Fluorescence Spectroscopy Applied in the Identification of Lubricant Oils

In this work, we report the use of fluorescence spectroscopy to identify lubricant oils. Optical characterization was performed in four commercial lubricant oils that are used in reciprocating compressors. Mid-infrared absorption of samples indicates the presence of aromatic rings showing bands at 1605 cm-1 (C=C stretching) and 815 cm-1 (C–H stretch out of plane). UV-VIS absorption spectra show bands of di- and polyaromatic rings (around 230 nm and 260 nm, respectively). By exciting the samples at 360 nm, a broad emission band centered at 440 nm is observed, indicating that this excitation is appropriate to be used for the diagnosis of oil presence in the environment. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v10i1.103

Fluorescence Spectroscopy Applied in the Identification of Lubricant Oils

In this work, we report the use of fluorescence spectroscopy to identify lubricant oils. Optical characterization was performed in four commercial lubricant oils that are used in reciprocating compressors. Mid-infrared absorption of samples indicates the presence of aromatic rings showing bands at 1605 cm-1 (C=C stretching) and 815 cm-1 (C–H stretch out of plane). UV-VIS absorption spectra show bands of di- and polyaromatic rings (around 230 nm and 260 nm, respectively). By exciting the samples at 360 nm, a broad emission band centered at 440 nm is observed, indicating that this excitation is appropriate to be used for the diagnosis of oil presence in the environment. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v10i1.103

INCIDÊNCIA DE TROMBOSE VENOSA PROFUNDA EM JOELHO FLUTUANTE

Objective: To report the incidence between Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) in ipsilateral femur and tibia fractures (floating knee), considering its relation with hospitalization time, fracture classification, treatment implemented and comorbidities. Methods: This is a retrospective observational analytical study using the medical charts of thirty patients admitted with floating knee to a trauma hospital between October 2016 and July 2017. Results: Of the 30 patients assessed, 25 (83%) were men and 5 (17%) women. The most affected age range was between 21 and 30 years (36%). The dominant limb was affected in 17 (57%) patients. A total of 19 (63%) patients were classified as Fraser type I, 18 (60%) had open (compound) fractures, 16 (53%) fractures of the tibia and 8 (26%) of the femur. The most widely used emergency treatment was external fixation of the femur and tibia (25 patients = 83%). Seven patients used a femur plate and external fixator in the tibia as definitive treatment. Of the 30 patients studied, 14 (46%) suffered infectious complications, 9 (30%) superficial and 5 (16%) deep. Deep venous thrombosis was observed in 17% of patients (p=0.409).  Conclusion: Despite the use of antithrombotic prophylaxis, there was a high incidence of DVT in the affected limb of patients with floating knee. Fraser I fractures, being male and the non-dominant limb increases the likelihood of developing DVT. Level of Evidence: Level IObjetivo: Relatar a incidência de trombose venosa profunda (TVP) em fratura ipsilateral de fêmur e tíbia (joelho flutuante), levando-se em conta sua relação com o tempo de internação, com a classificação da fratura, o tempo para fazer o procedimento cirúrgico, o tratamento implementado e com as comorbidades. Materiais e métodos: Realizado um estudo retrospectivo, observacional e analítico por meio da avaliação de prontuários de trinta pacientes admitidos com joelho flutuante em um hospital de trauma durante o período de outubro de 2016 a julho de 2017.  Resultados: Dos 30 pacientes avaliados, foi observado que 25 (83%) dos pacientes eram do gênero masculino e 5 (17%) dos pacientes eram do gênero feminino. A faixa etária mais acometida foi entre 21 e 30 anos (36%). O acometimento do membro dominante ocorreu em 17 (57%) dos pacientes avaliados. Dezenove (63%) pacientes acometidos foram classificados como Fraser Tipo I. Dezoito (60%) pacientes tiveram fratura exposta, sendo 16 (53%) em tíbia e 8 (26%) em fêmur. O tratamento mais utilizado como urgência foi o de controle de danos com fixador externo em fêmur e tíbia (25 pacientes ou 83%). Sete pacientes utilizaram placa no fêmur e fixador externo na tíbia como tratamento definitivo. Dos 30 pacientes estudados, 14 (46%) tiveram complicações infecciosas, sendo 9 (30%) superficiais e 5 (16%) profundas. Observamos trombose venosa profunda em 17% dos pacientes (p=0,409).  Conclusão: Apesar do uso da profilaxia antitrombótica medicamentosa, houve uma grande incidência de TVP no membro acometido em pacientes com joelho flutuante na população estudada. As fraturas classificadas como Fraser I, pacientes do sexo masculino e o membro não dominante levaram ao aumento da probabilidade do surgimento de TVP. Nível de Evidência: Nível

Analise do perfil lipidico de uma populacao de estudantes universitarios

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the lipid profile in a population of university students. METHODS: cross-sectional study with 702 students, of both genders enrolled in various courses at a public university in Fortaleza-CE. The demographic data and data on lifestyle habits were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The blood collection was performed in a clinical laboratory. RESULTS: showed a predominantly young population, with a mean age of 21.5 years with more females (62.7%). High levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol and cholesterol associated with low density lipoprotein (LDL-c) were found in 23.0%, 9.7% and 5.9% of students, respectively. The cholesterol associated with high density lipoprotein (HDL-c) was at reduced values in 12.0% of subjects and was significantly associated with smoking (p=0.0231) and physical inactivity (p=0.0357). CONCLUSION: changes in lipid profile are present in the young population and intervention studies should be encouraged in order to reduce the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in adulthood.OBJETIVO: evaluar el perfil lipídico en una población de estudiantes universitarios. MÉTODO: se trata de estudio transversal realizado en 702 alumnos, de ambos géneros, matriculados en los diversos cursos de una universidad pública de Fortaleza, estado de Ceará. Los datos sociodemográficos y los relativos a los hábitos de vida fueron recolectados mediante un cuestionario tipo autollenado. La recolección sanguínea fue realizada en un laboratorio de análisis clínicos. RESULTADOS: prevaleció una población joven, con media de edad de 21,5 años y del género femenino (62,7%). Valores elevados de triglicéridos, colesterol total y colesterol asociado a la lipoproteína de baja densidad (LDL-c) fueron encontrados en 23,0%, 9,7% y 5,9% de los alumnos, respectivamente. El colesterol asociado a la lipoproteína de alta densidad (HDL-c) mostró valores disminuidos en 12,0% de los sujetos y presentó asociación estadísticamente significativa con el tabaquismo (p=0,0231) y sedentarismo (p=0,0357). CONCLUSIÓN: las alteraciones en el perfil lipídico están presentes en la población joven y los estudios de intervención deben ser incentivados con la finalidad de disminuir la prevalencia de enfermedades cardiovasculares en la edad adulta.OBJETIVO: avaliar o perfil lipídico de uma população de estudantes universitários. MÉTODO: estudo transversal, realizado com 702 alunos, de ambos os gêneros, matriculados nos diversos cursos de uma universidade pública de Fortaleza, CE. Os dados sociodemográficos e os relativos aos hábitos de vida foram coletados mediante questionário autopreenchido. A coleta sanguínea foi realizada em um laboratório de análises clínicas. RESULTADOS: prevaleceu uma população jovem, com média de idade de 21,5 anos e do gênero feminino (62,7%). Valores elevados de triglicerídeos, colesterol total e colesterol associado à lipoproteína de baixa densidade foram encontrados em 23,0%, 9,7% e 5,9% dos alunos, respectivamente. O colesterol associado à lipoproteína de alta densidade apresentou-se com valores diminuídos em 12,0% dos sujeitos, apresentando, também, associação estatisticamente significativa com o tabagismo (p=0,0231) e sedentarismo (p=0,0357). CONCLUSÃO: alterações no perfil lipídico estão presentes na população jovem e estudos de intervenção devem ser incentivados com a finalidade de diminuir a prevalência de doenças cardiovasculares na idade adulta

Previous BCG vaccination is associated with less severe clinical progression of COVID-19

Background: BCG vaccination, originally used to prevent tuberculosis, is known to “train” the immune system to improve defence against viral respiratory infections. We investigated whether a previous BCG vaccination is associated with less severe clinical progression of COVID-19./ Methods: A case-control study comparing the proportion with a BCG vaccine scar (indicating previous vaccination) in cases and controls presenting with COVID-19 to health units in Brazil. Cases were subjects with severe COVID-19 (O2 saturation < 90%, severe respiratory effort, severe pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, sepsis, and septic shock). Controls had COVID-19 not meeting the definition of “severe” above. Unconditional regression was used to estimate vaccine protection against clinical progression to severe disease, with strict control for age, comorbidity, sex, educational level, race/colour, and municipality. Internal matching and conditional regression were used for sensitivity analysis./ Results: BCG was associated with high protection against COVID-19 clinical progression, over 87% (95% CI 74–93%) in subjects aged 60 or less and 35% (95% CI − 44–71%) in older subjects./ Conclusions: This protection may be relevant for public health in settings where COVID-19 vaccine coverage is still low and may have implications for research to identify vaccine candidates for COVID-19 that are broadly protective against mortality from future variants. Further research into the immunomodulatory effects of BCG may inform COVID-19 therapeutic research.

Previous BCG vaccination is associated with less severe clinical progression of COVID-19

BACKGROUND: BCG vaccination, originally used to prevent tuberculosis, is known to "train" the immune system to improve defence against viral respiratory infections. We investigated whether a previous BCG vaccination is associated with less severe clinical progression of COVID-19 METHODS: A case-control study comparing the proportion with a BCG vaccine scar (indicating previous vaccination) in cases and controls presenting with COVID-19 to health units in Brazil. Cases were subjects with severe COVID-19 (O2 saturation < 90%, severe respiratory effort, severe pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, sepsis, and septic shock). Controls had COVID-19 not meeting the definition of "severe" above. Unconditional regression was used to estimate vaccine protection against clinical progression to severe disease, with strict control for age, comorbidity, sex, educational level, race/colour, and municipality. Internal matching and conditional regression were used for sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: BCG was associated with high protection against COVID-19 clinical progression, over 87% (95% CI 74-93%) in subjects aged 60 or less and 35% (95% CI - 44-71%) in older subjects. CONCLUSIONS: This protection may be relevant for public health in settings where COVID-19 vaccine coverage is still low and may have implications for research to identify vaccine candidates for COVID-19 that are broadly protective against mortality from future variants. Further research into the immunomodulatory effects of BCG may inform COVID-19 therapeutic research

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear un derstanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5–7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8–11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world’s most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepre sented in biodiversity databases.13–15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may elim inate pieces of the Amazon’s biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological com munities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple or ganism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region’s vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most ne glected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lostinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio