Real-time Optical Fiber Sensor For Hydro-alcoholic Solutions

The real-time determination of hydro-alcoholic concentration in alcohol distillation plants is a primordial condition in order to preserve the quality and reduce production losses. Presented research proposes a Fresnel reflectometric optical fiber sensor for the determination of hydro-alcoholic concentration in liquids. The intensity of reflected light and the sample temperature are continuously measured and processed by a fast algorithm. Calibration curves were prepared for a range from 0 to 100% of water in alcohol (ethanol) and adjusted to second order polynomials. According to functional tests, sensor provides maximal error of 1.3 % for concentration values and proportionates practically real-time analysis. © 2009 SPIE.7503Kamm, B., Gruber, P.R., Kamm, M., (2006) Biorefineries - Industrial Processes and Products: Status Quo and Future Directions, 1. , 964 p, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, GermanyGusken, E., Salgado, R.M., Rossel, C.E.V., Ohishi, T., Suzuki, C.K., Hybrid optical fiber sensor and artificial neural networks system for bioethanol quality control and productivity enhancement (2008) 19th International Conference on Optical Fibre Sensors, , PerthPrasad, P.R., Rao, K.S.R., Bhuvaneswari, K., Praveena, N., Srikanth, Y.V.V., Determination of ethanol in blend petrol by gas chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (2008) Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental EffectsYano, T., Aimi, T., Nakano, Y., Tamai, M., Prediction of the concentrations of ethanol and acetic acid in the culture broth of a rice vinegar fermentation using near-infrared spectroscopy (1997) J. Ferm. Bioeng, 84 (5), pp. 461-465Cardona, C.A., Sanches, O.J., Fuel ethanol production: Process design trends and integration opportunities (2007) Bioresource Technology, 98, pp. 2415-2457Kim, C.B., Su, C.B., Measurement of the refractive index of liquids at 1.3 and 1.5 microns using a fibre optic Fresnel ratiometer (2004) Meas. Sci. Technol, 15, pp. 1683-1686Lee, B., Review of present status of optical fiber sensors (2000) Opt. Fiber Technol, 71 (10), pp. 3864-3868Cho, S., Chung, H., Woo, Y.A., Kim, H.J., Determination of water content in ethanol by miniaturized near-infrared (NIR) systems (2005) Bull. Korean. Chem. Soc, 26 (1), pp. 115-118King, D., Lyons, W.B., Flanagan, C., Lewis, E., An optical-fiber sensor for use in water systems utilizing digital signal processing techniques and artificial neural network pattern recognition (2004) IEEE Sens. J, 4 (1), pp. 21-27C.K. Suzuki, E. Gusken, A.C. Mercado, E. Fujiwara, E. Ono, Fiber Optics Sensing System For Liquid Fuels, OMPI Patent, Prot. PCT/BR2008/000231, 2007Meyer, R.D., Eesley, G.L., Optical fiber refractometer (1987) Rev. Sci. Instrum, 58 (11), pp. 2047-2048Scott Jr., T.A., Refractive index of ethanol-water mixtures and density and refractive index of ethanol-water-ethyl ether mixtures (1946) J. Phys. Chem, 50 (5), pp. 406-41

The role of natural regeneration to ecosystem services provision and habitat availability: a case study in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Natural regeneration provides multiple benefits to nature and human societies, and can play a major role in global and national restoration targets. However, these benefits are context specific and impacted by both biophysical and socioeconomic heterogeneity across landscapes. Here we investigate the benefits of natural regeneration for climate change mitigation, sediment retention and biodiversity conservation in a spatially explicit way at very high resolution for a region within the global biodiversity hotspot of the Atlantic Forest. We classified current land-use cover in the region and simulated a natural regeneration scenario in abandoned pasturelands, areas where potential conflicts with agricultural production would be minimized and where some early stage regeneration is already occurring. We then modelled changes in biophysical functions for climate change mitigation and sediment retention, and performed an economic valuation of both ecosystem services. We also modelled how land-use changes affect habitat availability for species. We found that natural regeneration can provide significant ecological and social benefits. Economic values of climate change mitigation and sediment retention alone could completely compensate for the opportunity costs of agricultural production over 20 years. Habitat availability is improved for three species with different dispersal abilities, although by different magnitudes. Improving the understanding of how costs and benefits of natural regeneration are distributed can be useful to design incentive structures that bring farmers’ decision making more in line with societal benefits. This alignment is crucial for natural regeneration to fulfil its potential as a large-scale solution for pressing local and global environmental challenges

Update On Nonsurgical, Ultraconservative Approaches To Treat Effectively Non-cavitated Caries Lesions In Permanent Teeth

Dental caries on tooth surfaces is still a problem in many industrialized countries. For many years, dentistry was influenced by a mechanical approach characterized by the use of high-speed rotary cutting instruments, and dentists predominantly used surgical methods to address caries. This included radical removal of diseased portions of the tooth, along with material-driven geometric extensions to areas that were assumed to be caries-resistant. This concept of extension for prevention was introduced by G. V. Black and influenced dentists for more than 120 years. Recently, a new paradigm of operative conservatism, sometimes referred to as "minimally invasive dentistry," has gained popularity. This paradigm is designed to promote maximum preservation of healthy dental structures over a lifetime. The aim of this review is to discuss the efficacy of current nonsurgical treatments for non-cavitated caries lesions in permanent teeth. Based on results obtained from clinical trials, this review evaluates treatments such as consumption of CPP-ACP added gums, resin infiltration and fissure sealing. Although in a few cases an invasive approach is needed to arrest caries progression, the non-surgical approach generally provides potential benefits that include conserving structure by delaying intervention or minimizing the operative procedure. All current non-invasive methods are effective in treating non-cavitated caries lesions. The adoption of non-invasive approaches in the management of these lesions can preserve dental tissues, thus increasing tooth longevity.52229236Bader, J.D., Shugars, D.A., The evidence supporting alternative management strategies for early occlusal caries and suspected occlusal dentinal caries (2006) J Evid Base Dent Pract, 6, pp. 91-100Beauchamp, J., Caufield, P.W., Crall, J.J., Evidence-based clinical recommendations for the use of pit-and-fissure sealants: a report of the America Dental Association council on scientific affairs (2009) Dent Clin N Am, 53, pp. 131-147Paris, S., Meyer-Lueckel, H., Kielbassa, A.M., Resin infiltration of natural caries lesions (2007) J Dent Res, 86, pp. 662-666Morgan, M.V., Adams, G.G., Bailey, D.L., The anticariogenic effect of sugar-free gum containing CPP-ACP nanocomplexes on approximal caries determined using digital bitewing radiography (2008) Caries Res, 42, pp. 171-184Kuisch, V.K., Dental caries: a new look at an old disease (2009) Inside Dent, 5, pp. 60-65Feacherstone, J.D., Dental caries: a dynamic disease process (2008) Aust Dent J, 53, pp. 286-291Diefenderfer, K.E., Stahl, J., Caries remineralization therapy: implications for dental readiness (2008) Mil Med, 173, pp. 48-50Maltz, M., Jardim, J.J., Alves, L.R., Health promotion and dental caries (2010) Braz Oral Res, 24 (SPEC ISSUE 1), pp. 18-25Sharma, S., Kugel, G., Amorphous calcium phosphate sealants - the potential to remineralize (2009) Inside Dent, 5Bartlett, D.W., Bureau, G.P., Anggiansah, A., Evaluation of the pH of a new carbonated soft drink beverage: an in vivo investigation (2003) J Prosthodont, 12, pp. 21-25Khan, A.A., Jain, S.K., Shrivastav, A., Prevalence of dental caries among the population of Gwalior (India) in relation of different associated factors (2008) Eur J Dent, 2, pp. 81-85Kugel, G., Arsenault, P., Papas, A., Treatment modalities for caries management, including a new resin infiltration system (2009) Compend Contin Educ Dent, 30 (SPEC ISSUE 3), pp. 1-10Kidd, E.A., Fejerskov, O., What Constitutes Dental Caries? Histopathology of carious enamel and dentin related to the action of cariogenic biofilms (2004) J Dent Res, 83 (SPEC ISSUE C), pp. C35-C38Mount, G.J., A new paradigm for operative dentistry (2007), 52, pp. 264-270Black, G.V., Operative Dentistry (1908) Chicago: Medico-Dental Publishing, 121Massler, M., Changing concepts in the treatment of carious lesions (1967) Br Dent J, 123, pp. 547-548ten Cate, J.M., Duijsters, P.P., Alternating demineralization and remineralization of artificial enamel lesions (1982) Caries Res, 16, pp. 201-210Featherstone, J.B., The continuum of dental caries - evidence for a dynamic disease process (2004) J Dent Res, 83 (SPEC ISSUE C), pp. 39-42Featherstone, J.B., Clinical aspects of the de/remineralization of teeth (1995) Adv Dent Res, 9, pp. 1-340. , edBrännström, M., (1982) Dentin and pulp in restorative dentistry, , London: Wolfe Medical Publications LtdReynolds, E.C., Walsh, I.J., Additional aids to the remineralization of tooth structure (2005) Preservation and restoration of tooth structure, pp. 111-118. , Mount GJ, Hume WR, eds., 2 nd edn. Brisbane: Knowledge Books and SoftwareNgo, H.C., Mount, G.J., McIntyre, J., Chemical exchange between glass-ionomer restorations and residual carious dentine in permanent molar: an in vivo study (2006) J Dent, 34, pp. 608-613Pitts, N.B., Modern concepts of caries measurement (2004) J Dent Res, 83 (SPEC ISSUE C), pp. 43-47McComb, D., Systematic review of conservative operative caries management strategies (2001) J Dent Educ, 65, pp. 1154-1161Zero, D.T., Dentifrices, mouthwashes, and remineralization/ caries arrestment strategies (2006) BMC Oral Health, 6, pp. S9Mjör, I.A., Holst, D., Eriksen, H.M., Caries and restoration prevention (2008) J Am Dent Assoc, 139, pp. 565-570Reynolds, E.C., Cain, C.J., Shen, P., Retention in plaque and remineralization of enamel lesions by various forms of calcium in a mouthrinse or sugar-free chewing gum (2003) J Dent Res, 82, pp. 206-211Manton, D.J., Walker, G.D., Cai, F., Cochrane, N.J., Shen, P., Reynolds, E.C., Remineralization of enamel subsurface lesions in situ by the use of three commercially available sugar-free gums (2008) Int J Paediatr Dent, 18, pp. 284-290Walker, G.D., Cai, F., Shen, P., Casein phosphopeptideamorphous calcium phosphate incorporated into sugar confections inhibit the progression of enamel subsurface lesions in situ (2010) Caries Res, 44, pp. 33-40Paris, S., Meyer-Lueckel, H., Inhibition of caries progression by resin infiltration in situ (2010) Caries Res, 44, pp. 47-54Paris, S., Meyer-Lueckel, H., Colfen, H., Resin infiltration of artificial enamel caries lesions with experimental light curing resins (2007) Dent Mater J, 26, pp. 582-588Paris, S., Hopfenmuller, W., Meyer-Lueckel, H., Resin infiltration of caries lesion: an efficacy randomized trial (2010) J Dent Res, , doi: 10. 1177/0022034510369289Martignon, S., Ekstrand, K.R., Ellwood, R., Efficacy of sealing proximal early active lesions: an 18-month clinical study evaluated by conventional and subtraction radiography (2006) Caries Res, 40, pp. 382-388Phark, J.H., Duarte Jr., S., Meyer-Lueckel, H., Caries infiltration with resins: a novel treatment option for interproximal caries (2009) Compend Contin Educ Dent, 30 (SPES ISSUE 3), pp. 13-17ten Cate, J.M., Remineralization of deep enamel dentin caries lesions (2008) Aust Dent J, 53, pp. 281-285Doméjean-Orliaguet, S., Tubert-Jeannin, S., Riordan, P.J., French dentists' restorative treatment decisions (2004) Oral Health Prev Dent, 2, pp. 125-131Traebert, J., Wesoloski, C.I., Lacerda, J.T., Threshold of restorative decision in dental caries treatment among dentists from small Brazilian cities (2007) Oral Health Prev Dent, 5, pp. 131-135Mertz-Fairhurst, E.J., Curtis-Jr., J.W., Ergle, J.W., Ultraconservative and cariostatic sealed restorations: results at year 10 (1998) J Am Dent Assoc, 129, pp. 55-66Alves, L.S., Fontanella, V., Damo, A.C., Qualitative and quantitative radiographic assessment of sealed carious dentin: a 10-year prospective study (2010) Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod, 109, pp. 135-141Maltz, M., Oliveira, E.F., Fontanella, V., A clinical, microbiologic, and radiographic study of deep lesions, after incomplete caries removal (2002) Quintessence Int, 33, pp. 151-159Weerheijm, K.L., van Amerongen, W.E., Eggink, C.O., The clinical diagnosis of occlusal caries: a problem (1989) ASDC J Dent Child, 56, pp. 196-200Murdoch-Kinck, C., McLean, M., Minimally invasive dentistry (2003) J Am Dent Assoc, 134, pp. 87-95Brostck, A., Early diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of occlusal caries - a clinical approach (2004) Oral Health Prev Dent, 2 (SUPPL. 1), pp. 313-319Borges, B.C., Campos, G.B., da Silveira, A.D., de Lima, K.C., Pinheiro, I.V., Efficacy of a pit and fissure sealant in arresting dentin non-cavitated caries: a 1-year follow-up, randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial (2010) Am J Dent, 23, pp. 311-316Silveira, A.D., Borges, B.C., Varela, H.A., Progression of non-cavitated lesions in dentin through a nonsurgical approach: a preliminary 12-month clinical observation (2010) Eur J Dent, , in pressUysal, T., Amasyali, M., Koyuturk, A.E., Efficiency of amorphous calcium phosphate-containing orthodontic composite and resin modified glass ionomer cement on demineralization evaluated by a new laser fluorescence device (2009) Eur J Dent, 3, pp. 127-13

Neuroimmunomodulatory and neuroprotective effects of the flavonoid apigenin in in vitro models of neuroinflammation associated with Alzheimer's disease

Neurodegenerative disorders (ND) are characterized by the progressive and irreversible loss of neurons. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most incident age-related ND, in which the presence of a chronic inflammatory compound seems to be related to its pathogenesis. Different stimuli in the central nervous system (CNS) can induce activation, proliferation, and changes in phenotype and glial function, which can be modulated by anti-inflammatory agents. Apigenin (4,5,7–trihydroxyflavone) is a flavonoid found in abundance in many fruits and vegetables, that has shown important effects upon controlling the inflammatory response. This study evaluated the neuroprotective and neuroimmunomodulatory potential of apigenin using in vitro models of neuroinflammation associated with AD. Co-cultures of neurons and glial cells were obtained from the cortex of newborn and embryonic Wistar rats. After 26 days in vitro, cultures were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1 μg/ml), or IL-1β (10 ng/ml) for 24 h, or to Aβ oligomers (500 nM) for 4 h, and then treated with apigenin (1 μM) for further 24 h. It was observed that the treatment with apigenin preserved neurons and astrocytes integrity, determined by Rosenfeld’s staining and immunocytochemistry for β-tubulin III and GFAP, respectively. Moreover, it was observed by Fluoro-Jade-B and caspase-3 immunostaining that apigenin was not neurotoxic and has a neuroprotective effect against inflammatory damage. Additionally, apigenin reduced microglial activation, characterized by inhibition of proliferation (BrdU+ cells) and modulation of microglia morphology (Iba-1 + cells), and decreased the expression of the M1 inflammatory marker CD68. Moreover, as determined by RT-qPCR, inflammatory stimuli induced by IL-1β increased the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-1β, and CCL5, and decreased the mRNA expression of IL-10. Contrary, after treatment with apigenin in inflammatory stimuli (IL-1β or LPS) there was a modulation of the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines, and reduced expression of OX42, IL-6 and gp130. Moreover, apigenin alone and after an inflammatory stimulus with IL-1β also induced the increase in the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), an effect that may be associated with anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Together these data demonstrate that apigenin presents neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and might represent an important neuroimmunomodulatory agent for the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions

Implant of Port-o-Cath for antineoplastic chemotherapy in a canine: case report

O Port-o-Cath é um cateter venoso central totalmente implantável, o qual permite a infusão de quimioterápicos, hemoderivados, nutrição parenteral e coleta de sangue. Este trabalho relata o caso de um canino com um tumor no membro pélvico que foi tratado cirurgicamente e recebeu o cateter para a quimioterapia antineoplásica. A paciente possuía um sarcoma sinovial, tumor incomum em cães, que acomete normalmente as articulações e exige terapia multimodal. O tratamento foi feito em duas etapas; na primeira, o membro foi amputado e, na segunda, foi realizado o implante do Port-o-Cath e exérese de nódulo metastático. A cadela respondeu satisfatoriamente à cirurgia e realizou as sessões de quimioterapia com perfeito funcionamento do cateter, indo a óbito por outras causas 90 dias após o procedimento. O implante de Port-o-Cath para a quimioterapia é um grande aliado à terapia multimodal preconizada para o câncer, podendo o cateter ser considerado em pacientes que necessitem de medicação quimioterápica por longo período.The Port-a-Cath is a totally implantable central venous catheter that allows the infusion of chemotherapeutic agents, blood products, parenteral nutrition, and blood sample collection. This work reports the case of a dog with a tumor in the pelvic limb that was treated surgically and received the catheter for cancer chemotherapy. The patient was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, an uncommon tumor in dogs that usually affects the joints and requires multimodal therapy. The treatment was done in two steps, in the first the limb was amputated and in the second the Port-a-Cath implantation and the excision of the metastatic nodule were performed. The dog responded well to surgery and chemotherapy sessions held with proper functioning of the catheter, and died from other causes 90 days after the procedure. The implantation of Port-a-Cath for chemotherapy is a great ally of multimodal therapy recommended for cancer, so this catheter may be considered for patients requiring chemotherapy medication for a long period