Tomografia por Biosusceptometria de Corrente Alternada (tBAC): desenvolvimento, caracterização, implementação

The Biosusceptometry AC (BAC) is a research tool that has been extensively explored by the group Biomagnetism IBB-UNESP for monitoring of the gastrointestinal tract, its response to a known drug or in vivo performance of solid dosage forms. During this period the BAC, which has the characteristics of high sensitivity and low cost, has been developed primarily for recording signals contraction of activity and traffic human gastrointestinal tract. With the possibility of producing images with this instrumentation, it was possible to evaluate different situations in vitro and in vivo for physiological studies and pharmaceuticals. Considering the good performance of this system to produce planar images, the first aim of the BAC system tomography (TBAC) was to evaluate the system performance of BAC to produce tomographic images of phantoms ferromagnetic for a single channel system. All these applications were only possible because of their sensitivity to materials of high magnetic suscepitibility as ferrite, which allow to produce an electrical signal proportional to the variation of the magnetic flux generated by the presence of magnetic marker next to a first-order gradiometer. Measuring this variation at various points was possible to generate planar images that recently came to be produced in systems with multiple detectors, said multi-channels. From planar images, also producing tomographic images of simulators BAC bars in a system of 13 channels using only the center channel, with good results when applied to simple objects as one and two bars. When testing the resolution of the system with more elaborate forms the quality and resolution of images reconstructed is not satisfactory, which would be solved by increasing the spatial sampling rate and hence the acquisition time. The present system works with an acquisition time of about five hours. Whereas this system will be applied for in vivo experiments, the acquisition time became a ...

Análise da densidade óssea de rádio-ulna de cães SRD utilizando o método de imersão

Imaging diagnosis is a medical specialty that uses imaging techniques to perform diagnosis. In diagnostic imaging various methods are used such as direct absorption of photons - SPA and DPA, radiographic photometry, the dual-energy radiographic absorptiometry - DEXA, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and optical densitometry in radiographic image. The dog can be considered one of the most widely used animals in the study of bone diseases and searching for a reliable diagnosis, although not an ideal model for the study of osteoporosis, because these animals tend not to develop a decrease in bone mineral density. The objective of this study was to analyze bone density in mongrel dogs from the determination of the variation of density along the radio-ulna bone and also the mean value related to gender, weight and age of individuals. The density analysis carried out showed that for this data set, there is a significant difference in the case of gender and age of the animal and may generalize according to these variables. The only significant difference was found in the weight, which increases bone mass is related to weight gain through the growth of the animal

Planejamento e síntese de novo candidato a fármaco útil para o tratamento de tumores sólidos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Aplicação do método AHP para hierarquização de condicionantes de corrida de massa

Among the flow, the flows have the highest destructive potential, may cause disasters with a very high number of victims, as recorded in the events Caraguatatuba (SP) and the Serra das Araras (RJ) in 1967; Valeu do Rio Figueira, in Timbé do Sul (SC) between 1995 and 1996; Vale do Itajaí in Santa Catarina, in 2008, Teresópolis, Petrópolis and Nova Friburgo (RJ), in December 2010 and January 2011. This project aimed to prioritize the main determinants of inducing processes of debris flows by applying the method of decision making AHP (Analytical Hierarch Process). Therefore, the following stages of work were defined: research of the major factors of debris flows, questionnaire design method for application of AHP expert on the subject, analysis of the results obtained from calculating the ratio of consistency and preparation of proposal for hierarchical of conditions for debris flows. From the surveys it was possible to establish a relationship of conditions according to the scale of work, defining three levels: regional (1:250,000 to 1:100,000), Semi-Detail (1:50,000 to 1:25,000) and Detail (1: 10,000 or higher). The factors found were: concentration time, the flood wave, rain, landslide susceptibility (slope), drainage and development in the deposition. The project analyzed the results obtained from the questionnaires, which allowed the ranking of the constraints, contributing to weight constraints in studies of multicriteria mapping of susceptibility to the occurrence of debris flows. The study showed that the most of the analyzed datas were inconsistent because of the different opinion of the judges

Avaliação de parâmetros farmacêuticos em comprimidos matriciais empregando a técnica de Biosusceptometria AC

Oral administration is widely accepted route for drug delivery and solid dosage forms are commonly employed. The variation of absorption profiles along the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the ability to target drugs by adequate dosage forms to distinct sites is the challenge in the pharmaceutical development of solid dosage forms. AC Biosusceptometry (ACB) is a technique that deserves consideration due to its features, accuracy of results and versatility. The purpose of this work was to evaluate, by employing the AC Biosusceptometer, the rate of swelling of systems matrices consisting of hydrophilic polymer (hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose) and magnetic material. Matrices tablets were evaluated in vitro to a more detailed analysis of kinetics of swelling, in addition to the study and application of mathematical models to correlate the magnetic area variation and the water uptake. All the procedures for qualitative and quantitative analysis of digital signals as well as the magnetic images processing were performed in MatLab® (Mathworks Inc.). ACB technique proved to be useful towards estimating the swelling properties of hydrophilic matrices in vitro, showing a promising capacity for further analyses involving dissolution test and in vivo studies, supporting their innovative potential pharmaceutical applications

Análise de metilação do gene FOXE1 em carcinoma de células escamosas em cães: padronização metodológica

It is believed that epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation are important for the tumorigenesis and maintenance of the altered state of tumor cells. DNA methylation occurs by the addition of a methyl group to carbon 5 of cytosine, catalyzed by the enzyme DNA methyl-transferase, which can change the expression of a gene, including the tumor suppressor genes. In human squamous cell carcinoma, several features have shown the etiological role of genes in tumor development. Among them, FOXE1 gene (forkhead box E1 - thyroid transcription factor) is presented with an important role in susceptibility to disease. Similarly the FOXE1 methylation pattern could alter the expression of this gene in dogs and predisposed to tumor on. Therefore, this study aims to investigate in dogs, the validity of the strategy employed in humans to analyze the FOXE1 methylation status. DNA extraction from fresh frozen tumoral samples was performed by Wizard Genomic® DNA Purification Kit. The methylation status was determined by MSP-PCR (methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction), using 2.0 ng of DNA treated with sodium bisulphate. One hundred micrograms of bisulphite-modified DNA was amplified using primers specific for either methylated or unmethylated DNA (primers sequences are available at http://pathology2.jhu.edu/pancreas/primer.pdf). The analysis of fragments was loaded on to 7% polyacrylamide gels and silver nitrate staining. In this stage of technical approach, 60% were FOXE1 hypermethylated. In conclusion, it was observed that the standard technique for assessing the methylation pattern of gene FOXE1 in humans can be used for the same evaluation in dogs. The correlation of these molecular data with clinical and histopathological parameters may have diagnostic and prognostic value and still be used as a tumor marker for therapeutic decision and surgical approach

Análise comparativa de concepções de cartografia geomorfológica aplicada a ambientes litorâneos

The intense urbanization in coastal environments can cause environmental changes due to the susceptibility of these areas. It is therefore of utmost importance to understand the environmental quality of coastal area and the geomorphological features are essential to make it possible, as well as the geomorphological maps that are used as an instrument to analyze the relief. However, there is no standardization among the geomorphological mapping techniques, since the proposals vary according to the taxonomy of the relief, the adopted scale and the objective of the researcher. This paper aims to carry out geomorphological mappings of sectors of the city of Mongaguá, in São Paulo state, according to the conceptions of Verstappen and Zuidam (1975) and Gustavsson, Kolstrup and Seijmonsbergen (2006), seeking to verify the possibilities and constraints that each one can provide for environmental management. Verstappen and Zuidam’s design (1975) is a classical international bibliography proposal indicating the symbols and colors that will be used to represent the relief according to the origin shape of the geomorphological features; Gustavsson, Kolstrup and Seijmonsbergen's conception (2006) is a latest international proposal which also uses symbols and colors that can be combined to represent various forms of relief, coming from different origins. The mappings in this research are although not presented as a mainstream map, but as a cartographic representation in which the symbols are superimposed on the digital ortophoto map to provide the reader an association between symbolism and the relief represented. The result is a comparative analysis among the symbols that were used in each mapping, in which is discussed what design is the most appropriate, considering the adopted scale and the geomorphological features of the mapped area

Caracterização in vitro de técnica biomagnética empregando magnetômetros 3D para avaliar tempo de trânsito esofagiano

The biomagnetic techniques use different magnetic field detectors to measure parameters of the human physiology. Those techniques present the advantage of being noninvasive and radiation free. Among them we can show up the Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID), the Current Alternate Biosusceptometry (ACB) and, more recently, the employment of anisotropic magnetoresistive sensors. Those magnetic sensors have a low cost and good sensitivity to measure different physiological parameters using magnetic markers. The biomagnetic techniques have being used successfully through study on the characteristics of the gastrointestinal tract. Recent research, the magnetoresistors were used to evaluate the transit time and localization of magnetic sources in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract. The objective of this work is the characterization, with in vitro tests, of a biomagnetic instrumentation using two 3-axis magnetoresistors arranged in a gradiometric coplanar setup to evaluate esophageal transit time, analyze and compare the results of experimental signals and the magnetic theory, as well as evaluate the instrumentation gain with use of tri-axial sensor front to the mono-axial sensor. The instrumentation is composed by two three-axis sensing magnetometers, precision power supply and amplifier electronic circuits. The sensors fixed in a coplanar setup were separate by distance of 18 cm. The sensitivity tests had been carried through using a cylindrical magnet (ø = 4 mm and h = 4 mm) of neodymium-iron-boron (grid 35). The tests were done moving the permanent magnet on the sensors parallel axis, simulating the food transit in... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Utilização da ultrassonografia transcuneal como auxílio no diagnóstico da síndrome do navicular em eqüinos

The equine locomotors system alterations are very frequent and corresponds a large portion of cases in equine medicine. The most equine veterinarian’s challenge is to do a precise diagnosis of lameness cause to perform a specific and proper treatment as early as possible. The navicular syndrome is considered responsible for one third of lameness causes and, although much studied, its etiology is still not fully understood. The most varied methods of diagnosis, such as x-ray, magnetic resonance, bursography, scintigraphy, computed tomography and ultrasound, have been used to assess podotrochlear apparatus situation in order to diagnose this syndrome. Among them transcuneal ultrasound can be used to observe some important structures such as the flexor surface of distal sesamoid bone, distal deep digital flexor tendon, distal sesamoid ligament entheses odd and the distal phalanx. The aim of this present paper is provide a brief review on the use and the technique of ultrasonography on third phalanx transcuneal region evaluation and its interpretation on navicular syndrome diagnosis in horses

Influência do SNP T3801C CYP1A1 sobre os níveis de danos oxidativos no DNA de células da mucosa gástrica de pacientes infectados pelo H. Pylori

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common gastric pathogen that has infected more than 50% of the population of the world and it has been associated with chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcer, and gastric cancer. Although, almost all infected people develop gastritis, there is a variety of clinical outcomes, and only a minority (<1%) of infected individuals develop gastric cancer. There are evidences which suggest that the chronic inflammatory reaction caused by the bacterial infection may be involved in the production of reactive oxygen species or reactive nitrogen species. It may lead to DNA damage, which together with the cellular response could lead to gene mutations, chromosomal aberrations characterizing genomic instability that may represent the early step in gastric carcinogenesis. The extent and severity of gastric mucosal inflammation, as well as the clinical outcome of the infection, depend on a number of factors, including the host genetic susceptibility such SNP T3801 CYP1A1, immune response, age at which the infection was acquired, environmental factors, especially dietary and bacterial virulence factors. Due to the risk of developing gastric cancer in humans infected by H. pylori, we used the Comet Assay to investigate the influence of the SNP T3801C CYP1A1 on levels of oxidative DNA damage in gastric epithelial cells. The study was conducted with biopsies from the gastric antrum and corpus of 103 H. pylori-infected patients and 24 uninfected control patients. Genotype of SNP T3801C CYP1A1 was determined by PCR-RFLP and DNA damage levels were measured in gastric mucosal cells from antrum and corpus by the Comet assay. Levels of DNA damage in gastric mucosa cells from antrum and corpus of H. pylori-infected patients with mild, moderate, severe gastritis, and gastric cancer were significantly higher compared to uninfected normal mucosa cells. However, levels... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Análise de patologias de estradas vicinais para proposta de intervenção mínima visando a sua perenização

The unpaved back roads, despite their simplicity, are of paramount importance to the municipalities that their economy basis are in agri-livestock and a large portion of their population lives in rural areas, as it is from these pathways that flow of production is performed and ensuring access of the rural population to urban centers is allowed. Aiming the importance of these rural roads, this work studies the case of pathologies found in local roads of São Luiz do Paraitinga, located in the Vale do Paraíba upstate São Paulo, due to lack of a periodic maintenance program the roads not withstood the heavy rains late in the year 2009 and early 2010, generating major impacts on society and the economy of the city. From surveys conducted in the field, it was analyzed the various pathologies found (pathology drainage, slope and platform) checking also the nature of their occurrence, therefore propose solutions for intervention in rural roads, to decrease the susceptibility of these roads during the rainy season

Estudo da atividade antibacteriana in vitro de ativos desodorantes em solução hidroalcoólica

As estruturas da derme como os folículos pilosos e os ductos das glândulas sudoríparas e de óleo, proporcionam uma via de passagem por onde os micro-organismos atingem os tecidos mais profundos da pele. A transpiração fornece umidade e alguns nutrientes para o crescimento microbiano (TORTORA, 2012). Dentre os vários gêneros de bactérias que constituem a microbiota residente das axilas, encontram-se o Staphylococcus e o Micrococcus, responsáveis pelo odor do ácido isovalérico, o odor caracterísitico das axilas. Estão presentes também bactérias do gênero Corynebacterium, responsáveis pelo odor axilar pungente dos esteróides androgênicos (JACKMAN & NOBLE, 1983). O método mais eficaz de inibir a produção de exoenzimas bacterianas responsáveis pelo mau odor axiliar são as composições desodorantes. O método consiste em produzir um veículo cosmético (emulsão, suspensão em gás, composição hidroalcoólica, entre outros) e adicionar um ativo desodorante dissolvido ou em suspensão, que tem como propriedade a inibição da produção das exoenzimas bacterianas que levam à produção dos cheiros desagradáveis. (EIGEN & FROEBE, 1997). Neste trabalho testamos a suscetibilidade de três espécies de bactérias semelhantes às que compõem a microbiota permanente das axilas (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228 e Corynebacterium xerosis ATCC 373), frente a três formulações cosméticas hidroalcoólicas de desodorantes em spray contendo ativos desodorantes. Utilizamos também a linhagem Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, pois esta enterobactéria pode estar presente nas axilas principalmente pelo contato destas com as mãos (BORICK & SARRA, 1960). A metodologia utilizada para os testes foi baseada na norma M7-A7 (CLSI, 2006), que trata dos testes de sensibilidade a agentes antimicrobianos por diluição para bactérias de crescimento aeróbico. A fórmula desodorante que teve melhor desempenho sobre...

Análise das ocorrências de escorregamento por meio de imagens Geoeye em trecho da faixa de dutos Rio de Janeiro - Belo Horizonte

The analysis of natural processes, such as landslides, has a great importance for the prevention of accidents in pipelines, since it might compromise its security, with serious social and environmental implications. Considering the large territorial dimensions that pipelines can reach, remote sensing tools have great applicability for data acquisition, allowing the analysis of large areas in regular time periods. This study aims to analyze the relations between the occurrence of landslides and its natural conditionings, on a stretch of the ORBEL pipeline, in the municipalities of Duque de Caxias, Nova Iguaçu and Belford Roxo – Rio de Janeiro. GeoEye sensor system images were used with spatial resolution of 0.5 m, from November/2009, January/2010 and March/2010, that are months of summer rains. The work involved the characterization of the study area and existing landslides, through bibliographic data collection; the application of visual analysis techniques for the extraction of landslide scars and fractures; preparation of maps for the landslide constraints and preparation of the susceptibility map. In the images from November only three landslide scars were extracted, while in January there were 166 and 111 in March. Difficulties were found with the shading in the images. From the relations among landslide scars, lithological units, relief systems, slope, downhill profile and the generated map of landslide susceptibility, presented in 1:70,000 scale, it was possible to conclude that slope is the main determinant of the process, allied secondarily to downhill profile, relief systems and lithology

Programação linear no planejamento do tratamento de câncer por radiocirurgia

Medical Physics has been reaching an important role among several lines in Science, providing means for the improvement of several theories and procedures. Currently, its main application is related with the use of ionizing radiations, specially, in treatment procedures such as Radiotherapy. Radiosurgery is a Radiotherapy technique which consists in administering a single tumoricidal dose of radiation exclusively to the tumorous lesion. It becomes then an interesting alternative to surgical treatment, mainly in cerebral metastases, which are the most frequent cerebral tumors in the central nervous system. The radio neurosurgical team works out a planning for the Radiosurgery treatment, aiming for obtaining an appropriate ideal treatment for each case. For the working out of this treatment planning, Computed Tomography images of the region to be treated are obtained, digitalized and later, fused with nuclear magnetic resonance images. Through these images, critical structures, organs at risk and lesions are localized. After this, calculations are made to determine three-dimensional positions of isocenters, isodose curves, prescribed dose, collimators sizes, position, numbers and respective weight of isocentric conformal fields, and others. The treatment planning is commonly based in desired levels of dose for specific types of tumors and organs at risk concerning the irradiated region. Theses levels of dose are chosen in a way that a high probability of cure may be achieved and meanwhile, that the probability of complications, in whichever organ at risk, may be minimal. Thus, many researches have been carried out, showing that mathematical techniques may help to obtain an optimal planning for the treatment of cerebral metastases. Among the methods of optimization in the study...(Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Influência dos antígenos de histocompatibilidade na incidência de leucemia na região de Campinas, SP

Foi investigada a freqüência dos antígenos HLA-A, B, DR, DQ em 237 pacientes com vários tipos de leucemia, candidatos ao transplante de células tronco hematopoiéticas. O grupo controle foi constituído de 20.933 indivíduos saudáveis, tipados e cadastrados no Registro Brasileiro de Doadores Voluntários de Medula Óssea (REDOME), ou candidatos a doadores de órgãos, pertencentes ao mesmo grupo étnico e região geográfica que os pacientes. Para a determinação dos antígenos HLA foi definido o equivalente sorológico da genotipagem por Citometria de Fluxo PCR-SSO (Reação em cadeia da Polimerase – Oligonucleotídeo Seqüência Específica) com baixa resolução (One Lambda, Canoga Park, CA, US). Foram encontradas associações de suscetibilidade para os antígenos HLA-B70, HLA-B71, HLADR9 e HLA-DR10 associados a LMC (Leucemia Mielóide Crônica); HLA-A32 e HLA-B12 associados a LLC (Leucemia Linfóide Crônica); HLA-A19 e HLA-DR10 associados a LLA (Leucemia Linfóide Aguda). Associações de proteção foram encontradas para HLA-A19 associado a LMA (Leucemia Mielóide Aguda) e LMC; HLA-B44 e HLA-DR6 associados a LMC; HLA-DQ6 associado a LLC.