Development of superabsorbent hydrogel based on Gum Arabic for enhanced removal of anxiolytic drug from water.

The growing consumption of anxiolytic drugs like diazepam (DZP) has aggravated the problem of persistent organic pollutants in water. Due to its characteristics, the removal of DZP from water and wastewater is a challenging task. As an effort to deals with this issue, in this study, we report the development of a hydrogel based on Gum Arabic (GA) grafted with poly(acrylic acid) (GA-g-PAAc) to be used in the adsorptive removal of DZP from water. The hydrogel formation was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermal analysis (TGA/DTG) analyses. Images obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that GA-g-PAAc hydrogel exhibits a porous morphology while swelling experiments suggest a superabsorbent characteristic (degree of swelling> 600%). From batch experiments, it was found that the removal of DZP reached remarkable percentages (>80%) before 300 min in moderate experimental conditions (pH 7, 25 °C, 150 mg of adsorbent). The adsorption of DZP on GA-g-PAAc followed the pseudo-first order kinetics, and the mechanism was described by the linear Langmuir isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) was calculated to be 15.16 mg g-1 (at 25 °C), which is comparable or superior to other adsorbent materials used in DZP removal. Reuse experiments showed that GA-g-PAAc keeps appreciable adsorption ability even after five reuse cycles. The results reported here suggest this superabsorbent hydrogel could be a promising adsorbent material to treat water contaminated by anxiolytic drugs, like DZP.

One-Year Clinical Outcome of Inspiron Stent in All-Comers Population (Analysis from 790 Consecutive Patients).

AIMS: The goal of this study was to evaluate the performance of the InspironTM coronary stent (Scitech Medical™, Goiás, Brazil). The InspironTM sirolimus-eluting stent uses an ultrathin L-605 cobalt-chromium alloy with a 75 µm strut thickness platform coated with an abluminal biodegradable polymer. The polymer is eliminated from the body through the tricarboxylic acid cycle in 6-9 months, releasing 80% of the drug within 30 days after its deployment. METHODS: It was a prospective, single-center registry. To represent clinical practice, all patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention were included in this registry. There were no exclusion criteria. Clinical follow-ups were performed at twelve months. The endpoints were the occurrence of all-cause death, definite stent thrombosis, and new revascularization. RESULTS: Between November 2017 and May 2019, 790 patients were included (1067 lesions). The mean age was 60.42 ± 14.94 years, and 74.7% presented with acute coronary syndrome. Diabetes mellitus was present in 43.9% of patients, and previous myocardial infarction and previous percutaneous coronary intervention were present in 17.9% and 11.3%, respectively. Angiographic success was achieved in 99.1%. The incidence of all-cause death was 11.5% (6.2% in-hospital and 5.3% in the follow-up) and definitive stent thrombosis was 0.2%. New revascularization was performed in only 5.8% (target lesion revascularization: 2.2%; progression of disease in another lesion: 3.6%). Based on the multivariate regression analysis, only chronic renal failure was an independent predictor of adverse events (OR: 3.3; 95% CI: 1.22-8.92). CONCLUSION: The result of this single-center registry demonstrates the safety and excellent performance of the InspironTM stent in daily clinical practice with a low rate of adverse cardiac events.

Magnetoreception in multicellular magnetotactic prokaryotes: a new analysis of escape motility trajectories in different magnetic fields.

Magnetotactic microorganisms can be found as unicellular prokaryotes, as cocci, vibrions, spirilla and rods, and as multicellular organisms. Multicellular magnetotactic prokaryotes are magnetotactic microorganisms composed by several magnetotactic bacteria organized almost in a spherical helix, and one of the most studied is Candidatus Magnetoglobus multicellularis. Several studies have shown that Ca. M. multicellularis displays forms of behavior not well explained by magnetotaxis. One of these is escape motility, also known as "ping-pong" motion. Studies done in the past associated the "ping-pong" motion to some magnetoreceptive behavior, but those studies were never replicated. In the present manuscript a characterization of escape motility trajectories of Ca. M. multicellularis was done for several magnetic fields, considering that this microorganism swims in cylindrical helical trajectories. It was observed that the escape motility can be separated into three phases: (I) when the microorganism jumps from the drop border, (II) where the microorganism moves almost perpendicular to the magnetic field and (III) when the microorganism returns to the drop border. The total time of the whole escape motility, the time spent in phase II and the displacement distance in phase I decreases when the magnetic field increases. Our results show that the escape motility has several characteristics that depend on the magnetic field and cannot be understood by magnetotaxis, with a magnetoreceptive mechanism being the best explanation.

Landscapes of Biochemical Warfare: Spatial Self-Organization Woven from Allelopathic Interactions.

Evidence shows that diversity and spatial distributions of biological communities are largely driven by the race of living organisms in their adaptation to chemicals synthesized by their neighbors. In this report, the emergence of mathematical models on pure spatial self-organization induced by biochemical suppression (allelopathy) and competition between species were investigated through numerical analysis. For both random and patched initial spatial distributions of species, we demonstrate that warfare survivors are self-organized on the landscape in Turing-like patterns driven by diffusive instabilities of allelochemicals. These patterns are simple; either all species coexist at low diffusion rates or are massively extinct, except for a few at high diffusivities, but they are complex and biodiversity-sustained at intermediate diffusion rates. "Defensive alliances" and ecotones seem to be basic mechanisms that sustain great biodiversity in our hybrid cellular automata model. Moreover, species coexistence and extinction exhibit multi-stationarity.

Comprehensive Chemical Characterisation of Byzantine Glass Weights.

The understanding of the glass trade in the first millennium CE relies on the characterisation of well-dated compositional groups and the identification of their primary production sites. 275 Byzantine glass weights from the British Museum and the Bibliothèque nationale de France dating to the sixth and seventh century were analysed by LA-ICP-MS. Multivariate statistical and graphical data analysis discriminated between six main primary glass types. Primary glass sources were differentiated based on multi-dimensional comparison of silica-derived elements (MgO, Al2O3, CaO, TiO2, Fe2O3, ZrO2) and components associated with the alkali source (Li2O, B2O3). Along with Egyptian and Levantine origins of the glassmaking sands, variations in the natron source possibly point to the exploitation of two different natron deposits. Differences in strontium to calcium ratios revealed variations in the carbonate fractions in the sand. At least two cobalt sources were employed as colouring agents, one of which shows strong correlations with nickel, indicating a specific post-Roman cobalt source. Typological evidence identified chronological developments in the use of the different glass groups. Throughout the sixth century, Byzantine glass weights were predominately produced from two glasses that are probably of an Egyptian origin (Foy-2 and Foy-2 high Fe). Towards the second half of the sixth century a new but related plant-ash glass type emerged (Magby). Levantine I was likewise found among the late sixth- to early seventh-century samples. The use of different dies for the same batch testifies to large-scale, centralised production of the weights, while the same die used for different primary production groups demonstrates the co-existence of alternative sources of supply. Given the comprehensive design of our study, these results can be extrapolated to the wider early Byzantine glass industry and its changes at large.

Postemetic rupture of the esophagus: Boerhaave's syndrome.

Postemetic rupture of the esophagus, also known as spontaneous rupture or Boerhaave's syndrome, was first described by Herman Boerhaave in 1724. This is a severe disease that causes high mortality rates and is difficult to diagnose not only because it is rare but also because it is frequently confused with other severe clinical conditions, such as acute myocardial infarction, perforated peptic ulcer, and acute pancreatitis. Herein, we describe three cases of patients with this syndrome. Two underwent primary repair of the rupture, and one underwent esophagectomy followed by reconstruction. There was one death due to septic shock in the immediate postoperative period. The other two patients presented favorable long-term evolution.

Aplicação da técnica de emissão em tempo máximo de fonação em paciente com disfonia espasmódica adutora: relato de caso / Applying the technique of sustained maximum phonation time in a female patient with adductor spasmodic dysphonia: case report

A Disfonia Espasmódica Adutora é uma desordem neurológica do processamento motor central, caracterizada por contrações involuntárias e inapropriadas da musculatura fonatória, produzindo uma hiperadução das pregas vocais, o que promove uma voz trêmula, entrecortada e tensa-estrangulada. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever os parâmetros vocais, acústicos e laríngeos pré e pós-tratamento fonoaudiológico realizado por meio da aplicação da Técnica de Emissão em Tempo Máximo de Fonação (TETMF) em paciente com Disfonia Espasmódica de Adução. Esta técnica tem como objetivo promover o aumento da resistência glótica, melhorar a estabilidade fonatória e adequar a coaptação glótica. Participou deste estudo de caso uma paciente de 66 anos de idade, gênero feminino, com Disfonia Espasmódica Adutora. A paciente foi submetida à avaliação otorrinolaringológica e fonoaudiológica pré e pós-aplicação da TETMF. Foi verificada modificação de parâmetros vocais, acústicos e laríngeos, tais como a classificação da disfonia de G3R1B1A0S3I3 para G2R1B1A0S2I2, pitch de grave a adequado, traçado espectrográfico instável para mais estável e expressivo aumento da frequência fundamental média e da intensidade vocal média, além da melhora da eficiência glótica com o fechamento da fenda glótica anteroposterior. A terapia fonoaudiológica com a aplicação da TETMF foi considerada uma adequada opção de tratamento para o caso, tendo em vista os resultados alcançados, com destaque para a qualidade vocal e estabilidade fonatória. Ressalta-se a importância de novos estudos para comprovação da eficácia da técnica no tratamento da Disfonia Espasmódica Adutora.

Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia (ASD) is a neurological disorder of central motor processing, characterized by involuntary and inappropriate contractions of the phonatory muscles, producing hyperadduction of the vocal folds, which causes a tremulous, faltering and strained-strangled voice. The aim of this study was to describe the vocal, acoustic and laryngeal parameters measured for a female patient with ADS pre and post speech therapy using the Technique of Sustained Maximum Phonation Time (SMPT). This technique aims to promote increase in glottal resistance, improve phonatory stability, and enhance glottal coaptation. A 66-year-old female patient with ASD took part in this study. She was submitted to otorhinolaryngologic and speech-language assessment before and after the application of the SMPT technique. The results showed modification of vocal, acoustic and laryngeal parameters, such as re-classifying her dysphonia from G3R1B1A0S3I3 to G2R1B1A0S2I2, her pitch from severe to adequate, her spectrographic trace from unstable to more stable, and an expressive increase in mean fundamental frequency and mean vocal intensity, besides improvement of her glottal efficiency, with closure of the anteroposterior glottal opening. Speech therapy using the SMPT technique was considered a suitable treatment option for this case, given the good results obtained, especially the improvements in vocal quality and phonatory stability. The importance of further studies with the aim to provide greater scientific evidence for the effectiveness of the technique when treating ASD is emphasized.

Epidemiology of autism spectrum disorder in Portugal: prevalence, clinical characterization, and medical conditions.

The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and identify its clinical characterization, and medical conditions in a paediatric population in Portugal. A school survey was conducted in elementary schools, targeting 332,808 school-aged children in the mainland and 10,910 in the Azores islands. Referred children were directly assessed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edn), the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised, and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. Clinical history and a laboratory investigation was performed. In parallel, a systematic multi-source search of children known to have autism was carried out in a restricted region. The global prevalence of ASD per 10,000 was 9.2 in mainland, and 15.6 in the Azores, with intriguing regional differences. A diversity of associated medical conditions was documented in 20%, with an unexpectedly high rate of mitochondrial respiratory chain disorders.

Ruptura pós-emética do esôfago: a síndrome de Boerhaave / Postemetic rupture of the esophagus: Boerhaave's syndrome

A ruptura pós-emética do esôfago, também chamada ruptura espontânea ou síndrome de Boerhaave, foi descrita pela primeira vez em 1724 por Herman Boerhaave. Trata-se de uma doença grave, de alta mortalidade e de difícil diagnóstico, tanto por ser rara como por ser freqüentemente confundida com quadros graves mais comuns, como o infarto agudo do miocárdio, a úlcera péptica perfurada e a pancreatite aguda. Descrevemos, a seguir, três casos de pacientes com esta síndrome. Dois foram submetidos ao reparo primário da lesão e um foi submetido à esofagectomia com posterior reconstrução. Houve um óbito por choque séptico no pós-operatório imediato. Os outros dois casos tiveram boa evolução a longo prazo.

Postemetic rupture of the esophagus, also known as spontaneous rupture or Boerhaave's syndrome, was first described by Herman Boerhaave in 1724. This is a severe disease that causes high mortality rates and is difficult to diagnose not only because it is rare but also because it is frequently confused with other severe clinical conditions, such as acute myocardial infarction, perforated peptic ulcer, and acute pancreatitis. Herein, we describe three cases of patients with this syndrome. Two underwent primary repair of the rupture, and one underwent esophagectomy followed by reconstruction. There was one death due to septic shock in the immediate postoperative period. The other two patients presented favorable long-term evolution.

Crescimento de artérias pulmonares hipoplásticas com a anastomose aórtico-pulmonar por meio de enxerto de "Gore Tex": relato de caso / Growth of hypoplastic pulmonary arteries with aortopulmonary anastomosis by means of a Gore Tex graft: report of a case

Uma paciente de 23 anos de idade, com atresia pulmonar, hipoplasia de sua ramos principais e comunicaçäo interventricular, apresentou, após uma anastomose aórtico-pulmonar com enxerto de "Gore Tex", aumento importante dos vasos pulmonares hipoplásticos

Efeitos do fator de crescimento de fibroblasto básico (FCFbeta) na cicatrização de anastomoses do esôfago / Effects of fibroblast growth factor-beta (FCFbeta) on esophageal anastomosis healing

OBJETIVO: Os fatores de crescimento são substâncias moduladoras do processo de cicatrização. O fator de crescimento de fibroblastos básico (FCFbeta) liberado pelas plaquetas, macrófagos e pelos próprios fibroblastos, estimulam a proliferação celular, a produção de colágeno e de outros elementos da matriz celular, favorecendo o processo da cicatrização, mesmo em situações adversas, como diabetes e uso de corticosteróides. O presente estudo objetivou determinar a influência do FCFbeta no processo de cicatrização de anastomoses esofageanas em modelo de experimentação animal, avaliando-se a resistência à pressão, formação de tecido de granulação e deposição de colágeno. MÉTODO: Foram estudados dois grupos A e B, ambos com 10 ratos de linhagem Wistar, separados de forma aleatória, todos submetidos à secção e anastomose do esôfago por via abdominal. Nos animais do grupo A, foi feita aplicação tópica na linha de sutura de 10ng de FCFbeta. No grupo B (controle) foi aplicado igual volume de solução salina. Os animais foram sacrificados no 7º dia, o esôfago ressecado para teste de resistência da anastomose, estudo qualitativo do aporte de células inflamatórias, da angiogênese e quantificação do colágeno na zona da anastomose, através de sistema digital. RESULTADO: A densidade média dos parâmetros histológicos do grupo A foi 9095,51±1284,5, maior que no grupo B, que teve densidade 7162,4±1273,19 (p=0,013). A resistência da anastomose do grupo A teve a média 210±18,88 mmHg, significativamente maior que no grupo B, que atingiu o valor 157±29,55 mmHg (p=0,0024). CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo concluiu que o FCFbeta atuou melhorando a cicatrização e aumentando significativamente a resistência de anastomoses do esôfago realizadas em ratos.

BACKGROUND: Growth factors are substances that modulates tissue healing. Fibroblast growth factor is produced by platelets, macrofages and fibroblasts itself, stimulates cellular proliferation, collagen production and other elements of the cellular matrix, enhancing the healing proccess, even under adverse conditions. In order to study the influence of the basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (FCF-b) on the healing of esophageal anastomosis, an experimental model was produced to measure the anastomosis strenght, the amount of collagen and granulation tissue. METHODS: Twenty adult Wistar rats weighing 275±17g, were randomly allocated into two groups of ten each: Group A and B, were submitted to esophageal transection and anastomosis through a laparotomy approach. The anastomosis suture line of the group A was treated with a topical solution containing 10ng of FCF-b, whereas the control group (B) was treated with saline. Animals were killed on the 7th postoperative day, and the esophageal specimen removed to evaluate the anastomosis strenght, the input of inflamatory cells, and the amount of angiogenesis and collagen layered at the suture line. A digital system was used to process the histologic study. RESULTS: Group A showed greater amounts of inflamatory cells, angiogenesis and collagen density, as compared with the control group B. The quantitative mean density of the hystological data reached 9095.51±1284.5 in Group A and 7162.40±1273.19 in group B (p=0.013). The anastomosis suture line resistance to blowout was 210±18.88 mmHg in group A and 157±29.55 mmHg in group B (p=0.0024). CONCLUSION: This experimental model in rats confirms that FCF-b, when applied topically, enhances healing of esofageal anastomosis.

O novo sistema TNM em câncer de pulmäo / The new TNM stage system for lung cancer

Foi apresentado o novo sistema internacional TNM para câncer de pulmäo e o subseqüente estadiamento por grupos. Nessa nova sistmática, introduziu-se a figura do T4 para configurar os tumores com invasäo local das estruturas intratorácicas cou ou sem derrame pleural associado. Foi acrescentado o N3 para substituir o M1 na classificaçäo antiga, que significava disseminaçäo linfática para a regiäo cervical epsi ou contralateral. No estadiamento por grupos, o grupo III foi desmembrado para acomodar o IIIa ainda com contralateral. No estadiamento por grupos, o grupo III foi desmembrado para acomodar o IIIa ainda com possibilidade cirúrgica e o IIIb e IV fora da terapêutica armada