Correlation analysis of the structures and gas-liquid chromatographic retention indices of amines

Quantitative structure-retention relationship(QSRR) was studied for amines to gas-liquid chromatography on three stationary phases of different polarities with the topological indices A(m) (A(m1), A(m2), A(m3)) and gravitational index GI. The algorithm of "Leaps and Bounds" was performed for selection of the variables. And the multi-regression and the quasi-Newton neural networks were employed for the calculation with better results.

Conception d’un nouveau type de concentrateur solaire réduisant le besoin de suivi du soleil

Depuis longtemps, le Soleil est vu comme une source renouvelable d’intérêt pour combler nos besoins en énergie. Or, le coût prohibitif de l’énergie solaire a jusqu’à maintenant rendu celle-ci peu utilisée. Pour accroître son adoption, il faut absolument rendre son coût concurrentiel avec celui des énergies fossiles. Pour cela, plusieurs possibilités existent. L’une d’elles est l’utilisation d’un système optique pour concentrer la lumière. Cette thèse présente donc une solution basée sur la conception d’un nouveau type de concentrateur solaire de basse-moyenne concentration fait de polymère dans le but de réduire son coût de fabrication. Les performances de ce système compact utilisant des microlentilles ont ensuite été améliorées par l’ajout d’un gradient d’indice de réfraction dans la matrice polymérique. Une analyse sommaire du coût de l’énergie produite par de tels dispositifs permet ensuite de conclure que les systèmes développés dans le cadre de ce projet de recherche ont un potentiel commercial. Pour cette raison, le concept le plus prometteur basé sur l’utilisation d’un gradient d’indice afin d’accroître les performances a fait état du dépôt d’une demande de brevet.

Impact de l’indice glycémique sur la performance physique de cyclistes de haut niveau

Plusieurs études ont démontré que la consommation d’un repas à indice glycémique bas (LGI) avant un exercice physique favorisait l’oxydation des lipides, diminuait les épisodes d’hypoglycémie et améliorait la performance. Par contre, d’autres recherches n’ont pas observé ces bénéfices. Le but de cette étude consiste à démontrer l’impact de l’ingestion de déjeuners avec différents indices glycémiques (IG) sur la performance en endurance de cyclistes de haut niveau. Dix cyclistes masculins ont complété trois protocoles attribués de façon aléatoire, séparés par un intervalle minimal de sept jours. Les trois protocoles consistaient en une épreuve contre la montre, soit trois heures après avoir consommé un déjeuner à indice glycémique bas ou élevé contenant 3 grammes de glucides par kg de poids corporel, soit à compléter l’exercice à jeun. Les résultats obtenus pour le temps de course montrent qu’il n’y pas de différence significative entre les protocoles. Par contre, on observe que le nombre de révolutions par minute (RPM) est significativement plus élevé avec le protocole à indice glycémique élevé (HGI) (94,3 ± 9,9 RPM) comparativement au protocole à jeun (87,7 ± 8,9 RPM) (p<0,005). Au niveau de la glycémie capillaire, on observe que durant l’exercice, au temps 30 minutes, la glycémie est significativement supérieure avec le protocole à jeun (5,47 ± 0,76 mmol/L) comparé à HGI (4,99 ± 0,91 mmol/L) (p<0,002). Notre étude n’a pas permis de confirmer que la consommation d’un repas LGI avant un exercice physique améliorait la performance physique de façon significative. Cependant, notre recherche a démontré que la diversité des protocoles utilisés pour évaluer l’impact de l’indice glycémique sur la performance physique pouvait occasionner des variations positives dans les temps de courses. Par conséquent, il s’avère nécessaire de faire d’autres recherches qui reproduisent les situations de compétition de l’athlète soit la course contre la montre.

Successful manipulation of the quality and quantity of fat and carbohydrate consumed by free-living individuals using a food exchange model

Our objective in this study was to develop and implement an effective intervention strategy to manipulate the amount and composition of dietary fat and carbohydrate (CHO) in free-living individuals in the RISCK study. The study was a randomized, controlled dietary intervention study that was conducted in 720 participants identified as higher risk for or with metabolic syndrome. All followed a 4-wk run-in reference diet [high saturated fatty acids (SF)/high glycemic index (GI)]. Volunteers were randomized to continue this diet for a further 24 wk or to I of 4 isoenergetic prescriptions [high monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA)/high GI; high MUFA/low GI; low fat (LF)/high GI; and LF/low GI]. We developed a food exchange model to implement each diet. Dietary records and plasma phospholipid fatty acids were used to assess the effectiveness of the intervention strategy. Reported fat intake from the LF diets was significantly reduced to 28% of energy (%E) compared with 38% E from the HM and LF diets. SF intake was successfully decreased in the HM and LF diets was similar to 10% E compared with 17% E in the reference diet (P = 0.001). Dietary MUFA in the HIM diets was similar to 17% E, significantly higher than in the reference (12% E) and LF diets (10% E) (P = 0.001). Changes in plasma phospholipid fatty acids provided further evidence for the successful manipulation of fat intake. The GI of the HGI and LGI arms differed by similar to 9 points (P = 0.001). The food exchange model provided an effective dietary strategy for the design and implementation across multiple sites of 5 experimental diets with specific targets for the proportion of fat and CHO. J. Nutr. 139: 1534-1540, 2009.

Association between FTO variant and change in body weight and its interaction with dietary factors: the DiOGenes study

Although FTO is an established obesity-susceptibility locus, it remains unknown whether it influences weight change in adult life and whether diet attenuates this association. Therefore, we investigated the association of FTO-rs9939609 with changes in weight and waist circumference (WC) during 6.8 years follow-up in a large-scale prospective study and examined whether these associations were modified by dietary energy percentage from fat, protein, carbohydrate, or glycemic index (GI). This study comprised data from five countries of European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) and was designed as a case-cohort study for weight gain. Analyses included 11,091 individuals, of whom 5,584 were cases (age (SD), 47.6 (7.5) years), defined as those with the greatest unexplained annual weight gain during follow-up and 5,507 were noncases (48.0 (7.3) years), who were compared in our case-noncase (CNC) analyses. Furthermore, 6,566 individuals (47.9 (7.3) years) selected from the total sample (all noncases and 1,059 cases) formed the random subcohort (RSC), used for continuous trait analyses. Interactions were tested by including interaction terms in the models. In the RSC-analyses, FTO-rs9939609 was associated with BMI (β (SE), 0.17 (0.08) kg·m(-2)/allele; P = 0.034) and WC (0.47 (0.21) cm/allele; P = 0.026) at baseline, but not with weight change (5.55 (12.5) g·year(-1)/allele; P = 0.66) during follow up. In the CNC-analysis, FTO-rs9939609 was associated with increased risk of being a weight-gainer (OR: 1.1; P = 0.045). We observed no interaction between FTO-rs9939609 and dietary fat, protein and carbohydrate, and GI on BMI and WC at baseline or on change in weight and WC. FTO-rs9939609 is associated with BMI and WC at baseline, but association with weight gain is weak and only observed for extreme gain. Dietary factors did not influence the associations.

Genetic polymorphisms in the hypothalamic pathway in relation to subsequent weight change--the DiOGenes study

BACKGROUND: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding the components involved in the hypothalamic pathway may influence weight gain and dietary factors may modify their effects. AIM: We conducted a case-cohort study to investigate the associations of SNPs in candidate genes with weight change during an average of 6.8 years of follow-up and to examine the potential effect modification by glycemic index (GI) and protein intake. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Participants, aged 20-60 years at baseline, came from five European countries. Cases ('weight gainers') were selected from the total eligible cohort (n = 50,293) as those with the greatest unexplained annual weight gain (n = 5,584). A random subcohort (n = 6,566) was drawn with the intention to obtain an equal number of cases and noncases (n = 5,507). We genotyped 134 SNPs that captured all common genetic variation across the 15 candidate genes; 123 met the quality control criteria. Each SNP was tested for association with the risk of being a 'weight gainer' (logistic regression models) in the case-noncase data and with weight gain (linear regression models) in the random subcohort data. After accounting for multiple testing, none of the SNPs was significantly associated with weight change. Furthermore, we observed no significant effect modification by dietary factors, except for SNP rs7180849 in the neuromedin β gene (NMB). Carriers of the minor allele had a more pronounced weight gain at a higher GI (P = 2 x 10⁻⁷). CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence of association between SNPs in the studied hypothalamic genes with weight change. The interaction between GI and NMB SNP rs7180849 needs further confirmation.

Sensores de pressão em fibra óptica para o estudo dos fenómenos da percolação da água em solos

Dada a necessidade de obtermos sistemas monitorizados com elevada precisão, de grande durabilidade e resistentes às condições atmosféricas, surgiu a possibilidade de aplicação das fibras ópticas como sensores para monitorização de pressão. Nesse contexto, as fibras “hetero-core” (fibra óptica composta por uma fibra multimodo entre duas fibras ópticas monomodo) e a utilização de lentes GRIN (“GRaded INdex”) em conjunto com superfícies reflectoras permitem a determinação da pressão e são objecto de estudo desta dissertação. Em termos de aplicação, o objectivo principal desta tese de mestrado foi de proporcionar o projecto e desenvolvimentos da medida de pressão em 48 pontos para um tanque de estudo dos fenómenos de percolação da água nos solos e que é pertencente à Secção de Geotecnia do Departamento de Engenharia Civil da Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto. Inicialmente, foi caracterizado um sistema contendo uma fibra “hetero-core” à qual foi aplicada uma curvatura, com auxílio de uma carruagem micrométrica. Este sistema permitiu a simulação do mesmo efeito de aplicação de pressão à fibra “hetero-core”. Na configuração seguinte, usou-se um OTDR (“Optical Time Domain Reflectometer”) para visualização e registo das perdas encontradas durante o processo de dobrar e esticar da fibra “hetero-core”. Ao longo deste registo, várias configurações foram testadas até ser encontrada a cabeça sensora com melhor comportamento para monitorizar a pressão. A multiplexagem foi conseguida ao colocar dois sensores em série, sendo cada um deles constituído por uma fibra “hetero-core” colocada no fundo de um tubo de água disposto verticalmente. Com a adição da água no tubo de água, a curvatura na fibra “hetero-core” aumentava, notando-se claramente que as perdas também subiam. Os resultados obtidos nesta configuração foram bastante satisfatórios permitindo a independência entre os dois sensores dispostos em série. Posteriormente, foi testada uma nova configuração sensora, o sensor de fibra óptica para monitorização de pressão foi construído com recurso a uma lente GRIN e uma superfície reflectora. Esta lente, disposta diante de um espelho, permitiu emitir e captar luz de um determinado comprimento de onda devido à reflexão do sinal luminoso no espelho. Com sucessivos incrementos, afastou-se e aproximou-se a lente ao espelho, registando-se e observando-se as perdas de potência obtidas com auxílio do OTDR. Também para esta configuração foi testada a multiplexagem de vários sensores, tendo sido utilizadas as seguintes opções: um acoplador de 2:1; um acoplador 4:1 e um comutador óptico. Verificou-se que a utilização de um comutador óptico é o melhor caso para a monitorização de pressão de múltiplos sensores. A multiplexagem com recurso ao comutador foi possível, uma vez que permitia a medição independente de cada sensor de pressão num determinado tempo. Com este resultado, é possível monitorizar 48 sensores com recurso ao OTDR, multiplexados temporalmente. Toda esta implementação prática da dissertação foi realizada nas instalações da Unidade de Optoelectrónica e Sistemas Electrónicos no INESC Porto, onde foram caracterizados e estudados sensores com diferentes características que poderão ser lidas neste documento. A componente teórica foi efectuada na Universidade da Madeira.

Atividades educativas na rede pública de ensino: efeitos sobre a higiene oral e o nível de informação em Saúde Bucal

The contents introduction concerning the individual health cares reveals important since the school education. In this direction, the present study objectified to know an effect of Oral Health education intervention in the oral hygiene and in the schools children information level, of 4º e 5º basic education years. The study was composed by two groups, chosen of random form: control group (n = 115) and experimental group (n = 132), with 247 public net school children in total sample. The experimental group participated of some educative activities in Oral Health, with biweekly frequency, during the 4 months period, given for a surgeon-dentistry. Both the groups were submitted to a clinical examination for a previous verification of the Plaque Index (PI) and of Loe Silness Gingival Index (GI). A questionnaire with closed questions on Oral Health was applied before and after to verify the school children rightness index. After the intervention, the final data, represented for the PI, GI and Rightness Index verification, has been collected for statistical analyses through the chi-square test to a 95 % of reliable level, using the SPSS 10,0 software. The PI and GI were categorized in high and low on the initials index basis medium; already the Rightness Index was categorized in inadequate (< 50%) and adequate (≥ 50%). It was verified that the PI (p = 0,014; IC 0.24-0.86) and the GI (p = 0,013; IC 0,28-0,84) presented differences statistically significant, after the education activities, when compared to with the control, favoring the experimental group. It was verified too the experimental group got greater rightness index, presenting difference highly significant (p<0,0001; IC 3,73-26,81). It was still observed that there was no association between the oral hygiene indicators and the school children information level. Ahead the results, it can been concluded that education activities related in the school routine were capable to give positives effects in the oral hygiene control and in the information level about Oral Health, however, not necessarily, the individual with bigger information is that one who has practiced an oral hygiene more adjusted. One become necessary, however, that the education in Oral Health occurs of permanent and integrated form with others school actors, for the positive effect does not lose the student s life longterm

Avaliação clínica longitudinal do periodonto de dentes pilares e não pilares de próteses parciais removíveis

The literature has shown a relation between periodontics and the removable partial denture (RPD), with progressive destruction observed in the support structures. The aim of this study was to clinically assess periodontal condition in users of removal partial denture (RPD), and compare right abutments teeth, indirect abutments and controls before installation and after 1 year, in addition to comparing tooth-supported and tooth mucosa-supported abutments. A total of 50 patients, 32 women and 18 men, mean age of 45 years, took part in the study. The patients were examined by a single examiner at prosthesis installation and after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. The following were verified at each examination: Probe Depth (PD), Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), the amount of Keratinized Mucosa (KM), Gingival Recession (GR) and Dental Mobility (DM); in addition patients received oral hygiene orientation, accompanied by prophylaxis, periodontal scaling and root planing (PSRP), when necessary. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with Tukey-Kramer post test was used to assess the dependent variables (PD, PI, KM, GR) of the three groups over time while Friedman s test was used for GI. To assess the outcomes of prosthesis type in the right abutment group, a confidence interval-based analysis was performed. The results showed that the control group was the least compromised in all the variables studied. With respect to development of the groups over time, it was verified that the measures for GR, PD, GI and KM increased from initial examination to 1 year of use in all the groups, but only PI showed a significant increase. There was a non-discriminatory low prevalence of dental mobility. The tooth mucosa-supported prosthesis had significantly higher values for GR, GI and PI and significantly lower ones for KM when compared to tooth-supported. Over time, both types of prostheses showed no significant differences from initial to final examination for the variables GR, PD, KM and GI, with PI significant only for tooth-supported. The results showed that the teeth most involved in RPD design had greater potential of periodontal damage, probably because of greater dental biofilm accumulation. Abutments elements adjacent to the free extremities had less favorable periodontal condition than those adjacent to interpolated spaces, but the use of RPD did not worsen the initial condition

Cyclosporin A-induced gingival overgrowth in renal transplant patients

Background: the incidence of gingival overgrowth (GO) associated with the use of cyclosporin A (CsA) is controversial. In the present study, we determined the incidence of GO in Brazilian renal transplant patients treated with CsA and the possible associations between periodontal and pharmacological variables.Methods: the test group consisted of 20 renal transplant patients, and the control group included 20 non-transplant patients. Periodontal conditions were evaluated based on the plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and the rate of gingival overgrowth, together with pharmacological variables (daily CsA dose and duration of treatment).Results: A significant difference in PI (P<0.0001) and PD (P<0.0001) was observed between groups, while GI (P=0.15) did not differ significantly. Using the Pearson correlation coefficient, a significant correlation was observed not only between GI (P<0.001; r=0.8141) and GO, but also for PD (P<0.001; r=0.866) and GO. The other correlations were not statistically significant.Conclusions: We conclude that GO induced by CsA may vary according to the individual sensitivity of each patient and may or may not be correlated with other local factors (periodontal variables).

Short-term clinical and immunologic effects of scaling and root planing with Er : YAG laser in chronic periodontitis

Background: Recently, the erbium-doped:yttrium, aluminum, and garnet (Er:YAG) laser has been used for periodontal therapy. This study compared Er:YAG laser irradiation (100 mJ/pulse, 10 Hz, 12.9 J/cm(2)) with or without conventional scaling and root planing (SRP) to SRP only for the treatment of periodontal pockets affected with chronic periodontitis.Methods: Twenty-one subjects with pockets from 5 to 9 mm in non-adjacent sites were studied. In a split-mouth design, each site was randomly allocated to a treatment group: SRP and laser (SRPL), laser only (L), SRP only (SRP), or no treatment (C). The plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), and interleukin (IL)-1 beta levels in crevicular fluid were evaluated at baseline and at 12 and 30 days postoperatively, whereas probing depth (PD), gingival recession (GR), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were evaluated at baseline and 30 days after treatment. A statistical analysis was conducted (P<0.05).Results: Twelve days postoperatively, the PI decreased for SRPL and SRP groups (P<0.05); the GI increased for L, SRP, and C groups but decreased for the SRPL group (P<0.05); and BOP decreased for SRPL, L, and SRP groups (P<0.01). Thirty days postoperatively, BOP decreased for treated groups and was lower than the C group (P<0.05). PD decreased in treated groups (P<0.001), and differences were found between SRPL and C groups (P<0.05). CAL gain was significant only for the SRP group (P<0.01). GR increased for SRPL and L groups (P<0.05). No difference in IL-1 beta was detected among groups and periods.Conclusion: Er:YAG laser irradiation may be used as an adjunctive aid for the treatment of periodontal pockets, although a significant CAL gain was observed with SRP alone and not with laser treatment.

Clinical and Microbiologic Follow-Up Evaluations After Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment With Erbium:YAG Laser and Scaling and Root Planing

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Longitudinal clinical evaluation of adjunct minocycline in the treatment of chronic periodontitis

Background: the clinical benefits of minocycline in combination with thorough scaling and root planing (SRP) have been examined in multicenter studies. The aim of this longitudinal investigation was to evaluate the clinical response to scaling and root planing combined with the use of locally delivered minocycline microspheres for 720 days in individuals with advanced chronic periodontitis.Methods: A total of 26 individuals aged 26 to 69 years (mean: 46.8 +/- 12.1 years) were included in this double-blind randomized clinical trial. After randomization, 13 individuals were selected for the test group (TG) and treated with SRP plus subgingival minocycline at baseline and 90, 180, and 270 days, and 13 individuals were selected for the control group (CG) and received SRP plus vehicle at the same time-points. Two homologous sites with probing depth (PD) >= 6 mm were chosen in each subject. To evaluate the clinical response after treatment, PD, plaque index (PI), and gingival index (GI) were assessed at baseline and 90, 180, 270, 360, and 720 days.Results: No statistical differences were found between test and control groups in relation to PD at the different timepoints. The mean values of PD demonstrated a higher reduction in the test group at 270 and 360 days. No statistical differences were observed at 90, 180, and 720 days between TG and CG (P < 0.05; Wilcoxon test). There were no statistically significant differences between TG and CG concerning PI and GI (P < 0.05; analysis of variance and t test) at all evaluated timepoints.Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that both therapies reduced mean PD from 90 to 360 days; however, SRP combined with the use of subgingival minocycline showed a higher reduction at 270 and 360 days following therapy.

Brillouin scattering in planar waveguides. II. Experiments

Silica-titania planar waveguides of different thicknesses and compositions have been produced by radio-frequency sputtering and dip coating on silica substrates. Waveguides were also produced by silver exchange on a soda-lime silicate glass substrate. Brillouin scattering of the samples has been studied by coupling the exciting laser beam with a prism to different transverse-electric (TE) modes of the waveguides, and collecting the scattered light from the front surface. In multimode waveguides, the spectra depend on the m mode of excitation. For waveguides with a step index profile, two main peaks due to longitudinal phonons are present, apart from the case of the TE0 excitation, where a single peak is observed. The energy separation between the two peaks increases with the mode index. In graded-index waveguides, m-1 peaks of comparable intensities are observed. The spectra are reproduced very well by a model which considers the space distribution of the exciting field in the mode, a simple space dependence of the elasto-optic coefficients, through the value of the refraction index, and neglects the refraction of phonons. A single-fit parameter, i.e., the longitudinal sound velocity, is used to calculate as many spectra as is the number of modes in the waveguide. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.

The relationship of oral malodor in patients with or without periodontal disease

Background: Halitosis has been correlated with the concentration of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) produced in the oral cavity by metabolic activity of bacteria colonizing the periodontal area and the dorsum of the tongue. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is some relationship between the presence of N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-2-napthylamide (BANA)positive species Treponema denticola, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Bacteroides forsythus and clinical and oral malodor parameters.Methods: Twenty-one subjects (21 to 59 years old) with probing depths (PD) >3.0 mm and 20 subjects (21 to 63 years old) with PD less than or equal to3.0 mm (controls) participated. The quality of the mouth air was assessed organoleptically, and a portable sulfide monitor was used to measure the concentration of VSC. Clinical parameters, plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI), were obtained from 6 teeth. Samples for BANA test were taken from the dorsal surface of the tongue, saliva, and the 6 reference teeth.Results: the scores of PI, GI, subgingival samples that tested positive for BANA hydrolyzing species, organoleptic ratings, and VSC values were significantly higher in the subjects with PD >3.0 mm (P <0.01, Mann-Whitney U test). There was a correlation between BANA hydrolysis by subgingival plaque bacteria and VSC values (r = 0.55, P <0.01), and between GI and VSC values (r = 0.48, P <0.05) in patients with PD >3.0 mm. There was no significant correlation between these parameters in the control group.Conclusion: These results confirm that the BANA hydrolyzing bacteria in the subgingival plaque are an important source of malodor production in the oral cavity.