Flowering phenology and pollination of ornithophilous species in two habitats of Serra da Bodoquena, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

The aim of this study is to describe interactions between hummingbirds and ornithophilous species at Serra da Bodoquena in midwest Brazil, with focus on flowering phenology and pollination of these plant species. In two habitats, gallery forest and semi-deciduous forest, data on flowering phenology of ornithophilous species were collected monthly over 14 months. In addition, data on morphology and floral biology, as well as visitor frequency and hummingbird behavior, were recorded.

CO2 laser photoacoustic detection of ammonia emitted by ceramic industries.

A homemade photoacoustic spectrometer has been constructed for monitoring gas emission from several sources. Numerous air pollutant gases are emitted exhaust of industries, vehicles and power plants. The photoacoustic technique is extremely sensitive and selective in detecting various gases.

Approximate entropy as a measure of the airflow pattern complexity in asthma.

The scientific and clinical value of a measure of complexity is potentially enormous because complexity appears to be lost in the presence of illness. The changes introduced by asthma in respiratory mechanics and control of breathing may result in modifications in the airflow pattern. These changes may be interesting clinically, since they can reduce the ability of the patient to perform daily life activities.

Electrogravimetric real-time and in situ michaelis-menten enzymatic kinetics: progress curve of acetylcholinesterase hydrolysis.

A piezoelectric detection of enzyme-modified surface was performed under Michaelis-Menten presumptions of steady-state condition. The approach herein presented showed promise in the study of enzymatic kinetics by measuring the frequency changes associated with mass changes at the piezoelectric crystal surface. Likewise, real-time frequency shifts, that is, dΔf/dt, indicated the rate of products formation from enzymatic reaction.

Giant cell tumor of the sternum.

We report the case of a 74-year-old female patient diagnosed with a giant cell tumor of the sternum. The clinical and radiological presentation was indicative of a primary tumor of the sternum. The patient underwent complementary tests and surgery.

Chromosomal speciation revisited: rearranging theory with pieces of evidence.

The suggestion that chromosomal rearrangements play a role in speciation resulted from the observation that heterokaryotypes are often infertile. However, the first chromosomal speciation models were unsatisfactory and data available to test them was scarce. Recently, large amounts of data have become available and new theoretical models have been developed explaining how rearrangements facilitate speciation in the face of gene flow.

A compact miniaturized continuous flow system for the determination of urea content in milk.

A multicommutation-based flow system with photometric detection was developed, employing an analytical microsystem constructed with low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) technology, a solid-phase reactor containing particles of Canavalia ensiformis DC (urease source) immobilized with glutaraldehyde, and a mini-photometer coupled directly to the microsystem which monolithically integrates a continuous flow cell. The determination of urea in milk was based on the hydrolysis of urea in the solid-phase reactor and the ammonium ions produced were monitored using the Berthelot reaction. The analytical curve was linear in the urea concentration range from 1.

Real-time monitoring and kinetic parameter estimation of the affinity interaction of jArtinM and rArtinM with peroxidase glycoprotein by the electrogravimetric technique.

ArtinM is a D-mannose binding lectin that has been arousing increasing interest because of its biomedical properties, especially those involving the stimulation of Th1 immune response, which confers protection against intracellular pathogens. The potential pharmaceutical applications of ArtinM have motivated the production of its recombinant form (rArtinM) so that it is important to compare the sugar-binding properties of jArtinM and rArtinM in order to take better advantage of the potential applications of the recombinant lectin. In this work, a biosensor framework based on a Quartz Crystal Microbalance was established with the purpose of making a comparative study of the activity of native and recombinant ArtinM protein.

Prevalence of anomalous origin of coronary arteries: a retrospective study in a Portuguese population.

The definition, prevalence, classification and clinical relevance of anomalous origin of coronary arteries (AOCA) are still the subject of debate. Most international series estimate its prevalence at 1-2% but we found values ranging from 0.3 to 5.

Large-conductance channel formation mediated by P2X7 receptor activation is regulated through distinct intracellular signaling pathways in peritoneal macrophages and 2BH4 cells.

The P2X(7) receptor (P2X7R) is a ligand-gated ATP receptor that acts as a low- and large-conductance channel (pore) and is known to be coupled to several downstream effectors. Recently, we demonstrated that the formation of a large-conductance channel associated with the P2X(7) receptor is induced by increasing the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration (Faria et al., Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 297:C28-C42, 2005).

Exercise training during hemodialysis reduces blood pressure and increases physical functioning and quality of life.

Hypertension and cardiovascular diseases are highly prevalent in hemodialysis patients and are associated with the reduction of physical functioning and quality of life. We evaluated the effects of supervised aerobic exercise training on physical functioning, blood pressure, quality of life, and laboratory data in hemodialysis patients. Fourteen patients were evaluated at the beginning and after 12 weeks of stretching exercises (control phase) and at the end of 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training performed during hemodialysis sessions (intervention phase).

[Occurrence of Cryptococcus neoformans in pigeon excrement in the city of Pelotas, State of Rio Grande do Sul].

Introduction: Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast and is the etiological agent for human and animal cryptococcosis. It is found in sources within the environment, including pigeon excrement, and is an important cause of mortality among immunocompromised individuals worldwide.

Methods: Seventy different environments in the city of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, were surveyed for the purpose of investigating Cryptococcus neoformans occurrences in pigeon excreta.

[Experimental cutaneous sporotrichosis: in vivo evaluation of itraconazole and terbinafine].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo activity of itraconazole and terbinafine for treating experimental cutaneous sporotrichosis. Eighty Wistar rats were used, divided into four groups (TERB20, TERB30, ITRA and CONT). They were inoculated in the left plantar pad with 0.

TRAUMATIC POSTERIOR DISLOCATION OF THE HIP IN CHILDREN:REPORT ON FIVE CASES.

Objective: To evaluate a series of cases of traumatic posterior dislocations in children, with the treatment and results, and to review issues relating to the epidemiology, clinical and radiographic diagnosis, treatment, complications and prognosis of such cases.

Methods: Five patients with traumatic hip dislocation, with a mean age of 4.6 ± 0.

Intravitreal pegaptanib sodium for choroidal neovascularisation secondary to age-related macular degeneration: Pan-European experience.

Purpose: To evaluate visual outcomes in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NV-AMD) who were treated with pegaptanib sodium in European clinical ophthalmology practices.

Methods: Thirteen centres in eight European countries participated in this retrospective study. Medical records for patients with any angiographic subtype of subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation secondary to NV-AMD with visual acuities (study eye) of 20/40-20/320 treated with 0.

[Seroepidemiological survey of canine leishmaniasis in endemic areas of Cuiabá, State of Mato Grosso].

Leishmaniases are zoonoses that are undergoing expansion in Brazil. Dogs are of importance regarding transmission and dispersion of the disease, especially in areas presenting visceral leishmaniasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of leishmaniasis among domestic dogs in the urban area of Cuiabá.

Photodynamic therapy for the treatment of buccal candidiasis in rats.

The study objective was to evaluate the effects of photodynamic therapy on buccal candidiasis in rats. After experimental candidiasis had been induced on the tongue dorsum, 72 rats were distributed into four groups according to treatment: treated with laser and methylene blue photosensitizer (L+P+); treated only with laser (L+P-); treated only with photosensitizer (L--P+); not treated with laser or photosensitizer (L-P-). The rats were killed immediately, 1 day, or 5 days after treatment, for microscopic analysis of the tongue dorsum.

Toxocariasis/cysticercosis seroprevalence in a long-term rural settlement, São Paulo, Brazil.

Seroprevalence of Toxocara and Taenia solium and risk factors for infection with these parasites were explored in a long-term rural settlement in São Paulo state, Brazil. An ELISA for the detection of anti-Toxocara IgG and IgE and anti-T. solium cysticerci was standardized using Toxocara excretory-secretory antigens (TES) obtained from the cultured second-stage larvae of T.

Modeling the complex bromate-iodine reaction.

In this article, it is shown that the FLEK model (ref 5 ) is able to model the experimental results of the bromate-iodine clock reaction. Five different complex chemical systems, the bromate-iodide clock and oscillating reactions, the bromite-iodide clock and oscillating reactions, and now the bromate-iodine clock reaction are adequately accounted for by the FLEK model.