Antioxidants Enzymes Activities and NO Levels in Hemodialysis and Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis—A Comparative Study

It consists of a retrospective study with twenty-two individuals diagnosed with DRC: fourteen HD and eight CAPD, followed up in the dialysis center of Antonio Pedro University Hospital (HUAP) of Fluminense Federal University (UFF), between 2015 and 2017. Fifteen healthy control (HC) subjects were included, without diagnosed CKD. Patients with HIV positive, hepatitis A, B, and C, pregnant, cancer, smokers, alcoholics and those exposed to X-rays in the last 3 months, were excluded. Objectives: As oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction may be linked to the higher prevalence of CVD in CKD patients, we measured the activities of the antioxidants enzymes: SOD and GPx and total NO levels in the plasma and serum of end-stage CKD patients undergoing dialysis therapy, comparing with the HC group. Methods: Quantification of NO levels was performed by fluorometric kit, while activities of SOD and GPx were determined using kinetic methods. Results: We found higher plasma SOD activity in HD (8.58 U/ml) and CAPD (10.14 U/ml), compared to C (3.73 U/ml) group, while GPx activity was decreased in HD (115.38 nmol/h/ml) and CAPD (122.76 nmol/h/ml) groups compared to HC group (275.83 nmol/h/ml). Total serum NO concentration was decreased in HD (14.09 pmol/μl) and CAPD (10.26 pmol/μl), compared to non-CKD patients (49.65 pmol/μl). Conclusion: Decreased total serum NO and GPx activities may lead to endothelial dysfunction and consequently a higher prevalence of CVD in CKD patients.

Mechanisms and Associated Factors of Nocturia in Women Attending Two Urogynecology Clinics: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Nocturia has a multifactorial etiology, and its diagnostic approach involves, in addition to medical history and physical examination, the use of a bladder diary to define the pathophysiological mechanisms present in each case. Methods: This study investigated the prevalence of nocturia, its mechanisms, and associated factors in women with lower urinary tract symptoms attending two urogynecology clinics in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Anamnesis, physical examination, and a 24-hour bladder diary were conducted. Two definitions of nocturia were considered: one or more nighttime voids and two or more nighttime voids. Mann-Whitney and Chi-square tests were used, with p-value ≤ 0.05 considered significant. Results: A total of 133 participants were included. The majority were aged 60 years or older (61.4%) and had three or more comorbidities (66.7%), with systemic arterial hypertension being the most prevalent (59.1%). Of the total participants, 54 (41.4%) completed the bladder diary. Among those with one or more nighttime voids (70.7%), the prevalence of nocturnal polyuria was 69.1%, reduced nocturnal bladder capacity was 17.3%, and global polyuria was 12.9%. Among participants with two or more nighttime voids (56.4%), the prevalences were respectively 68.2%, 19.1%, and 13.6%. Among the mechanisms, associations were found only with global polyuria, namely: use of insulin, body mass index and tobacco consumption. An association was also found between recurrent urinary tract infection and global polyuria in participants with two or more nighttime voids. Conclusions: The prevalence of nocturia was higher than that reported in general population studies and specialized services for lower urinary tract symptoms. Nocturnal polyuria was the most prevalent mechanism. Associations were observed between the use of insulin, body mass index, tobacco consumption, and recurrent urinary tract infection with global polyuria. No associations were found between any clinical or demographic variables and nocturnal polyuria or reduced nocturnal bladder capacity.

Irritable bowel syndrome:A clinical review

Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)remains a clinical challenge in the 21st century.It’s the most commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal condition and also the most common reason for referral to gastroenterology clinics.Its can affect up to one in five people at some point in their lives,and has a significantly impact of life quality and health care utilization.The prevalence varies according to country and criteria used to define IBS.Various mechanisms and theories have been proposed about its etiology,but the biopsychosocial model is the most currently accepted for IBS.The complex of symptoms would be the result of the interaction between psychological,behavioral,psychosocial and environmental factors.The diagnosis of IBS is not confirmed by a specific test or structural abnormality.It is made using criteria based on clinical symptoms such as Rome criteria,unless the symptoms are thought to be atypical.Today the Rome CriteriaⅢis the current goldstandard for the diagnoses of IBS.Secure positive evidence of IBS by means of specific disease marker is currently not possible and cannot be currently recommended for routine diagnosis.There is still no clinical evidence to recommend the use of biomarkers in blood to diagnose IBS.However,a number of different changes in IBS patients were demonstrated in recent years,some of which can be used in the future as a diagnostic support.IBS has no definitive treatment but could be controlled by non-pharmacologic management eliminating of some exacerbating factors such certain drugs,stressor conditions and changes in dietary habits.The traditional pharmacologic management of IBS has been symptom based and several drugs have been used.However,the cornerstone of its therapy is a solid patient physician relationship.This review will provide a summary of pathophysiology,diagnostic criteria and current and emerging therapies for IBS.

Bioactive Amines: Aspects of Quality and Safety in Food

Presented in several types of food, bioactive amines are described as organic bases of low molecular weight. They have vasoactive, psychoactive and toxicological characteristics and constitute a potential health risk. The concentration of amines formed in foods depends on the type of microorganisms present, the action of decarboxylase enzymes produced by microorganisms on specific amino acids and favorable conditions for enzymatic activity. The presence of these chemical metabolites has been suggested as a quality indicator in routine analyzes for food production and marketing monitoring. The detection of bioactive amines can be performed by chromatographic methods, fluorometric and enzymatic kits. Bioactive amine formation can be prevented mainly through the adoption of good manufacturing practices, but the industry can also use other methods such as temperature control in the production chain, modified atmosphere packaging and food irradiation. This review aims to address the formation of bioactive amines in foods, emphasizing the formation and classification of these metabolites, aspects related to health, acceptable limits, detection methods and control methods used in the industry to ensure food safety and quality. The success of this approach is linked to the importance of bioactive amines as quality indicators, as well as the discussion on the development of methodologies for determining these substances and discussion of acceptable parameters in food.

Integrated risk management: a Petrobras application in offshore well construction safety to minimize critical emergency disconnections

In order to avoid mistakes and to save a great deal of time in analysis, an innovative methodology was developed that can analyze the well operations and rig characteristics involved to define the best emergency disconnect sequence （EDS） available. A solution was developed based on the characteristics of the rigs and blowout preventers （BOPs）, and six variables were considered that directly affect the choice of EDS. All possible combinations of 64 scenarios were analyzed, and the priority of choice of the EDS was defined empirically. This paper presents an approach to EDS risk management and examples of exposure time （time without riser safety margin and shear capability） for the same well, which can be lowered from 13% to 0.1%. The impact of this reduction is related to the ability of the BOP to cut some of the heavy casings, in addition to improved availability of EDS modes. This implementation opened up many possibilities for the performance of risk exposure analysis, enabling comparison of several BOP configurations of contracted rigs and selection of the best options. This innovative approach allowed a better management of the rig schedules, prioritizing safety aspects and making it possible to allocate the fleet in a systematic way.

Discrepancies between the responses to skin prick test to food and respiratory antigens in two subtypes of patients with irritable bowel syndrome

AIM:To compare the response to skin prick tests (SPTs) to food antigens (FAs) and inhalant allergens (IAs) in patients with two subtypes of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and healthy controls. METHODS:We compared the results of SPTs for IAs and FAs in 87 volunteers divided into three groups:diarrhea predominant IBS (D-IBS) GroupⅠ(n = 19), constipation predominant IBS (C-IBS) Group Ⅱ (n = 17), and normal controls Group Ⅲ (n = 51). RESULTS:Of the 285 tests (171 for FAs and 114 for IAs) performed in GroupⅠwe obtained 45 (26.3%) positive responses for FA and 23 (20.1%) for IA. Of the 153 tests for FA in Group Ⅱ, we obtained 66 (20.1%) positive responses, and of the 102 tests for IA, we obtained 20 (19.6%) positive responses. Of the 459 tests for FA performed in Group Ⅲ, we obtained 39 (84%) positive responses, and of the 306 for IA, we obtained 52 (16.9%) positive responses. The numbers of positive responses were not significantly different between the three groups, but in the D-IBS group, the number of SPTFA responses differed significantly from those for the other two groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION:Despite the small number of cases studied, the higher reactivity to FAs in GroupⅠcompared to Groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ adds new information, and suggests the presence of a possible alteration in intestinal epithelial function.

Actinic prurigo of the lip: Two case reports

Actinic prurigo is a photodermatosis that can affect the skin, conjunctiva and lips. It is caused by an abnormal reaction to sunlight and is more common in high-altitude living people, mainly in indigenous descendants. The diagnosis of actinic prurigo can be challenging, mainly when lip lesions are the only manifestation, which is not a common clinical presentation. The aim of this article is to report two cases of actinic prurigo showing only lip lesions. The patients were Afro-American and were unaware of possible Indian ancestry. Clinical exam, photographs, videoroscopy examination and biopsy were performed, and the diagnosis of actinic prurigo was established. Topical corticosteroid and lip balm with ultraviolet protection were prescribed with excellent results. The relevance of this report is to show that although some patients may not demonstrate the classical clinical presentation of actinic prurigo, the associated clinical and histological exams are determinants for the correct diagnosis and successful treatment of this disease.

定向凝固亚共晶Al−Cu合金显微组织演化和显微偏析:实验数据和相场模拟结果比较

利用相场模型预测Al−Cu合金的显微偏析、凝固速度、枝晶臂间距和枝晶形貌,并将模拟结果与实验结果进行比较。计算中采用冷却速率和有效分配系数的实验值。相场模拟的显微偏析结果与实验值吻合良好,这是由于模型中考虑冷却速率、有效分配系数和溶质的反扩散。凝固速度的计算结果与实验结果吻合较好。将通过相场模型计算的三次枝晶臂间距与实验数据进行比较,两者吻合较好。由于高冷却速率对显微组织的细化作用,枝晶臂间距随位置增大而增大。最后,通过二维模拟得到与实验结果相似的枝晶形貌。

Numerical Simulation of Microstructural Evolution via Phase-Field Model Coupled to the Solutal Interaction Mechanism

A phase-field model coupled to the multiphase/multiscale model is used to simulate the microstructural morphology and predict the CET during solidification. The considered mechanism for the CET is based on interactions of solute between the equiaxed grains and the advancing columnar front. The results for the solute concentration in liquid region, dendrite tip velocity, volume fraction of the liquid and solid are presented and discussed. The phase-field model is used to simulate the dendritic morphology of an alloy directionally solidified, by imposing a constant temperature gradient. The simulation of the equiaxed grains growth requires a further important element, the growth of grains with different crystallographic orientations. The grain orientations are generated randomly for each nucleus introduced in computational domain. Finally, the coupling results between the multiphase/multiscale model and phase-field are presented and discussed. For higher nuclei density present in the melt, a shorter distance between mold wall and the equiaxed zone in the solidification process can be observed. A solute concentration boundary layer exists in the liquid along the columnar grain contour. The concentrations in the solid indicate the presence of a microsegregation pattern. The simulated results show that the solidification features are consistent with those observed based on the metallographic examinations of cast microstructures reported in the literature.

Clinical hematological and biochemical parameters in Swiss,BALB/c,C57BL/6 and B6D2F1 Mus musculus

Background:Animal models are widely used in scientific research in order to obtain information from a whole organism under a specific set of experimental conditions.Various lineages of mice have been used to investigate diseases and new therapeutic strategies,and,consequently,hematological and biochemical tests in these laboratory animals are essential to validate scientific studies.Our study seeks to establish reference values for hematological and biochemical parameters of four lineages of mice.Methods:We evaluated the hematological and biochemical profiles of 20 males and 20 females from the lineages Swiss(heterogeneous),BALB/c and C57BL/6(isogenic),and B6D2F1(hybrid),totaling 160 mice.Analysis were standardized using the systems pocH-100iV Diff™for 19 hematological parameters and VITROS®350 for 12 biochemical parameters.Results:Results are shown as means and standard deviation,grouped by lineage and genre.Comparing the values obtained in this study with the values from previous studies,some variations were detected,which could be explained by differences in methodologies or individual variability.Conclusion:Thus our study shows that knowledge and disclosure of the values of physiological parameters of laboratory animals is necessary,and emphasises the importance of considering variations influenced by gender,lineage and genotype in the choice of the best experimental model.

Main Microbial Genres and Its Profile of Resistance and Sensitivity to Antimicrobials Used in the Treatment of Oncological Patients with Febril Neutropenia

Objective: To determine the main microbial genotypes and their antimicrobial resistance and susceptibility profile commonly used in the treatment of oncologic patients with febrile neutropenia, carried out through the review of the clinical histories of the patients’ medical records at the Hospital do Cancer de Muriaé-Fundacao Cristiano Varella. Methods: Quantitative research, determined the susceptibility profile of microorganisms in patients with febrile neutropenia from April 2007 to April 2008 by reviewing clinical histories of patients’ medical records at the referred hospital. Results: Of the total of 8 patients evaluated with Gram-negative microorganisms, 50% of the patients were female and 50% were male. Of the 18 patients evaluated with Gram-positive microorganisms 66% were female and 34% male. Gram-positive bacteria are prevalent and cause around 60% of documented bacteremias, although Gram-negative bacteria are more common in febrile neutropenic patientes. Conclusion: Exaggerated use of antimicrobials in hospitalized patients leads to the suppression of drug-sensitive microorganisms from the intestinal flora and promotes the persistence and growth of resistant bacteria. The antibiotic should be used in a curative manner with other therapeutic measures with the determined bacterial infection.

Effectiveness of traffic light system on Brazilian consumers perception of food healthfulness

Front-of-package(FOP)nutrition labelling schemes were developed to improve consumer’s comprehension about the food nutrients associated with non-communicable diseases(NCDs).Several FOPs have already been developed,and Brazil is in the process of evaluating a scheme to introduce in the products.The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of TLS,the scheme proposed by the food industry,on the product healthfulness perception.A study with 141 participants was carried out.A conjoint task was designed considering three categories and levels:types of dairy products(light yogurt,prato cheese,and chocolate flavoured milk),Traffic Light System(yes vs.no)and brand(well-known vs.unknown).The effect of TLS on perceived healthfulness was evaluated using a 9-point scales(1:not healthy;9:very healthy).Results showed that the inclusion of TLS did not influence the perceived healthfulness of the products by consumers,even among consumers with higher interest in healthy eating.These findings suggest that the proposal supported by the food industry does not seem to be the most appropriate,being recommended the development of further studies to compare the efficacy of TLS and other FOP schemes.

Productivity Monitoring of Land Pipelines Welding via Control Chart Using the Monte Carlo Simulation

This article evaluates the efficacy of a tool developed in the Monte Carlo simulation and referred to as control chart. This tool is used in order to detect changes in productivity resulting from the occurrence of a given event during the welding of land pipelines with self shielded flux cored wire (FCAW). The elaboration of this control chart is based on the data from the Cumulative Probability Density Function (CDF) curve, and generated in the Monte Carlo simulation using version 6 of the Palisade Corporation’s @Risk software for Excel, in a sample with productivity data from 29 welded joints, gathered through direct observation which considers the productive and unproductive times. In order to evaluate the control chart efficacy, the performance of welding productivity with a FCAW process with low alloy steels has been assessed during 29 days, summing up to 842 welded joints registered on “Relatórios Diários de Obras” (Construction Works Daily Reports). The results show that the model developed for the control chart elaboration is effective in monitoring the productivity of the observed welding procedure.

Neurorestorative Effects of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy after Stroke: An Integrative Review

Stroke has been considered as one of the main causes of death and of motor and cognitive sequels. Especially, many patients with upper limb hemiparesis improved their motor action and showed meaningful cortical changes after treatment with constraint-induced movement therapy. Therefore, this review aims to verify the literature about neuroimaging and behavioral evidences in the cortical reorganization through the use of the constraint-induced movement therapy. So, we conducted the literature research in indexed journals from many databases like Pubmed, Medline, Cochrane Database, Lilacs and Scielo. We concluded that the behavioral and neuroimaging studies using traditional and modified constraint-induced movement therapy promote cortical reorganization.