RESUMO

TiO2 thin films with mixtures of the anatase, rutile, and brookite phases were deposited on glass substrates via magnetron sputtering. Based on XRD and Raman results, the TiO2-0.47 and TiO2-3.47 films principally contained the brookite phase, while the TiO2-1.27 and TiO2-2.13 films were primarily anatase. The capacities of the TiO2 films to adsorb heavy metals were tested with Cr(VI) and Fe(III) solutions, and the maximum Cr(VI) and Fe(III) adsorption capacities were realized with the TiO2-0.47 film (334.5 mg/g) and TiO2-3.47 film (271.3 mg/g), respectively. SEM‒EDS results revealed the presence of Cr and Fe on the surfaces of the films, thus corroborating the ability of the TiO2 films to adsorb and remove heavy metals. They are strong candidates for use in wastewater treatment plants.

RESUMO

Chlorothalonil (CLT) is a broad spectrum, and non-systemic fungicide applied in foliar structures to prevent and treat pathogens. This compound reaches to aquatic environments and affects the biota. In this context, the main goal of this study was to assess the effects of CLT at biochemical, tissular, and individual levels of biological organization using the invasive bivalve Corbicula largillierti as a bioindicator species. Clams were exposed to different sublethal concentrations (0, 10, 20 and 50 µg. L-1 CLT) for 96 h. At biochemical level, the enzymatic activity (Glutathione-s-Transferase, Catalase, Acetyl-, Butiryl- and Carboxyl-esterases) and lipid peroxidation were measured in gills and the visceral mass. Also, the digestive gland morphometry through quantitative histological indexes was registered at the tissular level. Finally, filtering activity and burial behavior at the individual level were measured. At the highest CLT concentration, the most significant changes were observed in enzymatic activity (except for butyrylcholinesterase), lipid peroxidation and in digestive gland morphometry. It was also registered increases of the filtering activity and the latency time to burial. Most of the biomarkers assessed showed significant responses under CLT exposure. Therefore, taking into account that C. largillierti was affected by CLT, it can be expected that other species could be in a potential risk if this fungicide is present in freshwater systems.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The anomalies of X chromosome are classified as numerical or structural. Concomitant structural anomalies in this chromosome that associate partial loss of its long arm with duplications in its short arm are uncommon. Only a few cases have been published and in most of them the reported patients present ovarian dysfunction, tall stature, and overdosage of the SHOX gene with locus Xp22.33. Considering these reports, we evaluated the case of a woman with a deletion in the long arm of the X chromosome, premature ovarian failure, tall stature, and multiple arterial vascular disease. With the aim to find a relationship between karyotype and phenotype, we explored associated anomalies in Xp and certified the overdosage of the SHOX gene in this case by MLPA. Also, taking into account the fact that the gene locus of the angiotensin-converting enzyme type 2 (ACE2) is located in Xp, our goal was to investigate the influence of this gene in the development of cardiovascular disease. The detection of the gene product of ACE2 by ELISA was undetectable. We have proposed that cytogenetic anomalies in X chromosome could contribute to decrease this protein synthesis in this gender.

RESUMO

INTRODUCTION: A study conducted at our hospital showed that patellofemoral instability associated with a high-riding and lateralized patella occurred in 34 out of 4,954 admitted patients (6.86% rate). In order to treat these alterations we studied a series of patients in whom an anteromedialization technique was used. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive cohort study, with probabilistic sampling, conducted between March 1st, 2009 and September 1st, 2011. Twenty patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected. The same technique was used in all patients, performed by the same surgeon, with the same postoperative and rehabilitation protocol. The modified Lyshom scale was applied and the results were assessed by two blinded observers whose concordance was assessed with the Kappa index. RESULTS: Twenty patients were treated, 12 females and 8 males; mean age was 20 years. In 14 patients the dislocating event occurred in one of the knees and in 6 patients it was bilateral; the right side predominated. Dislocation was recurrent in 7 patients and relapsing in 13; 12 of the latter had undergone soft tissue realignment and lateral retinaculum release, and one patellar advancement. The mean clinical Q angle was 18 degrees preoperatively and 7 degrees postoperatively. The preoperative and postoperative radio- graphic assessment was equivalent to a Kappa of 88%. Mean healing time of the osteotomy was 8 weeks; 2 hemarthroses occurred in the immediate postoperative period, which were resolved with puncture; no fractures and no graft collapses were reported. The mean Lysholm scale was 90.9 at 6 months (interobserver kappa of 90%). All patients had quadriceps atrophy of 1-2 cm, one patient had residual pain and by the end of the study none of the patients had had relapsing dislocation. CONCLUSIONS: This technique corrects the dislocation resulting from a high-riding and lateralized patella by modifying the Q angle. It involves minimal complications, uses a small 5 cm approach and does not require special guides. This study remains open to long-term follow-up to detect the presence or absence of patellofemoral arthrosis.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Comparison between the antero-lateral and posterior approaches in primary total hip arthroplasty. In this retrospective study, 184 patients were enrolled, 95 submitted to the anterolateral (Watson jones) and 89 to the posterior approach (Moore) from June 1993 to June 1997. The outcomes assessed were perioperative data (operative time, hospital stay, time from surgery until hospital discharge, surgical bleeding and the need for blood transfusion), as well as late complications (deep venous thrombosis DVP, pulmonary embolism, periopheral nerve injury, prothesis instability and others). Both groups did not differ in terms of preoperative parameters. Those submitted to the posterior approach had shorter operative times (p < 0.001), as well as reduced bleeding (p < 0.05) and need for blood transfusion (p < 0.001) during surgery. The outcomes, such as late complications, had similar reduced frequency in both groups. The posterior approach has been successfully applied in our service and proves to be an excellent alternative surgical access to the total hip arthroplasty.

Assuntos

Assuntos

RESUMO

Brevetoxin-3 (PbTx-3) is a marine toxin produced by the dinoflagellate Ptychodiscus brevis. Its effects on excitable tissues have been the main subject of studies, but little is known about how it affects non-excitable tissues. To study possible non-neural effects of PbTx-3 (78nM), its effects on hepatic cell structure in vitro were evaluated. PbTx-3 caused hypertrophy and increased vacuolation of hepatocytes, and an increase in basophilia in the perivenous area of the lobules. Ultrastructurally, it was evident that the vacuolation was related to swelling of the endoplasmic reticulum, changes that probably account for the increased basophilic reaction of the cells. The swelling in smooth endoplasmic reticulum, degranulation of rough endoplasmic reticulum, the deformities and lytic cristae in the mitochondria, and the presence of active lysosomes are evidence of the PbTx-3 effects upon liver cells. These responses are probably caused by the liver's detoxification role on the PbTx-3.

Assuntos

RESUMO

To have insights into possible non-neural effects of PbTx-3 (0.07 microgram/ml), its effects on various parameters of hepatic metabolism were evaluated. PbTx-3 inhibits oxygen consumption (QO2) in liver slices by 25 +/- 1%, and increases hepatocyte Na+/K+ ratio by 72 +/- 4%. Ouabain, a Na(+)-K(+)-pump inhibitor, also reduced QO2 by 19 +/- 2% and raised the Na+/K+ ratio by 77 +/- 4%. The effects of PbTx-3 and ouabain on QO2 and Na+/K+ ratio were not additive, suggesting a role for the Na(+)-K(+)-pump in these actions of PbTx-3. However, Na(+)-K(+)-pump activity determinations, using 86Rb as a K+ tracer, did not reveal inhibitory effects of this toxin on the transport system. This indicates that the pump is not a target of PbTx-3. The effect of PbTx-3 on liver slices Na+ content was abolished by the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin (0.1 microM). Tetrodotoxin also antagonized the inhibition of oxygen consumption by PbTx-3. These results suggest that in the liver PbTx-3 can induce effects that appear to be similar to those observed in excitable tissue.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Se estudia la relacion de inflamacion pancreatica y estados septicemicos en ninos lactantes, encontrandose un 15% de pancreatitis en las autopsias de ninos fallecios con septcemia. Asi mismo en el 10% de lactantes septicos se encontraron valores elevados de amilasemia, observandose una posible relacion entre la hiperamilasemia y el pronostico de estos pacientes

Assuntos

Assuntos