Congenital diaphragmatic hernia and intrathoracic intestinal volvulus

The main symptom of the congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is the respiratory distress due to the pulmonary hypoplasia and the persistence of foetal pulmonary circulation. Sometimes the CDH appears outside of the neonatal period with respiratory symptoms, abdominal pain and seldom with intestinal obstruction. A case of CDH presenting with intrathoracic volvulus is reported. This case shows that tendency of delayed repair until the newborn has been recovered, require more attention because the good condition of the patient can be changed not only by the pulmonary hypoplasia and the persistence of the foetal pulmonary circulation but also by the symptoms of the intrathoracic gut complications.     

Comparative computer tomography study/ pathology for the evaluation of the invasive depth of laryngeal carcinomas

Microglia, the resident macrophages of the brain, are monocytic cells whose phenotype is determined during development by the unique environment of the central nervous system (CNS). They are quiescent cells when compared with other tissue macrophages, and this downregulation may have important consequences for inflammatory and immune responses in the brain. In the search for features of the brain environment which might exert an influence on microglial behaviour, we have concentrated on the possible role of adhesion molecules. We have developed a robust and reproducible in vitro adhesion assay to look at the interaction between macrophages and brain tissue. We describe here the characterisation of this assay. By injecting agents into the brain in vivo, we were able to study the effect of perturbations in the resident cell population on the adhesion of macrophages to brain tissue in vitro. This provided strong evidence that RAW 264 cells adhere to neurones in preference to other CNS cell types in this assay, and this was confirmed by adhesion assays performed on monolayers of individual cell types. We hypothesise from these results that macrophages interact with CNS neurones in vivo via adhesion molecules, enabling them to sense and respond rapidly to pathology in the brain.     

Recrystallization Process in Fe-Cr-Al Oxide Dispersion-Strengthened Alloy: Microstructural Evolution and Recrystallization Mechanism

Mechanically alloyed iron-base oxide dispersion-strengthened (ODS) alloys are the class of advanced materials for application in heat exchangers tubing in which creep and oxidation resistance are paramount. The yttria dispersion in such alloys improves the high-temperature creep and stress rupture life. The strength is further enhanced by the development of a coarse-grained microstructure during recrystallization. Factors controlling the evolution of this desirable microstructure are explored in this work, focusing specifically on PM 2000. The results presented in terms of orientation imaging, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy indicate that the recrystallization process consists of two different stages. Before the coarse grain takes place, the alloy undergoes an extended recovery process followed by abnormal grain growth. The initial microstructure consisted of subgrains (submicrometer sizes) with a strong 〈110〉∥RD fiber texture (α fiber), which are transformed into coarse grains (mm sizes) with orientations 〈112〉∥RD. The aim of this study is to describe the mechanisms involved in the intermediate stages of recrystallization process from the submicrometer grain size to the abnormal grain size.     

Monoterpene bioconversion for the production of aroma compounds by fungi isolated from Brazilian fruits

This work aimed to isolate fungal strains from Brazilian fruits and select potential biocatalysts for the bioconversion of the monoterpenes citronellol, limonene, linalool, and geraniol. Among the 36 fungal strains isolated, 12 were capable to convert citronellol into rose oxide and its isomers, while the biotransformation of limonene led to the formation of 2 derivatives of high market value, carvone and α-terpineol. Furthermore, geraniol was converted into 2 new products and linalool into linalool oxide, ocimenol, geraniol, and also α-terpineol by using several strains. Accordingly, the microorganisms LB-2025, LB-2036, and LB-2038 were selected for further experiments and identified as Penicillium sp., Penicillium sp., and Aspergillus sp., respectively. Induction studies with substrates and products have been evaluated and the production of rose oxide was enhanced from 5- to 8-fold, while the products originated from the biotransformation of limonene have not changed. Thus, this work demonstrates the biotechnological production of new flavor compounds.     

Can artisanal “Coalho” cheese from Northeastern Brazil be used as a functional food?

Brazilian artisanal “Coalho” cheeses from six Northeast towns were investigated as a functional food based on their peptide profiles and antioxidant, zinc-binding and antimicrobial activities. The peptides (WSP) from “Coalho” cheese showed high antioxidant activity, the best value of TEAC being 2223 ± 10.10 μM, which means 91.1 ± 0.43% oxidative inhibition and peptide concentration for IC₅₀ of 7 mg/mL (21 μg of peptides) for sample from the town of Correntes. The smallest TEAC value (1896 ± 17 μM), which means 75.9 ± 0.7% oxidative inhibition and IC₅₀ of 10.5 mg/mL (31.5 μg of peptide), was obtained for samples from the town of São Bento do Una. The zinc-binding activities were: Arcoverde (72.21 ± 0.24%) Cachoeirinha (75.02 ± 0.02%), Capoeiras (61.78 ± 0.65%), Correntes (75.47 ± 0.5%), São Bento do Una (75.41 ± 0.15%), and Venturosa (74.36 ± 0.04%). The WSP extracts showed antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All the results obtained suggest that “Coalho” cheese has potential as a functional food.     

Communications for manufacturing: an overview

Computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) is introduced, and the communications needed to support CIM applications described. The GMT400 project, a CIM experiment which is intended to investigate the applicability of MAP (manufacturing automation protocol) technology in automotive manufacturing, is presented. Several other development projects in the CIM area are identified. Research and development issues in CIM are summarized     

Detection of Chemiluminescence Using an Amorphous Silicon Photodiode

A hydrogenated amorphous silicon photodiode is used for the integrated, real-time detection of chemiluminescent reactions in solution. The light emission at 425 nm, resulting from the horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of luminol, is detected by a p-i-n amorphous silicon photodiode operated at zero bias. The sensitivity achieved is in the range of nanomole of horseradish peroxidase per liter