Applicability of 'Toolkit for Safety Assessment' tool to interventional radiology using probabilistic risk assessment techniques.

Interventional radiology brings extensive benefits to patients. Nevertheless, certain procedures may result in high doses of radiation, leading to health risks to occupationally exposed individuals (OEIs). Therefore, a more comprehensive risk analysis is essential to ensuring safety and minimising radiation exposures for all OEIs. The Toolkit for Safety Assessment (TOKSA) tool performs risk assessments based on the concepts described in 'General Safety Requirements' Part 3 (Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards) and Part 4 (Safety Assessment for Facilities and Activities). This tool was developed based on the 'Ibero-American Forum of Radiological and Nuclear Regulatory Agencies' risk models and can promote the use of the risk assessment processes by OEIs. The aim of this study was to experimentally analyse the applicability of the TOKSA tool in interventional radiology with the use/support of probabilistic risk assessment techniques. The results were used to reduce the risks associated with a hemodynamics room in a hospital in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

The Role of Resource Density on Energy Allocation in the Neotropical Termite Nasutitermes aff. coxipoensis (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae).

Organisms acquire energy from environment and must allocate it among different life traits (growth, maintenance and reproduction). Social insects must manage the energy allocation to various levels such as colony growth and caste functions. Here, we addressed the question of whether resource density affects the energy allocation to the number of individuals and caste functions as well as nest's growth rate in the Neotropical termite Nasutitermes aff. coxipoensis (Homgren) (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae). In a manipulative field experiment, colonies of N. aff. coxipoensis, with known volume, were maintained in plots with three different resource's density (0.32, 0.64 and 1.92 baits/m2) over 3 months. After this period, the number of individuals as well as the caste identity and nest volume were measured. Surprisingly, our results showed that colonies reared in the extremes of resource's density (0.32 and 1.92 baits/m2) produced a higher number of individuals compared with colonies reared with intermediate resource density (0. 64 baits/m2). The mean number of workers increased linearly with resource density; however, the average number of immature was higher in colonies reared with 0.32 baits/m2 compared with colonies reared with 0.64 and 1.92 baits/m2. No significant differences of resource density were observed in the mean number of soldiers, worker/soldier ratio as well as in the nest's growth rate. In conclusion, the resource's density seems to play an important role in determining the investment of energy in the number of individuals and caste in N. aff. coxipoensis colonies.

The impact of edge effect on termite community (Blattodea: Isoptera) in fragments of Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest.

Habitat fragmentation is considered to be one of the biggest threats to tropical ecosystem functioning. In this region, termites perform an important ecological role as decomposers and ecosystem engineers. In the present study, we tested whether termite community is negatively affected by edge effects on three fragments of Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. Termite abundance and vegetation structure were sampled in 10 transects (15 × 2 m), while termite richness, activity, and soil litter biomass were measured in 16 quadrants (5 × 2 m) at forest edge and interior of each fragment. Habitat structure (i.e. number of tree, diameter at breast height and soil litter biomass) did not differ between forest edge and interior of fragments. Termite richness, abundance and activity were not affected by edge effect. However, differences were observed in the ß diversity between forest edge and interior as well as in the fragments sampled. The ß diversity partitioning indicates that species turnover is the determinant process of termite community composition under edge effect. Our results suggest that conservation strategies should be based on the selection of several distinct sites instead of few rich sites (e.g. nesting).

Sedimentation of mixed cultures using natural coagulants for the treatment of effluents generated in terrestrial fuel distribution terminals.

This study evaluated the use of natural coagulants (Moringa oleifera and chitosan) under different conditions with a mixed culture (C1 mixed culture). This culture was used for the biodegradation of hydrocarbons present in the effluent from fuel distribution terminals contaminated with diesel oil and gasoline. The biodegradation was evaluated by two central composite design (CCD) experiments: the first with varying concentrations of Moringa oleifera (MO), drying temperatures (TE) and seed drying times (TI); the second with varying concentrations of chitosan and the hydrochloric acid in which chitosan had been solubilized. The responses monitored in the CCD experiments included the sludge volume index (SVI), the turbidity removal (TR) and the specific rate of oxygen uptake (SOUR). Subsequently, the biodegradation was monitored in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) under the optimal conditions obtained for each CCD experiment. The results indicated that the best coagulant was chitosan solubilized in 0.25 N HCl at a concentration of 50mg/L. Within five cycles with chitosan as a coagulant, the total organic carbon (TOC) removal increased from 77±1.0% to 82±0.5%, the volatile suspended solids (VSS) increased from 1.4±0.3 to 2.25±0.3 g/L and the total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) removal increased from 75±1.0% to 81±0.5%.

The impact of edge effect on termite community (Blattodea: Isoptera) in fragments of Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest / O impacto do efeito de borda na comunidade de cupins (Blattodea: Isoptera) em fragmentos de florestas da Mata Atlântica

Abstract Habitat fragmentation is considered to be one of the biggest threats to tropical ecosystem functioning. In this region, termites perform an important ecological role as decomposers and ecosystem engineers. In the present study, we tested whether termite community is negatively affected by edge effects on three fragments of Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. Termite abundance and vegetation structure were sampled in 10 transects (15 × 2 m), while termite richness, activity, and soil litter biomass were measured in 16 quadrants (5 × 2 m) at forest edge and interior of each fragment. Habitat structure (i.e. number of tree, diameter at breast height and soil litter biomass) did not differ between forest edge and interior of fragments. Termite richness, abundance and activity were not affected by edge effect. However, differences were observed in the β diversity between forest edge and interior as well as in the fragments sampled. The β diversity partitioning indicates that species turnover is the determinant process of termite community composition under edge effect. Our results suggest that conservation strategies should be based on the selection of several distinct sites instead of few rich sites (e.g. nesting).

Resumo A fragmentação do habitat é considerada uma das maiores ameaças para o funcionamento do ecossistema tropical. Nesta região, os cupins desempenham um papel ecológico importante como decompositores e engenheiros do ecossistema. No presente estudo, testamos se comunidades de cupins são negativamente afetadas pelo efeito de borda em três fragmentos de Mata Atlântica. Para isso, foram amostrados a abundância de cupins e a estrutura da vegetação em 10 transectos (15 × 2 m), enquanto a riqueza, abundância de cupins e biomassa da serrapilheira foram amostrados em 16 parcelas (5 × 2 m) na borda e no interior de cada um dos três fragmentos. A estrutura do habitat (número de árvores, diâmetro à altura do peito e biomassa da serrapilheira) não diferiu entre a borda e o interior dos fragmentos. A riqueza, abundância e atividade dos cupins também não foram afetados pelo efeito de borda. No entanto, foram observadas diferenças na diversidade β entre borda e interior dos fragmentos, bem como nos fragmentos amostrados. O particionamento da diversidade β indicou que a substituição de espécies ("turnover") é o processo determinante da composição da comunidade de cupins sob efeito de borda. Nossos resultados sugerem que as estratégias de conservação devem ser baseadas na seleção de locais distintos em vez de poucos locais (via processo de aninhamento - "nesting").

The sedimentation of mixed cultures used in the treatment of effluents generated from terrestrial fuel distribution terminals.

This study evaluated the use of coagulants (ferric chloride and aluminium sulphate) and an anionic polyelectrolyte (polyacrylamide) in the settling of a mixed culture (C(1)), which was used for the biodegradation of hydrocarbons present in effluent of fuel distribution terminals contaminated with diesel oil and gasoline. In preliminary investigations conducted in jar tests, the optimal concentrations of coagulant were obtained for further studies. After preliminary tests, biodegradation was evaluated in a central composite design (CCD) with varying concentrations of ferric chloride and polyelectrolyte. Ferric chloride and polyelectrolyte concentrations ranged from 77.9 to 422.12 mg/L and 0.0 to 3.2mg/L, respectively. The responses monitored in CCD experiments included the sludge volume index (SVI), turbidity, and specific rate of oxygen uptake (SOUR), where values of 100mL/g, 840 nephelometric turbidity unit (NTU) and 58 mg O(2)/gh, respectively, were obtained. Subsequently, biodegradation was monitored in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The results indicated that within five cycles, total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) removal increased from 75 ± 1.0% to 79 ± 0.5%, while the volatile suspended solids (VSS) increased from 1300 to 2500 mg/L.

Biosurfactant production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa grown in residual soybean oil.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa PACL strain, isolated from oil-contaminated soil taken from a lagoon, was used to investigate the efficiency and magnitude of biosurfactant production, using different waste frying soybean oils, by submerged fermentation in stirred tank reactors of 6 and 10 l capacities. A complete factorial experimental design was used, with the goal of optimizing the aeration rate (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 vvm) and agitation speed (300, 550, and 800 rpm). Aeration was identified as the primary variable affecting the process, with a maximum rhamnose concentration occurring at an aeration rate of 0.5 vvm. At optimum levels, a maximum rhamnose concentration of 3.3 g/l, an emulsification index of 100%, and a minimum surface tension of 26.0 dynes/cm were achieved. Under these conditions, the biosurfactant production derived from using a mixture of waste frying soybean oil (WFSO) as a carbon source was compared to production when non-used soybean oil (NUSO), or waste soybean oils used to fry specific foods, were used. NUSO produced the highest level of rhamnolipids, although the waste soybean oils also resulted in biosurfactant production of 75-90% of the maximum value. Under ideal conditions, the kinetic behavior and the modeling of the rhamnose production, nutrient consumption, and cellular growth were established. The resulting model predicted data points that corresponded well to the empirical information.

Biodegradation of diesel oil and gasoline contaminated effluent employing intermittent aeration.

We examined the effects of aeration interval and agitation speed in an effort to optimize the biodegradation of effluent contaminated with diesel oil and gasoline. The biodegradation process employed a C(1) mixed culture and intermittent aeration. Optimization was performed using central composite design (CCD). The independent variables were aeration interval (X(1)) and agitation speed (X(2)) and the dependent variable was the degree of removal of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH). The optimum aeration interval (33h) and agitation speed (110rpm) resulted in TPH removal of 75.9% after 3 days. Five hydrocarbons classes were identified using gas chromatography: paraffins, isoparaffins, olefins, naphthenics, and aromatics. The following reductions were observed: 91.8% for the paraffins, 83.3% for the isoparaffins, 80.9% for the olefins, 39.3% for the naphthenics, and 80.9% for the aromatics. In comparative studies performed under constant aeration (CA), without aeration (WA), and intermittent aeration (IA) conditions, intermittent aeration resulted in the highest TPH removals, with 90% reduction after 22 days. Under the IA condition, the degradation percentages were 99.6% for the paraffins, 94% for the isoparaffins, 95.4% for the olefins, 70.8 for the naphthenics, and 83.4% for the aromatics.

[Acute paraplegia secondary to painless aortic dissection]. / Paraplejía aguda secundaria a la disección indolora de la aorta.

INTRODUCTION: Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a serious and uncommon event. The clinical presentation generally includes thoracic or back pain. Painless aortic dissection is an extremely rare occurrence. Acute paraplegia is one of the neurological complications secondary to AAD. Although painful paraplegia is seen in 2% to 3% of AAD cases, painless paraplegia is a very rare event. CASE REPORT: A 51-year-old man with a long term history of hypertension, presented with acute paralysis of the lower extremities, with no chest or back pain. CONCLUSION: In presence of acute neurologic events, must always be investigated a vascular cause and, in these group of disease, the aortic dissection may be researched, although the pain wasn't present on occasion of the diagnosis.

Carcinoma epidermóide de amígdala pós-transplante cardíaco: relato de caso / Squamous carcinoma of the tonsil after heart transplantation: case report

Paciente de 52 anos submetida a transplante cardíaco ortotópico em maio de 1991, tendo apresentado como complicaçäo tardia o surgimento de carcinoma epidermóide de amígdala. O diagnóstico inicial foi de neoplasia metastática de sítio primário desconhecido porque o tumor primário somente manifestou-se após 6 meses do surgimento da metástase à distância. A incidência de neoplasia no primeiro ano pós-transplante cardíaco é pouco freqüente, assim como o carcinoma epidermóide de amígdala na populaçäo normal. Näo encontramos relato de caso na literatura entre pacientes submetidos a transplante cardíaco e apresentando carcinoma epidermóide de amígdala.