Perceptibility and Acceptability of Surface Gloss Variation Under Different Illuminants.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of different illuminants on the perceptibility and acceptability of surface gloss variations and to determine limiting values. METHODS: Eight composite resin specimens and one human tooth specimen were polished to obtain composite resin specimens with different gloss units (GU) of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 and a human tooth specimen of 80 GU. Sixty observers compared the surface gloss of the specimens in a light booth. For perceptibility testing, the specimens were randomly positioned two at a time. The acceptability of the gloss variation was determined by comparing the composite resin specimens with the tooth specimen. The observers answered specific questions to determine the level and perceptibility and acceptability limits of gloss variations. All analysis was done with two illuminants (D65 and fluorescent light) used randomly. Data were submitted to a nonlinear probit model and nonlinear probit regression estimation (α=0.05). RESULTS: Significant differences in illuminants were observed for perceptibility (p<0.001) and acceptability (p=0.045). The perceptibility limit for D65 was 7.0 GU and 6.8 GU for fluorescent illuminant. The acceptability limit for D65 was 34.2 GU and 37.1 GU for fluorescent illuminant. CONCLUSIONS: More accurate perceptibility and acceptability judgments of the surface gloss of composite resin were made when the specimens were illuminated with D65 light.

Microbiological, immunological, and histological changes in the gut of Salmonella Enteritidis-challenged rats fed goat cheese containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus EM1107.

Cheeses are able to serve as suitable matrices for supplying probiotics to consumers, enabling appropriate conditions for bacteria to survive gastric transit and reach the gut, where they are assumed to promote beneficial processes. The present study aimed to evaluate the microbiological, immunological, and histological changes in the gut of Salmonella Enteritidis-challenged rats fed goat cheese supplemented with the probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus EM1107. Thirty male albino Wistar rats were randomly distributed into 5 experimental groups with 6 animals each: negative (NC) and positive (PtC) control groups, control goat cheese (CCh), goat cheese added with L. rhamnosus EM1107 (LrCh), and L. rhamnosus EM1107 only (EM1107). All animals, except NC group were challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis (109 cfu in 1 mL of saline through oral gavage). Microbial composition was assessed with high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing by means of Illumina MiSeq (Illumina, San Diego, CA). Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) from the animal cecum tissue was determined by real-time PCR and interleukins (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-10, and IFN-γ) by means of ELISA. Myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde levels were determined biochemically. The administration of the L. rhamnosus EM1107 probiotic strain, either as a pure culture or added to a cheese matrix, was able to reduce Salmonella colonization in the intestinal lumen and lessen tissue damage compared with rats from PtC group. In addition, the use of cheese for the probiotic strain delivery (LrCh) was associated with a marked shift in the gut microbiota composition toward the increase of beneficial organisms such as Blautia and Lactobacillus and a reduction in NF-κB expression. These findings support our hypothesis that cheeses might be explored as functional matrices for the efficacious delivery of probiotic strains to consumers.

Guidelines for best practice in placebo-controlled experimental studies on probiotics in rodent animal models.

In the absence of established best practice standards in the probiotic field for reducing the risk of bacterial transfer between experimental groups, we developed protocols and methods to ensure the highest quality and interpretability of results from animal studies, even when performed in non-conventional animal care facilities. We describe easily implementable methods for reducing cross-contamination during animal housing, behavioural testing, and euthanasia, along with highlighting protocols for contamination detection in experimental subjects and laboratory areas using qPCR. In light of the high cross-contamination risks between animals during experiments involving probiotics, constant vigilance in animal care and research protocols is critical to ensure valid and reliable research findings.

Charge orders, magnetism and pairings in the cuprate superconductors.

We review the recent developments in the field of cuprate superconductors with special focus on the recently observed charge order in the underdoped compounds. We introduce new theoretical developments following the study of the antiferromagnetic quantum critical point in two dimensions, in which preemptive orders in both charge and superconducting (SC) sectors emerge, that are in turn related by an SU(2) symmetry. We consider the implications of this proliferation of orders in the underdoped region, and provide a study of the type of fluctuations which characterize the SU(2) symmetry. We identify an intermediate energy scale where the SC fluctuations are dominant and argue that they are unstable towards the formation of a resonant excitonic state at the pseudogap temperature T (*). We discuss the implications of this scenario for a few key experiments.

Novel genetic algorithm search procedure for LEED surface structure determination.

Low Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED) is one of the most powerful experimental techniques for surface structure analysis but until now only a trial-and-error approach has been successful. So far, fitting procedures developed to optimize structural and nonstructural parameters-by minimization of the R-factor-have had a fairly small convergence radius, suitable only for local optimization. However, the identification of the global minimum among the several local minima is essential for complex surface structures. Global optimization methods have been applied to LEED structure determination, but they still require starting from structures that are relatively close to the correct one, in order to find the final structure. For complex systems, the number of trial structures and the resulting computation time increase so rapidly that the task of finding the correct model becomes impractical using the present methodologies. In this work we propose a new search method, based on Genetic Algorithms, which is able to determine the correct structural model starting from completely random structures. This method-called here NGA-LEED for Novel Genetic Algorithm for LEED-utilizes bond lengths and symmetry criteria to select reasonable trial structures before performing LEED calculations. This allows a reduction of the parameter space and, consequently of the calculation time, by several orders of magnitude. A refinement of the parameters by least squares fit of simulated annealing is performed only at some intermediate stages and in the final step. The method was successfully tested for two systems, Ag(1 1 1)(4 × 4)-O and Au(1 1 0)-(1 × 2), both in theory versus theory and in theory versus experiment comparisons. Details of the implementation as well as the results for these two systems are presented.

Experimental hypothyroidism during pregnancy affects nociception and locomotor performance of offspring in rats.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid hormones (THs) play a crucial role in the development of several organic systems. An adequate support of maternal THs may be required to ensure a normal nociceptive function of offspring into adulthood. We investigated the impact of experimental gestational hypothyroidism (EGH) on nociceptive threshold and motor performance in the offspring at different post-natal days (PND) in both male and female rats. METHODS: EGH was induced by the administration of 0.02% methimazole (MMI) in the drinking water from the ninth day of gestation until birth. The offspring from MMI-treated dams (OMTDs) or from water-treated dams (OWTDs) were assessed for thermal and mechanical nociception using the tail-flick test and von Frey filaments, respectively. Both rota-rod and grip strength were used to assess motor function. RESULTS: OMTD had reduced thermal (p<0.05) but not mechanical threshold at all studied ages (60 and 120 PND). Sixty-day-old OMTD presented reduced latency to the tail-flick test (p=0.01). Grip strength in 120-day-old OMTD was reduced (p<0.01). However, only male OMTD presented a lower locomotor performance on the rota-rod test when analysed on the 60th PND (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: EGH promotes hypersensitivity to noxious thermal but not mechanical stimulus. Moreover, motor force is similarly reduced in male and female OMTDs, whereas motor performance is reduced only in mature male OMTD, suggesting the presence of a protective factor in females.

Genetic diversity in proteolytic enzymes and amino acid metabolism among Lactobacillus helveticus strains.

Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ 32 is recognized for its ability to decrease bitterness and accelerate flavor development in cheese, and has also been shown to release bioactive peptides in milk. Similar capabilities have been documented in other strains of Lb. helveticus, but the ability of different strains to affect these characteristics can vary widely. Because these attributes are associated with enzymes involved in proteolysis or AA catabolism, we performed comparative genome hybridizations to a CNRZ 32 microarray to explore the distribution of genes encoding such enzymes across a bank of 38 Lb. helveticus strains, including 2 archival samples of CNRZ 32. Genes for peptidases and AA metabolism were highly conserved across the species, whereas those for cell envelope-associated proteinases varied widely. Some of the genetic differences that were detected may help explain the variability that has been noted among Lb. helveticus strains in regard to their functionality in cheese and fermented milk.

[Experiencing diversity through home care of the elderly--challenges and advances]. / Crescendo na diversidade pelo cuidado domiciliar aos idosos--desafios e avanços.

The present article is a study about the nursing care of elderly people. The diversity of experiences generated by the care of the elderly in their homes has opened news area of research, improved and promoted the nursing care. The objective of this work is to characterize the home-care of elderly as an area of interest for the work of the nursing professionals. The study describes aspects of the dynamics of this work based on a critical analysis of an experience carried out with a group of elderly and pointing out its advances and challenges. The methodology used in this investigation were records of the experience of some elderly people who had undergone surgery and were still in need of nursing care at their homes. Results show that there were improvements in terms of the nursing practices, especially the practices of educational and ethic-legal nature. The practices of educational nature could propitiate a sense of citizenship and freedom, which are prerogatives for the lives of these people. The ethic-legal practices promoted more involvement of the nursing professionals in the interdisciplinary team.

[Functional method in nursing practice approached through group dynamics: our experience]. / O método funcional na prática da enfermagem abordado através da dinâmica de grupo: relato de uma experiência.

This study discusses the functional method applied to Nursing, approached through a group dynamics developed with three groups of Master students from the University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing. After the dynamics, the subjects answered a questionnaire with four questions. The responses of the first group showed the limitations of the functional model that interfere in the work such as: impersonal relationships, fragmentation of tasks, centralization of decisions causing the workers' dissatisfaction. The groups II and III pointed out some advantages when the work is based on a team, such as the exchange of experiences, participant planning and shared decisions, resulting in satisfaction at work.

[The most common errors and risk factors in the administration of medicines at basic health units]. / Erros mais comuns e fatores de risco na administração de medicamentos em unidades básicas de saúde.

The present study identified and analyzed the opinions of nurses and nursing professionals about the more common risk factors regarding errors in medicine administration as well as the consequences, interventions and measures to minimize this problem. Therefore, the authors applied an instrument of data collection with questions on the opinions of the nursing professionals who work at the Basic Health Units from a city of the state of São Paulo. Results showed that the risk factors associated to the professional were lack of attention and difficulty to understand medical prescriptions. The interventions were related to punishment and education and the proposals to minimize the occurrences were orientation and up-date of the involved professionals.

Estimation of the number and size of human flexor digiti minimi muscle motor units using histological methods.

Motor unit (MU) number and size estimates were obtained from the human flexor digiti minimi muscle using histological methods. Ten adult fresh cadavers (33-74 years old) were used. The number of MUs was 130 +/- 15 and the MU size was 108 +/- 10. These values are similar to those reported for other hypothenar muscles, using the same criteria. The results here described are in best agreement with those reported by the incremental and automated incremental methods.

Heart transplantation in Chagas' disease. 10 years after the initial experience.

BACKGROUND: Heart transplantation (HT) as a therapeutic option for end-stage chronic Chagas' heart disease (CCHD) is controversial. Reactivation of Trypanosoma cruzi infection and recurrence of the disease in the allograft are likely to occur. Furthermore, active myocarditis has been reported to predispose patients to an increased incidence and severity of rejection. METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively investigated the long-term follow-up of 10 patients with CCHD who underwent HT. Immunosuppression was based on cyclosporine A and azathioprine. T cruzi reactivation was prevented with benzonidazole. Besides allograft rejection surveillance, T cruzi infection was monitored through blood tests, myocardial biopsies, and serological tests. Over a mean follow-up period of 34 +/- 38 months (range, 73 to 124 months), 7 patients are alive and in NYHA functional class I. Life expectancy was 78% for the second year and 65% for 10 years. Rejection was less frequent in chagasic than in age- and sex-matched control patients (mean +/- SD, 1.60 +/- 1.26 versus 5.70 +/- 1.89 episodes per patient, respectively; P = .0001); decreased severity of rejection was also observed (P = .006). T cruzi parasitemias detected on three occasions were successfully treated with benzonidazole. There were no signs of recurrence of the disease in the allograft. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest an important role of HT in the treatment of CCHD. There was a low frequency of T cruzi infection reactivation and no signs of recurrence of the disease in the allograft. The surprisingly decreased rejection incidence and severity require further studies for elucidation.

Study of interobserver reliability in clinical assessment of RSV lower respiratory illness: a Pediatric Investigators Collaborative Network for Infections in Canada (PICNIC) study.

Randomized trials of ribavirin therapy have used clinical scores to assess illness severity. Little information on agreement for these findings between observers has been published. We decided to determine interobserver agreement for (1) a history for apnea or respiratory failure; (2) assessment of cyanosis, respiratory rate, retractions, and oximetry; and (3) determination of reason for hospitalization (requirement for medications, supportive care, underlying illness, poor home environment). At eight centers 137 RSV-infected patients were assessed by two observers blinded to the assessments by others with no interventions made between assessments. Observations were categorized, and agreement was summarized as percentage of observed agreement, Pearson correlation, or as a kappa statistic. Observed agreement for a history of either apnea or a respiratory arrest was at least 90% at all centers, with seven of the eight centers in total agreement. At all centers except one, the agreement on the reason why the patient remained in hospital was at least 80%. The observed agreement for assessing cyanosis was at least 94% at all eight centers. The correlation coefficient for respiratory rate varied from 0.42 to 0.97 across centers. The kappa values for agreement beyond chance for retractions varied from 0.05 to 1.00. The kappa values for oxygen saturation measures varied from 0.31 to 0.70. Although not statistically significant, there appeared to be more variation as the time between assessments increased. In conclusion, agreement for historical findings and assessment of cyanosis was high. However, there was wide variation in agreement in the other assessments. Training to ensure consistent and reproducible assessment by different examiners will be necessary if these findings are to be used as outcome variables in clinical trials.

[Relationship of average level and variability of blood pressure with the geometry of the left ventricle in systemic hypertension]. / Relação do nível médio e variabilidade da pressão arterial com a geometria do ventrículo esquerdo na hipertensão arterial sistêmica.

PURPOSE: To study the relation between the average level and variability of blood pressure (VBP) obtained by ambulatory monitoring (AMBP) and the geometric pattern (GP) of the left ventricle (LV) obtained by echocardiography (ECHO) in patients with hypertension (Hy) METHODS: AMBP and ECHO were performed in 37 patients with Hy, divided into three groups: group A--11 women using antihypertensive therapy (AH); group B--15 men using AH and group C--7 male and 4 female without AH. The GP of LV was obtained by ECHO based on mass index (MI) and relative thickness of the wall (RTW). Mean systolic (MSBP) and diastolic (MDBP) were analyzed during daytime (DT) and nighttime (NT) periods. VBP was defined by mean standard deviation (SD) of mean pressures considered. RESULTS: In G-A, there was a significant association between the MI and both VBP and MSBP (r = 0.65 and p < 0.005, r = 0.61, and p < 0.005, respectively), and MSBP and VBP during the DP (r = 0.64 and p < 0.005, r = 0.75, and p < 0.005). In G-B, there was a relation between the LVRTW (r = 0.55 and p < 0.005), and MSBP during the DP (r = 0.65 and p < 0.005). In G-C, there was a significant association (p < 0.005) between the MI and the MDBP in the DP and with the MSBP in the NP (r valueS ranged from 0.51 to 0.66). There was also a significant relation (p < 0.005) between the LVRTW and the SD of all variables in both DP and NP (r ranged from 0.47 to 0.78 and mean diastolic in the wakeful period (r = 0.42 to 0.78) and MDBP in the DP (r = 0.42 and p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both the increase in VBP and the mean BP are involved in the changes of LVGP in Hy.

[Angiosarcoma, Raynaud's disease and arteriovenous malformation of the digestive tract. A causal relationship or a chance association?]. / Angiossarcoma, doença de Raynaud e malformação arteriovenosa do tubo digestivo. Relação causal ou associação fortuita?

A case of angiosarcoma, Raynaud's disease and arteriovenous malformation of the intestinal tract is presented. We propose the association of these three vascular diseases, which has not yet been described. The study of more cases is important in order to understand the physiopathological mechanisms involved.