Reproductive development and function of female rats exposed to di-eta-butyl-phthalate (DBP) in utero and during lactation

Phthalates are environmental contaminants used in the production of plastics, cosmetics and medical devices. Studies on the effects of phthalates on female reproductive health are particularly sparse and mostly restricted to high-dose exposure in rats. In the present study, pregnant rats were treated with 100 mg/kg-d of di-eta-butyl-phthalate (DBP) or only the vehicle (control group), from GD 12 to GD 20 for evaluation of reproductive outcomes and fetal gonads analysis (F0), and from GD 12 to PND 21 to evaluate reproductive development and function on F1 female offspring. Results showed that all parameters were comparable between groups, although there was a significant increase in the fetal weight after DBP exposure. However, the body weight at birth was normal. Based on these data we can conclude that, in these experimental conditions, DBP did not disturb the reproductive development or function of female rats. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Long-term effects of developmental exposure to di-n-butyl-phthalate (DBP) on rat prostate: Proliferative and inflammatory disorders and a possible role of androgens

In the present study we evaluated the toxic effects on the male adult rat prostate of DBP exposure during fetal and lactational periods, because although many studies have addressed the influence of phthalates on the male reproductive system, only a few have discussed their possible effects on prostate development. Pregnant females were distributed into two experimental groups: Control (C) and Treated (T). The females of the T group received DBP (100 mg/kg, by gavage) from gestation day 12 to postnatal day 21, while C rats received the vehicle (corn oil). In adulthood (90 days old), the animals were euthanized. The serum and testicular testosterone levels were measured. Ventral prostate was removed and weighed. Distal segment fragments of the ventral prostate were fixed and processed for histochemistry and immunohistochemistry to detect androgen receptor (AR) and Ki67 antigens. Protein extraction from ventral prostate fragments was performed for AR immunoblotting and Gelatin zymography for MMP-2 and MMP-9 (MMP, metalloproteinase). Stereological and histopathological analyses were also performed. Serum and testicular testosterone levels and prostate weight were comparable between groups. In the T group the relative proportions (%) of epithelial (C=32.86; T=42.04*) and stromal (C=21.61; T=27.88*) compartments were increased, while the luminal compartment was decreased (C=45.54; T=30.08*), *p < 0.05. In T, disseminated inflammatory infiltrate in the stroma, associated or not with epithelial dysplasia and PIN (Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia), was observed. Increases in AR expression, proliferation index and metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) activity were noted in T animals. In some T animals, collagen fibrils accumulated adjacent to the epithelium. As far as we are aware, this is the first report in the literature showing that phthalates could play a role in proliferative and inflammatory disorders of the rat prostate. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The epileptology of Theodore Herpin (1799-1865)

The Frenchman, Theodore Herpin (1799-1865), in Des Acces Incomplets d'Epilepsie, published posthumously in 1867, provided a very detailed account of a wide range of the possible manifestations of nonconvulsive epileptic seizures. However, he did not note the presence of absence seizures in any of his 300 patients who had experienced, at least in some of their attacks, what he considered were incomplete manifestations of epilepsy, the word epilepsy being taken to refer to full generalized tonic-clonic seizures. In the one patient, Herpin recognized that all epileptic seizures, whether complete or incomplete, began in the same way, and deduced that they must originate in the same place in that patient's brain. He did not develop the latter idea further. His observations, and his interpretation of them, seem to have preceded John Hughlings Jackson's independent development of similar concepts, but Jackson's more extensive intellectual exploration of the implications of his observations made him a more important figure than Herpin in the history of epileptology.

An atomistic simulation of solid state sintering using Monte Carlo methods

This paper presents results on the simulation of the solid state sintering of copper wires using Monte Carlo techniques based on elements of lattice theory and cellular automata. The initial structure is superimposed onto a triangular, two-dimensional lattice, where each lattice site corresponds to either an atom or vacancy. The number of vacancies varies with the simulation temperature, while a cluster of vacancies is a pore. To simulate sintering, lattice sites are picked at random and reoriented in terms of an atomistic model governing mass transport. The probability that an atom has sufficient energy to jump to a vacant lattice site is related to the jump frequency, and hence the diffusion coefficient, while the probability that an atomic jump will be accepted is related to the change in energy of the system as a result of the jump, as determined by the change in the number of nearest neighbours. The jump frequency is also used to relate model time, measured in Monte Carlo Steps, to the actual sintering time. The model incorporates bulk, grain boundary and surface diffusion terms and includes vacancy annihilation on the grain boundaries. The predictions of the model were found to be consistent with experimental data, both in terms of the microstructural evolution and in terms of the sintering time. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and characterization of mono- and bis-ligand zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes of the di-2-pyridylketone Schiff base of S-benzyl dithiocarbazate (Hdpksbz) and the X-ray crystal structures of the [Zn(dpksbz)2] and [Cd(dpksbz)NCS]2 complexes

New mono- and bis-chelated zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes of formula, [M(dpksbz)NCS] (dpksbz = anionic form of the di-2-pyridylketone Schiff base of S-benzyldithiocarbazate) and [M(dpksbz)(2)] (M = Zn-II, Cd-II) have been prepared and characterized. The structure of the bis-ligand complex, [Zn(dpksbZ)(2)] has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The complex has a distorted octahedral geometry in which the ligands are coordinated to the zinc(II) ion as uninegatively charged tridentate chelates via the thiolate sulfur atoms, the azomethine nitrogen atoms and the pyridine nitrogen atoms. The distortion from a regular octahedral geometry is attributed to the restricted bite angles of the Schiff base ligands. X-ray structural analysis shows that the [Cd(dpksbz)NCS](2) complex is a centrosymmetric dimer in which each of the cadmium(II) ions adopts a five-coordinate, approximately square-pyramidal configuration with the Schiff base acting as a tetradentate chelating agent coordinating a cadmium(II) ion via one of the pyridine nitrogen atoms, the azomethine nitrogen atom and the thiolate sulfur atom; the second pyridine nitrogen atom is coordinated to the other cadmium(II) ion of the dimer. The fifth coordination position around each cadmium(II) is occupied by an N-bonded thiocyanate ligand. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cytotoxic iron chelators: Characterization of the structure, solution chemistry and redox activity of ligands and iron complexes of the di-2-pyridyl ketone isonicotinoyl hydrazone (HPKIH) analogues

Di-2-pyridyl ketone isonicotinoyl hydrazone (HPKIH) and a range of its analogues comprise a series of monobasic acids that are capable of binding iron (Fe) as tridentate (N,N,O) ligands. Recently, we have shown that these chelators are highly cytotoxic, but show selective activity against cancer cells. Particularly interesting was the fact that cytotoxicity of the HPKIH analogues is maintained even after complexation with Fe. To understand the potent anti-tumor activity of these compounds, we have fully characterized their chemical properties. This included examination of the solution chemistry and X-ray crystal structures of both the ligands and Fe complexes from this class and the ability of these complexes to mediate redox reactions. Potentiometric titrations demonstrated that all chelators are present predominantly in their charge-neutral form at physiological pH (7.4), allowing access across biological membranes. Keto-enol tautomerism of the ligands was identified, with the tautomers exhibiting distinctly different protonation constants. Interestingly, the chelators form low-spin (diamagnetic) divalent Fe complexes in solution. The chelators form distorted octahedral complexes with Fe-II, with two tridentate ligands arranged in a meridional fashion. Electrochemistry of the Fe complexes in both aqueous and non-aqueous solutions revealed that the complexes are oxidized to their ferric form at relatively high potentials, but this oxidation is coupled to a rapid reaction with water to form a hydrated (carbinolamine) derivative, leading to irreversible electrochemistry. The Fe complexes of the HPKIH analogues caused marked DNA degradation in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. This observation confirms that Fe complexes from the HPKIH series mediate Fenton chemistry and do not repel DNA. Collectively, studies on the solution chemistry and structure of these HPKIH analogues indicate that they can bind cellular Fe and enhance its redox activity, resulting in oxidative damage to vital biomolecules.

Sistema integrado de passagens e di??rias: SIPAD

O Sistema Integrado de Passagens e Di??rias (SIPAD), foi concebido no conceito de integra????o de dados e utiliza uma base de dados ??nica que evita o retrabalho e a inconsist??ncia de informa????es. O sistema tem por objetivo tornar mais ??gil, transparente e desburocratizado o processo de solicita????o, gerenciamento e controle de passagens e di??rias no ??mbito do Minist??rio da Sa??de. O SIPAD permite, em tempo real, o atendimento dos pedidos de viagens mediante requisi????es eletr??nicas com alto grau de confiabilidade e seguran??a. O sistema permite ainda o controle f??sico e a gest??o financeira de todos os pedidos de viagem; o c??lculo autom??tico de valores de di??rias inclusive em moeda estrangeira; o acompanhamento de trechos de viagens e conex??es internacionais com indica????o dos aeroportos; o controle e presta????o de contas de viagens; o desconto autom??tico do valor do vale refei????o por UF. A seguran??a do SIPAD ?? garantida por sistema que permite acessos escalonados por n??veis de senha , a partir de perfis previamente definidos. No SIPAD pode-se realizar consultas on line e emiss??o automatizada de relat??rios operacionais e gerenciais com interface gr??fica. Os resultados ap??s a implanta????o , em 01/07/99, j?? causam impactos significativos. A economia estimada para o ano 2000, apenas em uma unidade gestora do Minist??rio, ?? de redu????o de 113.606 folhas de papel; elimina????o de 23.346 etiquetas; elimina????o de 40.468 assinaturas de gestores e ordenadores de despesa; elimina????o de 58.369 procedimentos de carimbo em pap??is; elimina????o de 11.673 registros de controle e 58.459 tramita????es de documentos

Sistema informatizado de controle de di??rias

O projeto consiste na automa????o de todo o processo de elabora????o, c??lculo, concess??o e pagamento de di??rias possibilitando ainda a an??lise da execu????o or??ament??ria e financeira, por meio de um sistema informatizado de controle. Este sistema ?? ??gil e de f??cil opera????o, e confere seguran??a de acesso ??s informa????es. Ele opera em ambiente de rede, de maneira que qualquer setor possa controlar suas di??rias, utilizando-se de um ??nico banco de dados instalado em um computador servidor

Di??logo, entendimento, negocia????o: voc?? est?? preparado?

O acordo conciliador t??o discutido hoje na pol??tica e na economia n??o se limita a estes setores. Objetivos conflitantes ocorrem nas rela????es entre pessoas em todos os n??veis hier??rquicos de qualquer administra????o. A quest??o ?? o como transform??-los em objetivos maiores e unificadores ou em pactos que possibilitem a conviv??ncia e o desenvolvimento de grupos com interesses opostos. As habilidades de negocia????o emergem, a??, como o instrumental adequado para prevenir e administrar conflitos. E os bons negociadores n??o resultam da transa????o improvisada ou da genialidade mas, da a????o programada, da pesquisa e an??lise de situa????o, do auto-conhecimento e do conhecimento do outro, do esfor??o orientado

A for??a propulsora do di??logo social

Lideran??as sindicais, empresariais, sociais, al??m de intelectuais, acad??micos e representantes de variados setores, t??m trabalhado desde 2003 em uma proposta inovadora: pensar o Brasil que se deseja e, a partir da??, apresentar ao presidente da Rep??blica indica????es do rumo para tornar o Pa??s socialmente justo e economicamente sustent??vel. Essa ?? a tarefa do Conselho de Desenvolvimento Econ??mico e Social (CDES), composto por 90 pessoas da sociedade civil e 13 ministros, que se constitui em espa??o de di??logo no qual a diversidade dos atores sociais, mais do que revelar a heterogeneidade da popula????o de um pa??s continental, possibilita ampliar os pontos de vista e os argumentos sobre temas da agenda nacional, enriquecendo o debate e qualificando as sugest??es para um projeto de desenvolvimento de longo prazo. Com o surgimento do CDES, a discuss??o de grandes temas deixou de ser uma conversa de pequenos grupos, com acesso ao presidente, para ser um exerc??cio pleno de representa????o dos diversos grupos, a maior parte dos quais n??o tinha canal para seus pleitos e demandas ao governo. ???N??o h?? mais vanguarda. O acesso e o fluxo de informa????o tornaram-se produtos de todos. Acabou a demanda de balc??o, a vis??o tradicional de um Conselho, que cooptava as pessoas para a defesa de determinadas id??ias. Agora o di??logo ?? sem rupturas. ?? um modo de trazer governan??a, criar consenso, estabelecer espa??o de converg??ncia???, diz a respons??vel pela Secretaria do Conselho de Desenvolvimento Econ??mico e Social (Sedes), Esther Bemerguy Albuquerque.

Evaluation of the respiratory motion effect in small animal PET images with GATE Monte Carlo simulations

The rapid growth in genetics and molecular biology combined with the development of techniques for genetically engineering small animals has led to increased interest in in vivo small animal imaging. Small animal imaging has been applied frequently to the imaging of small animals (mice and rats), which are ubiquitous in modeling human diseases and testing treatments. The use of PET in small animals allows the use of subjects as their own control, reducing the interanimal variability. This allows performing longitudinal studies on the same animal and improves the accuracy of biological models. However, small animal PET still suffers from several limitations. The amounts of radiotracers needed, limited scanner sensitivity, image resolution and image quantification issues, all could clearly benefit from additional research. Because nuclear medicine imaging deals with radioactive decay, the emission of radiation energy through photons and particles alongside with the detection of these quanta and particles in different materials make Monte Carlo method an important simulation tool in both nuclear medicine research and clinical practice. In order to optimize the quantitative use of PET in clinical practice, data- and image-processing methods are also a field of intense interest and development. The evaluation of such methods often relies on the use of simulated data and images since these offer control of the ground truth. Monte Carlo simulations are widely used for PET simulation since they take into account all the random processes involved in PET imaging, from the emission of the positron to the detection of the photons by the detectors. Simulation techniques have become an importance and indispensable complement to a wide range of problems that could not be addressed by experimental or analytical approaches.

Avaliação da dose absorvida na tiróide, em cintigrafias com 123I e Na99mTcO4 utilizando modelos biocinéticos e métodos de Monte Carlo

Mestrado em Radiações Aplicadas às Tecnologias da Saúde. Área de especialização: Protecção contra Radiações