A flexible online apparatus for projectile launch experiments

In order to provide a more flexible learning environment in physics, the developed projectile launch apparatus enables students to determine the acceleration of gravity and the dependence of a set of parameters in the projectile movement. This apparatus is remotely operated and accessed via web, by first scheduling an access time slot. This machine has a number of configuration parameters that support different learning scenarios with different complexities

DIAGNÓSTICO DE DEMANDAS OCUPACIONAIS NO TERRITÓRIO E INTERVENÇÃO EM SAÚDE DO TRABALHADOR: UM RELATO DE EXPERIÊNCIA

RESUMO   Este relato de experiência analisa um conjunto de atividades pedagógicas baseadas na realização de um diagnóstico de demandas ocupacionais no território de Vila Santa Isabel, distrito da cidade de Ibicaraí – Bahia e subsequente implementação de uma intervenção em saúde com trabalhadores gaioleiros. Tais atividades foram propostas pelo componente curricular Saúde e Trabalho do curso de Bacharelado Interdisciplinar em Saúde. O diagnóstico das demandas ocupacionais foi obtido por meio de técnicas de observação direta e participante seguindo as etapas de: territorialização, análise de situação de saúde, caracterização do perfil produtivo e análise ergonômica do trabalho. O projeto de intervenção foi planejado a partir de ferramentas da educação popular. As atividades pedagógicas permitiram o desenvolvimento de conhecimentos e habilidades importantes para a atuação no campo da Saúde do Trabalhador. A experiência possibilitou a identificação do trabalho como um importante determinante da saúde e a realização de uma intervenção de educação em saúde coerente às demandas prioritárias da população.   Palavras-Chave:Territorialização. Saúde do Trabalhador. Atenção primária à saúde.Educação em Saúde

A globally applicable PCR-based detection and discrimination of BK and JC polyomaviruses

BKV and JCV belong to the Polyomaviridae family and are opportunistic agents associated with complications in immunocompromised individuals. Although a single screening assay for both viruses would be convenient, the diversity of BKV and JCV serotypes and genotypes is a methodological challenge. In this paper, we developed a PCR method able to detect and segregate BKV and JCV, despite these genetic discrepancies. A duplex semi-nested PCR (duplex snPCR) was designed to target a conserved region (639nt-1516nt) within the VP2 gene. In the first PCR, a primer set common to all BKV and JCV serotypes/ genotypes was used, followed by a semi-nested PCR with internal primers for BKV and JCV segregation. The limit of detection of the duplex snPCR was as low as 10 copies of BKV or JCV plasmids/µL. Specific products were observed when JCV and BKV plasmids were mixed in the same reaction. In field sample testing, the duplex snPCR detected and distinguished both viruses in different biological samples. Results were confirmed by Sanger’s sequencing. The geographical complexity of BKV and JCV serotypes and genotypes imposes limits to a simple and universal method that could detect each virus. However, we describe here a sensitive and reliable PCR technique for BKV and JCV diagnosis that overcomes these limitations and could be universally applied

Genome wide scan for quantitative trait loci affecting tick resistance in cattle (Bos taurus × Bos indicus)

<p><b>Abstract</b></p> <p><b>Background</b></p> <p>In tropical countries, losses caused by bovine tick <it>Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus</it> infestation have a tremendous economic impact on cattle production systems. Genetic variation between <it>Bos taurus</it> and <it>Bos indicus</it> to tick resistance and molecular biology tools might allow for the identification of molecular markers linked to resistance traits that could be used as an auxiliary tool in selection programs. The objective of this work was to identify QTL associated with tick resistance/susceptibility in a bovine F2 population derived from the Gyr (<it>Bos indicus</it>) × Holstein (<it>Bos taurus</it>) cross.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Through a whole genome scan with microsatellite markers, we were able to map six genomic regions associated with bovine tick resistance. For most QTL, we have found that depending on the tick evaluation season (dry and rainy) different sets of genes could be involved in the resistance mechanism. We identified dry season specific QTL on BTA 2 and 10, rainy season specific QTL on BTA 5, 11 and 27. We also found a highly significant genome wide QTL for both dry and rainy seasons in the central region of BTA 23.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The experimental F2 population derived from Gyr × Holstein cross successfully allowed the identification of six highly significant QTL associated with tick resistance in cattle. QTL located on BTA 23 might be related with the bovine histocompatibility complex. Further investigation of these QTL will help to isolate candidate genes involved with tick resistance in cattle.</p

Effects of formulations containing dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) acetoamidobenzoate and pidolate on the skin

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of formulations containing DMAE pidolate and DMAE acetoamidobenzoate on the skin. Four areas of five swines were submitted to following treatments during 15 days: C (Control), S (Silicone = 80 % DC*LC Blend®), F1 (DMAE acetoamidobenzoate), F2 (DMAE pidolate). Measures of the thickness of epidermis and stratum corneum, and the density population of fibroblasts and leukocytes in papillary dermis were obtained. We also assessed possible variations in birefringence of dermis collagen bundles. Means of the data was compared using ANOVA followed by the Tukey test. The F1 and F2 groups showed a thicker epidermis than the control group (p < 0.01), but did not demonstrate a significant difference in the number of fibroblasts and leukocytes, as well as in the birefringent areas of collagen bundles, in comparison with the control groups. The DMAE-supplemented formulations enhanced viable epidermis thickness, but did not modify structures related with mechanical properties of the skin.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

SOD2 immunoexpression predicts lymph node metastasis in penile cancer

BACKGROUND: Superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD2) is considered one of the most important antioxidant enzymes that regulate cellular redox state in normal and tumorigenic cells. Overexpression of this enzyme in lung, gastric, colorectal, breast cancer and cervical cancer malignant tumors has been observed. Its relationship with inguinal lymph node metastasis in penile cancer is unknown. METHODS: SOD2 protein expression levels were determined by immunohistochemistry in 125 usual type squamous cell carcinomas of the penis from a Brazilian cancer center. The casuistic has been characterized by means of descriptive statistics. An exploratory logistic regression has been proposed to evaluate the independent predictive factors of lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: SOD2 expression in more than 50% of cells was observed in 44.8% of primary penile carcinomas of the usual type. This expression pattern was associated with lymph node metastasis both in the uni and multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that SOD2 expression predicts regional lymph node metastasis. The potential clinical implication of this observation warrants further studies.Dr. Lara Termini (FAPESP 2005/57274-9); Dr. Luisa Lina Villa (FAPESP 2008/57889-1 and CNPq 573799/2008-3)

Biological activities from extracts of endophytic fungi isolated from Viguiera arenaria and Tithonia diversifolia

A total of 39 endophytic fungi have been isolated from Viguiera arenaria and Tithonia diversifolia, both collected in São Paulo State, Brazil. The isolates were identified based on their ribosomal DNA sequences. The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extracts of all endophytic fungi were evaluated for their antimicrobial, antiparasitic and antitumoral activity. Antimicrobial screening was conducted using an agar diffusion assay against three pathogenic microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. Antiparasitic activity was determined by enzymatic inhibition of gGAPDH of Trypanosoma cruzi and adenine phosphorybosiltransferase (APRT) of Leishmania tarentolae. Antitumoral activity was tested against human T leukemia cells by the Mosmann colorimetric method. All extracts showed activity in at least one assay: 79.5% of the extracts were cytotoxic against leukemia cells, 5.1% of the extracts were active against S. aureus, 25.6% against E. coli and 64.1% against Candida albicans. Only one extract showed promising results in the inhibition of parasitic enzymes gGAPDH (95.0%) and three were found to inhibit APRT activity. The cytotoxic extract produced by the strain VA1 (Glomerella cingulata) was fractionated and yielded nectriapyrone and tyrosol. Nectriapyrone showed relevant cytotoxic activity against both human T leukemia and melanoma tumor cell lines.FAPESP 03/07535-5FAPESP 04/07935-6CAPE

Whole brain radiotherapy for brain metastases from breast cancer: estimation of survival using two stratification systems

BACKGROUND: Brain metastases (BM) are the most common form of intracranial cancer. The incidence of BM seems to have increased over the past decade. Recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) of data from three Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) trials (1200 patients) has allowed three prognostic groups to be identified. More recently a simplified stratification system that uses the evaluation of three main prognostics factors for radiosurgery in BM was developed. METHODS: To analyze the overall survival rate (OS), prognostic factors affecting outcomes and to estimate the potential improvement in OS for patients with BM from breast cancer, stratified by RPA class and brain metastases score (BS-BM). From January 1996 to December 2004, 174 medical records of patients with diagnosis of BM from breast cancer, who received WBRT were analyzed. The surgery followed by WBRT was used in 15.5% of patients and 84.5% of others patients were submitted at WBRT alone; 108 patients (62.1%) received the fractionation schedule of 30 Gy in 10 fractions. Solitary BM was present in 37.9 % of patients. The prognostic factors evaluated for OS were: age, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), number of lesions, localization of lesions, neurosurgery, chemotherapy, absence extracranial disease, RPA class, BS-BM and radiation doses and fractionation. RESULTS: The OS in 1, 2 and 3 years was 33.4 %, 16.7%, and 8.8 %, respectively. The RPA class analysis showed strong relation with OS (p < 0.0001). The median survival time by RPA class in months was: class I 11.7, class II 6.2 and class III 3.0. The significant prognostic factors associated with better OS were: higher KPS (p < 0.0001), neurosurgery (P < 0.0001), single metastases (p = 0.003), BS-BM (p < 0.0001), control primary tumor (p = 0.002) and absence of extracranial metastases (p = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, the factors associated positively with OS were: neurosurgery (p < 0.0001), absence of extracranial metastases (p <0.0001) and RPA class I (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our data suggests that patients with BM from breast cancer classified as RPA class I may be effectively treated with local resection followed by WBRT, mainly in those patients with single BM, higher KPS and cranial extra disease controlled. RPA class was shown to be the most reliable indicators of survival