Adsorption of methylene blue on agroindustrial wastes: Experimental investigation and phenomenological modelling.

In this work, agro-wastes coming from soursop (peel, seeds and pulp fiber) and sugarcane (bagasse) are used as low-cost biosorbents to remove methylene blue (MB) from aqueous media. Batch experiments are performed under different experimental conditions investigating the effects of biosorbent amount, dye concentration and stirring rate. The best results were found using soursop wastes for a MB concentration of 100 mg L-1, using 0.75 g of residue and a stirring rate of 110 rpm, removing a percentage above 90%. Theoretically, adsorption kinetic can be successfully described by the pseudo-second order model. Redlich-Peterson and Sips models are adopted to interpret the equilibrium adsorption of MB on sugarcane bagasse and soursop residue, respectively. Interestingly, the monolayer model with single energy derived by statistical physics theory is also applied for a deeper explanation of the adsorption mechanism of MB on both the adsorbents. The application of this model allows defining the adsorption geometry of the investigated adsorbate and provides important information about the interactions between the adsorbate and sorbents. In particular, the modelling analysis by statistical physics allows defining that the dye molecules are adsorbed in vertical position and the adsorption process is multi-molecular (i.e. n > 1). Finally, the estimation of adsorption energy suggested that MB adsorption on biosorbent is a physisorption process.

Inhibition of sodium appetite by lipopolysaccharide: involvement of alpha2-adrenoceptors.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an endotoxin from the wall of Escherichia coli, produces a general behavioral inhibition and affects several aspects of fluid-electrolyte balance. LPS inhibits thirst; however, it is not clear if it also inhibits sodium appetite. The present results show that LPS (0.3-2.5 mg/kg body wt) injected intraperitoneally produces a dose-dependent reduction of sodium appetite expressed as 0.3 M NaCl intake induced by sodium depletion (furosemide plus removal of ambient sodium for 24 h). The high doses of LPS (1.2-2.5 mg/kg) also produced transient hypothermia at the beginning of the sodium appetite test; however, no dose produced hyperthermia. LPS also increased the stomach liquid content (an index of gastric emptying) after a load of 0.3 M NaCl given intragastrically by gavage to sodium-depleted rats. The α(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine (5 mg/kg ip) abolished the effect of LPS on 0.3 M NaCl intake, without changing the effect of LPS on gastric emptying. Injection of RX-821002 (160 nmol), another α(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist, in the lateral cerebral ventricle (LV) also reversed the inhibition of sodium appetite produced by LPS. Yohimbine intraperitoneally or RX-821002 in the LV alone had no effect on sodium intake. Although yohimbine plus LPS produced a slight hypotension, RX-821002 plus LPS produced no change in arterial pressure, suggesting that the blockade of the effects of LPS on sodium intake by the α(2)-adrenoceptor antagonists is independent from changes in arterial pressure. The results suggest an inhibitory role for LPS in sodium appetite that is mediated by central α(2)-adrenoceptors.

Apoptosis induction by 4-nerolidylcatechol in melanoma cell lines.

Pothomorphe umbellata, a native Brazilian plant, is popularly known to be effective in the treatment of skin lesions. This benefit is attributed to 4-nerolidylcatechol (4-NC), a compound extracted from P. umbellata. Since melanomas show prominent resistance to apoptosis and exhibit extreme chemoresistance to multiple forms of therapy, novel compounds addressing induction of cell death are worth investigating. Here, we evaluated effects on cell cycle progression and possible cytotoxic activity of 4-NC in melanoma cell lines as well as human dermal fibroblasts. Inhibitory effects on cell invasion and MMP activity were also investigated. 4-NC showed cytotoxic activity for all melanoma cell lines tested (IC50=20-40 microM, 24h for tumoral cell lines; IC50=50 microM for fibroblast cell line) associated with its capacity to induce apoptosis. Furthermore, this is the first time that 4-NC is described as an inhibitor of cell invasiveness, due mainly to a G1 cell cycle arrest and inhibition of MMP-2 activity in melanoma cell lines.

Producción científica de los institutos de salud de Cuba en el Web of Science en el periodo 2000-2004 / Scientific production of the health institutes in Cuba on the Web of Science from 2000 to 2004

Realizar un análisis métrico de la producción científica de los institutos del Sistema Nacional de Salud de la República de Cuba durante el período 2000-2004 en las revistas de la corriente principal. Se realizó una búsqueda en el Web of Science. La estrategia de búsqueda se basó en el empleo de la palabra Cuba en el campo Author Address. Se analizaron los indicadores de producción, impacto y colaboración internacional. La colaboración y las temáticas de investigación se presentaron mediante grafos basados en el análisis de redes sociales. Los institutos de salud totalizaron 295 trabajos, que representaron el 33,20 por ciento de la producción del sector sanitario y el 8,9 por ciento de todos los documentos nacionales registrados en la base de datos estudiada, con una tendencia al aumento. El Instituto de Medicina Tropical “Pedro Kourí” y el Instituto de Neurología y Neurocirugía participaron en el 38,0 por ciento y 24,1 por cientodel total artículos. Se observó una correspondencia entre el porcentaje de colaboraciones internacionales y los niveles de citación de los artículos. La colaboración internacional se manifestó en el 43,4 por ciento de los artículos vinculados con un total de 61 países de los 5 continentes. Los índices de citación de las colaboraciones internacionales tuvieron generalmente valores superiores. Los institutos nacionales de salud poseen un gran peso en la investigación y la producción científica del sector sanitario cubano. Las líneas de investigación predominantes se relacionan con los problemas prioritarios de salud del país.

To make a metric analysis of the scientific production of the institutes of the National System of Health of the Republic of Cuba during the period 2000-2004 in the main current magazines. METHODS: A search in the Web of Science was carried out. The search strategy was based on the use of the word Cuba in the Author Address field. An analysis of the production, impact and international collaboration indicators was made. The collaboration and the research topics were presented by means of graphs based on the analysis of social networks. The health institutes totalized 295 papers, accounting for 33.20 per cent of the production of the health sector and the 8.90 per cent of all the national documents registered in the studied database, with a tendency towards increase. "Pedro Kourí" Institute of Tropical Medicine and the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery participated in the 38.0 per cent and 24.1 per cent of the total of articles. A correspondence was observed between the percentage of international collaborations and the article citation levels. The international collaboration was expressed in 43.4 per cent of the articles linked with a total of 61 countries of the 5 continents. The citation indexes of the international collaborations had generally greater values. The national health institutes play an important role in the research and scientific production of the Cuban health sector. The predominant research lines are related to the prioritized health problems of the country.

Mujer y desarrollo en ciencias de la salud: un estudio cienciométrico del Reporte Técnico de Vigilancia desde la perspectiva de género / Women and Development in Health Sciences: a bibliometric study of Reporte Técnico de Vigilancia based on gender perspective

Se realizó un studio cienciométrico del Reporte Técnico de Vigilancia, publicación de la Unidad de Análisis y Tendencias en Salud del Ministerio de Salud Pública de Cuba. Se analizó la producción científica en el período 1996-2006 desde la perspectiva de género, para identificar la presencia femenina en la vigilancia en salud y aportar la base informacional que contribuya a la toma de decisiones en torno a las políticas editoriales y científicas en este contexto disciplinario e institucional. Se mostraron las relaciones de colaboración científica entre autores, instituciones y especialidades. Se observó el predominio de las mujeres en la autoría, presentes en más del 90 por ciento del total de artículos. No obstante, se evidenció la tendencia al aumento de la colaboración entre ambos sexos, y el predominio de las mujeres como autoras principales en casi un 70 por ciento de los artículos...

A scientometric study of the Reporte Técnico de Vigilancia, a journal of the Health and Analysis Trends Unit from the Cuban Ministry of Public Health, was carried out. The scientific production in the period 1996-2006 was analyzed based on gender perspective, in order to identify the presence of women in the Health Surveillance context for supporting decision making processes on publishing and scientific policies. The collaboration networks between authors, institutions and specialties were visualized. Women were predominant in the authorship. They participated in the 90 per cent the articles. However, an increase of the collaboration between both sexes was evidenced. Women were the first author in the 70 per cent of the articles...

Superalimentação e desenvolvimento do esqueleto de cães da raça Dogue Alemão: aspectos clínicos e radiográficos / Overfeeding and skeletal development in Great Dane puppies: clinical and radiographic aspects

Estudou-se o efeito da superalimentação no desenvolvimento do esqueleto de 14 cães da raça Dogue Alemão, utilizando dieta hipercalórica (ração super-premium) associada ao método de alimentação à vontade. Os animais foram distribuídos em dois tratamentos, sendo a ração fornecida à vontade ou restrita. O consumo de alimento foi registrado diariamente e realizaram-se, mensalmente, radiografias do cotovelo e, bimestralmente, do ombro, do quadril e do carpo, visando acompanhar alterações do esqueleto, especificamente quanto ao aparecimento da osteocondrose do ombro e da metáfise distal da ulna, da osteodistrofia hipertrófica e da displasia coxofemoral (DCF). Ao final do experimento, seis cães do grupo que recebeu alimentação à vontade apresentaram-se gordos (87,7 por cento) e um animal obeso (14,3 por cento). Do grupo de alimentação restrita, três filhotes mostraram condição corporal ideal (42,8 por cento), e quatro apresentaram-se magros (57,2 por cento). O exame radiológico revelou alterações compatíveis com o diagnóstico de DCF nos dois grupos; nos alimentados à vontade, a prevalência foi de 51,1 por cento e nos restritos, de 28,6 por cento. A osteocondrose na metáfise distal da ulna, conhecida como retenção do núcleo cartilaginoso, foi observada apenas nos cães alimentados à vontade (57,1 por cento). A superalimentação provocada pelo método de alimentação à vontade, associada com dieta de alta palatabilidade e alta densidade energética em filhotes da raça Dogue Alemão, induziu ao aparecimento de osteocondrose na metáfise distal da ulna e de displasia coxofemoral.

The effects of overfeeding on growing Great Dane puppies were examined by ad libitum feeding of a hypercaloric diet (super premium ration). Fourteen puppies from six litters were divided into two groups, with representation from each litter in each group. The dogs in the overfed group were provided ad libitum access to the diet from 8 AM to 6 PM daily, while the restricted group received the same feed but in amounts recommended by the manufacturer at 7 AM, 12:30 PM and 5 PM. Daily intake was individually recorded. To monitor skeletal changes due to osteochondrosis, hypertrophic osteodystrophy and hip dysplasia, elbow radiographs were taken monthly and shoulder, pelvis and corpus radiographs were taken bi-monthly. Weekly feed consumption and weight gain were greater in ad libitum than in restricted puppies (P<0.01). At the end of the experiment, 85.7 percent of the ad libitum group was over weight and 14.3 percent was obese, whereas 57.2 percent of restricted puppies were slim and 42.8 percent had ideal body weight. None of the dogs had hypertrophic osteodystrophy. Radiographic examination showed alterations compatible with hip dysplasia in both groups, but such observations were more frequent and more severe in the ad libitum group. Osteochondrosis of metaphisis distal ulna, known by the retention of cartiloginous nucleus, was observed only in the ad libitum group, at a rate of 57.1 percent. The thickness of the cortical and diameter of the ulna were greater (P<0.01) in ad libitum dogs than in those fed a restricted amount of the same diet. In summary, overfeeding caused by ad libitum access to a highly palatable and high energy food caused osteochondrosis and hip dysplasia in Great Dane puppies.

[The preparation for self-care of the diabetic client and his family]. / O preparo para o autocuidado do cliente diabético e família.

UNLABELLED: Partial report, quanti-qualitative of action-research developed in the ward test/ambulatory of a University Hospital, extensive to home; integrating students, teachers and nursing team. OBJECTIVE: to establish standards to integrate hospital/community, seeking the man in the home circle, oppose the recovery/rehabilitation and the integration to work/society, considering the problems in the home/work and put into practice the proposition of the SUDS with extension to the hospital/community actions. Home visits raising the home conditions, family and/or community, consolidating their participation in the process. During the hospital stay nursing care was oriented to conduct the participation and realization of the care by the client and relatives happening the same in the ambulatory probation.