Saliva: reflection of the body

Saliva has become an important resource for evaluating physiological and pathological conditions in humans. The use of saliva has many advantages, including the simple and non-invasive method of collection and its easy, low-cost storage. With the addition of modern techniques and chemical instrumentation equipment, there has been an increase in its use for laboratory investigations, applicable for basic and clinical analyses in the fields of medicine and dentistry. The value of these methods for the diagnosis of oral and systemic diseases has been the subject of study by several researchers with the aim of increasing its use alongside complementary exams. (C) 2009 International Society for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Aldosterone is not Involved in the Ventricular Remodeling Process Induced by Tobacco Smoke Exposure

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

Population biology of Uca thayeri Rathbun, 1900 (Brachyura, Ocypodidae) in a subtropical South American mangrove area: Results from transect and catch-per-unit-effort techniques

The population biology of Uca thayeri was studied in a subtropical mangrove in Ubatuba, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Two sampling techniques were used: transect sampling and catch-per-unit-effort. Size frequency distribution, sex-ratio, and reproductive period were analysed. For juvenile crabs (CW < 4.6 mm), the transect procedure was most efficient, while ovigerous females were most collected during the capture effort. Males were most numerous in the transect technique, while in the catch-per-unit-effort there was no difference between sexes. The species showed a different size frequency distribution for each sampling procedure. The reproduction of U. thayeri is seasonal, being more pronounced in the warmer months of the year. However, juveniles occurred all over the year, although more numerous in the colder months. The success of the species in reproductive activity and the constant colonization of the area can be attributed to the availability of food resources and differential occupation of the habitat by ovigerous females.

Differential transcription of ribosomal cistrons denoting nucleolar dominance in hybrids of Drosophila mulleri and Drosophila navojoa (mulleri complex, Repleta group)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

A review of new vibration issues due to non-ideal energy sources

We analyze the dynamical coupling between energy sources and structural response that must not be ignored in real engineering problems, since real motors have limited output power. We present models of certain problems that render descriptions that are closer to real situations encountered in practice.

Stability of differential equations with piecewise constant argument via discrete equations

Lyapunov stability for a class of differential equation with piecewise constant argument (EPCA) is considered by means of the stability of a discrete equation. Applications to some nonlinear autonomous equations are given improving some linear known cases.

Correlations between differences in amino-terminal sequences and different hemolytic activity of sticholysins

Sticholysins I and II (St I and St II) are cytolysins produced by the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus. In spite of their 93% sequence homology, St II is more hemolytic against human erythrocytes than St 1. In order to establish the possible causes of this difference, we studied the hemolytic activity of synthetic peptides containing sequences from the N-termini of both proteins. The results demonstrated that the differences in hemolytic activity of the toxins could be ascribed at least partly to differences in their N-termini. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Estimativas de herdabilidade e proposição de índices de seleção em Hereford no Rio Grande do Sul

A total of 8,064 records from weaning weights and conformation scores traits of calves nearly seven month-old were studied. The study included animals from 22 herds from state of Rio Grande do Sul, borned from 1973 to 1985 which were raised on pastures. The weaning weight adjusted to 205-day weight and fat deposition and the relation size-length of body were scored subjectively in a scale from zero to ten. The dates 205-day weight, fat deposition and relation size-length of body were 137.00 +/- .20 kg; 6.38 +/- 01 and 6.77 +/- 01 grades, respectively. The heritability estimates were .25 +/- .03, .38 +/- 04 and .37 +/- 04, respectively. The selection index was more efficient than direct phenotypic selection and this study also indicates that general selection index is not adequated to use it in all farms, and it is not necessary to have accurate economic values. The most important parameters to get good selection are reliable estimates of genetic and phenotypic variances and covariances.

The relationship between differential equations with piecewise constant argument and the associated discrete equations, via dichotomic maps

Dichotomic maps are considered by means of the stability and asymptotic stability of the null solution of a class of differential equations with argument [t] via associated discrete equations, where [.] designates the greatest integer function.

On dichotomic maps for non autonomous discrete equations

A new procedure is given for the study of stability and asymptotic stability of the null solution of the non autonomous discrete equations by the method of dichotomic maps, which it includes Liapunov's Method asa special case. Examples are given to illustrate the application of the method.

Thermal and photochemical stability of poly(vinyl alcohol)/modified lignin blends

A kraft lignin derivative (KLD) obtained by reaction with p-aminobenzoic acid/phthalic anhydride was blended with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) by solution casting from DMSO. PVA and PVA/KLD films were exposed to ultraviolet radiation (24, 48, and 96 h) and analyzed by thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance (H-1 NMR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). PVA films show a loss of thermal stability due to irradiation. PVA/KLD reveals greater thermal stability than PVA and an increase in thermal stability after irradiation. These results suggest that the incorporation of KLD into PVA provides a gain in thermal and photochemical stability. FTIR, H-1 NMR, DSC, and TG results obtained for the blends suggest that intermolecular interactions between PVA and KLD chains are present. SEM micrographs revealed blend miscibility for a KLD blend content of up to 15 wt%, as observed at magnification of 1000 times. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.