New findings on the dynamics of HIV and TB coinfection models

In this paper we study a model for HIV and TB coinfection. We consider the integer order and the fractional order versions of the model. Let α∈[0.78,1.0] be the order of the fractional derivative, then the integer order model is obtained for α=1.0. The model includes vertical transmission for HIV and treatment for both diseases. We compute the reproduction number of the integer order model and HIV and TB submodels, and the stability of the disease free equilibrium. We sketch the bifurcation diagrams of the integer order model, for variation of the average number of sexual partners per person and per unit time, and the tuberculosis transmission rate. We analyze numerical results of the fractional order model for different values of α, including α=1. The results show distinct types of transients, for variation of α. Moreover, we speculate, from observation of the numerical results, that the order of the fractional derivative may behave as a bifurcation parameter for the model. We conclude that the dynamics of the integer and the fractional order versions of the model are very rich and that together these versions may provide a better understanding of the dynamics of HIV and TB coinfection

A coinfection model for HIV and HCV

We study a mathematical model for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatites C virus (HCV) coinfection. The model predicts four distinct equilibria: the disease free, the HIV endemic, the HCV endemic, and the full endemic equilibria. The local and global stability of the disease free equilibrium was calculated for the full model and the HIV and HCV submodels. We present numerical simulations of the full model where the distinct equilibria can be observed. We show simulations of the qualitative changes of the dynamical behavior of the full model for variation of relevant parameters. From the results of the model, we infer possible measures that could be implemented in order to reduce the number of infected individuals

Yarn diameter characterization using two orthogonal directions

We have used a coherent optical signal processing technique based on Fourier optics to characterize yarn diameter using a single projection.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - BD/19028/200

Galhas De Insetos Da Serra Geral, Caetité, Bahia, Brasil

We inventoried and characterized the kinds of gall, gall-inducing insects and host plants from Serra Geral between August 2013 and July 2014. Two phytophysiognomies, cerrado sensu stricto and caatinga-cerrado, were examined monthly along transects during ca. 4 hours per visit, totaling 48 hours of sampling effort. A total of 49 gall morphotypes were found on 14 species of host plants in 18 genera and 13 families. Fabaceae and Malpighiaceae were the families with the most galls, with 22 and 10 gall morphotypes, respectively. The genera of host plant with the greatest richness of galls were Copaifera L. (n=10), Bauhinia Benth. (n=6), and Mimosa L. (n=5). Galls were found on leaves, buds and stems. The majority of the galls were globoid, glabrous, isolated, and one-chambered. The inducers belong to Coleoptera, Diptera, and Lepidoptera, Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) being the most frequent and diverse gall-inducers. The associated fauna included parasitoids (Hymenoptera), successors (Formicidae), and predators (Pseudoscorpiones), obtained from 13, 2, and 1 gall morphotypes, respectively. Five plant taxa are recorded as hosts of gall-inducing insects for the first time. © 2016, Universidade Estadual de Campinas UNICAMP. All rights reserved.16111

The Influence Of Tubule Density And Area Of Solid Dentin On Bond Strength Of Two Adhesive Systems To Dentin

Purpose: To determine the correlation between the tubule density (TD) and the area occupied by solid dentin (ASD) with the bond strength of one conventional and one self-etching adhesive system to dentin. Materials and Methods: The crown of extracted human third molars was transversally sectioned with a diamond saw to expose either superficial, middle, or deep dentin. The three groups of dentin surfaces were randomly divided and bonded with either Clearfil Liner Bond 2V (LB) or Prime & Bond 2.1 (PB) adhesive systems according to manufacturer's directions. Resin composite buildup crowns (10.0 mm high) were incrementally constructed on the bonded surfaces and the teeth stored in water at 37°C. After 24 h of storage, the teeth were vertically, serially sectioned in both x and y directions to obtain several bonded sticks of approximately 0.7 mm2 cross-sectional area. Each stick was tested in tension in a EMIC DL-500 tester at 0.5 mm/min until failure. After testing, the dentin side of the fractured specimen was gently abraded with a 1000-grit SiC paper, etched with 37% phosphoric acid for 15 s and allowed to air dry. SEM micrographs at 1000X and 4000X magnification were taken to permit calculation of the TD (number of tubules/mm2) and ASD (% of total area) at the site of fracture. Correlation between TD and ASD with the bond strength data was performed by linear regression. All statistical analysis was done with a = 0.05. Results: Overall bond strength (MPa) for LB was 26.0 ± 10.2, and 42.6 ± 15.2 for PB. There was a significant direct relationship between bond strength and ASD for both materials (r2 = 0.20, p < 0.05 and r2 = 0.66, p < 0.01, respectively for LB and PB). PB bond strength dropped significantly as the TD increased (r2 = 0.63, p < 0.05), while LB was not sensitive to TD (r2 = 0.05, p > 0.05). Mean bond strength of PB was significantly higher than LB for both superficial and middle dentin (p < 0.05), while there was no significant difference for deep dentin (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Regional variations in TD and ASD may modify bond strength of both conventional and self-etching adhesive systems. Bonding sites with larger ASD seem to yield higher bond strengths regardless of the type of adhesive system used.34315324Burrow, M.F., Takakura, H., Nakajima, M., Inai, N., Tagami, J., Takatsu, T., The influence of age and depth of dentin on bonding (1994) Dent Mater, 10, pp. 241-246Carrigan, P.J., Morse, D.R., Furst, M.L., Sinai, I.H., A scanning electron microscopic evaluation of human dentinal tubules according to age and location (1984) J Endod, 10, pp. 359-363Fernandes, C.A.O., (2000) Estudo Comparativo da Resistência Adesiva À Dentina Superficial e Profunda Testada Simultaneamente, Empregando-se Dois Sistemas Adesivos, , Thesis, Bauru School of Dentistry, USP, Bauru, SP, BrazilFosse, G., Saele, P.K., Eide, R., Numerical density and distributional pattern of dentin tubules (1992) Acta Odont Scand, 50, pp. 201-210Garberoglio, R., Brännström, M., Scanning electron microscopic investigation of human dentinal tubules (1976) Archs Oral Biol, 21, pp. 355-362Gwinnett, A.J., Quantitative contribution of resin infiltration/hybridization to dentin bonding (1993) Am J Dent, 6, pp. 7-9McCabe, J.F., Rusby, S., Dentine bonding agents - Characteristic bond strength as a function of dentine depth (1992) J Dent, 20, pp. 225-230Nakajima, M., Sano, H., Burrow, M.F., Tagami, J., Yoshiyama, M., Ebisu, S., Ciucchi, B., Pashley, D.H., Tensile bond strength and SEM evaluation of caries-effected dentin using adhesives (1995) J Dent Res, 74, pp. 1679-1688Nery, S., McCabe, J.F., Wassell, R.W., A comparative study of three dental adhesives (1995) J Dent, 23, pp. 55-61Pashley, D.H., Carvalho, R.M., Dentine permeability and dentine adhesion (1997) J Dent, 25, pp. 335-372Pashley, D.H., Ciucchi, B., Sano, H., Carvalho, R.M., Russell, C.M., Bond strength versus dentine structure: A modelling approach (1995) Archs Oral Biol, 40, pp. 1109-1118Pashley, D.H., Ciucchi, B., Sano, H., Yoshiyama, M., Carvalho, R.M., Adhesion testing of dentin bonding agents. A review (1995) Dent Mater, 11, pp. 117-125Pashley, D.H., Clinical correlations of dentin structure and function (1991) J Prosth Dent, 66, pp. 777-781Pashley, D.H., Dentin: A dynamic substrate - A review (1989) Scanning Microsc, 3, pp. 161-174Pereira, P.N.R., Okuda, M., Sano, H., Yoshikawa, T., Burrow, M.F., Tagami, J., Effect of intrinsic wetness and regional difference on dentin bond strength (1999) Dent Mater, 15, pp. 46-53Prati, C., Pashley, D.H., Dentin wetness, permeability and thickness and bond strength of adhesive systems (1992) Am J Dent, 5, pp. 33-38Suzuki, T., Finger, W.J., Dentin adhesives: Site of dentin vs. Bonding of composite resins (1988) Dent Mater, 4, pp. 379-383Tagami, J., Tao, L., Pashley, D.H., Correlation among dentin depth, permeability, and bond strength of adhesive resins (1990) Dent Mater, 6, pp. 45-50Tao, L., Pashley, D.H., Shear bond strengths to dentin: Effects of surface treatments, depth and position (1988) Dent Mater, 4, pp. 373-378Tay, F.R., Gwinnett, A.J., Wei, S.H.Y., The overwet phenomenon: A scanning electron microscopic study of surface moisture in the acid-conditioned, resin-dentin interface (1996) Am J Dent, 9, pp. 109-114Tay, F.R., Sano, H., Carvalho, R.M., Pashley, E.L., Pashley, D.H., An ultrastructural study of the influence of acidity of self-etching primers and smear layer thickness on bonding to intact dentin (2000) J Adhesive Dent, 2, pp. 83-98Yoshiyama, M., Carvalho, R.M., Sano, H., Horner, J., Brewer, P.D., Pashley, D.H., Interfacial morphology and strength of bonds made to superficial versus deep dentin (1995) Am J Dent, 8, pp. 297-302Yoshiyama, M., Sano, H., Ebisu, S., Tagami, J., Ciucchi, B., Carvalho, R.M., Johnson, M.H., Pashley, D.H., Regional strengths of bonding agents to cervical sclerotic root dentin (1996) J Dent Res, 75, pp. 1404-141

Carcass Characteristics Of Purebred And Crossbred Nellore Females Fed Solely Pasture

This research aimed to compare carcasses of purebred and crossbred Nellore females reared uniquely on pasture (Brachiaria decumbens and Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu). Breeds assessed consisted of purebred Nellore (16) and Nellore x Santa Gertrudis crossbred (16), being 32 ± 1.5 months old. All animals were slaughtered as they reached 450 kg. Crossbred females showed higher slaughter, hot and cold carcass weights and longer lengths (P < 0.05). Conversely, purebred animals attained greater carcass yields (P < 0.05). Nonetheless, crossbred females had higher primal cut weights and plate/ flank percentage (P < 0.05). Also, non-carcass components as kidneys, liver, kidney-pelvic-heart fat showed higher weights for crossbred females (P < 0.05). Thus, regarding beef cattle reared and finished exclusively on grazing areas, crossbred females (Nellore x Santa Gertrudis) may be the most profitable ones for cattle raisers, since they produce heavier slaughtering carcasses. Notwithstanding, they might be interesting for meat industry, for yielding more in prime cuts than purebreds, even if raised at the same conditions and slaughtered at same age.3764213422

Effects of treatment, awareness and condom use in a coinfection model for HIV and HCV in MSM

We develop a new a coinfection model for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We consider treatment for both diseases, screening, unawareness and awareness of HIV infection, and the use of condoms. We study the local stability of the disease-free equilibria for the full model and for the two submodels (HCV only and HIV only submodels). We sketch bifurcation diagrams for different parameters, such as the probabilities that a contact will result in a HIV or an HCV infection. We present numerical simulations of the full model where the HIV, HCV and double endemic equilibria can be observed. We also show numerically the qualitative changes of the dynamical behavior of the full model for variation of relevant parameters. We extrapolate the results from the model for actual measures that could be implemented in order to reduce the number of infected individuals

Immunoproteomic analysis of Plasmodium falciparum antigens using sera from patients with clinical history of imported malaria.

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Environmental heterogeneity caused by anthropogenic disturbance drives forest structure and dynamics in Brazilian Atlantic Forest

We evaluated how tree community floristic composition, forest structure and dynamics varied over a period of 13 years across a topographic gradient of ravines created by anthropic disturbance in Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The study area is located within a fragment of Atlantic Forest (21° 09' S, 44° 54' W), in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. This work was based on data of tree diameter at 1.3 m from the soil, collected in four inventories. Each individual was recorded as being in one of three stratified topographic classes: hilltop, slope and bottom. We used direct gradient analysis to evaluate floristic compositional changes, phytosociological analysis to evaluate structural variations, and assessed demographic and biomass changes over time through analysis of rates of forest dynamics. The results did not reflect modifications in the patterns of floristic composition and species diversity along the topographic gradient, while differences in forest structural attributes and dynamics may be detected at these smaller spatial scales. Thus, the same species group may employ different strategies against different restrictive environmental factors. Finally, we suggest that floristic composition and species diversity may be less sensitive parameters for post-disturbance responses than forest dynamics and structure

Kinin B2 receptor regulates chemokines CCL2 and CCL5 expression and modulates leukocyte recruitment and pathology in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice

BACKGROUND: Kinins are important mediators of inflammation and act through stimulation of two receptor subtypes, B1 and B2. Leukocyte infiltration contributes to the pathogenesis of autoimmune inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS), occurring not only in multiple sclerosis (MS) but also in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We have previously shown that the chemokines CCL2 and CCL5 play an important role in the adhesion of leukocytes to the brain microcirculation in EAE. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relevance of B2 receptors to leukocyte-endothelium interactions in the cerebral microcirculation, and its participation in CNS inflammation in the experimental model of myelin-oligodendrocyte-glycoprotein (MOG)35-55-induced EAE in mice. METHODS: In order to evaluate the role of B2 receptor in the cerebral microvasculature we used wild-type (WT) and kinin B2 receptor knockout (B2-/-) mice subjected to MOG35-55-induced EAE. Intravital microscopy was used to investigate leukocyte recruitment on pial matter vessels in B2-/- and WT EAE mice. Histological documentation of inflammatory infiltrates in brain and spinal cords was correlated with intravital findings. The expression of CCL5 and CCL2 in cerebral tissue was assessed by ELISA. RESULTS: Clinical parameters of disease were reduced in B2-/- mice in comparison to wild type EAE mice. At day 14 after EAE induction, there was a significant decrease in the number of adherent leukocytes, a reduction of cerebral CCL5 and CCL2 expressions, and smaller inflammatory and degenerative changes in B2-/- mice when compared to WT. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that B2 receptors have two major effects in the control of EAE severity: (i) B2 regulates the expression of chemokines, including CCL2 and CCL5, and (ii) B2 modulates leukocyte recruitment and inflammatory lesions in the CNS