Resumen Se evaluó el efecto del tratamiento térmico en los desechos de caolín de la minería sobre el comportamiento estructural y térmico de la poli (ε-caprolactona) (PCL). Los compuestos PCL/DC (desechos de caolín) y PCL/DCT (desechos de caolín tratados térmicamente) se procesaron en un mezclador interno y luego se caracterizaron por difracción de rayos X (DRX) y calorimetría de barrido diferencial (DSC). El residuo de caolín tenía caolinita y cuarzo en su composición, mientras que el tratamiento térmico a 1200 °C lo cambio a mullita, cuarzo y fase amorfa rica en sílice. Por XRD, hubo un aumento en la intensidad del pico 29 = 23,9° de los compuestos PCL/DC, en comparación con el PCL puro. Por el contrario, los compuestos PCL/DCT tendieron a reducir la intensidad máxima 2θ = 23,9°, especialmente con el 5 % de DCT. La temperatura de fusión cristalina y el grado de cristalinidad de los compuestos PCL/DC y PCL/DCT se mantuvieron prácticamente sin cambios, en relación al PCL. Sin embargo, el proceso de cristalización fue más eficiente con residuo de caolín (DC) sin tratamiento térmico, lo que indica que la fase amorfa del DCT inhibió la cristalización. El desarrollo de los PCL/DC promovió un aumento en la temperatura de cristalización, cristalinidad relativa y velocidad de cristalización, superando a la PCL y al sistema de los PCL/ DCT. Como resultado, el residuo de caolín tiene el potencial de acelerar el proceso de cristalización de la PCL, contribuyendo a agregar valor a un material que de otra manera sería descartado y minimizando los impactos ambientales.

Abstract The heat treatment effect on kaolin waste from mining was evaluated on the structural and thermal behavior of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL). The PCL/KW (kaolin waste) and PCL/HTKW (heat-treated kaolin waste) composites were processed in an internal mixer and subsequently characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The kaolin waste showed kaolinite and quartz in its composition, while the heat treatment at 1200°C modified it to mullite, quartz and silica-rich amorphous phase. By XRD, there was an increase in the intensity of the peak 2θ = 23.9° of the PCL/KW composites compared to neat PCL. In contrast, PCL/HTKW composites tended to reduce the intensity of the peak 29 = 23.9°, especially at 5% HTKW. The crystalline melting temperature and the degree of crystallinity of PCL/KW and PCL/HTKW composites were practically unchanged, compared to PCL. However, the crystallization process was more effective with the kaolin waste (KW) without heat treatment, indicating that the HTKW amorphous phase inhibited crystallization. The PCL/KW development promoted an increase in crystallization temperature, relative crystallinity, and crystallization rate, surpassing PCL and the PCL/HTKW system. In view of this, kaolin waste has the potential to accelerate the PCL crystallization process, contributing to add value to a material that would otherwise be discarded and minimizing environmental impacts.

Resumo: Não há na literatura padronização do comprimento renal de ovinos, em diferentes idades, assim como existem poucos trabalhos sobre a vascularização renal nesta espécie. Utilizaram-se no total 80 ovinos hígidos de três faixas etárias, das raças Ile de France e White Dorper: 20 cordeiros, 30 borregos e 30 adultos (8 carneiros e 22 ovelhas). A higidez renal dos animais foi comprovada por exames bioquímicos séricos de ureia e creatinina e pela observação da arquitetura renal. Utilizou-se aparelho de Ultrassom portátil (My LabTM30 Vet Gold Esaote®, Esaote Healthcare), com transdutor convexo de frequência de 3,5MHz. Após identificação dos rins no modo bidimensional, foi realizada a mensuração do comprimento no corte sagital em todos os ovinos. Em seguida, Doppler colorido foi ativado para visualização das artérias renal e interlobar do rim direito, e mensurou-se o índice de resistividade dos borregos (n=30) e ovelhas (n=22). Os exames bioquímicos permaneceram dentro da normalidade e a arquitetura renal estava preservada. Os valores do comprimento renal direito e esquerdo foram diferentes entre os grupos, sendo crescente conforme a idade (4,34 e 4,31 em cordeiros, 6,08 e 6,23 em borregos, 7,57 e 7,37 em adultos). As medianas do IR da artéria renal foi estatisticamente diferente (p<0,05) entre os grupos dos borregos (0,57) e ovelhas (0,52). A mediana do IR da artéria interlobar não apresentou diferença entre borregos (0,58) e ovelhas (0,54).

Abstract: There is no standardization in the literature of kidney length in sheep at different ages, as there are few studies about the access with the Doppler triplex ultrasound for the renal vascularization in this species. Eighty healthy sheep of three age groups of Ile de France and White Dorper breed were used: 20 lambs, 30 yearlings and 30 adults (8 rams and 22 ewes). Renal healthiness of the animals was confirmed by serum biochemical tests of urea and creatinine, and by observation of renal architecture with conventional ultrasound, besides measurement of vital parameters. A portable ultrasound (My LabTM30 Vet Gold Esaote®, Esaote Healthcare) device was used, with a convex transducer with 3.5MHz frequency. After identification of the kidneys in two-dimensional mode, the measurement of length in the sagittal section was performed in all sheep (n=80). Then color Doppler was activated for visualization of renal and interlobar arteries of the right kidney, and the resistivity index (RI) of the yearlings (n=30) and ewes (n=22) was measured. Biochemical tests remained within normal limits and renal architecture was preserved. The values of the right and left renal length were different between the groups, increasing with age (4.34cm and 4.31cm in lambs; 6.08cm and 6.23cm in yearlings; 7.57cm and 7.37cm in adults, respectively). Median values of RI of the renal artery were statistically different (p<0.05) between the groups of yearlings (0.57) and ewes (0.52). The median RI of the interlobar artery was similar in yearlings (0.58) and ewes (0.54).

<p>This work describes the treatment of dairy industry effluent using catalytic ozonation with Fe²⁺ as its catalyst in a semi-batch process with recycle. A fractional factorial design 24^-1 was used with a reduction percentage of total organic carbon (TOCred) as response. Optimal conditions were obtained by the reaction time of 30 min, ozonator power of 35 W, O₂ flow rate of 0.125 L min^-1, Fe²⁺ concentration of 1.0 g L^-1 and pH 4.0 for a 2 L raw effluent. TOCred of 64.03% represents a decrease in concentration from 473.0 to 170.1 mg L^-1, with an estimate cost of US$ 0.03 L^-1effluent. The treatment performed was not sufficient to discharge it directly on surface water; however, significant reduction of TOCred, among physical and chemical characteristics makes a better product to be proceeded into a biological treatment.</p>

Resumo: A incidência da urolitíase obstrutiva em ovinos é elevada, principalmente em machos confinados, tanto para produção de carne, quanto reprodutores de alto valor genético. A acidificação urinária é um dos métodos para prevenção desta enfermidade e pode ser realizada de forma eficaz com a suplementação de cloreto de amônio (CA) na dieta. Utilizaram-se 100 ovinos, machos não castrados, mestiços (Ile de France X White Dorper), confinados, com idade aproximada de três meses. Constituíram-se três grupos experimentais: Grupo 21CA (n=40) que recebeu 400mg/kg/PV de cloreto de amônio/animal/dia, por 21 dias consecutivos; Grupo 42CA (n=40) que foi suplementado com 400mg/kg/PV de cloreto de amônio/animal/dia, por 42 dias consecutivos; Grupo controle (n=20), que não recebeu CA. A alimentação consistiu de ração total, composta por 15% de feno triturado e 85% de concentrado, água e sal mineral ad libitum. Após 14 dias de adaptação à alimentação e ao ambiente, os Momentos (M) de avaliação clínica, colheita de sangue e exame ultrassonográfico foram realizados com intervalo de sete dias, sendo M0 (imediatamente antes do início do tratamento com cloreto de amônio), M1 (sete dias após), M2 (14 dias após), M3 (21 dias após o início do tratamento e suspensão do cloreto de amônio em Grupo 21CA), M4 (28 dias após), M5 (35 dias após) e M6 (42 dias após), totalizando 56 dias de confinamento. As dosagens de ureia e creatinina não evidenciaram alteração na função renal, embora a ureia estivesse acima dos valores de referência para espécie ovina. Observaram-se imagens ultrassonográficas compatíveis com cálculos vesicais e dilatação de pelve renal. No Grupo 21CA, 15% (6/40) dos animais apresentaram cálculos vesicais; no Grupo 42CA, 5% (2/40); e no Grupo controle, 20% (4/20) dos cordeiros. Visibilizaram-se também imagens sugestivas de sedimentos e cristais em 31% (31/100) dos animais examinados. A ultrassonografia permitiu a visibilização de alterações renais e vesicais, porém não relacionados ao quadro clínico de urolitíase obstrutiva, revelando-se como um exame complementar de grande relevância para o diagnóstico precoce de alterações no sistema urinário de ovinos.

Abstract: The incidence of obstructive urolithiasis in sheep is high, especially in feedlot males, both for meat production, or the breeder of high genetic value. The urinary acidification is one of the methods for preventing this disease and can be performed efficiently with supplementation of ammonium chloride (AC) in the diet. It was used 100 male lambs, in a feedlot, crossbred (Ile de France X White Dorper), aged approximately three months. It was constituted three groups: Group 21AC (n=40) that received 400mg/kg/PV of ammonium chloride/animal/day for 21 consecutive days, the time of discontinuation of the urinary acidifiers (M3) and continued clinical follow until the end of the experiment (M6); Group 42AC (n=40), that received 400mg/kg/PV of ammonium chloride/animal/day for 42 consecutive days, Group control (n=20), that did not receive ammonium chloride throughout the experimental period. The feed consisted of total dry matter, composed of 15% ground hay and 85% concentrate, water and mineral salts ad libitum. After 14 days of adaptation to food and the environment, the moments (M) for clinical evaluation, and blood collection ultrasound examinations were performed with an interval of seven days, and M0 (immediately before the beginning of the treatment with ammonium chloride), M1 (seven days), M2 (14 days after), M3 (21 days after initiation of treatment and suspension of ammonium chloride in Group 21CA), M4 (28 days), M5 (35 days), and M6 (42 days), amounting to 56 days of feedlot. The serum urea and creatinine showed no change in renal function, although the urea was above the reference values for sheep. There were compatible ultrasound images with bladder stones and dilatation of the renal pelvis. In Group 21AC, 15% (6/40) of the animals had bladder stones; in Group 42AC 5% (2/40); and in Group control, 20% (4/20) of the lambs. It was visualized suggestive images of sediment and crystals in 31% (31/100) of examined animals. Ultrasonography allowed visualization of kidney and bladder abnormalities, which were not related to clinical symptoms of obstructive urolithiasis, appearing as an examination complement of great importance for the early detection of changes in the urinary system of sheep.

Para investigar o potencial anti-helmíntico do extrato hidroalcóolico da raiz de Tarenaya spinosa, como alternativa no controle do nematóide gastrintestinal Haemonchus contortus de ovinos, foram realizados testes in vitro com Artemia salina, em seguida, sobre coproculturas contendo ovos do helminto, avaliando a ação ovicida e larvicida do extrato. Após os testes preliminares, foi realizado o teste in vivo em 20 ovinos machos os quais foram divididos em quatro tratamentos Grupo 1: ivermectina 1%; Grupo 2: sem tratamento; Grupo 3: extrato hidroalcóolico de T. spinosa 150μg/mL; Grupo 4: extrato hidroalcóolico de T. spinosa 300μg/mL, amostras de fezes e de sangue foram coletadas para exames parasitológicos e hematológicos. No teste in vitro, a toxicidade frente a A. salina foi de 150μg/mL, obteve-se eficiência de 81,53% sobre ovos e larvas do H. contortus. No teste in vivo, a avaliação da eficácia dos tratamentos foi realizada pelo teste de redução na contagem de ovos fecais (RCOF), os grupos tratados com Ivermectina e T. spinosa a 150μg/mL e 300μg/mL obtiveram os melhores resultados, reduzindo o OPG após 28 dias em 40,6, 41 e 40,2% respectivamente, revelando assim seu potencial fitoterápico para fins de controle de nematódeos gastrintestinais em ovinos.

To investigate the anthelmintic potential of hydroalcoholic extract of the root of Tarenaya spinosa, as an alternative in the control of gastrointestinal nematode Haemonchus contortus in sheep, in vitro tests were performed with Artemia salina then on stool cultures containing helminth eggs, assessing ovicidal and larvicidal action of the extract. After preliminary tests, the in vivo test was performed in 20 male sheep were divided into four treatments: Group 1 Ivermectin 1 %, Group 2: untreated; Group 3: hydroalcoholic extract of T. spinosa 150μg/mL; Group 4: hydroalcoholic extract T. spinosa 300μg/mL, stool samples and blood were collected for parasitological and haematological tests. In in vitro tests, toxicity against A. salina was 150μg/mL, there was obtained 81.53% efficiency against eggs and larvae of H. contortus. In vivo test, evaluating the effectiveness of treatments was performed by reduction test in faecal egg count (RCOF), the groups treated with Ivermectin and T. spinosa the 150μg/mL and 300μg/mL obtained the best results, reducing OPG after 28 days in 40.6, 41 and 42.6% respectively, thus revealing its herbal potential for control of gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep.

OBJECTIVES: There are no data in the literature with regard to the acute effects of different styles of music on the geometric indices of heart rate variability. In this study, we evaluated the acute effects of relaxant baroque and excitatory heavy metal music on the geometric indices of heart rate variability in women. METHODS: We conducted this study in 21 healthy women ranging in age from 18 to 35 years. We excluded persons with previous experience with musical instruments and persons who had an affinity for the song styles. We evaluated two groups: Group 1 (n = 21), who were exposed to relaxant classical baroque musical and excitatory heavy metal auditory stimulation; and Group 2 (n = 19), who were exposed to both styles of music and white noise auditory stimulation. Using earphones, the volunteers were exposed to baroque or heavy metal music for five minutes. After the first music exposure to baroque or heavy metal music, they remained at rest for five minutes; subsequently, they were re-exposed to the opposite music (70-80 dB). A different group of women were exposed to the same music styles plus white noise auditory stimulation (90 dB). The sequence of the songs was randomized for each individual. We analyzed the following indices: triangular index, triangular interpolation of RR intervals and Poincaré plot (standard deviation of instantaneous beat-by-beat variability, standard deviation of the long-term RR interval, standard deviation of instantaneous beat-by-beat variability and standard deviation of the long-term RR interval ratio), low frequency, high frequency, low frequency/high frequency ratio, standard deviation of all the normal RR intervals, root-mean square of differences between the adjacent normal RR intervals and the percentage of adjacent RR intervals with a difference of duration greater than 50 ms. Heart rate variability was recorded at rest for 10 minutes. RESULTS: The triangular index and the standard deviation of the long-term RR interval indices were reduced during exposure to both music styles in the first group and tended to decrease in the second group whereas the white noise exposure decreased the high frequency index. We observed no changes regarding the triangular interpolation of RR intervals, standard deviation of instantaneous beat-by-beat variability and standard deviation of instantaneous beat-by-beat variability/standard deviation in the long-term RR interval ratio. CONCLUSION: We suggest that relaxant baroque and excitatory heavy metal music slightly decrease global heart rate variability because of the equivalent sound level.

O presente trabalho apresenta uma contribuição aos estudos de modelagem climática com ênfase na variabilidade pluviométrica sazonal da Amazônia oriental, durante as estações de verão e outono (DJF e MAM). Baseado nos resultados das simulações regionais do RegCM3 para um período de 26 anos (1982/83 a 2007/08) e usando domínio em alta resolução espacial (30 Km) e dois diferentes esquemas de convecção (Grell e MIT), foi investigado o desempenho do modelo em simular a distribuição regional de precipitação sazonal na Amazônia oriental, com referência a um novo conjunto de dados observacional compilado com informações de uma ampla rede integrada de estações pluviométricas. As análises quantitativas evidenciaram que o RegCM3 apresenta erros sistemáticos, sobretudo aqueles relacionados com viés seco no Amapá e norte/nordeste do Pará usando ambos os esquemas Grell e MIT, os quais apontam que o modelo não reproduz as características da ZCIT sobre o Atlântico equatorial. As simulações usando MIT, também apresentaram viés úmido no sudoeste/sul/sudeste do Pará e norte do Tocantins. Além disso, através da técnica de composições, também foi investigado o desempenho do RegCM3 em reproduzir os padrões espaciais anômalos de precipitação sazonal em associação aos episódios ENOS, e as fases do gradiente térmico sobre o Atlântico intertropical. Os resultados demonstraram que o modelo conseguiu representar realisticamente bem o padrão espacial das anomalias pluviométricas acima (abaixo) do normal em grande parte da Amazônia oriental, durante os conhecidos cenários favoráveis, i.e., condições de La Niña e gradiente de aTSM para o Atlântico sul (desfavoráveis, i.e., El Niño e gradiente de aTSM para o Atlântico norte).

This paper presents a contribution on the climate modelling studies with emphasis on seasonal rainfall variability in eastern Amazonia, during the austral summer and autumn seasons (DJF and MAM). Based on RegCM3 regional climate simulations for a 26 years period (1982/83 to 2007/08) using high resolution domain scale (30 km) and two different convection schemes (Grell and MIT), it was investigated the model performance to simulate the regional pluviometric distribution in eastern Amazon, with reference to a new observational data base containing regional aspects extracted from a dense rain gauge station network. The quantitative analysis showed that RegCM3 presents systematic errors, especially those related to the dry bias in the Amapá and north/northeast of Pará using both schemes Grell and MIT, which indicate that the model does not reproduce ITCZ characteristics over equatorial Atlantic. The simulations using MIT also indicated wet bias in the southwest/south/southeast of Pará and north of Tocantins. Moreover, through composites technique, it was also investigated RegCM3 response to reproduce the anomalous spatial rainfall patterns in association with ENSO episodes and interhemispheric SSTa gradient phases across the intertropical Atlantic. The results showed that the model represented realistically well the spatial pattern related to the rainfall anomalies above (below) than normal in most of eastern Amazonia, during the known favourable scenarios, i.e., La Niña and south Atlantic SSTa gradient (unfavourable, i.e., El Niño and north Atlantic SSTa gradient).

Este trabalho descreve a construção e caracterização de uma célula eletroquímica microfluídica com a inserção dos três eletrodos (trabalho, pseudo-referência e auxiliar) em microcanais com espessuras menores que 20 µm. Os microcanais foram construídos entre duas bases de policarbonato com o uso de uma ou mais máscaras de toner sobrepostas como espaçador. Esta estratégia permite a construção de microcélulas com um volume interno sobre o eletrodo de trabalho entre 0,6 a 2,4 µL. Três diferentes materiais foram otimizados como eletrodos nas microcélulas: filmes de ouro ou compósito de grafite como eletrodo de trabalho, compósito de prata como pseudo-referência e compósito de grafite como eletrodo auxiliar. O desempenho das células microfluídicas foi avaliado usando as técnicas de voltametria cíclica, redissolução potenciométrica a corrente constante e voltametria de redissolução anódica por onda quadrada empregando ferrocianeto e alguns metais pesados (Cu2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, e Cd2+) como analitos modelo.

This work describes the construction and characterization of an electrochemical flow-through microcell with the three electrodes (working, pseudo-reference, and auxiliary) inserted in microchannels with thickness smaller than 20 µm. These microchannels were constructed between two stacked polycarbonate slides using one or more overlapped toner masks as spacer. This strategy allows the construction of microcells with a variable internal volume on the working electrode (0.6 to 2.4 µL). Three different materials were optimized as electrodes: gold film or graphite-epoxy composite as working electrode, silver-epoxy composite as pseudo-reference electrode and, graphite-epoxy composite as auxiliary electrode. The performance of the microfluidic cell was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, potentiometric stripping analysis at constant current, and square wave anodic stripping voltammetry using ferrocyanide and heavy metals (Cu2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+) as model analytes.

OBJECTIVES: Memantine is an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor antagonist used to treat Alzheimer's disease. Previous studies have suggested that receptor blockers act as neuroprotective agents; however, no study has specifically investigated the impact that these drugs have on the heart. We sought to evaluate the effects of memantine on nuclear size reduction in cardiac cells exposed to cold stress. METHOD: We used male EPM-Wistar rats (n=40) divided into 4 groups: 1) Matched control (CON); 2) Memantine-treated rats (MEM); 3) Rats undergoing induced hypothermia (IH) and 4) Rats undergoing induced hypothermia that were also treated with memantine (IHM). Animals in the MEM and IHM groups were treated by oral gavage administration of 20 mg/kg/day memantine over an eight-day period. Animals in the IH and IHM groups were submitted to 4 hours of hypothermia in a controlled environment with a temperature of - 8ºC on the last day of the study. RESULTS: The MEM group had the largest cardiomyocyte nuclear size (151 ± 3.5 μm³ vs. CON: 142 ± 2.3 μm³; p<0.05), while the IH group had the smallest mean value of nuclear size. The nuclear size of the IHM group was preserved (125 ± 2.9 μm³) compared to the IH group (108 ± 1.7 μm³; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Memantine prevented the nuclear size reduction of cardiomyocytes in rats exposed to cold stress.

Propusemo-nos verificar a freqüência de tireoidopatias em região endêmica de bócio colóide através de punção biópsia aspirativa com agulha fina (PBAAF). Foram avaliados os diagnósticos obtidos por este método em 1265 pacientes portadores de tireoidopatias difusas ou nodulares tratados na cidade de Uberaba, Minas Gerais, no período de 1989 a 2000, correlacionando-os com o sexo e a idade. As tireoidopatias mais freqüentemente encontradas foram bócio colóide (54,38%), tireoidite crônica de Hashimoto (22,70%) e tumor folicular (8,61%), predominantemente no sexo feminino (92%) e na faixa etária entre 30 e 60 anos (64,12%). Em conclusão, além do predomínio de bócio colóide, a tireoidite crônica de Hashimoto apresentou incidência maior que aquelas relatadas em outras regiões endêmicas e não endêmicas de bócio e houve elevada freqüência de tumores foliculares, cerca de treze vezes mais freqüentes que o carcinoma papilífero.

The frequency of thyroid diseases was verified in an endemic goiter region, based on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Thyroid diseases, in its nodular or diffuse form, were evaluated through 1265 FNAC in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil, between 1989 and 2000, according to sex and age. Colloid goiter was found in 54.39%, followed by Hashimoto's chronic thyroiditis (22.70%) and follicular tumors (8,61%), mainly in females (92%) between 30 and 60 years old (64.12%). To conclude, besides the prevalence of colloid goiter, Hashimoto's chronic thyroiditis presented a higher frequency than those seen in endemic regions and non-endemic goiter region and there was also a high frequency of follicular tumors, around 13 times higher than papillary carcinoma.