The Kondo Model with a Bulk Mass Term

We introduce two massive versions of the anisotropic spin 1/2 Kondo model and discuss their integrability. The two models have the same bulk sine-Gordon interactions, but differ in their boundary interactions. At the Toulouse free fermion point each of the models can be understood as two decoupled Ising models in boundary magnetic fields. Reflection S-matrices away from the free fermion point are conjectured.Comment: 33 pages, Plain Te

Impact of glycemic control on the incidence of acute kidney injury in critically ill patients: a comparison of two strategies using the RIFLE criteria

OBJECTIVE: To compare the renal outcome in patients submitted to two different regimens of glycemic control, using the RIFLE criteria to define acute kidney injury. INTRODUCTION: The impact of intensive insulin therapy on renal function outcome is controversial. The lack of a criterion for AKI definition may play a role on that. METHODS: Included as the subjects were 228 randomly selected, critically ill patients engaged in intensive insulin therapyor in a carbohydrate-restrictive strategy. Renal outcome was evaluated through the comparison of the last RIFLE score obtained during the ICU stay and the RIFLE score at admission; the outcome was classified as favorable, stable or unfavorable. RESULTS: The two groups were comparable regarding demographic data. AKI developed in 52% of the patients and was associated with a higher mortality (39.4%) compared with those who did not have AKI (8.2%) (p<0.001). Renal function outcome was comparable between the two groups (p=0.37). We observed a significant correlation between blood glucose levels and the incidence of acute kidney injury (p=0.007). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, only APACHE III scores higher than 60 were identified as an independent risk factor for unfavorable renal outcome. APACHE III scores>60, acute kidney injury and hypoglycemia were risk factors for mortality. CONCLUSION: Intensive insulin therapy and a carbohydrate-restrictive strategy were comparable regarding the incidence of acute kidney injury evaluated using RIFLE criteria

Bound States for a Magnetic Impurity in a Superconductor

We discuss a solvable model describing an Anderson like impurity in a BCS superconductor. The model can be mapped onto an Ising field theory in a boundary magnetic field, with the Ising fermions being the quasi-particles of the Bogoliubov transformation in BCS theory. The reflection S-matrix exhibits Andreev scattering, and the existence of bound states of the quasi-particles with the impurity lying inside the superconducting gap.Comment: 7 pages, Plain Te

Endoscopic versus surgical treatment of ampullary adenomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this study is to address the outcomes of endoscopic resection compared with surgery in the treatment of ampullary adenomas. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. For this purpose, the Medline, Embase, Cochrane, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS), Scopus and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases were scanned. Studies included patients with ampullary adenomas and data considering endoscopic treatment compared with surgery. The entire analysis was based on a fixed-effects model. Five retrospective cohort studies were selected (466 patients). All five studies (466 patients) had complete primary resection data available and showed a difference that favored surgical treatment (risk difference [RD] = -0.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.44 to -0.04). Primary success data were identified in all five studies as well. Analysis showed that the surgical approach outperformed endoscopic treatment for this outcome (RD = -0.37, 95% CI = -0.50 to -0.24). Recurrence data were found in all studies (466 patients), with a benefit indicated for surgical treatment (RD = 0.10, 95% CI = -0.01 to 0.19). Three studies (252 patients) presented complication data, but analysis showed no difference between the approaches for this parameter (RD = -0.15, 95% CI = -0.53 to 0.23). Considering complete primary resection, primary success and recurrence outcomes, the surgical approach achieves significantly better results. Regarding complication data, this systematic review concludes that rates are not significantly different

The epidemiological and clinical features of familial adenomatous polyposis in Ribeirão Preto

AbstractPurposeto study 75 familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients treated in a single insti- tution in Ribeirão Preto/SP, from January 1981 to December 2011.Methodsthis is a retrospective study and the following data were collected: gender, age, main symptoms, familial history, coexisting malignancies, surgical treatment, surgical morbidity and mortality, factors related to life quality.Resultsmedian age was 29 years. Male-to-female ratio was 1.2:1. Bleeding was the most common symptom (62.6%). Colorectal cancer incidence was 25.5% (n = 19). Extracolonic neoplasia incidence was 8%. Colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) was performed in 72% of the patients. Eighteen patients (24%) were submitted to proctocolectomy with “J-pouch” ileoanal anastomosis. In three patients (4%) proctocolectomy with terminal il- eostomy was performed. Early and late complication rate were similar (22.7% × 24%). Ileal pouch surgery exhibited tendency to a higher morbidity and mortality but no significance could be found. Overall mortality rate was 7.46%. Malignant neoplasia was the main cause of mortality, accounting for 60% of deaths.ConclusionFAP is a rare pathology in our country. Genetic counseling and proper screening programs are essential tools to early diagnosis and follow-up. Surgery is the most effective treatment and the best option to prevent malignant neoplasia

ISCEV extended protocol for the stimulus-response series for light-adapted full-field ERG

The International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV) standard for full-field electroretinography (ERG) describes a minimum protocol for clinical testing but encourages additional ERG testing when appropriate. This ISCEV extended protocol describes methods to record and evaluate a light-adapted (LA) ERG stimulus–response series with increasing flash strengths. The LA ERG stimulus–response series (also referred to as the luminance–response or intensity–response series in the published literature) can characterise generalised cone system function more comprehensively than the ISCEV standard LA ERGs alone. The amplitude of LA ERG a-waves, arising from cones and cone off-bipolar cells, typically shows a saturating function. The LA ERG b-wave amplitudes, which arise primarily from activity of retinal bipolar cells, show an amplitude peak followed by a nonzero plateau (the “photopic hill” phenomenon). This ISCEV extended protocol specifies a stimulus–response series suitable to evaluate generalised dysfunction affecting the LA retina, to aid in distinguishing between the on- and off-responses of the cone system and to monitor ERG changes in these characteristics. The LA ERG stimulus–response series for a- and b-waves is recorded to a sequence of nine flash stimuli ranging from 0.03 to 300 cd s m−2, superimposed on a standard background of 30 cd m−2. A shorter protocol is also presented to measure the mid-range of the function (the “photopic hill”) using 5 flash stimuli

Efficiency and deposition of paraquat application with adjuvant and nozzles inclination angle over Digitaria spp., Sonchus oleraceos and Amaranthus viridis

O uso de herbicidas de ação de contato com o paraquat normalmente necessita de maior atenção com aspectos de tecnologia de aplicação em relação aos de ação sistêmica. Com objetivo de avaliar a deposição e eficiência da aplicação de paraquat associado a adjuvantes e ângulos de inclinação das pontas de pulverização no controle de plantas daninhas, um experimento foi conduzido a campo em fatorial 2x3+1, com cinco repetições. Sete tratamentos foram constituídos por duas condições do herbicida Gramoxone® (paraquat, 150 g i.a. ha-1), utilizado com os adjuvantes Agral® (0,1% v/v) e Fulltec® (0,05% v/v;), três angulações da inclinação da ponta de pulverização no sentido do deslocamento da aplicação (+30°; 90°; -30°) e uma testemunha sem aplicação. Os alvos naturais foram plantas de Digitaria spp., Sonchus oleraceos e Amaranthus viridis, e os alvos artificiais, tampas plásticas sobre a superfície do solo, sendo todos com 10 repetições. Não foram constadas diferenças significativas entre a deposição média da aplicação de paraquat com adjuvantes e ângulos da ponta de pulverização para A. viridis e lâminas de plástico. Para Digitaria spp. a deposição do paraquat com Agral® foi superior ao Fulltec® utilizando-se ângulos de +30° e 90°. Para S. oleraceos houve aumento da deposição do paraquat com Fulltec® para o ângulo de -30°. Todos os tratamentos controlaram eficientemente (³ 91,0%) as plantas daninhas aos 3 dias após aplicação, não havendo diferenças significativas em relação as condições estudadas.The use of contact action herbicides with paraquat usually requires more attention with application technology aspects in relation to the systemic action ones. In order to evaluate the efficiency and deposition of paraquat application associated with adjuvant and nozzles inclination angle in weeds control, an experiment was conducted in field conditions using a factorial scheme 2 x 3 +1, with five repetitions. Seven treatments were constituted by two conditions of Gramoxone® herbicide (paraquat, 150 g a.e. ha-1), used with Agral® (0.1% v/v) and Fulltec® (0.05% v/v;) adjuvant, three nozzles inclination angle in direction of application offset (+30°; 90°; -30°) and a check without application. Natural targets were Digitaria spp., Sonchus oleraceos and Amaranthus viridis and artificial targets, plastic covers positioned over soil surface, with 10 repetitions. No significant differences were observed between application medium deposition of paraquat with adjuvant and nozzles inclination angles for A. viridis plastic covers. For Digitaria spp., paraquat deposition with Agral® was superior to Fulltec® using +30° and 90° angles. For S. oleraceos there was increased in paraquat deposition with Fulltec® for -30° angle. All treatments presented efficient management (³ 91.0%) for weeds control at 3 days after application, with no significant differences regarding the studied conditions

Home-based training program in patients with chronic heart failure and reduced ejection fraction: a randomized pilot study

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the effects of home-and center-based exercise training programs on functional capacity, inspiratory muscle strength, daily physical activity level, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) over a 12-week period. METHODS: This study included 23 patients with CHF (left ventricular ejection fraction 31±6%) randomized to a home-based (n=11) or center-based (n=12) program. Patients underwent 12 weeks of aerobic training (60%-70% heart rate reserve): walking for the home-based and supervised cycling for the center-based group, both combined with resistance training (50% of 1 maximum repetition). At baseline and after 12 weeks of training, we assessed cardiopulmonary test variables, 6-min walk test distance (6 MWD), steps/day with accelerometry, and QoL (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire). Maximal inspiratory pressure and handgrip strength were measured at baseline and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of training. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03615157. RESULTS: There were no adverse events during training in either group. The home- and center-based training groups obtained similar improvements in peak oxygen uptake, maximal ventilation, and 6 MWD. However, there were significant between-group differences: center-based training was more effective in improving maximal inspiratory pressure (p=0.042), number of steps/day (p=0.001), and QoL (p=0.039). CONCLUSIONS: Home-based training is safe and can be an alternative to improve the exercise capacity of patients with stable CHF. However, center-based training was superior in improving inspiratory muscle strength, QoL, and daily physical activity

pH in exhaled breath condensate and nasal lavage as a biomarker of air pollution-related inflammation in street traffic-controllers and office-workers

OBJECTIVE: To utilize low-cost and simple methods to assess airway and lung inflammation biomarkers relatedto air pollution.METHODS: A total of 87 male, non-smorking, healthy subjects working as street traffic-controllers or office-workers were examined to determine carbon monoxide in ixhaled breath and to measure the pH in nasal lavage fluid and exhaled breath condensate. Air pollution exposure was measured by particulate matter concentration, and data were obtained from fixed monitoring stations (8-h work intervals per day, during the 5 consecutive days prior to the study).RESULTS: Exhaled carbon monoxide was two-fold greater in traffic-controllers than in office-workers. The mean pH values were 8.12 in exhaled breath condensate and 7.99 in nasal lavage fluid in office-workers; these values concentrations in both substrates, however, Il-aB and IL-8 were elevated in nasal lavage fluid compared with exhaled breath condensate. The particulate matter concentration weas greater at the workplace of traffic-controllers compared with that of office-workers.CONCLUSION: The pH values of nasal lavage fluid and exhaled breath condensate are important, robust, easy to measure and reproducible biomarkers that can be used to monitor occupational exposure to air pollution. Additionally, traffic-controllers are at an increased risk of airway and lung inflammation during their occupational activities compared with office-workers