Genetic diversity based on multivariate techniques in elephant grass genotypes for bioenergy.

The use of biomass for energy production constitutes a promising strategy that warrants the search for new sources of biomass. Elephant grass has been gaining notoriety due to its high dry matter yield and rapid growth. The present study was carried out to quantify the genetic divergence of nine elephant grass half-sib families in order to identify genotypes with greater genetic divergence and productive potential for hybridization, using the hierarchical clustering methodology based on principal components. Half-sib families were generated using genotypes from the Active Germplasm Bank of Elephant Grass. The experiment was laid out in a randomized-block design with nine half-sib families, three replicates, and eight plants per plot. A total of 216 genotypes of elephant grass were evaluated. Principal component (PC), biplot, and hierarchical clustering analyses for diversity estimation were conducted using R software. The first two PCs of biplot analysis accounted for 64% of the cumulative variation. Dry matter yield was the most important trait for genotype discrimination (0.89), followed by plant height (0.67) and stem diameter (0.61) in PC1. In this analysis, the distances between accessions were considered and there were no family links, which indicates the existence of wide variability within the evaluated families, since genotypes belonging to the same family were not grouped together, but rather distributed into different groups. Crosses between genotypes of group three and genotypes of groups one and two are recommended for the development of high-yielding genotypes when aiming at energy production.

Selecting elephant grass families and progenies to produce bioenergy through mixed models (REML/BLUP).

Brazil has great potential to produce bioenergy since it is located in a tropical region that receives high incidence of solar energy and presents favorable climatic conditions for such purpose. However, the use of bioenergy in the country is below its productivity potential. The aim of the current study was to select full-sib progenies and families of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum S.) to optimize phenotypes relevant to bioenergy production through mixed models (REML/BLUP). The circulating diallel-based crossing of ten elephant grass genotypes was performed. An experimental design using the randomized block methodology, with three repetitions, was set to assess both the hybrids and the parents. Each plot comprised 14-m rows, 1.40 m spacing between rows, and 1.40 m spacing between plants. The number of tillers, plant height, culm diameter, fresh biomass production, dry biomass rate, and the dry biomass production were assessed. Genetic-statistical analyses were performed through mixed models (REML/BLUP). The genetic variance in the assessed families was explained through additive genetic effects and dominance genetic effects; the dominance variance was prevalent. Families such as Capim Cana D'África x Guaçu/I.Z.2, Cameroon x Cuba-115, CPAC x Cuba-115, Cameroon x Guaçu/I.Z.2, and IAC-Campinas x CPAC showed the highest dry biomass production. The family derived from the crossing between Cana D'África and Guaçu/I.Z.2 showed the largest number of potential individuals for traits such as plant height, culm diameter, fresh biomass production, dry biomass production, and dry biomass rate. The individual 5 in the family Cana D'África x Guaçu/I.Z.2, planted in blocks 1 and 2, showed the highest dry biomass production.

Crossover from one- to three-dimensional behavior in the S = 1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet Cu(N2H5)2(SO4)2.

From experimental and theoretical analyses of magnetic and specific-heat properties, we present the complete magnetic phase diagram of the quasi-1D antiferromagnet Cu(N2H5)2(SO4)2. On cooling and at zero magnetic field this compound enters a 1D regime with short-range magnetic correlations, marked by a broad maximum in the specific heat and magnetic susceptibility at [Formula: see text] K, followed by a tridimensional antiferromagnetically ordered phase below [Formula: see text] K induced by small interchain couplings. The intermediate-temperature 1D regime can be modeled using exact quantum-transfer-matrix calculations, which offer a compatible description of the nonmonotonic behavior of [Formula: see text] as a function of the magnetic field, giving [Formula: see text] K for the intrachain exchange parameter. The analysis of magnetic specific-heat and susceptibility data at low temperature indicates that the interchain exchange couplings are an order of magnitude smaller than the coupling inside the chains.

Thermal behavior in the magnetic phase diagram of the easy axis antiferromagnet Cs2FeCl5·H2O.

The specific heat at a constant applied field C(H)(T) and at fixed temperatures C(T)(H) of single crystals of the low anisotropy antiferromagnet Cs2FeCl5·H2O was measured across the different boundaries of its magnetic phase diagram, in magnetic fields up to 9 T applied parallel and perpendicular to the easy axis direction and to temperatures down to 0.3 K. The specific heat data indicate that the critical behavior along the antiferromagnetic to paramagnetic phase boundary and the spin-flop to paramagnetic phase boundary, are basically the same. We also measured the specific heat when the first order antiferromagnetic to spin-flop phase boundary is crossed at a fixed temperature. The entropy of the different magnetic phases is discussed.

Prevalence of Candida spp., xerostomia, and hyposalivation in oral lichen planus--a controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of Candida spp., xerostomia, and salivary flow rate (SFR) in three different groups: patients with OLP (OLP group), patients with oral mucosal lesions other than OLP (non-OLP group), and subjects without oral mucosal lesions (control group). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Xerostomia as well as SFR was investigated in the three groups. Samples for isolation of Candida spp. were collected from OLP lesions (38 patients), non-OLP lesions (28 patients), and healthy subjects (32 subjects). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference regarding the frequency of xerostomia and hyposalivation among the three groups (P > 0.05). A higher prevalence for colonization by Candida spp. was found in the healthy subject as compared to that of patients with OLP (P = 0.03) and non-OLP (P = 0.02) groups. Low SFR was not a factor for colonization by Candida spp. CONCLUSIONS: Xerostomia and hyposalivation occur with similar frequency in subjects with and without oral lesions; also, the presence of oral lesions does not increase the susceptibility to colonization by Candida spp. It seems that any study implicating Candida spp. in the malignant transformation of oral lesions should be carried out mostly on a biochemical basis, that is, by testing the capability of Candida spp. to produce carcinogenic enzyme.

A detailed study of the magnetic phase transition in CuCrO2.

The phase transition in CuCrO2 to an ordered magnetic state is studied with bulk measurements and elastic and inelastic neutron scattering techniques. The reported onset of spontaneous electric polarization at T = 23.5 K coincides with the appearance, on cooling, of elastic magnetic scattering. At higher temperatures long range magnetic correlations gradually develop but they are dynamic. The ground state is characterized by three-dimensional long range magnetic ordering but along the c direction the correlation length remains limited to ∼200 Å.

The magnetic phase diagram of Gd(2)Sn(2)O(7).

Measurements of the magnetic susceptibility of the frustrated pyrochlore magnet Gd(2)Sn(2)O(7) have been performed at temperatures below T = 5 K and in magnetic fields up to H = 12 T. The phase boundaries determined from these measurements are mapped out in an H-T phase diagram. In this gadolinium compound, where the crystal-field splitting is small and the exchange and dipolar energy are comparable, the Zeeman energy overcomes these competing energies, resulting in at least four magnetic phase transitions below 1 K. These data are compared against those for Gd(2)Ti(2)O(7) and will, we hope, stimulate further studies.

Oral colonization by Candida species in AIDS pediatric patients.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of factors associated with oral colonization by Candida spp. in pediatric patients with AIDS. The sample comprised of 117 children. Clinical status, medicines in use, and laboratory findings were obtained from hospital records; sociodemographic data were given by relatives. A dental examination assessed the prevalence of dental caries. The prevalence of oral colonization by Candida was 62%. Only seven children presented clinical manifestation of oral candidosis despite their high viral load index and low-for-age CD4 count. Candida colonization was directly associated with frequent use of antibiotics (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.44), sulfa drugs (PR = 1.23), alteration in the oral mucosa (PR = 1.55), and untreated dental caries (PR = 1.93). It was inversely associated with the use of antiretroviral therapies (PR = 0.65). Candida albicans was the most frequently detected species (80%); phenotypic tests did not detect C. dubliniensis strains. This study observed a low prevalence of Candida-related oral lesions in these patients, which is compatible with the hypothesis that antiretroviral medicines may have contributed to reducing oral manifestations from Candida infection. The high prevalence of Candida colonization in HIV+/AIDS children with untreated dental caries reinforces the importance of oral health care in interdisciplinary health units that assist these patients.

Magnetic structures of quaternary intermetallic borocarbides RCo(2)B(2)C (R = Dy, Ho, Er).

The magnetic structures of the title compounds have been studied by neutron diffraction. In contrast to the isomorphous RNi(2)B(2)C compounds, wherein a variety of exotic incommensurate modulated structures has been observed, the magnetic structure of ErCo(2)B(2)C is found to be a collinear antiferromagnet with [Formula: see text] while those of HoCo(2)B(2)C and DyCo(2)B(2)C are observed to be simple ferromagnets. For all studied compounds, the moments are found to be confined within the basal plane and their magnitudes are comparable to the values obtained from the low-temperature isothermal magnetization measurements. The absence of modulated magnetic structures in the RCo(2)B(2)C series (for ErCo(2)B(2)C, verified down to 50 mK) is attributed to the quenching of the Fermi surface nesting features.

The importance of serological assays in diagnosing acute pulmonary histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is a systemic mycosis caused by inhalation of Histoplasma capsulatum microconidia. The disease does not normally affect immunocompetent individuals after a single, transient inhalation exposure. However, longer exposure may cause chronic or disseminated acute pulmonary infection. Herein, we report the case of a 24-year-old immunocompetent patient, who presented fever, cough and dyspnea for one month. The chest radiography revealed interstitial infiltrate and diffuse micronodules. The patient reported having had close and prolonged contact with bats. Diagnosis was confirmed by positive double immunodifusion and immunoblotting assays. She was treated with ketoconazole (400 mg) and there was complete resolution of the disease.

Nonmonotonic zero-point entropy in diluted spin ice.

Water ice and spin ice are important model systems in which theory can directly account for "zero-point" entropy associated with quenched configurational disorder. Spin ice differs from water ice in the important respect that its fundamental constituents, the spins of the magnetic ions, can be removed through replacement with nonmagnetic ions while keeping the lattice structure intact. In order to investigate the interplay of frustrated interactions and quenched disorder, we have performed systematic heat capacity measurements on spin ice materials which have been thus diluted up to 90%. Investigations of both Ho and Dy spin ices reveal that the zero-point entropy depends nonmonotonically on dilution and approaches the value of Rln2 in the limit of high dilution. The data are in good agreement with a generalization of Pauling's theory for the entropy of ice.

Effect of a commercial extract of Paullinia cupana (guarana) on the binding of 99mTc-DMSA on blood constituents: An in vivo study.

We studied the influence of a commercial extract of Paullinia cupana (guarana) on the binding of technetium-99m-dimercaptosuccinic acid ((99m)Tc-DMSA) on blood constituents. Plasma (P) and blood cells (BC) from Wistar rats (control and treated) were separated. P and BC were precipitated with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or ammonium sulphate (AS) and soluble (SF) and insoluble fractions (IF) isolated. The percentage of incorporated radioactivity (%ATI) in each fraction was determined. The treatment influenced the %ATI in IF-P and in IF-BC isolated by TCA precipitation.

Artificial 'spin ice' in a geometrically frustrated lattice of nanoscale ferromagnetic islands.

Frustration, defined as a competition between interactions such that not all of them can be satisfied, is important in systems ranging from neural networks to structural glasses. Geometrical frustration, which arises from the topology of a well-ordered structure rather than from disorder, has recently become a topic of considerable interest. In particular, geometrical frustration among spins in magnetic materials can lead to exotic low-temperature states, including 'spin ice', in which the local moments mimic the frustration of hydrogen ion positions in frozen water. Here we report an artificial geometrically frustrated magnet based on an array of lithographically fabricated single-domain ferromagnetic islands. The islands are arranged such that the dipole interactions create a two-dimensional analogue to spin ice. Images of the magnetic moments of individual elements in this correlated system allow us to study the local accommodation of frustration. We see both ice-like short-range correlations and an absence of long-range correlations, behaviour which is strikingly similar to the low-temperature state of spin ice. These results demonstrate that artificial frustrated magnets can provide an uncharted arena in which the physics of frustration can be directly visualized.

Protection of plasmid DNA by a Ginkgo biloba extract from the effects of stannous chloride and the action on the labeling of blood elements with technetium-99m.

Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) is a phytotherapeutic agent used for the treatment of ischemic and neurological disorders. Because the action of this important extract is not fully known, assays using different biological systems need to be performed. Red blood cells (RBC) are labeled with technetium-99m (Tc-99m) and used in nuclear medicine. The labeling depends on a reducing agent, usually stannous chloride (SnCl2). We assessed the effect of different concentrations of EGb on the labeling of blood constituents with Tc-99m, as sodium pertechnetate (3.7 MBq), and on the mobility of a plasmid DNA treated with SnCl2 (1.2 microg/ml) at room temperature. Blood was incubated with EGb before the addition of SnCl2 and Tc-99m. Plasma (P) and RBC were separated and precipitated with trichloroacetic acid, and soluble (SF-P and SF-RBC) and insoluble (IF-P and IF-RBC) fractions were isolated. The plasmid was incubated with Egb, SnCl2 or EGb plus SnCl2 and agarose gel electrophoresis was performed. The gel was stained with ethidium bromide and the DNA bands were visualized by fluorescence in an ultraviolet transilluminator system. EGb decreased the labeling of RBC, IF-P and IF-RBC. The supercoiled form of the plasmid was modified by treatment with SnCl2 and protected by 40 mg/ml EGb. The effect of EGb on the tested systems may be due to its chelating action with the stannous ions and/or pertechnetate or to the capability to generate reactive oxygen species that could oxidize the stannous ion.

Protection of plasmid DNA by a Ginkgo biloba extract from the effects of stannous chloride and the action on the labeling of blood elements with technetium-99m

Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) is a phytotherapeutic agent used for the treatment of ischemic and neurological disorders. Because the action of this important extract is not fully known, assays using different biological systems need to be performed. Red blood cells (RBC) are labeled with technetium-99m (Tc-99m) and used in nuclear medicine. The labeling depends on a reducing agent, usually stannous chloride (SnCl2). We assessed the effect of different concentrations of EGb on the labeling of blood constituents with Tc-99m, as sodium pertechnetate (3.7 MBq), and on the mobility of a plasmid DNA treated with SnCl2 (1.2 æg/ml) at room temperature. Blood was incubated with EGb before the addition of SnCl2 and Tc-99m. Plasma (P) and RBC were separated and precipitated with trichloroacetic acid, and soluble (SF-P and SF-RBC) and insoluble (IF-P and IF-RBC) fractions were isolated. The plasmid was incubated with Egb, SnCl2 or EGb plus SnCl2 and agarose gel electrophoresis was performed. The gel was stained with ethidium bromide and the DNA bands were visualized by fluorescence in an ultraviolet transilluminator system. EGb decreased the labeling of RBC, IF-P and IF-RBC. The supercoiled form of the plasmid was modified by treatment with SnCl2 and protected by 40 mg/ml EGb. The effect of EGb on the tested systems may be due to its chelating action with the stannous ions and/or pertechnetate or to the capability to generate reactive oxygen species that could oxidize the stannous ion.

Dermolipectomia Abdominal em âncora após cirurgia bariátrica / Abdominal dermolipectomy in anchor after bariatric surgery

A obesidade mórbida é reconhecida atualmente como um grande problema para a saúde. Os tratamentos clínicos desta patologia são falhos quando avaliados a longo prazo. Isto levou os cirurgiões a desenvolverem técnicas que resultam em efeitos restritivos ou malabsortivos à ingestão de alimentos. Após alguns meses da cirurgia bariátrica, existe uma perda de peso maciça resultando em grande flacidez da pele do abdômen, mamas, coxas e braços. Neste estudo avalia-mos a técnica de Correa-Iturraspe para o tratamento da região abdominal em dezessete pacientes que apresentaram grande perda ponderal após cirurgia bariátrica.

Morbid obesity is increasingly recognized as a major health concern. Drug treatments of the morbid obese have entirely failed in the long run. These circumstances have constituted incentives for surgeons to develop techniques resulting in malabsorptive or restrictive effects on food intake. Some months after the bariatric surgery there is a massive weight loss and a great skin laxity mainly at the abdomen, breast, tights and arms. In this study we evaluate the Correa-Iturraspe technique to treat the abdominal region in seventeen patiens with massive weigth loss after bariatric surgery.

Tratamento cirúrgico da gigantomastia / Surgical Treatment of Gigantomastia

Mastoplastia redutora é um procedimento cirúrgico bastante requisitado por pacientes que apresentam mamas grandes associadas a dores lombres. As grandes hipertrofias impõem técnicas que permitam ressecções associadas ao tratamento da ptose que, na maior parte dos casos, é acentuada. Neste estudo analisamos as técnicas empregadas em 231 casos de mastoplastia redutora, realizados no Serviço de Cirurgia Plástica do Hospital de Clínicas da UFPR no período de 1998 a 2002, das quais 13,8 foram considerados casos de gigantomastia.

Women with big breasts and back pain claim for a reduction mammaplasty. Large volume breast reductions need special atention for the nipple areolar complex migration. In this study we analise the techniques used in 231 reduction mammaplasties performed at “Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Parana” from 1998 to 2002. 13,8 of the cases where considered with very large hipertrophies.

Neurofibromatose (Doença de Von Recklinghausen) relato de caso / Neurofibromatosis (Von Recklinghausen Illness) case report

A neurofibromatose I é a forma clássica da doença, descrita em 1882, por von Recklinghausen, transmitida por herança autossômica dominante. Caracteriza-se pela presença de manchas café-com-leite, nódulos fibromatosos (neurofibromas), nódulos de Lisch na íris e efélides axilares. S.T.N.C, 30 anos, feminina, procurou o serviço de Cirurgia Plástica do Hospital de Clinicas com deformidade crânio-facial centrada em órbita direita, que evoluiu com aumento progressivo da área comprometida associada a amaurose. Ao exame, observou-se importante deformidade hemicraniofacial direita, com lesão neurofibromatosa comprometendo as regiões da fossa temporal superficial, frontal, órbito-palpebral, jugal, labial e mandibular com aspecto de gota gigante multilobulada, tracionando e deformando todas as estruturas da face. Apresentava, ainda, macroqueilia, mordida aberta, ausência de ramo ascendente mandibular direito e paralisia facial direita. Diversas lesões nodulares café-com-leite disseminadas pela superfície cutânea foram encontradas. Os exames complementares realizados, radiografia de face e crânio, tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnética crânio-facial, demonstraram continuidade da lesão com o tecido cerebral e grande número de fístulas artério-venosa volumosas, denotando associação com deformidade vascular grave. De acordo com estes resultados, foi decidido não submeter a paciente a tratamento cirúrgico, devido ao potencial risco de óbito, bem como a pouca melhora estético funcional a se conseguir com a operação.

In 1882, Von Recklinghausen described neurofibromatosis type I, an autossomal dominant inherited disease, with clinical features of “cafe-au-lait” spots neurofibromas, freckling in the axillary or inguinal regions, optic glioma, Lisch nodules in iris and distinctive osseous lesions. STNC, a 30 year old female, was attended by Plastic Surgery staff at the “Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná - Brazil with a craniofacial deformity centred at the right orbit, with progressive regional increase in size and with impaired of visual acuity. Physical findings: prominent hemicraniofacial deformity due to a neurofibroma involving superficial temporal fossa, frontal, orbital, la- bial, jugal and mandibular regions with the aspect of multilobuleted giant drop, tractioning and deforming all the structure of her face. Macrocheilia, mandibular teeth didn’t touch maxillary teeth, absence of ascendant mandibular ramus, right facial palsy and “cafe-au-lait” spots were documented. Image Findings: facial and cranial x-rays, CT and MRI showed that the lesion compromised in continuity with cerebral tissue and the presence of huge arteriovenous fistulas. Management: Due to high risk of death during and/or after the surgery, the patient received clinical and psychological treatment and orientation.

Síndrome de Pai: características clínicas e relato de caso / Pai Syndrome: Clinical Characteristics and case report

A síndrome de Pai é uma desordem congênita rara primeiramente descrita em 1987. As principais características clínicas são a presença de fissura mediana do lábio superior, lipoma intracranial de corpo caloso e pólipos cutâneos, principalmente em asa nasal. Na literatura médica somente seis casos desta síndrome foram descritos. Apresenta-se o relato de mais um caso completo da síndrome, enfocando-se a reparação labial e nasal.

Pai syndrome is a rare congenital disorder first described in 1987. The main clinical features are median cleft of the upper lip, intra-cranial lipoma and cutaneous polyps. In literature only six cases of this syndrome have been described. We present the report of another complete case of syndorme, foccusing the lip and nose repair.

Microssomia craniofacial e perda auditiva: avaliação audiométrica em 15 casos / Craniofacial microsomia and hearing loss: audiometric assessment of 15 cases

Microssomia craniofacial é uma síndrome congênita que afeta as estruturas derivadas do primeiro e segundo arcos branquiais, acometendo mais freqüentemente a mandíbula e a orelha. A perda auditiva na microssomia craniofacial se deve às malformações das estruturas auriculares, no entanto não existem estudos mostrando correlação entre o grau da microssomia craniofacial e o grau de comprometimento auditivo. Foram selecionados aleatoriamente 15 exames audiométricos em pacientes portadores de microssomia craniofacial entre 2001 e 2002. Todos os exames foram realizados com o aparelho Midimate 602 e Audiotest 227. Foram avaliados 15 pacientes, 8 mulheres e 7 homens, com média de idade de 8,5 anos, sendo 1 caso bilateral. Quatorze pacientes apresentavam microtia, e destes, 11 não apresentavam conduto auditivo externo. O tipo de perda auditiva mais freqüente foi a condutiva, em 12 casos. A média do déficit auditivo foi de 63,76dB. A malformação dos componentes auditivos é frequente e o acompanhamento com exames audiométricos pode detectar precocemente déficits auditivos levando a uma melhor reabilitação. Com a realização de exames audiométricos na avaliação de pacientes portadores de microssomia craniofacial propicia-se melhor desenvolvimento psicossocial destes pacientes.

Craniofacial microsomia is a congenital syndrome affecting the structures derived from first and second branchial archs. Most commonly the ear and jaws are involved. Hearing loss in this syndrome is due to auricular structures malformation, however there is not proved correlation between the severity of malformation and hearing loss. Fifteen audiometry performed in 2001 and 2002 were randomly selected between patients with craniofacial microsomia. All tests were performed with Midimate 602 e Audiotest 227 device. Fifteen patients were evaluated, 8 women and 7 men, the mean age was 8,5 years and one case was bilateral. Fourteen patients had microtia and eleven external auditory canal agenesia. The most common hearing loss was conductive. Hearing deficit mean was 63,76 dB. Auditive components malformation is frequent is this syndrome and audiometry evaluation may improve rehabilitation in patients in which hearing loss in early detected. Audiometry should be employed in craniofacial microsomia initial evaluation leading to better psicosocial development.