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Os hibridos de milho Bt disponiveis no mercado podem expressar certos niveis de proteina Cry nos graos, o que demanda investigacoes sobre seus efeitos potenciais sobre insetos-praga de graos armazenados, especialmente os da Ordem Lepidoptera, informacao inedita em condicoes tropicais. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o desenvolvimento de Sitotroga cerealella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) e a perda de peso em graos de milho Bt. Os bioensaios foram realizados utilizando-se graos colhidos de sete hibridos de milho com distintos eventos Bt: DKB 390 YG (evento MON 810), Formula TL (evento Bt11), 2B587 HX (evento TC1507), DKB 390 VT PRO (evento MON89034), DKB390 PRO2 (evento MON5), Impacto Viptera (evento MIR 162) e Maximus TL (evento Bt11). Nos tratamentos testemunha foram utilizados as isolinhas nao transgenicas de cada evento. Os graos foram acondicionados em frascos de vidro (1,7 L), com cerca de 1000 g de graos (13% de umidade). Os frascos foram infestados com 20 insetos adultos, nao-sexados, e armazenados em condicao ambiente. Apos 70 dias de armazenamento, os frascos foram avaliados, contando-se o numero total de insetos vivos e mortos. Apos analise dos dados nao observouse diferenca estatisticamente significativa no desenvolvimento de S. cerealella e na massa especifica aparente entre os hibridos de milho Bt. O percentual de perda maximo atingiu ate 17,0% ao final de 70 dias de armazenamento.

This chapter aims to study the drying of sisal fibers. The interest in this type of material is related to its high mechanical performance. Several important topics such as theory, experiments, lumped and distributed mathematical modeling, and technological applications of fibers are presented and discussed. Emphasis is given to advanced distributed modeling that describes the heat and mass transfer in a wet fiber bed during drying. The model includes different effects such as bed porosity, fiber and bed moisture, coupling between heat and mass transport, and conduction, convection, and evaporation heat transfer. Results of fiber drying and heating kinetics, temperature distribution, and water vapor concentration in the fibrous bed are presented, compared with experimental data and analyzed.

Conformation of protein is vital to its function, but may get affected when processing to manufacture products. It is therefore important to understand structural changes during each step of production. In this study, we investigate secondary structure changes in the targeting protein Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) during synthesis of theranostic bifunctional nanoparticle, devised for Photodynamic therapy of breast cancer. We acquired FTIR spectra of EGF; unconjugated, post treatment with α-lipoic acid, attached to gold nanoparticle, and bound to the bifunctional nanoprobe. We observed decreasing disordered structures and turns, and increasing loops, as the synthesis process progressed. There was an overall increase in β-sheets in final product compared to pure EGF, but this increase was not linear and fluctuated. Previous crystal structure studies on EGF-EGFR complex have shown loops and β-sheets to be important in the binding interaction. Since our study found increase in these structures in the final product, no adverse effect on binding function of EGF was expected. This was confirmed by functional assays. Such studies may help modify synthesis procedures, and thus secondary structures of proteins, enabling increased functionality and optimum results.

Calcium aluminate cement (CAC) blends show great potential as biomaterial when compared to commercial products used in odontology and orthopedics. Mixtures of CAC +4 wt% of different additives (alumina, zirconia, zinc oxide, tricalcium phosphate or hydroxyapatite) containing compositions, resulted in samples with low porosity levels and smaller pore sizes after their contact with simulated body fluid (SBF) solution, which was associated with apatite precipitation on the materials’ surface. In order to certify these aspects, the in vitro apatite-formation ability (bioactivity) of CAC blends was evaluated by pH and calcium concentration measurements in SBF for samples previously treated (or not) with sodium silicate (SS) solution. The surface of the samples after immersion in SBF or SBF/SS was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and confocal Raman spectroscopy. In addition, the in vitro apatite deposition and the osteoblastic cell viability were also evaluated. SEM results showed that the precipitation of phases was detected on the CAC blend samples’ surfaces. The presence of calcium and mainly phosphorus by EDX indicated the formation of calcium phosphate phases. Moreover, the presence of a more homogeneous apatite-like layer on the samples’ surface was observed after treatment with sodium silicate solution. The detection of the Raman signature at 960 cm −1 , confirmed the presence of an apatite-like layer on the surface of the compositions after immersion in SBF or SBF/SS. Regarding the osteoblastic cell viability results, blends with collagen, zinc oxide and zirconia presented better results when compared to commercial products.

The study of early development in Neotropical Leiuperinae frogs (Anura, Leptodactylidae) has been addressed by several works in recent times. However, a comparative develop- mental approach under a phylogenetic context was not available. Herein we analyzed the morphological and ontogenetic diversity of embryos belonging to 22 species of the three largest genera in Leiuperinae. We find that in most cases, variations fit with the phylogeny at the inter- and intrageneric levels. Embryo kyphosis and whitish color are synapomorphies for the clade grouping Physalaemus and Engystomops. The presence of a third lower tooth row on the oral disc is plesiomorphic for Leiuperinae, only changing in derived clades. The configurations and developmental trajectories of the lower lip are exceptionally diverse. The developmental sequences optimized on the phylogenetic tree recover an early differentiated first lower tooth row a synapomorphy of Pseudopaludicola and Physalaemus, and an early differentiated second row as synapomorphy of Pleurodema. On the other hand, few features are highly conserved in the subfamily, such as the adhesive glands universally present in a type-C configuration. Our results also suggest that the morphology and ontogeny of embryos is in some cases associated to the environment where they develop. A large body size, poorly developed transient respiratory structures, large yolk provision and delayed development of the digestive tract occur convergently in embryos inhabiting cold, oxygen- ated environments. Embryos that develop in warmer water bodies in xeric environments show more complex and persistent transient respiratory structures and an early onset of hind limbs development. Our survey highlights that morphology and early development of anurans can be a valuable source of information for phylogenetic studies, and provide fun- damental bases to explore and discuss how evolutionary changes can be shaped by envi- ronmental conditions. Fil: Grosso, Jimena Renee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - Tucumán. Unidad Ejecutora Lillo; Argentina Fil: Baldo, Juan Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; Argentina Fil: Cardozo, Dario Elbio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; Argentina Fil: Kolenc, Francisco. Ministerio de Educación y Cultura. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural; Uruguay Fil: Borteiro, Claudio. Ministerio de Educación y Cultura. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural; Uruguay Fil: Rodriguez de Oliveira, Mariana. Universidade Federal da Bahia; Brasil Fil: Bonino, Marcelo Fabián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina Fil: Barrasso, Diego Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto de Diversidad y Evolución Austral; Argentina Fil: Vera Candioti, María Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - Tucumán. Unidad Ejecutora Lillo; Argentina

Petrobras launched the PDBC (Campos Basin Development Plan) as part of Company’s Strategic Plan to increase production and incorporate reserves in a scenario of mature fields and low oil prices. The plan is based on an integrated analysis of opportunities, combining skills of professionals with different backgrounds, allowing cost reduction and the deployment of technical solutions. It also has defined short- and long-term actions to achieve these goals. In the short-term horizon, actions included campaigns to remove damage of producer and injector wells, improvements in artificial lift methods, reduction of time required for projects approval, early drilling of wildcats, improvements in the efficiency of water injection, among others. In the long term, Petrobras performed a critical analysis of the recovery factor for each reservoir, identifying bottlenecks and evaluating technological solutions with multidisciplinary teams. Results indicate a significant increase in production in 2017 and the proposal of new projects in these fields. This paper presents the methodology used in the program and the results obtained so far for the giant oil fields of Roncador, Marlim Sul, Marlim Leste, Barracuda, Caratinga and Albacora Leste, responsible for approximately 20% of all Brazilian production. It also presents the future applications in fields where reduction of costs and technical solutions can contribute to increase production and reserves.

Tomato plants are mainly cultivated as monocrops in Brazil by intensive using of chemical products. Aiming to contribute for the reduction of the use of pesticides and enhancing biodiversity on plantation area, we conducted field experiments with tomato plants intercropped with aromatic herbs, in Sergipe state, Brazil, to evaluate the performance of tomato plants grown in monocrop and in two intercrop designs: replacement series and additive designs. The herbs used were basil (Ocimum basilicum), rue (Ruta graveolens), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and peppermint (Mentha piperita). Two experiments were carried out under an organic management system and they were designed in a complete randomized blocks design with four replicates. Total height, canopy area, production, yield and land equivalent ratio (LER) were determined. Herbs used different competitive strategies in interactions. Tomato plants had lower yield in intercrop with fennel than using other intercrops. A reduction was observed on tomato yield: from 20.4 t ha-1, in monocrop, to 13.1 t ha-1 in intercrop. Fennel plants had higher height and canopy area than other intercrops used and it caused shadow on tomato plants. However, it was noted that tomato plants had lower percentage of yield loss caused by tomato fruitworm (24%) in intercrop with fennel than others. The tomato relative yield was larger in intercrop with rue (13.6 t ha-1) and lower in intercrop with fennel (6.4 t ha-1). The rue plants supported a significant increase on commercial yield of tomato fruits (about 26%). The greatest losses by tomato fruitworm damage occurred in monocrop and in intercrop with peppermint. The results show the interaction between tomato and rue plants was advantageous for tomato yields. Among herbs, basil had higher yield (96.5 t ha-1) than others. LER results reveal that all intercrops studied allowed for improving use of land.

BackgroundSeveral studies have found a reduction in hippocampal volume in borderline personality disorder (BPD) patients.MethodsIn order to investigate the degree to which comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) could account for reduction in hippocampal volume in these patients, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that compared hippocampal volume in BPD patients with and without PTSD relative to healthy controls.ResultsSeven articles, involving 124 patients and 147 controls, were included. We found a statistically significant reduction for the left and right hippocampus. Data from the four studies that discriminated BPD patients with and without PTSD indicate that hippocampal volumes were reduced bilaterally in BPD patients with PTSD, relative to healthy controls, but that results were mixed for BPD patients without PTSD, relative to healthy controls.ConclusionsResults from this meta-analysis suggest that hippocampal volumes are reduced in patients with BPD, relative to healthy controls, but particularly in cases in which patients are diagnosed with comorbid PTSD.

SUMMARY What is known and Background: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) often follows a chronic course and is associated with substantial impairment in functioning. Although results from clinical trials clearly establish evidence for efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy in treating this disorder, up to 50% of patients with SAD show little or no improvement. Thus, new approaches that have promised in improving the efficacy of treatment for SAD are needed. One such approach is the trial-based thought record (TBTR), which targets the restructuring of patients’ core beliefs. Objective: To determine whether patients receiving TBTR would report fewer symptoms of social anxiety and general psychiatric distress following treatment, relative to conventional cognitive therapy (CCT). Methods: A two-arm randomized trial comparing TBTR (n = 17) with a set of CCT techniques (n = 19), which included the standard sevencolumn dysfunctional thought record and the positive data log in SAD patients according to DSM-IV. Results: Scores on many outcome measures decreased significantly across the course of treatment in both groups (P

The efficiency of colloidal silica as a binder agent for castable matrix suspension in the presence of different setting agents and curing temperatures was evaluated. The tests were carried out trough rheometric techniques according to a systemic approach specifically developed for ceramic systems (oscillatory and normal force tests). Colloidal silica performed well as a binder agent for refractory suspensions when a suitable additive was selected. Among the additives analyzed, magnesium oxide was the most suitable for the evaluated systems. MgO addition in the range of 0.3–0.6 wt% and curing temperature of 25 °C were the suggested parameters for alumina and microsilica systems.

Um dos aspectos principais para o desenvolvimento de concretos refratários está no aprimoramento dos conhecimentos sobre o cimento de alta alumina ou cimento de aluminato de cálcio (CAC), já que esse ligante é o mais utilizado nesta classe de produtos. O objetivo desse trabalho foi o de analisar as informações disponíveis na literatura para se obter um conhecimento mais aprofundado dos mecanismos de ação dos aditivos retardadores e aceleradores da pega deste cimento. Da análise dos dados compilados pode-se concluir que os aditivos retardadores agem geralmente de duas maneiras: 1) dificultando o processo de dissolução do cimento, por meio da formação de barreiras insolúveis ao redor das suas partículas e 2) favorecendo a formação de hidratos mais solúveis, o que aumenta o tempo necessário para que se inicie a precipitação. Por outro lado, os aditivos aceleradores de pega podem atuar favorecendo a formação de hidratos menos solúveis, diminuindo assim o tempo necessário para a precipitação ou ainda pela formação de núcleos iniciadores do processo de crescimento dos cristais dos hidratos. A análise destas informações leva a constatação de que a ação de alguns aditivos retardadores e aceleradores ocorre em estágios distintos no processo de hidratação do CAC. Portanto, pode-se imaginar uma situação onde a combinação desses dois aditivos poderia conferir um tempo de trabalhabilidade adequado e seguro, aliado a um curto tempo de desmoldagem.

The Dysfunctional Thought Record (DTR) is an effective and useful worksheet, widely used in cognitive therapy (CT), to help patients respond to automatic thoughts (ATs) and to change negative mood states. Some clients, however, seem not to improve with the use of the original DTR proposed by Beck et al. (1979) . Padesky and Greenberger (1995) added two evidence columns to the original five-column DTR in order to generate more balanced alternative thoughts. In this paper, I present a case report and propose a modified thought record to deal especially with “yes, but…” dysfunctional thoughts.

SUMMARY Background: Thirty years ago, psychiatrists had only a few choices of old neuroleptics available to them, currently defined as conventional or typical antipsychotics, as a result schizophrenics had to suffer the severe extra pyramidal side effects. Nowadays, new treatments are more ambitious, aiming not only to improve psychotic symptoms, but also quality of life and social reinsertion. Our objective is to briefly but critically review the advances in the treatment of schizophrenia with antipsychotics in the past 30 years. We conclude that conventional antipsychotics still have a place when just the cost of treatment, a key factor in poor regions, is considered. The atypical antipsychotic drugs are a class of agents that have become the most widely used to treat a variety of psychoses because of their superiority with regard to extra pyramidal symptoms. We can envisage different therapeutic strategies in the future, each uniquely targeting a different dimension of schizophrenia, be it positive, negative, cognitive or affective symptoms.

O estado de dispersão das partículas constituintes da matriz de concretos apresenta uma influência direta no comportamento reológico desses materiais, determinando as técnicas que podem ser usadas para a sua aplicação. Diferentes aditivos são utilizados visando uma dispersão eficiente, a qual constitui um requisito importante na otimização do empacotamento das partículas e da resistência mecânica de concretos. Entretanto, a influência desses aditivos nas propriedades de concretos tem sido muito pouco estudada. Neste trabalho investigou-se o efeito de três dispersantes nas propriedades e desempenho na secagem de diferentes composições refratárias. A presença de poliacrilato de sódio resultou em concretos com elevada permeabilidade e maior porosidade. Por outro lado, em composições no sistema Al2O3-MgO a presença de hexametafosfato de sódio proporcionou concretos com permeabilidade extremamente baixa acarretando numa secagem mais lenta, enquanto o ácido cítrico apresentou um desempenho intermediário. Tais efeitos nas propriedades dos concretos foram correlacionados às características intrínsecas dos aditivos. The state of dispersion of the castables matrix particles presents a direct influence in their rheological behavior, determining the techniques that can be used for their installation. Different additives have been used aiming an efficient dispersion, which constitutes an important requirement in the optimization of the particles packing and mechanical resistance of castables. However, the influence of those additives in the castables properties has not been extensively studied. In this work, the effect of 3 dispersants was investigated in the properties and drying behavior of different refractory compositions. The presence of sodium polyacrylate resulted in castables with higher permeability and larger porosity. On the other hand, in Al2O3-MgO compositions the presence of sodium hexametaphosphate provided extremely low permeability castables resulting in a slower drying, whereas the citric acid presented an intermediate behavior. Such effects in the castables properties were correlated to intrinsic characteristics of the additives.

A trabalhabilidade de concretos refratários é determinada principalmente pela cinética de hidratação do ligante hidráulico. Têm-se observado que o processo de gelificação/hidratação desse material em meio aquoso é sensivelmente influenciado pela presença de aditivos dispersantes. Em virtude disso, este trabalho investigou a correlação entre a trabalhabilidade de concretos refratários de ultra-baixo teor de cimento no sistema Al2O3-SiC-SiO2-C e as características apresentadas por suspensões aquosas de cimento na presença de diferentes aditivos. A influência desses aditivos no processo de hidratação do cimento foi estudada através de ensaios de microscopia eletrônica de varredura, difração de raios X, sedimentação, condutividade elétrica e ensaios reológicos. Os resultados obtidos indicam que a "pega" inicial do concreto ocorre devido à aglomeração das partículas induzida pela formação de um produto coloidal amorfo ("gel") entre elas. Observou-se que o citrato de sódio favorece a formação de uma quantidade significativa de "gel" entre as partículas, reduzindo a trabalhabilidade do concreto. The working time of refractory castables is mainly determined by the hydration kinetic of the hydraulic binder. It has been observed that the gelation/hydration process of this material in aqueous solutions is significantly influenced by the addition of dispersing additives. Hence, this work investigated the correlation between the working time of ULC refractory castables in the Al2O3-SiC-SiO2-C system and the physic-chemical characteristics of cement aqueous suspensions in the presence of different sort of additives. The influence of these additives in the cement hydration process was studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, sedimentation experiments, electrical conductivity and rheological tests. The initial setting of castables was found to be associated to particle coagulation and the development of an amorphous colloidal product (gel), that gives rise to a stiff gel-like structure. Sodium citrate favored the development of a significant content of such "gel" among particles, decreasing the castable working time.

Rats infected with the helminth Capillaria hepatica regularly develop septal hepatic fibrosis that may progress to cirrhosis in a relatively short time. Because of such characteristics, this experimental model was selected for testing drugs exhibiting antifibrosis potential, such as pentoxifylline, gadolinium chloride and vitamin A. Hepatic fibrosis was qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated in liver samples obtained by partial hepatectomy and at autopsy. The material was submitted to histological, biochemical and morphometric methods. A statistically significant reduction of fibrosis was obtained with pentoxifylline when administered intraperitoneally rather than intravenously. Gadolinium chloride showed moderate activity when administered prophylactically (before fibrosis had started), but showed a poor effect when fibrosis was well advanced. No modification of fibrosis was seen after vitamin A administration. Hydroxyproline content was correlated with morphometric measurements. The model appears to be adequate, since few animals die of the infection, fibrosis develops regularly in all animals, and the effects of different antifibrotic drugs and administration protocols can be easily detected.

Texto completo: acesso restrito. p.23–31 Submitted by Suelen Reis (suelen_suzane@hotmail.com) on 2013-01-22T11:55:31Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Bacaltchuk.pdf: 334193 bytes, checksum: cec650392747bf0a1f32d18ce770a15e (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-01-22T11:55:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Bacaltchuk.pdf: 334193 bytes, checksum: cec650392747bf0a1f32d18ce770a15e (MD5) Previous issue date: 1999 Objective: To assess the efficacy and acceptability of antidepressants compared to psychotherapy as single approaches for the treatment of bulimia nervosa. Method: Dichotomous outcomes were analysed by calculating relative risks and continuous outcomes by calculating effect sizes. The number needed to treat (or harm) was calculated. Methodological quality of trials and heterogeneity in the results were evaluated. Results:A meta-analysis including five randomized controlled trials showed a non-significant difference in short-term remission of bulimic symptoms favouring psychotherapy. Remission rates were 20% for antidepressants and 39% for psychotherapy (P=0·07). Dropout rates were higher(P=0·027) for antidepressants (40%) than for psychotherapy (18%). The number needed to harm (NNH) was 4. Discussion: Psychotherapy was superior to antidepressants, but using a more conservative statistical approach this difference, although clinically relevant, was not significant. The number of trials might be insufficient to show the significance of a 20% absolute risk reduction in efficacy. Psychotherapy was a better accepted treatment.

Um estudo do comportamento reológico de suspensões aquosas de alumina e carbeto de silício foi desenvolvido, afim de se encontrar condições de processamento que otimizem a dispersão simultânea dessas matérias-primas. Os agentes dispersantes utilizados foram os polieletrólitos: sal de ácido polimetacrílico e polietilenoimina. Os pontos isoelétricos (pie) dos pós em suspensão aquosa e seus deslocamentos na presença dos defloculantes utilizados foram determinados. Obteve-se através de medidas de viscosidade e potencial zeta a concentração de defloculante que proporciona melhor dispersão de ambas as suspensões, bem como a influência do pH e da fração volumétrica de sólidos na estabilização. Neste trabalho, verificou-se que a defloculação simultânea de alumina e carbeto de silício pode ser conseguida em pHs nos quais os pós apresentem maior densidade de carga de mesmo sinal na superfície das partículas, preferencialmente utilizando-se o mesmo tipo de dispersante.

There is no clear-cut line separating normal and abnormal moods. Therefore, psychiatrists often describe patterns of symptoms (syndromes) to suggest the existence of diseases for which no obvious brain abnormalities can be demonstrated. These uncertainties create room for much doubt about the best way of treating unipolar major depression. I present here a case report of a patient with unipolar depression treated with cognitive therapy. The patient had been treated with an SSRI and a tricyclic antidepressant without substantial improvement. This case is discussed in the light of the current controversies in the literature concerning the comparative value of psychotherapy, particularly that designed to treat depression, and pharmacotherapy. We would suggest that cognitive therapy, as well as other depression-specific short psychotherapies, is the treatment of choice in milder depressions. However, there is evidence to support the widespread clinical impression that combined therapy with both psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is superior to each single mode of therapy for the treatment of more severe, recurrent depressions.

Splenectomized and sham-operated mice with chronic Schistosoma mansoni infection were compared for the development of periportal fibrosis (pipestem fibrosis). Although this lesion appeared less frequently in splenectomized mice, it also developed in the absence of the spleen. The time of splenectomy, spleen weight, presence of anti-idiotypic antibodies, the number of eggs in the liver, and the type and size of periovular granulomas in the liver as evaluated by computerized morphometry did not show statistically significant differences between the two groups. It is concluded that the role of the spleen in the development of pipestem fibrosis seems ancillary and that multifactorial influences, including worm burden, hepatic vascular adjustment, and factors associated with the biology of extracellular matrix of the liver, probably play a more significant role.

Texto completo: acesso restrito. p.749–754 Submitted by Suelen Reis (suelen_suzane@hotmail.com) on 2013-02-01T11:57:25Z No. of bitstreams: 1 -SILVA.pdf: 252821 bytes, checksum: 841efc1839f806a8b2ad9e05d8af69b7 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-02-01T11:57:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 -SILVA.pdf: 252821 bytes, checksum: 841efc1839f806a8b2ad9e05d8af69b7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 1997 DE CASTRO-E-SILVA, E., C. SARMENTO, T. A. NASCIMENTO, C. P. LUZ, T. SOARES, C. A. MARINHO, M. CUNHA, C. BULCÃO, I. R. DE OLIVEIRA AND J. B. FREGONEZE. Effect of third ventricle administration of L-694,247, a selective 5-HT1D receptor agonist, on water intake in rats. PHARMACOL BIOCHEM BEHAV 57[4]749–754, 1997.—L-694,247, a selective 5-HT1D receptor agonist, injected directly into the third ventricle (2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μg/rat) of dehydrated rats induced a dose-dependent partial blockade of water intake. Injected in this way, the compound abolishes drinking behavior induced by third ventricle administration of carbachol (2 μg/rat), angiotensin II (5 ng/rat), and isoproterenol (40 μg/rat). In addition, intraventricular injections of L-694,247 did not modify water intake in normohydrated rats. The effects of L-694,247 are due to a specific interaction with 5-HT1D receptors, because its inhibitory effect on water intake in dehydrated rats is blocked by the previous administration of a 5-HT1D antagonist, GR 127935 (5 μg/rat), directly into the third ventricle. It is concluded that central 5-HT1D receptor activation disrupts the functional integrity of central pathways related to drinking behavior.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) often follows a chronic course and is associated with substantial impairment in functioning. Although results from clinical trials clearly establish evidence for efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy in treating this disorder, up to 50% of patients with SAD show little or no improvement. Thus, new approaches that have promised in improving the efficacy of treatment for SAD are needed. One such approach is the trial-based thought record (TBTR), which targets the restructuring of patients' core beliefs.To determine whether patients receiving TBTR would report fewer symptoms of social anxiety and general psychiatric distress following treatment, relative to conventional cognitive therapy (CCT).A two-arm randomized trial comparing TBTR (n = 17) with a set of CCT techniques (n = 19), which included the standard seven-column dysfunctional thought record and the positive data log in SAD patients according to DSM-IV.Scores on many outcome measures decreased significantly across the course of treatment in both groups (P0·001), including the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (FNE), Social Avoidance and Distress Scale (SADS), Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Clinical Global Impression - Improvement. In addition, a one-way ancova, taking baseline values as covariates, showed that TBTR was significantly more efficacious than CCT in reducing the scores of FNE (P = 0·01 at mid-treatment and P = 0·004 at post-treatment), and SADS (P = 0·03 at post-treatment).This study provides preliminary evidence that TBTR is at least as efficacious as CCT in reducing symptoms of SAD, pointing to the need for additional studies of TBTR in SAD and other psychiatric disorders.

SummaryThis study was designed to verify whether fluoxetine (FL), a serotonin (5-HT) re-uptake inhibitor, would interfere with nortriptyline (NT), a biphasic U-shaped curvilinear dose-response relationship recently described in our laboratory. We associated 10 mg/kg NT or vehicle to 0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg FL, in one group, and 10 mg FL or vehicle to 0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg NT, in another group, 30 min before the tail suspension test (TST) in mice. Although we were not able to confirm a synergistic effect between FL and NT, FL-NT association seems to require higher doses of NT to block its own anti-immobility effect at high doses, thus widening NT effective antidepressant-like dose range in mice submitted to TST.

SummaryChronically stressed adult male Balb C mice were submitted to the tail suspension test. Chronic immobilization stress (6 h/d for 14 consecutive days) induced a significant reduction in immobility time when compared to non-stressed controls. Pretreatment with LY 53857, a serotonin 5HT2 antagonist, and IPS 339, a selective beta-2 adrenoceptor blocker, reversed immobility time to the levels of non-stressed controls. Chronic administration of corticosterone (100 mg/kg for 7 d) did not modify immobility time as compared to saline treated controls. It is suggested that both serotonergic and adrenergic pathways in the brain may participate in the stress-induced changes occurring in the tail suspension test response and that corticosterone does not appear to play a role in this process.

Thirty years ago, psychiatrists had only a few choices of old neuroleptics available to them, currently defined as conventional or typical antipsychotics, as a result schizophrenics had to suffer the severe extra pyramidal side effects. Nowadays, new treatments are more ambitious, aiming not only to improve psychotic symptoms, but also quality of life and social reinsertion. Our objective is to briefly but critically review the advances in the treatment of schizophrenia with antipsychotics in the past 30 years. We conclude that conventional antipsychotics still have a place when just the cost of treatment, a key factor in poor regions, is considered. The atypical antipsychotic drugs are a class of agents that have become the most widely used to treat a variety of psychoses because of their superiority with regard to extra pyramidal symptoms. We can envisage different therapeutic strategies in the future, each uniquely targeting a different dimension of schizophrenia, be it positive, negative, cognitive or affective symptoms.

Os benefícios proporcionados pela adição de carbono em concretos refratários têm ampliado a utilização desses materiais em aplicações siderúrgicas. Contudo, um problema inerente à utilização de carbono em refratários é a sua susceptibilidade à oxidação a temperaturas superiores a 600 °C. Uma das alternativas empregada na tentativa de controlar a oxidação do carbono é o uso de antioxidantes. Dentre eles, o pó de alumínio tem mostrado bons resultados em tijolos refratários contendo carbono. Porém, sua aplicação em concretos refratários é limitada pela forte tendência que o pó de alumínio apresenta em se hidratar. Algumas técnicas de recobrimento baseadas no processo Sol-Gel têm sido empregadas como forma de impedir a reação de hidratação do pó de alumínio quando em água. Entretanto, a eficiência destes recobrimentos ainda não foi avaliada em concretos refratários. O presente trabalho se propõe a avaliar a eficiência de recobrimentos à base de SiO2 ou TiO2 em inibir a reação de hidratação do pó de alumínio em condições reais de aplicação. Estes recobrimentos foram obtidos a partir de alcóxidos metálicos e um polímero reativo fazendo uso do método Sol-Gel. The benefits promoted by the addition of carbon in refractory castables resulted the increase use of these materials in steel making industry. Nevertheless, carbon-containing refractory castables faces the problem of oxidation at temperatures above 600°C. One of the alternatives to overcome this drawback is the use of antioxidants. Among them, aluminum powder has shown good results in carbon containing refractory bricks. However, its application in refractory castables is restricted by the strong tendency of aluminum powder to react with water. Some surface treatments, based on Sol-Gel process, have been employed to generate an oxide coating in order to inhibit the hydration reaction when aluminum is exposed to water. However, the efficiency of these coatings has not been examined yet in refractory castables. The present research aimed to evaluate the efficiency of SiO2 or TiO2 based coatings on inhibiting the aluminum-water reaction when added to high-carbon-containing refractory castables. These coatings were generated by metallic alkoxides or a reactive polymer, both using the Sol-Gel technique.

Concretos refratários no sistema Al2O3-SiC-SiO2-C vêm sendo amplamente utilizados em indústrias siderúrgicas como revestimento de canais de corrida de altos-fornos, em virtude principalmente da sua elevada refratariedade aliada a altas resistências ao choque térmico e ao ataque por escória e metal fundido. Neste trabalho, investigou-se a influência de diferentes tipos de aditivos na trabalhabilidade e dispersão de concretos refratários de ultra-baixo teor de cimento nesse sistema. Apesar da sua alta capacidade de complexar íons de cálcio, moléculas de citrato não foram capazes de controlar adequadamente o tempo de pega do concreto estudado, contradizendo a idéia geral de que os íons de citrato devem ser utilizados para controlar a sua trabalhabilidade. Por outro lado, o aditivo polimetacrilato de sódio mostrou-se eficiente na otimização simultânea da dispersão e da trabalhabilidade do concreto devido provavelmente ao retardamento da dissolução dos íons advindos do cimento. Refractory castables in the Al2O3-SiC-SiO2-C system have been extensively used as linings for blast furnace runners, due mainly to their improved resistance to thermal shock damage and to slag and metal corrosion, respectively. In this work, ULC refractory castables in the Al2O3-SiC-SiO2-C system were prepared in order to evaluate the efficiency of different sort of additives on their dispersion and setting behavior. Although citrate ions are known to be efficient chelating agents, they were not able to properly control the working time of the castable studied, contradicting the general idea that citrate ions are necessary for controlling castable setting. On the other hand, the sodium polymethacrylate additive was found to be more efficient for the simultaneous optimization of the castable dispersion state and working time. This may be attributed to a retardation effect imparted by polymethacrylate molecules on the dissolution of ions from the surface of cement particles.

The hemodynamical effect of the collateral portosystemic circulation upon the portal system has not yet been fully understood. The US-Doppler made possible the non-invasive study of the portal system by evaluating the parameters: flow direction, diameter and flow velocity in it's vessels.To study the paraumbilical vein as a collateral portosystemic pathway and identify patterns for appraising its hemodynamic importance to the portal system.US-Doppler study of the portal system of 24 patients with Mansoni's hepatosplenic schistosomic portal hypertension, previous esophagic variceal bleeding and patent paraumbilical vein with hepatofugal flow. The diameter and the mean flow velocity were measured in the paraumbilical vein and so were the mean flow velocity in the portal vein, right and left portal branches. The Pearson test (linear correlation) was applied to the portal vein's mean flow velocity and the paraumbilical vein's diameter and mean flow velocity. The patients were divided in four groups: D1-paraumbilical vein with diameter0.68 cm (n = 14), D2-paraumbilical vein with diameteror = 0.68 cm (n = 10), V1-paraumbilical vein with mean flow velocity18.41 cm/seg (n = 13) and V2-paraumbilical vein with mean flow velocityor = 18.41 cm/seg (n = 11). The mean flow velocity in the portal vein, right and left portal branches of the four groups were compared.The paraumbilical vein diameter was 0.68 +/- 0.33 cm (range: 0.15-1.30 cm) and the mean flow velocity was 18.41 +/- 11.51 cm/seg (range: 5.73-38.20 cm/seg). The linear correlation between the portal vein's mean flow velocity/paraumbilical vein diameter and the paraumbilical vein's mean flow velocity showed r = 0.504 and r = 0.735, respectively. In the group D2 there was an increase in the mean flow velocity in the portal vein (17.80 +/- 3.42/22.30 +/- 7.67 cm/seg) and in the left portal branch (16.00 +/- 4.73/22.40 +/- 7.90 cm/seg). In the group V2 there was an increase in the mean flow velocity in the portal vein (16.31 +/- 3.49/21.96 +/- 5.89 cm/seg) and in the left portal branch (14.22 +/- 4.41/21.94 +/- 7.20 cm/seg). There was no change in the right portal branch (13.67 +/- 5.74/15.43 +/- 3.43 cm/seg).In portal hypertension due to hepatosplenic schistosomiasis, the patent paraumbilical vein, with hepatofugal flow, diameteror = 0.68 cm and mean flow velocityor = 18.41 cm/seg causes an increase of the mean flow velocity in the portal vein and left portal branch. The best US-Doppler parameter to appraise the paraumbilical vein influence upon the portal system is the mean flow velocity. The correlation between the increase in portal vein's mean flow velocity is stronger with the paraumbilical vein's mean flow velocity than with its diameter. The increase in the portal vein's and left portal branch's mean flow velocity may be understood as the paraumbilical vein's hemodynamic influence upon the portal system. An active portosystemic collateral pathway increases the mean flow velocity in the vein's segment proximal to its point of origin.

Portal hypertension is associated to the development of portosystemic collateral veins, particularly the paraumbilical vein.To evaluate the biometric and hemodynamic characteristics of the portal vessels related to the presence of a patent paraumbilical vein, in the setting of portal hypertension secondary to hepatosplenic schistosomiasis.75 patients with portal hypertension secondary to hepatosplenic schistosomiasis were evaluated by Doppler US. The patients were studied based on the presence (group B) or not (Group A) of a patent paraumbilical vein. The diameter and blood flow velocity of the portal vessels and of the paraumbilical vein were recorded.The paraumbilical vein was detected in 17.33% of patients. The results showed an increase of the diameter of the main and left portal vessels whenever a patent paraumbilical vein was present (portal vein: A = 1.14 +/- 0.29 cm/B = 1.33 +/- 0.16 cm; left branch: A = 0.95 +/- 0.25 cm/B = 1.30 +/- 0.24 cm). The mean blood flow velocity was also increased in the portal trunk (A = 15.96 +/- 6.17 cm/sec/B = 19.82 +/- 6.26 cm/sec) and in the left portal branch (A = 14.77 +/- 4.29 cm/sec/B = 19.92 +/- 6.88 cm/sec).The presence of a patent paraumbilical vein is related to significant biometric and hemodynamic variations in the portal venous system, in the setting of portal hypertension secondary to hepatosplenic schistosomiasis.

Concretos refratários no sistema Al2O3-SiC-C vêm sendo utilizados principalmente no revestimento de canais de corrida de altos-fornos. A associação dessas matérias-primas tem elevado o desempenho dos concretos refratários frente às severas condições de trabalho, devido ao aumento da resistência ao choque térmico e ao ataque por escória e metal fundido. Apesar disso, o nível de conhecimento científico sobre a dispersão das partículas desse sistema multifásico é limitado. Neste trabalho, suspensões representativas da matriz de concretos refratários zero-cimento no sistema Al2O3-SiC-C foram preparadas para a avaliação da eficiência de aditivos na dispersão simultânea de diferentes matérias-primas, bem como para a análise do comportamento reológico da matriz em função do pH e teor de aditivo. Os ácidos poliacrílico e cítrico e um surfactante não iônico foram usados como dispersantes. Os valores de viscosidade aparente e tensão de escoamento obtidos foram usados para construir mapas de estabilidade da matriz. Medidas de pH e fluidez de concretos preparados com diferentes teores de aditivo mostraram que as condições iniciais de pH não foram correspondentes à região ótima de dispersão estabelecida pelos mapas de estabilidade. O uso de altos teores de ácido cítrico, bem como, o deslocamento do pH do concreto na direção da região ótima de dispersão foram eficientes para otimizar a sua fluidez.

Esophagogastric devascularization with splenectomy has been used for the treatment of upper digestive bleeding due to esophagic varices in hepatoportal mansoni's schistosomic portal hypertension. Nevertheless, early portal thrombosis has hampered this surgical technique (13.3% and 53.2%), compromising the good results on the hemorrhagic side. Supposing that portal circulatory changes, due to the surgical treatment, may play an important role in this kind of complication, our objective was to identify the hemodynamic facilitating factors. Portal hemodynamic aspects, identified by ultra-sonographic Doppler study, from two groups of patients: non-operated upon and splenectomized with esophagogastric devascularization in late post-operatory phase (in excess of 6 moths), with portal hypertension due to mansoni hepatoesplenic portal hypertension and in similar clinical conditions, were compared.Fifty eight ambulatorial patients were studied, all had portal hypertension caused by mansoni's hepatosplenic schistosomiasis and previous bouts of digestive bleeding. They were divided in two groups: A--29 followed clinically/endoscopically, and group B--29 previously submitted to esophagogastric devascularization with splenectomy. In all was measured the diameter and mean flow velocity in the portal vein and its right and left branches by ultra-sonographic Doppler study. The results were submitted to statistical analysis for inter- and intra-group comparison.Group A (non-operated): the portal vein diameter was greater than the right and left branches (10.6 +/- 2.9, 8.0 +/- 1.8, 9.1 +/- 2.6 cm), the mean flow velocities in the portal vein and its branches were similar (15.62 +/- 6.17, 14.92 +/- 5.33, 16.12 +/- 4.18 cm/seg). Group B (operated): the diameter and mean flow velocity in all vessels were reduced (8.8 +/- 1.7, 5.2 +/- 1.2, 7.5 +/- 2.2 cm/12.53 +/- 2.60, 8.86 +/- 1.75, 9.69 +/- 3.75 cm/seg).After esophagogastric devascularization with splenectomy, there was a reduction of the diameter and mean flow velocity in the portal vein, its right and left branches.

In a 4-year follow-up study, patients with acute sporadic non-A, non-B (NANB) hepatitis were evaluated to determine the etiology and natural history of the disease. Acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) was detected in 13 of 43 (30%) of patients, anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) IgG in 5 (12%), and 25 (58%) were considered non-A-E. The HCV RNA was detected in all HCV patients but none of the non-A-E cases. The initial clinical and biochemical presentation of the HCV and non-A-E cases was quite similar, although 2 of the non-A-E patients had severe disease. The 5 patients who were found to be anti-HEV IgG-reactive recovered within 6 months of follow-up. Of the 13 HCV cases, alanine transaminase (ALT) levels returned to normal in 7 (53. 8%), while 6 (46.2%) continued to show abnormal ALT after 6 months of follow-up. However, 9 (69.2%) of them remained HCV-RNA-positive, denoting virological/biochemical dissociation. Long-term follow-up showed a reappearance of HCV RNA in 2 of the 4 patients who were in virological remission performing 84% of chronicity rate. Acute non-A-E hepatitis patients were less likely to evolve toward chronicity, as compared with acute HCV cases (16% vs. 84%; P =.0001). Only 4 (16%) of the non-A-E patients were hepatitis G virus (HGV)-RNA-positive. Concerning risk factors for acquiring parenterally transmitted viruses, tattooing was the only one that could be associated with HCV transmission (P =.002). No risk factors could be identified for putative non-A-E virus transmission. Liver biopsies performed for chronic HCV patients showed a variable degree of inflammation, while the non-A-E patients presented less severe histological disease.

There is no clear-cut line separating normal and abnormal moods. Therefore, psychiatrists often describe patterns of symptoms (syndromes) to suggest the existence of diseases for which no obvious brain abnormalities can be demonstrated. These uncertainties create room for much doubt about the best way of treating unipolar major depression. I present here a case report of a patient with unipolar depression treated with cognitive therapy. The patient had been treated with an SSRI and a tricyclic antidepressant without substantial improvement. This case is discussed in the light of the current controversies in the literature concerning the comparative value of psychotherapy, particularly that designed to treat depression, and pharmacotherapy. We would suggest that cognitive therapy, as well as other depression-specific short psychotherapies, is the treatment of choice in milder depressions. However, there is evidence to support the widespread clinical impression that combined therapy with both psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is superior to each single mode of therapy for the treatment of more severe, recurrent depressions.