RESUMEN
Pencil drawing is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways of fabricating miniaturized electrodes on a paper substrate. However, it is limited by the lack of reproducibility regarding the electrode drawing process. A 3D-printed pencil holder (3DPH) is proposed here for simple, reproducible, and low-cost hand-drawn fabrication of paper-based electrochemical devices. 3DPH was designed to keep pressure and angulation of the graphite mine constant on the paper substrate using a micromechanical pencil regardless of the user/operator. This approach significantly improved the reproducibility and cost of making reliable pencil-drawn electrodes. The results showed high reproducibility and accuracy of the 3DPH-assisted electrodes prepared by 4 different operators in terms of sheet resistance and electrochemical behavior. Cyclic voltammetric (CV) curves in the presence of [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- redox probe showed only 3.9% variation for the anodic peak currents of different electrodes prepared by different operators when compared with electrodes prepared without the 3D-printed support. SEM analyses revealed a more uniform graphite deposition/design of the electrodes prepared with 3DPH, which corroborates the results obtained by CV. As a proof of concept, 3DPH-assisted pencil-drawn graphite electrodes were employed for dopamine detection in synthetic saliva, showing a proportional increase in anodic peak current at 0.12 V vs. carbon pRE with increasing dopamine (DA) concentration, with a detection limit of 0.39µmol L-1. Moreover recovery was in the range 93-104% of DA (4-7% RSD) in synthetic saliva for three different concentrations, demonstrating the reliability of the approach. Finally, we believe this approach can make pencil-drawn technology more robust, accessible, reliable, and inexpensive for real on-site applications, especially in hard-to-reach locations or research centers with little investment.
RESUMEN
Objective: Some studies have hypothesized that an unfavourable higher order aberrometric profile could act as an amblyogenic mechanism and may be responsible for some amblyopic cases that are refractory to conventional treatment or cases of “idiopathic” amblyopia. This study compared the aberrometric profile in amblyopic children to that of children with normal visual development and compared the aberrometric profile in corrected amblyopic eyes and refractory amblyopic eyes with that of healthy eyes. Methods: Cross-sectional study with three groups of children – the CA group (22 eyes of 11 children with unilateral corrected amblyopia), the RA group (24 eyes of 13 children with unilateral refractory amblyopia) and the C group (28 eyes of 14 children with normal visual development). Higher order aberrations were evaluated using an OPD-Scan III (NIDEK). Comparisons of the aberrometric profile were made between these groups as well as between the amblyopic and healthy eyes within the CA and RA groups. Results: Higher order aberrations with greater impact in visual quality were not significantly higher in the CA and RA groups when compared with the C group. Moreover, there were no statistically significant differences in the higher order aberrometric profile between the amblyopic and healthy eyes within the CA and RA groups. Conclusions: Contrary to lower order aberrations (e.g., myopia, hyperopia, primary astigmatism), higher order aberrations do not seem to be involved in the etiopathogenesis of amblyopia. Therefore, these are likely not the cause of most cases of refractory amblyopia. .
Objetivo: Alguns estudos levantaram a hipótese de que um perfil aberrométrico de alta ordem desfavorável poderia ser um fator ambliogênico, responsável por certos casos de ambliopia “idiopática” ou refratária ao tratamento convencional. Este trabalho tem como objetivos: 1) comparar o perfil aberrométrico de crianças amblíopes com o de crianças com desenvolvimento visual normal; 2) comparar a aberrometria de olhos amblíopes tratados com sucesso/curados e olhos amblíopes refratários ao tratamento convencional com a aberrometria de olhos saudáveis. Métodos: Estudo transversal com três grupos de crianças: grupo CA (22 olhos de 11 crianças com ambliopia unilateral curada), grupo RA (24 olhos de 13 crianças com ambliopia unilateral refratária) e grupo C (28 olhos de 14 crianças com desenvolvimento visual normal). Avaliou-se a aberrometria ocular total utilizando o OPD Scan-III (NIDEK). Comparou-se o perfil aberrométrico dos três grupos de estudo bem como dentro dos grupos CA e RA, o olho amblíope com o saudável. Resultados: As aberrações de alta ordem com maior impacto na qualidade visual não foram significativamente superiores nos grupos CA e RA, comparativamente ao grupo C. Por outro lado, não se encontraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre o perfil aberrométrico de alta ordem dos olhos amblíopes e dos olhos sãos dentro dos grupos CA e RA. Conclusão: Contrariamente às aberrações de baixa ordem (miopia, hipermetropia, astigmatismo primário), as de alta ordem não parecem relacionar-se com a etiopatogênese da ambliopia. É também pouco provável que estas sejam a causa da maioria dos casos de ambliopia refratária. .
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Preescolar , Niño , Adolescente , Refracción Ocular , Ambliopía/diagnóstico , Aberración de Frente de Onda Corneal/diagnóstico , Aberrometría , Agudeza Visual , Ambliopía/fisiopatología , Ambliopía/terapia , Estudios TransversalesRESUMEN
This study compared acid-base and biochemical changes and quality of recovery in male cats with experimentally induced urethral obstruction and anesthetized with either propofol or a combination of ketamine and diazepam for urethral catheterization. Ten male cats with urethral obstruction were enrolled for urethral catheterization and anesthetized with either ketamine-diazepam (KD) or propofol (P). Lactated Ringer's solution was administered by intravenous (IV) beginning 15 min before and continuing for 48 h after relief of urethral obstruction. Quality of recovery and time to standing were evaluated. The urethral catheter was maintained to measure urinary output. Hematocrit (Hct), total plasma protein (TPP), albumin, total protein (TP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, pH, bicarbonate (HCO3-), chloride, base excess, anion gap, sodium, potassium, and partial pressure of carbon dioxide in mixed venous blood (pvCO2) were measured before urethral obstruction, at start of fluid therapy (0 h), and at subsequent intervals. The quality of recovery and time to standing were respectively 4 and 75 min in the KD group and 5 and 16 min in the P group. The blood urea nitrogen values were increased at 0, 2, and 8 h in both groups. Serum creatinine increased at 0 and 2 h in cats administered KD and at 0, 2, and 8 h in cats receiving P, although the values were above the reference range in both groups until 8 h. Acidosis occurred for up to 2 h in both groups. Acid-base and biochemical stabilization were similar in cats anesthetized with propofol or with ketamine-diazepam. Cats that received propofol recovered much faster, but the ketamine-diazepam combination was shown to be more advantageous when treating uncooperative cats as it can be administered by intramuscular (IM) injection.
Asunto(s)
Equilibrio Ácido-Base/efectos de los fármacos , Periodo de Recuperación de la Anestesia , Diazepam/farmacología , Ketamina/farmacología , Propofol/farmacología , Obstrucción Uretral/veterinaria , Acidosis , Anestesia Intravenosa/veterinaria , Anestésicos Disociativos/administración & dosificación , Anestésicos Disociativos/farmacología , Anestésicos Intravenosos/administración & dosificación , Anestésicos Intravenosos/farmacología , Animales , Nitrógeno de la Urea Sanguínea , Enfermedades de los Gatos/cirugía , Gatos , Creatinina/sangre , Diazepam/administración & dosificación , Quimioterapia Combinada , Hiperpotasemia , Ketamina/administración & dosificación , Masculino , Obstrucción Uretral/sangre , Obstrucción Uretral/cirugíaRESUMEN
Distance learning presents great potential for mitigating field problems on pesticide application technology. Thus, due to the lack of teaching material about pesticide spraying technology in the Portuguese language and the increasing availability of distance learning, this study developed and evaluated a computer program for distance learning about the theory of pesticide spraying technology using the tools of information technology. The modules comprising the course, named Pulverizar, were: (1) Basic concepts, (2) Factors that affect application, (3) Equipments, (4) Spraying nozzles, (5) Sprayer calibration, (6) Aerial application, (7) Chemigation, (8) Physical-chemical properties, (9) Formulations, (10) Adjuvants, (11) Water quality, and (12) Adequate use of pesticides. The program was made available to the public on July 1(st), 2008, hosted at the web site www.pulverizar.iciag.ufu.br, and was simple, robust and practical on the complementation of traditional teaching for the education of professionals in Agricultural Sciences. Mastering pesticide spraying technology by people involved in agricultural production can be facilitated by the program Pulverizar, which was well accepted in its initial evaluation.
Asunto(s)
Instrucción por Computador/métodos , Educación a Distancia/métodos , Tecnología Educacional/métodos , Insecticidas , Programas Informáticos , Humanos , Control de Insectos/métodos , InternetRESUMEN
Distance learning presents great potential for mitigating field problems on pesticide application technology. Thus, due to the lack of teaching material about pesticide spraying technology in the Portuguese language and the increasing availability of distance learning, this study developed and evaluated a computer program for distance learning about the theory of pesticide spraying technology using the tools of information technology. The modules comprising the course, named Pulverizar, were: (1) Basic concepts, (2) Factors that affect application, (3) Equipments, (4) Spraying nozzles, (5) Sprayer calibration, (6) Aerial application, (7) Chemigation, (8) Physical-chemical properties, (9) Formulations, (10) Adjuvants, (11) Water quality, and (12) Adequate use of pesticides. The program was made available to the public on July 1st, 2008, hosted at the web site www.pulverizar.iciag.ufu.br, and was simple, robust and practical on the complementation of traditional teaching for the education of professionals in Agricultural Sciences. Mastering pesticide spraying technology by people involved in agricultural production can be facilitated by the program Pulverizar, which was well accepted in its initial evaluation.
O ensino à distância apresenta grande potencial para minorar os problemas ocorridos no campo na área de tecnologia de aplicação de agroquímicos. Dessa forma, diante da escassez de material instrucional na área de tecnologia de aplicação de agroquímicos em Português e do crescimento elevado da educação à distância, o objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver e avaliar um programa computacional para o ensino à distância da parte teórica de tecnologia de aplicação de agroquímicos, utilizando as ferramentas de tecnologia da informação. Os módulos que compuseram o curso, intitulado Pulverizar, foram: (1) Conceitos básicos, (2) Fatores que afetam a aplicação, (3) Equipamentos, (4) Pontas de pulverização, (5) Calibração de pulverizadores, (6) Aplicação aérea, (7) Quimigação, (8) Propriedades físico-químicas, (9) Formulações, (10) Adjuvantes, (11) Qualidade da água e (12) Uso adequado de agroquímicos. O programa desenvolvido foi disponibilizado ao público no dia 1 de julho de 2008, hospedado no sítio www.pulverizar.iciag.ufu.br, mostrando-se simples, robusto e prático no complemento ao ensino tradicional para a formação de profissionais da área de Ciências Agrárias. O domínio da tecnologia de aplicação de agroquímicos por parte das pessoas envolvidas na produção agrícola pode ser incrementado por meio do programa Pulverizar, que teve boa aceitação em seu processo de avaliação inicial.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Instrucción por Computador/métodos , Educación a Distancia/métodos , Tecnología Educacional/métodos , Insecticidas , Programas Informáticos , Internet , Control de Insectos/métodosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To compare the renal and cardiorespiratory effects of IV treatment with lactated Ringer's solution (LRS) or physiologic saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (PSS) in severely decompensated cats with urethral obstruction (UO). ANIMALS: 14 cats (4 cats were used only to establish infusion rates). PROCEDURES: An occluded urethral catheter was used to induce UO in each cat. After development of severe metabolic acidosis, hyperkalemia, and postrenal azotemia, the obstruction was relieved (0 hours); LRS or PSS (5 cats/group) was administered IV (gradually decreasing rate) beginning 15 minutes before and continuing for 48 hours after UO relief. Ten minutes before urethral catheter placement (baseline), at start of fluid therapy (SFT), and at intervals during fluid administration, various physical and clinicopathologic evaluations were performed. RESULTS: Metabolic acidosis was detected in the PSS-treated group at SFT and 2 hours after relief of UO and in the LRS-treated group only at SFT The PSS-treated group had significantly lower blood pH and bicarbonate concentrations at 8 through 48 hours and lower base excess values at 2 through 48 hours, compared with the LRS-treated group. Hypocalcemia and hypernatremia were detected in the PSS-treated group at 2 and 12 hours, respectively. Absolute serum potassium and chloride concentrations did not differ significantly between groups at any time point. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Treatment with LRS or PSS appeared to be safe and effective in cats with experimentally induced UO; however, LRS was more efficient in restoring the acid-base and electrolyte balance in severely decompensated cats with UO.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades de los Gatos/tratamiento farmacológico , Soluciones Isotónicas/uso terapéutico , Riñón/fisiología , Cloruro de Sodio/uso terapéutico , Obstrucción Uretral/veterinaria , Animales , Temperatura Corporal/efectos de los fármacos , Enfermedades de los Gatos/fisiopatología , Gatos , Diuresis/efectos de los fármacos , Fluidoterapia/métodos , Fluidoterapia/veterinaria , Frecuencia Cardíaca/efectos de los fármacos , Riñón/efectos de los fármacos , Riñón/fisiopatología , Masculino , Orquiectomía , Lactato de Ringer , Albúmina Sérica/efectos de los fármacos , Albúmina Sérica/metabolismo , Obstrucción Uretral/tratamiento farmacológico , Obstrucción Uretral/fisiopatologíaRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: The treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) presents 2 options: medical or surgical, and there are doubts about what is the best treatment since 80 percent of patients who undergo surgery become asymptomatic and 10 to 40 percent of those under medical regimen undergo surgery within a 5 years period. It is difficult to assess the actual costs of treating BPH in Brazil due to several factors, among them regional particularities and the scarcity of current statistical data. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Recently, in the Ribeirão Preto area, São Paulo, Brazil, the IPSS (International Prostatic Symptoms Score) and quality of life were verified in 934 volunteers. It was determined the percentage of individuals with ages ranging from 40 to 79 years with moderate symptoms (score 8-19) and with severe symptoms (score 20-35), values for which are indicated medical and surgical treatment, respectively, according to the Brazilian Society of Urology consensus on BPH. Data on Brazilian population in that age range were obtained from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics referent to the year of 2000. It was determined the number of patients, according to the criteria above, subjected to either one of the treatments mentioned. Surgical costs of prostate transurethral resection were researched according to Unified Health System - SUS tables (US$ 173) and of Brazilian Medical Society - AMB with a mean cost in 3 hospitals of US$ 933. Drug costs were calculated by the annual mean price (US$ 355) of 4 alpha-blockers (tamsulosin, alfuzosin, doxazosin and terazosin). RESULTS: The estimated population for medical treatment was 5,397,321 individuals, with a cost corresponding to US$ 1,916,489,055.00. The estimated population for surgical treatment was 2,040,299 men, what would represent a cost of US$ 353,291,204.00 based on the SUS table and of US$ 1,904,279,066.00 based on AMB with hospital expenses included. CONCLUSION: All theses facts induce us to predict that the treatment of BPH in a not-so-far future can become a public health problem for Brazilian society, since the current estimate would be, approximately, costs around 2.26 - 3.83 billion dollars, added by the yearly increase in the risk population (24.99 percent) for the group under medical treatment and over the non-operated amount of the surgical group.
RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: The treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) presents 2 options: medical or surgical, and there are doubts about what is the best treatment since 80% of patients who undergo surgery become asymptomatic and 10 to 40% of those under medical regimen undergo surgery within a 5 years period. It is difficult to assess the actual costs of treating BPH in Brazil due to several factors, among them regional particularities and the scarcity of current statistical data. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Recently, in the Ribeirao Preto area, Sao Paulo, Brazil, the IPSS (International Prostatic Symptoms Score) and quality of life were verified in 934 volunteers. It was determined the percentage of individuals with ages ranging from 40 to 79 years with moderate symptoms (score 8-19) and with severe symptoms (score 20-35), values for which are indicated medical and surgical treatment, respectively, according to the Brazilian Society of Urology consensus on BPH. Data on Brazilian population in that age range were obtained from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics referent to the year of 2000. It was determined the number of patients, according to the criteria above, subjected to either one of the treatments mentioned. Surgical costs of prostate transurethral resection were researched according to Unified Health System - SUS tables (173 US dollars) and of Brazilian Medical Society - AMB with a mean cost in 3 hospitals of 933 US dollars. Drug costs were calculated by the annual mean price (355 US dollars) of 4 alpha-blockers (tamsulosin, alfuzosin, doxazosin and terazosin). RESULTS: The estimated population for medical treatment was 5,397,321 individuals, with a cost corresponding to 1,916,489,055.00 US dollars. The estimated population for surgical treatment was 2,040,299 men, what would represent a cost of 353,291,204.00 US dollars based on the SUS table and of 1,904,279,066.00 US dollars based on AMB with hospital expenses included. CONCLUSION: All theses facts induce us to predict that the treatment of BPH in a not-so-far future can become a public health problem for Brazilian society, since the current estimate would be, approximately, costs around 2.26 - 3.83 billion dollars, added by the yearly increase in the risk population (24.99%) for the group under medical treatment and over the non-operated amount of the surgical group.