ABSTRACT: Toxoplasma gondii can be eliminated in bovine semen. Cryopreserved semen is often used due to the fact that artificial insemination in dairy and beef cattle provides benefits in terms of production. However, little is known regarding the viability and infectivity of T. gondii tachyzoites in cryopreserved bovine semen. In the present study, cattle semen negative for T. gondii were contaminated with 1 x 106 tachyzoites (RH strain) and cryopreserved with and without different cryoprotectants, such as DMSO (concentrations of 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, 8.0% and 10.0%) and glycerol (2.25%, 2.5%, 3.0%, 5.0%, 7.5% and 10.0%), followed by freezing in liquid nitrogen (-196°C). After 24 hours, the samples were thawed and inoculated in 10 mice per cryoprotectant concentration. The mice were evaluated for clinical signs of toxoplasmosis (rough coat, diarrhea, hypoactivity and sudden death) as well as serum titers of IgM and IgG and the presence of tachyzoites in the peritoneal lavage. The results revealed that T. gondii remained infective in all samples. Clinical signs of toxoplasmosis were observed in the mice beginning with the 6th day post-inoculation (DPI) and 100% lethality was found between the 7th and 9th DPI. Viable tachyzoites were recovered from peritoneal exudate of dead mice (except for the control group), with higher mean of tachyzoite counts in the intraperitoneal lavage for 5% DMSO (±3.32 x 106), 8% DMSO (±3.53 x 106), 3% glycerol (±4.75 x 106), 7.5% glycerol (±6.26 x 106) and the absence of cryoprotectant (±3.11 x 106). Seroconversion occurred in the treated groups, with titers of IgG from 1:16 to 1:128 and IgM from 1:16 to 1:512. T. gondii viability and infectivity were maintained in cattle semen during 24 hours of cryopreservation at -196°C with and without cryoprotectant. However, further studies are necessary to determine whether cryopreserved semen contributes to the spread of toxoplasmosis through artificial insemination.

RESUMO: Sabe-se que Toxoplasma gondii pode ser eliminado no sêmen bovino. A inseminação artificial em bovinos leiteiros e de corte proporcionou avanços e benefícios nas produções e para isso o sêmen criopreservado é frequentemente utilizado. No entanto, pouco se sabe sobre a viabilidade e infectividade dos taquizoítos de T. gondii em sêmen bovino criopreservado. Para isso o sêmen bovino, negativo para T. gondii, foi contaminado com 1x106 taquizoítos (cepa RH), criopreservados com ou sem diferentes crioprotetores como DMSO (2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, 8.0% e 10.0%) e Glicerol (2.25%, 2.5%, 3.0%, 5.0%, 7.5% e 10.0%) e congelados em nitrogênio líquido (-196°C). Após 24 horas, essas amostras foram descongeladas e inoculadas em 10 camundongos por diluente de concentração de crioprotetor. Os camundongos foram avaliados quanto a sinais clínicos de toxoplasmose (pele áspera, diarreia, hipoatividade e morte súbita), títulos séricos de IgM e IgG e presença de taquizoítos no lavado peritoneal. Os resultados mostraram que T. gondii se manteve infectante em todas as amostras, inclusive naquelas sem crioprotetor. Sinais clínicos de toxoplasmose foram observados nos camundongos a partir do 6º dia pós-inoculação (DPI) e 100% de letalidade foi verificada entre o 7º ao 9º DPI. Nos camundongos mortos, exceto no grupo controle, taquizoítos viáveis foram recuperados do exsudato peritoneal, com maior média de taquizoítos quantificados na lavagem intraperitoneal para DMSO a 5% (±3.32x106), 8% (±3.53x106) e glicerol 3% (±4.75x106), 7,5% (±6.26x106) e livre de crioprotetor (±3.11x106). A soroconversão ocorreu nos grupos tratados com títulos de IgG (1:16 a 1:128) e IgM (1:16 a 1:512). A viabilidade e infectividade do T. gondii no sêmen bovino durante as 24 horas de criopreservação a -196°C foram mantidas com ou sem crioprotetor. No entanto, mais estudos são necessários para verificar se o sêmen criopreservado contribui para a disseminação da toxoplasmose na inseminação artificial.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi delinear um instrumento que permitisse determinar, no quadro da atual emergência sanitária gerada pelo vírus SARS-CoV-2, o conhecimento matemático prévio em torno do conceito de limite de alunos do Bacharelado em Engenharia e. Arquitetura (seção 1) da Escola Primitiva e Nacional de San Nicolás de Hidalgo. Para a concepção do instrumento, foram seguidas as quatro fases de construção estabelecidas por Soriano Rodríguez (2015), ou seja, 1) objetivos, teoria e construto, 2) validação do julgamento pericial, 3) teste piloto e 4) validação psicométrica. Os resultados desta última fase mostram que o instrumento pode ser reproduzido em diferentes amostras sem constituir um grande viés por parte dos participantes. Além disso, as pontuações de cada questão foram consistentes com a pontuação total do instrumento. En conclusión, se puede afirmar que esta puede ser una herramienta muy útil no solo para detectar los conocimientos previos que los alumnos tienen en cuanto al cálculo diferencial, sino principalmente para crear estrategias didácticas que permitan atender esas debilidades a partir de los estilos de aprendizaje de os estudantes.

Abstract The technology that we have today is not conceivable without one of the pillar concepts in the construction of the Differential Calculus, the Limit. An important concept that, since its “discovery or invention” by Newton and Leibniz, has created difficulties for many mathematicians to understand it, it was not until the arrival of Cauchy that he defined it in a more practical way, but not for students, since various studies refer to the difficulty it has the study of Limit as well as the misconceptions that the student gives it and the little success on the part of the students in their understanding in which didactic strategies have been carried out for their understanding, all in a face-to-face setting. However, for reasons of SARS-CoV-2, the situation is even more difficult since everything is framed in an emerging teaching. Therefore, it is decided to design and create a diagnostic instrument of the student's previous knowledge that precedes the learning of Differential Calculus Limit in such a way that it measures, characterizes and synthetically explores both the procedural and conceptual skills of the cognitive processes of arithmetic and algebra, such that it allows to have enough constructs to understand the concept of limit. The instrument is validated in four phases in which the judgment of experts and the psychometric processes that allow the generation of scientific evidence are contemplated. This instrument conjectures the weaknesses that students may have and provides the teacher with a horizon to decide the didactic methodology to address the topic. With this result, it joins the efforts of various researchers in educational mathematics who seek to improve both the teaching and learning of the concept of limit.

Resumen El objetivo del presente trabajo fue diseñar un instrumento que permitiera determinar, en el marco de la actual emergencia sanitaria generada por el virus SARS-CoV-2, los conocimientos matemáticos previos en torno al concepto límite de alumnos del bachillerato de Ingeniería y Arquitectura (sección 1) del Colegio Primitivo y Nacional de San Nicolás de Hidalgo. Para el diseño del instrumento se siguieron las cuatro fases de construcción que establece Soriano Rodríguez (2015), es decir, 1) objetivos, teoría y constructo, 2) validación juicio de expertos, 3) prueba piloto y 4) validación psicométrica. Los resultados de esa última fase demuestran que el instrumento se puede reproducir en diferentes muestras sin que constituyan un gran sesgo por parte de los participantes. Además, los puntajes de cada pregunta fueron consistentes con el puntaje total del instrumento. En conclusión, se puede afirmar que esta puede ser una herramienta muy útil no solo para detectar los conocimientos previos que los alumnos tienen en cuanto al cálculo diferencial, sino principalmente para crear estrategias didácticas que permitan atender esas debilidades a partir de los estilos de aprendizaje de los estudiantes.

Resumo OBJETIVO: estimar a prevalência de sarcoma de Kaposi (SK) em pacientes com aids e identificar os fatores associados à ocorrência da neoplasia. MÉTODOS: estudo transversal com dados de notificação em dois centros de referência em aids de São Paulo-SP, Brasil, de janeiro/2003 a março/2010; empregaram-se métodos de linkage probabilístico e regressão logística múltipla. RESULTADOS: entre 3.557 casos de aids, 213 (6%) apresentavam SK, 95,3% deles do sexo masculino; associaram-se à ocorrência de SK sexo masculino (OR=3,1; IC95%=1,4;6,6), idade no momento do diagnóstico de aids >28 anos (OR=1,6; IC95%=1,0; 2,6), homens que fazem sexo com homens (OR=3,2; IC95%=2,0;4,9), uso prévio de terapia antirretroviral de alta atividade (HAART) (OR=0,4; IC95%=0,3;0,5), período de diagnóstico de aids de 2007-2010 (OR=0,3; IC95%=0,2;0,4) e contagem de linfócitos T CD4+ <200cel/mm³ (OR=16,0; IC95%=6,0;42,7) e 200-500cel/mm³ (OR=2,5; IC95%=1,1;6,4). CONCLUSÃO: o SK tem alta prevalência em São Paulo-SP; estratégias para o diagnóstico precoce do HIV podem resultar em diminuição desta prevalência.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: to estimate the prevalence of Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) in patients with AIDS and identify the associated factors to the occurrence of this neoplasm. METHODS: this is a cross-sectional study with notification data from two AIDS reference centers in São Paulo-SP, Brazil, from January, 2003 to March, 2010; probabilistic linkage and multiple logistic regression methods were applied. RESULTS: among 3,557 AIDS cases, 213 (6%) presented KS; 95.3% of them occurred in males; male sex (OR=3.1; 95%CI=1.4;6.6), age at the AIDS diagnosis >28 years old (OR=1.6; 95%CI=1.0;2.6), MSM (OR=3.2; 95%CI=2.0;4.9), prior use of HAART (OR=0.4; 95%CI=0.3;0.5), AIDS diagnosis between 2007-2010 (OR=0.3; 95%CI=0.2;0.4), and CD4+ T-cell counting under 200cells/mm3 (OR=16.0; 95%CI=6.0;42.7) and 200-500cells/mm³ (OR=2,5; 95%CI=1.1;6.4) were associated to the occurrence of KS. CONCLUSION: KS has a high prevalence in São Paulo-SP; strategies for early HIV diagnosis may reduce this prevalence.

Resumen OBJETIVO: estimar la prevalencia del sarcoma de Kaposi (SK) en pacientes con SIDA e identificar los factores asociados. MÉTODOS: estudio transversal para identificar la asociación entre el SK y SIDA en São Paulo-SP, Brasil; los datos se obtuvieron entre enero de 2003 y marzo de 2010 y se analizaron con el método de linkage probabilística y regresión logística múltipla. RESULTADOS: en 3.557 casos de SIDA, la prevalencia de SK fue 6%; entre los 213 casos de SK, el 95,3% eran varones; estuvieron asociados con SK el sexo masculino (OR=3,1; IC95%=1,4;6,6), la edad >28 años (OR=1,6; IC95%=1,01;2,5 2,6), HSH (OR=3,2; IC95%= 2,0;4,9), el uso previo de HAART (OR=0,4; IC95%=0,3;0,5), diagnóstico de SIDA en 2007-2010 (OR=0,3 IC95%=0,2;0,4) y células T CD4+ <200cel/mm3 (OR=16,0; IC95%=6,0;42,7) y 200-500cel/mm³ (OR=2,5 IC95%=1,1;6,4). CONCLUSIÓN: el SK tiene una alta prevalencia en São Paulo-SP; las estrategias para el diagnóstico precoz del VIH pueden reducirlo.

Resumo OBJETIVO: estimar a prevalência de sarcoma de Kaposi (SK) em pacientes com aids e identificar os fatores associados à ocorrência da neoplasia. MÉTODOS: estudo transversal com dados de notificação em dois centros de referência em aids de São Paulo-SP, Brasil, de janeiro/2003 a março/2010; empregaram-se métodos de linkage probabilístico e regressão logística múltipla. RESULTADOS: entre 3.557 casos de aids, 213 (6%) apresentavam SK, 95,3% deles do sexo masculino; associaram-se à ocorrência de SK sexo masculino (OR=3,1; IC95%=1,4;6,6), idade no momento do diagnóstico de aids >28 anos (OR=1,6; IC95%=1,0; 2,6), homens que fazem sexo com homens (OR=3,2; IC95%=2,0;4,9), uso prévio de terapia antirretroviral de alta atividade (HAART) (OR=0,4; IC95%=0,3;0,5), período de diagnóstico de aids de 2007-2010 (OR=0,3; IC95%=0,2;0,4) e contagem de linfócitos T CD4+ <200cel/mm³ (OR=16,0; IC95%=6,0;42,7) e 200-500cel/mm³ (OR=2,5; IC95%=1,1;6,4). CONCLUSÃO: o SK tem alta prevalência em São Paulo-SP; estratégias para o diagnóstico precoce do HIV podem resultar em diminuição desta prevalência.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: to estimate the prevalence of Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) in patients with AIDS and identify the associated factors to the occurrence of this neoplasm. METHODS: this is a cross-sectional study with notification data from two AIDS reference centers in São Paulo-SP, Brazil, from January, 2003 to March, 2010; probabilistic linkage and multiple logistic regression methods were applied. RESULTS: among 3,557 AIDS cases, 213 (6%) presented KS; 95.3% of them occurred in males; male sex (OR=3.1; 95%CI=1.4;6.6), age at the AIDS diagnosis >28 years old (OR=1.6; 95%CI=1.0;2.6), MSM (OR=3.2; 95%CI=2.0;4.9), prior use of HAART (OR=0.4; 95%CI=0.3;0.5), AIDS diagnosis between 2007-2010 (OR=0.3; 95%CI=0.2;0.4), and CD4+ T-cell counting under 200cells/mm3 (OR=16.0; 95%CI=6.0;42.7) and 200-500cells/mm³ (OR=2,5; 95%CI=1.1;6.4) were associated to the occurrence of KS. CONCLUSION: KS has a high prevalence in São Paulo-SP; strategies for early HIV diagnosis may reduce this prevalence.

Resumen OBJETIVO: estimar la prevalencia del sarcoma de Kaposi (SK) en pacientes con SIDA e identificar los factores asociados. MÉTODOS: estudio transversal para identificar la asociación entre el SK y SIDA en São Paulo-SP, Brasil; los datos se obtuvieron entre enero de 2003 y marzo de 2010 y se analizaron con el método de linkage probabilística y regresión logística múltipla. RESULTADOS: en 3.557 casos de SIDA, la prevalencia de SK fue 6%; entre los 213 casos de SK, el 95,3% eran varones; estuvieron asociados con SK el sexo masculino (OR=3,1; IC95%=1,4;6,6), la edad >28 años (OR=1,6; IC95%=1,01;2,5 2,6), HSH (OR=3,2; IC95%= 2,0;4,9), el uso previo de HAART (OR=0,4; IC95%=0,3;0,5), diagnóstico de SIDA en 2007-2010 (OR=0,3 IC95%=0,2;0,4) y células T CD4+ <200cel/mm3 (OR=16,0; IC95%=6,0;42,7) y 200-500cel/mm³ (OR=2,5 IC95%=1,1;6,4). CONCLUSIÓN: el SK tiene una alta prevalencia en São Paulo-SP; las estrategias para el diagnóstico precoz del VIH pueden reducirlo.

Los suelos tropicales son aquellos que debido a factores como el clima, la humedad y otras condiciones propias del trópico, poseen características físicas, químicas, mineralógicas y mecánicas diferentes a los suelos de las zonas templadas. Dichas particularidades y la acción contaminante en el medio producida por el hombre, son la motivación del presente artículo, el cual pretende analizar un suelo de origen residual tropical ubicado en el municipio de Guarne - Antioquia (Colombia), mediante la realización de ensayos de laboratorio, algunos de los cuales son más adecuados para caracterizar este tipo de suelos (Clasificación Miniatura Compactado Tropical, Succión, Pinhole Test, Desagregación, Índice de Colapso, Difracción de rayos "X", Microscopía Electrónica de Barrido), a muestras tanto en estado natural como contaminadas con una solución jabonosa, para establecer las diferencias entre las características geotécnicas de dicho suelo en ambas condiciones y posteriormente, discutir la influencia que tiene el contaminante en sus propiedades.

Tropical soils are soils that exhibit physical, chemical, mineralogical and mechanical characteristics that differ from those of temperate zone soils as a result of factors such as weather, humidity and other conditions of the tropics. These characteristics and the anthropogenic contamination of the environment are the subject of the present study, which aims to analyze a soil of tropical residual origin located in the municipality of Guarne - Antioquia (Colombia). Laboratory tests, some of which are more adequate to characterize this type of soil than classical methods (miniature compacted tropical classification, suction, the pinhole test, breakdown, the collapse index, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy) are performed on samples in their natural state and samples contaminated with a soap solution to establish the differences between the geotechnical characteristics of this soil under both conditions. Subsequently, the influence of the contaminant on the soil's properties is discussed.

Objetive: Self-expandable plastic stents (SEPS) are increasingly being used for treatment of postoperative esophageal leak. This complication occurs in 4-27% of patients after radical gastrectomy, and has a high mortality rate up to 60%. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of SEPS (Polyflex®) for treatment of post-operative eshopago-jejuno anastomosis leak after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Material and methods: During one year period patients who underwent a radical gastrectomy in our hospital for gastric cancer and developed a postoperative anastomotic leak were prospectively included in the study after signing a consent form, and treated with SEPS placement under endoscopic and fluoroscopic control for leak occlusion. Results: Four patients were included (3 men/1 woman). The mean interval between operation and SEPS placement was 16 days (range: 4-34). SEPS deployment was easily performed in all patients with complete occlusion of esophageal lumen in three patients. In the fourth patient we needed to deploy a second coaxial stent to achieve a complete occlusion of the fistula. SEPS migration did not happen in our series. One patient had already developed a mediastinitis by the time we placed the SEPS and he died 3 days later. Extraction of the SEPS was easily performed 4-8 weeks after deployment. Conclusion: We achieved a complete healing of the anastomotic fistula after radical gastrectomy in 3 out of 4 patients, without major complications related to SEPS. Placement of SEPS is an appealing minimally invasive alternative to surgical repair for patients with postoperative anastomotic leak.

Several dietary lipids are capable of exerting an immunosupressor effect. This action may have undiserable effects on the host immune resistance to infectious diseases. The purpose of the present study was to determinate the immune status of mice fed dietary lipids and experimentally infected with a virulent strain of Listeria monocytogenes. Balb/c mice were divided into four groups and were fed with their respective diet: low fat diet (LF, 20%), olive oil diet (OO, 20%), fish oil diet (FO, 20%) and hydrogenated coconut oil (HCO, 20%). Mice were fed for four weeks and infected with L. monocytogenes by endovenous route. Results have shown a survival reduction in mice fed a diet containing FO, as well as a significant increase in the number of viable bacteria from spleen. In addition, we have observed an increase in the bactericidal activity in peritoneal cells from OO group, although the invasion of L. monocytogenes in cells from this group was larger. Finally, a significant reduction of lymphocyte proliferation was observed in the group fed an FO diet, whereas natural killer (NK) cell activity was not modified. These results indicate that dietary lipids constituted by polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids reduce the murine immune resistance, whereas a diet constituted by OO-does not exert an immunosuppressor effect as relevant as FO diet, and it does not reduce the immune resistance leading to an efficient L. monocytogenes elimination.

Algunas dietas lipídicas están implicadas en la reducción de ciertas funciones inmunes. Sin embargo, la acción inmunosupresora de estas dietas puede tener efectos adversos sobre la resistencia inmune del individuo frente a enfermedades de naturaleza infecciosa. En el presente estudio tratamos de valorar el estado inmune de ratones alimentados con dietas lipídicas e infectados experimentalmente con una cepa virulenta de Listeria monocytogenes. Ratones de la raza Balb/c fueron divididos en cuatro grupos alimentados cada uno de ellos con su respectiva dieta: dieta baja en lípidos (control, 2,5%), dieta rica en aceite de oliva (AO, 20%), dieta rica en aceite de pescado (AP, 20%) y dieta rica aceite de coco (AC, 20%). Los animales fueron alimentados durante un mes y posteriormente infectados con L. monocytogenes por vía endovenosa. Los resultados han mostrado una reducción de la supervivencia en animales alimentados con AP, así como un incremento significativo en el número de bacterias viables aisladas a partir de bazo. Además hemos podido observar un aumento de la capacidad bactericida de células peritoneales procedentes de ratones alimentados con AO, aunque la invasividad de L. monocytogenes en este grupo fue mayor que en el resto. Finalmente, una reducción significativa de la linfoproliferación fue observada en el grupo alimentado con AP, mientras que la actividad de células natural killer (NK) no se ha visto modificada. Estos resultados indican que dietas lipídicas constituidas por ácidos grasos poliinsaturados de la serie n-3 reducen la resistencia inmune de los ratones, mientras que una dieta constituida por AO no produce un efecto inmusupresor tan relevante y por consiguiente no reduce drásticamente la resistencia inmune siendo más eficiente en la eliminación de L. monocytogenes.

A pedagogical discussion on the unitarity gauge within the context of Hamiltonian path integral formalism is presented. A model based on the group O(N), spontaneously broken down to the subgroup O(N - 1), is used to illustrate the main aspects of this gauge-fixing procedure. Among the issues, discussed with some extent, are: (1) the structure of model's constraints following the Dirac's method, (2) the gauge-fixing procedure, using the unitarity gauge for the massive gauge fields and the Coulomb one for the massless gauge fields, (3) the absence of BRST symmetry in this gauge-fixing procedure and its implications on the renormalizability of the theory, and (4) the static role of the ghost and anti-ghost fields associated with the massive gauge fields and how their contributions can be eliminated by using the dimensional regularization scheme.

Se presenta una discusión pedagógica de la norma unitaria en el contexto de integral de trayectoria hamiltoniana. Un modelo basado en el grupo O(N), roto espontáneamente al subgrupo O(N - 1), es usado para ilustrar los aspectos principales de este procedimiento de fijación de la norma. Entre los temas, discutidos con cierta extensión, están: (1) la estructura de las constricciones del modelo siguiendo el método de Dirac; (2) el procedimiento de fijación de la norma, usando la norma unitaria para los campos de norma masivos y la norma de Coulomb para los campos de norma sin masa, (3) la ausencia de la simetría BRST en este procedimiento de fijación de la norma y sus implicaciones sobre la renormalizabilidad de la teoría y (4) el papel estático de los campos fantasma asociados con los campos de norma masivos y cómo sus contribuciones pueden ser canceladas usando el esquema de regularización dimensional.

Dois novos casos de heptacoordenação em complexos organoestânicos(IV) são descritos. Ambos possuem geometria pentagonal bipiramidal e mostram os grupos orgânicos nas posições axiais, com os ligantes formando cinco ligações no plano equatorial com os átomos de estanho(IV). O primeiro complexo [nBu2Sn(H2daptsc)]Cl2 •MeNO2 (1) é totalmente novo, ao passo que o segundo, [Me2Sn(H2dapsc)][Me2 SnCl4] (2), embora anteriormente descrito na literatura, somente agora teve a sua estrutura determinada. Tanto em 1 quanto em 2 as espécies heptacoordenadas são catiônicas; ao passo que em 1 o contra-íon é um simples Cl-, em 2 é um ânion complexo, isto é [Me2SnCl4]2-.

Two new cases of heptacoordination in organotin(IV) complexes are described. Both possess pentagonal bipyramidal geometry and show the organic groups on the axial positions, with the ligands forming five bonds to tin(IV) on the equatorial plane. The first complex, [nBu2Sn(H2daptsc)]Cl2 •MeNO2 (1) is entirely new, whereas the second, [Me2Sn(H2dapsc)][Me2 SnCl4] (2), although previously reported, only now had its structure determined. In both 1 and 2 the heptacoordinate species are cationic, but whereas in 1 the counterion is simply Cl-, in 2 it is a complex anion, namely [Me2SnCl4]².

A possibilidade do clima de Belo Horizonte estar sendo afetado pelo comportamento do Oceano Pacífico tropical motivou a investigação que deu origem a este trabalho. Por este motivo, apresentamos análises estatísticas, não apenas do comportamento pontual médio mensal das variáveis atmosféricas em Belo Horizonte - MG (Brasil), como também da temperatura da superfície do mar nas regiões do Pacífico tropical, para um período de 30 anos. A análise de correspondência que usamos é uma técnica para a exibição de linhas e colunas de uma matriz de dados, como uma tabela de contingência, como pontos de um espaço vetorial dual com poucas dimensões. Procedemos a análise de dados temporais atmosféricos e oceânicos através de séries mensais de 30 anos (1960-1989), de variáveis mensuradas na cidade de Belo Horizonte - MG e no Pacífico tropical. A amostra foi submetida a tratamentos estatísticos visando a determinação de classes que poderiam nos auxiliar na extração de algumas informações embutidas nos dados brutos em estudo. Sem perda de generalidades, assegurou-se, neste procedimento, a não descaracterização das variáveis por meio do conhecimento dos fenômenos, tanto endógenos quanto exógenos, associados aos processos climatológicos envolvidos neste ensaio.

The possibility of the climate in Belo Horizonte to have been affected by the sea surface behavior over the tropical Pacific has initially motivated the investigation undergone in this paper. Therefore, it presents an statistical analysis of the average monthly behavior of both the atmospheric punctual variables in Belo Horizonte - MG (Brazil), and the sea surface temperature of the central and eastern tropical Pacific for a period of 30 years. We use the correspondence analysis that is a technique for exhibition columns (variables) and rows (observations) of a data matrix, like contingence table, as points in a dual vectorial space with a reduction of the dimension. The variables have been submitted to statistical treatments to seek for the determination of classes that could be helping us to extract some of the information inlaid in the coarse data under study. Without the loss of generalities, with this procedure, the analysis assures that they will not suffer non-characterization, when we take into account the cognizance of the phenomena, such as endogenous and exogenous properties, associated with the climatic process involved in this essay.

As substâncias húmicas aquáticas investigadas foram convencionalmente extraídas de amostra de água coletada no Rio Negro - AM, Brasil utilizando-se resina XAD 8. Investigações usando ressonância nuclear magnética de próton e carbono treze indicaram a presença de alta aromaticidade com pouca substituição, pequena quantidade carbono carboxílico e razão 1:1 de grupos alifáticos / aromáticos. A razão das absorbâncias E350/E450, na região do ultravioleta e do visível, sugere a presença de estruturas alifáticas em proporções relativamente grandes. A distribuição do peso molecular das substâncias húmicas aquáticas foi caracterizada utilizando-se um sistema de ultra filtração de 5 estágios. O fracionamento indicou que metais traço, originalmente complexados com as substâncias húmicas, apresentam diferentes distribuições.

The aquatic humic substances investigated in this study were conventionally isolated from Rio Negro waters - Amazonas State/Brazil by means of the collector XAD 8. Molecular spectroscopy investigations of these humic substances using ¹H-NMR and 13C-NMR indicated the presence of high aromaticity with few substituents, small amounts of carboxylic carbon, and an aliphatic/aromatic ratio of 1:1. The relatively high UV-VIS absorbance E350/E450 ratio suggested the presence of relatively large proportions of aliphatic structures. Moreover, using a five-stage tangential-flow ultrafiltration (UF) device, the molecular-size distribution of the isolated humic substances was characterized. The fractionation patterns showed that metal traces remaining in humic substances after their XAD 8 isolation have different size distributions. For instance, Mn, Cu, Cd and Ni quantified by ICP-AES were preferably found in the high molecular-weight fractions (10-100 kDa).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the thrombin-like fraction of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom, Reptilase<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/jvat/v4n2/image119.gif"> , and bovine thrombin of fibrinogen pools on bovine, equine, ovine, bubaline and human cryoprecipitates. The authors also made a comparative study between animal and human cryoprecipitates to see if any there was any possibility of future use in medicine. Fibrinogen levels in cryoprecipitate were studied using 48 blood samples obtained as follows:12 samples from humans, 9 from bovine, 10 from equine, 10 from ovine and 7 from bubaline. The results obtained showed average levels of 375.50 mg % for humans, 218.33 mg % for bovine, 240.80 mg % for equine, 267.70 mg % for ovine and 664.00 mg % for bubaline. Upon the formation of pools of human and animal fibrinogens, the following results were obtained: 435 mg % for humans, 444 mg % for bovine, 337 mg % for equine, 390 mg % for ovine and 530 mg % for bubaline. Statistical analysis (using the analysis of variance for entirely randomized experiment for the calculation of F statistics) demonstrated that the bubaline fibrinogen level was higher than that of human, and both were higher than those of ovine, equine, and bovine. Clotting times were determined using different dilutions of bovine thrombin, thrombin-like fraction of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom, and Reptilase<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/jvat/v4n2/image119.gif"> . Comparing these clotting times, results for human and bovine were found to be very similar, whereas using equine, ovine, and bubaline the results above a dilution of 1:3 were markedly different. The results obtained permitted the following conclusions to be drawn show that: 1) bovine thrombin presented better interactivity with fibrinogen extracted both from human and bovine cryoprecipitates; 2) there was similar behavior when bovine thrombin was substituted for Reptilase<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/jvat/v4n2/image119.gif"> and for the thrombin-like fraction of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom; 3) cryoprecipitate from bovine can, in special circumstances, substitute human cryoprecipitate in medical practice; 4) human and bovine cryoprecipitates can be used with both Reptilase<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/jvat/v4n2/image119.gif"> and Crotalus durissus terrificus fractions using a dilution up to 1:5; 5) the use of bovine cryoprecipitate can be recommended using either bovine thrombin, Reptilase<img SRC="http:/img/fbpe/jvat/v4n2/image119.gif"> , or thrombin-like fraction of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom.

Sequelae due to testicular biopsy such as hemorrhage, adhesion and fibrosis may be limiting factors to the use of this surgical procedure. Fibrin glue (FG) derived from snake venom was used to minimize these sequelae, as well as to evaluate its healing property in tunica vaginalis and scrotal skin of rams. Applicability of fibrin glue derived from snake venom was tested in different tissues of other animals such as in sciatic nerve and colon of rats and skin of rabbits. In the present study, 30 healthy adult rams were used. They were divided into 3 groups of 10 animals each as follows: G1: fibrin glue group (application of fibrin glue on puncture sites and skin incisions after bilateral testicular biopsy with a Tru-Cut needle); G2: swab/nylon group (hemostasis by compression with a swab on puncture sites and skin suturing with nylon after biopsy) and G3: control group (the animals were not subjected either to biopsy or to surgery). On the 20<IMG SRC="Image485.gif" WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=17> day after biopsy, the presence of adhesion strands between the sites of skin incision and testicle was evaluated by palpation. Adhesion strands were found in three testicles (15%) in G1 and in two testicles (10%) in G2. One hundred days after biopsy, orchiectomy was carried out and the material collected was assessed for subcutaneous (SC) and/or tunica vaginalis adhesions. G3 did not present any abnormality. Groups G1 and G2 presented four testicles each (20%) with adhesion between the tunics at biopsy site. On the other hand, subcutaneous adhesions were found once (5%) in G1 and three times (15%) in G2. Fibrin glue showed to be of easy application, required short postoperative monitoring, presented fast and good-quality healing property and tended to reduce formation of subcutaneous adhesion.