Effect of Ni content in PdNi/C anode catalysts on power and methanol co-generation in alkaline direct methane fuel cell type.

PdNi electrocatalysts supported on carbon were used as anode materials for methane oxidation in alkaline direct methane fuel cells (ADMEFCs). The electrocatalysts were successfully synthesized by the NaBH4 reduction method. X-ray diffraction measurements showed the formation of non-alloyed Pd in the face- centered cubic (FCC) structure for all materials and formation of NiO and Ni(OH)2 species. TEM images showed that the metal particles are well dispersed on the support with small agglomeration regions. Information about the surface structure of the catalyst were obtained by Raman spectra, mainly confirming the presence of Ni(OH)2. The species observed by DEMS, that is, methanol (m/z = 32), CO2 (m/z = 44) and potassium formate (m/z = 84) were confirmed by FTIR, which also showed the presence of a high amount of carbonate in the methane oxidation products of the ADMEFC with Pd50Ni50/C as the anode catalyst. Tests in ADMEFCs showed that the dependence of the maximum power density on nickel content in the catalysts goes through a maximum value of 13.5 µW cm-2 at 50 at% Ni. Moreover, the amount of produced methanol decreases with increasing Ni content in the PdNi/C catalysts. Both these results can be explained by the enhanced methanol oxidation in the presence of nickel.

Biomechanical analysis of the masticatory movement before and after adjusting dental occlusion in equine / Análise biomecânica do movimento mastigatório antes e depois do ajuste oclusal dental em equinos

The aim of this study was to evaluate through three-dimensional kinematic analysis the influence of occlusal adjustment by tooth wear in masticatory biomechanics of horses. Seven clinically healthy thoroughbred Arabian horses with strong occlusal irregularities were used, of which seven castrated males and one female of between seven and nineteen years of age. Three digital video cameras and seven spherical reflective markers placed on the horses' face were employed. The animals were filmed twice in succession: while chewing hay before and after the occlusal adjustment by tooth wear. Following that, kinematic analysis was made of the movements obtained by means of the images which were synchronized, segmented and reconstructed three-dimensionally with the help of Dvideow program. Mathematical functions were applied in Matlab environment for obtaining the values of the amplitudes of movements. The results of the biomechanical analysis showed that the occlusal adjustment increases the range of mandibular movements in horses.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar, através de análise cinemática tridimensional, a influência do ajuste oclusal por desgaste dentário na biomecânica da mastigação de equinos. Foram utilizados sete cavalos puro sangue árabe, clinicamente saudáveis, com irregularidades oclusais relevantes, sendo seis machos castrados e uma fêmea, de sete a dezenove anos de idade. Três câmeras de vídeo digitais e sete marcadores reflexivos esféricos foram colocados na face dos equinos. Os animais foram filmados duas vezes seguidas: durante a mastigação do feno antes e após o ajuste oclusal por desgaste dental. Na sequência, procedeu-se a cinemática dos movimentos obtidos por meio das imagens sincronizadas, segmentadas e reconstruídas em três dimensões, com a ajuda do programa Dvideow. Funções matemáticas foram aplicadas no ambiente Matlab para a obtenção dos valores de amplitudes dos movimentos. Os resultados da análise biomecânica mostraram que o ajuste oclusal aumenta a gama de movimentos mandibulares em equinos.(AU)

Caprine lentivirus in sheep milk and semen / Lentivírus caprino em leite e sêmen de ovinos

With the objective of detecting the presence of caprine lentivirus (CLV) in ewe milk and in ram semen, ten matrixes and four reproducers experimentally infected with CLV were used. Samples of ewe milk were collected during the four months of lactation, five collections per animal, totaling 50 samples. Regarding the rams, eight semen collections were made per animal, during one year of experimentation, totaling 32 samples. The milk and semen samples were submitted to DNA extraction and the nested polymerase chain reaction test (nPCR) to detect CLV proviral DNA. Eight (16%) of the milk samples were positive in nPCR originating from two ewes. Only one (3.12%) semen sample was positive. The amplification products were sequenced, and were confirmed to be a CLV genomic sequence. Thus, the presence of CLV proviral DNA in sheep milk and semen was demonstrated, confirming the feasibility of infection between species, and alerting to the risk of spreading infections.(AU)

Com o objetivo de detectar a presença do lentivírus caprino (LVC) no leite de ovelhas e no sêmen de carneiros, utilizaram-se 10 matrizes e quatro reprodutores infectados experimentalmente com o LVC. Foram coletadas amostras de leite das ovelhas durante os quatro meses de lactação, ocorrendo cinco coletas por animal, totalizando 50 amostras. Quanto aos carneiros, realizaram-se oito coletas de sêmen por animal, durante um ano de experimentação, totalizando 32 amostras. As amostras de leite e de sêmen foram submetidas à extração de DNA e à prova de reação em cadeia da polimerase do tipo nested (nPCR) visando à detecção de DNA proviral do LVC. Oito (16%) amostras de leite foram positivas na nPCR oriundas de duas ovelhas. Apenas uma (3,12%) amostra de sêmen apresentou positividade. Produtos da amplificação foram sequenciados, confirmando-se tratar de sequência genômica do LVC. Dessa forma, demonstrou-se a presença do DNA proviral do LVC em leite e sêmen de ovinos, confirmando a viabilidade da infecção entre espécies e, assim, alertando sobre o risco de que a infecção seja disseminada.(AU)

Descrição do movimento da articulação metacarpofalangiana de equinos pela metodologia baseada em videogrametria / Equine metacarpophalangeal joint movement using videogrammetry method

Caracterizou-se, mediante análise cinemática tridimensional baseada na videogrametria, o ângulo dorsal da articulação metacarpofalangiana de equinos em sete equinos da raça Puro Sangue Árabe. A análise tridimensional do movimento foi realizada em esteira rolante. O programa Dvideo foi utilizado para a obtenção das coordenadas tridimensionais do sistema de calibração e dos marcadores reflexivos posicionados na extremidade proximal do terceiro osso metacárpico, articulação metacarpofalangiana e extremidade distal da primeira falange. A articulação metacarpofalangiana apresentou extensão máxima durante o momento de apoio, no qual a face lateral do terceiro osso metacarpiano se apresentava de forma perpendicular ao solo. Foram observados dois picos de flexão durante a fase de elevação. Concluiu-se que a instrumentação utilizada para a análise cinemática tridimensional permitiu a investigação quantitativa da variação angular do movimento de extensão e flexão da articulação metacarpofalangiana de equinos por meio de imagens digitalizadas.

The kinematic pattern of the metacarpophalangeal joint of equine using videogrammetry was evaluated. The three dimensional kinematic analysis were performed in a treadmill using seven Arabian horses. The Dvideo program was used to obtain the three dimensional coordinates from a calibration system and three reflective markers placed on the third metacarpus, metacarpophalangeal joint and proximal phalanx of the left forelimb. After the landing of the hoof, the fetlock extends to maximal loading at mid stance. During the swing phase the joint shows two flexion peaks. This method allows the determination of the flexion and extension angle of the metacarpophalangeal joint during locomotion.

Anticorpos contra o vírus da língua azul em rebanhos ovinos da microrregião de Juazeiro, Bahia / Antibodies against the bluetongue virus in sheep flocks of Bahia state, Brazil

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi verificar a frequência de ovinos soropositivos para o vírus da língua azul na microrregião de Juazeiro, Bahia. O teste de imunodifusão em gel de ágar (IDGA) foi utilizado para pesquisar 469 amostras de soro oriundas de 58 rebanhos. Durante as colheitas, um questionário foi aplicado a cada criador a fim de se obter dados sobre o sistema de criação e correlacioná-los com a sorologia. Os resultados demonstraram que 0,43% (2/469) das amostras analisadas apresentaram anticorpos contra o agente. Esta região é caracterizada pelo clima semiárido e pela predominância do tipo de exploração extensiva, com presença de animais nativos, mestiços e sem raça definida para produção de carne e pele, com baixa produtividade e tecnificação.

The objective of this work was to verify the frequency of sheep with positive serology for Bluetongue virus in the micro-region of Juazeiro, Bahia State, Brazil. The agar gel immunodifusion test (AGID) was used to examine 469 serum samples of 58 herds. During collection, an epidemiological questionnaire was applied to each farmer. The results demonstrated that 0.43% (2/469) of the analyzed samples presented antibodies for the agent. This region is characterized by a semi-arid climate, and the predominant livestock management system is the extensive one, with a presence of native and crossbred animals, aiming at the production of meat and fleece, with low productivity and technification.

Phase II trial of the use of paclitaxel and gemcitabine as a salvage treatment in metastatic breast cancer.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate gemcitabine plus paclitaxel in heavily pretreated patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Patients with MBC with second or third relapse to anthracycline-containing regimens received a 3-hour infusion of paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 on day 1, and gemcitabine 1.0 g/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15, every 28 days. Because of unacceptable thrombocytopenia seen in the first 5 patients, the gemcitabine schedule was changed to days 1 and 8 (G-1,8) for the remainder of the study, every 21 days. Twenty-nine patients (median age, 46 years; range, 32-68 years) received 137 cycles (median: 4 per patient). The regimen was well tolerated. World Health Organization grades III and IV thrombocytopenia were observed in 5 (18.5%) of the first 27 cycles (G-1,8,15), and in 6 (5.4%) of the 110 subsequent cycles (G-1,8)--p = 0.04 for the difference between schedules. Five patients had grade I and two had grade III neuropathy. Eight patients had grade III neutropenia, two had grade IV neutropenia associated with fever (G-1,8,15), and eight had grades I and II myalgia and fatigue. There were 16 (55%) objective responses (95% CI 36-73%); 5 (17%) complete responses, 11 (38%) partial responses (95% CI 3-30% and 19-56%, respectively), and 6 (20.5%) patients with stable disease. Median response duration was 8 months (range, 4-26 months). Median overall survival was 12 months (range, 4-28+ months), and 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 45% and 30%, respectively. This phase II study demonstrated a manageable toxicity profile with the gemcitabine day 1, 8 schedule in combination with paclitaxel and significant and promising activity in heavily pretreated patients with MBC. A confirmatory phase III trial is warranted.

Gemcitabine and paclitaxel as salvage therapy in metastatic breast cancer.

In a phase II trial, 29 patients with anthracycline-pretreated or anthracycline-resistant metastatic breast cancer in whom anthracycline-containing first- or second-line chemotherapy failed received combination paclitaxel (Taxol)/gemcitabine (Gemzar). The initial regimen of paclitaxel at 175 mg/m2 on day 1 and gemcitabine at 1,000 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle was given to five patients for a total of 27 cycles. The regimen resulted in excessive thrombocytopenia and was subsequently changed to gemcitabine at the same dose on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle, with study treatment being given for a maximum of eight cycles. This regimen was well tolerated. Further evaluation of this regimen in minimally and heavily pretreated patients with advanced breast cancer is warranted.

Phase II trial of the combination of paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer: a novel, safe, and effective regimen.

This prospective phase II clinical trial was performed to explore the activity and efficacy of the combination of paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of advanced gastric adenocarcinoma. Thirty-one patients ages 18 to 70 years, with Karnofsky performance status (KPS) >50, adequate cardiac, renal, and hepatic functions, measurable metastatic or locally unresectable disease, life expectancy > or =3 months, signed written informed consent, and without any previous chemotherapy were assigned to receive on an outpatient basis: paclitaxel--175 mg/m2, in a 3-hour infusion on day 1 and 5-fluorouracil--1.5 g/m2, also in a 3-hour infusion on day 2 every 21 days, for a maximum of seven cycles. A system to assess clinical benefit based on KPS, analgesic consumption, and weight gain was also used in this trial. Median age was 61 years (range, 31-70 years). The 29 patients eligible for response and toxicity evaluation underwent 147 cycles of chemotherapy. There were 19 (65.5%) objective responses (95% confidence interval: 48%-83%), including 7 (24.1%) complete responses and 12 (41.4%) partial responses. Three patients had the complete response pathologically confirmed. In three of six patients who went to second-look laparotomy, a potentially curative esophagogastrectomy was possible. The toxicity of this combination was considered low, predictable, and manageable and was characterized mainly by reversible alopecia, peripheral neuropathy, myalgia, and mild neutropenia. Fifteen (51.7%) patients attained a clinical benefit response. The median overall survival was 12 months (range, 2-30+ months) and the 30-month overall survival was 20%. This novel regimen appears to be very effective in advanced gastric cancer. The projected 2-year survival of 20% is higher than that achieved with other first-line regimens. These encouraging results indicate the need for further studies to confirm the merit of this regimen.