Manufacturing parameter analysis for alumina coating on steel substrate by automated image processing of isolated splats samples.

Thermal spray technology, which involves the Atmospheric Plasma Spraying (APS), encompasses a category of coating processes that supply surface properties to protect or improve the performance of a substrate or component. The coating produced by this technology is built by overlapped splats, whose morphology determines the coating properties. In the same way, the splats obtained in a separated distribution by interposing a perforated mask but using the same thermal spray parameters, has a relationship with the overlapped splats inside the coating. The samples with isolated splats have the advantage of being faster and cheaper to generate and analyse. This article analyses alumina plasma-sprayed splats on steel substrates by image processing techniques, which recognize individual splats and their corresponding morphology (doughnut and pancake) parameters. These parameters allow the user to efficiently classify the splats. After that classification, a quality control can be implemented by comparison between the original and checked sample of isolated splats and a new sample obtained during a small interruption in the normal operation. Additionally, these parameters obtained in an automated way can be used to evaluate the effect of different selections of spraying process parameters.

Terapia asistida con perros en niños y adolescentes / Dog assisted therapy in children and adolescents

El presente trabajo revisa los múltiples beneficios de la terapia asistida con animales, desde sus orígenes a la actualidad. Se exponen los requisitos y características de la terapia asistida con perros en pacientes pediátricos crónicos. Finalmente, se defiende la utilidad de la creación e implementación de la terapia asistida con perros en hospitales (AU)

This paper reviews the multiple benefits of animal assisted therapy since its inception to the present. The requirements and characteristics of dog assisted therapy with chronic pediatric patient are described. Finally, this work defends the utility of the creation and implementation of dog assisted therapy in hospitals (AU)

Estimulación eléctrica percutánea del nervio tibial (SANS) en patología del tracto urinario inferior: eficacia y seguridad / No disponible

No disponible

Cultivo de cepas de levaduras de suelo trumao en ®vinaza¼ / Cultivation of yeast strains of the trumao soil in ®vinasse¼

30 cepas de levaduras aisladas desde un suelo trumao (Hapludans) usado como pradera en rotación, se cultivaron individualmente (100 µl = a 102 ufc delevaduras/mL) en matraces con 50 mL de ®vinaza¼, estos fueron incubados en un agitador orbital a 150 rpm, 23 °C por 5 días, luego de la incubación el contenido de cada matraz se centrifugo a 3.500 rpm por 20 min., a los pellet obtenidos se les determino: el peso seco (PS); fosforo total (FT) por digestión ácida y posterior lectura a 400 nm; proteínas totales (PT) por colorimetría Biuret a 595 nm y lípidos totales (LT) mediante el método colorimétrico de la sulfo-fosfo vainillina a 520 nm. Las 30 cepas de levaduras crecieron en la vinaza. El mayor PS lo registro la cepa 25 (331 g de levadura L-1 de ®vinaza¼). FT lo registro la cepa 28 (4,8 mg g-1 de levadura seca). PT lo registro la cepa 24 (25,90 mg g-1 de levadura seca) y LT lo registro la cepa 18 (287,4 mg g-1 de levadura seca).

Thirty strains of yeast isolated from a volcanic ash soil (Hapludans), used as pasture rotation, were individually cultured (100 µl = 102 cfu of yeast cells mL-1) in flasks with 50 mL of ®vinasse¼, these were incubated at 23 °C for 5 day, after incubation the contents of each flask was centrifuged at 3500 rpm for 20 min, the pellet obtained was determined: dry weight (DW); total phosphorus (FT) by acid digestion and later reading at 400 nm; total protein (TP) by Biuret at 595 nm and total lipid (TL) by the colorimetric method of the sulfo-phospho-vanillin at 520 nm. The Thirty strains of yeast grown on vinasse. The best DW, was determined for strain 25 (331 g yeast L-1 ®vinasse¼). FT was determined for strain 28 (4,8 mg g-1 dry yeast). TP was determined for strain 24 (25, 90 mg g-1 dry yeast) and TL was determined for strain18 (287, 4 mg g-1 dry yeast).

Multifunctional bioactive glass scaffolds coated with layers of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) and poly(n-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) microgels loaded with vancomycin.

A new family of multifunctional scaffolds, incorporating selected biopolymer coatings on basic Bioglass® derived foams has been developed. The polymer coatings were investigated as carrier of vancomycin which is a suitable drug to impart antibiotic function to the scaffolds. It has been proved that coating with PLGA (poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)) with dispersed vancomycin-loaded microgels provides a rapid delivery of drug to give antibacterial effects at the wound site and a further sustained release to aid mid to long-term healing. Furthermore, the microgels also improved the bioactivity of the scaffolds by acting as nucleation sites for the formation of HA crystals in simulated body fluid.

Grape epicatechin conjugates prevent erythrocyte membrane protein oxidation.

Epicatechin conjugates obtained from grape have shown antioxidant activity in various systems. However, how these conjugates exert their antioxidant benefits has not been widely studied. We assessed the activity of epicatechin and epicatechin conjugates on the erythrocyte membrane in the presence and absence of a peroxyl radical initiator, to increase our understanding of their mechanisms. Thus, we studied cell membrane fluidity by fluorescence anisotropy measurements, morphology of erythrocytes by scanning electron microscopy, and finally, red cell membrane proteins by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Our data showed that incubation of red cells in the presence of epicatechin derivatives altered membrane fluidity and erythrocyte morphology but not the membrane protein pattern. The presence in the medium of the peroxyl radical initiator 2,2'-azobis(amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) resulted in membrane disruptions at all levels analyzed, causing changes in membrane fluidity, cell morphology, and protein degradation. The presence of antioxidants avoided protein oxidation, indicating that the interaction of epicatechin conjugates with the lipid bilayer might reduce the accessibility of AAPH to membranes, which could explain in part the inhibitory ability of these compounds against hemolysis induced by peroxidative insult.

Responsiveness to stimuli of bispectral index, middle latency auditory evoked potentials and clinical scales in critically ill children.

SUMMARY: We performed simultaneous recordings of Bispectral Index (BIS) and middle latency auditory evoked potentials. We also recorded two clinical scales, the Modified Ramsay scale and the COMFORT scale. Heart rate and blood pressure were measured once a day, for a maximum of 5 days, in 81 critically ill children. Changes with tactile, auditory, and painful stimuli were analysed. All the stimuli significantly increased the BIS value, the painful stimulus having the greatest effect. The painful stimulus was the only one that altered the middle latency auditory evoked potentials. Although the responses of the clinical scales to stimuli were statistically significant, they were of little clinical relevance. None of the stimuli used significantly altered the heart rate or blood pressure. We conclude that tactile, auditory and painful stimuli produced changes of little relevance in the clinical scales, BIS or middle latency auditory evoked potentials. We found the BIS was the most sensitive method and the painful stimulus had the greatest effect.

[Treatment of cutaneous infections due to Mycobacterium fortuitum: two cases]. / Traitement des infections cutanées àMycobacterium fortuitum : deux cas.

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous infections due to Mycobacterium fortuitum, a rapidly growing environmental mycobacteria, are often iatrogenic, resulting from surgery or injection. We report two cases following plastic surgery and describe the outcome after surgery and antibiotics. CASE REPORTS: Two immunocompetent women underwent abdominal plastic surgery and liposuction, which were complicated with recurrent abscesses one and 13 months later respectively. Cultures of bacteriologic samples isolated M. fortuitum in the two patients. The two strains exhibited different antibiotic sensibility profiles. The initial antibiotic therapy consisted of combined amikacin and moxifloxacin in both patients plus imipenem in one, followed by oral doxycycline and clarithromycin in one and moxifloxacin in the other for a total duration of nine and five months, respectively. In both cases, surgical treatment was also given before, during and after antibiotic therapy. No new lesions had appeared six months after the end of antibiotic therapy. DISCUSSION: Cutaneous infections due to M. fortuitum are rare and secondary to iatrogenic skin wounds. The clinical appearance is not specific, accounting for delayed diagnosis. Treatment is difficult and there is no consensus. According to our experience, surgical treatment is essential whereas the efficacy of antibiotics, even involving multiple agents, seems more doubtful.

Transfusion strategy for primary knee and hip arthroplasty: impact of an algorithm to lower transfusion rates and hospital costs.

BACKGROUND: Blood transfusion strategies should reduce both blood transfusion and costs. Possible solutions include autologous donation for selected patients and the prescription of erythropoietin (EPO). METHODS: We conducted a quality improvement program to examine the effect of a transfusion strategy algorithm in primary knee (TKA) and hip arthroplasty (THA). Our algorithm is presented as a diagram and is based on tolerated and expected blood losses. Patient characteristics, blood loss, transfusions given, autologous blood wastage, and costs were examined during an initial evaluation and after implementation of the algorithm. RESULTS: Analysis of 302 (initial evaluation) and 173 (post-implementation) arthroplasties demonstrated a 55% reduction in the prescription of autologous blood donation. The proportion of EPO prescriptions increased from 6.6% to 17.3% (P<0.05). There was a 56% overall reduction in transfusions to fewer autologous (32% vs 12%, P<0.0001) and allogeneic transfusions (21% vs 13%, NS). There were 50% fewer wasted autologous blood units (P=0.002) and a 50% reduction in hospital costs (euro345 vs 169) with no significant change in overall costs (euro439 vs 407). Anaesthetists applied the algorithm in 97% of patients, and it is still in use 1 yr after evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the implementation of an algorithm for transfusion strategy changed practice and improved quality of care. The costs for EPO, its administration, and monitoring outside hospital were offset by the reduction in hospital transfusion costs.

Metahemoglobinemia en una lactante por consumo de puré vegetal / Infant methemoglobinemia after eating mixed vegetable puree

La cianosis es un signo clínico consistente en coloración azulada de piel y mucosas debida a un aumento de la hemoglobina reducida en los capilares, o menos frecuentemente, a la presencia de metahemoglobinemia (forma férrica de la hemoglobina) que puede ser ocasionada por contacto o ingesta de agentes oxidantes exógenos tóxicos como tintes de anilina, nitrobenceno, fármacos o compuestos nitrogenados de diferente procedencia, como son las verduras con alto contenido en nitratos (1 y 2). Presentamos el caso clínico de una lactante de 8 meses que fue traída a urgencias por presentar cianosis labial y de partes acras (manos y pies), sin otro tipo de sintomatología, tras la ingestión de un puré vegetal preparado y conservado a temperatura ambiente. La determinación de metahemoglobina fue del 22,8% mediante determinación por cooximetría. La evolución del lactante fue satisfactoria con tratamiento con oxígeno y observación durante 24 horas (AU)

Cyanosis is a clinical sign due to the presence of bluish coloration of skin and mucosae, caused by an increase in the reduced form of hemoglobin in the capillaries, or, less frequently, to the presence of methemoglobinemia (ferric form of hemoglobin). Its origin can be contact or ingestion of exogenous oxidating toxic agents like aniline dyes, nitrobencene, drugs or nitrogen compounds from different origin or vegetables with high nitrate content (1 and 2). We report a case of a 8-month-old female infant who was brought to the emergency room with no symptoms except cyanosis of the lips and acral areas (hands and feet) after the ingestion of a mixed vegetable puree, prepared and conserved at room temperature. Her methemoglobin level determined by cooximetry was 22.8%. She was treated during 24 hour with oxygen and observation and evolved satisfactorily (AU)

Hongos aislados desde suelos contaminados con petróleo / Fungi isolated from petroleum-polluted soil

Desde suelos de la XII Región de Chile contaminados y no contaminados con petróleo crudo, se aislaron un total de 240 cepas fúngicas agrupadas en 15 géneros y un micelio estéril, que mayoritariamente correspondieron a los géneros Penicillium (130), Absidia (32) y Mortierella (29). Por su capacidad de crecimiento y mayor peso seco micelial en agar y caldo mineral adicionado de petróleo crudo al 1 por ciento, se seleccionaron las cepas Dd202, Dd219 de Mortierella spp. y Dd225 de Penicillium sp., para determinar su cinética degradativa a lo largo del tiempo ( 9, 18 y 36 días). Utilizando espectrofotometría infrarroja se determinaron las fracciones del petróleo que fueron degradadas por las 3 cepas, que correspondieron a fracciones cuyas frecuencias se encuentran entre 2850 y 1800 cm-1 (aldehídos, alquinos y anhídridos) y entre 1510 y 1000 cm-1 (alcanos saturados e insaturados, aromáticos y alquilos).

A total of 240 fungal strains grouped in 15 generaand a sterile mycelium which corresponded mostly togenera Penicillium (130), Absidia (32) and Mortierella(29) were isolated from soils of the XII Region of Chilethat had been polluted or not with raw petroleum. StrainsDd202, Dd219 of Mortierella spp. and Dd225 of Penicilliumsp. were selected because of their ability of growthand major mycelial dry weight in agar and mineral brothadded with 1 percent raw petroleum in order to determine theirdegradative kinetics with time (9,18 and 36 day). By meansof infrared spectrophotometry, fractions of petroleum thathad been degraded by the three strains could beestablished , the frequencies of which being between 2850and 1800cm-1(aldehyde,alkine and anhydride) andbetween 1510 and 1000 cm-1 (saturated and insaturatedalkane, aromatic and alkyle).

Soil microbial communities and enzyme activities under various poultry litter application rates.

The potential excessive nutrient and/or microbial loading from mismanaged land application of organic fertilizers is forcing changes in animal waste management. Currently, it is not clear to what extent different rates of poultry litter impact soil microbial communities, which control nutrient availability, organic matter quality and quantity, and soil degradation potential. From 2002 to 2004, we investigated the microbial community and several enzyme activities in a Vertisol soil (fine, smectitic, thermic, Udic Haplustert) at 0 to 15 cm as affected by different rates of poultry litter application to pasture (0, 6.7, and 13.4 Mg ha(-1)) and cultivated sites (0, 4.5, 6.7, 9.0, 11.2, and 13.4 Mg ha(-1)) in Texas, USA. No differences in soil pH (average: 7.9), total N (pasture: 2.01-3.53, cultivated: 1.09-1.98 g kg(-1) soil) or organic C (pasture average: 25-26.7, cultivated average: 13.9-16.1 g kg(-1) soil) were observed following the first four years of litter application. Microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN) increased at litter rates greater than 6.7 Mg ha(-1) (pasture: MBC = >863, MBN = >88 mg kg(-1) soil) compared to sites with no applied litter (MBC = 722, MBN = 69 mg kg(-1) soil). Enzyme activities of C (beta-glucosidase, alpha-galactosidase, beta-glucosaminidase) or N cycling (beta-glucosaminidase) were increased at litter rates greater than 6.7 Mg ha(-1). Enzyme activities of P (alkaline phosphatase) and S (arylsulfatase) mineralization showed the same response in pasture, but they were only increased at the highest (9.0, 11.2, and 13.4 Mg ha(-1)) litter application rates in cultivated sites. According to fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis, the pasture soils experienced shifts to higher bacterial populations at litter rates of 6.7 Mg ha(-1), and shifts to higher fungal populations at the highest litter application rates in cultivated sites. While rates greater than 6.7 Mg ha(-1) provided rapid enhancement of the soil microbial populations and enzymatic activities, they result in P application in excess of crop needs. Thus, studies will continue to investigate whether litter application at rates below 6.7 Mg ha(-1), previously recommended to maintain water quality, will result in similar improved soil microbial and biochemical functioning with continued annual litter application.

Cáncer de próstata en menores de 50 años / Prostate cancer in people younger than 50 years old

Se reconocen las características clínicas de los pacientes con CaP menores de 50 años. Material y método: Se revisaron en forma retrospectiva los antecedentes clínicos entre julio 1994 y julio 2004. Se estudiaron las características de la pieza operatoria, la evolución quirúrgica, la sobrevida y recurrencia, incluyendo la necesidad de tratamientos complementarios. Resultados: Entre julio 1994 y julio 2004 se intervinieron 33 pacientes por CaP de 50 años o menos, se contaba con los datos necesarios para el estudio en 30. La edad promedio al momento del diagnóstico fue 46 años. El 30 por ciento de los pacientes tenía un hermano o padre con diagnóstico de CaP. El nivel de APE promedio en el momento del diagnóstico fue de 10,36 ng/ml. El estadio clínico fue T1c en el 66 por ciento, T2 en el 19 por ciento y T3 en el 9,5 por ciento. Veintinueve pacientes fueron sometidos a prostatectomía radical, confirmándose adenocarcinoma de próstata. En todos los pacientes que se realizó linfadenectomía, ésta fue negativa. El estadio patológico fue pT3 en el 39 por ciento y pT2 en el 61 por ciento. En 15 pacientes se preservó los haces neurovasculares, y el 72 por ciento de ellos preservó función eréctil. En todos los pacientes la continencia es completa. Un 69 por ciento de los pacientes operados mantienen APE indetectable hasta la fecha, sin necesidad de tratamiento complementario. Dos pacientes fueron sometidos a radioterapia complementaria por falla bioquímica. Un paciente se presentó por una adenopatía supraclavicular cuya biopsia fue compatible con un adenocarcinoma de próstata que falleció luego de hormono, radio y quimioterapia. Conclusión: Pensamos que la detección precoz de cáncer prostático es particularmente relevante en este grupo etáreo en quienes debemos emplear parámetros de APE estrictos. Esto permite identificar portadores de CaP de pronóstico favorable al ser sometidos a prostatectomía radical, logrando una baja morbilidad y una excelente calidad de vida.

Bombesin and the brain-gut axis.

Bombesin is the first peptide shown to act in the brain to influence gastric function and the most potent peptide to inhibit acid secretion when injected into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in rats and dogs. Bombesin responsive sites include specific hypothalamic nuclei (paraventricular nucleus, preoptic area and anterior hypothalamus), the dorsal vagal complex as well as spinal sites at T9-T10. The antisecretory effect of central bombesin encompasses a variety of endocrine/paracrine (gastrin, histamine) or neuronal stimulants. Bombesin into the CSF induces an integrated gastric response (increase in bicarbonate, and mucus, inhibition of acid, pepsin, vagally mediated contractions) enhancing the resistance of the mucosa to injury through autonomic pathways. The physiological significance of central action of bombesin on gastric function is still to be unraveled.

Fos induction in selective hypothalamic neuroendocrine and medullary nuclei by intravenous injection of urocortin and corticotropin-releasing factor in rats.

CRF and urocortin, administrated systemically, exert peripheral biological actions which may be mediated by brain pathways. We identified brain neuronal activation induced by intravenous (i.v.) injection of CRF and urocortin in conscious rats by monitoring Fos expression 60 min later. Both peptides (850 pmol/kg, i.v.) increased the number of Fos immunoreactive cells in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, supraoptic nucleus, central amygdala, nucleus tractus solitarius and area postrema compared with vehicle injection. Urocortin induced a 4-fold increase in the number of Fos-positive cells in the supraoptic nucleus and a 3.4-fold increase in the lateral magnocellular part of the paraventricular nucleus compared with CRF. Urocortin also elicited Fos expression in the accessory hypothalamic neurosecretory nuclei, ependyma lining the ventricles and choroid plexus which was not observed after CRF. The intensity and pattern of the Fos response were dose-related (85, 255 and 850 pmol/kg, i.v.) and urocortin was more potent than CRF. Neither CRF nor urocortin induced Fos expression in the lateral septal nucleus, Edinger-Westphal nucleus, dorsal raphe nucleus, locus coeruleus, or hypoglossal nucleus. These results show that urocortin, and less potently CRF, injected into the circulation at picomolar doses activate selective brain nuclei involved in the modulation of autonomic/endocrine function; in addition, urocortin induces a distinct activation of hypothalamic neuroendocrine neurons.

Estudio químico y microbiológico del extracto etanólico de las hojas y corteza de Virola calophylla (Myristicaceae) / Chemical and microbiological study of the ethanolic extracts of leaves and bark of Virola calophylla (Myristicaceae)

Del extracto etanólico de las hojas de Virola calophylla se aislaron los compuestos denominados: hidroxiotobaina, otobaeno, sitosterol, Dihidro-chalcona (2',4' -dihidroxi-4, 6' -dimetoxidihidrochalcona), Vainillina. Del extracto etanólico de corteza de Virola calophylla se aislaron compuestos: Safrol y Metilparabeno sustancias aisladas por primera vez en la familia Myristicaceae. Las estructuras fueron determinadas por métodos espectroscópicos y por comparación con datos de la literatura. a Los extractos etanólicos de las hojas y corteza de Virola calophylla se les realizó un estudio preliminar la actividad antimicrobiana

[Spinal electrical stimulation. Current indications and results in a series of 46 patients]. / Estimulación eléctrica medular. Indicaciones actuales y resultados en una serie de 46 pacientes.

We report the clinical results observed in a series of 46 patients with chronic pain who underwent spinal cord electrical stimulation. Candidates were selected according to previous clinical criteria and they were followed-up during a period of 5 to 27 months. Fifteen patients had a residual backache after surgery of the lumbar spine, 19 patients complained angina pectoris, 5 patients peripheral vasculopathies, and 7 subjects had different types of neurogenic pain. A total of 5 patients failed to complete the trial period of 7 to 10 days. Among the 34 patients who continued to use the medullar stimulation, good results were obtained in 75% of cases of backache , 100% of patients with angina and vasculopathies, and 50% of patients with neurogenic pain. There were no relevant complications. We conclude that the results of spinal cord stimulation can be improved by using more strict indications, by performing a previous test period before definitive implantation, and by achieving a large technical experience.

High cervical spinal cord stimulation for unstable angina pectoris.

Twelve patients with grade IV unstable angina were treated with high cervical spinal cord stimulation (SCS). All patients had been previously treated with maximal tolerated doses of beta-blockers and calcium antagonists and had no possibility of revascularization surgery or intraluminal angioplasty. Multipolar electrodes were implanted using a percutaneous technique, and the parameters of stimulation were pulse width 0.1 ms, frequency 120 Hz, intensity that caused no unpleasant paresthesias, with two periods of 4 h 'on' daily. After a mean follow-up of 9.8 +/- 8.2 months the clinical results show a significant reduction in the number of angina attacks (p less than 0.01) and in their grade (p less than 0.001). In the treadmill ergometric test, a significant increase in the time until angina and double product (p less than 0.01) was observed. We conclude that the SCS is a very low-risk technique that significantly increases the quality of life of patients with unstable angina.

[The quality of life of the patient with unstable angina treated by spinal cord electrical stimulation]. / Calidad de vida del paciente con angina inestable tratado con estimulación eléctrica medular.

Quality of life was evaluated in patients with unstable angina before and after surgical therapy with spinal cord electrical stimulation (SCES). Overall 12 patients were evaluated, with quantification of the mean weekly number of anginal attacks, the degree of effort provoking them and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). The criteria of inclusion in the study were: angina grade IV, resistant to drug therapy and without indication of surgery. The mean follow-up period was 9.8 +/- 8.2 months. A significant reduction in the weekly number of anginal attacks (preoperative 30.9 +/- 14.5; postoperative 9.6 +/- 8.2; p less than 0.01); improvement in functional class (p less than 0.001), and significant improvement (p greater than 0.05) in the pain, energy, sleep, social isolation and emotional reactions areas of NHP were observed. It was concluded that SCES is a useful procedure in patients with unstable angina untreatable by other medical or surgical methods, as it reduces the number of anginal attacks and increases quality of life of the patients without additional risk.