Evaluation of overload effects on fatigue crack growth and closure

Fatigue crack propagation tests with single tensile peak overloads have been performed in 6082-T6 aluminium alloy at several baseline [Delta]K levels and stress ratios of 0.05 and 0.25. The tests were carried out at constant [Delta]K conditions. Crack closure was monitored in all tests by the compliance technique using a pin microgauge. The observed transient post-overload behaviour is discussed in terms of overload ratio, baseline [Delta]K level and stress ratio. The crack closure parameter U was obtained and compared with the crack growth transients. Experimental support is given for the hypothesis that plasticity-induced closure is the main cause of overload retardation for plane stress conditions. Predictions based on crack closure measurements show good correlation with the observed crack growth rates for all the post-overload transients when discontinuous closure is properly taken into account.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V2R-46WPH0W-3/1/82b49d3e31362370a08505d5d300b60

Amiloidose renal: classificação de 102 casos consecutivos

Amyloidoses are a group of heterogeneous diseases classified according to the nature of their causative amyloid proteins. Commonly, paraffin-embedded tissue is used for the typing of amyloid by immunohistochemistry. DNA analysis should always be considered if hereditary amyloidosis is suspected. Since the kidneys are one of the organs that are most commonly involved in amyloid deposition in systemic amyloidoses, we screened 102 consecutive cases with biopsy-proven amyloid disease by immunohistochemistry. DNA analysis was performed to confirm a diagnosis of hereditary amyloidosis. Demographic characteristics, underlying disease and clinical data at the time of renal biopsy were obtained by retrospective review of medical records. The amyloidosis type according to immunohistochemical amyloid protein identification was AA in 60 (58.8%) patients, AL in 21 (20.6%), AFib in four (3.9%), ATTR in two (2.0%), AApoAI in one (1.0%), ALys in one (1.0%) and combined AL and AA in one (1.0%). The type of protein could not be classified in 12 (11.7%) patients: eight (7.8%) because of negative immunohistochemistry and four (3.9%) due to the lack of adequate tissue. DNA analysis confirmed AFib and ATTR cases by the identification of the point mutations FGA p.Glu545Val and TTR p.Met51Val, respectively. Mean age at diagnosis was 53.3 years (49.4 for AA, 63.0 for AL and 53.9 for AFib). Chronic infections were the most frequent disorder associated with AA amyloidosis, mainly tuberculosis, and only one patient had familial AA associated with Muckle-Wells syndrome. Nephrotic syndrome was the most frequent clinical manifestation, independently of the amyloid type. In our series, AA amyloidosis is still the most frequent type of systemic amyloidoses. Six patients had unequivocal hereditary amyloidosis. Immunohistochemistry did not establish the precursor protein in almost 8% of patients; however, an improvement could be obtained using a wider panel of amyloid antibodies.As amiloidoses são um grupo heterogéneo de doenças classificadas de acordo com a composição das suas proteínas amiloidogénicas. Frequentemente, os tecidos preservados em parafina são usados para identificação imunohistoquímica. A análise de ADN deve ser sempre considerada se houver suspeita de amiloidose hereditária. Dado que os rins são um dos órgãos mais frequentemente envolvidos nas amiloidoses sistémicas, procedemos à classificação imunohistoquímica de 102 casos consecutivos de doença amiloide confirmada por biópsia renal. A análise de ADN foi realizada para confirmar o diagnóstico de amiloidose hereditária. As características demográficas, doença subjacente e dados clínicos à data da biópsia foram obtidos pela revisão retrospetiva dos registos médicos. O tipo de amiloidose obtido por identificação imunohistoquímica foi AA em 60 (58,8%) doentes, AL em 21 (20,6%), AFib em quatro (3,9%), ATTR em dois (2,0%), AApoAI em um (2,0%), ALys em um (2,0%), e em um (2,0%) coexistiam os tipos AL e AA. Em 12 (11,7%) não foi identificado o tipo de amiloide: oito (7,8%) por imunohistoquímica negativa e quatro (3,9%) devido a amostra insuficiente. A análise de ADN confirmou os casos AFib e ATTR pela identificação das mutações pontuais FGA p.Glu545Val e TTR p.Met51Val, respetivamente. A média de idade à data do diagnóstico foi 53,3 anos (49,4 para AA, 63,0 para AL e 53,9 para AFib). As infeções crónicas foram a principal causa de amiloidose AA, sobretudo a tuberculose, e foi apenas identificada uma AA familiar associada a síndrome de Muckle-Wells. A síndrome nefrótica foi a manifestação clínica mais frequente, independentemente do tipo de amiloide. Na nossa série, a amiloidose AA continua a ser a amiloidose sistémica mais frequente. Seis doentes tiveram amiloidose hereditária inequívoca. A imunohistoquímica não identificou a proteína precursora em quase 8% dos doentes; contudo, a utilização de um painel de anticorpos mais alargado poderá melhorar o diagnóstico

Fatigue analysis of thin AlMgSi welded joints under constant and variable amplitude block loadings

This paper reports the fatigue behaviour of thin AlMgSi1 aluminium alloy weldments and the improvement in fatigue strength due to post-weld treatments. Several fatigue tests were performed using two distinct types of thin welded joints, T and single lap, manufactured using a 6xxx series aluminium alloy, and the efficiency of fatigue life improvement techniques, such as post-weld heat treatment and weld toe's burr dressing, was studied. Both the post-weld heat treatment and the burr dressing produced a fatigue strength improvement. This fact is discussed, for both geometries, in the context of the initiation and propagation phases contribution to total fatigue life. Finally, several fatigue tests were performed under variable amplitude block loading using T6 post-weld heat-treated single lap joints, and the correspondent fatigue lives were compared with the predictions of Miner's rule.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V59-480CN2C-2/1/ef6815883b0431d9a8aa0d0d77743ff

Comparison of Outcomes in Immediate Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: Acellular Dermal Matrix versus Inferior Dermal Flap

Background Implant-based breast reconstruction has evolved tremendously in the last decades, mainly due to the development of new products and techniques that make the procedure safer and more reliable. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes in immediate one-stage breast reconstruction between acellular dermal matrix (ADM) and inferior dermal flap (IDF). Methods We conducted a retrospective comparative study of patients submitted to immediate breast reconstructions with an anatomical implant and ADM or IDF in a single center between 2016 and 2018. Outcomes evaluated included major complications, early complications, reinterventions, readmissions, and reconstruction failure. Simple descriptive statistics and univariate analysis were performed. Results A total of 118 breast reconstructions (85 patients) were included in the analysis. Patients in the IDF group had a higher body mass index (median = 27.0) than patients in the ADM group (median = 24). There were no statistically significant differences among both groups regarding immediate major complication, early complications, readmissions, and reinterventions. Conclusion There are no significant differences in complications between the ADM and IDF approach to immediate implant breast reconstruction. In patients with higher body mass index and large, ptotic breasts, we recommend an immediate implant reconstruction with IDF.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Worker's health in nursing undergraduates' conception

En este papel, de abordaje cualitativo, intentamos entender el concepto del curso de enfermería de la Universidad Federal de Santa Catarina sobre la salud del trabajador. Fueron contestadas tres preguntas hechas a veinte académicos: ¿Cuál es tu comprensión sobre la salud del trabajador? ¿De qué forma la enfermería puede ayudar a mejorar la salud del trabajador? ¿Cuál es la relación entre el trabajo y el estilo de vida del trabajador? Los resultados habían sido organizados en forma de temas: conceptos sobre la salud del trabajador; carácter de la enfermería en el contexto de la salud del trabajador y relación entre trabajo y estilo de vida. Destacamos la interrelación entre trabajo y estilo de vida y trabajo con la salud del trabajador. El énfasis a las contemplaciones hechas refuerzan la necesidad que ese tema tiene para ser discutido en las universidades, así como, estimular a los académicos a pensar en su propia salud desde el principio del curso. De esa forma, creemos que puedan incorporar acciones a la protección de su salud en el trabajo.Neste estudo, de abordagem qualitativa, buscamos compreender a concepção do acadêmico de enfermagem do Curso de Enfermagem da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina sobre saúde do trabalhador. Foram feitas três questões a vinte acadêmicos: O que entende por saúde do trabalhador? De que forma a enfermagem pode contribuir para a saúde do trabalhador? Qual a relação que existe entre trabalho e estilo de vida? Os resultados foram agrupados nos temas: concepções sobre saúde do trabalhador; papel da enfermagem no contexto da saúde do trabalhador; relação entre trabalho e estilo de vida. Destacamos a interrelação entre trabalho e estilo de vida, e trabalho e saúde do trabalhador. As reflexões realizadas reforçam a necessidade dessa temática ser discutida nas universidades, para que os acadêmicos sejam estimulados a pensar sobre sua saúde desde o início da academia. Assim estimulados, acreditamos que possam incorporar ações de proteção voltadas a sua saúde no trabalho.In this paper, which uses a qualitative approach, we try to understand the conception undergraduate Nursing students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina have regarding worker's health. Three questions were asked to twenty students: What does he/she understand as worker's health? How can Nursing help to improve worker's health? Which is the relation between work and lifestyle? The results were grouped in the following themes: conceptions of worker's health; the role of Nursing in the context of worker's health; and relation between work and lifestyle. We highlighted the interrelation between work and lifestyle, and between work and worker's health. Our reflections reinforce the need to discuss these themes in the universities so that students are stimulated to think about their own health since the beginning of their academic life. That way, we believe that they will be able to incorporate protective actions to their own health in their daily's work

Amanita phalloides poisoning: Mechanisms of toxicity and treatment

Amanita phalloides, also known as 'death cap', is one of the most poisonous mushrooms, being involved in the majority of human fatal cases of mushroom poisoning worldwide. This species contains three main groups of toxins: amatoxins, phallotoxins, and virotoxins. From these, amatoxins, especially α-amanitin, are the main responsible for the toxic effects in humans. It is recognized that α-amanitin inhibits RNA polymerase II, causing protein deficit and ultimately cell death, although other mechanisms are thought to be involved. The liver is the main target organ of toxicity, but other organs are also affected, especially the kidneys. Intoxication symptoms usually appear after a latent period and may include gastrointestinal disorders followed by jaundice, seizures, and coma, culminating in death. Therapy consists in supportive measures, gastric decontamination, drug therapy and, ultimately, liver transplantation if clinical condition worsens. The discovery of an effective antidote is still a major unsolved issue. The present paper examines the clinical toxicology of A. phalloides, providing the currently available information on the mechanisms of toxicityinvolved and on the current knowledge on the treatment prescribed against this type of mushrooms. Antidotal perspectives will be raised as to set the pace to new and improved therapy against these mushrooms.This work was supported by the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT ) – project PTDC/DTPFTO/4973/2014 – and the European Union (FEDER funds through COMPETE) and National Funds (FCT, Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia) through project Pest-C/EQB/LA0006/2013. Juliana Garcia and Vera Marisa Costa thank FCT for their PhD grant (SFRH/BD/74979/2010) and Post-doc grants (SFRH/BPD/63746/2009 and SFRH/BPD/110001/2015), respectively.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Co-ingestion of amatoxins and isoxazoles-containing mushrooms and successful treatment: A case report

Mushroom poisonings occur when ingestion of wild mushrooms containing toxins takes place, placing the consumers at life-threatening risk. In the present case report, an unusual multiple poisoning with isoxazoles- and amatoxins-containing mushrooms in a context of altered mental state and poorly controlled hypertension is presented. A 68-year-old female was presented to São João hospital (Portugal) with complaints of extreme dizziness, hallucinations, vertigo and imbalance, 3 h after consuming a stew of wild mushrooms. The first observations revealed altered mental state and elevated blood pressure. The examination of cooked mushroom fragments allowed a preliminary identification of Amanita pantherina. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) showed the presence of muscimol in urine. Moreover, through high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) analysis of the gastric juice, the presence of α-amanitin was found, showing that amatoxins-containing mushrooms were also included in the stew. After 4 days of supportive treatment, activated charcoal, silybin and N-acetylcysteine, the patient recovered being discharged 10 days post-ingestion with no organ complications. The prompt and appropriate therapy protocol for life-threatening amatoxins toxicity probably saved the patient's life as oral absorption was decreased and also supportive care was immediately started.This work received financial support from the European Union (FEDER funds through COMPETE) and National Funds (FCT, Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia) through project Pest-C/EQB/LA0006/2013. Juliana Garcia and Vera Marisa Costa thank FCT e Foundation for Science and Technology e for their PhD grant (SFRH/BD/74979/2010) and Post-doc grant (SFRH/BPD/63746/2009), respectively.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Saponin-based natural nanoemulsions as alpha-tocopherol delivery systems for dermal applications

Nanoemulsions can be produced using simple methods and compounds from natural sources. They can increase water dispersibility and bioavailability and optimise active ingredient dispersion in particular skin layers. Lipophilic compounds of the vitamin E family (tocopherols and tocotrienols) are well-known for their high antioxidant activity and capacity to protect the skin from oxidative stress. In this context, oil-in-water (o/w) nanoemulsions with and without α-tocopherol (Vitamin E, VE) were formulated with two emulsifier alternatives, Quillaja saponin (QS), and a combination of QS with Tribulus terrestris (QSTT) (50/50, w/w). The emulsions were evaluated concerning stability, microstructure, droplet size, colour attributes, encapsulation efficiency, UV photostability, antioxidant activity, and in vitro permeation studies to assess the delivery potential. Results showed highly stable systems, with round-shape droplets of 80–121 nm size. QS and QSTT samples' colours were close to white and light brownish, respectively. The topical nano cream had the capacity to entrap VE, producing a protective effect from UV degradation, and very significant antioxidant activity, with IC50 values around 0.01 %wt. The skin permeation profiles showed the efficiency of the formulations in the delivery of VE, with permeabilities between 64 and 74 µg/cm2, while the control sample showed no VE permeation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Desenvolvimento morfofisiológico de feijão caupi inoculado com Bradyrhizobium em sistemas de cultivo na Amazônia Ocidental.

O feijão-caupi é uma das leguminosas mais cultivadas pelos agricultores familiares do Acre. A inoculação de feijão-caupi com Bradyrhizobium tem proporcionado incremento no crescimento e nodulação de plantas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desenvolvimento morfofisiológico da variedade de feijão-caupi ´Quarentão´ inoculado com Bradyrhizobium em diferentes sistemas de plantio. O experimento foi implantado em delineamento de blocos casualizados 2 x 5 com o primeiro fator referente aos sistemas de plantio e o segundo aos tratamentos das estirpes BR 1808, BR 3262, BR 3267, adubação nitrogenada e testemunha. Verificou-se que todos os tratamentos apresentaram diferença significativa nas variáveis diâmetro e altura com média superior no sistema de plantio direto. A estirpe BR 1808 que não apresentou diferença na variável diâmetro nos sistemas de plantio. O uso de estirpes de Bradyrhizobium em sistema de plantio direto e convencional proporcionaram bom desenvolvimento na morfofisiologia da plantas de feijão caupi. Cowpea is one of the most cultivated legumes in the state of Acre. The inoculation of cowpea with Bradyrhizobium has provided an increase in plant growth and nodulation. The objective of this work was to evaluate the morphophysiological development of the variety of cowpea ´Quarentão´ inoculated with Bradyrhizobium in different planting systems. The experiment was implemented in a randomized block design with the first factor referring to the planting systems and the second one to the treatments of the strains BR 1808, BR 3262 and BR 3267 nitrogen fertilization and control. It was verified that all the treatments presented significant difference in the variables diameter and height with superior average in the system of no-tillage. The strain BR 1808 that did not present difference in the variable diameter in the systems of planting. The use of Bradyrhizobium strains in no-tillage and conventional systems provides good development in cowpea plant morphophysiology