Central Inhibition of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Reduces Hypertension by Attenuating Oxidative Stress in the Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla in Renovascular Hypertensive Rats

Inflammation in the central nervous system is being considered a key player linked to neurogenic hypertension. Using combined in vivo and in vitro approaches, we investigated the effects of central inhibition of TNF-α on blood pressure, sympathetic tone, baroreflex sensitivity, and oxidative stress in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) of rats with 2-kidney-1-clip (2K1C) renovascular hypertension. Continuous infusion of pentoxifylline, a TNF-α inhibitor, into the lateral ventricle of the brain for 14 consecutive days reduced blood pressure and improved baroreflex sensitivity in renovascular hypertensive rats. Furthermore, central TNF-α inhibition reduced sympathetic modulation and blunted the increased superoxide accumulation in the RVLM of 2K1C rats. Our findings suggest that TNF-α play an important role in the maintenance of sympathetic vasomotor tone and increased oxidative stress in the RVLM during renovascular hypertension

CARRAPATO RHIPICEPHALUS MICROPLUS CANESTRINI: ASPECTOS BIOLÓGICOS, MORFOLÓGICOS E ATIVIDADE BIOLÓGICA

The Brazilian cattle herd is the second largest in the world and the first largest exporter and producer of beef. Nevertheless, the direct losses due to parasitism by Rhipicephalus microplus are due to weight loss, low milk production and decreased quality of leather. Thus, this study consists of a literature review on the Brazilian cattle herd associated with damage caused by pests. databases were used: LILACS, SciELO and PubMed and through keywords such as ectoparasites, ticks and Brazilian cattle became the research. It was found that in recent decades has been given an extreme economic importance for Brazilian agriculture aiming to decrease the biological control of pest attack.O rebanho bovino brasileiro é o segundo maior do mundo e o primeiro maior exportador e produtor de carne bovina. Apesar disso, os prejuízos diretos em decorrência do parasitismo pelo carrapato Rhipicephalus microplus são devido à perda de peso, baixa produção de leite e diminuição da qualidade do couro. Com isso, o presente trabalho constitui-se de uma revisão bibliográfica sobre o rebanho bovino brasileiro associado com os danos causados por parasitas. Foram utilizadas as bases de dados: LILACS, SciELO e PubMed e por meio de palavras-chave como ectoparasitas, carrapatos e gado brasileiro tornou-se a pesquisa. Constatou-se que nas últimas décadas, tem-se dado uma extrema importância econômica para a agricultura brasileira visando o controle biológico para diminuição do ataque de pragas

Characterization of titanium welded joints by the orbital gas tungsten arc welding process for aerospace application

In this work, three welding programs for orbital gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), previously developed, were used, using pulsed current and increasing speed (#A), constant current (#B) and pulsed current and decreasing current (#C). One of these should be used for the propulsion system of the Satellite CBERS (China – Brazil Earth Resources Satellite). Welded joints using tubes of commercially pure titanium were obtained with these procedures, which were characterized by means of mechanical and metallographic tests. The obtained results showed that the three welding procedures produce welded joints free of defects and with adequate shape. Although small differences on mechanical properties and on microstructure have been observed, the three welding programs attained compatible results with international standards used in the aerospace segment. The welding program #B, due to the reduced heat input used, was considered to obtain slightly advantage over the others

Características, diagnóstico e manejos terapêuticos do Transtorno Dissociativo de Identidade: uma revisão de literatura

Introdução: As doenças mentais cada vez mais estão presentes no dia-a-dia dos profissionais da saúde. Isso se dá muito por conta dos novos métodos diagnósticos e o advento de novas tecnologias que permitem diagnósticos diferenciais. Entre as doenças mentais, existem algumas que são raras e com manifestações que valem a pena destacar. Entre essas doenças pode-se citar o Transtorno Dissociativo de Identidade (TDI), que pode ser definido como transtorno onde o indivíduo apresenta duas ou mais personalidades distintas entre si. É uma doença que em geral acontecem pós-trauma e que apresenta evolução e prognósticos a depender da intensidade da dissociação do paciente. Metodologia: O estudo em questão é uma pesquisa bibliográfica integrativa que levou como base trabalhos encontrados nas bases de dados da Scielo, Pubmed e Google Schoolar. Os descritores em ciências da Saúde utilizados foram: “Transtorno Dissociativo de Identidade”, “Saúde Mental”, “Psiquiatria” e “Manejo”. Foram encontradas 617 referências com os operadores booleanos “AND” e “OR”. Os critérios de inclusão foram atribuídos aos artigos que continham adequação à temática abordada, que era o tratamento da GESF em adultos, já os critérios de exclusão foram realizados para retirar estudos que fugiam da temática proposta por este estudo. Resultados: Após terem escolhidos os descritores em saúde e os critérios de inclusão e exclusão, foram encontradas 617 referências conforme o esperado. Após a análise dos artigos, retirados 280 por duplicidade, 167 por abordarem a temática sem foco no tratamento do TDI, 73 por não apresentarem resultados relevantes, e 81 por não apresentarem escalas nas suas análises nas entrevistas. Restaram 16 estudos que foram devidamente incluídos para o desenvolvimento desta pesquisa. Discussão: O Transtorno Dissociativo de Identidade (TDI) é definido como o transtorno onde o paciente apresenta duas ou mais personalidade sendo elas distintas entre si, apresentando cada umas características únicas e próprias. Sobre a etiologia do transtorno, em geral a maior parte dos casos se desencadeiam após eventos traumáticos e estressantes, sendo a dissociação um mecanismo de defesa da psique do indivíduo para encarar o seu trauma. Sobre a sintomatologia da TDI, além da dissociação característica da doença, apresentam uma polissintomatologia inespecífica, podendo ser facilmente confundida com outras síndromes psicológicas ou psiquiátricas. Com relação ao diagnóstico, pode ser feito através de métodos como o da Técnica de Rorschach, sendo considerado padrão-ouro para diagnóstico da TDI. Já com relação ao tratamento, é importante saber que a cura não é algo possível atualmente, porém, alguns métodos como o de Reprogramação de Dessensibilização por Movimentos Oculares, terapias hipnóticas, Modelo Psicanalítico Relacional, Terapia Comportamentais Dialéticas, são algumas das formas de melhorar a qualidade de vida. Porém, existem dificuldades para os profissionais da saúde em aderir o paciente a esses tratamentos tanto por não adesão do paciente, tanto por abandono do paciente ou de suas personalidades do mesmo. Considerações finais: Com relação ao TDI, é uma doença dissociativa e que apresenta polissintomatologia que pode causar dificuldade em seu diagnóstico, por isso deve se ter um maior cuidado e atenção com esses casos para que se possa diagnosticar e tratar de maneira correta esses tipos de transtornos

Multiple aPDT sessions on periodontitis in rats treated with chemotherapy: Histomorphometrical, Immunohistochemical, Imunological and Microbiological Analyses.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of multiple sessions of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) on the treatment of experimental periodontitis (EP) in rats treated with chemotherapy. METHODS: Chemotherapy using 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) consisted of intraperitoneal administration of 60 and 40 mg/kg of 5-FU. 120 rats were subjected to chemotherapy with 5-FU and divided into groups: PT (periodontal treatment); PT+1aPDT (PT and single aPDT session); PT+4aPDT(PT and 4 sessions of aPDT); 1aPDT (single aPDT session); 4aPDT(4 sessions of aPDT). EP was induced in the mandibular molars via ligature placement. The alveolar bone loss (ABL) area in the furcation region was analysed histometrically. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG) and cleaved caspase-3 (CC3) were analysed by immunohistochemistry. Prostaglandin E2 was quantified using an ELISA, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 were assessed using a multiplex method. The prevalence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella nigrescens, Prevotella intermedia and Fusobacterium nucleatum was assessed using PCR. The data were statistically analysed (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The PT+4aPDT group showed lower ABL than the PT or 1aPDT groups on day 7. Rats treated with aPDT showed a higher number of PCNA-positive cells with reduced immunolabeling of RANKL. Significant reductions in Prevotella nigrescens were observed in the PT+4aPDT group and in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans for the 1aPDT and 4aPDT groups. CONCLUSION: Repeated sessions of aPDT as an adjunct or alternative therapy were effective at reducing ABL, regulating bone metabolism, and reducing Prevotella nigrescens and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans

Determinação da temperatura de referência T0 da curva mestre na região de transição dúctil-frágil de aços ARBL

Materiais estruturais utilizados no projeto de equipamentos e instalações industriais podem apresentar mudança de seu comportamento à fratura quando se varia a temperatura. Este tipo de comportamento caracteriza-se pela existência de uma curva de transição, onde 3 regiões ficam bem definidas: os patamares inferior e superior e a região de transição. Na região de transição, os resultados experimentais apresentam alto espalhamento e são bastante dependentes da geometria ensaiada. Para solucionar este problema, foi desenvolvido um modelo analítico experimental, que resultou na edição da norma ASTM E1921-97. O trabalho inclui um estudo da influência de diversas rotas de tratamentos térmicos aplicadas em um aço 4130 utilizado pela indústria aeronáutica, um aço de qualidade API utilizado pela indústria petrolífera e um aço da classe A516 atualmente utilizado pela indústria nacional de vasos de pressão, na microestrutura, propriedades mecânicas de tração e tenacidade à fratura. Os resultados mostraram que o aço 4130 A450, apresentou a melhor correlação entre resistência e tenacidade entre as microestruturas pesquisadas. Este comportamento deve estar associado a rota de tratamento térmico aplicada a esta condição. O tratamento de austêmpera possibilita a formação de bainita que, tradicionalmente é conhecida por apresentar elevados valores de tenacidade. O método proposto pela ASTM pode ser considerado viável para as diversas microestruturas pesquisadas ampliando a aplicação da metodologia que recomenda o ensaio apenas para aços ferríticos. No entanto, a metodologia da Curva Mestra em materiais tratados termicamente deve ser conduzida de forma a se estabelecer parâmetros que considerem as modificações microestruturais sofridas pelo material.Structural materials used in industrial equipments design can change fracture behavior when the temperature is varied. This type of behavior is characterized by the existence of a transition curve, where 3 areas are well defined: inferior and superior landings and the ductile brittle transition. In ductile brittle transition, experimental results present high scatter and depend highly of specimen geometry. In order to solve this problem, an analytical experimental model was developed, resulting in ASTM E1921-97 standard edition. This work includes the influence of several heat treatments analysis applied in a 4130 steel used by the aeronautical industry, a API X70 steel used by the line pipe industry and a ASTM A516 steel used by pressure vases national industry, where it was analyzed the influence in the microstructure, mechanical properties and fracture toughness. The results showed that the 4130 A450 steel presented the best correlation between resistance and toughness among the researched microstructures. This behavior should be associated with the heat treatment route applied. The isothermal quenching treatment makes possible bainite formation which, traditionally it is known by its high toughness values. The methodology proposed by ASTM is considered viable for the several researched microstructures enlarging the application of the methodology that just recommends the rehearsal for ferritics steels. However, Master Curve methodology in heat treated materials must have some parameters settling down considering the microstructure modifications suffered by the material

Effect of the inelastic couplings on the scattering of alpha particles by 12C at low energies

We study the effects of the coupling to the first 2+ 12C excited state on the elastic scattering and capture reaction for the α + 12C system. The flux absorption from the elastic channel to the capture reaction is simulated by a tiny imaginary part included in the optical potential. Our analyses show that the effect of the coupling is quite significant even at energies below the threshold of the inelastic channel. We also study the behavior of the polarization potential as a function of the energy and angular momentum. © 2014 IOP Publishing Ltd.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Antifungal Activity of Hedychium Coronarium j. König Essential Oil Against Fusarium Oxysporumschlecht and Tcucumeris (a.b. frank) Donk in Vitro

Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht and Thanatephorus cucumeris (A.B. Frank) Donk are fungi which cause some diseases in important plant cultures in Brazil - like bananas and beans. Hedychium coronarium J. König is a native plant from Asia that currently occurs in Brazil, where it is used in folk medicine to treat infections in general. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the H. coronarium essential oil from leaves on the in vitro growth of F. oxysporum and T. cucumeris colonies. Discs of 5 mm diameter from isolated cultures of each fungi were placed in the center of 90 mm diameter Petri dishes with potato dextrose agar. In the peripheral area of the dishes four discs of filter paper were placed with 10 µL of essential oil, extracted through distillation system. For a control treatment, discs without essential oil were used. A completely randomized design was used with four replications (of four dishes). Every 24 hours for 8 days the fungi growth was evaluated by measuring the diameter of the colonies. After 192 hours F. oxysporum colonies had 37.4 mm diameter in the treatment with essential oil, while in the control the diameter was 66.4 mm. T. cucumeris colonies reached 11.9 mm diameter with essential oil and covered the dishes in the control. The results showed that the essential oil from leaves of H. coronarium has an inhibitory effect on the in vitro growth of F. oxysporum and T. cucumeris, thus suggesting its potential use in agriculture, mainly with respect to banana and bean cultures. Keywords: phytopathology, medicinal plants, biological control.http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/2179460X13118Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht and Thanatephorus cucumeris (A.B. Frank) Donk are fungi which cause some diseases in important plant cultures in Brazil - like bananas and beans. Hedychium coronarium J. König is a native plant from Asia that currently occurs in Brazil, where it is used in folk medicine to treat infections in general. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the H. coronarium essential oil from leaves on the in vitro growth of F. oxysporum and T. cucumeris colonies. Discs of 5 mm diameter from isolated cultures of each fungi were placed in the center of 90 mm diameter Petri dishes with potato dextrose agar. In the peripheral area of the dishes four discs of filter paper were placed with 10 µL of essential oil, extracted through distillation system. For a control treatment, discs without essential oil were used. A completely randomized design was used with four replications (of four dishes). Every 24 hours for 8 days the fungi growth was evaluated by measuring the diameter of the colonies. After 192 hours F. oxysporum colonies had 37.4 mm diameter in the treatment with essential oil, while in the control the diameter was 66.4 mm. T. cucumeris colonies reached 11.9 mm diameter with essential oil and covered the dishes in the control. The results showed that the essential oil from leaves of H. coronarium has an inhibitory effect on the in vitro growth of F. oxysporum and T. cucumeris, thus suggesting its potential use in agriculture, mainly with respect to banana and bean cultures

Evaluation of shot peening on the fatigue strength of anodized Ti-6Al-4V alloy

The increasingly design requirements for modern engineering applications resulted in the development of new materials with improved mechanical properties. Low density, combined with excellent weight/strength ratio as well as corrosion resistance, make the titanium attractive for application in landing gears. Fatigue control is a fundamental parameter to be considered in the development of mechanical components. The aim of this research is to analyze the fatigue behavior of anodized Ti-6Al-4V alloy and the influence of shot peening pre treatment on the experimental data. Axial fatigue tests (R = 0.1) were performed, and a significant reduction in the fatigue strength of anodized Ti-6Al-4V was observed. The shot peening superficial treatment, which objective is to create a compressive residual stress field in the surface layers, showed efficiency to increase the fatigue life of anodized material. Experimental data were represented by S-N curves. Scanning electron microscopy technique (SEM) was used to observe crack origin sites