Automatic tracking and deformation measurements of red blood cells flowing through a microchannel with a microstenosis: the keyhole model

This study aimed to assess the motion and its deformation index (DI) of red blood cells (RBCs) flowing through a microchannel with a microstenosis using an image analysis-based method. For this purpose, a microchannel having a smooth contraction was used and the images were captured by a standard high-speed microscopy system. An automatic image-processing and analysing method was developed in a MATLAB environment to not only track the motion of RBCs but also measure the DI along the microchannel. The keyhole model, tested in this study, proved to be a promising technique to automatically track individual RBCs in microchannels.This study was financially supported by the Science and Technology Foundation (FCT), COMPETE, QREN and the European Union (FEDER) [grant numbers PTDC/SAU-BEB/ 105650/2008, PTDC/SAU-ENB/116929/2010, EXPL/EMS-SIS/ 2215/2013]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Visualization of red blood cells flowing through a PDMS microchannel with a microstenosis: an image analysis assessment

The present study aims to assess the motion of red blood cells (RBCs) under both shear and extensional flow using an image based technique. For this purpose, a microchannel having a smooth contraction was used and the images were captured by a standard high-speed microscopy system. An image processing and analyzing method has been developed in the MATLAB environment, to track the RBCs motion. The keyhole model, tested in this study, proved to be a promising technique to track individual RBCs in microchannels.The authors acknowledge the financial support provided by 2007 Global COE Program “Global Nano-Biomedical Engineering Education and Research Network”, Japan and grant-in-Aid for Science and Technology PTDC/SAU-BEB/108728/2008, PTDC/SAU-BEB/105650/2008, PTDC/EME-MFE/099109/2008 and PTDC/SAU-ENB/116929/2010 from FCT (Science and Technology Foundation), COMPETE, QREN and European Union (FEDER).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Erythrocytes tracking through a microchannel using an automatic method of image analysis

In this study, an image processing and analyzing method has been developed in the MATLAB environment, to characterize the motion of RBCs flowing through a microchannel with a smooth contraction shape

Desenvolvimento, caracterização e validação clínica de um novo ensaio sensível para a dosagem da tiroglobulina sérica

OBJECTIVE: In the last decade, data published stressed the role of highly-sensitive thyroglobulin (Tg) assays in the follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients. The present study describes a new, highly-sensitive Tg assay, compares it with an available commercial assay, and validates it in the follow-up of DTC patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The immunofluorometric high-sensitivity Tg assay is based on monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies produced at our laboratories. It was validated in 100 samples of 87 patients with DTC submitted to total thyroidectomy, 87% of whom also received radioiodine. For correlation, all samples were also tested using a commercial Tg assay (Beckman Access) with functional sensitivity (FS) of 0.1 ng/mL. RESULTS: The new method showed FS of 0.3 ng/mL. The correlation between the two methods was good (r = 0.74; p < 0.0001). The diagnostic sensitivity was 88.9%, and it was increased to 100% when combined with neck US. CONCLUSION: This new, high-sensitivity Tg assay presented a good correlation with Beckman Access assay and with the clinical outcome of the patients. The continuous availability of a validated assay is an additional advantage for long term follow-up of DTC patients. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012;56(9):658-65OBJETIVO: Na última década, estudos mostraram a importância dos ensaios de tiroglobulina (Tg) com melhor sensibilidade funcional no seguimento dos pacientes com carcinoma diferenciado de tiroide (CDT). Neste estudo, descrevemos o desenvolvimento de um novo ensaio de Tg de alta sensibilidade, que foi validado no seguimento de pacientes com CDT e correlacionado com um ensaio comercialmente disponível. SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: O ensaio imunofluorométrico de Tg baseia-se em anticorpos, um monoclonal e um policlonal desenvolvidos em nosso laboratório. Avaliamos 100 amostras de soro de 87 pacientes com CDT submetidos à tiroidectomia total, sendo que 87% deles também receberam 131I. A Tg foi dosada também em ensaio comercial (Beckman Access). RESULTADOS: A correlação entre os dois métodos foi de 0,74 (p < 0,0001). O novo ensaio mostrou uma sensibilidade funcional de 0,3 ng/mL. A sensibilidade diagnóstica foi de 88,9%, que aumentou para 100% quando associada ao ultrassom cervical (US). CONCLUSÃO: O novo método de dosagem de Tg mostra boa correlação com o ensaio comercial Beckman Access e com a evolução clínica dos pacientes. O novo ensaio será fundamental no seguimento dos nossos pacientes com CDT. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012;56(9):658-65Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de MedicinaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de MedicinaSciEL

Processo de enfermagem em idoso com amputação transtarsica: Relato de caso / Nursing process in the elderly with transtarsic amputation: Case report

Idosos com diabetes estão mais propensos a desenvolver lesões nas extremidades, esta caracteriza-se como uma importante causa de amputações não traumáticas de membros inferiores. Objetivo: Relatar o caso de um paciente com DM tipo 2 com infecção no pé diabético com posterior amputação. Trata-se de uma pesquisa exploratória descritiva do tipo estudo de caso. A coleta de dados ocorreu em um hospital público de referência, na Paraíba, no período de novembro de 2020 a março de 2021. Foi realizado através da aplicação do processo de enfermagem em um paciente diabético durante a internação submetido a amputação. Foi aplicado um instrumento de avaliação para obter o histórico de enfermagem e realizado o exame físico, para posteriormente realizar o diagnóstico de enfermagem e implementação do plano de cuidados. Os princípios preconizados pela Resolução 466/12 do Conselho Nacional de Saúde foram preservados. É indispensável promover a capacitação sistemática à equipe de enfermagem para que possam identificar precocemente agravos, atuar na prevenção, tratamento e cuidados apropriados minimizando agravamento das lesões e diminuindo a morbimortalidade relacionada às complicações da diabetes

A list of land plants of Parque Nacional do Caparaó, Brazil, highlights the presence of sampling gaps within this protected area

Brazilian protected areas are essential for plant conservation in the Atlantic Forest domain, one of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots. A major challenge for improving conservation actions is to know the plant richness, protected by these areas. Online databases offer an accessible way to build plant species lists and to provide relevant information about biodiversity. A list of land plants of “Parque Nacional do Caparaó” (PNC) was previously built using online databases and published on the website "Catálogo de Plantas das Unidades de Conservação do Brasil." Here, we provide and discuss additional information about plant species richness, endemism and conservation in the PNC that could not be included in the List. We documented 1,791 species of land plants as occurring in PNC, of which 63 are cited as threatened (CR, EN or VU) by the Brazilian National Red List, seven as data deficient (DD) and five as priorities for conservation. Fifity-one species were possible new ocurrences for ES and MG states

Rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Alveolar recruitment followed by ventilation at optimal titrated PEEP may reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS, but the effects on mortality and other clinical outcomes remain unknown. This article reports the rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART). Methods/Design: ART is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized (concealed), controlled trial, which aims to determine if maximum stepwise alveolar recruitment associated with PEEP titration is able to increase 28-day survival in patients with ARDS compared to conventional treatment (ARDSNet strategy). We will enroll adult patients with ARDS of less than 72 h duration. The intervention group will receive an alveolar recruitment maneuver, with stepwise increases of PEEP achieving 45 cmH(2)O and peak pressure of 60 cmH2O, followed by ventilation with optimal PEEP titrated according to the static compliance of the respiratory system. In the control group, mechanical ventilation will follow a conventional protocol (ARDSNet). In both groups, we will use controlled volume mode with low tidal volumes (4 to 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) and targeting plateau pressure &lt;= 30 cmH2O. The primary outcome is 28-day survival, and the secondary outcomes are: length of ICU stay; length of hospital stay; pneumothorax requiring chest tube during first 7 days; barotrauma during first 7 days; mechanical ventilation-free days from days 1 to 28; ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month survival. ART is an event-guided trial planned to last until 520 events (deaths within 28 days) are observed. These events allow detection of a hazard ratio of 0.75, with 90% power and two-tailed type I error of 5%. All analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: If the ART strategy with maximum recruitment and PEEP titration improves 28-day survival, this will represent a notable advance to the care of ARDS patients. Conversely, if the ART strategy is similar or inferior to the current evidence-based strategy (ARDSNet), this should also change current practice as many institutions routinely employ recruitment maneuvers and set PEEP levels according to some titration method.Hospital do Coracao (HCor) as part of the Program 'Hospitais de Excelencia a Servico do SUS (PROADI-SUS)'Brazilian Ministry of Healt

Tracking red blood cells flowing through a microchannel with a hyperbolic contraction: an automatic method

The present chapter aims to assess the motion and deformation index of red blood cells (RBCs) flowing through a microchannel with a hyperbolic contraction using an image analysis based method. For this purpose, a microchannel containing a hyperbolic contraction was fabricated in polydimethylsiloxane by using a soft-lithography technique and the images were captured by a standard high-speed microscopy system. An automatic image processing and analyzing method has been developed in a MATLAB environment, not only to track both healthy and exposed RBCs motion but also to measure the deformation index along the microchannel. The keyhole model has proved to be a promising technique to track automatically healthy and exposed RBCs flowing in this kind of microchannels.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Hematological and serum biochemistry evaluation in howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) and capuchin monkeys (Sapajus apella): a comparative study

Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel; Council of Technological and Scientific Development; National Science Foundation; Wenner-Gren FoundationUniversidade Federal Rural da Amazônia. Programa de Pós-graduação em Saúde e Produção Animal na Amazônia. Belém, PA, Brazil.Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia. Programa de Pós-graduação em Saúde e Produção Animal na Amazônia. Belém, PA, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Centro Nacional de Primatas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Centro Nacional de Primatas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Centro Nacional de Primatas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Análises Clínicas. Belém, PA, Brazil.Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia. Programa de Pós-graduação em Saúde e Produção Animal na Amazônia. Belém, PA, Brazil.Kent State University. Department of Anthropology. Kent, Ohio, USA.Background: Evaluation of blood parameters in captive non-human primates (NHPs) is crucial for monitoring their health and ensuring that their environment meets their physiological requirements. Methods: We performed hemogram, serum biochemistry, and parasitological exams in 20 howler monkeys and 21 capuchin monkeys. Results: In both species, over 50% of the individuals presented at least one parasite. There was a negative effect of age on red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell, platelets, total protein, globulin, and alkaline phosphatase, and a positive effect on the A:G ratio, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and mean platelet volume (MPV). Capuchin monkeys presented the highest platelets and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values and howler monkeys presented the highest MPV, aspartate aminotransferase, ALT, amylase, glucose, bilirubin, and triglycerides values. We observed an interaction between species and sex on RBC, Htc, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and cholesterol. Conclusions: Species differences found in blood parameters may reflect differences in physiological adaptations associated with ecological and morphological traits and are clinically relevant for evaluating animal health and the suitability of breeding programs

Determination of moxidectin in serum by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and its application in pharmacokinetic study in lambs

The widespread use of moxidectin (MOX), a parasiticide used in the sheep breeding, has induced the parasite resistance in Brazilian farms. As a consequence, the farmers often increase the dose and frequency of drug utilization, and disregards safety of meat or milk. In order to establish adequate therapeutic treatment it is necessary to know the pharmacokinetics of the drug in the animal's body. Thus, high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) method was developed for the determination of MOX in serum lamb. Serum samples were treated with acetonitrile to precipitate proteins. A clean up by dispersive extraction in solid phase (SPE-d), using primary/secondary amine (PSA) and C18 sorbents, followed by freezing was performed. Method validation presented precision (coefficient of variation) and accuracy (recovery%) between 1.7-6.7 and 80.0-107.3%, respectively. The limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method was 2.0 ng mL-1 and a linear response was obtained over a range of 2.0 to 100 ng mL-1. This method was successfully applied to the determination of MOX in serum from suffolk lamb to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile282250256CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPES305390/2013-9; 483839/2010-8Sem informaçã