Transarterial embolization for hepatocellular carcinoma : a comparison between nonspherical PVA and microspheres

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and transarterial embolization (TAE) have improved the survival rates of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, the optimal TACE/TAE embolic agent has not yet been identified. Theaim of this study was to compare the effect of two different embolic agents such as microspheres (ME) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on survival, tumor response, and complications in patients with HCC submitted to transarterial embolization (TAE). Eighty HCC patients who underwent TAE between June 2008 and December 2012 at a single center were retrospectively studied. A total of 48 and 32 patients were treated with PVA and ME, respectively. There were no significant differences in survival ( = 0.679) or tumoral response ( = 0.369) between groups (PVA or ME). Overall survival rates at 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48months were 97.9, 88.8, 78.9, 53.4, and 21.4% in the PVA-TAE group and 100, 92.9, 76.6, 58.8, and 58% in the ME-TAE group ( = 0.734). Patients submitted to TAE withME presented postembolization syndromemore frequently when compared with the PVA group ( = 0.02). According to our cohort, the choice of ME or PVA as embolizing agent had no significant impact on overall survival

Bibliometric analysis of the scientific journal Transinformação

This paper proposes the application of the three main Bibliometrics laws –Lotka, Zipf, and Bradford- to address the following questions: (i) How to be sure of the quality of publishers and contents in scholarly publishing, and (ii) How to determine content reliability. Our main goal is to evaluate the visibility of Transinformação, a Brazilian scholarly journal in the information science area, according to its productivity, citation counts, and performance indicators. This study focusses on the concepts of Bibliometrics and Scholarly Journals, presenting a brief history of scholarly publishing and its accessibility in Brazil, as well as the software tools used in this work. This is an exploratory documentary study, based on descriptive mixed methods (i.e., both qualitative and quantitative), that analyzes 24 years of Transinformação issues, from its first edition in 1989 to 2011. Descriptive statistics tables are used to show the results obtained from analyses carried out with Publish or perish, Microsoft Excel, and Web of science Citespace tools

MAPEAMENTO CONCEITUAL DA INTER-RELAÇÃO ENTRE GESTÃO DO CONHECIMENTO, CAPITAL INTELECTUAL E MÉTRICAS DE QUALIDADE NAS UNIVERSIDADES

O novo contexto das exigências imputadas às Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES) repercute em diversas dimensões dentro destas organizações. Neste contexto este trabalho apresenta um mapeamento conceitual resultante de uma revisão sistemática de literatura sobre a aplicação da Gestão do Conhecimento (GC), do Capital Intelectual (CI) e dos Modelos ou Métricas de Qualidade (MQ) aplicados às universidades. Pretendeu-se compreender e identificar como as técnicas de GC, as aplicações do CI e a utilização ou adoção de MQ podem funcionar como instrumentos de apoio diferenciais as IES. A revisão de literatura baseou-se em artigos publicados em veículos de comunicação de reconhecida qualidade e com fator de impacto relevante. A contribuição principal deste trabalho residiu na elaboração de proposta de mapeamento integrativo dos conceitos, utilizando-se um mapa conceitual construído colaborativamente entre os autores, e, na elaboração do modelo conceitual do trabalho derivado deste mapeamento. Estes modelos permitiram identificar, de forma visual, a ocorrência de inter-relacionamentos entre os conceitos, que não seriam de fácil evidenciação num contexto meramente textual

Determination of Smuggled Cigarette Characteristics in Brazil and Their Potential Risk to the Human Health

The objective of this study was to determine the different characteristics of tobacco found in thirty brands of smuggled cigarettes in Brazil. Determination of arsenic through atomic absorption spectrometry in graphite oven was carried out and classical methodologies were employed to determine dirtiness, total ash, insoluble ash, humidity, tobacco pH and sidestream smoke pH. The methodology used to quantify arsenic presented quantification limit of 15.0 ng g-1 and detection limit of 4.0 ng g-1 in dry tobacco mass. The recovery of arsenic for the method purpose was 98.2% and relative standard deviation 6.0%. About 56% of the brands were observed to have arsenic concentrations above 20.0 ng g-1, which means nearly twice as much as the arsenic found in cigarettes sold legally in Brazil. Levels above the recommended value for humidity were found in 53% of brands. About 96% of the brands presented total ash content above that indicated by the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. About 53% of the samples contained levels of insoluble ash above the limit. In 90% of the samples, the smoke was alkaline. In dirtiness tests, 81.2% of the brands presented some kind of contaminant, such as fungi, insect fragments, grass or mites. The characteristics revealed that the consumption of this kind of cigarette can increase risks to consumer health. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v8i3.83

Effect of Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Oreochromis niloticus Tissues of an Urban Lake in Southern Brazil

In this study, the effect of the bioaccumulation of metals on Oreochromis niloticus tissues was evaluated. Significant Co, Mn and Ni concentrations were found in the lake water near the fertilizer industries. In the sediment was identified the presence of Cd (4.612 ± 0.930 mg kg-1), Ni (46.847 ± 3.801 mg kg-1) and Zn (865.534± 89.437) mg kg-1) in concentrations above the probable effect level (PEL). For Cu (141.963 ± 5.148 mg kg-1) and Pb (53.362 ± 6.621 mg kg-1) concentrations between the threshold effect (TEL) or probable effect (PEL) levels. Regarding Oreochromis niloticus tissues, the concentration of metals in the liver was higher than found in muscle. The biomarkers indicated that the hepatic cells of Oreochromis niloticus are under oxidative stress, explained by the higher levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein carbonylation (PCO) when compared to control fish tissues. The set of biomarkers presented in this study contribute to define the effects of the bioaccumulation of metals in Oreochromis niloticus tissues. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v11i7.136

Estimating basal energy expenditure in liver transplant recipients : the value of the Harris-Benedict Equation

Racional: Estimativa confiável do metabolismo basal em pacientes transplantados de fígado é necessária para adaptar os requerimentos energéticos, melhorar o estado nutricional e prevenir ganho de peso. Calorimetria indireta (CI) é o padrão-ouro para a medição do metabolismo basal. No entanto, ele pode ser estimado utilizando-se métodos alternativos, incluindo a bioimpedância (BI), a Equação de Harris-Benedict (EHB), e também a Equação de Mifflin-St. Jeor (MSJ). Esses métodos alternativos possuem aplicabilidade mais fácil e custo inferior quando comparados à CI. Objetivo: Determinar qual dos três métodos alternativos para a estimativa do metabolismo basal (EHB, BI e MSJ) seria o mais confiável em pacientes transplantados de fígado. Métodos: Foi realizado estudo transversal prospectivo incluindo pacientes transplantados de fígado com dislipidemia, em acompanhamento ambulatorial. Comparações dos valores calculados de metabolismo basal via CI aos valores estimados por cada um dos três métodos alternativos (EHB, BI e MSJ) foram realizadas utilizando o de Bland- Altman e o teste de Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney. Resultados: Quarenta e cinco pacientes foram incluídos com idade 58±10 anos. O metabolismo basal medido via CI foi 1664±319 kcal para pacientes do gênero masculino, e 1409±221 kcal para o feminino. A diferença média entre a taxa de metabolismo basal aferida por CI (1534±300 kcal) e estimada por BI (1584±377 kcal) foi +50 kcal (p=0.0384). A diferença média entre a taxa de metabolismo basal aferida via CI (1534±300 kcal) e estimada por MSJ (1479.6±375 kcal) foi -55 kcal (p=0.16). A diferença média entre os valores de taxa de metabolismo basal medidos via CI (1534±300 kcal) e estimados por EHB (1521±283 kcal) foi -13 kcal (p=0.326). Além disso, a diferença entre a taxa de metabolismo basal estimada via CI e a aferida por EHB foi menor que 100 kcal para 39 de todos os 43 pacientes avaliados. Conclusões: A EHB foi o mais confiável dos três métodos de estimativa da taxa de metabolismo basal em pacientes transplantados de fígado em acompanhamento ambulatorial.Background: Reliable measurement of basal energy expenditure (BEE) in liver transplant (LT) recipients is necessary for adapting energy requirements, improving nutritional status and preventing weight gain. Indirect calorimetry (IC) is the gold standard for measuring BEE. However, BEE may be estimated through alternative methods, including electrical bioimpedance (BI), Harris-Benedict Equation (HBE), and Mifflin-St. Jeor Equation (MSJ) that carry easier applicability and lower cost. Aim: To determine which of the three alternative methods for BEE estimation (HBE, BI and MSJ) would provide most reliable BEE estimation in LT recipients. Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study including dyslipidemic LT recipients in follow-up at a 735-bed tertiary referral university hospital. Comparisons of BEE measured through IC to BEE estimated through each of the three alternative methods (HBE, BI and MSJ) were performed using Bland-Altman method and Wilcoxon Rank Sum test. Results: Fortyfive patients were included, aged 58±10 years. BEE measured using IC was 1664±319 kcal for males, and 1409±221 kcal for females. Average difference between BEE measured by IC (1534±300 kcal) and BI (1584±377 kcal) was +50 kcal (p=0.0384). Average difference between the BEE measured using IC (1534±300 kcal) and MSJ (1479.6±375 kcal) was -55 kcal (p=0.16). Average difference between BEE values measured by IC (1534±300 kcal) and HBE (1521±283 kcal) was -13 kcal (p=0.326). Difference between BEE estimated through IC and HBE was less than 100 kcal for 39 of all 43patients. Conclusions: Among the three alternative methods, HBE was the most reliable for estimating BEE in LT recipients

Post-treatment of Anaerobic Reactor Effluent by Double Filtration with Gravel and Clinoptilolite and Ozone Disinfection

Anaerobic reactors are an excellent alternative in the treatment of domestic effluents. However, this system presents the disadvantage of requiring post-treatment. Many technologies have been studied and rapid filtration systems have proven to be a viable alternative for the post-treatment of anaerobic reactor effluents. This study evaluates the efficacy of an anaerobic reactor effluent post-treatment system using double filtration (DF), which consists of an upward gravel filter and a downward filter of clinoptilolite, and disinfection by ozonation. The system was evaluated using physicochemical and microbiological parameters. The lowest ozone dose (0.4 mg L-1) indicated possible oxidation of fractions of biodegradable organic matter with BOD removals above 95%. Higher ozone concentrations (5.0 and 7.0 mg L-1) improved COD removal and total nitrogen removal. Regarding microbiological parameters, over 87% E. coli and 89% total coliforms could be removed only with the use of DF, while total inactivation was observed using doses above 5.0 mg L-1 ozone. The results showed that following the proposed treatment, the effluent treated with the DF/Ozonation combination meets the guidelines for reuse in toilets, irrigation of orchards, cereals, pastures, and other crops through runoff or by punctual irrigation system according to the NBR 13969/97. According to these results, DF using clinoptilolite followed by ozonation is a promising technology for the anaerobic reactor effluent post-treatment. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v13i4.161

Severe hepatopulmonary syndrome with hypoxemia refractory to liver transplant : recovery after 67 days of ECMO support

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a complication of end stage liver disease (ESLD) and is manifested by severe hypoxemia, which usually responds to liver transplantation (LT). As compared to patients undergoing LT for other etiologies, patients with HPS present an increased risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality. There is no effective treatment for patients whose hypoxemia does not respond to LT. This subset of patients is at a highly increased risk of death. There are very few reports on the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in this setting with rapid response. However, there is no prior report of ECMO utilization for longer than 4 weeks. We present the case of a 17 year-old male patient who underwent LT for ESLD secondary to chronic portal vein thrombosis and HPS. He received a liver from a deceased donor and presented with severe HPS after LT, requiring ECMO support for 67 days. The patient was discharged home and is breathing in ambient air. He is currently asymptomatic and has a normal liver function

Effect of Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Oreochromis niloticus Tissues of an Urban Lake in Southern Brazil

In this study, the effect of the bioaccumulation of metals on Oreochromis niloticus tissues was evaluated. Significant Co, Mn and Ni concentrations were found in the lake water near the fertilizer industries. In the sediment was identified the presence of Cd (4.612 ± 0.930 mg kg-1), Ni (46.847 ± 3.801 mg kg-1) and Zn (865.534± 89.437) mg kg-1) in concentrations above the probable effect level (PEL). For Cu (141.963 ± 5.148 mg kg-1) and Pb (53.362 ± 6.621 mg kg-1) concentrations between the threshold effect (TEL) or probable effect (PEL) levels. Regarding Oreochromis niloticus tissues, the concentration of metals in the liver was higher than found in muscle. The biomarkers indicated that the hepatic cells of Oreochromis niloticus are under oxidative stress, explained by the higher levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein carbonylation (PCO) when compared to control fish tissues. The set of biomarkers presented in this study contribute to define the effects of the bioaccumulation of metals in Oreochromis niloticus tissues. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v11i7.136

Apresentação

Em sua primeira edição, a Revista Eletrônica Discente História.com materializa um projeto de árdua luta, mas acima de tudo, possível. Este periódico é um canal de publicação de produção acadêmica de discentes que atuam na área de História e demais Ciências Humanas e Sociais que dialoguem e contribuam para o campo da prática historiográfica.Para esse número, a presente edição recebeu trabalhos que foram submetidos à avaliação de seus pareceristas oriundos de várias universidades federais e estaduais do Brasil, fato que demonstra a lacuna que uma revista discente como esta preenche no meio acadêmico e o quanto discentes e seus respectivos orientadores acreditaram na credibilidade da proposta deste meio de divulgação do conhecimento científico.As contribuições dos autores para o entendimento de diversos períodos da história é uma realidade nesta edição. Espera-se que os trabalhos selecionados e publicados sejam estimuladores de discussões e produções de conhecimentos. Este é um dos ideais em que a Revista Eletrônica Discente História.com se ancora, seguindo o ideal acadêmico de que ela deve servir não apenas para a divulgação de trabalhos, mas como meio de disseminação e apropriação de conhecimentos, além de ser um canal de diálogo entre os estudiosos do país.