-etched with orthophosphoric acid prior to the application of the VariGlass VLC glass ionomer and Concise resin sealants. The teeth were extracted, two longitudinal median sectiors from each tooth were ground to a thickness of 80-100 microns, and the sealant penetration into the fissures evaluated. The sections were placed in nitric acid to dissolve the enamel so the lengths of the tags which had penetrated into the etched enamel could be measured at different sites on the walls of the fissures. RESULTS: Both sealants adapted well to the fissures but penetrated deeper into shallow, open fissures than into deep, constricted fissures. The VariGlass VLC tags into etched enamel were generally longer than the Concise projections.

Sorption isotherm, glass transitions and state diagram for freeze-dried plum skin and pulp

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to determine phase transitions of freeze-dried plums. Samples at low and intermediate moisture contents, were conditioned by adsorption at various water activities (0.11≤a w≤0.90) at 25°C, whereas in the high moisture content region (a w>0.90) samples were obtained by direct water addition, with the resulting sorption isotherm being well described by the Guggenheim-Anderson-deBoer (GAB) model. Freeze-dried samples of separated plum skin and pulp were also analysed. At a w≤0.75, two glass transitions were visible, with the glass transition temperature (T g) decreasing with increasing a w due to the water plasticising effect. The first T g was attributed to the matrix formed by sugars and water. The second one, less visible and less plasticised by water, was probably due to macromolecules of the fruit pulp. The Gordon-Taylor model represented satisfactorily the matrix glass transition curve for a w≤0.90. In the higher moisture content range T g remained practically constant around T g′ (-57.5°C). Analysis of the glass transition curve and the sorption isotherm indicated that stability at a temperature of 25°C, would be attained by freeze dried plum at a water activity of 0.04, corresponding to a moisture content of 12.9% (dry basis). © 2006 SAGE Publications.

Adherence of Streptococcus mutans to uncoated and saliva-coated glass-ceramics and composites

This study sought to investigate the surface roughness and the adherence of Streptococcus mutans (in the presence and absence of saliva) to ceramics and composites. The early dental biofilms formed in situ on the materials were illustrated, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Feldspathic and leucite/feldspathic ceramics and microhybrid and microfilled composites were evaluated. Human dental enamel was used as the control. Standardized specimens of the materials were produced and surface roughness was analyzed. The adhesion tests were carried out in 24-well plates and colony forming units (CFU/mL) were evaluated. Values of roughness (μm) and adherence (CFU/mL) were analyzed statistically. Of all the surfaces tested, enamel was the roughest. Leucite/feldspathic ceramics were rougher than the feldspathic ceramic, while composites were similar statistically. Enamel offered the highest level of adherence to uncoated and saliva-coated specimens, while the leucite/feldspathic ceramic demonstrated greater adherence than the feldspathic ceramic and the composites were similar statically. The rougher restorative materials increased the adherence of S, mutans on the material surfaces.

Glass foam of macroporosity using glass waste and sodium hydroxide as the foaming agent

Glass foams using float glass waste and sodium hydroxide were produced. The influence of the sodium hydroxide amount in the foam formulation was studied. Titanium dioxide was used as a strengthening agent. The variations of temperature, heating rate and sintering time were investigated during the synthesis process. Open porosity was estimated using mercury porosimetry. The morphology of the glass foams was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, phase formation was studied using X-ray diffraction, and chemical composition was estimated using X-ray fluorescence. As a result, glass foams with macroporosity were obtained. Since the glass foams used glass waste as reactant, the results suggest the development of an alternative route for glass recycling. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l.

Delimiting the Origin of a B Chromosome by FISH Mapping, Chromosome Painting and DNA Sequence Analysis in Astyanax paranae (Teleostei, Characiformes)

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

Mineral loss and color change of enamel after bleaching and staining solutions combination

Pigments of food and beverages could affect dental bleaching efficacy. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate color change and mineral loss of tooth enamel as well as the influence of staining solutions normally used by adolescent patients undergoing home bleaching. Initial hardness and baseline color were measured on enamel blocks. Specimens were divided into five groups (n = 5): G1 (control) specimens were kept in artificial saliva throughout the experiment (3 weeks); G2 enamel was exposed to 10% carbamide peroxide for 6 h daily, and after this period, the teeth were cleaned and stored in artificial saliva until the next bleaching session; and G3, G4, and G5 received the same treatments as G2, but after bleaching, they were stored for 1 h in cola soft drink, melted chocolate, or red wine, respectively. Mineral loss was obtained by the percentage of hardness reduction, and color change was determined by the difference between the data obtained before and after treatments. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and Fisher's test (a = 0.05). G3 and G5 showed higher mineral loss (92.96 +/- 5.50 and 94.46 +/- 1.00, respectively) compared to the other groups (p = 0.05). G5 showed high-color change (9.34 +/- 2.90), whereas G1 presented lower color change (2.22 +/- 0.44) (p = 0.05). Acidic drinks cause mineral loss of the enamel, which could modify the surface and reduce staining resistance after bleaching. (C) 2013 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)