Marcelo Corrêa Alves

Environmental impact of the Brazilian agrarian reform process from 1985 to 2001

During the past 20 years, most settlements of the Brazilian Agrarian Reform (AR) have been established in or near better-preserved natural ecosystems, where environmental impact is likely to be negative and contribute to natural resources degradation. The objective of this work is providing a first, comprehensive insight of the impacts related to the environmental quality of these settlements, based on the primary survey of 4,340 AR settlements installed between 1985 and 2001. An index was calculated to integrate different aspects of environmental impacts in one single number. The index showed significant regional variation, with lower values (low environmental quality) for the North and Northeast of Brazil, intermediate values for the Central-west and Southeast, and high values for the South. Environmental impacts resulting from AR and settlement creation are slowly decreasing with time, but are still very high in absolute values. The lack of protection of riparian areas, cultivation of legal reserves, and deforestation, are the main concerns related to environmental impacts.

Could Acupuncture Be Useful in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Dysfunction

In this study, the effects of acupuncture in comparison with flat occlusal plane appliance were evaluated in patient with myogenic temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). The sample consisted of 40 women with TMD and unbalanced energy predominance of Yang Liver Ascension, selected using the Renying and Cunkou pulses, randomly divided into two groups: acupuncture and splint. The effect of treatments on the masseter and anterior temporal muscles was evaluated after 4 weeks of treatment, by means of electromyographic activity (root mean square) and pain pressure threshold. Pain intensity was measured using the visual analog scale, and range of mouth opening was evaluated using a millimeter ruler. All evaluations were performed at the beginning and end of the treatment. Visual analog scale score was reduced equally in the two groups (p < 0001), and the increase in range of mouth opening was significant in both groups. A significant difference was detected only in pain pressure threshold of the left masseter in the acupuncture group (p < 0.05). Only root mean square in the at rest position of the right temporal muscle diminished in the final stage of the splint group (p < 0.05). Both treatments reduced the pain intensity of myogenic TMD in the short term and may be considered strategies for control of chronic pain related to TMD.

Global proteome profiling of dental cementum under experimentally-induced apposition.

UNLABELLED Dental cementum (DC) covers the tooth root and has important functions in tooth attachment and position. DC can be lost to disease, and regeneration is currently unpredictable due to limited understanding of DC formation. This study used a model of experimentally-induced apposition (EIA) in mice to identify proteins associated with new DC formation. Mandibular first molars were induced to super-erupt for 6 and 21days after extracting opposing maxillary molars. Decalcified and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded mandible sections were prepared for laser capture microdissection. Microdissected protein extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and the data submitted to repeated measure ANOVA test (RM-ANOVA, alpha=5%). A total of 519 proteins were identified, with 97 (18.6%) proteins found exclusively in EIA sites and 50 (9.6%) proteins exclusively expressed in control sites. Fifty six (10.7%) proteins were differentially regulated by RM-ANOVA (p<0.05), with 24 regulated by the exclusive effect of EIA (12 proteins) or the interaction between EIA and time (12 proteins), including serpin 1a, procollagen C-endopeptidase enhancer, tenascin X (TNX), and asporin (ASPN). In conclusion, proteomic analysis demonstrated significantly altered protein profile in DC under EIA, providing new insights on DC biology and potential candidates for tissue engineering applications. SIGNIFICANCE Dental cementum (DC) is a mineralized tissue that covers the tooth root surface and has important functions in tooth attachment and position. DC and other periodontal tissues can be lost to disease, and regeneration is currently unpredictable due to lack of understanding of DC formation. This study used a model of experimentally-induced apposition (EIA) in mice to promote new cementum formation, followed by laser capture microdissection (LCM) and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) proteomic analysis. This approach identified proteins associated with new cementum formation that may be targets for promoting cementum regeneration.

Reduction of plant height and disease resistance through mutation breeding of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) IAC-17

A reducao na altura da planta e obtencao de resistencia as doencas foi experimentada atraves da inducao de mutacao por raios-gama na variedade de trigo (Triticum aestivum L.) IAC-17. Sementes foram irradiadas com 35 krad e a partir da geracao M2 iniciou-se a selecao. Tres das linhagens selecionadas foram comparadas com o cultivar original IAC-17, durante tres anos, em sete ensaios avancados realizados em varios locais, em condicao de sequeiro e irrigacao. Os resultados demonstraram a obtencao de um mutante que apresentou reducao na altura da planta, tendencia de sofrer menos acamamento e maior resistencia a oidio (Erysiphe graminis f. sp. tritici). As demais caracteristicas agronomicas avaliadas, tais como producao de graos e seus componentes, reacao ao Helminthosporium sativum, causador da mancha das folhas, reacao a Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (ferrugem do colmo) e P. recondita (ferrugem da folha), tolerância a aluminio e ciclo permaneceram inalteradas em relacao a IAC-17. Os resultados indicaram a utilidade da inducao de mutacoes por raios gama para a correcao de defeitos de caracteres de heranca simples em variedades elites.

Qualidade de vida em sujeitos respiradores orais e oronasais

PURPOSE: to investigate the life quality of subjects with mouth or oronasal breathing. METHOD: the sampling was composed of 49 volunteers distributed into 2 groups: mouth breathing subjects’ group with 24 subjects and oronasal breathing subjects’ group (mouth and nose) with 25 subjects, within the 18-38 age group, both genders. The WHOQOL-BREF (Portuguese version) protocol was used and the data analysis and recording were carried out using the Statistical Analysis System. RESULTS: the obtained results underwent Mantel-Haenszel chi-square test and variance analysis. Life quality in oronasal breathing subjects was demonstrated to be better in environmental, physical and psychological domain in relation to mouth breathing subjects. CONCLUSION: considering the obtained differences, the study draws attention to the need for better investigating the profile of oronasal breathing subjects and its relevance, so that the conducts, such as disregarding the group of oronasal breathing subjects or gathering them as mouth breathing subjects, are not improperly adopted.

New wheat genotypes tolerant to aluminum toxicity obtained by mutation induction

Seed from the sensitive wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) cultivar Anahuac was treated to gamma-ray irradiation and eleven Al3+ tolerant mutants selected. The objective was to compare these mutants to the original Anahuac and to the tolerant wheat cultivars IAC-24 and IAC-60 from 1994 to 1996 in acid (Capao Bonito) and limed (Monte Alegre do Sul) soil field trials, in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Grain yield and agronomic characteristics were analyzed. All the mutant lines yielded higher than the sensitive Anahuac cultivar in the acid soils of Capao Bonito. Under limed soil conditions, 10 mutants had a similar yield to the original sensitive cultivar and one a lower yield. The majority of the mutants were similar in yield to the tolerant cultivars IAC-24 and IAC-60 under both conditions. Some of the mutants showed altered agronomic characteristics, but these alterations did not generally influence the grain yield. The results indicated that tolerant lines with good characteristics may be obtained from a susceptible cultivar by mutation induction, thus allowing cropping under conditions where Al3 + is a limiting factor.

Does crotalaria (Crotalaria breviflora) or pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) inter-row cultivation in restoration plantings control invasive grasses?

Alternative methods to control invasive fodder grasses are necessary to reduce the use of herbicides in forest restoration, which has been carried out primarily in riparian zones. We sought to investigate if inter-row cultivation of crotalaria (Crotalaria breviflora DC) or pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duschene ex. Poir) with native tree species is an efficient strategy to control invasive fodder grasses in restoration plantings. We tested five treatments in a randomized block design, namely (1) control of brachiaria grass (Urochloa decumbens (Stapf.) Webster) with glyphosate in the implementation and post-planting grass control of the reforestation, (2 and 3) glyphosate use in the implementation and inter-row sowing of crotalaria (2) or pumpkin (3), and control of brachiaria by mowing in the post-planting phase, (4 and 5) mowing in the implementation and inter-row sowing of crotalaria (4) or pumpkin (5), and control of brachiaria by mowing in the post-planting phase. Post-planting grass control was carried out four and nine months after tree seedling planting. Throughout 13 months, we evaluated the percentage of ground cover by brachiaria grass, pumpkin production, and native tree seedling mortality, height and crown cover. The exclusive use of glyphosate, without inter-row sowing of pumpkin or crotalaria showed the most favorable results for controlling brachiaria grass and, consequently, for tree seedling development. Hence, inter-row cultivation of green manure or short-lived crop species is not enough to control invasive grasses in restoration plantings, and complementary weeding is necessary to reduce the highly competitive potential of C4 grasses for supporting native species seedlings growth.

Effectiveness in the Removal of Endotoxins and Microbiological Profile in Primary Endodontic Infections Using 3 Different Instrumentation Systems: A Randomized Clinical Study

Introduction This clinical study was conducted to correlate the microbiological profile and levels of endotoxins found in primary endodontic infection with the presence of clinical features and to evaluate the removal of microorganisms and endotoxins using rotary, reciprocating, and hybrid systems for biomechanical preparation. Methods Thirty single root canals with primary endodontic infection were evaluated with signs and symptoms and were randomly divided into 3 groups according to the instrumentation system used (n = 10) as follows: rotary Mtwo instruments (VDW, Munich, Germany) with 8 files, the reciprocating Reciproc system (VDW) with a single file, and Genius hybrid instruments with 3 files (1 rotary and 2 reciprocating files) with irrigation using 24 mL 2.5% sodium hypochlorite. Samples were collected before (S1) and after instrumentation (S2) before being submitted to microbiological culture (colony‐forming units/mL) and the checkerboard DNA‐DNA hybridization test. Endotoxins were quantified using the limulus amebocyte lysate assay. Results Microbiological culture showed statistical differences in the reduction of colony‐forming units/mL with all systems tested (P < .05), but no statistical difference was found among the groups. The most frequently detected species were Capnocytophaga ochracea (53%) and Fusobacterium nucleatum (53%) at S1 and F. nucleatum (50%) and Leptotrichia buccalis (50%) at S2. As for the reduction of endotoxins at S2, Mtwo presented the best results (95.05%) followed by the Genius (91.85%) and Reciproc (64.68%) groups, but no statistical difference was found among the groups. Previous pain, tenderness to percussion, and presence of a sinus tract were associated with specific microorganisms (P < .05). Conclusions Signs and symptoms were correlated with microorganisms. Endodontic treatment was effective in reducing bacteria and endotoxins but was not capable of completely removing them from the root canal.

Panoramic and skull imaging may aid in the identification of multiple myeloma lesions

Background The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of punched-out lesions in craniofacial bones using three different radiographic protocols in a large cohort of patients. Material and Methods One hundred fifty-five MM patients were evaluated using panoramic and skull (frontal and lateral) radiographs, which were performed in all patients at the time of MM diagnosis. The diagnostic potential for detecting punched-out lesions was compared among the radiographic techniques. Results MM punched-out lesions were identified in 135 (87%) panoramic radiographs, 141 (91%) frontal and 144 (93%) lateral skull radiographs. Punched out-lesions were synchronously present in skull and jawbones in 129 (83.23 %) cases. The lesions were detected exclusively in skull in 18 (11.61%) cases and exclusively in jawbones in 6 (3.87%) cases. Punched out-lesion mainly affected the skull and the jawbones in a synchronous way (p<0.001) rather than separately. Conclusions All investigated radiographic techniques (panoramic, frontal and lateral skull approaches) demonstrated high detection rates for MM punched-out lesions in craniofacial bones. Panoramic radiography may aid to the radiographic protocols to identify multiple myeloma bone lesions. Key words:Multiple myeloma, osteolytic lesions, panoramic radiography.

A Piezoelectric Device for Measurement and Power Harvesting Applications

With the fast growth of wireless communications between nodes/sensor units, devices installed in remote places require power energy supply solutions to assure their functionally and data communication capabilities. For these applications energy harvesting takes place as a good solution, to increase the availability of energy, in opposition to the conventional systems of energy supply. Regenerative energy sources like thermoelectric, magnetic, piezoelectric, and/or renewable sources such as photovoltaic, wind, among others, allowed the development of different powering solutions for sensor units. The purpose of this work is to characterize a piezoelectric device to measure and capture mechanical vibrations from equipments, structures and piping vibrations, as well as from other sources. The study is carried out taking into account the power supply capabilities of piezoelectric devices as a function of the amplitude and frequency of the vibration stimulus, as well as, the electrical characteristics of the load circuit.