Estacionalidade na atividade sexual e qualidade do sêmen nos ovinos deslanados das raças Santa Inês e Somalis brasileira.

Resumo: Em dez ovinos deslanados das racas Santa Ines e Somalis brasileira, sendo cinco de cada, foi coletado e ejaculado espermatico, atraves da vagina artificial, durante um ano. O objetivo foi avaliar a atividade sexual do macho ovino, nas condicoes do Nordeste brasileiro, no periodo seco (agosto a dezembro de 1983) e chuvoso (janeiro a maio de 1984) e as diferencas entre racas. Na avaliacao do esperma houve uma diferenca (P<0,001) entre racas, a Santa Ines mostrando maior volume e concentracao do que a Somalis brasileira. Nao se obtiveram diferencas quanto a porcentagem de espermatozoides vivos e motilidade progressiva. Na epoca seca, o volume e a concentracao foram menores que na epoca chuvosa (P<0,001). Porem a porcentagem de espermatozoides vivos e a motilidade nao apresentaram diferencas quanto as epocas. A patologia espermatica nao foi diferente quanto as racas e epocas, mostrando niveis relativamente altos para alcancar uma taxa de fertilidade. As racas Santa Ines e Somalis brasileira se mostraram perfeitamente adaptadas as condicoes climaticas e nutricionais do Nordeste brasileiro, quanto a sua atividade sexual.bitstream/item/36444/1/BP-08.pd

Tempo de ovulação em cabras (sem raça definida) sincronizadas com esponjas vaginais de FGA (acetato de fluorogesterona) e superovuladas com PMSG. (Resultados preliminares).

Resultados preliminares, indicam que a inseminação natural ou artificial em cabras sincronizadas, criadas em regime semi-extensivo, deve ser feita acima de 37 horas após a retirada da esponja ou acima de 11 horas após o início do estro, quando ocorre a ovulação

Matrix Assisted Formation of Ferrihydrite Nanoparticles in a Siloxane/Poly(Oxyethylene) Nanohybrid

Matrix-assisted formation of ferrihydrite, an iron oxide hydroxide analogue of the protein ferritin-core, in a sol-gel derived organic-inorganic hybrid is reported. The hybrid network (named di-ureasil) is composed of poly(oxyethylene) chains of different average polymer molecular weights grafted to siloxane domains by means of urea cross-linkages and accommodates ferrihydrite nanoparticles. Magnetic measurements, Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy reveal that the controlled modification of the polymer molecular weight allows the fine-tuning of the ability of the hybrid matrix to assist and promote iron coordination at the organic-inorganic interface and subsequent nucleation and growth of the ferrihydrite nanoparticles whose core size (2-4 nm) is tuned by the amount of iron incorporated. The polymer chain length, its arrangement and crystallinity, are key factors on the anchoring and formation of the ferrihydrite particles.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures. To be published in J. Mater. Che

Prevalence and pattern of cognitive impairment in rural and urban populations from Northern Portugal

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite worldwide recognition of the burden of dementia, no epidemiological data is yet available in Portugal. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence and describe the pattern of cognitive impairment with dementia or no dementia (CIND) in rural and urban populations from Northern Portugal.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two random samples of residents aged 55 to 79 years in rural and urban communities were drawn from the health centres registries to be screened for cognitive impairment. The screening criteria for dementia were an abnormal Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score or a Blessed Dementia Scale score. After excluding those who tested positive for dementia, cut-off points for CIND were set at 1 standard deviation below the mean of the MMSE according to educational level. All those who screened positive either for dementia or CIND were examined by a neurologist for establishing a definitive diagnosis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prevalence of cognitive impairment was higher in rural than in urban populations, 16.8% (95% CI: 14.3-19.8%) vs. 12.0% (95%CI: 9.3-15.4%), with a rural/urban prevalence ratio (PR) of 2.16 (95% CI: 1.04-4.50) in the eldest and 2.19 (95% CI: 1.01-4.76) in persons with vascular risk factors. The prevalence of dementia was 2.7% (95% CI: 1.9-3.8%) with a rural/urban PR = 2.1 and the prevalence of CIND was 12.3% (95% CI: 10.4-14.4%) and PR = 1.3. The prevalence of dementia increases exponentially with age and in those with cerebrovascular disease or other comorbid conditions while the prevalence of CIND, besides these factors, is also higher in persons with low levels of education or vascular risk factors. Alzheimer's and vascular disease were equally likely aetiologies of dementia (38.7%), the later more common in men PR(F:M = 0.3) as opposed to the former PR(F:M = 2.0). Vascular CIND, associated either with cerebrovascular disease or vascular risk factors was more frequent (39.7%) then depression (18.4%) or any other aetiology.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The prevalence of cognitive impairment is higher in rural compared with urban populations. This is shown in the synergy between age and rurality, with the rural/urban prevalence ratio increasing with age. In this relatively young population from Northern Portugal, cerebrovascular disease as well as vascular risk factors account for 48% of overall cognitive impairment.</p

Adhesion of Epiphany and AH Plus sealers to human root dentin treated with different solutions

This study evaluated comparatively the adhesion of Epiphany and AH Plus endodontic sealers to human root dentin treated with 1% NaOCl and 1% NaOCl+17% EDTA, using the push-out test. Sixty root cylinders obtained from maxillary canines had the canals prepared and were randomly assigned to 3 groups (n=20), according to root dentin treatment: GI - distilled water (control), GII - 1% NaOCl and GIII - 1% NaOCl+17% EDTA. Each group was divided into 2 subgroups (n=10) filled with either Epiphany or AH Plus. Bond strength push-out test data (kN) were obtained and analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey&#39;s post-hoc test. There was statistically significant difference between sealers (AH Plus: 0.78 ± 0.13; Epiphany: 0.61 ± 0.19; p<0.01) and among root dentin treatments (distilled water: 0.58 ± 0.19; 1% NaOCl: 0.71 ± 0.12; 1% NaOCl+17% EDTA: 0.80 ± 0.17; p<0.05). In conclusion, AH Plus sealer presented greater adhesion to dentin than Epiphany, regardless of the treatment of root canal walls.O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a adesividade do cimento Epiphany à dentina radicular previamente tratada com hipoclorito de sódio a 1% e EDTA a 17%, em comparação ao cimento AH Plus, pelo método do "push-out". Foram preparados sessenta cilindros de raízes de caninos superiores humanos que foram distribuídos em 3 grupos (n=20) de acordo com o tratamento da dentina: GI água destilada (controle), GII hipoclorito de sódio 1% e GIII EDTA 17 %. Esses grupos de corpos-de-prova foram distribuídos em 2 subgrupos para receber os cimentos obturadores a serem testados: Ephiphany e AH Plus. Foi realizado o teste do "push-out" e os resultados (em kN) foram analisados estatisticamente por ANOVA e o teste "post-hoc" de Tukey. A análise demonstrou diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os cimentos (AH Plus: 0,78 ± 0,13; Epiphany: 0,61 ± 0,19; p < 0,01) e entre as soluções testadas (água destilada: 0,58 ± 0,19; NaOCl: 0,71 ± 0,12; EDTA: 0,80 ± 0,17; p<0,05). Conclui-se que o cimento AH Plus apresentou valores de adesividade superiores aos obtidos pelo cimento Epiphany, independente do tratamento realizado nas paredes dos canais radiculares

Diet of non-breeding leach’s storm-petrels ( Hydrobates leucorhous ) in the sub-polar frontal zone of the North Atlantic

In order to understand the drivers of the distribution and abundance of pelagic seabirds it is necessary to know what they eat, yet there remains little detailed, geo-referenced information on the diets of pelagic seabird. In particular, due to sampling difficulties, information is lacking for non-breeding stages, smaller species, such as storm-petrels, and remote oceanic areas, which may include important diversity hotspots. In this study, we aimed to characterize the trophic ecology of Leach’s storm-petrels foraging in the vicinity of the North Atlantic Current and Evlanov Seamount Marine Protected Area using a combination of survey methods. On a cruise undertaken in June 2017 to characterize the distribution and ecology of seabirds in the region, nineteen Leach’s storm-petrels were caught, sampled and released unharmed. Regurgitations and faecal samples were collected, as well as blood and feather tissues for stable isotope analyses. Of the 12 males, 6 females and 1 unsexed bird, 84% were in active flight feather moult, suggesting they were non-breeders. Prey species, assayed via molecular metabarcoding, were dominated by mesopelagic fish, principally lanternfishes (Myctophidae) and hatchetfishes (Sternoptychidae), but also included cephalopods and crustaceans. Additionally, almost half of the birds had microplastics in their regurgitates. Stable isotopic ratios did not differ significantly between sexes. Our results, combined with those of previous studies, suggest that within the oceanic North Atlantic, Leach’s storm-petrels feed at a similar trophic level to much larger seabirds, targeting mesopelagic fishes that are a key component of the North Atlantic pelagic food web

Hydrogen production and storage from hydrolysis of sodium borohydride: study of the recyclability of the by-product of reaction [Resumo]

ABSTRACT: Hydrogen is one of the most valuable alternatives to fossil fuels to produce energy. However, although it is abundant in the universe and has the highest gravimetric density, it is difficult to obtain and store in its molecular form and in safe conditions. One alternative to the conventional hydrogen storage is to use the high hydrogen content (10.66 wt. %) of sodium borohydride to, simultaneously, produce and store it.N/

Quality of Life in Obese Patients from a Multidisciplinary Bariatric Consultation: a Cross-Sectional Study Comparing to a Non-Bariatric Population and to the General Population

Obesity is a chronic disease defined by a body mass index of ≥30 kg/m2, which can result in a decrease in quality of life (QoL). Our study aim was to assess the QoL of an obese population of bariatric surgery (BS) candidates, and to compare it to both that of a non-bariatric obese population (C) and that of the general population. This was a cross-sectional study using: (1) the EQ-5D-3L instrument: comparing BS with the C population and with the Portuguese general population; and (2) the Bariatric Quality of Life (BQL) Index: comparing the two groups of obese patients. We included 228 BS and 68 C obese patients. BS patients had higher BMI (44 ± 6 kg/m2 vs. 41 ± 6.5 kg/m2; p < 0.001), higher waist circumference (130 ± 13 cm vs. 123 ± 17 cm; p = 0.03), and higher total body fat mass (49.9 ± 6.7% vs. 45 ± 6.7%; p < 0.001). QoL as evaluated by EQ-5D-3L was similar, but the BQL index showed lower QoL in BS patients (40.9 ± 8.9 vs. 44.2 ± 11.2; p = 0.01). Compared to the Portuguese general population, BS patients had lower QoL (VAS: 55 ± 19 vs. 74.9; p < 0.001; index: 0.33 ± 0.2 vs. 0.76; p < 0.001). Despite higher adiposity in the BS group, QoL was similar between the groups by EQ-5D-3L. Nevertheless, there was a decrease in the QoL for the BS patients as determined using the BQL, a tool with higher sensitivity to bariatric patients.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio