Microsatellite loci for the carpenter bee Xylocopa frontalis (Apidae, Xylocopini)

In the present study, a microsatellite-enriched genomic library was constructed and primers for 14 microsatellite loci were designed for Xylocopa frontalis. Twenty unrelated individuals were screened. All loci were polymorphic and the number of alleles per locus ranged from 6 to 17 (x = 10.43). Observed (H-o) and expected (H-e) heterozygosities ranged from 0.350 to 0.950 and 0.674 to 0.898, respectively. All loci were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, except one. The microsatellite loci described in this study will contribute towards general biology studies of X. frontalis, intranidal genetic relationships and nest management for the pollination of passion fruit.

Evaluation of the Sensitivity of Freshwater Organisms Used in Toxicity Tests of Wastewater from Explosives Company

Explosives industries are a source of toxic discharge. The aim of this study was to compare organisms sensitivity (Daphnia similis, Danio rerio, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas putida) in detecting acute toxicity in wastewater from two explosives, 2,4,6-TNT (TNT) and nitrocellulose. The samples were collected from an explosives company in the Paraiba Valley, So Paulo, Brazil. The effluents from TNT and nitrocellulose production were very toxic for tested organisms. Statistical tests indicated that D. similis and D. rerio were the most sensitive organisms for toxicity detection in effluents from 2,4,6-TNT and nitrocellulose production. The P. putida bacteria was the organism considered the least sensitive in indicating toxicity in effluents from nitrocellulose.

Effective Properties Evaluation for Smart Composite Materials

The purpose of this article is to present a method which consists in the development of unit cell numerical models for smart composite materials with piezoelectric fibers made of PZT embedded in a non-piezoelectric matrix (epoxy resin). This method evaluates a globally homogeneous medium equivalent to the original composite, using a representative volume element (RVE). The suitable boundary conditions allow the simulation of all modes of the overall deformation arising from any arbitrary combination of mechanical and electrical loading. In the first instance, the unit cell is applied to predict the effective material coefficients of the transversely isotropic piezoelectric composite with circular cross section fibers. The numerical results are compared to other methods reported in the literature and also to results previously published, in order to evaluate the method proposal. In the second step, the method is applied to calculate the equivalent properties for smart composite materials with square cross section fibers. Results of comparison between different combinations of circular and square fiber geometries, observing the influence of the boundary conditions and arrangements are presented.

Cardiac Rhythm Disturbances Associated with Amlodipine Acute Intoxication

Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist extensively used for the treatment of arterial hypertension, with predominant effect on the peripheral vascular territory. In most cases of severe intoxication, important hypotension and reflex tachycardia are usually observed. We report a case of young man with severe amlodipine intoxication that developed important bradyarrhythmias, such as low atrial rhythm, prolonged PR interval, atrioventricular block, and left bundle branch block. These rhythm disturbances suggest that, during acute intoxication, dihydropyridine loses its selective action on the vascular territory and can depress automatism and conduction of cardiac electrical stimulus.

Cysticercosis in experimentally and naturally infected pigs: Parasitological and immunological diagnosis

Silva M. R. M., Uyhara C.N.S., Silva F. H., Espindola N.M., Poleti M. D., Vaz A.J., Meirelles F. V. & Maia A. A. M. 2012. Cysticercosis in experimentally and naturally infected pigs: Parasitological and immunological diagnosis. Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira 32(4): 297-302. Departamento de Ciencias Basicas, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Duque de Caxias Norte 225, Pirassununga, SP 13635-900, Brazil. E-mail: antomaia@usp.br. Our objective was to evaluate the diagnosis of swine cysticercosis by examining "ante mortem" (inspection of the tongue), "post mortem" (inspection and detailed necropsy) and ELISA for research in serum of antibodies (Ab-ELISA) and antigens (Ag-ELISA). Seven (7) pigs were experimentally infected orally with eggs of Taenia solium and another 10 were naturally infected. In the pigs experimentally infected, inspection of the tongue was negative in all animals, in the routine inspection detailed necropsy and cysticercis were identified in all of them. In pigs with heavy natural infection, inspection of the tongue identified cysticerci in two (20%), while at inspection with necropsy the parasites were identified in large quantities in all animals. In ELISA for antibody search (Ab-ELISA) TS-14 recombinant protein was used, and in search for antigen (Ag-ELISA) a monoclonal antibody against this protein. In animals experimentally infected, blood was collected weekly for 140 days. The Ab-ELISA identified an increase in titers of antibody to cysticerci 21 days after infection, and at the end of the experimental period six animals (86%) were positive to the test. The search for circulating antigens (Ag-ELISA) was positive in two pigs 28 to 91 days after infection. All naturally infected pigs were positive for Ag-ELISA and Ab-ELISA. The search for antibodies and antigens by ELISA in serum from 30 pigs of a local farm and without history of cysticercosis was negative. Thus, the use of TS-14 antigen in ELISA test (Ab-ELISA) can be useful for the diagnosis of cysticercosis in pigs with low infection.

Duodenal stenting for malignant gastric outlet obstruction: Prospective study

AIM: To evaluate the results of duodenal stenting for palliation of gastroduodenal malignant obstruction by using a gastric outlet obstruction score (GOOS). METHODS: A prospective, non-randomized study was performed at a tertiary center between August 2005 and April 2010. Patients were eligible if they had malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) and were not candidates for surgical treatment. Medical history and patient demographics were collected at baseline. Scheduled interviews were made on the day of the procedure and 15, 30, 90 and 180 d later or unscheduled as necessary. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (6 male, 9 female; median age 61 years) with GOO who had undergone duodenal stenting were evaluated. Ten patients had metastasis at baseline (66.6%) and 14 were unable to accept oral intake (93.33%), including 7 patients who were using a feeding tube. Laboratory data showed biliary obstruction in eight cases (53.33%); all were submitted to biliary drainage. Two patients developed obstructive symptoms due to tumor ingrowth after 30 d and another due to tumor overgrowth after 180 d. Two cases of stent migration occurred. A good response to treatment was observed, with a mean time of approximately 1 d (19 h) until toleration of a liquid diet and slightly more than 2 d for both soft solids (51 h) and a solid food/normal diet (55 h). The mean time to first failure to maintain liquid intake (GODS >= 1) was 93 d. During follow-up, the mean time to first failure to maintain the previously achieved GODS of 2-3 (solid/semi-solid food), considered technical failure, was 71 d. On the basis of oral intake a GODS is defined: 0 for no oral intake; 1 for liquids only; 2 for soft solids only; 3 for low-residue or full diet. CONCLUSION: Enteral stenting to alleviate gastroduodenal malignant obstruction improves quality of life in patients with limited life expectancy, which can be evaluated by using a GOO scoring system. (C) 2012 Baishideng. All rights reserved.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of endoglucanase III from Trichoderma harzianum

Endoglucanases are enzymes that hydrolyze cellulose and are important components of the cellulolytic complex. In contrast to other members of the complex, they cleave internal beta-1,4-glycosidic bonds in the cellulose polymer, allowing cellulose to be used as an energy source. Since biomass is an important renewable source of energy, the structural and functional characterization of these enzymes is of interest. In this study, endoglucanase III from Trichoderma harzianum was produced in Pichia pastoris and purified. Crystals belonging to the orthorhombic space group P212121, with unit-cell parameters a = 47.54, b = 55.57, c = 157.3 angstrom, were obtained by the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method and an X-ray diffraction data set was collected to 2.07 angstrom resolution.

Pulmonary root translocation in malposition of great arteries repair allows right ventricular outflow tract growth

Objective: Optimal surgical treatment of patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA), ventricular septal defect (VSD), and pulmonary stenosis (PS) remains a matter of debate. This study evaluated the clinical outcome and right ventricle outflow tract performance in the long-term follow-up of patients subjected to pulmonary root translocation (PRT) as part of their surgical repair. Methods: From April 1994 to December 2010, we operated on 44 consecutive patients (median age, 11 months). All had malposition of the great arteries as follows: TGA with VSD and PS (n = 33); double-outlet right ventricle with subpulmonary VSD (n = 7); double-outlet right ventricle with atrioventricular septal defect (n = 1); and congenitally corrected TGA with VSD and PS (n 3). The surgical technique consisted of PRT from the left ventricle to the right ventricle after construction of an intraventricular tunnel that diverted blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta. Results: The mean follow-up time was 72 +/- 52.1 months. There were 3 (6.8%) early deaths and 1 (2.3%) late death. Kaplan-Meier survival was 92.8% and reintervention-free survival was 82.9% at 12 years. Repeat echocardiographic data showed nonlinear growth of the pulmonary root and good performance of the valve at 10 years. Only 4 patients required reinterventions owing to right ventricular outflow tract problems. Conclusions: PRT is a good surgical alternative for treatment of patients with TGA complexes, VSD, and PS, with acceptable operative risk, high long-term survivals, and few reinterventions. Most patients had adequate pulmonary root growth and performance. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2012;143:1292-8)

Histologic and functional evaluation of lungs reconditioned by ex vivo lung perfusion

BACKGROUND: Only about 15% of donor lungs are considered suitable for transplantation (LTx). Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) has been developed as a method to reassess and repair damaged lungs. We report our experience with EVLP in non-acceptable donor lungs and evaluate its ability to recondition these lungs. METHODS: We studied lungs from 16 brain-dead donors rejected for LTx. After harvesting, the lungs were stored at 4 degrees C for 10 hours and subjected to normothermic EVLP with Steen Solution (Vitro life, Goteborg, Sweden) for 60 minutes. For functional evaluation, the following variables were assessed: partial pressure of arterial oxygen (Pao(2)), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), and lung compliance (LC). For histologic assessment, lung biopsy was done before harvest and after EVLP. Tissue samples were examined under light microscopy. To detect and quantify apoptosis, terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated deoxy uridine triphosphate nick-end labeling assay was used. RESULTS: Thirteen lima donors were refused for having impaired lung function. The mean Pao(2) obtained in the organ donor at the referring hospital was 193.7 mm Hg and rose to 489 mm Hg after EVLP. During EVLP, the mean PVR was 652.5 dynes/sec/cm(5) and the mean LC was 48 ml/cm H2O. There was no significant difference between the mean Lung Injury Score before harvest and after EVLP. There was a trend toward a reduction in the median number of apoptotic cells after EVLP. CONCLUSIONS: EVLP improved lung function (oxygenation capacity) of organs considered unsuitable for transplantation. Lung tissue structure did not deteriorate even after 1 hour of normothermic perfusion. J Heart Lung Transplant 2012;31:305-9 (C) 2012 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. All rights reserved.

Hereditary Autoinflammatory Syndromes: A Brazilian Multicenter Study

To evaluate the prevalence of genetic defects in clinically suspected autoinflammatory syndromes (AIS) in a Brazilian multicenter study. The study included 102 patients with a clinical diagnosis of Cryopyrin Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS), TNF Receptor Associated Periodic Syndrome (TRAPS), Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF), Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency (MKD) and Pediatric Granulomatous Arthritis (PGA). One of the five AIS-related genes (NLRP3, TNFRSF1A, MEFV, MVK and NOD2) was evaluated in each patient by direct DNA sequencing, based on the most probable clinical suspect. Clinical diagnoses of the 102 patients were: CAPS (n = 28), TRAPS (n = 31), FMF (n = 17), MKD (n = 17) and PGA (n = 9). Of them, 27/102 (26 %) had a confirmed genetic diagnosis: 6/28 (21 %) CAPS patients, 7/31 (23 %) TRAPS, 3/17 (18 %) FMF, 3/17 (18 %) MKD and 8/9 (89 %) PGA. We have found that approximately one third of the Brazilian patients with a clinical suspicion of AIS have a confirmed genetic diagnosis.

Microwave-assisted enzymatic synthesis of beef tallow biodiesel

Optimal conditions for the microwave-assisted enzymatic synthesis of biodiesel have been developed by a full 2(2) factorial design leading to a set of seven runs with different combinations of molar ratio and temperature. The main goal was to reduce the reaction time preliminarily established by a process of conventional heating. Reactions yielding biodiesel, in which beef tallow and ethanol used as raw materials were catalyzed by lipase from Burkholderia cepacia immobilized on silica-PVA and microwave irradiations within the range of 8-15 W were performed to reach the reaction temperature. Under optimized conditions (1:6 molar ratio of beef tallow to ethanol molar ratio at 50A degrees C) almost total conversion of the fatty acid presented in the original beef tallow was converted into ethyl esters in a reaction that required 8 h, i.e., a productivity of about 92 mg ethyl esters g(-1) h(-1). This represents an increase of sixfold for the process carried out under conventional heating. In general, the process promises low energy demand and higher biodiesel productivity. The microwave assistance speeds up the enzyme catalyzed reactions, decreases the destructive effects on the enzyme of the operational conditions such as, higher temperature, stability, and specificity to its substrate, and allows the entire reaction medium to be heated uniformly.

Effect of pulse repetition rate and number of pulses in the analysis of polypropylene and high density polyethylene by nanosecond infrared laser induced breakdown spectroscopy

Pulse repetition rates and the number of laser pulses are among the most important parameters that do affect the analysis of solid materials by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy, and the knowledge of their effects is of fundamental importance for suggesting analytical strategies when dealing with laser ablation processes of polymers. In this contribution, the influence of these parameters in the ablated mass and in the features of craters was evaluated in polypropylene and high density polyethylene plates containing pigment-based PbCrO4. Surface characterization and craters profile were carried out by perfilometry and scanning electron microscopy. Area, volume and profile of craters were obtained using Taylor Map software. A laser induced breakdown spectroscopy system consisted of a Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm, 5 ns) and an Echelle spectrometer equipped with ICCD detector were used. The evaluated operating conditions consisted of 10, 25 and 50 laser pulses at 1, 5 and 10 Hz, 250 mJ/pulse (85 J cm(-2)), 2 mu s delay time and 6 mu s integration time gate. Differences in the topographical features among craters of both polymers were observed. The decrease in the repetition rate resulted in irregular craters and formation of edges, especially in polypropylene sample. The differences in the topographical features and ablated masses were attributed to the influence of the degree of crystallinity, crystalline melting temperature and glass transition temperature in the ablation process of the high density polyethylene and polypropylene. It was also observed that the intensities of chromium and lead emission signals obtained at 10 Hz were two times higher than at 5 Hz by keeping the number of laser pulses constant. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

Negative and positive predictive values of nerve monitoring in thyroidectomy

Background Recurrent nerve injury is 1 of the most important complications of thyroidectomy. During the last decade, nerve monitoring has gained increasing acceptance in several centers as a method to predict and to document nerve function at the end of the operation. We evaluated the efficacy of a nerve monitoring system in a series of patients who underwent thyroidectomy and critically analyzed the negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive value (PPV) of the method. Methods. NIM System efficacy was prospectively analyzed in 447 patients who underwent thyroidectomy between 2001 and 2008 (366 female/81 male; 420 white/47 nonwhite; 11 to 82 years of age; median, 43 years old). There were 421 total thyroidectomies and 26 partial thyroidectomies, leading to 868 nerves at risk. The gold standard to evaluate inferior laryngeal nerve function was early postoperative videolaryngoscopy, which was repeated after 4 to 6 months in all patients with abnormal endoscopic findings. Results. At the early evaluation, 858 nerves (98.8%) presented normal videolaryngoscopic features after surgery. Ten paretic/paralyzed nerves (1.2%) were detected (2 unexpected unilateral paresis, 2 unexpected bilateral paresis, 1 unexpected unilateral paralysis, 1 unexpected bilateral paralyses, and 1 expected unilateral paralysis). At the late videolaryngoscopy, only 2 permanent nerve paralyses were noted (0.2%), with an ultimate result of 99.8% functioning nerves. Nerve monitoring showed absent or markedly reduced electrical activity at the end of the operations in 25/868 nerves (2.9%), including all 10 endoscopically compromised nerves, with 15 false-positive results. There were no false-negative results. Therefore, the PPV was 40.0%, and the NPV was 100%. Conclusions. In the present series, nerve monitoring had a very high PPV but a low NPV for the detection of recurrent nerve injury. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 34: 175-179, 2012

Implant-Supported Prosthesis Misalignment Related to the Dental Arch: A 14-Year Clinical Follow-up

The purpose of this study was to warn the dental community about a possible problem in function with partial implant-supported prostheses used for long periods. The misalignment between natural teeth and the implant-supported prosthesis on teeth 11 and 12, observed in a 14-year clinical follow-up, illustrates the fact. The metal-ceramic crowns were placed in 1995 after a rigorous occlusal adjustment. Evaluations were made at 4, 6, 9, and 14 years, when it was noticed that the restorations were positioned palatally and extruded in comparison with the natural teeth. After 9 years, a greater discrepancy was noticed, with anterior occlusion and esthetic changes. The possible causes have been discussed: occlusal problems, parafunctional habits, and natural movement. The first 2 options were discarded after clinical analysis and diagnosis. Therefore, the natural movement probably deriving from an interaction of mechanical and genetic factors might have been the cause. The implants do not have periodontal ligaments but rather ankylosis, so they do not suffer those movements. This case emphasizes the need to inform patients that implants can last more than 10 years in function, but this is not the case with restorations, which lose function and esthetics and must be replaced.

Efficacy of Cosmetic Formulations Containing Dispersion of Liposome with Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Alpha-Lipoic Acid and Kinetin

The present study aimed to evaluate the photoprotective effects of cosmetic formulations containing a dispersion of liposome with magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP), alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) and kinetin, as well as their effects on the hydration and viscoelastic skin properties. The photoprotection was determined in vitro (antioxidant activity) and in vivo on UV-irradiated hairless mouse skin. The hydration effects were performed with the application of the formulations under study on the forearm of human volunteers and skin conditions were analyzed before and after a single application and daily applications during 4 weeks in terms of transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin moisture and viscoelastic properties. The raw material under study possessed free-radical scavenging activity and the formulation with it protected hairless mouse skin barrier function against UV damage. After 4 weeks of application on human skin, the formulation under study enhanced stratum corneum skin moisture and also showed hydration effects in deeper layers of the skin. Thus, it can be concluded that the cosmetic formulation containing a dispersion of liposome with MAP, ALA and kinetin under study showed photoprotective effects in skin barrier function as well as pronounced hydration effects on human skin, which suggests that this dispersion has potential antiaging effects.