Reproductive and ecological similarity between Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, 1758) and Eretmochelys imbricata (Linnaeus, 1766) in southern Bahia (Brazil).

This study evaluates the reproductive and ecological similarity between loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) and Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) two species of sea turtles on the southern coast of Bahia (Brazil) during two breeding seasons (October to April 2013 to 2015). The study covers a 10-km area composed of three beaches, Pompilho, Itacarezinho and Patizeiro beach, which are 5, 3, and 2 km long, respectively. Daily field surveys were performed for 102 days to assess patterns between the studied species, using the non-metric multidimensional scaling order and the Spearman correlation analysis to obtain the oviposition pattern of the two species. Moreover, Kruskall-Wallys tests were performed to review the differences in the number of hatchlings on the three beaches. The NMDS proved the species are very similar from an ecological perspective since as there were three clear groupings in terms of the number of hatchlings on the three beaches. With reference to the number of nests, a negative correlation was observed in the two species. Regarding the hatching activity of both species on the three beaches studied, a larger amount of C. caretta and E. imbricata hatchlings was found on Pompilho beach, followed by Patizeiro and Itacarézinho. These findings influence management strategies to reduce anthropogenic impact and contribute to the conservation of these two endangered sea turtle species.

Graphite exfoliation in cellulose solutions.

Shaking graphite powder dispersed in an aqueous alkaline cellulose solution produces stable dispersions of hydrophilic, thin graphite sheets with lateral dimensions reaching many micrometers. The X-ray diffractogram and Raman spectrum of the exfoliated graphite differ from the well-known graphite patterns. Analytical transmission electron micrographs show cellulose bound to the surface of thin lamellae and this is confirmed by scanning probe micrographs. The dispersant properties of dissolved cellulose are assigned to its adsorption on graphite by juxtaposition of the hydrophobic planes on both substances, forming hydrophilic particles. This method uses only simple and easily accessible chemicals, processed under mild conditions. The resulting nanographite-cellulose dispersions are suitable for making conductive lignocellulosic nanocomposites and coatings.

Extratos aquosos de inhame (Dioscorea rotundata Poirr. ) e de mastruz (Chenopodium ambrosioides L. ) no desenvolvimento da lagarta-do-cartucho-do-milho Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) / Aqueous extracts of yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poirr. ) and chenopodium (Chenopodium ambrosioides L. ) in the development of fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797)

RESUMO: Estudou-se o efeito de extratos aquosos de inhame (0; 5; 10; e 20% p/p) e de mastruz (0; 2; 4; 6; 8 e 10% p/p) na biologia da lagarta-do-cartucho. Secções de folhas de milho foram mergulhadas por 30 segundos em soluções de cada concentração; após a secagem, colocou-se em cada secção uma lagarta recém-eclodida. Foram avaliadas a viabilidade e a duração das fases larval e pupal, peso e comprimento das lagartas e pupas. Em relação ao extrato de inhame, a concentração de 20% causou maior influência na fase larval, sendo a viabilidade reduzida para 12%, com duração de 7 dias, diferindo da testemunha com 17 dias. O extrato da mesma planta a 10% causou 48% de mortalidade. Em todas as concentrações esse extrato também afetou a fase de pupa; na testemunha, 85% das pupas foram viáveis, enquanto nos demais tratamentos a viabilidade não excedeu a 25%. Para o peso e comprimento das lagartas, os resultados não foram significativos. Para o mastruz, o extrato a 20% causou influência na fase larval com baixa viabilidade e mortalidade logo nos primeiros seis dias de avaliação. Outras concentrações de mastruz não deferiram entre si nas fases larval e pupal. Verificou-se que a alimentação das lagartas com folhas tratadas com mastruz diminuiu o peso das pupas.

ABSTRACT: The effect of aqueous extracts of yam (0, 5, 10, and 20% h/h) and chenopodium (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10% h/h) on the biology of fall armyworm was studied. Sections of maize leaves were dipped for 30 seconds in solutions of each concentration; after the section dried, a recently hatched caterpillar was placed onto each treated section. The viability and duration of the larval and pupal stages and the weight and length of the caterpillars and pupae were evaluated. For yam, the extract at 20% concentration caused the greatest influence on the larval stage of the insect, significantly reducing larval viability to 12%, with 7 day larval stage duration, differing from the control at 17 days. The extract of the same plant at 10% caused 48% larval mortality. At all concentrations, that extract also affected the pupal stage; in the control, pupal viability was 85%, whereas for the other concentrations the viability did not exceed 25%. No significant differences were observed for the weight and length of caterpillars. For chenopodium, the extract at 20% concentration caused influence on the larval stage, as it showed the lowest viability, causing mortality in six days. Other chenopodium concentrations did not show differences for the larval and pupal stages. Feeding caterpillars with leaves treated with the extract of chenopodium decreased pupal weight.

Reconstruction of magnetic source images using the Wiener filter and a multichannel magnetic imaging system.

A system for imaging magnetic surfaces using a magnetoresistive sensor array is developed. The experimental setup is composed of a linear array of 12 sensors uniformly spaced, with sensitivity of 150 pT*Hz(-1/2) at 1 Hz, and it is able to scan an area of (16 × 18) cm(2) from a separation of 0.8 cm of the sources with a resolution of 0.3 cm. Moreover, the point spread function of the multi-sensor system is also studied, in order to characterize its transference function and to improve the quality in the restoration of images. Furthermore, the images are generated by mapping the response of the sensors due to the presence of phantoms constructed of iron oxide, which are magnetized by a pulse of 80 mT. The magnetized phantoms are linearly scanned through the sensor array and the remanent magnetic field is acquired and displayed in gray levels using a PC. The images of the magnetic sources are reconstructed using two-dimensional generalized parametric Wiener filtering. Our results exhibit a very good capability to determine the spatial distribution of magnetic field sources, which produce magnetic fields of low intensity.

Perfil epidemiológico e clínico de pacientes portadores de artrite reumatóide em um hospital escola de medicina em Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil / Epidemiological and clinical profile of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in a medical academic hospital in Goiania, Goias, Brazil

Objetivo: realizar uma análise das principais características clínico-demográficas de pacientes com artrite reumatóide (AR), em acompanhamento ambulatorial, em um Hospital Escola de Medicina em Goiânia-GO. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma análise epidemiológica, retrospectiva, de um conjunto de pacientes com artrite reumatóide acompanhados por um hospital universitário da região centro-oeste do Brasil. Foram analisados 500 prontuários médicos de pacientes atendidos no ambulatório de reumatologia no período de 2011 a 2012. Os dados dos prontuários foram transcritos para um documento de protocolo padronizado e validado por um médico reumatologista. Resultados: do total de 500 pacientes analisados, 43% apresentavam doenças reumáticas sistêmicas, 36% doenças osteoarticulares,10% espondiloartrites e 11% outras doenças. Deste total, 5% eram pacientes portadores de AR. A relação entre o sexo feminino/masculino foi de 4:1, a média de idade dos pacientes foi de 50 ± 13,3 anos, com tempo médio de doença de 9,7 ± 5,6 anos. A história familiar de AR foi presente em 16% dos pacientes, 42% apresentavam alterações radiológicas na primeira consulta e 69% apresentavam comorbidades. Os principais sinais e sintomas referidos pelos pacientes foram dor articular (89%), rigidez articular matinal (73%) e edema articular (73%). As manifestações extra-articulares ocorreram em 21%, o fator reumatóide foi positivo em 68% dos pacientes e 26% do total de pacientes com AR eram positivos para autoanticorpos antinucleares. Apenas 10% dos pacientes realizavam tratamento fisioterapêutico e o fármaco mais utilizado como tratamento medicamento da AR foi o Metotrexato. Conclusão: este estudo proporcionou uma visão parcial do perfil epidemiológico de pacientes com AR de um hospital universitário em Goiânia-GO.

Objective: to perform an analysis of the main demographic and clinical features of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), followed in out patient in a Academic Medical Hospital in Goiania, Goias, Brazil. Methodology: This is an epidemiological study, retrospective, a set of patients with rheumatoid arthritis accompanied by a university hospital in the central-western Brazil. We reviewed medical records of 500 patients treated at the ambulatory of rheumatology in the period from 2011 to 2012. Data from medical records were transcribed into a document protocol standardized and validated by a physician rheumatologist. Results: From the 500 patients analyzed, 43% had systemic rheumatic diseases, osteoarticular diseases 36%, spondyloarthritides 10% and 11% other diseases. Of this total, 5% were patients with RA. The relationship between the female/male ratio was of 4:1, the mean age of patients was 50 ± 13.3 years, mean disease duration of 9.7 ± 5,6 years, 16% had a family history of RA, 42% presented radiological alterations at first visit and 69% presented co-morbidities. The main signs and symptoms reported by patients were joint pain (89%), morning stiffness (73%) and joint swelling (73%). The extra-articular manifestations occurred in 21%, rheumatoid factor was positive in 68% of patients and 26% of RA patients were positive for antinuclear auto antibodies. Only 10% of patients under went physiotherapy treatment and more drug used as treatment of RA was the Methotrexate. Conclusion: This study provided a partial view of the epidemiological profile of the RA patients at a academic medical hospital in Goiania, Goias. There was a small use of diagnostic markers of the disease. Therefore, we propose a feedback to the rheumatology clinic in an attempt to improve the quality and availability of medical information in the records of this university hospital's outpatient at Pontificia Catholic University of Goias.

Biochemical properties of Streptococcus macedonicus strains isolated from Greek Kasseri cheese.

A total of 32 Streptococcus macedonicus strains, isolated from Greek Kasseri cheese, were screened for biochemical properties of technological importance in milk fermentation processing, such as acid production, proteolytic and lipolytic activity, citrate metabolism, exopolysaccharide production, antimicrobial activity and biogenic amines production. All strains were found to be moderate acidifiers in milk. Only four strains could hydrolyse milk casein, while 11 strains showed lipolytic activity against tributyrin. Using amino acid derivatives of 4-nitroaniline as substrates, the highest peptidase activities were determined against phenylalanine- and glycine-proline-4-nitroanilide. Using fatty acid derivatives of 4-nitrophenol, it was shown that all strains exhibited esterase activities up to caprylate, with highest values against butyrate and caproate. Only one showed activity up to palmitate; this was also the most active strain against tributyrin. Five of the 32 strains could metabolize citrate but none of them produced exopolysaccharides. Nine strains displayed antimicrobial activity towards Clostridium tyrobutyricum, while no antimicrobial activity was detected against Listeria innocua and Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermanii. Finally, none was able to decarboxylize ornithine, histidine or lysine, and only four strains produced tyramine from tyrosine.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix metastatic to the spleen--case report.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix metastatic to the spleen is an uncommon occurrence which has only been reported in small numbers in autopsy series. We present a case of a 47-year-old patient with a Stage IIb carcinoma of the cervix, treated with radiotherapy in 1990. Four years after completion of primary treatment she presented with a voluminous left hypochondrium and epigastrium mass. An exploratory laparotomy was performed and a splenic cyst 19 cm in diameter was found. The pathological examination revealed metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix in the spleen. Peritoneal washings were positive for malignant cells, due to incidental rupture of the cyst capsule. The patient received six courses of chemotherapy with a palliative intent and is alive, without further evidence of disease, 15 months posttreatment. To our knowledge this is the only case reported in the literature of squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix metastatic to the spleen, diagnosed clinically as the only site of distant spread.

Esthetic and functional treatment of a fused permanent tooth: a case report.

This report describes a young patient with fusion of a maxillary central incisor to a supernumerary tooth. Treatment involved extraction of the fused tooth and orthodontic movement of the lateral incisor to occupy the position of the extracted tooth. A resin composite laminate veneer was placed on the lateral incisor to simulate the appearance of a central incisor. Five years of follow-up revealed that treatment had successfully restored esthetics and function.

Atendimento miltiprofissional as criancas com incontinencia fecal pos-cirurgia colo-proctologica. / Multiprofessional assistance of children with fecal incontinence after colon-proctologic surgery

Os autores relatam a experiencia de uma equipe multiprofissional (pediatra, cirurgiao pediatra, assistente social, enfermeira e nutricionista) no atendimento a 17 criancas com incontinencia fecal pos-cirurgia colo-proctologica (9 por megacolo e 8 por anomalia anorretal). Foram realizados estudos morfofuncionais que revelaram somente alteracoes de absorcao de lactose e sacarose, o que motivou emprego de dietas especiais. O esquema basico de tratamento foi: a) diminuir o numero de evacuacoes e/ou aumentar a consistencia das fezes; b) promover disciplina da exoneracao intestinal; c) fortalecer a musculatura abdominoperineal; d) proporcionar apoio a crianca e e) orientar os familiares. Os resultados foram considerados muito satisfatorios