Methodological approaches to planar and volumetric scintigraphic imaging of small volume targets with high spatial resolution and sensitivity

Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a non-invasive imaging technique, which provides information reporting the functional states of tissues. SPECT imaging has been used as a diagnostic tool in several human disorders and can be used in animal models of diseases for physiopathological, genomic and drug discovery studies. However, most of the experimental models used in research involve rodents, which are at least one order of magnitude smaller in linear dimensions than man. Consequently, images of targets obtained with conventional gamma-cameras and collimators have poor spatial resolution and statistical quality. We review the methodological approaches developed in recent years in order to obtain images of small targets with good spatial resolution and sensitivity. Multipinhole, coded mask- and slit-based collimators are presented as alternative approaches to improve image quality. In combination with appropriate decoding algorithms, these collimators permit a significant reduction of the time needed to register the projections used to make 3-D representations of the volumetric distribution of target’s radiotracers. Simultaneously, they can be used to minimize artifacts and blurring arising when single pinhole collimators are used. Representation images are presented, which illustrate the use of these collimators. We also comment on the use of coded masks to attain tomographic resolution with a single projection, as discussed by some investigators since their introduction to obtain near-field images. We conclude this review by showing that the use of appropriate hardware and software tools adapted to conventional gamma-cameras can be of great help in obtaining relevant functional information in experiments using small animals.FAPESPFAPESP CInAPC

Perfil de ácidos graxos em grãos de soja, com diferentes manejos de percevejo, da colheita ao armazenamento, utilizando a cromatografia gasosa.

ABSTRACT: The aim was to determine whether different intensities of stink bug attack in the field affect the fatty acid profile in soybean after six months storage time. Three stink bugs control managements were used in the soybean crop season as: 1-soybean producer management area; 2-standard integrated pest management area; 3-control management area(no pesticides applied). After harvest and at three and six months after storage time, samples of soybean grain were taken to analyze the fatty acids in the oil by gas chromatography. The experiment was maintained in a room at 25°C and 60% of relative humidity during the six months of storage time. The different soybean field managements of stink bug did not changed the fatty acid profiles, and also there were no differences in these profiles during storage meaning no effect in fatty acid profiles between stink bug control?s management applied in the soybean crop season. RESUMO: O objetivo desse trabalho foi verificar se diferentes intensidades de ataque de percevejo interferem na variação do perfil de ácidos graxos em grãos de soja, no momento da colheita e após determinado período de armazenamento. Os tratamentos pesquisados foram amostras de grãos de várias lavouras de soja e três condições de tratamentos: 1-área do produtor, 2-área com o MIP e 3-área testemunha. O experimento foi conduzido em BODs, com temperatura controlada de 25ºC e umidade relativa de 60% sendo as avaliações no ponto zero, aos três e seis meses de armazenamento. Os teores dos ácidos graxos presentes no óleo dos grãos de soja foram determinados por cromatografia gasosa. Os diferentes níveis de ataque de percevejo não alteraram os perfis de ácidos graxos e não ocorreram diferenças nesses perfis ao longo do armazenamento

Teores de óleo e proteína em grãos de soja, com diferentes manejos de percevejo, da colheita ao armazenamento, utilizando a espectroscopia no infravermelho próximo (NIR).

ABSTRACT: The aim was to determine changes in oil and protein content in soybean grain after different stink bugs field managements, on harvest and after of grain storage, using near infrared spectroscopy (NIR). Three stink bugs control managements were used in the soybean crop season as: 1-soybean producer management area; 2-standard integrated pest management area; 3-control management area (no pesticides applied). After harvest and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after storage time, samples of grain were taken to analyze oil and protein content at NIR. The experiment was maintained in a room at 25° C and 60% of relative humidity during one year of storage time. The results showed an increase in protein and a decrease in lipid content during storage. The increase of stink bug attack in the field caused an increase in the protein content during storage, however no changes in lipid content occurred. RESUMO: O objetivo do trabalho foi verificar variação nos teores de óleo e proteína em grãos de soja, com diferentes manejos de percevejo, no momento da colheita e após determinado período de armazenamento, utilizando o NIR. Os tratamentos pesquisados neste estudo foram amostras de grãos de várias lavouras de soja e três condições de tratamentos: 1-área do produtor, 2-área com o MIP e 3-área testemunha. O experimento foi conduzido em BODs, sendo as avaliações no ponto zero (colheita), aos três, seis, nove e doze meses de armazenamento. Em condições ideais de armazenamento (25ºC e umidade relativa de 60%), ocorreu um aumento nos teores de proteína e uma diminuição nos teores de lipídios dos grãos de soja ao longo do armazenamento. O aumento de ataque de percevejos ocasionou aumento nos teores de proteína dos grãos de soja durante o armazenamento, entretanto sem alterar os teores de lipídios dos grãos

Variação nos teores de óleo e proteína em grãos de soja, com diferentes intensidades de ataque de percevejo, da colheita ao armazenamento, utilizando a espectroscopia no infravermelho próximo (NIR).

O objetivo do trabalho foi verificar variação nos teores de óleo e proteína em grãos de soja, com diferentes intensidades de infestação de percevejo, no momento da colheita e após determinado período de armazenamento, utilizando o NIR

Adubação nitrogenada em cedro rosa

Projeto/Plano de Ação: 16.00.30004-0

A comparison of dietary patterns derived by cluster and principal components analysis in a UK cohort of children

Background/Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify dietary patterns in a cohort of 7-year-old children through cluster analysis, compare with patterns derived by principal components analysis (PCA), and investigate associations with sociodemographic variables. Subjects/Methods: The main caregivers in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) recorded dietary intakes of their children (8279 subjects) using a 94-item food frequency questionnaire. Items were then collapsed into 57 food groups. Dietary patterns were identified using k-means cluster analysis and associations with sociodemographic variables examined using multinomial logistic regression. Clusters were compared with patterns previously derived using PCA. Results: Three distinct clusters were derived: Processed (4177 subjects), associated with higher consumption of processed foods and white bread, Plant-based (2065 subjects), characterized by higher consumption of fruit, vegetables and non-white bread, and Traditional British (2037 subjects), associated with higher consumption of meat, vegetables and full-fat milk. Membership of the Processed cluster was positively associated with girls, younger mothers, snacking and older siblings. Membership of the Plant-based cluster was associated with higher educated mothers and vegetarians. The Traditional British cluster was associated with council housing and younger siblings. The three clusters were similar to the three dietary patterns obtained through PCA; each principal component score being higher on average in the corresponding cluster.Conclusions:Both cluster analysis and PCA identified three dietary patterns very similar both in the foods associated with them and sociodemographic characteristics. Both methods are useful for deriving meaningful dietary patterns. © 2011 Macmillan Publishers Limited All rights reserved