K 1-6: an asymmetric planetary nebula with a binary central star

We present new imaging data and archival multiwavelength observations of the little studied emission nebula K 1-6 and its central star. Narrow-band images in H-alpha (+ [NII]) and [OIII] taken with the Faulkes Telescope North reveal a stratified, asymmetric, elliptical nebula surrounding a central star which has the colours of a late G- or early K-type subgiant or giant. GALEX ultraviolet images reveal a very hot subdwarf or white dwarf coincident in position with this star. The cooler, optically dominant star is strongly variable with a period of 21.312 +/- 0.008 days, and is possibly a high amplitude member of the RS CVn class, although an FK Com classification is also possible. Archival ROSAT data provide good evidence that the cool star has an active corona. We conclude that K 1-6 is most likely an old bona fide planetary nebula at a distance of ~1.0 kpc, interacting with the interstellar medium, and containing a binary or ternary central star. The observations and data analyses reported in this paper were conducted in conjunction with Year 11 high school students as part of an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant science education project, denoted Space To Grow, conducted jointly by professional astronomers, educational researchers, teachers, and high-school students.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, accepted by the Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia (PASA

Cephalic vein transposition for head and neck microsurgical reconstruction: anatomical study in cadavers

Introduction: Cephalic vein transposition is an interesting alternative as a donor vein in head and neck cancer reconstruction in patients with a cervical radiotherapy history. This work aims to evaluate the cephalic vein anatomical characteristics in cadavers. Methods: Six cephalic veins from three cadavers were dissected. The veins were sectioned in the medial part of the arm and transposed to the neck over the clavicles. Results: The veins had an average length of 18.75 ± 1.84 cm and several tributaries with a variation of 7-9. The diameter coincided in both veins of each corpse. The anatomical parameter used to identify them (deltopectoral groove) proved reliable, allowing predictable dissection. Conclusion: The cephalic vein has constant characteristics and is easy to locate, being an option relevant to the reconstructive plastic surgeon's therapeutic arsenal

Synthesis, characterisation and thermoelectric properties of the oxytelluride Bi2O2Te

Bi2O2Te was synthesised from a stoichiometric mixture of Bi, Bi2O3 and Te by a solid state reaction. Analysis of powder X-ray diffraction data indicates that this material crystallises in the anti-ThCr2Si2 structure type (space group I4/mmm), with lattice parameters a = 3.98025(4) and c = 12.70391(16) Å. The electrical and thermal transport properties of Bi2O2Te were investigated as a function of temperature over the temperature range 300 ≤ T/K ≤ 665. These measurements indicate that Bi2O2Te is an n-type semiconductor, with a band gap of 0.23 eV. The thermal conductivity of Bi2O2Te is remarkably low for a crystalline material, with a value of only 0.91 W m-1 K-1 at room temperature

Retalho em hélice para reconstrução de sequelas em membros inferiores

Introdução: O retalho em hélice, ou propeller flap, é um tipo de retalho local baseado em vasos perfurantes. Apresenta diversas vantagens, como a reconstrução de tecidos semelhantes ao original, menor morbidade da área doadora, manutenção dos principais vasos da região e a possibilidade de amplo arco de rotação (até 180º). Entretanto, está sujeito a complicações, sendo a mais preocupante a necrose parcial ou total do retalho. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de uma série de três casos de sequelas de trauma em membros inferiores tratados com retalho em hélice. Resultados: Retalhos em hélice reduzem o tempo cirúrgico, dias de internação e custos. Todavia, não são isentos de complicações, encontra-se a ocorrência de necrose parcial de 10,5 a 11% e total de 1 a 5%. Outras complicações descritas são epidermólise (3,5%) e congestão venosa transitória (3%). Nos casos descritos, evoluíram sem complicações. Classicamente, os defeitos de membro inferior, principalmente no terço distal, têm indicação de reconstrução com retalhos microcirúrgicos. Conclusão: Os retalhos propeller podem ser uma alternativa nestes casos, principalmente em defeitos pequenos e moderados. Ainda não existem trabalhos comparando diretamente estas duas técnicas, mas algumas informações importantes já estão disponíveis, como a semelhança entre os percentuais de necrose total entre as técnicas

Propeller flap for reconstruction of sequelae in lower limbs

Introduction: The propeller flap is a type of local flap based on perforating vessels. It has several advantages, such as the reconstruction of tissues similar to the original, less morbidity of the donor area, maintenance of the main vessels of the region and the possibility of a wide rotation arc (up to 180º). However, it is subject to complications, the most worrisome being partial or total necrosis of the flap. Methods: A retrospective study of a series of three cases of lower limb trauma sequelae treated with helix flaps. Results: Helical flaps reduce surgical time, hospitalization days, and costs. However, they are not free of complications, with partial necrosis occurring in 10.5 to 11% and total necrosis in 1 to 5%. Other complications described are epidermolysis (3.5%) and transient venous congestion (3%). In the cases described, they evolved without complications. Classically, lower limb defects, especially in the distal third, are indicated for reconstruction with microsurgical flaps. Conclusion: Propeller flaps may be an alternative in these cases, especially in small and moderate defects. There are still no studies directly comparing these two techniques, but some valuable information is already available, such as the similarity between the percentages of total necrosis between the techniques

Solanum lycopersicon Mill. and Nicotiana benthamiana L. under high light show distinct responses to anti-oxidative stress

Two experimentally important species, Solanum lycopersicon Mill. and Nicotiana benthamiana L., were propagated in vitro under low light (50 mmolm 2 s 1) and transferred to HL (200 mmolm 2 s 1) under a protocol previously developed for grapevine and chestnut. Compared with photooxidative stress parameters already tested in those species, imaging of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide revealed an accumulation on d2–3 and d6 in S. lycopersicon and d1–2 and d5–7 in N. benthamiana. SOD, CAT and APX activities matched ROS accumulation. The expression of the respective transcripts showed a significant increase on d1 in S. lycopersicon while in N. benthamiana a bimodal pattern was found, with peaks on d2 and d7. These results, together with the relative timing of root expansion and new leaf emergence, indicate that these two apparently similar species display different strategies when responding to light stress, evidencing further the uniqueness of the response of each species. The behaviour of N. benthamiana falls closely into the pattern already reported for wood species including grapevin

Pentoxifylline associated to hypertonic saline solution attenuates inflammatory process and apoptosis after intestinal ischemia/reperfusion in rats

PURPOSE:To evaluate intestinal inflammatory and apoptotic processes after intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury, modulated by pentoxifylline and hypertonic saline.METHODS:It was allocated into four groups (n=6), 24 male Wistar rats (200 to 250g) and submitted to intestinal ischemia for 40 min and reperfusion for 80 min: IR (did not receive any treatment); HS group (Hypertonic Saline, 4ml/kg-IV); PTX group (Pentoxifylline, 30mg/kg-IV); HS+PTX group (Hypertonic Saline and Pentoxifylline). All animals were heparinized (100U/kg). At the end of reperfusion, ileal fragments were removed and stained on hematoxylin-eosin and histochemical studies for COX-2, Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-3.RESULTS:The values of sO2 were higher on treated groups at 40 minutes of reperfusion (p=0.0081) and 80 minutes of reperfusion (p=0.0072). Serum lactate values were lower on treated groups after 40 minutes of reperfusion (p=0.0003) and 80 minutes of reperfusion (p=0.0098). Morphologic tissue injuries showed higher grades on IR group versus other groups: HS (p=0.0006), PTX (p=0.0433) and HS+PTX (p=0.0040). The histochemical study showed lesser expression of COX-2 (p=0.0015) and Bcl-2 (p=0.0012) on HS+PTX group. A lower expression of cleaved caspase-3 was demonstrated in PTX (p=0.0090; PTXvsIR).CONCLUSION:The combined use of pentoxifylline and hypertonic saline offers best results on inflammatory and apoptotic inhibitory aspects after intestinal ischemia/reperfusion.São Paulo University Medical SchoolUSP Medical SchoolFederal University of São Paulo Medical SchoolUSP School of MedicineUSP School of Medicine Department of SurgeryUSP Medical School Department of SurgeryUNIFESP, Medical SchoolSciEL