SEX-RELATED DIFFERENCES IN THE ANALGESIC RESPONSE TO THE RAT TAIL IMMERSION TEST

The analgesic response was evaluated by the tail immersion test in adult male (N = 30), female (N = 21) and androgenized female Wistar rats (N = 15). The reaction time for tail withdrawal from the hot water bath was faster for male than for female rats (3.48 +/- 0.12 vs 6.46 +/- 0.42 s). The reaction time of androgenized female rats was similar to that of male rats (3.08 +/- 0.16 s). Blockade of opiate receptors with naloxone (2 mg/kg, ip) decreased the sensitivity to the noxious stimuli in males (4.08 +/- 0.10 s) and in androgenized females (3.69 +/- 0.19 s) but increased it in female rats (5.01 +/- 0.41 s). These data show sex-related differences in the analgesic response evaluated by the tail immersion test and indicate that administration of androgens to newborn female rats affects their pain sensitivity.

Spectrophotometric determination of phosphite in fertilizers in a flow injection system with online sample preparation

A flow injection system with online sample preparation is proposed for the determination of phosphite in liquid fertilizers by spectrophotometry. After loop-based injection, phosphite is oxidized by an acidic permanganate solution (1.0 10(-2) mol L-1 KMnO4 + 1.0 mol L-1 H2SO4) in a heated reactor (50 degreesC). The phosphate generated is then determined by the molybdenum blue method. Influence of flow rates, temperature, and concentration and order of addition of reagents, sample volume, and reactor configuration for the blue complex formation on recorded signals were investigated. The pow system was applied to phosphite determination in commercial samples of liquid fertilizers. The proposed system handles about 80 samples per hour [0.05-0.40% (w/v) H3PO3; R = 0,9998], consuming about 80 muL sample, 1 mg KMnO4, 25 mg (NH)(6)Mo7O24, and Ia mg ascorbic acid per determination. Results are precise [relative standard deviation less than or equal to 3.5% for 0.1% (w/v) H3PO3, n = 12] and in agreement with those obtained by gravimetry at 95% confidence level. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Total Fatty Acids in Murrah Buffaloes Milk on Commercial Farms in Brazil

The objective of this trial was to document the total fatty acids in Murrah buffaloes milk on commercial farms in Brazil. Data from forty lactating Murrah-crossbred buffaloes were collected on five commercial farms located at Sarapui and Pilar do Sul, São Paulo-Brazil. A field survey was done from April to November 2002. In four farms, buffaloes were fed with wet brewers grains (primary concentrate). Only one farm (Farm 4) offered pasture and corn silage. Monthly milk samples were collected and stored at -20 degrees C until analyzed for fatty acid composition. The fatty acids with the highest percentage in total milk fat were C(16:0); C(18:1c9); C(18:0) and C(14:0). The average content observed in C(16:0) varied from 25.4 to 32.5%. Farm 4 (pasture plus corn silage) showed a higher C(16:0) value (32.5%). C(18:1c9) (varied) from 20.6 to 25.1%, C(14:0) varied from 5.9 to 8.9% and CLA content (C(18:2c9t11)) varied from 1.0 to 1.8%. Farm 3 presented higher average of C(18:1c9) (25.1%) and C(18:2c9t11) (1.8%), and lower average of C(14:0) (6.0%). Likewise, unsaturated fatty acids, C(18:1c9) and C(18:2c9t11) were higher on Farm 3. Probably, these results can be due to high CIA intakes derived from wet brewers grain and pasture. Long chain fatty acids varied from 34.2% (Farm 4) to 48.8% (Farm 3). In general, diets based on pasture and corn silage increased the levels of medium chain fatty acids in Murrah buffaloes milk.

Thermostimulated sol-gel transition in suspensions of sulfate zirconium oxychloride

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Morphological characterization of follicle deviation in Nelore (Bos indicus) heifers and cows

Follicle diameter deviation is defined as the beginning of the differential change in growth rates between the largest and next largest follicles subsequent to wave emergence and is considered a key component of follicle selection. Follicle selection has been extensively studied in European breeds of cattle (Bos taurus) but has not been critically studied in Zebu breeds (Bos indicus). The objectives of the present study were to determine and compare the morphological characteristics of deviation associated with the first post-ovulatory wave (Wave 1) of the estrous cycle in Nelore heifers (n = 8) and nonlactating cows (n = 11). Beginning on the day of ovulation (day 0), the three largest follicles (F1-F3, respectively) were individually tracked every 12 h for 6 d using transrectal ultrasonography. In individual animals, deviation was determined graphically using visual inspection of the diameter profiles of F1, F2 and sometimes F3 (observed deviation) and mathematically using segmented regression analysis of the diameter differences between F1 and F2 or sometimes F3 (calculated deviation). Mean day of emergence of Wave 1 when F1 reached >3 rum (approximately 1 d after ovulation) and growth rate of F1 during deviation (approximately 1.4 mm/d) were not significantly different between heifers and cows. The results of determining the beginning of deviation within heifers and cows using the observed and calculated methods were not significantly different. Averaged over both methods, diameter deviation occurred 2.8 d after ovulation when F1 reached 5.7 mm in heifers, and 2.4 d after ovulation when F1 reached 6.1 mm in cows. In conclusion, the emergence of Wave 1 and growth rates and diameters of the future dominant follicles at the beginning of deviation were similar in Nelore heifers and nonlactating cows, regardless of the methods used to determine deviation. Relative to Holstein cattle, emergence of Wave 1 appeared to occur about 1 d later and diameter of the future dominant follicle at the beginning of deviation was about 2 turn smaller in Nelore. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Isolation of Malassezia pachydermatis and M. sympodialis from the external ear canal of cats with and without otitis externa

The objective of this study was to determine the presence of Malassezia spp. in the external ear canal of cats with and without otitis. Forty-five animals were studied, 20 with and 25 without otitis externa (OE). Cerumen or secretion from external ear canal samples was cultured on modified Mycosel agar and sterile olive oil was added to the surface of the medium before specimen seeding. The isolates were analysed for macro- and micromorphology and identified by catalase tests and on the basis of growth on Tween 20, 40, 60 and 80. Malassezia spp. were isolated from 15 out of 20 (75%) animals with otitis and from 7 out of 25 (28%) cats without OE; the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P <= 0.05). Malassezia pachydermatis and M. sympodialis were isolated from 60% (12/20) and 40% (8/20) of cats with otitis, respectively, with no significant difference in the frequency of isolation between the two species. In the microflora of the healthy ear canal M pachydermatis was significantly more common (6/25, 24%) than M sympodialis (1/25, 4%). The present investigation confirms that M sympodialis can also act as an actiological agent of feline OE, and if commercial veterinary laboratories do not use media with added lipids for the isolation of Malassezia spp., this might lead to false-negative results.

Early loading of single crowns supported by 6-mm-long implants with a moderately rough surface: a prospective 2-year follow-up cohort study

AimTo evaluate prospectively the clinical and radiographic outcomes after 2 years of loading of 6 mm long moderately rough implants supporting single crowns in the posterior regions.Material and methodsForty SLActive Straumann (R) short (6 mm) implants were placed in 35 consecutively treated patients. Nineteen implants, 4.1 mm in diameter, and 21 implants, 4.8 mm in diameter, were installed. Implants were loaded after 6 weeks of healing. Implant survival rate, marginal bone loss and resonance frequency analysis (RFA) were evaluated at different intervals. The clinical crown/implant ratio was also calculated.ResultsTwo out of 40 implants were lost before loading. Hence, the survival rate before loading was 95%. No further technical or biological complications were encountered during the 2-year follow-up. The mean marginal bone loss before loading was 0.34 +/- 0.38 mm. After loading, the mean marginal bone loss was 0.23 +/- 0.33 and 0.21 +/- 0.39 mm at the 1- and 2-year follow-ups. The RFA values increased between insertion (70.2 +/- 9) and the 6-week evaluation (74.8 +/- 6.1). The clinical crown/implant ratio increased with time from 1.5 at the delivery of the prosthesis to 1.8 after 2 years of loading.ConclusionShort implants (6 mm) with a moderately rough surface loaded early (after 6 weeks) during healing yielded high implant survival rates and moderate loss of bone after 2 years of loading. Longer observation periods are needed to draw more definite conclusions on the reliability of short implants supporting single crowns.To cite this article:Rossi F, Ricci E, Marchetti C, Lang NP, Botticelli D. Early loading of single crowns supported by 6-mm-long implants with a moderately rough surface: a prospective 2-year follow-up cohort study.Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 21, 2010; 937-943.doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2010.01942.x.

Oscillating holograms recorded in photorefractive crystals by a frequency detuned feedback loop

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

Static balance and function in children with cerebral palsy submitted to neuromuscular block and neuromuscular electrical stimulation: Study protocol for prospective, randomized, controlled trial

Background: The use of botulinum toxin A (BT-A) for the treatment of lower limb spasticity is common in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Following the administration of BT-A, physical therapy plays a fundamental role in potentiating the functionality of the child. The balance deficit found in children with CP is mainly caused by muscle imbalance (spastic agonist and weak antagonist). Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a promising therapeutic modality for muscle strengthening in this population. The aim of the present study is to describe a protocol for a study aimed at analyzing the effects of NMES on dorsiflexors combined with physical therapy on static and functional balance in children with CP submitted to BT-A.Methods/Design: Protocol for a prospective, randomized, controlled trial with a blinded evaluator. Eligible participants will be children with cerebral palsy (Levels I, II and III of the Gross Motor Function Classification System) between five and 12 years of age, with independent gait with or without a gait-assistance device. All participants will receive BT-A in the lower limbs (triceps surae). The children will then be randomly allocated for either treatment with motor physical therapy combined with NMES on the tibialis anterior or motor physical therapy alone. The participants will be evaluated on three occasions: 1) one week prior to the administration of BT-A; 2) one week after the administration of BT-A; and 3) four months after the administration of BT-A (end of intervention). Spasticity will be assessed by the Modified Ashworth Scale and Modified Tardieu Scale. Static balance will be assessed using the Medicapteurs Fusyo pressure platform and functional balance will be assessed using the Berg Balance Scale.Discussion: The aim of this protocol study is to describe the methodology of a randomized, controlled, clinical trial comparing the effect of motor physical therapy combined with NMES on the tibialis anterior muscle or motor physical therapy alone on static and functional balance in children with CP submitted to BT-A in the lower limbs. This study describes the background, hypotheses, methodology of the procedures and measurement of the results.

NiBr2 complexes with triphenylarsine oxide (Ph3AsO). Two new interesting structures

The synthesis and crystal structure of two complexes resulting from interaction between NiBr2 and triphenylarsine oxide (Ph3AsO) is described. Green and orange complexes can be obtained from the blue, probably tetrahedral complex [NiBr2(Ph3AsO)2], depending on the solvents used for recrystallization. NiBr2·4[(C6H5)3AsO]·8H2O (green): M = 1650.2, P21/c, a = 13.731(2), b = 16.267(3), c = 17.647(2) Å, β = 112.04(1)°, V = 3651.4 Å3, Z = 2, Dx = 1.501 g cm-3, CuKα, λ = 1.54184 Å, μ = 38.67 cm-1, R = 0.039, 3741 unique reflections, 3203 with I > 3σ(I). NiBr2·4[(C6H5)3AsO]·3|2(C6H5CH3)·H2O (orange): M = 1663.7, P1, a = 12.647(8), b = 13.953(5), c = 22.853(6) Å, α = 90.91(3), β = 96.70(4), γ = 111.16(4)°, V = 3727.4 Å3, Z = 2, Dx = 1.482 g cm-3, MoKα, λ = 0.71073 Å, μ = 30.48 cm-1, R = 0.087, 8600 unique reflections, 4293 with I > 3σ(I). In the green complex the Ni(II) ion is sited on a center of symmetry and is octahedrally coordinated to six water molecules, hydrogen bonded to the Ph3AsO molecules and to the bromide anions forming a second coordination sphere in a nearly octahedral arrangement. In the orange complex the cation is pentacoordinated with the four oxygen atoms of the Ph3AsO ligands forming the basis of a tetragonal pyramid and with one Br- anion in the apical position. The absorption spectrum of the orange complex is compared with the spectra of other Ni(II) square pyramidal complexes described in the literature. © 1984.

Activation function study for wavelet network

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate theoretically and experimentally the use of family of Polynomial Powers of the Sigmoid (PPS) Function Networks applied in speech signal representation and function approximation. This paper carries out practical investigations in terms of approximation fitness (LSE), time consuming (CPU Time), computational complexity (FLOP) and representation power (Number of Activation Function) for different PPS activation functions. We expected that different activation functions can provide performance variations and further investigations will guide us towards a class of mappings associating the best activation function to solve a class of problems under certain criteria.

Synthesis, characterization and molecular structures of the pyridinium trans-bis(pyridine)tetrachlororuthenate(III) and pyridinium trans-(carbonyl)(pyridine)tetrachlororuthenate(III)

The pyH[trans-RuCl4(py)2](1) and pyH[trans-RuCl4(CO)(py)](2) complexes were synthesized and found to crystallize in space group P21/n, Z = 4 with a = 8.080(7), b = 22.503(7), c = 10.125(6) Å, β = 93.19(6)° for (1) and a = 7.821(1), b = 10.337(3), c = 19.763(3) Å, β = 93.07(1)° for (2). The structures were solved by Patterson and difference Fourier techniques and refined to R = 0.062 for (1) and R = 0.038 for (2). In both cases the Ru(III) ion is octahedrally coordinated to four co-planar chlorine atoms, the nitrogen of the pyridine rings or carbon from the carbon monoxide. Another protonated pyridine group, which forms the counter-cation completes the crystal structures. The UV-Vis absorption spectra show three bands: (1) 360 (ε = 1180 M-1 cm-1), 441 (ε = 3200 M-1 cm-1) and 532 nm (ε = 400 M-1 cm-1); (2) 315(ε = 1150 M-1 cm-1), 442 (ε = 3170 M-1 cm-1) and 530 nm (ε = 390 M-1 cm-1). The two higher energy bands were associated with ligand-to-metal charge transfer transitions and a third band at lower energy was assigned to a d-d transition. Low temperature EPR data confirmed the presence of the paramagnetically active Ru(III) and it is consistent with axial symmetry of the complexes. The position of the stretching CO band in complex (2) is discussed in terms of metal-CO backbonding.

Distribution of Xylella fastidiosa in citrus rootstocks and transmission of citrus variegated chlorosis between sweet orange plants through natural root grafts

To study translocation of Xylella fastidiosa to citrus rootstocks, budsticks from citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC)-affected cv. Pera sweet orange (Citrus sinenesis (L.) Osb.) were top grafted on 15 citrus rootstocks. Disease symptoms were conspicuous 3 months later on all 15 rootstocks tested. The presence of X. fastidiosa was confirmed by light microscopy, double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and polymerase chain reaction in rootlets and main roots of CVC-symptomatic Pera sweet orange in 11 of the 15 rootstocks tested. These results suggest that bacterial translocation from the aerial plant parts to the root system occurs but is not essential for X. fastidiosa to induce symptoms in the aerial parts. Bacterial translocation to the roots was not correlated with CVC leaf-symptom severity in the Pera scion. To determine if CVC disease could be transmitted by natural root grafts, two matched seedlings of each of four sweet orange cultivars (Pera, Natal, Valencia, and Caipira) were transplanted into single pots. One seedling rootstock of each pair was inoculated by top grafting with a CVC-contaminated budstick while the other seedling rootstock was cut but not graft inoculated. Transmission of X. fastidiosa from an inoculated plant to a noninoculated plant sharing the same pot was observed in all four sweet orange cultivars tested. Transmission was confirmed by observation of natural roots grafts between the two plants, presence of X. fastidiosa in the root grafts, and disease development in the uninoculated plants. This is the first report of transmission of CVC disease through natural root grafts.

Coordination of Eu3+ ions in siliceous nanohybrids containing short polyether chains and bridging urea cross-links

Infrared and photoluminescence spectroscopies have been used to investigate the local environment of the Eu3+ ions in luminescent sol-gel derived materials-di-ureasils-based on a hybrid framework represented by U(600). This host is composed of a siliceous backbone grafted, through urea cross-links, to both ends of polymer segments incorporating 8.5 oxyethylene repeat units. The active centers have been introduced as europium perchlorate, Eu(ClO4)3. Samples with compositions n = 232, 62, 23, 12, and 6 (where n denotes the ratio of (OCH2CH2) moieties per lanthanide ion) have been examined. The combination of the information retrieved from the analysis of characteristic bands of the FTIR spectra-the perchlorate and the Amide I/Amide II features-with that obtained from the photoluminescence data demonstrates that at compositions n = 232 and 62 the anions are free, whereas the Eu3+ ions are complexed by the heteroatoms of the polyether chains. At higher salt concentration, the cations are bonded, not only to the ClO4 - ions, but also to the ether oxygen atoms of the organic segments and to the carbonyl oxygen atoms of the urea linkages. The dual behavior of U(600) with respect to cation coordination has been attributed to the presence in this nanohybrid of strong hydrogen-bonded urea-urea structures, which, at low salt content, cannot be disrupted, thus inhibiting the formation of Eu3+-O=C(urea) contacts and promoting the interaction between the lanthanide ions and the (OCH2CH2) moieties. The present work substantiates the claim that the activation of the coordinating sites of the di-ureasil framework can be tuned by varying either the guest salt concentration at constant chain length or the length of the.organic segments at constant salt concentration. This relevant property opens challenging new prospects in the fields of application of this class of hybrids. © 2001 American Chemical Society.

Molecular typing of IberoAmerican Cryptococcus neoformans isolates

A network was established to acquire basic knowledge of Cryptococcus neoformans in IberoAmerican countries. To this effect, 340 clinical, veterinary, and environmental isolates from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, Guatemala, and Spain were typed by using M13 polymerase chain reaction-fingerprinting and orotidine monophosphate pyrophosphorylase (URA5) gene restriction fragment length polymorphsm analysis with Hhal and Sau961 in a double digest. Both techniques grouped all isolates into eight previously established molecular types. The majority of the isolates, 68.2% (n=232), were VNI (var. grubii, serotype A), which accords with the fact that this variety causes most human cryptococcal infections worldwide. A smaller proportion, 5.6% (n=19), were VNII (var. grubii, serotype A); 4.1% (n=14), VNIII (AD hybrid), with 9 isolates having a polymorphism in the URA5 gene; 1.8% (n=6), VNIV (var. neoformans, serotype D); 3.5% (n=12), VGI; 6.2% (n=21), VGII; 9.1% (n=31), VGIII, and 1.5% (n=5) VGIV, with all four VG types containing var. gattii serotypes B and C isolates.