Moxonidine into the lateral parabrachial nucleus modifies postingestive signals involved in sodium intake control

The activation of a2-adrenoceptors with bilateral injections of moxonidine (a2-adrenoceptor and imidazoline receptor agonist) into the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) increases 1.8% NaCl intake induced by treatment with furosemide (FURO) + captopril (CAP) subcutaneously. In the present study, we analyzed licking microstructure during water and 1.8% NaCl intake to investigate the changes in orosensory and postingestive signals produced by moxonidine injected into the LPBN. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were treated with FURO + CAP combined with bilateral injections of vehicle or moxonidine (0.5 nmol/0.2 ll) into the LPBN. Bilateral injections of moxonidine into the LPBN increased FURO + CAP-induced 1.8% NaCl intake, without changing water intake. Microstructural analysis of licking behavior found that this increase in NaCl intake was a function of increased number of licking bursts from 15 to 75 min of the test (maximum of 49 ± 9 bursts/bin, vs. vehicle: 2 ± 2 bursts/bin). Analysis of the first 15 min of the test, when most of the licking behavior occurred, found no effect of moxonidine on the number of licks/burst for sodium intake (24 ± 5 licks/burst, vs. vehicle: 27 ± 8 licks/burst). This finding suggests that activation of a2-adrenoceptors in the LPBN affects postingestive signals that are important to inhibit and limit sodium intake by FURO + CAP-treated rats.

Despacho ótimo de potências ativa e reativa de sistema elétricos multi-áreas considerando restrições físicas, econômicas e ambientais =: Envronmentally constrained active-reactive optimal power flow-a compromising strategy for economic-emission dispatch and a multi-area paradigm

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Elétrica - FEIS

Integrated multi-trophic culture of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and Amazon river prawn (Macrobrachium amazonicum) in brackish water

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Natural killer activity in a medium-term multi-organ bioassay for carcinogenesis

Natural killer (NK) cell activity was evaluated after the initiation and promotion steps in a medium-term multi-organ bioassay for carcinogenesis. NK cell activity was assessed in vitro by Cr51 release assay at the 4th and 30th weeks of the experiment. Male Wistar rats were sequentially initiated with N-diethylnitrosamine (DEN i.p.), N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN drinking water), N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU i.p.), dihydroxy-di-N-propylnitrosamine (DHPN drinking water) and N,N'-dimethylhydrazine (DMH s.c.) at subcarcinogenic doses for 4 weeks (DMBDD initiation). One group was evaluated at the 4th week and the other was maintained without any further treatment until the 30th week. Two initiated groups were exposed through the diet to 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) or phenobarbital (PB), from the 6th until the 30th week. Five additional groups were studied to evaluate the effects of each initiator on NK activity. All groups submitted to initiation only, initiation plus promotion, or promotion only, developed significantly more preneoplastic lesions than the untreated control group. The main target organs for tumor development in the initiated animals were the liver and the colon, irrespective of treatment with 2-AAF or PB. NK cell activity was not affected by exposure to genotoxic carcinogens after initiation, at the 4th week. Treatments only with PB or 2-AAF did not change NK cell activity. However, decreased NK cell activity was registered in the group only initiated with DMBDD and in the group given DMBDD+2-AAF. This late depression of NK cell activity at the 30th week could be related to the production of suppressing molecules by the tumor cells.

Pré tratamento dentinário influência do condicionamento ácido, irradiação laser e hipermineralização na resistência ao cisalhamento de sistema adesivo multi uso

The disadvantages generated by the acid etching of the dentin, such as an increase in its permeability, in the surface moisture and in the potential to denature the external dentinal collagen, the formation of a fragility zone and the citotoxicity of the adhesive monomers; which are all aggravated by the depth of the dentin, have stimulated new and different treatment philosophies of the dentin. The purpose of the present study, therefore, was to investigate the effects of three dentin treatments: laser irradiation, acid etching and hypermineralization, in the shear bond strength of the SMP Plus bonding system. Sixty bovine incisors were extracted and randomly selected immediatly alter the animal's death. They were kept frozen (-18°C) for no longer than 14 days. After buccal dentinal surface had been exposed, X-Rays were taken to control the dentin thickness. The specimens were separated into two groups: (1) Control, kept in distilled water at 4ºC; (2) Mineralized, kept in hypermineralized solution at 4°C for 14 days. Each group was divided into three sub-groups according to the type of dentin treatment used: group F - followed the manufacturer instructions (acid-etching + primer + bond), group AL (acid-etching + primer + bond + laser) and group LA (laser + (laser + acid-etching + primer + bond). A composite resin standard cylinder (Z100-3M) was bond to the dentinal surface and the shear bond strength performed on a Universal lnstron machine 4301, with 500 Kg load and at 0,5mm/min. speed. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) determined that the treatments influenced the shear bond strength values (p<0,05) with the following average shearing load at failure: AL (9,96 MPa), F (7,28MPa) e LA (4,87 MPa). The interaction between the two factors analyzed Group (control and mineralized) and treatment (F, AL, LA) also influenced the shear bond strength (p<0,05). The highest values were obtained...

Desempenho de sondas Lambda no monitoramento de motores do ciclo Otto alimentados por etanol e GNV

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Mecânica - FEB

The effect of a Lactobacillus-based probiotic for the control of necrotic enteritis in broilers

Necrotic Enteritis (NE) caused by Clostridium perfringens (CP) in poultry is probably the most important bacterial disease in terms of economic implications. The disease is multi-factorial and is invariably associated with predisposing factors. The present study investigated the effect of a commercially available Lactobacillus-based probiotic (FM-B11) for the control of necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens. In experiment 1, one-day-of-hatch broiler chicks were randomly allocated to the following treatment groups: 1) Non-challenged (NC); 2) Challenged (C); 3) Challenged + probiotic (C+ FM-B11). Prior to placement, chicks in groups 2 and 3 received 0.25 mL of Salmonella typhimurium (ST) containing 105 cfu of viable cells by oral gavage. At 14, 15 and 16 days of age, all chicks in group 3 were treated with FM-B11 in the drinking water at a concentration of 106 cfu/ml. At 21d of age, all chicks in groups 2 and 3, were individually challenged with 5 × 104 sporulated oocysts of E. maxima by oral gavage. At 26d of age, all chicks in groups 2 and 3, were individually challenged with 108 cfu CP; body weight (BW) was recorded prior to challenge. The experiment was terminated at 29 days of age and the following parameters were evaluated: NE-associated mortality, CP lesion scores, CP concentrations in ileum, BW, and body weight gain (BWG). Chicks treated with FM-B11 had significantly (P < 0.05) higher body weight gain after challenge when compared to control challenge chickens. Total mortality was higher in the C group (48.8%) when compared to the C + FM-B11 (12.7%). Even though there was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in lesion score between C and C + FM-B11, group C + FM-B11 had significantly (P < 0.05) lower total number of cfu of CP recovered from the ileal mucosa and content samples when compared to group C. Experiment 2 was a unique and remarkable case report of a field outbreak of NE in a commercial broiler farm in Argentina. A reduction and control of the mortality associated with NE following 3 days of administration of FM-B11 was observed as compared with the control non treated house. These results imply that the commercially available Lactobacillus-based probiotic FM-B11 was able to reduce the severities of NE, as a secondary bacterial infection, in an experimental NE challenge model; as well as, in a commercial field outbreak of NE.

Inflamassomos NLRC4 E NLRP3 na Doença Periodontal Experimental Induzida por Aggregatibacter Actinomycetemcomitans

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

Thermal Imaging Applications In Urban Deer Control

Control of burgeoning populations of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is a challenging endeavor under the best of circumstances. The challenge is further complicated when control programs are attempted within an urban or suburban area. Wildlife managers often consider management techniques and equipment which have a proven track record. New challenges require new and innovative techniques. The deer management program in Fairfax County, Virginia has employed thermal imaging technology in a variety of ways to better address these unique challenges. In addition to the more commonly used aircraft-mounted FLIR (forward looking infrared), this program utilizes vehicle-mounted and hand-held thermal imaging devices. Thermal imaging is used in determining herd densities, ensuring that control areas are free of humans, locating deer, assessing target attributes and recovering culled deer. These devices bring a higher level of safety, efficiency and efficacy to control programs operating within these difficult environs.

Wildlife Master Volunteers: A Multi-County Approach to Resolving Human-Wildlife Conflicts

The Wildlife Master (WM) Program in Colorado was modeled after the highly successful Master Gardener volunteer program. In 10 highly populated suburban counties with large rural areas surrounding the Denver Metro Area, Colorado State University (CSU) Cooperative Extension Natural Resources agents train, supervise and manage these volunteers in the identification, referral, and resolution of wildlife damage issues. High quality, research-based training is provided by university faculty and other professionals in public health, animal damage control, wildlife management and animal behavior. Inquiries are responded to mainly via telephone. Calls by concerned residents are forwarded to WMs who provide general information about human-wildlife conflicts and possible ways to resolve complaints. Each volunteer serves a minimum of 14 days on phone duty annually, calling in from a remote location to a voice mail system from which phone messages can be conveniently retrieved. Response time per call is generally less than 24 hours. During 2004, more than 2,000 phone calls, e-mail messages and walk-in requests for assistance were fielded by 100 cooperative extension WMs. Calls fielded by volunteers in one county increased five-fold during the past five years, from 100 calls to over 500 calls annually. Valued at the rate of approximately $18.00 per volunteer hour, the leveraged value of each WM was about $450 in 2005, based on 25 hours of service and training. The estimated value of the program to Colorado in 2004 was over $45,000 of in-kind service, or about one full-time equivalent faculty member. This paper describes components of Colorado’s WM Program, with guides to the set-up of similar programs in other states.

A VEHICLE MOUNTED BAIT DISPENSER

A 3-inch-diameter plastic tube mounted on a truck was designed for distributing bait (cut carrots or grain) for mammal control. Baits are fed into the tube by an operator standing in the truck bed. The device is light-weight and detachable and permits rapid, accurate placement of bait along a line on the ground or in a plowed furrow.

Inflamassomos NLRC4 E NLRP3 na Doença Periodontal Experimental Induzida por Aggregatibacter Actinomycetemcomitans

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

Probiotic caprine Coalho cheese naturally enriched in conjugated linoleic acid as a vehicle for Lactobacillus acidophilus and beneficial fatty acids

To obtain a probiotic caprine Coalho cheese naturally enriched in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), goats' diet was supplemented with soybean oil to produce CLA-enhanced milk, and Lactobacillus acidophilus La5 was incorporated into cheeses. CLA concentration and probiotic viability were evaluated during 60 days. Four pilot-scale cheese-making trials were manufactured, in triplicates. Cheeses T1 and T2 were produced with control milk, and T3 and T4 with CLA-enhanced milk. L. acidophilus was added to cheeses T2 and T4 during processing. The CLA content (isomer C18:2 cis-9, trans-11) in T3 and T4 was 246% to 291% higher than in T1 and T2 (P < 0.01). Populations of L. acidophilus were around 7.5 log cfu g(-1) in T2 and T4 during the study, and the highest CLA content in T4 did not influence the probiotic viability (P > 0.01). The CLA-enriched probiotic caprine Coalho cheese obtained is proposed as a vehicle for beneficial microorganisms and fatty acids. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An Alternative Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Copper and Lead for Quality Control of Sugar Cane Spirit using a Nanotube-Based Sensor

The development of an electroanalytical method for simultaneous determination of copper and lead ions in sugar cane spirit (cachaca) using carbon paste electrode modified with ascorbic acid and carbon nanotubes (CPE-AaCNT) is described. Squarewave voltammetry (SWV) with anodic stripping was employed, and this technique was optimized with respect to the following parameters: frequency (50 Hz), amplitude (100 mV) and scan increment (9 mV). The analytical curves were linear in the range from 0.0900 to 7.00 mg L-1 for lead and copper. The limits of detection were 48.5 and 23.9 mu g L-1 for lead and copper, respectively. The developed method was applied to the simultaneous determination of copper and lead in five commercial samples of sugar cane spirit. The results were in good agreement with those obtained by F AAS/GF AAS (flame atomic absorption spectrometry/graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry) and showed that CPE-AaCNT can be successfully employed in the simultaneous determination of these metals in real sugar cane spirit samples.

SMAC multi-hop mesh routing protocol using IEEE 802.15.4

This paper discusses some aspects related to Wireless Sensor Networks over the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, and proposes, for the very first time, a mesh network topology with geographic routing integrated to the open Freescale protocol (SMAC - Simple Medium Access Control). For this is proposed the SMAC routing protocol. Before this work the SMAC protocol was suitable to perform one hop communications only. However, with the developed mechanisms, it is possible to use multi-hop communication. Performance results from the implemented protocol are presented and analyzed in order to define important requirements for wireless sensor networks, such as robustness, self-healing property and low latency. (c) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.