Parallel BioScape: A Stochastic and Parallel Language for Mobile and Spatial Interactions

BioScape is a concurrent language motivated by the biological landscapes found at the interface of biology and biomaterials. It has been motivated by the need to model antibacterial surfaces, biofilm formation, and the effect of DNAse in treating and preventing biofilm infections. As its predecessor, SPiM, BioScape has a sequential semantics based on Gillespie's algorithm, and its implementation does not scale beyond 1000 agents. However, in order to model larger and more realistic systems, a semantics that may take advantage of the new multi-core and GPU architectures is needed. This motivates the introduction of parallel semantics, which is the contribution of this paper: Parallel BioScape, an extension with fully parallel semantics.Comment: In Proceedings MeCBIC 2012, arXiv:1211.347

A Calculus of Located Entities

Comment: In Proceedings DCM 2013, arXiv:1403.768

Effect of carbamide peroxide-based bleaching agents containing fluoride or calcium on tensile strength of human enamel

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of carbamide peroxide-based bleaching agents (CPG) containing fluoride (CF) or calcium (CCa) on the ultimate tensile strength of enamel (UTS). METHOD: A "cube-like" resin composite structure was built-up on the occlusal surface of twenty-two sound third molars to facilitate specimen preparation for the micro-tensile test. The restored teeth were serially sectioned in buccal-lingual direction in slices with approximate 0.7 mm thickness. Each slice was trimmed with a fine diamond bur to reduce the buccal, internal slope enamel of the cusps to a dumb-bell shape with a cross-sectional area at the "neck" of less than 0.5 mm². The samples were randomly divided into 12 groups (n=11). The control groups were not submitted to the bleaching regimen. Specimens were treated with 10% CPG gel or with 10% CPG formulations containing CF (0.2% and 0.5%) or CCa (0.05% and 0.2%). Bleached groups received the application of the 10% CPGs for 6 hours/day at 37º C, during 14 consecutive days and were stored in artificial saliva (AS) or 100% relative humidity (RH) among each application. After bleaching, specimens were tested with the microtensile method at 0.5 mm/min. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey test (5%). RESULTS: No significant difference was observed between groups stored in AS or RH. Specimens treated with CF or CCa presented similar UTS as unbleached control groups. CONCLUSION: Either 10% CPG formulations containing CF or CCa can preserve the UTS after bleaching regimen.OBJETIVO: O propósito deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos de agents clareadores à base de peróxido de carbamida (CPG) contendo fluoreto (CF) e cálcio (CCa) na resistência à tração do esmalte (UTS). MÉTODO: Um bloco de resina composta foi confeccionada na superfície oclusal de vinte e dois terceiros molars hígidos para facilitar a preparação dos espécimes para o teste de micro-tração. Os dentes restaurados foram seccionados com disco diamantado no sentido vestíbulo-lingual em fatias de aproximadamente 0,7 mm de espessura. Com uma ponta diamantada, foi realizada uma constrição na região de esmalte da vertente oclusal interna. Os espécimes apresentaram aproximadamente 0,5 mm² de área na secção transversal da região de constrição e foram divididos em 12 grupos (n=11). Os grupos controles não foram submetidos ao regime clareador e os experimentais foram tratados com gel de CPG 10% ou com formulações de CPG 10% contendo CF (0,2% e 0,5%) ou CCa (0,05% e 0,2%). Os grupos clareadores receberam a aplicação dos CPGs por 6 horas/dia a 37ºC, durante 14 dias consecutivos e foram armazenados em saliva artificial (AS) ou em umidade relativa 100% (RH), entre as aplicações do gel clareador. Após o clareamento, os espécimes foram testados através do método de micro-tração (0,5 mm/min). Os dados foram analisados pela ANOVA (2 fatores) e teste Tukey (5%). RESULTADOS: Nenhuma diferença foi observada entre os grupos armazenados em AS ou RH. Os espécimes tratados com CPG com CF ou Cca apresentaram similar UTS aos grupos controles não clareados. CONCLUSÃO: Ambos CPGs 10% CF or CCa não alteraram a UTS após o tratamento clareador

Effect of a carbamide peroxide bleaching gel containing calcium or fluoride on human enamel surface microhardness

This in vitro study evaluated the surface microhardness of human enamel submitted to bleaching with 10% carbamide peroxide (CP) containing calcium or fluoride. Ninety-eight dental blocks (5 x 5 mm²) with polished enamel surfaces were randomly assigned to 7 treatment groups (n=14), as follows: without bleaching and storage in artificial saliva (control); 10% CP; 10% CP + 0.05% calcium; 10% CP + 0.1% calcium; 10% CP + 0.2% calcium; 10% CP + 0.2% fluoride; and 10% CP + 0.5% fluoride. During 14 days, enamel surfaces were daily exposed to a 6-h bleaching regimen followed by storage in artificial saliva. Surface microhardness was measured before (baseline), during (7th day), immediately after bleaching (14th day) and 1 week post bleaching. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05). All treatments reduced SM significantly during the bleaching cycle (7th day), immediately after bleaching (14th day) and 1 week post bleaching, compared to baseline and to the unbleached control group. In conclusion, in spite of the addition of calcium and fluoride, all bleaching treatments affected the enamel surface microhardness.Este estudo in vitro avaliou microdureza superficial do esmalte após o clareamento com peróxido de carbamida a 10% (PC) contendo cálcio ou flúor. Noventa e oito blocos dentais (5 x 5 mm²) com a superfície do esmalte polido foram divididos em sete grupos experimentais (n=14): sem clareamento e armazenado em saliva artificial; 10% (PC); (3) 10% PC + 0,05% cálcio; 10% PC + 0,1% cálcio; 10% PC + 0,2% cálcio; 10% PC + 0,2% flúor; e 10% PC + 0,5% flúor. Os géis clareadores foram aplicados por 6 h durante 14 dias e após cada dia de tratamento, os espécimes foram armazenados em saliva artificial. A microdureza superficial foi mensurada antes (baseline), durante (7º dia), imediatamente após o clareamento (14º dia) e 1 semana após o fim do tratamento clareador. Os dados foram analisados pela ANOVA (2 fatores) e teste de Tukey (p<0.05). Os tratamentos clareadores reduziram significativamente a microdureza durante (7º dia), imediatamente após o clareamento (14º dia) e 1 semana após o seu término, quando comparados aos valores iniciais (baseline) e aos do grupo controle. Os achados deste estudo sugerem que, a despeito da adição de cálcio e flúor, todos os géis clareadores afetaram a microdureza superficial do esmalte.103106Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

The route of antimicrobial resistance from the hospital effluent to the environment: focus on the occurrence of KPC-producing Aeromonas spp. and Enterobacteriaceae in sewage

We investigated the antimicrobial resistance profile and the occurrence of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing Gram-negative rods in sewage samples obtained from a Brazilian teaching hospital and from the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) that receives it for treatment. We identified multidrug-resistant bacteria as well as KPC-2-producing Aeromonas spp. and several Enterobacteriaceae species, including Kluyvera spp., in the hospital effluent and in different sites of the WWTP. Most isolates showed the bla(KPC-2) gene harbored on a transposon that was carried by conjugative plasmids. the presence of KPC production among Aeromonas spp., Kluyvera spp., and other Enterobacteriaceae indicates the adaptability of such isolates to aquatic environments, not only in the hospital effluent but also throughout the WWTP. Although secondary treatment seems to decrease the amount of KPC producers in sewage, multidrug-resistant isolates are continually disposed in the urban river. Thus, sewage treatment regulations are urgently needed to decelerate the evolution of antimicrobial resistance beyond hospitals. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Sanofi-AventisThermo FisherbioMerieuxUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, Div Infectol, Lab ALERTA, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Microbiol Paulo de Goes, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biofis, São Paulo, BrazilFundacao Parque Zool São Paulo, Lab Microbiol Aplicada, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, Div Infectol, Lab ALERTA, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biofis, São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2009/11051-0CNPq: 307816/2009-5CNPq: 302981/2011-0Web of Scienc

Decreased dentin tubules density and reduced thickness of peritubular dentin in hyperbilirubinemia-related green teeth

It is stated anecdotally that patients with liver diseases in childhood who develop green teeth have increased risk for rampant caries, which may be secondary to changes in dental structure. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that hyperbilirubinemia affects the dentin morphology of green teeth. Sixteen primary teeth were prepared and divided into two groups (green teeth, n = 8 and control, n = 8), which were transversely fractured across the cervical third of the dental crowns; dentin was prepared and sputter-coated with gold, and examined under a scanning electron microscope. The mean density and mean diameter of dentin tubules, as well as the thickness of peritubular dentin, were compared. Hyperbilirubinemia was associated with a decrease in the density of the dentin tubules (p< .01) and the thickness of peritubular dentin of green teeth (p< .01). There was a correlation between childhood hyperbilirubinemia and changes in the dentin morphology, including a decrease in the density of the dentin tubules and a reduction in the thickness of peritubular dentin in green teeth

Community-acquired invasive liver abscess syndrome caused by a K1 serotype Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate in Brazil: a case report of hypervirulent ST23

Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de MedicinaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Medicina Divisão de Doenças InfecciosasUNIFESP, Depto. de MedicinaUNIFESP, Depto. de Medicina Divisão de Doenças InfecciosasSciEL

Radiomics and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Rectal Cancer: From Engineering to Clinical Practice

While cross-sectional imaging has seen continuous progress and plays an undiscussedpivotal role in the diagnostic management and treatment planning of patients with rectal cancer, alargely unmet need remains for improved staging accuracy, assessment of treatment response andprediction of individual patient outcome. Moreover, the increasing availability of target therapies hascalled for developing reliable diagnostic tools for identifying potential responders and optimizingoverall treatment strategy on a personalized basis. Radiomics has emerged as a promising, still fullyevolving research topic, which could harness the power of modern computer technology to generatequantitative information from imaging datasets based on advanced data-driven biomathematicalmodels, potentially providing an added value to conventional imaging for improved patient manage-ment. The present study aimed to illustrate the contribution that current radiomics methods appliedto magnetic resonance imaging can offer to managing patients with rectal cancer