Granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor enhances the modulatory effect of cytokines on monocyte-derived multinucleated giant cell formation and fungicidal activity against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

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

Association of dyslipidemia with intakes of fruit and vegetables and the body fat content of adults clinically selected for a lifestyle modification program

To investigate the relationship of dyslipidemia with demographic distribution and patterns of body fat and dietary intakes. From a universe of adults clinically selected for a lifestyle modification program 979 subjects (409 males and 570 females, 52.2 +/- 9.6 years) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Overnight-fasting plasma was assayed (dry chemistry) for triglycerides (TG), total (TC) and HDL fraction of cholesterol given the non-HDL (n-HDL) fraction by the difference. Anthropometric assessment included body weight (kg), height (m), fat (bioelectrical impedance) and waist circumference (WC). Food intake was assessed by the 24-hour recall questionnaire and the food groups evaluated through recommendations from an adapted food pyramid. The chances of dyslipidemia from other variable changes were determined by logistic regression with p < 0.05. Normal values of BMI and WC were protective against all dyslipidemia markers whereas only hypercholesterolemia was influenced by diet (meat intake > 2 servings). Dietary intakes have protective effects against hypertriglyceridemia with whole grains, odds ratio (OR) 0.342 (Cl 95%, 0.154-0.760), fruits >= 3 servings (OR 0.523, 0.290-0.941) and vegetables >= 4 servings (OR 0.360, 0.176-0.735). In general total body and abdominal adiposity influenced all dystipidemia markers while dietary intake of fruits and vegetables protected against triglyceridemia.

GABA(A) receptor activation in the lateral parabrachial nucleus induces water and hypertonic NaCl intake

Inhibitory serotonergic and cholecystokinergic mechanisms in the lateral parabrachial nucleus and central GABAergic mechanisms are involved in the regulation of water and NaCl intake. In the present study we investigated if the GABA(A) receptors in the lateral parabrachial nucleus are involved in the control of water, NaCl and food intake in rats. Male Holtzman rats with stainless steel cannulas implanted bilaterally into the lateral parabrachial nucleus were used. Bilateral injections of muscimol (0.2 nmol/0.2 mu l) into the lateral parabrachial nucleus strongly increased 0.3 M NaCl (20.3 +/- 7.2 vs. saline: 2.6 +/- 0.9 ml/180 min) without changing water intake induced by the treatment with the diuretic furosemide combined with low dose of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor captopril s.c. In euhydrated and satiated rats, bilateral lateral parabrachial nucleus injections of muscimol (0.2 and 0.5 nmol/0.2 0) induced 0.3 M NaCl intake (12.1 +/- 6.5 and 32.5 +/- 7.3 ml/180 min, respectively, vs. saline: 0.4 +/- 0.2 ml/180 min) and water intake (5.2 +/- 2.0 and 7.6 +/- 2.8 ml/ 180 min, respectively, vs. saline: 0.8 +/- 0.4 ml/180 min), but no food intake (2 +/- 0.4 g/240 min vs. saline: 1 +/- 0.3 g/240 min). Bilateral lateral parabrachial nucleus injections of the GABAA antagonist bicuculline (1.6 nmol/0.2 mu l) abolished the effects of muscimol (0.5 nmol/0.2 mu l) on 0.3 M NaCl and water intake. Muscimol (0.5 nmol/0.2 mu l) into the lateral parabrachial nucleus also induced a slight ingestion of water (4.2 +/- 1.6 ml/240 min vs. saline: 1.1 +/- 0.3 ml/240 min) when only water was available, a long lasting (for at least 2 h) increase on mean arterial pressure (14 +/- 4 mm Hg, vs. saline: -1 +/- 1 mm Hg) and only a tendency to increase urinary volume and Na+ and K+ renal excretion. Therefore the activation of GABAA receptors in the lateral parabrachial nucleus induces strong NaCl intake, a small ingestion of water and pressor responses, without changes on food intake. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of IBRO.

Multidisciplinary approach for the treatment of a complicated crown-root fracture in a young patient: A case report

Crown-root fractures in permanent teeth cause esthetic and functional problems. This paper reports the case of a complicated crown-root fracture in the maxillary right central inc sor of a young patient who was treated with a multidisciplinary approach in two phases. A modified Widman flap, root canal therapy, glass fiber post cementation, and adhesive tooth fragment reattachment were performed shortly after an accident. Satisfactory esthetic and functional outcomes were obtained. However, the patient did not attend follow-up visits and returned after 7 years. During this second phase, the clinical and radiographic examination showed stability and adaptation of the fragment and good periodontal health conditions, but crown darkening and a radiolucent image associated with the root apex of the fractured tooth were also observed. The periapical lesion was surgically removed by apicoectomy, and the esthetics were recovered with a direct composite res n veneer on the traumatized tooth. (Quintessence Int 2011;42:729-735)

The use of the oxidative stress responses as biomarkers in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exposed to in vivo cadmium contamination

Water contaminants have a high potential risk for the health of populations. Protection from toxic effects of environmental water pollutants primarily involves considering the mechanism of low level toxicity and likely biological effects in organisms who live in these polluted waters. The biomarkers assessment of oxidative stress and metabolic alterations to cadmium exposure were evaluated in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. The fish were exposed to 0.35, 0.75, 1.5, and 3.0 mg/l concentrations of Cd2+ (CdCl2) in water for 60 days. Fish that survived cadmium exposure showed a metabolic shift and a compensatory development for maintenance of the body weight gain. We observed a decreased glycogen content and decreased glucose uptake in white muscle. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase (CK) activities were also decreased, indicating that the glycolytic capacity was decreased in this tissue. No alterations were observed in total protein content in white muscle due to cadmium exposure suggesting a metabolic shift of carbohydrate metabolism to maintenance of the muscle protein reserve. There was an increase in glucose uptake, CK increased activity, and a clear increase of LDH activity in red muscle of fish with cadmium exposure. Since no alterations were observed in lipoperoxide concentration, while antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were changed in the liver and the red and white muscle of fish with cadmium exposure, we can conclude that oxygen free radicals are produced as a mediator of cadmium toxicity. Resistance development is related with increased activities of antioxidant enzymes, which were important in the protection against cadmium damage, inhibiting lipoperoxide formation. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Feeding behaviour and ecosystem role of the red mangrove crab Goniopsis cruentata (Latreille, 1803) (Decapoda, Grapsoidea) in a subtropical estuary on the brazilian coast

This study provides information concerning the feeding behaviour of Goniopsis cruentata (Latreille, 1803), through analysis of stomach contents according to demographic categories. Collections were carried out monthly from May 2005 through April 2006 in a subtropical estuary on the southeastern Brazilian coast (23 degrees 29'24 '' S 45 degrees 10'12 '' W). The crabs were collected by hand, with a 2-hour sampling effort by three people. In the laboratory, the crabs were sexed and measured for greatest carapace width, and grouped into demographic categories: adult males, juvenile males, adult females, juvenile females, and ovigerous females. For the fullness analysis, the stomachs were grouped into two categories: (1) E = Empty, with no food; and (2) F = Full, whether partially filled or totally. The frequency-of-occurrence method was used to characterize feeding behaviour, and the demographic categories recognired were compared. We obtained stomachs from 171 adult males, 69 juvenile males, 136 adult females, 72 juvenile females, and 41 ovigerous females, of which 85.6% were full. of the eight food items recorded, sediment was the most frequent, and unidentified material was the least. Goniopsis cruentata can be characterized as a generalist feeder, exploiting most of the food items available in the mangrove swamps. In spite of this generalist behaviour, the dominant presence of sediment suggests that G. cruentata is primarily a detritivore that exploits particulate organic matter from microbial biodegradation, one of the most important mangrove functions. The trophic role of this crab in the ecosystem showed no significant differences among the demographic categories, and seems to be wider than those observed for sesarmid and ocypodid mangrove crabs. These ecosystem engineers may occupy different positions in the trophic chains of estuarine environments.

A comparison of the allometric growth in Uca leptodactyla (Crustacea : Brachyura : Ocypodidae) from two subtropical estuaries

The allometric growth of Uca leptodacyla from two distinct subtropical estuaries on the Brazilian coast was evaluated concerning its growth pattern and size at onset of sexual maturity. Females attained maturity at similar sizes in both sites (4.1 mm of carapace length in Indaia and 4.2 mm in Ubatumirim), while males differed slightly. They reached the size at sexual maturity of 5.3 mm of carapace length in Indaia and 4.6 mm in Ubatumirim. Growth pattern is Usually similar among crabs from distinct Sites while size at sexual maturity is frequently different. However, in the case of U. leptodacyla it did not occur, probably due to the strong habitat similarity and intrinsic features of this species.

Reproductive phenology of Euterpe edulis (Arecaceae) along a gradient in the Atlantic rainforest of Brazil

The palm Euterpe edulis Mart. is one of the dominant tree species in the Atlantic rainforest and considered a key resource for many frugivorous birds. We compared the reproductive phenology of E. edulis in three types of Atlantic rainforest (two lowland forests, restinga and coastal-plain, and a premontane forest) on Cardoso Island (Cananeia, São Paulo, Brazil), aiming to answer the following questions: (i) whether the reproduction of E. edulis is annual and seasonal across the years in the three forest types studied; (ii) what are the environmental factors influencing the reproductive phenology of E. edulis; and (iii) how does the timing of fruiting and fruit production of E. edulis vary among the three forest types? We evaluated the presence of flowers and fruits (immature, unripe and ripe) from August 2001 to July 2004 in 150 individuals (50 per forest), and estimated the number of infructescences with ripe fruits and the production of fruits and seeds by collecting them on the forest floor in the three forest types. Flowering and fruiting of E. edulis were annual and significantly seasonal in the three forest types, with a high synchrony of flowering and medium to low synchrony of fruiting. Flowering peaked in November and December, and immature and unripe fruits peaked in January and March, all during the rainy season. Immature and unripe fruit phases were correlated with the daylength, precipitation and temperature, important factors for fruits development. Ripe fruits peaked in April and May, in the less rainy season, with significant differences in the mean dates among forests. The number of infructescences with ripe fruits and the biomass of fruits and seeds collected on the ground also differed significantly among the forest types, being greater in the restinga and coastal plain forests, respectively. Differences in productivity were related to palm density in each area and the soil fertility. The complementary fruiting pattern of E. edulis in the forests studied may affect the distribution and abundance of certain frugivorous bird species that feed on their fruits.

Morphological patterns of extrafloral nectaries in woody plant species of the Brazilian cerrado

Extrafloral nectaries are nectar-secreting structures that are especially common among the woody flora of the Brazilian cerrado, a savanna-like vegetation. In this study, we provide morphological and anatomical descriptions of extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) occurring on vegetative and reproductive organs of several plant species from the cerrado, and discuss their function and ecological relevance. We describe the morphology and anatomy of EFNs of 40 species belonging to 15 woody families using scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. We categorise EFNs following a structural-topographical classification, and characterise the vascularised and complex nectaries, amorphous nectaries and secretory trichomes. Fabaceae, Bignoniaceae, Malpighiaceae and Vochysiaceae were the plant families with the majority of species having EFNs. Ten species possess more than one morphotype of gland structure. Observations and experimental field studies in the cerrado support the anti-herbivore role of EFN-gathering ants in this habitat. Additional morphological studies of EFNs-bearing plants, including other growth forms (e.g. herbs and lianas), are being undertaken and will hopefully cast further light on the ecological relevance of these glands in the cerrado, especially with respect to their attractiveness to multiple visitors.

Germination performance of congeneric Styrax species from the Cerrado sensu lato areas and their distribution pattern in different physiognomies

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Metal fluxes at the sediment-water interface in rivers in the Turvo/Grande drainage basin, So Paulo State, Brazil

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

Thermal behavior of residues (sludge) originating from the sugarcane industry

The Brazilian sugarcane industry shows a great amount of generated sludge which should be utilized adequately. Two sludge samples, aerobic and anaerobic, were collected. Both were evaluated by thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (DTA) as well as X-ray power diffraction. These compounds show variations of mass between 30 and 140 A degrees C due to the dehydration stage. The DTA curves show that the compounds have an exothermic reaction between 450 and 550 A degrees C, which indicates that this can be used as an energy source. Details concerning the kinetic parameters of the dehydration and thermal decomposition have also been described here. The kinetic study of these stages was evaluated in open crucibles under nitrogen atmosphere. The obtained data were evaluated with the isoconversional kinetic method. The results show that different activation energies were obtained for thermal decomposition.

Effects of cement thickness and bonding on the failure loads of CAD/CAM ceramic crowns: Multi-physics FEA modeling and monotonic testing

Objective. To determine the influence of cement thickness and ceramic/cement bonding on stresses and failure of CAD/CAM crowns, using both multi-physics finite element analysis and monotonic testing.Methods. Axially symmetric FEA models were created for stress analysis of a stylized monolithic crown having resin cement thicknesses from 50 to 500 mu m under occlusal loading. Ceramic-cement interface was modeled as bonded or not-bonded (cement-dentin as bonded). Cement polymerization shrinkage was simulated as a thermal contraction. Loads necessary to reach stresses for radial cracking from the intaglio surface were calculated by FEA. Experimentally, feldspathic CAD/CAM crowns based on the FEA model were machined having different occlusal cementation spaces, etched and cemented to dentin analogs. Non-bonding of etched ceramic was achieved using a thin layer of poly(dimethylsiloxane). Crowns were loaded to failure at 5 N/s, with radial cracks detected acoustically.Results. Failure loads depended on the bonding condition and the cement thickness for both FEA and physical testing. Average fracture loads for bonded crowns were: 673.5 N at 50 mu m cement and 300.6 N at 500 mu m. FEA stresses due to polymerization shrinkage increased with the cement thickness overwhelming the protective effect of bonding, as was also seen experimentally. At 50 mu m cement thickness, bonded crowns withstood at least twice the load before failure than non-bonded crowns.Significance. Occlusal "fit" can have structural implications for CAD/CAM crowns; pre-cementation spaces around 50-100 mu m being recommended from this study. Bonding benefits were lost at thickness approaching 450-500 mu m due to polymerization shrinkage stresses. (C) 2012 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Financial comparisons of the artisanal fisheries in Urubupungá Complex in the middle Paraná River (Brazil)

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