Comparison of two immunochromatographic assays and the indirect immunofluorscence antibody test for diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in dogs in south central Louisiana

Two rapid tests evaluated in dogs considered to be of high risk of Infection with the Chagas parasite Trypanosoma cruzi using two immunochromatographic assays. Trypanosoma Detect (TM) for canine, InBios, Seattle, WA and CHAGAS STAT-PAK (TM) assay, Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Medford, NY, in south central Louisiana. For this purpose a serological survey was carried out in a total of 122 dogs and a serum bank was created. These 122 animals were first tested by IFAT that was used as the standard test From the serum bank 50 samples were tested using the two rapid Chagas assays and results compared to the standard test IFAT The serological survey using IFAT showed it prevalence of T cruzi infection in 22.1% of the tested dogs. In the immunochromatographic assays. 13 and 11 animals were positive on rapid assay Trypanosoma Detect (TM) for canine, InBios and CHAGAS STAT-PAK (TM), Chembio Diagnostic Systems, respectively compared to 11 positive by IFAT. These two immunochromatographic tests have shown high susceptibility and specificity compared to our standard method IFAT. The rapid, easy and accurate screening assays used in conjunction with confirmatory tests, would be an excellent tool for veterinarians to diagnose T cruzi infection. Early detection of T cruzi infection may prevent complications through an effective treatment. Greater awareness by veterinarians of the risk. clinical findings, history along with diagnostic methods will contribute greatly to an understanding of the true prevalence of Chagas disease in dogs in Louisiana. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Detection of cross infections by Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma spp. in dogs using indirect immunoenzyme assay, indirect fluorescent antibody test and polymerase chain reaction

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

Influence of Hydrogen Peroxide Bleaching Gels on Color, Opacity, and Fluorescence of Composite Resins

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of 20% and 35% hydrogen peroxide bleaching gels on the color, opacity, and fluorescence of composite resins. Seven composite resin brands were tested and 30 specimens, 3-mm in diameter and 2-mm thick, of each material were fabricated, for a total of 210 specimens. The specimens of each tested material were divided into three subgroups (n=10) according to the bleaching therapy tested: 20% hydrogen peroxide gel, 35% hydroxide peroxide gel, and the control group. The baseline color, opacity, and fluorescence were assessed by spectrophotometry. Four 30-minute bleaching gel applications, two hours in total, were performed. The control group did not receive bleaching treatment and was stored in deionized water. Final assessments were performed, and data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance and Tukey tests (p<0.05). Color changes were significant for different tested bleaching therapies (p<0.0001), with the greatest color change observed for 35% hydrogen peroxide gel. No difference in opacity was detected for all analyzed parameters. Fluorescence changes were influenced by composite resin brand (p<0.0001) and bleaching therapy (p=0.0016) used. No significant differences in fluorescence between different bleaching gel concentrations were detected by Tukey test. The greatest fluorescence alteration was detected on the brand Z350. It was concluded that 35% hydrogen peroxide bleaching gel generated the greatest color change among all evaluated materials. No statistical opacity changes were detected for all tested variables, and significant fluorescence changes were dependent on the material and bleaching therapy, regardless of the gel concentration.

Epoxy Composite with Milimetric Carbon Nanotubes

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

Composite Resin to Yttria Stabilized Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystal Bonding: Comparison of Repair Methods

Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate different approaches for bonding composite to the surface of yttria stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) ceramics.Methods: One hundred Y-TZP blocks were embedded in acrylic resin, had the free surface polished, and were randomly divided into 10 groups (n=10). The tested repair approaches included four surface treatments: tribochemical silica coating (TBS), methacryloxydecyldihidrogenphosphate (MDP)-containing primer/silane, sandblasting, and metal/zirconia primer. Alcohol cleaning was used as a "no treatment" control. Surface treatment was followed by the application (or lack thereof) of an MDP-containing resin cement liner. Subsequently, a composite resin was applied to the ceramic surface using a cylindrical mold (4-mm diameter). After aging for 60 days in water storage, including 6000 thermal cycles, the specimens were submitted to a shear test. Analysis of variance and the Tukey test were used for statistical analyses (alpha=0.05).Results: Surface treatment was a statistically significant factor (F=85.42; p<0.0001). The application of the MDP-containing liner had no effect on bond strength (p=0.1017). TBS was the only treatment that had a significantly positive effect on bond strength after aging.Conclusion: Considering the evaluated approaches, TBS seems to be the best surface treatment for Y-TZP composite repairs. The use of an MDP-containing liner between the composite and Y-TZP surfaces is not effective.

Density functional theory study on the structural and electronic properties of low index rutile surfaces for TiO2/SnO2/TiO2 and SnO2/TiO2/SnO2 composite systems

The present study is concerned with the structural and electronic properties of the TiO2/SnO2/TiO2 and SnO2/TiO2/SnO2 composite systems. Periodic quantum mechanical method with density functional theory at the B3LYP level has been carried out. Relaxed surface energies, structural characteristics and electronic properties of the (I 10), (0 10), (10 1) and (00) low-index rutile surfaces for TiO2/SnO2/TiO2 and SnO2/TiO2/SnO2 models are studied. For, comparison purposes, the bare rutile TiO2 and SnO2 structures are also analyzed and compared with previous theoretical and experimental data. The calculated surface energy for both rutile TiO2 and SnO2 surfaces follows the sequence (110) < (010) < (101) < (001) and the energy increases as (010) < (101) < (110) < (001) and (010) approximate to (110) < (101) < (001) for SnO2/TiO2/SnO2 and TiO2/SnO2/TiO2 composite systems, respectively. SnO2/TiO2/SnO2 presents larger values of surface energy than the individual SnO2 and TiO2 metal oxides and the TiO2/SnO2/TiO2 system renders surface energy values of the same order that the TiO2 and lower than the SnO2. An analysis of the electronic structure of the TiO2/SnO2/TiO2 and SnO2/TiO2/SnO2 systems shows that the main characteristics of the upper part of the valence bands for all the studied surfaces are dominated by the external layers, i.e., by the TiO2 and the SnO2, respectively, and the topology of the lower part of the conduction bands looks like the core layers. There is an energy stabilization of both valence band top and conduction band bottom for (110) and (010) surfaces of the SnO2/TiO2/SnO2 composite system in relation to their core TiO2, whereas an opposite trend is found for the same surfaces of the TiO2/SnO2/TiO2 composite system in relation to the bare SnO2. The present theoretical results may explain the growth of TiO2@SnO2 bimorph composite nanotape.

Direct and indirect top-down effects of previous contact with an enemy on the feeding behavior of blowfly larvae

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

Neonatal immune response of Brazilian beef cattle to vaccination with Clostridium botulinum toxoids types C and D by indirect ELISA

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Shear strength evaluation of composite-composite resin associations

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the shear strength between distinct associations of different commercial composite resins and their fracture modes.Methods: Nine composite-composite associations (n = 90) were prepared for shear strength evaluation and separated into the following groups: Z/Z (Filtek Z250 UD + Filtek Z250 A2); Z/ D (Filtek Z250 UD + Durafill VS A2); Z/S (Filtek Z250 UD + Filtek Supreme YT); C/C (Charisma OA2 + Charisma A2); C/D (Charisma OA2 + Durafill VS A2); C/S (Charisma OA2 + Filtek Supreme YT); H/H (Herculite XRV B2D + Herculite XRV B2E); H/D (Herculite XRV B2D + Durafill VS A2); H/S (Herculite XRV B2D + Filtek Supreme YT). Shear tests were carried out using universal mechanical test equipment with a load of 200 kgf and speed of 0.5 mm/min. Ultimate shear strength data (MPa) from all tested groups were submitted to analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) and the Tukey test. The fractured surfaces of the test samples were visually evaluated by binocular stereomicroscope at 20 times magnification. Fractures were classified as either adhesive or cohesive or mixed.Results: The highest ultimate shear strength observed for composite-composite associations was found for the groups: Z/Z, C/S, H/H, H/S, Z/S and C/C. Those associations containing the Durafill resin were weaker than the others.Conclusion: Microparticle RBC associations presented lower shear strength than hybrid and/or nanoparticle RBC associations, once the only significant difference was found when the Durafill resin was involved. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of the Possibility of Removing Staining by Repolishing Composite Resins Submitted to Artificial Aging

This in vitro research verified the possibility of eliminating staining caused by coffee and red wine in five composite resins, after being submitted to thermal cycling. Thirty-six specimens were prepared and immersed in water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours. After polishing, specimen color was measured in a spectrophotometer Cintra 10 UV (Visible Spectrometer, GBC, Braeside, VIC, Australia). All specimens were submitted to thermal cycling at temperatures of 5 and 55 degrees C with a dwell time of 1 minute, for 1,000 cycles in a 75% ethanol/water solution. After thermal cycling, the specimens were immersed in water at 37 degrees C until 7 days had elapsed from the time the specimens were prepared. All specimens were then taken to the spectrophotometer for color measurement. The specimens were divided into three groups (N = 12): distilled water (control), coffee, and red wine. For the staining process to occur on only one surface, all the sides, except one, of the surfaces were isolated with white wax. The specimens were immersed in one of the solutions at 37 degrees C for 14 days. The specimens were dried and taken to the spectrophotometer for color measurement. After this, the specimens were submitted to 20 mu m wear three times, and the color was measured after each one of the wear procedures. Calculation of the color difference was made using CIEDE2000 formula. According to the methodology used in this research, it was concluded that the staining caused by coffee and red wine was superficial and one wear of 20 mu m was sufficient to remove the discoloration.