Canalicular laceration: a simplified suture technique

The authors describe the use of a teflon catheter as an intracanalicular stent in order to increase its accessability to ophthalmologists.The technique is based on the identification of the canalicular borders followed by the introduction of a teflon catheter (22 or 24) into the canalicular lumen. Three full-thickness sutures are placed at the canaliculum using a 8-0 mononylon or a 8-0 vicryl. This technique can be used in cases of non-complicated lacerations, in which catheterization is still possible.Os autores descrevem a utilização do cateter de teflon como molde intracanalicular visando tornar a sutura do canalículo lacrimal mais simples e acessível a todo oftalmologista. A técnica consiste em identificar os cotos canaliculares e, após introdução de cateter de teflon (número 22 ou 24) no lúmem canalicular, realizam-se três pontos cardinais transfixantes de sutura do canalículo com o fio nylon monofilamento (Mononylon®) ou poliglactina trançada (Vicryl®) 8-0. Esta técnica está indicada em casos de lacerações regulares, que possibilitem a cateterização do canalículo.35135

Biomechanical Model Improving Alzheimer’s Disease

The aim this study is to describe the algorithms of kinetic modeling to analyze the pattern of deposition of amyloid plaques and glucose metabolism in Alzheimer’s dementia. A two-tissue reversible compartment model for Pittsburgh Compound-B ([11C]PIB) and a two-tissue irreversible compartment model for [18F]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([18F]FDG) are solved applying the Laplace transform method in a system of two first-order differential equations. After calculating a convolution integral, the analytical solutions are completely described. In order to determine the parameters of the model, information on the tracer delivery is needed. A noninvasive reverse engineer technique is described to determine the input function from a reference region (carotids and cerebellum) in PET image processing, without arterial blood samples

Static analysis of a lamppost according to Eurocode EN-40

When people move around a town, at some point in their journey they need to cross the road using a dedicated crosswalk. However, crossing is not always done safely due to weather conditions, lack of visibility or distraction. The VALLPASS project, aims to install two lampposts in opposite positions to the direction of crossing, with various functionalities and technological innovations, creating a luminous tunnel for the safe passage of pedestrians. To verify the mechanical resistance of the lighting poles, numerical simulations were performed using the finite element method, where the boundary conditions considered the criteria defined by the European standard EN-40 "Lighting Columns". This standard specifies the loads acting on the column, namely the horizontal forces due to the action of wind according to standard NP EN 1991-1-4:2010 and the vertical forces due to the self-weight of the entire structure. Considering a lighting pole with a square lower section and a cylindrical upper section, with a total height of 7 meters and with a support structure for photovoltaic panels, according to the static analysis performed, a maximum combination of axial and bending stresses of 138.74MPa, was obtained in the connection zone between the square section and the pole shaft. The maximum displacement of 6.9cm, was obtained at the free ends of the photovoltaic panel support structure and a minimum factor of safety of 1.64 in the zone where the combination of axial and bending stresses is more severe.The authors would like to thank the NORTE-01-0247-FEDER-113439 project for the financial support for this work. Part of financial support was also provided by Portugal’s national funding FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) to Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO) (UIDB/00690/2020 and UIDP/00690/2020) and SusTEC (LA/P/0007/2020).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Thermal analysis for testing underground battery location

The energy storage batteries, employed in solar systems installed on lampposts, are usually placed in devices such as switchboards fixed at an elevation near the top of the column. However, this storage solution becomes inefficient, because it is not possible to guarantee the control of the working temperature of the batteries, due to the low thermal insulation capacity of these storage devices. In this sense, an underground compartment made of concrete, steel plate and rock wool were created, embedded in the foundation of the lamppost, with the purpose of using geothermal energy to maintain an adequate temperature inside the compartment. To verify the temperature inside the battery storage compartment, a thermal analysis was performed, where heat transfer by conduction, convection and radiation was considered. Analyses were performed in steady state, and later, transient state, considering the initial temperatures of the thermal study in the previous steady state. With a storage volume of 1m3 and the base of the compartment at a depth of 2m, it was verified that it is possible to use geothermal energy to cool or heat, depending on the season, a system through geothermal energy. Considering a typical day in July, with room temperature of 35oC, a reduction of approximately 8oC was obtained inside the storage compartment, compared to the ambient temperature.The authors would like to thank the NORTE-01-0247-FEDER-113439 project for the financial support for this work. Part of financial support was also provided by Portugal's national funding FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) to Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO) (UIDB/00690/2020 and UIDP/00690/2020) andSusTEC (LA/P/0007/2020).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Promoting diversity and overcoming publication barriers in Latin American neuroscience and Alzheimer's disease research : a call to action

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a global health issue. Because AD is a condition demanding effective management, its socioeconomic burden is immense and threatens the health systems of both low- and middle-income (LMIC) and high-income (HIC) countries. However, while most of the HICs are increasing their budget for AD research, the situation is different in LMICs, and resources are scarce. In addition, LMIC researchers face significant barriers to publishing in international peer reviewed journals, including funding constraints; language barriers; and in many cases, high article processing charges. In this perspective, we discuss these disparities and propose some actions that could help promote diversity, and ultimately translate into improved AD research capacity in LMICs, especially in Latin American and Caribbean countries

Resveratrol improves reproductive parameters of adult rats varicocelized in peripuberty

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective action of resveratrol against the reproductive damage caused by left-sided experimental varicocele. There was a reduction of testicular major axis in the varicocele group when compared with the other groupsthe testicular volume was reduced in varicocele group in comparison to the sham-control and resveratrol groups. The frequency of morphologically abnormal sperm was higher in varicocele and varicocele treated with resveratrol groups than in sham-control and resveratrol groups. The frequency of sperm with 100% of mitochondrial activity and normal acrosome integrity were lower in varicocele group than in varicocele treated with resveratrol, sham-control and resveratrol groups. Sperm motility was also reduced in varicocele group than in other groups. The sperm DNA fragmentation was higher in varicocele group than in other groups. Testicular levels of malondialdehyde were higher in varicocele and varicocele treated with resveratrol groups. The varicocele and varicocele treated with resveratrol groups had a significantly higher frequency of TUNEL-positive cells than sham-control and resveratrol groupshowever, immunolabeling of the testes from varicocele treated with resveratrol group showed a lower number of apoptotic germ cells in comparison with the left testis of rats of the varicocele group. Reproductive alterations produced by varicocele from peripuberty were reduced by resveratrol in adulthood. Resveratrol should be better investigated as an adjuvant in the treatment of varicocele. Daily administration of resveratrol to rats with varicocele from peripuberty improves sperm quality in the adulthood.National Council for the Improvement of Higher Education (CAPES/Brazil)Laboratory of Human Reproduction - UnifespFed Univ Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Morphol & Genet, Dev Biol Lab, Sao Paulo, BrazilFed Univ Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Morphol & Genet, Dev Biol Lab, Sao Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities of a standardized dichloromethane extract from piper umbellatum l. leaves

Despite the advances in anticancer drug discovery field, the worldwide cancer incidence is remarkable, highlighting the need for new therapies focusing on both cancer cell and its microenvironment. The tumor microenvironment offers multiple targets for cancer therapy, including inflammation. Nowadays, almost 75% of the anticancer agents used in chemotherapy are derived from natural products, and plants are an important source of new promising therapies. Continuing our research on Piper umbellatum species, here we describe the anticancer (in vitro antiproliferative activity and in vivo Ehrlich solid tumor model) and anti-inflammatory (carrageenan-induced paw edema and peritonitis models) activities of a standardized dichloromethane extract (SDE) from P. umbellatum leaves, containing 23.9% of 4-nerolidylcatechol. SDE showed in vitro and in vivo antiproliferative activity, reducing Ehrlich solid tumor growth by 38.7 and 52.2% when doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively, were administered daily by oral route. Daily treatments did not produce signals of toxicity. SDE also reduced paw edema and leukocyte migration on carrageenan-induced inflammation models, suggesting that the anticancer activity of SDE from Piper umbellatum leaves could involve antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory effects. These findings highlight P. umbellatum as a source of compounds against cancer and inflammation2015CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPES133897/2012-5sem informaçã

Qualidade da água e aspectos construtivos dos poços do aquífero aluvionar do rio Jaguaribe, município de São João do Jaguaribe, Ceará

Este artigo discute os aspectos construtivos dos poços e a qualidade físico-química das águas subterrâneas no cenário do Domínio Hidrogeológico Sedimentar do aquífero aluvionar do baixo vale do rio Jaguaribe, São João do Jaguaribe, Ceará, e sua interface com o uso e ocupação do solo. Dos poços mapeados, grande parte apresenta alguma deficiência quanto aos aspectos construtivos e de proteção sanitária recomendados pela ABNT. Em relação à qualidade das águas subterrâneas, foram feitas análises físico-químicas de 30 amostras representativas do aquífero aluvionar, com determinações do pH, turbidez, condutividade elétrica, cátions e ânions maiores, sólidos totais dissolvidos, sílica, dureza, alcalinidade, compostos nitrogenados, fluoreto, ferro, turbidez, alumínio e fosfato. As concentrações dos compostos nitrogenados das águas do aquífero aluvial não sugerem importante contaminação antrópica local do aquífero, visto que o nitrito e a amônia raramente foram detectados e o nitrato apresentou concentrações traço. Constatou-se que a qualidade da água é naturalmente prejudicada principalmente pela elevada concentração de ferro, que se reflete na turbidez e cor da água de quase todos os poços. Sódio e cloreto em 37% das amostras estão em concentrações que caracterizam águas salobras; no restante das amostras a concentração de sólidos totais dissolvidos é inferior a 1000 mg L-1. Desse modo, predominam na área de estudo águas doces, que submetidas a tratamento para remoção do ferro, podem se tornar adequadas para diversos usos. Valores de pH, amônia, nitrito, nitrato, sulfato e alumínio estão 100% dentro dos máximos permitidos. O principal processo geoquímico relacionado à qualidade da água é a interação rocha-água, devido ao longo tempo de residência da água no aquífero aluvionar, que, em média, considerando a série histórica 1973–2020, não recebe recarga pluvial