Results of prostate cancer screening in non-symptomatic men

Objectives: To verify prostate cancer prevalence in non-symptomatic men between 50 and 70 years old as well as cancer characteristics. Material and Methods: 2815 non-symptomatic men had total PSA and digital rectal examination performed between March 1998 and April 1998. Racial distribution was: 2331 Caucasians (83.9%), 373 Blacks (13.4%) and 75 Asiatic (2.7%). PSA was normal in 2554 (91.4%), 4 to 10 in 177 (6.3%) and greater than 10 in 64 (2.3%). DRE was normal in 2419 (86.3%), suspicious in 347 (12.4%) and characteristic for cancer in 37 (1.3%). Men with abnormal DRE and/or PSA had transrectal prostate biopsy indicated. Results: 461 biopsies were done and 78 tumors was detected (prevalence = 2.8%). Prevalence was progressively higher with age (p < 0.001), PSA level (p < 0.0001) and DRE findings (p = 0.0216). Cancer prevalence in Blacks was 1.65 times higher than in Caucasians (p > 0.05) and 94.9% of detected tumors were moderately or poorly differentiated. Sensibility, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and total accuracy for PSA were respectively: 66.6%; 89.7%; 51.7%; 94.2% and 86.5%. For DRE, the respective values were: 49.1%; 79.4%; 50.9%; 78.3% and 70.3%. Conclusions: prostate cancer prevalence in the studied population (2.8%) was similar to that of other countries populations. Cancer prevalence in blacks was 1.65 times higher than in Caucasians (difference was not statistically significant). Cancer prevalence becomes higher with aging. The association of DRE and PSA is of paramount importance for cancer diagnosis. The great majority of detected tumors (94.9%) was moderately and poorly differentiated. Brazil probably needs regional studies to better characterize prostate cancer epidemiology due to population heterogeneity.

Enzymes present in the thoracic gland extracts from workers and males of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

This research deals with the analysis of the enzymes present in thoracic gland extracts from newly emerged, nurse workers, forager workers, newly emerged males, and mature males of A. mellifera L. (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Apidae). The enzymes found in larger quantities in the thoracic gland occurred in all classes of workers and are digestive. Acid phosphatase and Naphtol-AS-BI-phosphohydrolase act in protein synthesis, leucine arylamidase hydrolyses proteins and a-glucosidase actuate in the nectar processing into honey. Naphtol-AS-BI-phosphohydrolase was found in larger quantities only in workers, this suggests action in protein synthesis by the thoracic gland, b-galactosidase is in larger amounts in the newly emerged bees (workers and males) this aids in the provision of other substances to be used as an energy source when glucose or sucrose are absent. Differences between enzymatic profiles from workers and males are usually related to their colony tasks, or related to their physiological necessities per individual in specific life stages.

Growth patterns of incipient colonies of Coptotermes havilandi (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae) initiated in the laboratory from swarming alates

Fifty two colonies of Coptotermes havilandi were set up under laboratory conditions using alates collected from an urban area during a period of swarming. The first artificial nest used for each royal couple was a 6cm diameter Petri dish (22ml) filled with a moistened matrix of decayed pine sawdust. After 6 months, these colonies were transferred to 250ml plastic containers with the same culturing matrix. After 24 months a census of all colonies was performed. Each young colony had a live royal pair and the population size of all colonies indicated a nonlinear development. The total population (workers + soldiers + immatures + reproductives) of these incipient colonies ranged from 64 to 1, 164, with a mean of 345 individuals. The number of workers ranged from 53 to 830 individuals, and the number of soldiers ranged from 6 to 83. The present data showed a higher population of incipient colonies than our previous record for the species. We also compared the development of 12 transferred colonies to that of 12 untransferred incipient colonies. The results showed a higher population in transferred colonies, but in both incipient colonies (transferred and untransferred) there was a wide variation in total population. The correlation between queen weight and population size was positive in all 24 colonies.

Number of larval instars of the ant Pachycondyla (=Neoponera) villosa (Formicidae: Ponerinae) determined by the rule of Dyar

In this work we present the number of larval instars in the Ponerinae ant Pachycondyla (=Neoponera) villosa. The analysis of maximal head capsule width measurement of 147 larvae was made. Four larval instars were measured: 1st instar the cephalic capsule varied from 0.18mm to 0.22mm; 2nd instar from 0.23mm to 0.27mm; 3rd instar from 0.30mm to 0.33mm and the 4th instar varied from 0.35mm to 0.38mm. The mean growth rate was 1.2375 according to the rule of Dyar. We also reviewed the number of larval instars for 35 ant species.

Morphological evaluation of combined effects of cyclosporin and nifedipine on gingival overgrowth in rats

It has previously been shown that, while cyclosporin A (CsA) and nifedipine both cause gingival overgrowth in the rat. the combined use of these drugs increases the severity of overgrowth. The aim of this study was to describe the histometry and densities of fibroblasts, collagen fibers and vessels in the gingival tissue of rats that were treated with CsA and nifedipine, either alone or in combination. Rats were treated for 60 days with a daily subcutaneous injection of 10 mg/kg body weight of CsA and/or with 50 mg/kg body weight of nifedipine added to the chow. The results confirmed that CsA causes a more severe overgrowth than nifedipine, and that the combined use of these drugs increases the overgrowth severity. All the rat groups that were studied showed that, as the severity of overgrowth increased, there was a parallel increase in fibroblasts and collagen, and a decrease in vessel content. Therefore, independently of whether the gingival overgrowth was caused by CsA alone, nifedipine alone, or both treatments in combination, the fibroblast and collagen density increased in parallel with the severity of the overgrowth. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2002.

Morphometry and sexual maturity of the tropical hermit crab Calcinus tibicen (Crustacea, Anomura) from Brazil

Ontogenetic changes in relative growth were studied in the hermit crab Calcinus tibicen in order to determine its growth phases with sexual maturity. Specimens were collected at 2-month intervals for two consecutive years. A total of 570 individuals was collected and analysed. Total mean animal size in terms of shield length was 5.14±1.23mm for males, 4.23±0.79mm for females and 4.53±0.60mm for ovigerous females. Sexual dimorphism in chela dimensions was stronger in males than in females. Differences between males and females were found in left propodus length (LPL) and height (LPH) versus shield length (SL) and wet weight (WW) versus SL relationships. Males showed a high positive allometry, while juveniles and adult females were isometric for the LPL/SL relationship. Negative allometry was observed in adult females in the LPL/SL relationship. The size at which a differentiation occurred in the growth of the chelipeds and in the weight gain of males and females was between 3.0 and 3.2mm SL, suggesting that sexual maturity occurs in small-sized individuals in the life cycle of C. tibicen.

Redescription and reevaluation of the generic status of Leptodactylus dantasi (Amphibia, Anura, Leptodactylidae) and description of its unusual advertisement call

Leptodactylus dantasi Bokermann is redescribed from adult specimens collected in Parque Nacional da Serra do Divisor, State of Acre, Brazil, near the border between the Brazilian state of Acre and Peru. We propose the inclusion of this species in the genus Hydrolaetare. A new diagnostic character observed for the genus is the presence of fringes of fingers, and fringes and webbing of toes, finely serrate; the serrate edge of the fringe and webbing can be keratinized in males, females, and subadults. Hydrolaetare dantasi (Bokermann) is characterized by robust body and limbs, a broad and depressed head, slightly shorter than wide, and long, pointed and basally webbed toes. Hydrolaetare dantasi differs from the only other species in this genus, Hydrolaetare schmidti (Cochran and Goin), mainly by having toes webbed basally (fully webbed in H. schmidti). The advertisement call of H. dantasi is composed of two components; an initial note produced by the impact of the vocal sac against the ground and a second note corresponding to a long whistle of ascending frequency. The initial note is a percussive sound and represents an unusual form of sound emission in anurans; the second note is a vocalization.

Status and promise of particle interferometry in heavy-ion collisions

After five years of running at RHIC, and on the eve of the LHC heavy-ion program, we highlight the status of femtoscopic measurements. We emphasize the role interferometry plays in addressing fundamental questions about the state of matter created in such collisions, and present an enumerated list of measurements, analyses and calculations that are needed to advance the field in the coming years.

Correlações genéticas de características de tamanho corporal e condição corporal com características de eficiência produtiva de fêmeas da raça Canchim

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Avaliaçãeo ultrassonográfica da dinâmica folicular ovariana de jumenta (equus asinus) durante o ciclo estral

The ovarian activity was accessed by ultrasound throughout 10 estrous cycles from Jennies (Marchador Brasileira). Daily ultrasound examinations were performed and the dada was retrospectively studied based on daily identification of each follicle detected. Blood samples were collected every 24 hours from ovulation (D0) until the next identified ovulation. The follicles measuring 11mm were detected and their mean diameter was registered daily using an ovarian map and permitting a retrospective evaluation of the dada, which represented the follicular growth dynamics. One and two major follicular waves were detected in six (60%) and four (40%) cycles respectively from ten estrous cycles in the present study. The primary wave emergency and follicle deviation from the cycles observed during the present study with one major follicular wave occurred at day 10.2 ± 0.75 and at day14.1 ± 0.81 and for cycles with two major waves, those events occurred at 9.0 ± 2.0 and 14.0 ± 1.15 days after ovulation. The maximum diameter of the dominant follicle at the cycles with one and two follicular waves were 37.2 ± 3.35 mm and 37.3 ± 1.1, respectively. The mean intervals from two ovulations were 23.0 ± 1.79 and 22.3 ± 1.26 days when observed in cycles with one and two major follicular waves. The maximum diameter of the dominant follicle was slightly smaller when double ovulations were observed if compared with the single ovulations (P > 0.05). It can be concluded that wave emergency period is observed around 9.6 days of the estrous cycle and the occurrence of deviation can be observed on day 14 of the estrous cycle.

Utilization of surgical trepan for the obtainment of calvarial autogenous bone graft in maxillary reconstructions

Maxillomandibular reconstructions are traditionally performed by means of autogenous bone grafts collected from intraoral donor areas and extraoral donor areas such as clavicle, iliac bone, rib, and tibia. The calvarial bone has been studied as an alternative donor area, with a low incidence of complications and minimal postoperative morbidity. Complications such as dural lacerations associated with cerebrospinal fluid leakage and extradural and subdural bleeding were minimized due to the use of surgical trepan, allowing the diploic layer delimitation before the osteotomy, preserving the internal calvarial cortical. The purpose of this article is to suggest a new technique for the obtainment of calvarial bone grafts with surgical trepan.

Effect of thermal cycling and disinfection on microhardness of acrylic resin denture base

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of thermal cycling and disinfection on the microhardness of acrylic resins denture base. Four different brands of acrylic resins were evaluated: Onda Cryl, QC 20, Classico and Lucitone. Each brand of acrylic resin was divided into four groups (n = 7) according to the disinfection method (microwave, Efferdent, 4% chlorhexidine and 1% hypochlorite). Samples were disinfected during 60 days. Before and after disinfection, samples were thermal cycled between 5-55 °C with 30-s dwell times for 1000 cycles. The microhardness was measured using a microhardener, at baseline (B), after first thermal cycling (T1), after disinfection (D) and after second thermal cycling (T2). The microhardness values of all groups reduced over time. QC-20 acrylic resin exhibited the lowest microhardness values. At B and T1 periods, the acrylic resins exhibited statistically greater microhardness values when compared to D and T2 periods. It can be concluded that the microhardness values of the acrylic resins denture base were affected by the thermal cycling and disinfection procedures. However, all microhardness values obtained herein are within acceptable clinical limits for the acrylic resins. © 2013 Informa UK Ltd.

Qualidade estrutural de um latossolo vermelho submetido à compactação

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