Use of composites of topaz-glass as TSEE and TL dosemeters.

The properties of the thermally stimulated exoelectron emission (TSEE) and thermoluminescent (TL) emission of topaz-glass composites were studied with the aim of using them as solid-state dosemeters. The TSEE response was studied as a function of radiation energy and as a function of absorbed dose. Topaz-glass composites presented a linear TL and TSEE response to dose within a range of 0.

[Correlation between biochemical markers and coronary angiography in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes].

Objective: Investigate the correlation between biochemical markers (TNI, CRP and fibrinogen) and anatomical coronary angiographic findings in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS).

Methods: One blood sample was obtained to test for markers, and coronary angiography was performed within the first 72 hours after hospitalization. Univariate analysis was used to search for correlations between the 3 markers and the angiographic findings in the group of patients with an identified ischemia-related artery (IRA), and multivariate analysis was performed to investigate the correlation between these markers and the presence of unstable atherosclerotic lesions solely in the group with a coronary obstruction > 50%.

Paediatric rheumatology--a global perspective.

This chapter aims to give a global perspective to paediatric rheumatology. The main points covered are the incidence, recognition of paediatric autoimmune diseases, and ethnic/geographic distribution. The most prevalent disease is juvenile idiopathic arthritis; robust data are still required for childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, and scleroderma.

Nitric oxide regulates the proliferation of chick embryo retina cells by a cyclic GMP-independent mechanism.

Nitric oxide (NO) is an intercellular messenger involved in many physiological and pathological processes of vertebrate and invertebrate animal tissues. In the embryonic chick retina, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and a system for l-arginine transport between neurons and glial cells were described, supporting the idea that nitric oxide is a critical molecule during retinal development. In the present work we show that nitric oxide is a modulator of cell proliferation in chick embryo retina.

Direct determination of selenium in urine samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using a Zr plus Rh-treated graphite tube and co-injection of Rh as chemical modifier.

Different chemical modifiers for use with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET AAS) were investigated in relation to determining the selenium in human urine samples. The samples were diluted in a solution containing 1% v/v HNO3 and 0.02% m/v cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC).

[Neonatal meningitis: related features].

Objective: The goal of this study was to identify and to analyze the features related to the occurrence of neonatal meningitis.

Method: In a case-control study we examined all newborns presenting meningitis between August/2002 and December/2003 in the neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Healthy newborns were enrolled as a Control Group (CG).

Microhardness evaluation around composite restorations using fluoride-containing adhesive systems.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the microhardness of dental enamel around composite restorations bonded with fluoride-containing adhesive systems (FCAS), after thermo- and pH-cycling protocols. Standardized cylindrical cavities were prepared on enamel surfaces of 175 dental fragments, which were randomly assigned into seven experimental groups (n=25). Four groups used FCAS: Optibond Solo (OS); Prime&Bond 2.

Acute and chronic influence of hemodialysis according to the membrane used on phagocytic function of neutrophils and monocytes and pro-inflammatory cytokines production in chronic renal failure patients.

This work evaluated the phagocytic capacity of monocytes and neutrophils, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin 6, 1 and 8 serum levels in chronic renal failure patients under peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis treatment, compared with chronic renal failure patients without dialysis treatment and healthy individuals, in order to contribute to a better understanding of the action of these therapies on the evolution of chronic renal failure patients. All patients with chronic renal failure (under dialysis or not) showed decreased phagocytic capacity of neutrophils and monocytes. All those in hemodialysis (cellulose acetate or polysulfone membranes) showed a decreased phagocytic capacity.

Molecular cloning and expression of an alpha-amylase inhibitor from rye with potential for controlling insect pests.

Alpha-amylase inhibitors have important roles in plant defense mechanisms, particularly against insects, and several of these inhibitors have been expressed in different crops to increase their resistance to particular insects. In this work, we report the cloning and expression of a gene encoding for a new alpha-amylase inhibitor (BIII) from rye (Secale cereale) seeds. The BIII gene contains 354 nucleotides that encode for 118 amino acids sequence.

Effect of salinity and inorganic nitrogen concentrations on nitrification and denitrification rates in intertidal sediments and rocky biofilms of the Douro River estuary, Portugal.

The regulatory effects of salinity and inorganic nitrogen compounds on nitrification and denitrification were studied in intertidal sandy sediments and rocky biofilms in the Douro River estuary, Portugal, over a 12-month period. Nitrification and denitrification rates were measured in slurries of field samples and enrichment experiments using the difluoromethane and the acetylene inhibition techniques, respectively. Salinity did not regulate denitrification in either environment, suggesting that halotolerant bacteria dominated the denitrifier communities.

Flow injection spectrophotometric determination of Al in hemodialysis solutions.

A flow analysis (FA) system with spectrophotometric detection for Al determination in hemodialysis solutions was developed. The method was based on the reaction of Al with eriochrome cyanine R (ECR). The complex formed associated with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)--a cationic surfactant, which showed enough sensitivity to execute the direct analyte determination.

[Health education: teaching about American tegumentary leishmaniasis].

Knowledge on the circulation of American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) and perception by the local population are highly relevant for developing a control program, since they mobilize the community for effective health measures. This work aimed to orient primary school teachers and pupils (grades 1 through 4) in the public school system in Maricá, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, on ATL, using talks, posters, and leaflets with an interactive approach. Talks were given in seven municipal schools, and activities were held with 1,314 pupils and 56 teachers.

[Utilization of community mental health services in the city of Santos, São Paulo, Brazil].

To report on the clientele treated at community mental health services (CAPS) in the city of Santos, São Paulo, Brazil, a census was conducted of the patients examined at the services from June 1, 2001, to June 30, 2001. The patient's initial contact with the service was registered, and data were recorded on a standardized form, using the medical case history as a source of information. Among the 1,673 patients, average age was 46 years, 59.

Effects of soybean Kunitz trypsin inhibitor on the cotton boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis).

The cotton boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis, is an economically important pest of cotton in tropical and subtropical areas of several countries in the Americas, causing severe losses due to their damage in cotton floral buds. Enzymatic assays using gut extracts from larval and adult boll weevil have demonstrated the presence of digestive serine proteinase-like activities. Furthermore, in vitro assays showed that soybean Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (SKTI) was able to inhibit these enzymes.

[Relapse on Kawasaki disease].

OBJECTIVES: to draw the pediatrician's attention to the characteristics, the diagnostic criteria and the possibility of relapse of the acute phase of the Kawasaki disease with its possible complications. METHOD: case report of a patient registered at Hospital Universitário de Brasília under medical record number 400682 and review of the literature. RESULTS: Case report of a boy who relapsed the clinical aspects of the disease, after disappearance of signs and symptoms of the acute phase, and who complicated with aneurysm of the left coronary artery.

[Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in naturally infected dogs].

Eight dogs from Maricá Municipality (RJ), with suggestive lesion of American tegumentary leishmaniasis were studied by parasitological and serological methods. Leishmania spp was found in six dogs by in vitro cultivation. Specific antibodies were detected in six dogs by ELISA and in two by indirect immunofluorescence.

Mercury in the Moji-Guaçu river basin, S.P-Brazil: the link between marginal lagoons and river contribution, assessed by 210Pb dating profiles.

Total mercury content was evaluated in water and suspended sediment samples of the Moji-Guaçu river and in water and bottom sediment of its 3 marginal lagoons (Catingueiro, Barrinha, and Rio das Pedras), located downstream of the sampling point in the main channel. In all situations, low Hg concentrations were found in suspended and bottom sediments. Aluminum was used as a geochemical tracer to normalize the Hg concentrations in the sediment cores from the Rio das Pedras lagoon (r = 0.

Influence of storage regime prior to abrasion on surface topography of restorative materials.

This investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect of storage conditions prior to brushing simulation on surface texture of restorative materials. One resin-modified glass ionomer (Fuji II LC Improved/GC Corp.), one polyacid-modified composite resin (Dyract AP/Denstply), one microfill composite (Durafill VS/Kulzer), and one hybrid (Filtek-Z250/3M) composite were tested.

Direct determination of Cr and Cu in urine samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using ruthenium as permanent modifier (R1).

In this study Ru, deposited thermally on an integrated platform pyrolytic graphite tube, is proposed as a permanent modifier for the determination of Cu and Cr in urine samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The samples were diluted 1:1 with nitric acid (1% v/v). Pyrolysis and atomization temperatures for spiked urine samples were 1,100 degrees C and 1,900 degrees C respectively for Cu, and 1,400 degrees C and 2,500 degrees C respectively for Cr.

Cariostatic effect of fluoride-containing restorative systems associated with dentifrices on root dentin.

Objective: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the interaction between two sources of fluoride (restorative systems and dentifrices) in inhibiting artificial root caries development.

Methods: One hundred and eighty tooth segments were embedded in polyester resin, and sanded flat. Cylindrical cavities 1.

The effect of rebonding on microleakage of class V aesthetic restorations.

This in vitro study evaluated the effect of rebonding on microleakage of a resin composite, a condensable resin and two polyacid-modified resin composite restorations. Standardized cylindrical Class V dentin cavities were prepared on the buccal root surfaces of 240 extracted bovine incisive teeth. The prepared teeth were randomly assigned to four groups of 60 teeth and restored with the following restorative systems: I--(ZS) Z100/Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus; II--(SS) Solitaire/Solid Bond; III--(FS) Freedom/Stae; IV--(FSB) F200/Single Bond.

Cd8(+)/V beta 5.1(+) large granular lymphocyte leukemia associated with autoimmune cytopenias, rheumatoid arthritis and vascular mammary skin lesions: successful response to 2-deoxycoformycin.

We report a case of CD8(+)/V beta 5.1(+) T-cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia (T-LGL leukemia) presenting with mild lymphocytosis, severe autoimmune neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, polyarthritis and recurrent infections with a chronic disease course. Immunophenotyping showed an expansion of CD3(+)/TCR alpha beta(+)/CD8(+bright)/CD11c(+)/CD57(-)/CD56(-) large granular lymphocytes with expression of the TCR-V beta 5.