3D printed fiber-optic nanomechanical bioprobe

Ultrasensitive nanomechanical instruments,e.g.atomic force microscopy(AFM),can be used to perform delicate biomechanical measurements and reveal the complex mechanical environment of biological processes.However,these instruments are limited because of their size and complex feedback system.In this study,we demonstrate a miniature fiber optical nanomechanical probe(FONP)that can be used to detect the mechanical properties of single cells and in vivo tissue measurements.A FONP that can operate in air and in liquids was developed by programming a microcantilever probe on the end face of a single-mode fiber using femtosecond laser two-photon polymerization nanolithography.To realize stiffness matching of the FONP and sample,a strategy of customizing the microcantilever’s spring constant according to the sample was proposed based on structure-correlated mechanics.As a proof-of concept,three FONPs with spring constants varying from 0.421 N m^(−1)to 52.6 N m^(−1)by more than two orders of magnitude were prepared.The highest microforce sensitivity was 54.5 nmμN^(−1)and the detection limit was 2.1 nN.The Young’s modulus of heterogeneous soft materials,such as polydimethylsiloxane,muscle tissue of living mice,onion cells,and MCF-7 cells,were successfully measured,which validating the broad applicability of this method.Our strategy provides a universal protocol for directly programming fiber-optic AFMs.Moreover,this method has no special requirements for the size and shape of living biological samples,which is infeasible when using commercial AFMs.FONP has made substantial progress in realizing basic biological discoveries,which may create new biomedical applications that cannot be realized by current AFMs.

Therapeutic and biological activities of Calotropis procera(Ait.) R.Br.

Medicinal plants have been used to treat various ailments of the poor population around the world;hence the interest among researchers to know the active ingredients of certain plants has being increased.The Calotropis procera(C.procera) is a plant original from Africa,commonly found in northeastern Brazil.It is well known for their pharmacological properties,since it produces large amounts of latex.The important role that medicinal plants play in folk medicine has led us to develop this article in order to review the major pharmacological activities of C. procera.

Health Education for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Observational Study

Health Education has shown itself as essential for the understanding of individuals about psychological and physical changes caused by diseases. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a severe public health problem, and it depends on health education measures for its control. A group of patients with COPD, in pneumatological medical treatment, were investigated to find information about the disease. An observational, descriptive and analytical study with analysis and application of a semistructured questionnaire to evaluate the individuals’ knowledge about the COPD. Collected data were registered and analyzed using Google Docs. The software used for the calculation of statistical measures was Microsoft Excel®. For the research participants’ characterization analysis, the use of grouped data for the frequency distribution of Sturges Rule was necessary. This study provided knowledge about which information a group of bearers of COPD receives at a college hospital providing treatment. The interviewed have an average age of 70 years old and most are women with education level between elementary and high school and diagnose time of 6.8 years. Most of the sample reported knowledge and consciousness about the disease, informed by the doctors, followed by physiotherapists. Although the role of the Ministry of Health in health education, subjects were better informed about the disease by their doctors instead of public campaigns.

Effects of Aerobic Conditioning on Individuals Post-Stroke: What Is the Evidence?

Background: Stroke has been considered the major cause of chronic disability in the world and ranks among the leading causes of death. Despite the fact that new vascular events often happen and risk factors are the same that Cardiovascular Diseases, secondary prevention through non-pharmacological measures, are not part of the routine physical rehabilitation after stroke. Objective: The aim is to answer the following clinical question: Should aerobic fitness be part of the physical rehabilitation of individuals post-stroke? Methodological Design: The methodology used in the study was an integrative literature review. Inclusion Criteria: Articles in English are published in secondary databases: systematic reviews with or without meta-analysis, which address the question PICO: patient (post-stroke), intervention (aerobic exercise), comparison (with or without aerobic conditioning) the outcome (volume of oxygen consumed peak (VO2peak), quality of life (QoL), morbidity and mortality). Outcomes: VO2peak, QoL, complications and mortality. Analysis of Studies: The methodological quality of included studies is assessed using the tools: PRISMA and R-AMSTAR. Results: There was “good” evidence for the inclusion of aerobic exercise on physical rehabilitation of post-stroke individuals to improve their physical capacity (VO2peak), facilitating the completion of activities of daily living and gait. There was weak evidence on the association of aerobic fitness with positive results on QoL in stroke victims and insufficient results to evaluate the effect of aerobic fitness on the risk of stroke recurrence and mortality. Conclusion: The aerobic conditioning should be included in the rehabilitation of stroke victims.

Gill Epithelium Ultrastructure of Oreochromis niloticus Exposed to Gradual Raised Salinity

Fish gill is a multifunctional organ with role in acid-base balance, elimination of nitrogen waste and mainly gas exchange and ion regulation. There is a high energetic coast for ionregulation in freshwater fish maintained in salt water but a raise in growing taxes was observed for some species. The freshwater Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, is widely used in aquaculture farmers and the aim of this study was to investigate the changes on the gill filaments nltrastructure in fish kept under different salinities. Alevins were obtained and transported to laboratory of studies in animal stress Federal University of Paran~. Established groups in 0%0, 16%0 and 32%0 salt water with 12 animals in each one. After 30 days of exposition, the animals were anesthetized and the second gill arches were dissected and processed for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The mitochondrial rich cells fractional area and density in the gill epithelia were determinated. The under scanning electron microscopy （SEM） in 0%0 salinity group reveal changes in the apical ridge of mitochondrial rich cells （MRCs）. In all other groups, the observations revealed numerous crypts disposed mainly in the filament epithelia. In transmission electron microscopy （TEM） two distinct types of MRCs were observed. The data of MRCFA and density revealed in 0%0 and 16%0 values significantly elevated in comparison to 32%0. Despite these lower values, the density in the gill epithelia was higher. The main differences found between the groups revealed that fish exposed to 16%o salinity have less MRCs aperture to the environment and are less related to ion regulation process.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Efficacy of P6 Acupuncture Plus Ondansetron versus Ondansetron or P6 Acupuncture in the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting after Bupivacaine-Morphine Spinal Anesthesia

Objective: To compare P6 acupuncture plus ondansetron with either ondansetron or P6 acupuncture in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients submitted to spinal anesthesia. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was performed with 90 patients undergoing orthopedic surgery under spinal anesthesia with bupivacaine, 15 to 17.5 mg, and morphine, 100 μg. They were assigned to one of the three groups: Group Ondansetron (n = 30), patients were given ondansetron, 8 mg intravenously, before spinal block was performed;Group P6 acupuncture (n = 30), patients were subjected to bilateral electrical stimulation of P6 acupoint for 30 minutes before anesthesia;and Group P6 acupuncture plus ondansetron (n = 30), the exact combination of the groups Ondansetron and P6 acupuncture. Results: In the post anesthesia care unit, the incidence of nausea and vomiting ranged from 13.3% to 26.7% and from 6.7% to 13.3%, respectively, with no significant differences among groups (p > 0.05). Ondansetron group had the highest incidence of nausea (73.3%) (p < 0.001) and vomiting (43.3%) (p < 0.001) at the ward from 0 to 24 hours, followed by P6 acupuncture (33.3% and 26.7%) and P6 acupuncture plus ondansetron groups (16.0% and 0%). Conclusion: Preoperative stimulation of P6 acupoint in combination with ondansetron has higher efficacy than either P6 acupoint stimulation or the administration of ondansetron on the prevention of PONV in patients submitted to bupivacaine-morphine spinal anesthesia.

Optimization of Expanded Polystyrene Lightweight Aggregate in Pre-Cast Concrete Blocks by a Completely Random Experimental Design (CRED) with Mixture and Process Variables

The aim of this study was to determine the optimum design mix to produce pre-cast concrete blocks by a completely random experimental design (CRED) with mixture and process variables. The polymerized concrete was studied its composition: Cement, and water defined as the mixture compounds. To choose the best model, all the possible models were assessed through the ANOVA, which tested each possible model. The linear-linear model was preferred, since that do not present evidence of lack of fit, and it is capable of relating how to react the process variables, when are changed the variable mixture condition levels. The optimum experimental condition, obtained for the polymerized concrete, was: The size of the polystyrene beads was 4.8 mm sized polystyrene beads, 5.0% polystyrene that replaced the aggregate, 18.3% cement, 73.4% aggregate and 8.3% water. In this condition, the blocks made with polymerized concrete show a compressive strength above 15 Mpa, allowing its utilization in paving.

Agroecosystems, Landscapes and Knowledge of Family Farmers from AramaçáIsland, Upper Solimões Region, Amazon

The family farmer’s knowledge about floodplains agroecosystems dynamics is part of agrobiodiversity conservation cognitive strategies. This is because the conservation in floodplains is conditioned by the ecophysiological adaptation to the period and flood gradient of the agricultural lands and by the transformations promoted in the environment by the waters pulse. The aim of this study was to understand the cognitive strategies expressed in the organized meaning of agroecosystems by local knowledge, related to the geomorphological dynamics of the Arama&#231;á Island, Amazonas, Brazil. In this research, the Case Study and Ethnoecology were adopted as approach, taking the systemic complexity paradigm as a theoretical framework. To do so, it was necessary to establish a dialogue with the local knowledge through multitemporal analyses of satellite images, historical series of hydrological data, as well as cartographic documents of the locality. The floodplains amphibian mark, as a living organism in permanent autopoietic process, seems to be imprinted in the family farmer’s knowledge. In order to live in the floodplains and of floodplains, it is necessary, above all, to develop a cognitive ability capable of understanding not only the rivers action on the lands, but also that of the lands on the rivers as well. Therefore, the geomorphological dynamics in the spaces managed by the family farmers impose on them, risks and uncertainties, demanding from them strategies that allow knowing and dealing with this complexity.

The Potential of Activated Carbon in the Treatment of Water for Human Consumption, a Study of the State of the Art and Its Techniques Used for Its Development

This review article addresses the use of biological activated carbon in water treatment and its techniques for its development, with the premise of analyzing the potential of Activated Carbon (AC) in the treatment of water for human consumption. For this end, it aims to identify the techniques used for the production of AC, use and its benefits, production from vegetable waste for water treatment. Activated carbon has the ability to selectively collect gases, liquids and impurities inside its pores, which is the reason it is widely used in filtration systems and for that the treatment of water, the coal fulfills the function of adsorbent, retaining in its pores certain types of impurities: large particles that cause undesirable color, taste or odor in the water. In the treatment of effluents, coal is used for clarification, deodorization and purification of effluents.

Evaluation of Pulmonary Function in Adults with Grade Ⅲ Obesity

Pulmonary function studies in obese individuals have alerted the pathophysiological changes due to weight gain. However, these changes are not fully explained yet. Objective: To evaluate and analyze the pulmonary function of obese adults in the city of Manaus (AM, Brazil) and to correlate the parameters of spirometry with weight and BMI. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study, in which pulmonary function of 22 adults with grade III obesity was evaluated pre and post bronchodilator administration, performed at the Adriano Jorge Hospital Foundation—FHAJ. Results: Of the 22 patients evaluated, 6 were male and 16 were female;mean age was 37.1 ± 7.4 years, with a weight of 134.2 ± 28.6 kg and a BMI of 51.1 ± 9.4 kg/m2, corresponding to grade III obesity. Spirometry showed a reduction in values obtained from Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second (FEV1) and Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) in relation to those predicted, with 23% of restrictive disorders. There were negative correlations between BMI and PEF, weight and FVC, weight and PEF. The P value for correlation of weight and FEV1 is not statistically significant. Conclusion: Restrictive and obstructive disorders are prevalent in the population with grade III obesity. Correlations between pulmonary function and BMI/weight were negative for this specific population.

Isolated Autoimmune Orchitis Due to IgG4 Hypersecretion Presenting as Tumor-Like Mass: Case Report and Review of Literature

Background: IgG4-related disease is a rare autoimmune condition that presents with lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate and fibrosis in the organ affected. Isolated testicle involvement is uncommon and there are only a few cases reported in the literature. Case Presentation: We report a case of isolated chronic orchitis due to IgG4 hypersecretion in a 61-year-old patient that evolved with asymptomatic tumor-like mass growth and was treated with left orchiectomy. Histopathological study revealed orchitis related to IgG4 hypersecretion disease. Conclusion: IgG4-related disease can be manifested as a multi or single-organ disorder. Most diagnoses are made after surgery with histopathological analysis. Most of the cases in literature stand out the difficulty in diagnosis and necessity of high suspicion due to this condition’s similarity with neoplasm presentation.

On the Spectra of a Family of Geometric Operators Evolving with Geometric Flows

In this work we generalise various recent results on the evolution and monotonicity of the eigenvalues of certain family of geometric operators under some geometric flows.In an attempt to understand the arising similarities we formulate two conjectures on the monotonicity of the eigenvalues of Schrodinger operators under geometric flows.We also pose three questions which we consider to be of a general interest.