Obtención por vía SHS-AE de compuesto cerámico αSiC-αAl2O3-CaAl4O7

El presente trabajo muestra los resultados experimentales de la obtención del compuesto cerámico SiC-Al2O3-CaAl 4O7 mediante el proceso SHS-AE (síntesis auto-sostenida de alta temperatura combinada con arco eléctrico) a partir del sistema vidrio sódico-cálcico-Al-C. Se utilizó horno de arco eléctrico con atmósfera de argón para la reducción del contenido de sílice presente en el vidrio con aluminio.La combinación de la energía de la reacción de formación del Al2O3 con la del arco eléctrico provee suficiente energía térmica para superar las barreras cinéticas asociadas con la reacción de formación de los componentes cerámicos.A partir de las relaciones estequiométricas de las materias primas, (polvos que se compactan en forma de pastilla) se efectúa la síntesis alcanzando una temperatura superior a los 2500 K formándose el compuesto SiC-Al2O3-CaAl 4O7. Las muestras obtenidas se caracterizaron por DRX y MEB-EDX confirmando la obtención simultánea de αSiC-αAl2O3-CaAl4O7

Variações Longitudinais de Lipoproteínas de Baixa Densidade Oxidadas Associadas à Artéria "Culpada" no Enfarte do Miocárdio com Elevação ST - um Marcador Promissor?

The aim of the present study was to investigate variations in oxidized LDL (oxLDL) at the onset of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and over the recovery period, exploring their relationship with coronary disease severity. A follow-up of 50 AMI patients was evaluated against 25 healthy volunteers (reference group). The AMI patients were evaluated at three time points: at admission before the administration of IIb/IIIa inhibitors and angioplasty, and two and 40 days after intervention. Plasma oxLDL concentrations were measured by ELISA. oxLDL was found to be significantly higher in AMI patients in the acute phase relative to reference levels, decreasing progressively over the recovery period. The results also demonstrated that oxLDL levels were decreased in patients with the left circumflex artery (LCX) as culprit vessel compared to the left anterior descending coronary (LAD) or right coronary artery (RCA). The results highlight a significant increase in oxLDL concentration related to coronary artery disease severity, as conditions such as LCX lesions are usually associated with a favorable prognosis, contrasting with LAD-associated conditions that can compromise large areas of myocardium. The results thus suggest that oxLDL may constitute a promising marker in assessment of AMI evolution

Use of refractory chromites for obtaining fluxes amassed employed in submerged arc welding (SAW)

11 páginas, 2 figuras, 8 tablal.[ES] En el presente trabajo se obtienen ferrocromo de alto carbono (ferrocromo de carga) y escorias a partir del proceso de reducción de cromitas refractarias. Mediante la utilización de un diseño de experimento de relaciones entre componentes, se estudia la obtención de aleaciones y escorias. La composición química de ambas garantiza su aplicación para la conformación de cargas aleantes y matrices de fundentes aglomerados, para el relleno superficial mediante soldadura automática por arco sumergido (SAW). El proceso de fusión-reducción se realiza en un horno eléctrico de arco.[EN] In the present work high carbon ferrochrome (load ferrochrome) and slags are obtained, starting frora the métallurgie reductive processing of refractory chromites. The obtaining of alloys and slags is studied using an experiment design based in the relationships among components. The chemical compositions of alloys and slags guarantee their application for the conformation of alloys loads and matrix fluxes amassed for the superficial filling by means of submerged arc welding (SAW). The melting-reduction process is carried out in an electric arc furnace.Peer reviewe

Simultaneous obtention of multicomponent ferroalloy and slag from black sands for the development of electrical arc welding consumables

10 páginas, 3 figuras, 8 tablas.[ES] En este trabajo se expone una caracterización química y mineralógica de las arenas negras del placer Mejías de Sagua de Tánamo, el más importante placer litoral de playa del noroeste de Cuba Oriental. A partir de estas caracterizaciones se desarrolla una estrategia de cálculo para la confección de la carga metalúrgica, que permite obtener, simultáneamente, al ser procesada por reducción carbotérmica en un homo de arco eléctrico, una ferroaleación multicomponente y una escoria útil para la confección de consumibles de soldadura por arco eléctrico. El polvo de la escoria obtenida se aglomera con vidrio líquido. Los pelets resultantes y su comportamiento en la soldadura automática por arco sumergido (SAW), presentan propiedades metalúrgicas y tecnológicas que satisfacen los requisitos de una matriz de un fundente aglomerado. La composición química de la ferroaleación multicomponente está constituida por elementos metálicos: vanadio, cromo, molibdeno, titanio y niobio (V, Cr, Mo, Ti y Nb) de alto valor metalúrgico y aleante, apropiada para la formulación de cargas aleantes de consumibles tanto para la soldadura manual (SMAW) como para la SAW.[EN] In this paper, chemical and mineralogical characterizations of the black sands of the Mejias placer of Sagua de Tánamo (the most important beach littoral placer of the northwest of oriental Cuba) are exposed. Starting from these characterizations a calculation strategy is developed for the making of the metallurgical load that allows to obtain simultaneously, when processed by carbothermic reduction in an electrical arc furnace, a multicomponent ferroalloy and a useful slag for the making of electric arch welding consumables. The powder of the obtained slag is agglomerated with liquid glass. The resulting pellets, due to their behavior on the submerged arc welding (SAW) present technological and metallurgical properties that correspond with the requirements of an agglomerated flux matrix. The chemical composition of the multicomponent ferroalloy is constituted by metallic elements of high metallurgical and alloyed values (V, Cr, Mo, Ti, Nb). It is appropriate for the formulation of consumables for manual welding (SMAW) and SAW, as well.Peer reviewe

Cuidados veterinários e infeção parasitária em animais de companhia

Apresentação em painelOs cuidados de higiene e sanidade são medidas preventivas muito importantes para o bem-estar animal e proteção da saúde pública. Neste contexto, o médico veterinário e as clínicas que atualmente oferecem uma grande variedade de serviços, representam um papel fundamental na relação, Homem, animal e meio ambiente. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar as espécies animais que mais frequentam uma clínica médico-veterinária, os cuidados que os proprietários têm, os problemas mais frequentes e quais os métodos de prevenção utilizados. Pretendeu-se ainda avaliar a fauna parasitária presente em felídeos e canídeos seguidos na clínica. O estudo realizou-se entre fevereiro e junho de 2011, acompanhando-se 133 casos clínicos e a realização de 113 inquéritos aos proprietários. Efetuaram-se recolhas de fezes, num total de 86 amostras (78 de cães/8 de gatos), que foram sujeitas a análise coprológica qualitativas pela técnica de Willis. Verificou-se que a maioria dos proprietários, tinha idade compreendida entre 21-40 anos (50,44%), era do sexo feminino (57,52%), tinha estudos superiores (43,36%) e residia em Santarém (79,65%). Em relação aos animais, sobressaíram os canídeos (84,21%), dos quais a maioria tinha idade compreendida entre >18 meses-6 anos (42,86%), era do sexo feminino (57,14%), de raça pura (66,07%), com porte pequeno (42,86%) e pelagem curta (61,61%). Relativamente aos felídeos igualmente predominaram a idade entre >18 meses-6 anos (36,84%), o sexo feminino (68,42%) e a pelagem curta (78,95%), mas de raça indeterminada (78,95%). Dos novos animais de companhia observados, 50,00% tinham idade compreendida entre > 6m-18m e os outros entre > 18m-6a; situação idêntica observou-se em relação ao sexo. Prevaleceram as consultas de rotina (67,67%) e dentro destas as de sanidade foram superiores (65,17%). Nos tratamentos predominou o uso de medicamentos (86,36%), com valores mais altos para os produtos injetáveis (59,09%). As patologias mais observadas foram do foro digestivo, urinário e dermatológico, com 21,43%, cada. Em cirurgia salientaram-se as esterilizações (75,00%). As amostras de fezes de felinos não apresentaram eliminação parasitária e apenas em oito dos canídeos (10,26%) se observaram ovos de Ascarididae, Ancylostomatidae e Trichuridae. Recolheram-se ectoparasitas num gato (12,50%) e em três cães (3,85%), tendo-se identificado Ctenocephalides felis felis (Insecta), Ixodes ventalloi e R. sanguineus (Ixodidae). Neste estudo verificou-se que cada vez mais os proprietários têm consciência da importância do bem-estar e saúde animal como forma de proteger a sua própria saúde, levando os animais ao médico-veterinário, contribuindo assim, para uma menor contaminação parasitária ambiental e para uma convivência mais saudável. Hygiene care and sanitary programs are very important prophylactic measures to protect animal welfare and pet health. In this context the role of the veterinary physician and veterinary clinics, which actually offers a wide range of services, is essential in a healthy relationship among owner, pet and environment. This study aimed to identify which were the more frequent pets to attend in a veterinary clinic, the owners care, the main issues affecting pets, and which preventive measures are followed. Simultaneously, a parasitological evaluation was performed in felines and canines followed in the clinic. From February to June 2011, 133 clinical cases was followed up of and 113 enquiries performed to animal owners. Faeces were collected on companion animals, observed in the clinic, with a total of 86 samples (78 dogs/8 cats). Qualitative parasitological fecal analyses were performed by Willis technique. Analyzing the survey data, it was found that the great majority of the owners had ages between 21-40th (50,44%), were female (57,52%), had higher education (43,36%) and lived in Santarém (79,65%). In what concern companionship animals, dogs (84,21 %) were predominant, in which the majority had age between> 18m-6a (42,86 %), were female (57,14 %), were purebreds (66,07%), small size (42,86 %), and short pelage (61,61 %). Relatively to the cats, prevailed the age between> 18m-6a (36,84 %), the female sex (68,42 %), the indeterminate race (78,95%) and the short pelage (78,95 %). Out of the observed nacs, 50.00% were aged > 6m-18m and the other 50.00% of > 18m-6a; a similar situation was observed in relation to sex and fur. Prevailed routine visits (67,67%) and inside this, the appointments by sanitary issues were superior (65,17 %), with 40,45 % of vaccinations. In relation to treatment prevailed drug use (86,36%), with the higher values of inoculation drugs (59.09%). The most frequent pathologies observed were related to the digestive and urinary systems and skin (21,43%) and in surgery were carried out more sterilizations (75,00%). The samples from cats did not show parasitic elimination but eight dogs had egg output (10,26%). In dogs Ascarididae, Ancylostomatidae and Trichuridae eggs were identified. Ectoparasites were observed in three (3,85%) out of 78 dogs observed. Insecta (Ctenocephalides felis felis) and Ixodidae (Ixodes ventalloi and R. sanguineus) were identified. This study emphasized that owners are aware of animal welfare and animal health as a way of protection their own health, and use to take their pets more often to a vet, which will contribute to a lower environmental parasitic contamination and a healthy coexistence

Cuidados veterinários e infeção parasitária em animais de companhia seguidos numa clínica médico-veterinária

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar as espécies animais que frequentam uma clínica médico-veterinária, os cuidados que os proprietários têm, os problemas mais frequentes e quais os métodos de prevenção utilizados. Pretendeu-se ainda avaliar a fauna parasitária presente em felídeos e canídeos seguidos na clínica. Em 2011, acompanharam-se 133 casos clínicos e realizaram-se 113 inquéritos a donos de animais. Efetuaram-se recolhas de fezes, num total de 86 amostras, que foram sujeitas a análises coprológicas qualitativas pela técnica de Willis. Os cães com idades entre >18 meses-6 anos, do sexo feminino, de raça pura, com porte pequeno e pelagem curta foram predominantes. Os felídeos com idade entre >18 meses-6 anos, do sexo feminino, pelagem curta e de raça indeterminada dominaram. Prevaleceram as consultas de rotina e nestas as relacionadas com a sanidade. As patologias predominantes foram do foro digestivo, urinário e dermatológico. Em cirurgia salientaram-se as esterilizações. Oito dos canídeos apresentaram ovos de Ascarididae, Ancylostomatidae e Trichuridae. Ctenocephalides felis felis, Ixodes ventalloi e R. sanguineus identificaram-se num gato e em três cães.Verificou-se que cada vez mais os proprietários têm consciência da importância do bem-estar e saúde animal como forma de proteger a sua própria saúde, levando os animais ao médico-veterinário. This study aimed to identify the more frequent pets that attend a veterinary clinic, the owners care, the main issues affecting pets, and the followed preventive measures. Simultaneously, a parasitological evaluation was performed in felines and canines attending the clinic. In 2011, 133 clinical cases were followed up and 113 enquiries performed to animal owners. Faeces were collected on pets examined in the clinic, with a total of 86 samples. Qualitative parasitological fecal analyses were performed. Dogs, aged between> 18m-6a, female, purebreds, small size and short pelage were predominant. Relatively to the cats, prevailed age between> 18m-6a, female sex, indeterminate race and short pelage. Routine visits prevailed and inside this, the appointments for sanitary issues were superior. The most frequent pathologies observed were related to the digestive and urinary systems and skin. In surgery, sterilizations were more frequent. In 8 dog faeces Ascarididae, Ancylostomatidae and Trichuridae eggs were identified. Ctenocephalides felis felis and Ixodes ventalloi and R. sanguineus were identified in three dogs and one cat. This study emphasized that owners are aware of animal welfare and animal health as a way of protection of their own health, and use to take their pets more often to a vet

The CD14 (−159 C/T) SNP is associated with sCD14 levels and allergic asthma, but not with CD14 expression on monocytes

LPS-ligation to CD14/TLR-4 on monocytes/macrophages triggers the production of IL-12-family cytokines. IL12/18 promote TH1-differentiation, counteracting the TH2-driven asthma. Therefore, CD14 modulation could alter the TH2-differentiation and should be taken into account when studying asthma. To analyse the alteration in CD14 levels and its association with CD14 (−159 C/T) SNP (rs2569190) in Caucasian adults with stable allergic asthma, we performed a cross-sectional study (277 healthy subjects vs. 277 patients) where clinical parameters, CD14 values and the CD14 (−159 C/T) SNP were studied. Apart from typical biomarkers, we found an increment of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in allergic asthma, probably linked to monocyte activity. Indeed, we evidenced increased monocyte numbers, but lower CD14 expression and normalised sCD14 values in patients. Moreover, we noticed an association of the T allele (P = 0.0162) and TT genotype (P = 0.0196) of the CD14 SNP with a decreased risk of allergic asthma and augmented sCD14 levels. In conclusion, monocyte CD14 expression and normalized sCD14 values were reduced in stable state asthmatics, and this could be related to the presence of an expanded CD14low monocyte subset. This study also demonstrates that the CD14 (−159 C/T) polymorphism is a risk factor for moderate-severe allergic asthma in adult CaucasiansThis study was funded by grants from Sociedad Española de Neumología y Cirugía Torácica, (SEPAR) (121/2012) and Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria, FIS; co-financed by European Union ERDF funds) (PI13/02046). JJNF is a recipient of a Xunta de Galicia Fellowship (Co-financed by European Social Fund (ESF))S

Multicenter prospective clinical study to evaluate children short-term neurodevelopmental outcome in congenital heart disease (children NEURO-HEART): study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most prevalent congenital malformation affecting 1 in 100 newborns. While advances in early diagnosis and postnatal management have increased survival in CHD children, worrying long-term outcomes, particularly neurodevelopmental disability, have emerged as a key prognostic factor in the counseling of these pregnancies. METHODS: Eligible participants are women presenting at 20 to < 37 weeks of gestation carrying a fetus with CHD. Maternal/neonatal recordings are performed at regular intervals, from the fetal period to 24 months of age, and include: placental and fetal hemodynamics, fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional echocardiography, cerebral oxymetry, electroencephalography and serum neurological and cardiac biomarkers. Neurodevelopmental assessment is planned at 12 months of age using the ages and stages questionnaire (ASQ) and at 24 months of age with the Bayley-III test. Target recruitment is at least 150 cases classified in three groups according to three main severe CHD groups: transposition of great arteries (TGA), Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction (LVOTO). DISCUSSION: The results of NEURO-HEART study will provide the most comprehensive knowledge until date of children's neurologic prognosis in CHD and will have the potential for developing future clinical decisive tools and improving preventive strategies in CHD