Esofagite Eosinofílica

A esofagite eosinofílica constitui uma doença infl amatória do esófago, mundialmente emergente, caracterizada pela infiltração significativa e isolada da mucosa esofágica por eosinófilos. A sintomatologia de apresentação revela-se bastante variável, mas frequentemente manifesta -se como uma doença de refluxo gastroesofágico que não responde à terapêutica anti-refluxo. O impacto alimentar esofágico e o desenvolvimento de estenoses esofágicas são complicações graves que podem ocorrer, com necessidade de remoção urgente do alimento e dilatação esofágica via endoscópica,respectivamente. A potencial gravidade destes sintomas justifica a importância do reconhecimento e do tratamento da doença, sobretudo tendo em conta que a sua prevalência tem vindo a aumentar na última década. A presente revisão sumariza o actual conhecimento sobre epidemiologia, apresentação clínica, possíveis mecanismos fisiopatológicos, história natural, abordagem diagnóstica e terapêutica desta condição

The effect of flooding on the exchange of the volatile C₂-compounds ethanol, acetaldehyde and acetic acid between leaves of Amazonian floodplain tree species and the atmosphere

The effect of root inundation on the leaf emissions of ethanol, acetaldehyde and acetic acid in relation to assimilation and transpiration was investigated with 2–3 years old tree seedlings of four Amazonian floodplain species by applying dynamic cuvette systems under greenhouse conditions. Emissions were monitored over a period of several days of inundation using a combination of Proton Transfer Reaction Mass Spectrometry (PTR-MS) and conventional techniques (HPLC, ion chromatography). Under non-flooded conditions, none of the species exhibited measurable emissions of any of the compounds, but rather low deposition of acetaldehyde and acetic acid was observed instead. Tree species specific variations in deposition velocities were largely due to variations in stomatal conductance. Flooding of the roots resulted in leaf emissions of ethanol and acetaldehyde by all species, while emissions of acetic acid were only observed from the species exhibiting the highest ethanol and acetaldehyde emission rates. All three compounds showed a similar diurnal emission profile, each displaying an emission burst in the morning, followed by a decline in the evening. This concurrent behavior supports the conclusion, that all three compounds emitted by the leaves are derived from ethanol produced in the roots by alcoholic fermentation, transported to the leaves with the transpiration stream and finally partly converted to acetaldehyde and acetic acid by enzymatic processes. Co-emissions and peaking in the early morning suggest that root ethanol, after transportation with the transpiration stream to the leaves and enzymatic oxidation to acetaldehyde and acetate, is the metabolic precursor for all compounds emitted, though we can not totally exclude other production pathways. Emission rates substantially varied among tree species, with maxima differing by up to two orders of magnitude (25–1700 nmol m−2 min−1 for ethanol and 5–500 nmol m−2 min−1 for acetaldehyde). Acetic acid emissions reached 12 nmol m−2 min−1. The observed differences in emission rates between the tree species are discussed with respect to their root adaptive strategies to tolerate long term flooding, providing an indirect line of evidence that the root ethanol production is a major factor determining the foliar emissions. Species which develop morphological root structures allowing for enhanced root aeration produced less ethanol and showed much lower emissions compared to species which lack gas transporting systems, and respond to flooding with substantially enhanced fermentation rates and a non-trivial loss of carbon to the atmosphere. The pronounced differences in the relative emissions of ethanol to acetaldehyde and acetic acid between the tree species indicate that not only the ethanol production in the roots but also the metabolic conversion in the leaf is an important factor determining the release of these compounds to the atmosphere

Thermal comfort for pregnant sows housed in individual and group stalls

Este experimento foi realizado no período compreendido entre 04/01 e 11/03/2005, em uma propriedade de produção industrial de suínos, localizada no município de Elias Fausto, estado de São Paulo. O objetivo da pesquisa consistiu na avaliação de diferentes sistemas de alojamento para matrizes gestantes, verificando-se as influências dos elementos meteorológicos e os aspectos relacionados à qualidade química do ar e seus reflexos no conforto animal na fase de gestação, determinando-se as condições favoráveis ao melhor desempenho animal, com base nas respostas ao ambiente de criação. O estudo foi desenvolvido no setor de gestação, com 24 matrizes primíparas, 12 fêmeas alojadas em baias individuais (T1) e 12 animais em baias coletivas (T2). O trabalho foi dividido em duas etapas: análise bioclimática e análise da qualidade química do ar. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com dois tratamentos e 67 blocos, e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey. As variáveis meteorológicas (T, °C e h, kJ kg-1) apontam o sistema de alojamento em baias coletivas como aquele que permitiu melhor condicionamento térmico natural às matrizes em gestação apresentando valores da ordem de 25,03 °C e 62,02 kJ kg-1. As concentrações dos teores de gases não superaram as concentrações consideradas críticas para as matrizes.The experiment was carried out from January 4 to March 11, 2005 in a farm specialized in industrial production of pork, located in Elias Fausto, São Paulo State. This study evaluated different housing systems for pregnant sows looking at meteorological element influences and aspects of air chemical quality on the animal thermal comfort. The optimal conditions for animal performance improvement were determined by analyzing behavioral data taken in the breeding environment. In the gestation facility 24 gilts were allocated: 12 in individual stalls (T1) and 12 in group housings (T2). This study was divided into two steps: bioclimatic analysis and analysis of the chemical quality of air. An experimental design using randomized blocks with two treatments and 67 blocks was used. Means were compared by the Tukey test. The variables (T, °C e h, kJ kg-1) indicated which confinement system in group-houses was the one that permitted the better natural thermal environment for pregnant gilts with values of 25.03 °C and 62.02 kJ kg-1. In relation to concentration of gases, mean levels did not exceed the concentrations considered limiting for sows

Reflection on Risk Factors, Ashtma and Tobacco Smoke Exposure

O impacto da asma brônquica nas últimas décadas, nomeadamente em idade pediátrica, associando prevalências significativas a uma tendência, gravidade e custos crescentes, tem levado a que se efectuem múltiplos estudos para esclarecer causas, avaliando riscos, permitindo a elaboração de programas de prevenção. Estudos epidemiológicos bem desenhados, aplicados a amostras populacionais significativas, permitem identificar determinantes independentes da asma, viabilizando a actuação. Se muito se tem avançado no conhecimento das bases fisiopatológicas da doença alérgica, é com alguma preocupação que sentimos que a comunidade médica, mesmo a especializada, não sente as evidências epidemiológicas como aplicáveis à sua população de asmáticos. “Precisamos de mais estudos”, é declaração comum. Com este trabalho, centrado em três rastreios efectuados com a coordenação dos autores, pretendemos demonstrar que existem factores preveníveis, moduláveis, que podem permitir reduzir a morbilidade da doença asmática. Entre estes, o tabagismo passivo assume uma relevância ímpar, por ser o principal factor de risco para a gravidade da asma pediátrica em Portugal

Influence of Au on antibacterial activity of Ag-TiCN coatings

The increasing demand for sustainable products requires the development of new knowledge-based materials with advanced properties. These products are then expected to: last longer, have a better performance, be safe, and be more efficient. These requirements, gain particular importance when dealing with applications involving the human body: the so-called biomaterials. Thus, the main aim of these investigations is to contribute to the development of new biomaterials that are able to prevent biofilm formation, since those complex microbial communities are responsible for the undesired reactions such as inflammation and infection, and consequently medical devices rejection. This work reports the development of Ag-TiCN coatings doped with gold. One series of samples was prepared by DC reactive magnetron sputtering using two targets, Ti and Ti+Ag, in an Ar + C2H2 + N2 atmosphere. Silver pellets were placed in the erosion area of Ti target in order to obtain a silver content up to 10 at. %. A second series of samples was deposited with the same conditions but with the Ti target doped with one Au piece. Extended physical, chemical and structural characterization such as the study of composition, grain size and texture phase evolution, phase composition, film surface topography and morphology, will be achieved resorting to surface analysis techniques, such as, Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS). The galvanic couple formed between gold and silver, accelerates silver ion release and should provide more pronounced antibacterial activity. Staphylococcus epidermidis was selected to study coatings' antibacterial activity, and fibroblasts were used to test the cytotoxicity. Bacteria adhesion and biofilm formation on coatings were assessed by crystal violet staining, which quantifies total amount of biomass. Animal cell (fibroblasts) death was determined by MTS assay

Diagnóstico fitossanitário em sementes de cedro e tachi branco.

O trabalho objetivou diagnosticar fitopatógenos presentes em sementes de cedro vermelho (Cedrela odorata L.) e tachi branco (Sclerolobium paniculatum Vogel), espécies florestais nativas da Amazônia. A importância da patologia de sementes relaciona-se com a disseminação de doenças pelo fruto quando este é levado para beneficiamento e para evitar o apodrecimento das sementes, o que pode ocasionar perda pela presença de fitopatógenos nas mesmas. Os testes foram feitos com base nas Regras de Análise de Sementes (RAS) do Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento ? MAPA, pelo método de incubação em papel filtro ?Blotter Test?. Foram detectados os seguintes gêneros de fungos: Aspergillus sp., Penicillium spp. e Lasiodiplodia sp. em sementes de cedro e Penicillium spp. e Aspergillus sp. em tachi branco. As sementes de cedro apresentaram maiores níveis de incidência de fungos.PIBIC-2011

Mutilação genital feminina em Portugal: atitudes, formação e experiências de profissionais de saúde

De acordo com a OMS (1997), aproximadamente 140 milhões de mulheres em todo o mundo já foram submetidas a Mutilação Genital Feminina (MGF). Portugal foi considerado um país de risco relativamente à prática de MGF, devido ao aumento do número de imigrantes provenientes de países onde a prática é corrente e à inexistência de uma lei específica que penalize este procedimento. Deste modo, foi realizado o presente estudo, de carácter exploratório e quantitativo, no sentido de descrever as experiências, as atitudes dos/as profissionais de saúde e a sua formação em MGF. Participaram 52 médicos e enfermeiros da grande área de Lisboa, de ambos os sexos, com uma média de 35 anos de idade e com cerca de 11 anos de experiência profissional, através do preenchimento de um questionário. A análise dos dados confirmou a existência de atitudes negativas dos/as profissionais de saúde relativamente à MGF, bem como reforçou os resultados de estudos anteriores que indiciam a existência de lacunas na formação para os cuidados prestados às vítimas de MGF.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Influence of albumin on the tribological behavior of Ag-Ti (C, N) thin films for orthopedic implants

With the increase of elderly population and the health problems arising nowadays, such as cancer, knee and hip joint prostheses are widely used worldwide. It is estimated that 20% of hip replacement surgeries simply fail after 5 years, due to wear loosening, instability and infection. In this paper it is reported the study of advanced materials with the ability to overcome some of these drawbacks. The development of ceramic coatings, based on carbonitrides of transition metals, such as TiCN, doped with silver, Ag, may represent an effective solution. Thin films of Ag-TiCN were produced by dc reactive magnetron sputtering with silver contents ranging from 4 to 8 at. %. The physical, chemical, structural, morphological/topographical, mechanical and tribological properties were evaluated. The tribological tests were performed in a unidirectional wear simulator, pin on disc, being the antagonists of a ceramic Al2O3 ball, and using simulate body fluids as lubricant. Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) in HBSS were chosen, in order to evaluate the lubrication ability of the solution containing the protein, albumin. The results revealed that the coatings with Ag content ranging from 4 to 8 at. %, were the most promising, as the tribological properties were superior to the results reported by other authors, which also developed Ag-TiCN coatings containing similar Ag contents and using similar test conditions. The presence of albumin lead to a lower wear in all the test conditions, and this enhancement was higher in the hydrophobic surfaces.This research is sponsored by FEDER funds through the program COMPETE - Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade and by National funds through FCT - Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia, in the framework of the Strategic Projects PEST-C/FIS/UI607/2011, and PEst-C/EME/UI0285/2011 and under the project, PTDC/CTM/102853/2008