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b-Glucosidase F42 of soy cotyledons was purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation, ion-exchange chromatography (CM-Sephadex-C-50, Sigma, St. Louis, MO) and gel filtration (Sephadex G-100, Sigma). The enzyme was purified 111.8-fold relative to its concentration in the crude extract.It had an apparent molecular mass of 53 kDa in gel filtration experiments and produced a 33-kDa band in sodium dodecylsulfate‐polyacrylamidegelelectrophoresis,suggestingthatitisdimeric.The purified b-glucosidaseF42wascharacterizedasaglycoproteinaftertheidentification of fucose, galactosamine and glucosamine by high-pressure anion-exchange chromatography‐pulsedamperometricdetector.Itshighestactivitywasobservedat pH 5.0 and 45C,and it was stable for up to 4 days at 25C.The Km of the enzyme was 0.12 mMp-nitrophenyl-b-d-glucopyranoside. b-Glucosidase F42showedspecificity for different substrates, and its activity was inhibited by 1 mM HgCl2 ,1 0 mM glucono-d-lactone or 150 mM glucose and increased by 10 mM MnCl2.

The objective of this study was to determine the frequencies of autoantibodies to heterogeneous islet-cell cytoplasmic antigens (ICA), glutamic acid decarboxylase(65) (GAD(65)A), insulinoma-associated antigen-2 (IA-2A) and insulin (IAA)-and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II markers (HLA-DR and -DQ) in first degree relatives of heterogeneous Brazilian patients with type I diabetes (T1DM). A major focus of this study was to determine the influence of age, gender, proband characteristics and ancestry on the prevalence of autoantibodies and HLA-DR and -DQ alleles on disease progression and genetic predisposition to T1DM among the first-degree relatives.IAA, ICA, GAD(65)A, IA-2A and HLA- class II alleles were determined in 546 first-degree-relatives, 244 siblings, 55 offspring and 233 parents of 178 Brazilian patients with T1DM.Overall, 8.9% of the relatives were positive for one or more autoantibodies. IAA was the only antibody detected in parents. GAD(65) was the most prevalent antibody in offspring and siblings as compared to parents and it was the sole antibody detected in offspring. Five siblings were positive for the IA-2 antibody. A significant number (62.1%) of siblings had 1 or 2 high risk HLA haplotypes. During a 4-year follow-up study, 5 siblings (expressing HLA-DR3 or -DR4 alleles) and 1 offspring positive for GAD(65)A progressed to diabetes.The data indicated that the GAD(65) and IA-2 antibodies were the strongest predictors of T1DM in our study population. The high risk HLA haplotypes alone were not predictive of progression to overt diabetes.

In oilfields, gravitational separation tanks are generally used to separate the oil, gas and water phases, remove emulsifying agents present at the interfaces and permit the coalescence of water droplets associated with the crude oil being pumped. The main problem that influences the performance of these separators is the formation of foam. In this work, a method was developed to evaluate foaming in crude oil in laboratory scale, reproducing the operation conditions in gas-oil separators in real fields. This method was employed with seven crude oil samples, and the performance of silicone antifoams with different molar masses could be tested. The results indicated that the method of evaluating the breakdown of foam in oil by using the Aging Cell apparatus in a roller oven proved to be suitable. It was observed that the oil viscosity is a determining factor in predicting whether or not foam will form.

Polyanilines are reported to exhibit stabilizing effects in rubber mixtures submitted to gamma-irradiation and thermo-oxidative treatment. Such abilities may be explained by their action as radical scavengers. Since radical formation followed by main chain scission is a widely accepted mechanism for radiolytic degradation of PMMA, polyaniline is a promising additive for commercial plastics submitted to radiosterilization processing. In this work, we investigated the ability of polyaniline emeraldine salt nanofibers (PANF-HCl) in preventing radiation damage on PMMA matrix. Effects of gamma-irradiation on PMMA/PANF-HCl composites films were assessed by comparison of the variation of viscosityaverage molar mass (Mv) of PMMA at 25 kGy dose when compared to commercial PMMA films. Samples containing 0.15% PANF-HCl (wt/wt) retained 92% of the initial Mv after irradiation while control sample presented 42% of Mv retention. When exposed to 60–200 kGy doses, PANF-HCl embedded into PMMA matrix preserved their oxidation state but started to exhibit mild deprotonation. PANF-HCl nanofibers were characterized by Diffuse Reflection Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM). PMMA/PANF-HCl composites films were characterized by SEM and UV-VIS spectroscopy.

Arbutoid mycorrhizae were synthesized in vitro between Arbutus unedo L. and two isolates of Lactarius deliciosus. The fungal isolates were obtained from sporocarps collected under Pinus sylvestris and in a mixed forest stand of Quercus suber and Pinus pinea. Synthesis tubes filled with a mixture of sterilized peat, vermiculite, and perlite imbibed with nutrient solution were used. Two inoculation methods using solid and liquid media were tested. Shoots from an adult selected clone of A. unedo were used after in vitro rooting by auxin dipping. After 3 months of shoots transfer to the substrate, the root systems were examined for arbutoid mycorrhizae formation and later on ex vitro conditions, 9 months after acclimatization. The inoculum treatment with liquid medium improved the mycorrhizal development for both isolates, in vitro. Sterilized substrate for plant acclimatization increased the mycorrhizal development. The arbutoid mycorrhizae were observed in vitro as well as 9 months after acclimatization. Standard arbutoid mycorrhiza features were observed: pale yellow mantle, typical cruciform appearance, Hartig net (HN), and intracellular hyphal complexes, both confined to the epidermis. L. deliciosus mycorrhizae synthetized in vitro persisted 9 months after plant acclimatization. Morphological observations were confirmed by molecular techniques.

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) imaged by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is associated with the metabolic syndrome features, being morphologically and functionally different from subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). Insulin effect is lower and catecholamine effect higher in visceral adipose tissue, with its metabolites and its secretions draining through portal system, partially at least, to the liver. Thus, visceral cells transfer and release fatty acids more extensively, have increased glucocorticoid and reduced thiazolidinedione responses, produce more angiotensinogen, interleukin-6 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and secrete less leptin and adiponectin than SAT. Furthermore, there are regional differences in the intrinsic characteristics of the preadipocytes, with those of SAT presenting greater differentiation and fat cell gene expression but less apoptosis than that of VAT. All features contribute to the morbidity associated with increased VAT. To evaluate the relationship between VAT and components of the metabolic syndrome, 55 non-diabetic women, 11 lean (VAT68 cm 2) and 44 obese were studied. The obese with VAT within the normal range (VATor = 68 cm 2) had higher BMI, WHR, BP and resistance to FFA suppression during oGTT in comparison to the lean controls. The obese with VAT68 cm 2 compared to those with VATor = 68 cm 2 had similar body mass index (BMI) but significantly higher in vivo homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA IR ) results and triglycerides. By pooling all data, correlation analysis indicated that VAT contributes more to insulin resistance (HOMA IR ) than SAT does, but not when insulin-suppressed plasma free fatty acids during oral glucose tolerance test as an index of insulin resistance are taken into consideration.

Pisciculture (fish culture) stations are an economic development opportunity adopted in the region of Juquia, Ribeira Valley (Sao Paulo, Brazil). This report examines the impact of these farms on the environment from the perspective of the constraints of local settings and the way in which the technology was applied. The characteristics of nine enterprises were compared with the features recommended in the literature and by legislation. The primary impacts identified were erosion, the depositing of silt, and the entry of exotic fish into natural waters. These impacts resulted from poorly built drainage conduits, unplanned and poorly controlled excavation, and poor design decisions.

A preliminary study concerning the compaction of metallic powder was carried out in order to investigate a rarely explored route in powder metallurgy, to form complex geometry parts, known as gelcasting. Green bodies produced with as supplied stainless steel powder showed a tendency to form foam, which affected the surface finishing. The mechanical behaviour of green compacts was also affected by the processing additives present in the metallic powder. Organics in the as supplied powder were removed by thermal treatment at 500°C and additional samples were produced. Although no difference in green density was observed, these samples displayed better surface finish and mechanical characteristics, as a result of improved adhesion between the polymer network and particle surface. The results showed that the gelcasting process is able to produce green parts suitable for subsequent thermal treatment.

To compare cortical maturation between fetuses with isolated mild ventriculomegaly (IMV) and healthy fetuses, and to explore its potential prognostic value in IMV.This prospective study quantified cortical maturation by ultrasound in 24 fetuses with IMV and 46 healthy fetuses. Depth and grading the developmental pattern of the parieto-occipital fissure (POF), calcarine fissure (CF) and sylvian fissure, and grading the Sylvian fissure operculization at 23-25, 27-28 and 31-32 weeks gestation were determined.At 23-25 and 27-28 gestational weeks, POF and CF mean depths were statistically lower in the IMV group. The POF and CF depth distribution had a normal distribution in the control group but displayed a bimodal distribution in the IMV group. IMV with progression of ventricular dilatation showed mean depth of CF lower than IMV in which ventriculomegaly regressed or remained stable. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of a CF depth below the fifth percentile to predict progression of ventricular dilatation were, at 28 weeks, 100%, 88%, 67% and 100%, respectively.Cortical fissure assessment by ultrasound allowed the differentiation of a subgroup of IMV fetuses with a higher risk of progression of ventricular dilatation.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os perfis bioquimicos hepaticos e renais de Didelphis spp. (gambas) de vida livre sororreagentes a Leptospira spp., provenientes dos biomas brasileiros cerrado e caatinga. Foram colhidas amostras de sangue de nove animais de vida livre para realizacao do teste de soroaglutinacao microscopica (SAM) e das analises bioquimicas de aspartato amino-transferase (AST), alanino amino-transferase (ALT), gama-glutamil transferase (GGT), ureia (UV), creatinina, fosfatase alcalina (F.A.), albumina, bilirrubina total, direta e indireta. Os resultados expressos como media ± desvio padrao foram para Didelphis aurita: creatinina (0,87±0,13 mg/dL), ALT (76,83±32,02 U/mL), AST (103,00±16,82 U/mL), ureia (31,33±12,34 mg/dL), F.A. (65,57±9,57 U/L), GGT (25,50±4,41 U/L), bilirrubina total (0,61±0,22 mg/dL), bilirrubina direta (0,21±0,08 mg/dL), bilirrubina indireta (0,40±0,14 mg/dL) e albumina (2,01±0,02 g/dL). Para D. albiventris: creatinina (1,39±0,18 mg/dL), ALT (51,33±10,73 U/mL), AST (97,42±29,53 U/mL), ureia (34,40±5,68 mg/dL), F.A. (59,70±28,36 U/L), GGT (30,60±10,81 U/L), bilirrubina total (0,62±0,50 mg/dL), bilirrubina direta (0,35±0,40 mg/dL), bilirrubina indireta (0,26±0,19 mg/dL) e albumina (2,26±0,20 g/dL). Para D. marsupialis os valores foram: creatinina (1,14 mg/dL), ALT (94,28 U/mL), AST (110,00 U/mL), ureia (23,00 mg/dL), F.A. (49,75 U/L), GGT (30,60 U/L), bilirrubina total (1,99 mg/dL), bilirrubina direta (0,14 mg/dL), bilirrubina indireta (1,85 mg/dL) e albumina (2,09 g/dL).Todos os animais apresentaram alteracoes em pelo menos um parâmetro. Nao se pode atribuir as alteracoes exclusivamente a infeccao, pois fatores como clima, alimentacao, estacao do ano e infeccao por outros agentes tambem podem causar variacoes, porem a analise do perfil bioquimico e importante para avaliar clinicamente o estado de saude do animal e para o acompanhamento terapeutico. Dados na literatura de parâmetros bioquimicos sao escassos, incompletos e ate ausentes para algumas especies de gambas. Sao necessarios mais estudos sobre esta doenca nos animais selvagens, contribuindo assim com projetos de conservacao, manejo, prevencao e controle desta zoonose. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: LEPTOSPIROSE. ANALISES BIOQUIMICAS. GAMBAS. AGRADECIMENTOS: Fundacao de amparo a pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (Fapesp). AREA TEMATICA: Doencas infecciosas.

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T18:51:49Z No. of bitstreams: 1 S0100-83582008000200023.pdf: 1206343 bytes, checksum: 0187dc9c6f068033d4bcfed913d8a6ce (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T18:51:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 S0100-83582008000200023.pdf: 1206343 bytes, checksum: 0187dc9c6f068033d4bcfed913d8a6ce (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-06-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T19:42:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-83582008000200023.pdf: 1206343 bytes, checksum: 0187dc9c6f068033d4bcfed913d8a6ce (MD5) S0100-83582008000200023.pdf.txt: 26107 bytes, checksum: c64cc227ffccb0f0edb4a81cc12bea89 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-06-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T13:19:52Z No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-83582008000200023.pdf: 1206343 bytes, checksum: 0187dc9c6f068033d4bcfed913d8a6ce (MD5) S0100-83582008000200023.pdf.txt: 26107 bytes, checksum: c64cc227ffccb0f0edb4a81cc12bea89 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T13:19:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-83582008000200023.pdf: 1206343 bytes, checksum: 0187dc9c6f068033d4bcfed913d8a6ce (MD5) S0100-83582008000200023.pdf.txt: 26107 bytes, checksum: c64cc227ffccb0f0edb4a81cc12bea89 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-06-01 Com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da aplicação em jato dirigido com e sem proteção do bico de pulverização através de chapéu-de-napoleão para misturas de herbicidas de ação total na cultura da mamoneira de porte anão, na safra 2004/2005, um experimento foi conduzido no município de Garça-SP, utilizando-se o híbrido Lyra e espaçamento de 1,0 x 0,5 m. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, com tratamentos em esquema fatorial 2 x 10, com quatro repetições, em que o primeiro fator representou a forma de aplicação de jato dirigido com e sem uso de chapéu-de-napoleão e o segundo os herbicidas: glyphosate (0,72 kg ha-1); glyphosate + 2,4-D (0,72 + 0,35 kg ha-1); glyphosate + flumioxazin (0,72 + 0,025 kg ha-1); glyphosate + carfentrazone-ethyl (0,72 + 0,016 kg ha-1); glyphosate + diuron (0,72 + 0,75 kg ha-1); MSMA + diuron (1,44+ 0,75 kg ha-1); paraquat + diuron (0,9 kg ha-1); paraquat + diquat (0,20 + 0,20 kg ha-1); paraquat + bentazon (0,40 + 0,48 kg ha-1); e testemunha capinada. A aplicação dos herbicidas foi feita em pós-emergência das plantas daninhas, nas entrelinhas da cultura, utilizando-se pulverizador costal pressurizado com CO2, com uma ponta XR 8002-VS para o uso de chapéu-de-napoleão e duas pontas XR 11002-VS, espaçadas de 50 cm, para condição sem proteção, ambas com consumo de calda equivalente a 200 L ha-1. O herbicida glyphosate e as misturas de paraquat + bentazon, glyphosate + 2,4-D e paraquat + diquat proporcionaram os maiores níveis de produtividade da mamoneira Lyra quando aplicados em jato dirigido e com auxílio de chapéu-de-napoleão. As misturas paraquat + bentazon (0,40 + 0,48 kg ha-1) e paraquat + diquat (0,20 + 0,20 kg ha-1) demonstraram ser as mais indicadas para aplicação em jato dirigido com proteção do bico de pulverização. An experiment was carried out in Garca-SP to evaluate the effects of application using a direct sprayer with and without Napoleons's hat protection for total action herbicide tank mixtures on dwarf internode castor bean crop during the 2004/2005 agricultural year, with Lyra hybrid in a 1.0 x 0.5 m spacing. The experimental design was randomized complete blocks, with treatments in a factorial scheme 2 x 10, with four replications, the first factor being direct sprayer application with and without Napoleon's hat protection and the second application of the herbicides glyphosate (0.72 kg ha-1); glyphosate + 2,4-D (0.72 + 0.35 kg ha¹); glyphosate + flumioxazin (0.72 + 0.025 kg ha-1); glyphosate + carfentrazone-ethyl (0.72 + 0.016 kg ha-1); glyphosate + diuron (0.72 + 0.75 kg ha-1); MSMA + diuron (1.44+ 0.75 kg ha-1); paraquat + diuron (0.9 kg ha-1); paraquat + diquat (0.20 + 0.20 kg ha-1); paraquat + bentazon (0.40 + 0.48 kg ha-1) and hand weeded check. Herbicide application was accomplished in weed post-emergence, between crop lines,using a carbon dioxide-pressurized backpack sprayer, with one XR 8002-VS nozzle for Napoleon's hat protection and two XR 11002-VS nozzles,50 cm spaced , without protection, both using 200 L ha-1 of water. Glyphosate and paraquat + bentazon, glyphosate + 2,4-D and paraquat + diquat tank mixtures provided the highest yield levels for Lyra castor bean hybrid, when applied using a direct sprayer with Napoleon's hat protection. Paraquat + bentazon (0..4 + 0.48 kg ha-1) and paraquat + diquat (0.20 + 0.20 kg ha-1) tank mixtures were the most indicated for direct sprayer with nozzle protection. Escola Superior de Agronomia de Paraguaçu Paulista Universidade Estadual Paulista Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas SAA Coordenadoria de Assistência Técnica Integral Centro de Testes, Avaliação e Divulgação Faculdade de Agronomia e Engenharia Florestal de Garça ESAPP Universidade Estadual Paulista Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of Metformin and Glyburide on cardiovascular, metabolic and hormonal parameters during progressive exercise performed to exhaustion in the post-prandial state in women with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Design and Methods: Ten T2DM patients treated with Metformin (M group), 10 with Glyburide (G group) and 10 age-paired healthy subjects exercised on a bicycle ergometer up to exercise peak. Cardiovascular and blood metabolic and hormonal parameters were measured at times -60 min, 0 min, exercise end, and at 10 and 20 minutes of recovery phase. Thirty minutes before the exercise, a standard breakfast was provided to all participants. The diabetic patients took Metformin or Glyburide before or with meal. Results: Peak oxygen uptake (VO2) was lower in patients with diabetes. Plasma glucose levels remained unchanged, but were higher in both diabetic groups. Patients with diabetes also presented lower insulin levels after meals and higher glucagon levels at exercise peak than C group. Serum cortisol levels were higher in G than M group at exercise end and recovery phase. Lactate levels were higher in M than G group at fasting and in C group at exercise peak. Nor epinephrine, GH and FFA responses were similar in all 3 groups. Conclusion: Progressive exercise performed to exhaustion, in the post-prandial state did not worsen glucose control during and after exercise. The administration of the usual dose of Glyburide or Metformin to T2DM patients did not influence the cardiovascular, metabolic and hormonal response to exercise.

Aims To compare the effects of metformin and glibenclamide on cardiovascular, metabolic and hormonal parameters during exercise of moderate intensity performed in the postprandial state, in women with Type 2 diabetes. Methods Ten patients treated with metformin, 10 with glibenclamide and 10 control subjects (C) exercised on a bicycle ergometer at 50% of oxygen uptake (VO2) peak for 45 min. Cardiovascular, blood metabolic and hormonal parameters were determined at times −60 min (fasting), 0, +15, +30, +45 min (exercise) and at +60, +90 min (recovery). Thirty minutes prior to exercise, participants consumed a standard breakfast. Patients with diabetes took metformin or glibenclamide before the meal. Results Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and plasma glucose were higher in both diabetic groups, for the whole experiment. Blood glucose did not change during exercise in the three groups and increased at recovery only in the control group. Plasma glucagon concentrations at the end of exercise and recovery, and plasma lactate concentrations at recovery were higher in the metformin group. Insulin, noradrenaline, growth hormone, cortisol and free fatty acid responses were similar in all three groups. Conclusions Our results suggest that the usual dose of glibenclamide and metformin can be taken safely before postprandial exercise of moderate intensity without affecting cardiovascular, metabolic and hormonal responses. However, after exercise, glibenclamide and metformin prevent the normal rise in blood glucose and metformin delays the fall in plasma lactate concentrations.

We follow the changes in the structure of the accretion disk of the dwarf nova V2051 Oph along two separate outbursts in order to investigate the causes of its recurrent outbursts. We apply eclipse mapping techniques to a set of light curves covering a normal (July 2000) and a low-amplitude (August 2002) outburst to derive maps of the disk surface brightness distribution at different phases along the outburst cycles. The sequence of eclipse maps of the 2000 July outburst reveal that the disk shrinks at outburst onset while an uneclipsed component of 13 per cent of the total light develops. The derived radial intensity distributions suggest the presence of an outward-moving heating wave during rise and of an inward-moving cooling wave during decline. The inferred speed of the outward-moving heating wave is ~ 1.6 km/s, while the speed of the cooling wave is a fraction of that. A comparison of the measured cooling wave velocity on consecutive nights indicates that the cooling wave accelerates as it travels towards disk center, in contradiction with the prediction of the disk instability model. From the inferred speed of the heating wave we derive a viscosity parameter alpha_{hot} ~ 0.13, comparable to the measured viscosity parameter in quiescence. The 2002 August outburst had lower amplitude (\Delta B ~ 0.8 mag) and the disk at outburst maximum was smaller than on 2000 July. For an assumed distance of 92 pc, we find that along both outbursts the disk brightness temperatures remain below the minimum expected according to the disk instability model. The results suggest that the outbursts of V2051 Oph are caused by bursts of increased mass transfer from the mass-donor star., Comment: 22 pages, 11 postscript figures, written with aastex macro package. To appear in the August 2007 issue of The Astronomical Journal

Fixed‐points cells are primary standards in ITS‐90. They contain reference material with a purity of 99.999 % or more. The gallium in a melting‐point cell, for example, can reach a purity of 99.99999 %. This level of purity is not easy to obtain. However, substances like water and mercury can be purified by means of distillation and chemical procedures. This paper presents the results of mercury triple‐point cells made in Brazil that were directly compared to a mercury triple‐point cell of 99.999% purity. This reference cell, made by Isotech (England), was previously compared to cells from CENAM (Mexico) and NRC (Canada) and the maximum deviation found was approximately 0.4 mK. The purification stage started with a sample of mercury 99.3 % pure, and the repeated use of both mechanical and chemical processes led to a purification grade considered good enough for calibration of standard platinum resistance thermometers. The purification procedures, the method of construction of the cell, the laboratory faci...

O objetivo deste experimento foi avaliar diferenças na quantidade total de água armazenada no solo, na capacidade de armazenamento de água disponível às plantas e no consumo de água de plantas de milho cultivadas em solos de diferentes texturas. O experimento foi instalado em área do Departamento de Engenharia Rural da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria no ano agrícola 1995/1996. Utilizou-se um conjunto de 12 lisímetros de drenagem com dimensões de 156 cm de comprimento, 100 cm de largura e 80 cm de profundidade, protegidos das precipitações por uma cobertura móvel. Os tratamentos consistiram de dois níveis de manejos da água no solo (irrigado e déficit hídrico terminal aplicado durante a fase de crescimento vegetativo) e três texturas de solo (argila pesada, franco-argilo-siltosa e franco-arenosa). Os resultados demonstraram maior capacidade de armazenamento de água disponível às plantas para o solo de textura franco-arenosa (112 mm) do que para o solo de textura argila pesada (102 mm) e de textura franco-argilo-siltosa (94 mm). No entanto, esses valores representam 44, 41 e 77% da quantidade total de água armazenada nos solos argila pesada, franco-argilo-siltosa e franco-arenosa, respectivamente. Para uma mesma profundidade do solo e em condições de déficit hídrico, o solo de textura franco-arenosa apresenta maior capacidade de armazenamento de água disponível às plantas de milho do que os solos de textura argila pesada e franco-argilo-siltosa. The objectives of this experiment were to identify differences in the total quantity of water stored in soil, storing capacity of water available to the plants and in the water consumption of maize plants cultivated in soils of different textures. The experiment was conducted at the experimental area of the Rural Engineering Department of the Federal University of Santa Maria during the 1995/1996 growing season. A set of 12 drainage lysimeters was used. These were 156 cm long, 100 cm wide and 80 cm deep and were placed under a shelter to avoid rainfall. The treatments consisted of two soil water managements (irrigated and terminal soil water deficit applied during vegetative growth) of three soils with distinct textures: clayey, loamy and sandy. A completely randomized statistical design with two replications was used. The results indicated that the soil's water available to the plants was greater in the sandy soil (112 mm) than in the clayey (102 mm) and loamy (94 mm) soils. However, these values represented 44, 41 and 77% of the soil's total stored water capacity for the clayey, loamy and sandy soils, respectively. Considering a given soil depth, there was a greater availability of water to the maize plants for sandy soils than for clayey and loamy soils.

The purpose of this study was to document the possible effect of solubilised erythrocytes on insulin-receptor binding and tyrosine kinase activity after 12 weeks of metformin administration to 13 healthy obese women with no history of diabetes and normal glucose as evaluated by conventional criteria. Subjects were given metformin 850 mg twice a day for 12 weeks. The results showed that plasma glucose response to an oral glucose challenge did not change following metformin, but that insulin response was significantly lower (p0.0001). In addition, both the number of insulin receptors and the tyrosine kinase activity per receptor of solubilised erythrocytes were significantly greater following metformin administration. Since both body weight and plasma glucose concentrations were similar before and after treatment, the effect of metformin on insulin-receptor binding and tyrosine kinase activity appeared to be independent of either of these variables. In summary, oral administration of metformin led to an increase in tyrosine kinase activity or erythrocyte insulin receptors, suggesting that such action occurs in the absence of any significant change in plasma glucose concentration.

A leptospirose e uma antropozoonose transmitida pela urina de roedores (ratos) infectados pela bacteria Leptospira interrogans. Sinais clinicos variados levam a confusao com outros tipos de alteracoes. Acreditava-se que a leptospirose atingia animais na zona rural, devido ao convivio com suinos, fonte de infeccao. Atualmente, a zona urbana e a regiao mais acometida, sendo os caes domiciliados a especie mais atingida devido aos habitos de roer objetos duros e lamber orgaos genitais, eventualmente ingerindo urina. Roedores invadem residencias pelos esgotos e terrenos baldios buscando alimentos e contaminando o local. Logo, objetivou-se verificar a ocorrencia da doenca em caes domiciliados e observar a distribuicao espacial na microrregiao de Ribeirao Preto. Para isso, as informacoes analisadas foram obtidas do banco de dados do laboratorio de Diagnostico de Leptospirose e Brucelose do Departamento de Medicina Preventiva e Reproducao Animal da FCAV/UNESP, Campus de Jaboticabal-SP, referentes a animais atendidos no Hospital Veterinario no ano de 2011. Utilizou-se a tecnica de soroaglutinacao microscopica, sendo testadas as sorovariedades Tarassovi, Canicola, Grippotyphosa, Icterohemorrhagiae, Copenhageni, Pomona, Hardjo, Wolffi . Para analise o software MapInfo Professional foi utilizado. Dentre os 100 exames, 24% dos caes apresentaram sorologia positiva para pelo menos uma das oito sorovariedades testadas, sendo: Copenhageni (41,66%), Canicola (41,66%), Grippotyphosa (25%), Icterohemorrhagiae (16,66%) e Hardjo (8,33%), com titulos variando entre 100 e 800. A ocorrencia de animais reagentes em cada municipio foi: Barretos 4,17%, Bocaina 4,17%, Cravinhos 4,17%, Dumont 12,5%, Guariba 8,33%, Jaboticabal 20,83%, Matao 4,17%, Monte Alto 12,5%, Sao Carlos 8,33%, Sao Jose do Rio Pardo 16,67% e Sertaozinho 4,17%. Com base nos achados desse estudo concluimos que a leptospirose tem sido sub-diagnosticada e e mbora possa ser inaparente no animal/homem infectado, a L eptospira spp e continua ou periodicamente excretada pela urina por ate 700 dias, constituindo um grave problema de saude publica. SUMMARY Leptospirosis is an anthropozoonosis transmitted by the urine of rodents (mice) infected by the bacterium Leptospira interrogans . Varying clinical signs lead to confusion with other types of deviations. It was believed that leptospirosis was present in rural areas only, due to contact with pigs, the infection source. Currently, the urban area is the most affected region while pet dogs are the most affected due to the habit of biting hard objects and licking the genitals, possibly ingesting urine. Rodents invade homes through the sewers and wastelands seeking food and contaminating the site. Therefore, this study investigates the disease incidence in domestic dogs and reports the spatial distribution in the micro-region of Ribeirao Preto. For this, the analyzed information was obtained from the database of the laboratory for the diagnosis of leptospirosis and brucellosis of the Department of Preventive Medicine and Animal Reproduction FCAV/UNESP, Jaboticabal. The data refer to animals treated at the Veterinary Hospital in 2011. We used the microscopic agglutination test, which tested the serovars tarassovi, Canicola, Grippotyphosa, Icterohemorrhagiae, Copenhageni, Pomona, Hardjo, Wolffi. The data analysis was performed using the MapInfo Professional software. Among the 100 tests, 24% of the dogs were serologically positive for at least one of the eight serovars tested, being: Copenhageni (41.66%), Canicola (41.66%), Grippotyphosa (25%), Icterohemorrhagiae (16.66 %) and Hardjo (8.33%), with titers ranging between 100 and 800. The occurrence of reactive animals in each municipality was: Barretos, Matao, Sertaozinho, Cravinhos and Bocaina, 4.17%, each; Dumont, 12.5%; Guariba, 8.33%; Jaboticabal, 20.83%; Monte Alto, 12.5%; Sao Carlos, 8.33%; and Sao Jose do Rio Pardo, 16.67%. Based on the findings of this study, we concluded that leptospirosis has been under-diagnosed and although unapparent in the infected animal/man, Leptospira spp. is continuously or intermittently excreted in the urine for up to 700 days, thus constituting a serious public health problem.

A vacinacao com a amostra B19 de Brucella abortus e fundamental nos programas de controle dessa infeccao. Contudo, a vacina induz titulos decrescentes de anticorpos, mas que podem provocar resultados falso-positivos. Muitas tecnicas sorologicas ja foram avaliadas para discriminar anticorpos vacinais, e ha estudos mostrando que o teste de polarizacao fluorescente (TPF) apresenta elevada capacidade de discriminacao mesmo em animais vacinados ha pouco tempo. O estudo teve por objetivo comparar os resultados obtidos pelo TPF com aqueles obtidos pela reacao de fixacao de complemento (RFC) 30 dias apos a aplicacao da dose-padrao de vacina B19 em 71 bezerras da raca Tabapua. Antes da vacinacao, nenhuma das bezerras apresentava titulos de anticorpos. O TPF foi realizado e interpretado conforme as recomendacoes do fabricante (Diachemix, USA), e a para a RFC foi utilizada a microtecnica 50% de hemolise recomendada por Alton et al. (1988). Os resultados obtidos nas tecnicas foram comparados por meio de analise de regressao, apos os titulos observados na RFC serem transformados em logaritmo de base 2. Os dados classificados em positivos e negativos foram comparados entre si usando o indicador kappa e o teste binomial. As analises de dados foram efetuadas por meio do software R. Apenas 6 animais apresentaram resultados negativos na RFC, e os titulos observados nesse teste chegaram a 1:128 (3 animais). O titulo mais frequente foi 1:16. O resultado mais elevado observado pelo TPF foi 127,3 mP. Observou-se uma associacao positiva entre os resultados dos dois testes, com coeficiente de regressao 9,375 (IC 95%: 6,762 - 11,988; P = 1,149 x 10 -9 ) e R² ajustado 0,4092. Na RFC, 8,45% dos animais apresentaram resultado negativo, ao passo que no TPF a proporcao de negativos foi o dobro (16,9%). A diferenca entre esses resultados foi estatisticamente significativa pelo teste binomial (P = 0,03125), e a concordância entre os resultados foi boa, com kappa 0,62 (IC 95%: 0,41 - 0,84). Os dados obtidos indicam que o TPF apresentou melhor capacidade do que a RFC para discriminar anticorpos induzidos pela vacina B19, porem essa capacidade nao foi tao elevada quanto a descrita por outros autores. SUMMARY Vaccination with Brucella abortus B19 is critical for the control programs of this infection. However, the vaccine induces decreasing antibodies titers, which can cause false-positive results. Many serological techniques have been evaluated to discriminate vaccine antibodies, and there are studies showing that the fluorescence polarization assay (FPA) has high discrimination ability even in animals recently vaccinated. The study aimed to compare the results obtained by FPA with those obtained by the complement fixation test (CFT) 30 days after standard vaccination with B19 of 71 Tabapua heifers. Before vaccination, none of the calves showed antibody titers. The FPA was performed and interpreted according to the manufacturer's recommendations (Diachemix, USA). The CFT used the micro-technique with 50% haemolytic units as recommended by Alton et al. (1988). The results obtained with the two techniques were compared using regression analysis, after the titers observed for CFT were transformed into base-2 logarithm. The data, classified into positive and negative, were compared using the kappa index and the binomial test. Data analyses were performed using the software R. Only 6 animals tested negative according to CFT while the titers observed in this test reached 1:128 (3 animals). The most common titer was 1:16. The highest result was 127.3 mP observed by FPA. There was a positive association between the results of the two tests, with regression coefficient 9.375 (95% CI: 6.762 to 11.988, P = 1.149 x 10 -9 ) and adjusted R² 0.4092. In CFT, 8.45% of the animals were negative, whereas the proportion of negative results according to FPA was double (16.9%). The difference between these results was statistically significant by the binomial test (P = 0.03125), and the agreement between the results was good, with kappa 0.62 (95% CI: 0.41 to 0.84). The data obtained indicate that the FPA was more efficient that CFT to discriminate B19 vaccine-induced antibodies, but this capability was not as high as that reported by other authors.

This study was performed to define the effect of metformin on glycaemic control and erythrocyte insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity in patients with non-insulin-dependent (Type 2) diabetes mellitus. A case-control study of the effect of metformin treatment in hyperglycaemic patients with Type 2 diabetes was conducted in outpatients of the Diabetes Clinical Center. The study population consisted of 14 patients with Type 2 diabetes (5 males, 9 females) whose hyperglycaemia was uncontrolled by diet. Patients were treated with metformin 850 mg twice daily for 2 1/2 months. Fasting plasma glucose concentrations decreased from 8.9 to 6.4 mmol/L after 10 weeks of metformin treatment (p0.001), in association with significantly lower (p0.001) plasma glucose and insulin concentrations in response to an oral glucose load. In addition, both fasting plasma triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations were significantly (p0.001) lower after metformin treatment. There was no change in erythrocyte insulin receptor binding associated with metformin treatment, but both basal and insulin-stimulated insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activities of solubilized erythrocyte insulin receptors were significantly higher after 10 weeks of metformin treatment. It is concluded that the increase in insulin-stimulated tyrosine kinase activity contributed to the improvement in glucose insulin and lipoprotein metabolism associated with metformin treatment of Type 2 diabetes.

The case of a parathyroid carcinoma in a 61-year-old woman is described. The patient was referred to our hospital, with the diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma, after a prior thyroidectomy performed at another hospital. On admission, serum calcium was 3.92 mmol/l (n.r. 2.2-2.5), PTH level was 320 ng/l (n.r. 10-65), urinary cAMP was 508.9 mmol/mmol creatinine (n.r. 330- 630) and serum calcitonin was 2.1 ng/l (n.r.

The effects of insulin were evaluated on adipocytes isolated from three different anatomical sites in male, Sprague-Dawley rats: epididymal (EPI), retroperitoneal (RP), and dorsal subcutaneous (SC). The results indicated that maximal insulin-stimulated glucose transport was significantly lower (P less than 0.001) in cells from the SC region as compared to EPI and RP cells. In addition, the ED50 value for SC cells (259 +/- 34 pmol/l) was significantly higher than for EPI (66 +/- 5 pM) or RP adipocytes (111 +/- 32 pmol/l). Insulin inhibition of catecholamine-induced lipolysis was also significantly greater (P less than 0.001) in EPI cells as compared to RP or SC adipocytes, and that was true when expressed in absolute or relative terms. The decrease in the ability of insulin to either stimulate glucose transport or inhibit catecholamine induced lipolysis in SC cells was associated with a decrease in insulin receptor autophosphorylation and receptor tyrosine kinase activity. These data show that insulin action on isolated adipocytes varies as a function of anatomical site, and that these changes are associated with variations in insulin receptor autophosphorylation and insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity.

Neste trabalho são descritos os métodos analíticos empregados para a determinação de micronutrientes (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn e Mo), cobalto, fósforo orgânico e inorgânico, silica, matéria orgânica e carbono orgânico em torta de filtro rotativo. São apresentadas as marchas analíticas preconizadas e os resultados obtidos nas determinações efetuadas em vinte e duas amostras do material. This paper describe the analytical methods employed for the determination of copper, zinc, iron, manganese, cobalt, molybdenum, organic and organic phosphorus, silicon, organic mater and organic carbon in filter mud.

IT has been shown by histological methods1 that the islets of Langerhans form a much larger proportion of the pancreatic tissue in fœtuses and newborn infants than they do in adults, and Fisher and Scott2 extracted relatively more insulin from the pancreas of the fœtal and newborn calf than from the same organ in later life. Hartmann and Jaudon3 found that the injection of insulin into newborn human infants led to a moderate fall of blood sugar, and Villee4 has stated that the fœtal tissues of man respond in vitro, like those of adults, to the presence of added insulin by an increased utilization and oxidation of glucose. The newborn infant, therefore, would appear to have abundant islet tissue and to respond normally to insulin; and in keeping with all this is the well-known fact that newborn infants may have very low fasting blood-sugars5.