Fossil Groups in the Millennium Simulation. Evolution of the Brightest Galaxies

We create a catalogue of simulated fossil groups and study their properties, in particular the merging histories of their first-ranked galaxies. We compare the simulated fossil group properties with those of both simulated non-fossil and observed fossil groups. Using simulations and a mock galaxy catalogue, we searched for massive ($>$ 5 $\times$ 10$^{13} h^{-1} {\cal M}_\odot$) fossil groups in the Millennium Simulation Galaxy Catalogue. In addition, attempted to identify observed fossil groups in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 6 using identical selection criteria. Our predictions on the basis of the simulation data are:(a) fossil groups comprise about 5.5% of the total population of groups/clusters with masses larger than 5 x 10$^{13} h^{-1} {\cal M}_\odot$. This fraction is consistent with the fraction of fossil groups identified in the SDSS, after all observational biases have been taken into account; (b) about 88% of the dominant central objects in fossil groups are elliptical galaxies that have a median R-band absolute magnitude of $\sim -23.5-5 log h$, which is typical of the observed fossil groups known in the literature; (c)first-ranked galaxies of systems with ${\cal M} >$ 5 x 10$^{13} h^{-1} {\cal M}_\odot$, regardless of whether they are either fossil or non-fossil, are mainly formed by gas-poor mergers; (d) although fossil groups, in general, assembled most of their virial masses at higher redshifts in comparison with non-fossil groups, first-ranked galaxies in fossil groups merged later, i.e. at lower redshifts, compared with their non-fossil-group counterparts. We therefore expect to observe a number of luminous galaxies in the centres of fossil groups that show signs of a recent major merger.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic

Histologic and Histomorphometric Analysis of Posterior Region of the Human Temporomandibular Disc

Objective The aim of this study was to analyze histologic and histomorphometric features of the articular disc in groups with and without disc displacement. Study design A sample of 39 temporomandibular joints TMJs (31 case specimens, 8 control specimens) from 28 patients (mean age 31.2 years) were recruited for this study. The patients were considered to be affected and treated surgically with disc repositioning when presenting painful clinical signs of disc displacement after unsuccessful nonsurgical treatment for at least 6 months. Of the control patients, 4 presented condyle fracture which required opening to be reduced for treatment, and 4 displayed active condyle hyperplasia. The posterior region of the disc was removed and sent for histologic and histomorphometric analysis. Histologic (hematoxylin-eosin) and histomorphometric (picro-Sirius red) analyses were performed. Statistically significant differences between the analyzed groups were accessed through the chi-squared test (P ≤ .05). The Mann-Whitney U test was used to observe the differences between mean values when variables did not present normal distribution [Kolmogorov-Smirnov(a) test]. Results There were no significant differences between the groups in relation to the parameters studied by histologic and histomorphometric analysis (using or not using polarization). Conclusions To the limits of this study, there were no significant histologic and histomorphometric differences in the articular disc between groups with and without TMJ dysfunction

Ocratoxina A em café verde brasileiro

Ochratoxin A is a nephrotoxic, teratogenic and imunotoxic compound produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. It is a suspected carcinogen to humans and it is carcinogenic to rats. Recently it has drawn attention because it has been found in coffee and it has been the object of regulation by coffee importing countries. Brazil is the largest coffee producing country and its largest consumer. In order to conduct an initial assessment of the situation of the coffee produced in the country and offered to its population, one hundred and thirty two samples of Brazilian green coffee from 5 producing states (Minas Gerais, Paraná, São Paulo, Espírito Santo and Bahia) and destined for the home market, were collected at sales points at the cities of Londrina and Santos, Brazil, and analyzed for ochratoxin A. The toxin was isolated in immunoaffinity columns and quantified by HPLC with florescence detection. The limit of detection was 0.7ng/g and the average RSD for duplicates of the samples was 11%. Twenty seven samples were found contaminated with the toxin and the average concentration for the contaminated samples was 7.1ng/g ochratoxin A. Neither the total number of defects nor the number of specific defects according to the Brazilian coffee classification system (black, partly -- black, sour, stinkers-black, stinkers-green, pod beans) showed any relation to the contamination of the samples with ochratoxin A.Ocratoxina A é um composto nefrotóxico, teratogênico e imunotóxico produzido por espécies de Aspergillus e Penicillium. Foi demonstrado ser carcinogênico para ratos e é possivelmente carcinogênico para humanos. Recentemente a toxina despertou atenção por ter sido encontrada em café e ter sido objeto de regulamentação por países importadores. O Brasil é o maior produtor de café no mundo e também seu maior consumidor. Para conduzir uma avaliação inicial da situação do café produzido no país e oferecido à sua população, cento e trinta e duas amostras de café verde brasileiro, provenientes de 5 Estados produtores (Minas Gerais, Paraná, São Paulo, Espírito Santo, e Bahia) e destinadas ao mercado nacional, foram coletadas em pontos de comercialização nas cidades de Londrina e Santos, Brasil, e analisadas para ocratoxina A. A toxina foi isolada em colunas de imunoafinidade e quantificada em cromatógrafo líquido de alta eficiência com detector de fluorescência. O limite de detecção foi 0,7ng/g e o coeficiente de variação médio entre duplicatas foi 11%. Vinte e sete amostras estavam contaminadas com a toxina e a concentração média para as amostras contaminadas foi 7,1ng/g de ocratoxina A. Nem o número total de defeitos e nem o número de cada defeito específico encontrado na classificação das amostras de acordo com o sistema brasileiro de classificação (preto, meio-preto, ardido, verde-preto, verdes, brocados, coco) mostrou ter qualquer relação com a contaminação presente nas amostras.10510

Design of concrete-filled steel tubular columns under axial loading according to NBR 8800:2008 and Eurocode 4:2004: tests results and comparisons

São apresentados os resultados experimentais de 32 pilares mistos preenchidos de seção circular, submetidos à compressão axial, para os quais foi avaliada a influência dos seguintes parâmetros: resistência à compressão do concreto, relação comprimento/diâmetro (L/D) e espessura do tubo de aço (t). Os valores experimentais de força máxima foram comparados com aqueles resultantes da aplicação da formulação apresentada na NBR 8800:2008 e no EN 1994-1-1:2004 (Eurocode 4 - EC4), extrapolando-se os resultados para valores de resistência do concreto não previstos por essas normas. Os perfis de aço com relação comprimento/diâmetro (L/D) de 3, 5, 7 e 10 foram preenchidos com concretos de resistências à compressão de 30, 60, 80 e 100MPa. Os resultados da comparação entre valores de força última experimental e teórica mostraram que as normas avaliadas apresentam bons resultados. A NBR 8800 apresenta resultados conservadores ao passo que o EC4 apresenta, em média, valores de força resistente não conservadores. A correlação tende a piorar para concretos de resistência menor.In this paper results of tests on 32 concrete-filled steel tubular columns under axial load are reported. The test parameters were the concrete compressive strength, the column slenderness (L/D) and the wall thickness (t). The test results were compared with predictions from the codes NBR 8800:2008 and EN 1994-1-1:2004 (EC4). The columns were 3, 5, 7 and 10 length to diameter ratios (L/D) and were tested with 30MPa, 60MPa, 80MPa and 100MPa concrete compressive strengths. The results of ultimate strength predicted by codes showed good agreement with experimental results. The results of NBR 8800 code were the most conservative and the EC4 showed the best results, in mean, but it was not conservative for usual concrete-filled short columns.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Factors associated with inflamm-aging in institutionalized older people

The increase in inflammatory cytokines associated with a reduction in the bioavailability of zinc has been used as a marker for inflammation. Despite the high inflammatory state found in institutionalized older individuals, few studies have proposed verifying the factors associated with this condition in this population. To verify the factors associated with inflamm-aging in institutionalized older people. A total of 178 older people (≥ 60 years old) living in nursing homes in Natal/RN were included in the study. Cluster analysis was used to identify three groups according to their inflammatory state. Analysis anthropometric, biochemical, sociodemographic, and health-related variables was carried out. In sequence, an ordinal logistic regression was performed for a confidence level of 95% in those variables with p < 0.20 in the bivariate analysis. IL-6, TNF-α, zinc, low-density lipids (LDL), high-density lipids (HDL), and triglycerides were associated with inflamm-aging. The increase of 1 unit of measurement of LDL, HDL, and triglycerides increased the chance of inflammation-aging by 1.5%, 4.1%, and 0.9%, respectively, while the oldest old (≥ 80 years old) had an 84.9% chance of presenting inflamm-aging in relation to non-long-lived older people (< 80 years). The association between biochemical markers and inflamm-aging demonstrates a relationship between endothelial injury and the inflammatory state. In addition, the presence of a greater amount of fat in the blood may present a higher relative risk of death

Potential contribution of selected metallic restorative dentistry materials to X-ray fluorescence

Recent advances have led to the use of new materials in dental restoration which is an area of rapid growth. Applications include improving oral aesthetics and essential rehabilitation, whilst procedures range from the recovery of partial elements (inlays) to fitting dental implants. Ceramics, polymers and metallic materials have all been successfully employed in dental applications and benefit from new cost efficient manufacturing techniques. The application of radiographic techniques in dentistry and other medicine is also increasing, and the combination of new materials and radiation can lead to an elevated health risk. X-rays can interact with metallic materials producing X-ray fluorescence, which can increase the radiation dose in proximity to restorative material and increase the risk of live biological tissue becoming cancerous. The issue demands consideration so that the biological risks associated with such procedures are kept as low as possible. Comparisons of doses calculated for several materials have provided evidence that the Ti cp and NiCrTi alloys present less contribution to the increase of dose in surrounding soft tissue and the potential deleterious biological effects. On the other hand, Amalgam appears to be the most deleterious alloy

Radiographic interpretation using high-resolution Cbct to diagnose degenerative temporomandibular joint disease

The objective of this study was to use high-resolution cone-beam computed images (hr-CBCT) to diagnose degenerative joint disease in asymptomatic and symptomatic subjects using the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders DC/TMD imaging criteria. This observational study comprised of 92 subjects age-sex matched and divided into two groups: clinical degenerative joint disease (c-DJD, n = 46) and asymptomatic control group (n = 46). Clinical assessment of the DJD and high-resolution CBCT images (isotropic voxel size of 0.08mm) of the temporomandibular joints were performed for each participant. An American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology certified radiologist and a maxillofacial radiologist used the DC/TMD imaging criteria to evaluate the radiographic findings, followed by a consensus of the radiographic evaluation. The two radiologists presented a high agreement (Cohen’s Kappa ranging from 0.80 to 0.87) for all radiographic findings (osteophyte, erosion, cysts, flattening, and sclerosis). Five patients from the c- DJD group did not present radiographic findings, being then classified as arthralgia. In the asymptomatic control group, 82.6% of the patients presented radiographic findings determinant of DJD and were then classified as osteoarthrosis or overdiagnosis. In conclusion, our results showed a high number of radiographic findings in the asymptomatic control group, and for this reason, we suggest that there is a need for additional imaging criteria to classify DJD properly in hr-CBCT images

Tremor in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The spectrum of neurological manifestations of Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) is diverse and not fully understood. In addition to peripheral neuropathy, mild autonomic impairment has been reported. These problems themselves could also result in secondary neurological consequences, such as the exacerbation of enhanced physiological tremor. Indeed, some patients in our cohort complained of tremor. Hence, we hypothesized that enhanced physiological tremor would be more severe in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) than controls

Visceral and subcutaneous abdominal adiposity and pulmonary function in 30-year-old adults: a cross-sectional analysis nested in a birth cohort.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have verified body fat distribution in association with pulmonary function (PF), mainly waist circumference, but few have used measures able to distinguish abdominal fat compartments. The present study aims to verify the association of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) with PF measures. METHODS: In 1982, all hospital births occurring in Pelotas, Brazil, were identified and those livebirths have been followed. In 2012-13, the cohort participants were evaluated and VAT and SAT measured using ultrasound; forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) or forced vital capacity (FVC) were patronized in z-scores stratified by sex. The associations were verified using crude and adjusted linear regressions. RESULTS: The present analyses comprised 3438 individuals (1721 women). VAT was inversely associated with spirometric parameters, in both crude and adjusted models. SAT showed inverse associations in the crude analyzes in males and a positive trend after adjustment, except for SAT and FVC in males. To each centimeter of VAT, mean adjusted FEV1 z-scores decreased 0.072 (95% CI -0.107; -0.036) in men and 0.127 (95% CI -0.164; -0.090) in women, and FVC z-scores decreased -0.075 (95% CI -0.111; -0.039) and 0.121 (95% CI -0.158; -0.083), in men and women, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: VAT has a consistent inverse association with FEV1 and FVC in both sexes. On the other hand, SAT showed inconsistent results with PF parameters