Combining Soil Vapor Extraction and Electrokinetics for the Removal of Hexachlorocyclohexanes from Soil.

This paper focuses on the evaluation of the mobility of four hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers by soil vapor extraction (SVE) coupled with direct electrokinetic (EK) treatment without adding flushing fluids. SVE was found to be very efficient and remove nearly 70 % of the four HCH in the 15-days of the tests. The application of electrokinetics produced the transport of HCH to the cathode by different electrochemical processes, which were satisfactorily modelled with a 1-D transport equation. The increase in the electric field led to an increase in the transport of pollutants, although 15 days was found to be a very short time for an efficient transportation of the pollutants to the nearness of the cathode. Loss of water content in the vicinity of the cathode warns about the necessity of using electrokinetic flushing technologies instead of simple direct electrokinetics. Thus, results point out that direct electrokinetic treatment without adding flushing fluids produced low current intensities and ohmic heating that contributes negatively to the performance of the SVE process. No relevant differences were found among the removal of the four isomers, neither in SVE nor in EK processes.

Clinical and economic comparative analysis of laparotomy versus laparoscopy in the first gastric bypass surgeries in a bariatric and metabolic surgery service in a city in southern Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: this paper aims to evaluate the main direct and indirect costs of the first laparotomies and laparoscopies in bariatric surgeries with a clinical-economical retrospective and cross-sectional analysis from 2017 to 2020 at a hospital with specialties besides the basic ones in southern Brazil. METHODS: the study sample included 26 participants. The first 13 laparotomies, and the first 13 laparoscopies performed at the bariatric surgery service of the institution were evaluated. The values evaluated in such comparison analyzed the costs of operation and hospitalization. It is important to highlight that, in addition to the cost benefit, other costs take significance in the health area, such as: cost-utility, cost-effectiveness and cost-minimization, in addition to the cost-opportunity that is reassessed in the observation of the broad context associating all the values raised here. The software used for data analysis was Excel version® 365. The economic analysis was performed evidencing the profile of the patients and the direct and indirect costs involved in each segmentation. RESULTS: the direct and indirect costs of videolaparoscopy amounted to BRL 10,108.10 and laparoscopy to the amount of BRL 12,568.14. CONCLUSION: it was concluded that laparoscopy presents more savings in the aspects of all health valuations to the detriment of laparotomy. It was concluded that the videolaparoscopy presents more savings in the aspects of all health valuations than the laparotomy.

Enhancing soil vapor extraction with EKSF for the removal of HCHs.

This paper evaluates the combination of electrokinetic soil flushing (EKSF) with soil vapor extraction (SVE) for the removal of four hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers contained in a real matrix. Results demonstrate that the combination of EKSF and SVE can be positive, but it is required the application of high electric fields (3 V cm-1) in order to promote a higher temperature in the system, which improves the volatilization of the HCH contained in the system. Electrokinetic transport is also enhanced with the application of higher electric gradients, but these transport processes are slower than the volatilization processes, which are the primary in this system. Hence collection of species in the electrolyte wells is negligible as compared to the compound dragged with air by the SVE but the temperature increase demonstrates a good performance. Combination of EKSF with SVE can efficiently exhaust the four HCH isomers reaching a removal of more than 90% after 15 days of treatment (20% more than values attained by SVE) but it is required the application of high electric fields to promote a higher temperature in the system (to improve the volatilization) and EK transport (to improve the dragging). 1-D transport model can be easily used to estimate the average pore water velocity and the effective diffusion of each compound under the different experimental conditions tested.

Green Composite Sensor for Monitoring Hydroxychloroquine in Different Water Matrix.

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), a derivative of 4-aminoquinolone, is prescribed as an antimalarial prevention drug and to treat diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Recently, Coronavirus (COVID-19) treatment was authorized by national and international medical organizations by chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine in certain hospitalized patients. However, it is considered as an unproven hypothesis for treating COVID-19 which even itself must be investigated. Consequently, the high risk of natural water contamination due to the large production and utilization of HCQ is a key issue to overcome urgently. In fact, in Brazil, the COVID-19 kit (hydroxychloroquine and/or ivermectin) has been indicated as pre-treatment, and consequently, several people have used these drugs, for longer periods, converting them in emerging water pollutants when these are excreted and released to aquatic environments. For this reason, the development of tools for monitoring HCQ concentration in water and the treatment of polluted effluents is needed to minimize its hazardous effects. Then, in this study, an electrochemical measuring device for its environmental application on HCQ control was developed. A raw cork-graphite electrochemical sensor was prepared and a simple differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) method was used for the quantitative determination of HCQ. Results indicated that the electrochemical device exhibited a clear current response, allowing one to quantify the analyte in the 5-65 µM range. The effectiveness of the electrochemical sensor was tested in different water matrices (in synthetic and real) and lower HCQ concentrations were detected. When comparing electrochemical determinations and spectrophotometric measurements, no significant differences were observed (mean accuracy 3.0%), highlighting the potential use of this sensor in different environmental applications.

Clinical and economic comparative analysis of laparotomy versus laparoscopy in the first gastric bypass surgeries in a bariatric and metabolic surgery service in a city in southern Brazil / Análise comparativa clínica e econômica das primeiras cirurgias de bypass gástrico realizado por laparotomia e bypass gástrico realizado por videolaparoscopia em um serviço de cirurgia bariátrica e metabólica de uma cidade do sul do Brasil

ABSTRACT Introduction: this paper aims to evaluate the main direct and indirect costs of the first laparotomies and laparoscopies in bariatric surgeries with a clinical-economical retrospective and cross-sectional analysis from 2017 to 2020 at a hospital with specialties besides the basic ones in southern Brazil. Methods: the study sample included 26 participants. The first 13 laparotomies, and the first 13 laparoscopies performed at the bariatric surgery service of the institution were evaluated. The values evaluated in such comparison analyzed the costs of operation and hospitalization. It is important to highlight that, in addition to the cost benefit, other costs take significance in the health area, such as: cost-utility, cost-effectiveness and cost-minimization, in addition to the cost-opportunity that is reassessed in the observation of the broad context associating all the values raised here. The software used for data analysis was Excel version® 365. The economic analysis was performed evidencing the profile of the patients and the direct and indirect costs involved in each segmentation. Results: the direct and indirect costs of videolaparoscopy amounted to BRL 10,108.10 and laparoscopy to the amount of BRL 12,568.14. Conclusion: it was concluded that laparoscopy presents more savings in the aspects of all health valuations to the detriment of laparotomy. It was concluded that the videolaparoscopy presents more savings in the aspects of all health valuations than the laparotomy.

RESUMO Introdução: o presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar os principais custos diretos e indiretos das primeiras laparotomias e videolaparoscopias em cirurgias bariátricas em uma análise clínica-econômica, retrospectiva e transversal de 2017 a 2020 em um hospital terciário do sul do Brasil. Métodos: a amostra do estudo incluiu 26 participantes. Foram avaliadas as primeiras 13 laparotomias e as primeiras 13 videolaparoscopias realizadas no serviço de cirurgia bariátrica da instituição. Os valores avaliados em tal comparação analisaram os custos da operação e da internação. É importante ressaltar que além do custo-benefício, outros custos tomam significância na área da saúde. São eles: o custo-utilidade, o custo-efetividade e o custo-minimização, além do custo-oportunidade que é reavaliado na observação do contexto amplo associando todas as valorações aqui levantadas. O software utilizado para a análise dos dados foi o Excel® versão 365. A análise econômica foi realizada evidenciando o perfil dos pacientes e os custos direto e indireto envolvidos em cada segmentação. Resultados: os custos diretos e indiretos da videolaparoscopia somaram o montante de R$ 10.108.10 e da laparoscopia o montante de R$ 12.568,14. Conclusão: concluiu-se que a videolaparoscopia apresenta mais economia nas vertentes de todas as valorizações em saúde em detrimento da laparotomia.

Selection and validation of reference genes for gene expression studies in Klebsiella pneumoniae using Reverse Transcription Quantitative real-time PCR.

For reliable results, Reverse Transcription Quantitative real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) analyses depend on stably expressed reference genes for data normalization purposes. Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic Gram-negative bacterium that has become a serious threat worldwide. Unfortunately, there is no consensus for an ideal reference gene for RT-qPCR data normalization on K. pneumoniae. In this study, the expression profile of eleven candidate reference genes was assessed in K. pneumoniae cells submitted to various experimental conditions, and the expression stability of these candidate genes was evaluated using statistical algorithms BestKeeper, NormFinder, geNorm, Delta CT and RefFinder. The statistical analyses ranked recA, rho, proC and rpoD as the most suitable reference genes for accurate RT-qPCR data normalization in K. pneumoniae. The reliability of the proposed reference genes was validated by normalizing the relative expression of iron-regulated genes in K. pneumoniae cells submitted to iron-replete and iron-limited conditions. This work emphasizes that the stable expression of any potential reference candidate gene must be validated in each physiological condition or experimental treatment under study.

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for insulinoma with preservation of the spleen.

We report on a successful laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy due to insulinoma, preserving the spleen and the splenic vessels in a 29-year-old male patient who presented with repeated syncope due to hypoglycemia. The ultrasound exam did not show the pancreatic lesion; it was only the angiotomography of the pancreas that revealed a 3-cm mass located at the transition from the body to the tail of the pancreas. The laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy was performed using a harmonic scalpel (Ethicon EndoSurgery/UltraCision), without mechanical suturing. There were no intra- or postoperative complications or hypoglycemias during the 6 months of follow-up. When it is performed by experienced laparoscopic surgeons, this is a technically feasible procedure, safe for the treatment of benign lesions of the pancreas body and tail.

Intermittent total pedicular clamping in hepatic resections in non-cirrhotic patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Evaluation of intermittent total pedicular clamping in hepatic resections in non-cirrhotic patients. METHODOLOGY: A prospective study was made of 72 patients submitted to hepatic resections using intermittent total pedicular clamping. Patients were placed in 5 groups for analysis according to the duration of liver ischemia (each 20 minutes). Tolerance of liver ischemia was assessed by analysis of postoperative morbimortality and biochemical test. RESULTS: Five patients (6.9%) died during the postoperative period and sixteen patients (23.8%) developed specific complications, however, none of the variables analyzed in this study proved to be an independent risk factor for the development of postoperative morbimortality. The transaminases presented a statistically significant relationship with duration of ischemia (P < 0.002), while the late rise was influenced by postoperative mortality (P < 0.009). Prothrombin time was influenced by the duration of ischemia and by postoperative mortality (P = 0.014) but, on the other hand, the bilirubin levels only showed the influence of mortality (P < 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Immediate postoperative liver function was better preserved in patients submitted to less than 80 minutes of clamping. The late rise of bilirubin and transaminases and the drop in prothrombin time could be considered indicators of a bad postoperative course.

A novel ß-glucosidase from Sporidiobolus pararoseus: characterization and application in winemaking.

UNLABELLED: For the first time, the production of an extracellular ß-glucosidase (Sp-ß-gl) by a Sporidiobolus pararoseus yeast strain is reported. The Sp-ß-gl activity was quantified, characterized, and assessed for its efficiency in releasing aroma-enhancing compounds in wines. The maximum enzymatic synthesis was after 72 h of growth in a complex media with 20 g/L of cellobiose. The optimal pH and temperature were 5.5 and at 50 °C, respectively. It showed a wide range of pH stability and exhibited quite high thermostability at low temperatures. In addition, this ß-glucosidase revealed tolerance to wine-associated inhibitory compounds (sugars and ethanol), showing suitable characteristics for all the stages of alcoholic fermentation. The hydrolysis of the glycosidic terpenes by Sp-ß-gl was studied by gas chromatography, and its ability to efficiently release free terpenols has been demonstrated. The concentrations of geraniol, linalool, α-terpineol, and nerol were significantly increased in treated wines. These results suggest the potential application of this new yeast ß-glucosidase as an aroma-enhancing enzyme in winemaking. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The search for new ß-glucosidase from yeast sources is important to improve the quality of wines. In this work, an S. pararoseus yeast strain has shown to be capable to produce a ß-glucosidase with suitable combination of properties for functionality in wines and with potential to increase the concentration of free aroma compounds, showing good prospects for an industrial application.

Angiodisplasia de delgado: relato de caso / Angiodysplasia os small intestine: case report

Os autores apresentam um caso de angiodisplasia da porçao alta do intestino delgado. Fazem uma revisao da literatura médica nessa entidade, ressaltando sua raridade e sua complexidade diagnóstica e terapêutica. A angiodisplasia é a causa mais freqüente de hemorragia gastrintestinal sem etiologia conhecida. Um desafio diagnóstico, uma vez que a enteroscopia, técnica de escolha, nao se encontra disponível no Brasil. Será apreciado o resultado obtido com o colonoscópio introduzido por via oral e o tratamento clínico, com o uso de fármacos, como a hormonioterapia e o octreotide.