Oriented epitaxial TiO2 nanowires for water splitting.

Highly oriented epitaxial rutile titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanowire arrays have been hydrothermally grown on polycrystalline TiO2 templates with their orientation dependent on the underlying TiO2 grain. Both the diameter and areal density of the nanowires were tuned by controlling the precursor concentration, and the template surface energy and roughness. Nanowire tip sharpness was influenced by precursor solubility and diffusivity. A new secondary ion mass spectrometer technique has been developed to install additional nucleation sites in single crystal TiO2 templates and the effect on nanowire growth was probed. Using the acquired TiO2 nanowire synthesis knowhow, an assortment of nanowire arrays were installed upon the surface of undoped TiO2 photo-electrodes and assessed for their photo-electrochemical water splitting performance. The key result obtained was that the presence of short and dispersed nanowire arrays significantly improved the photocurrent when the illumination intensity was increased from 100 to 200 mW cm-2. This is attributed to the alignment of the homoepitaxially grown nanowires to the [001] direction, which provides the fastest charge transport in TiO2 and an improved pathway for photo-holes to find water molecules and undertake oxidation. This result lays a foundation for achieving efficient water splitting under conditions of concentrated solar illumination.

Affective temperaments mediate aggressive dimensions in bipolar disorders: A cluster analysis from a large, cross-sectional, international study.

BACKGROUND: Affective temperaments show potential for aggressive behavior (AB) preventive strategies in bipolar disorder (BD). We aim to define intra-diagnostic subgroups of patients with BD based on homogeneous behaviors related to AB. Subsequently, to assess whether affective temperament dimensions may contribute to the presence and severity of AB. METHODS: Patients with BD were recruited. AB was evaluated through the modified overt aggression scale (MOAS); affective temperaments were assessed with the TEMPS-A. A cluster analysis was conducted based on TEMPS-A and MOAS scores. Stepwise backward logistic regression models were used to identify the predictive factors of cluster membership. RESULTS: 799 patients with BD were enrolled. Three clusters were determined: non-aggressive (55.5 %), self-aggressive (18 %), and hetero-aggressive (26.5 %). Depressive, irritable, and anxious temperament scores significantly increased from the non-aggressive (lower) to the self-aggressive (intermediate) and the hetero-aggressive group (highest). A positive history of a suicide attempt (B = 5.131; OR = 169.2, 95 % CI 75.9; 377) and rapid cycling (B = -0.97; OR = 0.40, 95 % CI 0.17; 0.95) predicted self-aggressive cluster membership. Atypical antipsychotics (B = 1.19; OR = 3.28, 95 % CI 2.13; 5.06) or SNRI treatment (B = 1.09; OR = 3, 95 % CI 1.57; 5.71), psychotic symptoms (B = 0.73; OR = 2.09, 95 % CI 1.34; 3.26), and history of a suicide attempt (B = -1.56; OR = 0.20, 95 % CI 0.11; 0.38) predicted hetero-aggressive cluster membership. LIMITATIONS: Recall bias might have affected the recollection of AB. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical factors orientate the prevention of different ABs in BD. Affective temperaments might play a role in preventing AB since patients with more pronounced affective temperaments might have an increased risk of showing AB, in particular hetero-AB.

Temporal Summation in Fibromyalgia Patients: Comparing Phasic and Tonic Paradigms.

Introduction: Fibromyalgia (FM) is associated with dysfunctional pain modulation mechanisms, including central sensitization. Experimental pain measurements, such as temporal summation (TS), could serve as markers of central sensitization and have been previously studied in these patients, with conflicting results. Our objective in this study was to explore the relationships between two different protocols of TS (phasic and tonic) and test the associations between these measures and other clinical variables. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional analysis of a randomized clinical trial, patients were instructed to determine their pain-60 test temperature, then received one train of 15 repetitive heat stimuli and rated their pain after the 1st and 15th stimuli: TSPS-phasic was calculated as the difference between those. We also administered a tonic heat test stimulus at the same temperature continuously for 30 s and asked them to rate their pain levels after 10 s and 30 s, calculating TSPS-tonic as the difference between them. We also collected baseline demographic data and behavioral questionnaires assessing pain, depression, fatigue, anxiety, sleepiness, and quality of life. We performed univariable analyses of the relationship between TSPS-phasic and TSPS-tonic, and between each of those measures and the demographic and clinical variables collected at baseline. We then built multivariable linear regression models to find predictors for TSPS-phasic and TSPS-tonic, while including potential confounders and avoiding collinearity. Results: Fifty-two FM patients were analyzed. 28.85% developed summation during the TSPS-phasic protocol while 21.15% developed summation during the TSPS-tonic protocol. There were no variables associated TSPS phasic or tonic in the univariable analyses and both measures were not correlated. On the multivariate model for the TSPS-phasic protocol, we found a weak association with pain variables. BPI-pain subscale was associated with more temporal summation in the phasic protocol (ß = 0.38, p = 0.029), while VAS for pain was associated with less summation in the TSPS-tonic protocol (ß = -0.5, p = 0.009). Conclusion: Our results suggest that, using heat stimuli with pain-60 temperatures, a TSPS-phasic protocol and a TSPS-tonic protocol are not correlated and could index different neural responses in FM subjects. Further studies with larger sample sizes would be needed to elucidate whether such responses could help differentiating subjects with FM into specific phenotypes.

Aspiração endotraqueal de adultos intubados: evidências para boas práticas / Endotracheal suctioning of the adults intubated: evidence for best practice

Introdução: A aspiração endotraqueal é o procedimento invasivo mais realizado em indivíduos intubados em unidades de terapia intensiva. Contudo, existem poucos estudos nacionais de boa qualidade metodológica sobre o assunto, não havendo no Brasil consenso da literatura e/ou padronização da técnica. Objetivos: Estabelecer recomendações baseadas em evidências científicas sobre a aspiração endotraqueal em adultos intubados. Métodos: Revisão sistemática de estudos secundários: diretrizes, guidelines e revisões sistemáticas em inglês e português, pesquisada nas bases de dados PubMed, Cochrane, Cochrane Review, Cochrane Library, Scielo Org, Scielo Brasil, PEDro, Clinical Evidence e Evidence Based Medicine. Resultados: Foram incluídos cinco artigos com classificação entre C e D pelo R-Amstar. Conclusão: A aspiração endotraqueal deve ser realizada em adultos intubados por pessoal qualificado, assepticamente, sempre que necessária. Não deve exceder 15 segundos por aspiração e nem ser realizada rotineiramente, e sim, na presença de secreções ­ grau de recomendação A. A sonda de aspiração deve ter um diâmetro menor que 50% do tubo endotraqueal e a hiperoxigenação com fração inspirada de oxigênio a 100% no ventilador deve ser utilizada ­ grau de recomendação A. A pressão de sucção não deve exceder 150 mmHg negativos ­ grau de recomendação B. É recomendada a aspiração subglótica, especialmente naqueles indivíduos com mais de 72 horas de ventilação mecânica invasiva ­ grau de recomendação A. (AU)

Introduction: Endotracheal aspiration is the most accomplished invasive procedure in intubated individuals in intensive care units. However, there are few national studies of good methodological quality on the subject, and there is no consensus in the literature and / or standardization of the technique. Aims: To establish recommendations based on scientific evidence on endotracheal aspiration in intubated adults. Methods: Systematic review of secondary studies: guidelines, guidelines and systematic reviews in English and Portuguese, searched in the databases PubMed, Cochrane, Cochrane Review, Cochrane Library, Scielo Org, Scielo Brazil, PEDro, Clinical Evidence and Evidence Based Medicine. Results: Five articles with classification between C and D by R-Amstar were included. Conclusion: Endotracheal aspiration should be performed in adults intubated by qualified personnel, aseptically, whenever necessary. It should not exceed 15 seconds per aspiration and should not be performed routinely, but in the presence of secretions - degree of recommendation A. The aspiration probe should have a diameter of less than 50% of the endotracheal tube and hyperoxigenation with inspired fraction of oxygen at 100% in the ventilator should be used - degree of recommendation A. The suction pressure should not exceed 150 mmHg negative - degree of recommendation B. Subglottic aspiration is recommended, especially in those individuals with more than 72 hours of invasive mechanical ventilation - degree of Recommendation A. (AU)

Reabilitação pulmonar em indivíduos com fibrose pulmonar idiopática: qual a evidência? / Pulmonary rehabilitation in individuals with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: what is the evidence?

Introdução: A fibrose pulmonar idiopática (FPI) é uma pneumonia intersticial idiopática crônica, progressiva, sem cura, com morte entre 3 meses a 4 anos após o diagnóstico. A qualidade de vida (QV) dos indivíduos com FPI é baixa, com muitos sintomas respiratórios. Têm-se demonstrado que a melhora da QV e dos sintomas pode ocorrer com a reabilitação pulmonar (RP). Contudo, existem poucos estudos nacionais sobre o assunto sendo esta conduta pouca realizada no Brasil. Objetivos: Investigar evidências científicas sobre a RP em indivíduos com FPI. Métodos: Revisão sistemática de estudos secundários: diretrizes, guidelines e revisões sistemáticas, em inglês e português, publicados entre 2000 e 2016 nas bases de dados: BVS, Cochrane Library, PEDro, PubMed, Scielo Org. Os descritores e seus correlatos foram identificados no Medical Subject Headings e nos Descritores em Ciências da Saúde. A questão PICO foi: P: indivíduo com FPI, I: reabilitação pulmonar, O: tempo livre de piora, dispneia, distância percorrida no teste de caminhada de 6 minutos, saturação periférica de oxigênio (SpO2), QV, capacidade vital forçada (CVF) e sobrevida. A qualidade metodológica foi avaliada através do Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) e do Revised Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (R-AMSTAR). O grau de recomendação e a sugestão da prática foram baseados no United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Resultados: Seis artigos foram incluídos com boa qualidade metodológica. A RP foi recomendada para a maioria dos indivíduos com FPI ­ grau de recomendação B. Conclusão: A RP foi capaz de melhorar positivamente a maioria dos desfechos analisados, devendo ser incluída no rol de condutas terapêuticas para indivíduos com FPI que desejarem realiza-la. (AU)

Introduction: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive and idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, uncured, with fatal issue in 3 months to 4 years after diagnosis. Quality of life (QOL) of patients with IPF is weak, with many respiratory symptoms. Improving QOL and symptoms can occur with pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). However, there are few national studies on the subject and this rehabilitation has little place in Brazil. Objectives: To investigate scientific evidence available on the RP in patients with IPF. Methods: Systematic review of secondary studies: policies, guidelines and systematic reviews in English and Portuguese, published between 2000 and 2016 in the data bases: BVS, Cochrane Library, PEDro, PubMed, Scielo Org. Descriptors and their specific correlates were identified in the Medical Subject Headings (MESH) and the Descriptors in Health Sciences (DECS). The question PICO was: P: individual with IPF, I: pulmonary rehabilitation, O: outcome: worsening of free time, dyspnea, distance walked in 6-minute walk test, oxygen saturation (SpO2), QOL, forced vital capacity (FVC) and survival. Methodological quality was assessed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and the Revised Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (R-AMSTAR). The degree of recommendation and practical suggestions were based on the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Results: Six articles were included with good methodological quality. The RP is recommended for most individuals with IPF - degree of recommendation B. Conclusion: The RP was able to positively improve most of the outcomes and should be included in the list of therapeutic approaches for individuals with IPF who want to achieve it.(AU)

Asociación entre rotavirus y síndrome convulsivo febril y afebril / Relationship between rotavirus and convulsive syndrome febrile and afebril

El Rotavirus es causa habitual de diarrea grave en niños pequeños a nivel mundial. Las manifestaciones clínicas incluyen: diarrea líquida, fiebre, y vómitos, llevando a estados de deshidratación y típica gastroenteritis; además pueden presentar múltiples complicaciones neurológicas, como convulsiones febriles o afebriles. La prevalencia real de estas convulsiones oscilaría entre el 2 y 6%. La fisiopatología de las mismas es aún incierta, pero se han propuesto teorías que intentan explicar un posible mecanismo, entre las que estarían involucrados factores genéticos, raciales, distribución de serotipos, factores pro-convulsivos e incluso alteraciones de la barrera hematoencefálica. Si bien este es un síndrome cuya etiología no es única, se tomará en cuenta la infección por rotavirus ya que este se ha identificado con mayor frecuencia, sobre todo en pacientes afebriles, evitando así procedimientos e intervenciones innecesarias para su diagnóstico.

The Rotavirus is common cause of severe diarrhea in young children worldwide. Clinical manifestations include: liquid diarrhea, fever, and vomiting, leading to states of dehydration and typical gastroenteritis; In addition, they may present multiple neurological complications, such as febrile seizures or afebrile seizures. The actual prevalence of these seizures would range between 2 and 6%. Their pathophysiology is still uncertain, but theories have been proposed that try to explain a possible mechanism, including genetic factors, racial, serotype distribution, pro-convulsive factors and even alterations of the blood-brain barrier. Although this is a syndrome whose etiology is not unique, rotavirus infection will be taken into account since it has been identified more frequently, especially in afebrile patients, thus avoiding unnecessary procedures and interventions for its diagnosis.