1,237 research outputs found
MonoMAC Syndrome Caused by a Novel GATA2 Mutation Successfully Treated by Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Effect of bicarbonate alkalinity on gravimetric solids analysis in anaerobic wastewater treatment
Bicarbonate alkalinity plays an important role in the stability of biological reactors used in wastewater treatment, primarily in anaerobic systems. As some wastewaters tend to acidify readily, addition of an external alkali source may be necessary to maintain process stability. An assessment was made of the effect of sodium bicarbonate addition on the determination of solids concentration. The methodology consisted in accompanying a series of solids concentrations (total solids, TS; total volatile solids, TVS; and total fixed solids, TFS) in samples containing cheese whey and volatile acids used to simulate anaerobic reactor effluents. TS, TVS and TFS showed to be strongly affected by NaHCO3 addition, mainly due to an increase in TFS. This effect could be quantified by relating the experimental values to the theoretical ones from the stoichiometric equations for NaHCO3 decomposition and other compounds (sodium acetate and sodium propionate) formation with temperature increase. In this way, as one of the main parameters of assessing liquid effluent treatment systems is the reduction in solids present in the medium, the concentration of solids can be quantified more adequately by determining fixed solids from the inorganic salts present. This methodology showed to be adequate in cases where a significant amount of alkali is added.32961061
Emerging radiotherapy technology in a developing country: A single Brazilian institution assessment of stereotactic body radiotherapy application
Alimentary fluoride intake in preschool children
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The knowledge of background alimentary fluoride intake in preschool children is of utmost importance for introducing optimal and safe caries preventive measures for both individuals and communities. The aim of this study was to assess the daily fluoride intake analyzing duplicate samples of food and beverages. An attempt was made to calculate the daily intake of fluoride from food and swallowed toothpaste.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Daily alimentary fluoride intake was measured in a group of 36 children with an average age of 4.75 years and an average weight of 20.69 kg at baseline, by means of a double plate method. This was repeated after six months. Parents recorded their child's diet over 24 hours and collected duplicated portions of food and beverages received by children during this period. Pooled samples of food and beverages were weighed and solid food samples were homogenized. Fluoride was quantitatively extracted from solid food samples by a microdiffusion method using hexadecyldisiloxane and perchloric acid. The content of fluoride extracted from solid food samples, as well as fluoride in beverages, was measured potentiometrically by means of a fluoride ion selective electrode.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Average daily fluoride intake at baseline was 0.389 (SD 0.054) mg per day. Six months later it was 0.378 (SD 0.084) mg per day which represents 0.020 (SD 0.010) and 0.018 (SD 0.008) mg of fluoride respectively calculated per kg bw/day.</p> <p>When adding the values of unwanted fluoride intake from the toothpaste shown in the literature (0.17-1.21 mg per day) the estimate of the total daily intake of fluoride amounted to 0.554-1.594 mg/day and recalculated to the child's body weight to 0.027-0.077 mg/kg bw/day.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In the children studied, observed daily fluoride intake reached the threshold for safe fluoride intake. When adding the potential fluoride intake from swallowed toothpaste, alimentary intake reached the optimum range for daily fluoride intake. These results showed that in preschool children, when trying to maximize the benefit of fluoride in caries prevention and to minimize its risk, caution should be exercised when giving advice on the fluoride containing components of child's diet or prescribing fluoride supplements.</p
Fatal CTLA-4 Heterozygosity With Autoimmunity and Recurrent Infections: a De Novo Mutation
Primary immunodeficiency disorders are rarely diagnosed in adults but must be considered in the differential diagnosis of combined recurrent infections and autoimmune disease. We describe a patient with CTLA-4 haploinsufficiency and an abnormal regulatory T-cell phenotype. Unusually, infections were more severe than autoimmunity, illustrating therapeutic challenges in disease course.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Socioeconomic inequalities and changes in oral health behaviors among Brazilian adolescents from 2009 to 2012
Association between handgrip strength and physical activity in hypertensive elderly individuals
Genome of the Avirulent Human-Infective Trypanosome—Trypanosoma rangeli
Background: Trypanosoma rangeli is a hemoflagellate protozoan parasite infecting humans and other wild and domestic mammals across Central and South America. It does not cause human disease, but it can be mistaken for the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi. We have sequenced the T. rangeli genome to provide new tools for elucidating the distinct and intriguing biology of this species and the key pathways related to interaction with its arthropod and mammalian hosts. Methodology/Principal Findings: The T. rangeli haploid genome is ,24 Mb in length, and is the smallest and least repetitive trypanosomatid genome sequenced thus far. This parasite genome has shorter subtelomeric sequences compared to those of T. cruzi and T. brucei; displays intraspecific karyotype variability and lacks minichromosomes. Of the predicted 7,613 protein coding sequences, functional annotations could be determined for 2,415, while 5,043 are hypothetical proteins, some with evidence of protein expression. 7,101 genes (93%) are shared with other trypanosomatids that infect humans. An ortholog of the dcl2 gene involved in the T. brucei RNAi pathway was found in T. rangeli, but the RNAi machinery is non-functional since the other genes in this pathway are pseudogenized. T. rangeli is highly susceptible to oxidative stress, a phenotype that may be explained by a smaller number of anti-oxidant defense enzymes and heatshock proteins. Conclusions/Significance: Phylogenetic comparison of nuclear and mitochondrial genes indicates that T. rangeli and T. cruzi are equidistant from T. brucei. In addition to revealing new aspects of trypanosome co-evolution within the vertebrate and invertebrate hosts, comparative genomic analysis with pathogenic trypanosomatids provides valuable new information that can be further explored with the aim of developing better diagnostic tools and/or therapeutic targets
Methods of induction of labour: a systematic review
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Rates of labour induction are increasing. We conducted this systematic review to assess the evidence supporting use of each method of labour induction.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We listed methods of labour induction then reviewed the evidence supporting each. We searched MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library between 1980 and November 2010 using multiple terms and combinations, including labor, induced/or induction of labor, prostaglandin or prostaglandins, misoprostol, Cytotec, 16,16,-dimethylprostaglandin E2 or E2, dinoprostone; Prepidil, Cervidil, Dinoprost, Carboprost or hemabate; prostin, oxytocin, misoprostol, membrane sweeping or membrane stripping, amniotomy, balloon catheter or Foley catheter, hygroscopic dilators, laminaria, dilapan, saline injection, nipple stimulation, intercourse, acupuncture, castor oil, herbs. We performed a best evidence review of the literature supporting each method. We identified 2048 abstracts and reviewed 283 full text articles. We preferentially included high quality systematic reviews or large randomised trials. Where no such studies existed, we included the best evidence available from smaller randomised or quasi-randomised trials.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We included 46 full text articles. We assigned a quality rating to each included article and a strength of evidence rating to each body of literature. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and vaginal misoprostol were more effective than oxytocin in bringing about vaginal delivery within 24 hours but were associated with more uterine hyperstimulation. Mechanical methods reduced uterine hyperstimulation compared with PGE2 and misoprostol, but increased maternal and neonatal infectious morbidity compared with other methods. Membrane sweeping reduced post-term gestations. Most included studies were too small to evaluate risk for rare adverse outcomes.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Research is needed to determine benefits and harms of many induction methods.</p
Mutations that permit residual CFTR function delay acquisition of multiple respiratory pathogens in CF patients
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Lung infection by various organisms is a characteristic feature of cystic fibrosis (CF). <it>CFTR </it>genotype effects acquisition of <it>Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa)</it>, however the effect on acquisition of other infectious organisms that frequently precede <it>Pa </it>is relatively unknown. Understanding the role of CFTR in the acquisition of organisms first detected in patients may help guide symptomatic and molecular-based treatment for CF.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Lung infection, defined as a single positive respiratory tract culture, was assessed for 13 organisms in 1,381 individuals with CF. Subjects were divided by predicted CFTR function: 'Residual': carrying at least one partial function <it>CFTR </it>mutation (class IV or V) and 'Minimal' those who do not carry a partial function mutation. Kaplan-Meier estimates were created to assess <it>CFTR </it>effect on age of acquisition for each organism. Cox proportional hazard models were performed to control for possible cofactors. A separate Cox regression was used to determine whether defining infection with <it>Pa</it>, mucoid <it>Pa </it>or <it>Aspergillus (Asp) </it>using alternative criteria affected the results. The influence of severity of lung disease at the time of acquisition was evaluated using stratified Cox regression methods by lung disease categories.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Subjects with 'Minimal' CFTR function had a higher hazard than patients with 'Residual' function for acquisition of 9 of 13 organisms studied (HR ranging from 1.7 to 3.78 based on the organism studied). Subjects with minimal CFTR function acquired infection at a younger age than those with residual function for 12 of 13 organisms (p-values ranging: < 0.001 to 0.017). Minimal CFTR function also associated with younger age of infection when 3 alternative definitions of infection with <it>Pa</it>, mucoid <it>Pa </it>or <it>Asp </it>were employed. Risk of infection is correlated with CFTR function for 8 of 9 organisms in patients with good lung function (>90%ile) but only 1 of 9 organisms in those with poorer lung function (<50%ile).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Residual CFTR function correlates with later onset of respiratory tract infection by a wide spectrum of organisms frequently cultured from CF patients. The protective effect conferred by residual CFTR function is diminished in CF patients with more advanced lung disease.</p
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