Utilização de biossurfactante e surfactante químico para dessorção de óleo presente em vermiculita hidrofobizada: estudo comparativo

A number of methods and products have been developed in order to eliminate or reduce the negative effects that hydrocarbons cause to the environment, including hydrophobic expanded vermiculite, used in oil residue filtering systems at gas stations. However, upon adsorbing organic compounds, the vermiculite is no longer used and is sent to landfills. The aim of the present study was to wash granular and powdered vermiculite containing oil lubricant in its pores with distilled water and solutions of 0.1% SDS surfactant and rhamnolipids, with the aim of removing the lubricant and the possibility of reusing the mineral. The greatest amount of lubricant removal was obtained through washing with 0.1% SDS and both granulometric forms. This may be associated to the industrial purification received by the surfactant. However, the biosurfactant is ecologically more viable due to its low toxicity and ease of degradability. In the readsorption tests, greatest adsorption was obtained with the granular vermiculite washed in SDS solution. In order to enable the reuse of the mineral, further tests are needed to enhance desorption/adsorption efficiency.

Técnicas associadas à biotecnologia da reprodução para minimizar os efeitos do estresse térmico e aumentar a fertilidade em vacas leiteiras de alta produção

The dairy sector has undergone considerable economic losses due to low fertility rates due to adverse effects of heat stress on reproduction of cows. Genetic selection for increased production, coupled with the expanding dairy to tropical areas of the planet, and global warming has further aggravated the problem of heat stress. The effects of heat stress are multifactorial and act directly or indirectly at various levels of reproductive tissues, resulting in low fertility of cows, which in practice, results in reduced reproductive efficiency in the property, reducing the producers’ profit. Some strategies related to breeding biotechnology such as fixed-time artificial insemination, embryo transfer and use of BST, can minimize these effects and improve the reproductive efficiency of the herd

Diferentes métodos de diagnóstico molecular na diferenciação das espécies de Sarcocystis spp

The Sarcocystis genus includes obligatory two-host life cycle protozoan parasites. It is the most numerous of the six genera of the Sarcocystidae family. The infection caused by parasites of this genus is a zoonotic and cosmopolitan disease known as sarcosistosis or sarcosporidiosis. The sarcositosis though frequently asymptomatic in its definitive hosts can be fatal in its intermediate hosts. The usual diagnoses of sarcosistosis takes place through a histological demonstration of schizonts in blood vessels and organs, and the presence of cysts in muscle tissue by necropsy or biopsy, this second method still more common and based on morphological features of the sarcocyst. However, these methods can be inadequate to a precise identification of the infector species once that, besides the genus being of numerous species, these often present similar morphological features. Another factor that makes the diagnostic more difficult is the non specificity of some Sacocystis species to their hosts. Consequently, molecular diagnostic methods have been used in order to identify the infector species and the parasite specific biological cycles, demonstrating also new species and coevolutive aspects between parasite and host. Among the most employed molecular techniques the Polimerase Chain Reaction (PCR), the nested-PCR and the Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) stands out

Geofísica aplicada no diagnóstico preliminar do antigo lixão do município de Rio Claro - SP

The issue of solid waste disposal and urban growth are conflictive, since the areas where old uncontrolled refuse disposal were away from the city today are incorporated to the urban area population. Thus, now population is closer to the degradation of contaminants coming from waste disposal, and, in some cases, these areas become housing subdivisions. This work aims to support the diagnosis of a former landfill in the municipality of Rio Claro (SP), using geophysical methods through resistivity anomalies. In order to develop the diagnostic, it was utilized water and soil analysis of a preliminary report and techniques of vertical electrical sounding and electrical profiling. The areas influenced by the garbage presented less resistivity than the one of the natural subsoil. Through the interpretation of results, the local potentiometric map was elaborated, as well as a map of calculated resistivity. The interpretation of these products indicated a disagreement between the groundwater flow and the current topography, leading to an identification of a preferential direction of the contamination plume in the NE-SW. These observations prove the applicability of geoelectrical methods in areas of former waste disposal with little information.

Estudo de um caso de tratamento de câncer com um produto alternativo às técnicas convencionais

This work consists of a case study, a qualitative methodology, which aims to show the effects of TIVALLEC, a supplement in vitamins, as an alternative treatment of cancer. This study had also the objective of evaluating one patient’s quality of life thirteen years after being diagnosed with an advanced prostate cancer, and having decided for an alternative treatment using TIVALLEC instead of conventional treatments, having obtained excellent results. An open interview was conducted with patient, evaluating various aspects of his life after the initial diagnosis and the chosen treatment. The answers were transcribed after being limitedly edited for readability. At the end of the study, with the support of recent literature, the interview allowed the conclusion that TIVALLEC was greatly effective, creating good quality of life and wellness for the patient during all the period of thirteen year after the diagnosis up to now. These alternative treatment results may be seen as demanding new studies to help cancer patients who embrace or not the conventional treatments

Comparação da sensibilidade da técnica parasitológica (OPG) e da PCR para o diagnóstico de Strongyloides venezuelensis em fezes de ratos (Rattus norvegicus) da linhagem Lewis infectados experimentalmente

Espécies do gênero Strongyloides são importantes parasitas de humanos e animais domésticos e aquelas que parasitam roedores são freqüentemente utilizadas como modelos experimentais para o estudo da estrongiloidíase. S. venezuelensis parasita ratos (Rattus norvegicus) e seu estudo tem permitido o entendimento de mecanismos imunológicos envolvidos na relação parasita–hospedeiro da estrongiloidíase humana e animal. O diagnóstico parasitológico de S. venezuelensis pode ser realizado pela detecção de ovos embrionados nas fezes, com o uso do OPG (ovos por grama de fezes), também empregado no monitoramento da infecção. Entretanto, essa técnica se mostra pouco sensível quando a carga parasitária é leve. Os métodos moleculares aumentam a sensibilidade e a especificidade das análises. A PCR tem se mostrado como uma técnica sensível e precisa na detecção de parasitas em tecidos e fezes de hospedeiros infectados. A fim de comparar a sensibilidade das técnicas de OPG e PCR em ratos Lewis infectados por S. venezuelensis, foram realizados dois protocolos no presente estudo. No Protocolo I foi comparada a sensibilidade das duas técnicas em amostras de ratos Lewis com diferentes cargas parasitárias. A PCR com o emprego par de primers descrito por Dorris et al. (2002) obteve melhores resultados que o OPG nos grupos inoculados com 40 L3, considerada como infecção leve. Entretanto, não foi verificada diferença estatística significativa entre as técnicas (P>0,05), provavelmente por terem sido utilizados poucos animais (n=10). O outro par de primers utilizado foi desenhado a partir de uma seqüência parcial do gene do rDNA de S. venezuelensis e não foi capaz de detectar a presença do DNA do helminto em nenhuma amostra desse grupo. Já nos grupos inoculados com 400 e 4000 L3, tanto a PCR com...(Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)

Enfermidades genéticas com mutações caracterizadas em bovinos

The genetic inheritance, beyond determining the regular features of all the live beings, can also be the cause of diseases, called as hereditary or genetic diseases. In the case of livestock, especially cattle, little genetic variation, by the use of the same sires for a long time, can facilitate the emergence of problems. In this study, we reviewed eight of the most important genetic diseases in cattle herds around the world, whose mutation has already been characterized. Some of these diseases are reported in Brazil, but there are few studies and articles on this subject, due to the difficulty of a definitive diagnosis, which often is only possible with the use of molecular biology techniques. The knowledge of the disorders and the correct diagnosis are essential to initiate an action plan aimed at eradicating them

Utilização de gonadotropina coriônica equina em protocolos de inseminação artificial em tempo fixo em bovinos de corte

Current cattlemen must seek methods to maximum reproductive efficiency of their beef herds, making the business competitive and enhancing greater profitability. For the cow-calf producers, efficiency translates into more cows producing one calf every year. Fixed-time artificial insemination (TAI) is one of several technologies that producers utilize to reach this goal. Postpartum anestrus is one of the biggest obstacles to overcome in order to obtain suitable results at the end of the breeding season. The TAI protocols are efficient in re-establishing cyclicity in noncycling cows during the postpartum period, streamlining the use of labor on farms, allowing the use of artificial insemination (AI) on a large scale, and introducing superior genetics to the herd. The protocols that are most commonly used in Brazil are based on progesterone (P4) releasing devices that prevent premature estrus and ovulation; and estradiol (E2) to synchronize the initiation of a new follicular wave. In such protocols, administration of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) helps the development of the follicle, increases ovulation rate, improves the endocrine and uterine environment during proestrus and diestrus, and improves fertility. The use of eCG in TAI protocols for suckled cows, non-lactating cows and heifers increases the pregnancy rate allowing more calves at the end of the breeding season and higher profitability to the cattlemen

Diagnóstico molecular da alteração mutagênica nt 230 (del4) no gene MDR1 em cães

P-glycoprotein is an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-driven drug efflux carrier responsible for transport of xenobiotics and multiple classes of drugs, many usually use in veterinary medicine. Encoded by MDR1 gene, also referred to as ABCB1, located on chromosome 14, is expressed in many tissues with secretory or excretory functions, such as liver, kidney and intestine, where it limits drug absorption from the gut and promotes drug excretion into the bile and urine of their substrates. In 2001, a 4 base pair gene deletion mutation in the canine MDR1 gene was identified as MDR1-1▲, ABCB1-1▲, MDR1 MDR1 nt 230 (del4) and associated with an non-functional Pglycoprotein. The clinical correlation is the (hyper) sensitivity of certain dogs breeds, mostly collies, to a few classes of drugs such as anticancer drugs (doxorubicin, vincristine, vinblastine), immunosuppressants (cyclosporine), antiparasitic drugs (ivermectin, moxidectin), steroids hormones (aldosterone, cortisol, dexamethasone), antimicrobial agents (tetracycline, doxycycline, levofloxacin, ketoconazole, itraconazole), analgesics (morphine, methadone), antidiarrheals (loperamide), antiepileptic agents (phenothiazine), cardiac drugs (digoxin, diltiazem, verapamil, talinolol) and others. Dogs with homozygous MDR1 nt 230 (del4) MDR1 mutations (MDR1 - / -) have a higher predisposition to intoxication with substrates of P-gp than heterozygous (MDR1 + / -) and these are more likely than dogs homozygous nonmutant (MDR1 +/ +). After the identification of nt230 (del4) mutation, several molecular techniques have been developed for identification of mutant animals as a diagnostic method. The importance of molecular diagnosis is, after the identification of mutant animals, establish treatment protocols safe, exclude this animals from reproduction (genetic selection program) and investigating the history of adverse drugs reactions... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Matemática comercial e financeira com a utilização de recursos digitais: uma experiência no ensino médio

This work aimed to investigate the possible contributions of the use of digital resources in the teaching and learning process of Commercial and Financial Mathematics concepts to high school students. Its development has included a survey of some researches on the topic as well as an experimental study of a qualitative type, in which the Webquest was used as methodology. It uses the computer, more precisely the internet resources, to assist students in building up knowledge. Eight meetings were held, in the after-school period, with a group of students of the second year of high school at a state public school in the city of Guaratinguetá. Aiming to evaluate the knowledge that students had about the theme, it was applied a diagnosis at first glance for further analysis and development of activities and interventions according to the students’ answers. Once the research data was analyzed, it was noted that the students had little knowledge regarding the basic contents of Commercial and Financial Mathematics, in addition to presenting difficulties in handling some of the digital resources used in the meetings. Nonetheless, from the students’ works, it was seen significant advances in understanding and building up knowledge on concepts such as percentage, simple and compound interest, savings, and sales involving prompt payment or in arrears

Bioengenharia no controle de processos erosivos de áreas de hidrelétricas – o caso da PCH Costa Rica (MS)

The crescent increasing demand of the electric power in Brazil has stimulated the implantation of Small Central Hydroelectric Power (SCHP) in several regions of the country. However, the silting up of the reservoirs is one of the main problems faced by hydroelectric power plants and SCHP. In this context, this research aimed evaluate the phenomenology and propose the enforcement of appropriate bioengineering techniques to control the intense erosive process of the hydrographical basin of the “Alto Rio Sucuriú,” that cause silting up of the reservoirs of the SCHP Costa Rica, located in the municipal district of Costa Rica (MS). In order to identify the phenomenology of the main falling in of this basin, a diagnosis of the conditions of the physical environment of the region (climate, geology, pedology, hydrology, and use of the ground) was realized. A surveying was also realized to specify the geometric feature of the falling in using the Total Station of the Ruide brand, series RTS 860R and the geodetic GPS of the Ashtech brand and the data obtained was used on the preparation of the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the falling in. Based on this diagnosis an official register of the falling in was done with identification of the different types of present erosion. Due to the advanced erosive stage of the falling in researched, the use of bioengineering techniques could be the best solution considering that the traditional engineering techniques make use of heavy material like concrete, iron and large machines that besides causing higher impact to the natural and esthetic aspects of the environment also require a higher investment of capital. This research establish a great cooperation to the knowledge of the erosive process and of the rehabilitation of the degraded areas with application of bioengineering techniques not only hydrographical basin of “Alto Rio Sucuriú” but also to other basins that show similar situation

Caracterização e mapeamento da cultura da cana-de-açúcar no município de Rio Claro (SP) por meio de técnicas de sensoriamento remoto e sistemas de informações geográficas

This paper discusses about the use of remote sensing image and processing digital images tools for mapping and assessing the effect on the biomass of the culture of sugar cane in the city of Rio Claro. We used satellite images from CBERS in the passages of 19/04/2009 and 23/09/08, which correspond respectively to the stages where the sugar cane appeared in growing and adult pre-harvest stage. In these images, we applied procedures of digital processing, as the application of the procedures for extending linear contrast, radiometric normalization, Normalized Vegetation Index (NDVI) and pixel by pixel classification by ISOSEG through of the software SPRING. As a result we obtained mapping of the distribution and development stages of the culture of sugar cane in the city of Rio Claro and the mapping of the existing biomass of this culture, showing that the method used to assess the relative effect on biomass in culture of sugar cane was efficient, and that images of low-medium resolution are not the most suitable for the mapping of this culture

Análise de dez anos de utilização de serviços de saúde por uma coorte de pacientes diagnosticados com hipertensão arterial, no CSE - Botucatu, em 1995

The arterial hypertension is a chronic disease, which can be controlled by changing the way of life, as well as by drug treatment, which demand specific Health Care sequence. The lack of adherence to sequence/treatment is one of the main obstacles the disease control. Characterize and analyze the profile of Health Care usage by a 192 patient cohort diagnosed with arterial hypertension in 1995, between the period of 2001 – 2005 and 2006 – 2010. It is a longitudinal study, retrospective and descriptive developed on School Health Center(SHC) which belongs to School of Medicine Botucatu –UNESP, in continuity of the previous research which has analyzed the sequence of the referred sample between the period of 1995 – 1999. The database was obtained from the patients records by using structured adapted forms appointed in the previous study phase. In the case there were transfers to other Health Care facilities, the database was obtained by the records either, while the patients attended the CSE. The database was analyzed by means of descriptive statistics. Predominated the patients in the age from 50 – 69 (47,9%), whites (93,2%), female (56,7%) with low level of education (72,7%). In the period of 2001 - 2005, 76 (39,5%) of the patients remained under sequence, and that 44 (22,9%) belonged to adherence group (GAD), 17 belonged to abandonment/adherent group (GAB/GAD) and 15 to the abandonment group (GAB), groups which were already identified by the study which has analyzed the period of 1995 – 1999. At the end of the third period of the sample sequence (2006 – 2010), 60 (31,2%) of the patients kept under medical sequence. The cohort’s mortality rate in the period reached 15,1% and 21,9% were transferred to other Municipal Health Care facilities. We conclude that the Health Care service usage by the 192 sample’s integrants kept the same model already identified in the previous analysis... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Aplicação de técnicas de geoprocessamento para a avaliação da expansão urbana no municípo de Duque de Caxias (RJ) como subsídio ao monitoramento de dutos: trecho da faixa de dutos Rio de Janeiro - Belo Horizonte

Different forms of human pressure may occur in the pipeline ranges, due to the large extensions and various configurations of land use, which can pass through the pipelines. Due to the dynamics of these pressures, it is necessary to monitor temporal changes of land use and cover the surface. Under this theme, appears as extremely important to use products and techniques of remote sensing, as they allow the identification of objects of the land surface that may compromise the security and monitoring of the pipeline, and allows the extraction of information conditions on land use at different periods of time. Based on the above, this paper aims to examine in a temporal approach, the process of urban expansion in the municipality of Duque de Caxias, located on the outskirts of the metropolitan area of the state of Rio de Janeiro, as well as settlement patterns characteristic of areas that the changes occurred in the period 1987 to 2010. We used the technique of visual analysis to perform the change detection and the technique of image classification, aimed at monitoring human pressure over a stretch of track pipeline Rio de Janeiro - Belo Horizonte, located in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The stages of work involved the characterization of the study area, urban sprawl and the existing settlement patterns, through the analysis of bibliographic data. The processing of Landsat 5 images and the application of the technique of change detection were performed in three scenes for the years 1987, 1998 and 2010, while the classification process was performed on the image RapidEye for the year 2010. Can be noted an increase in urban area of approximately 22.38% and the change of land cover from natural to built. This growth is concentrated outside to the area of direct influence of the duct, occurring in the area of indirect influence of the enterprise. Regarding the settlement patterns of growth areas, it was observed that these are predominantly

Valores de referência da atividade da enzima iduronato-2-sulfatase para o diagnóstico de mucopolissacaridose II

Mucopolissacaridoses são erros inatos do metabolismo nos quais a deficiência ou falta de uma enzima faz com que os glicosaminoglicanos não sejam degradados e se acumulem nos lisossomos. O acúmulo se dá em todos os tecidos, dessa forma, a sintomatologia é multissistêmica e de gravidade variável. Essas características, unidas à baixa frequência, fazem com que a doença seja subdiagnosticada. O estudo teve como objetivo padronizar uma técnica laboratorial para a dosagem da atividade enzimática da iduronato-2-sulfatase, enzima alterada na mucopolissacaridose de tipo II, em gota seca em papel filtro (GSPF) por método fluorimétrico, tendo como material de referência a técnica em leucócitos. Os valores obtidos dos indivíduos saudáveis variaram entre 1,830-16,860 μmol/L/h em leucócitos e entre 2,710-17,360 μmol/L/h em GSPF, contra 0,650-3,060 μmol/L/h dos afetados em GSPF, que tiveram uma atividade entre 0,020-0,000 μmol/L/h em leucócitos. O melhor valor de corte, levando em consideração sensibilidade e especificidade, foi de 3,48 μmol/L/h. Este estudo possibilitou determinar o intervalo de referência da atividade da enzima iduronato-2-sulfatase em GSPF para a população brasileira, assim como validar as técnicas em leucócitos e GSPF