Relating MODIS vegetation index time-series with structure, light absorption and stem production of fast-growing Eucalyptus plantations

By allowing the estimation of forest structural and biophysical characteristics at different temporal and spatial scales, remote sensing may contribute to our understanding and monitoring of planted forests. Here, we studied 9-year time-series of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on a network of 16 stands in fast-growing Eucalyptus plantations in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. We aimed to examine the relationships between NDVI time-series spanning entire rotations and stand structural characteristics (volume, dominant height, mean annual increment) in these simple forest ecosystems. Our second objective was to examine spatial and temporal variations of light use efficiency for wood production, by comparing time-series of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (APAR) with inventory data. Relationships were calibrated between the NDVI and the fractions of intercepted diffuse and direct radiation, using hemispherical photographs taken on the studied stands at two seasons. APAR was calculated from the NDVI time-series using these relationships. Stem volume and dominant height were strongly correlated with summed NDVI values between planting date and inventory date. Stand productivity was correlated with mean NDVI values. APAR during the first 2 years of growth was variable between stands and was well correlated with stem wood production (r(2) = 0.78). In contrast, APAR during the following years was less variable and not significantly correlated with stem biomass increments. Production of wood per unit of absorbed light varied with stand age and with site index. In our study, a better site index was accompanied both by increased APAR during the first 2 years of growth and by higher light use efficiency for stem wood production during the whole rotation. Implications for simple process-based modelling are discussed. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Method development and optimization for the determination of selenium in bean and soil samples using hydride generation electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The present investigation is the first part of an initiative to prepare a regional map of the natural abundance of selenium in various areas of Brazil, based on the analysis of bean and soil samples. Continuous-flow hydride generation electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-ET AAS) with in situ trapping on an iridium-coated graphite tube has been chosen because of the high sensitivity and relative simplicity. The microwave-assisted acid digestion for bean and soil samples was tested for complete recovery of inorganic and organic selenium compounds (selenomethionine). The reduction of Se(VI) to Se(IV) was optimized in order to guarantee that there is no back-oxidation, which is of importance when digested samples are not analyzed immediately after the reduction step. The limits of detection and quantification of the method were 30 ng L(-1) Se and 101 ng L(-1) Se, respectively, corresponding to about 3 ng g(-1) and 10 ng g(-1), respectively, in the solid samples, considering a typical dilution factor of 100 for the digestion process. The results obtained for two certified food reference materials (CRM), soybean and rice, and for a soil and sediment CRM confirmed the validity of the investigated method. The selenium content found in a number of selected bean samples varied between 5.5 +/- 0.4 ng g(-1) and 1726 +/- 55 ng g(-1), and that in soil samples varied between 113 +/- 6.5 ng g(-1) and 1692 +/- 21 ng g(-1). (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Absorption and metabolism of cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside extracted from wild mulberry (Morus nigra L.) in rats

The mechanism of uptake of anthocyanins (as well as the type) from food in the intestine is not clear. Anthocyanin-rich extract from wild mulberry, composed of cyanidin-3-glucoside (79%) and cyanidin-3-rutino side (cy-3-rut) (19%), was orally administered to Wistar rats, and their concentrations were determined in plasma, kidney, and the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The 2 glycosylated forms showed maximum concentration at 15 minutes after oral administration, both in plasma and kidney. The cyanidin-3-glucoside and cy-3-rut were found in plasma as glucuronides, as sulfates of cyanidin, and as unchanged forms. The area under the curve of concentration vs time (AUC(0-8h)) was 2.76 +/- 0.88 mu g hour/mL and 9.74 +/- 0.75 mu g hour/g for plasma and kidney, respectively. In spite of the low absorption, the increase in plasma anthocyanin level resulted in a significant increase in antioxidant capacity (P < .05). In the GI tract (stomach and small and large intestines), cyanidin glycosides were found unchanged, but a low amount of the aglycone form was present. Anthocyanin glycosides were no longer detected in the GI tract after 8 hours of administration. In vitro fermentation showed that the 2 cyanidin glycosides were totally metabolized by the rat colonic microflora, explaining their disappearance. In addition, the 2 products of their degradation, cyanidin and protocatechuic acid, were not detected in plasma and probably do not influence plasma antioxidant capacity. As found by the everted sac model, anthocyanins were transported across the enterocyte by the sodium-dependent glucose transporter. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Biomonitoring method for the simultaneous determination of cadmium and lead in whole blood by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry for assessment of environmental exposure

The aim of this work is to propose a biomonitoring method for the simultaneous determination of Cd and Pb in whole blood by simultaneous electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry for assessment of environmental levels. A volume of 200 mu L of whole blood was diluted in 500 mu L of 0.2% (w v(-1)) Triton(R) X-100 + 2.0% (v v(-1)) HNO3. Trichloroacetic acid was added for protein precipitation and the supernatant analyzed. A mixture of 250 mu g W + 200 mu g Rh as permanent and 2.0% (w v(-1)) NH4H2PO4 as co-injected modifiers were used. Characteristic masses and limits of detections (n = 20, 3s) for Cd and Pb were 1.26 and 33 pg and 0.026 mu g L-1 and 0.65 mu g L-1, respectively. Repeatability ranged from 1.8 to 6.8% for Cd and 1.2 to 1.7% for Pb. The trueness of method was checked by the analysis of three Reference Materials: Lyphocheck(R) Whole Blood Metals Control level 1 and Seronorm(TM) Trace Elements in Whole Blood levels 1 and 2. The found concentrations presented no statistical differences at the 95% confidence level. Blood samples from 40 volunteers without occupational exposure were analyzed and the concentrations ranged from 0.13 to 0.71 mu g L-1 (0.32 +/- 0.19 mu g L-1) for Cd and 9.3 to 56.7 mu g L-1 (25.1 +/- 10.8 mu g L-1) for Pb. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Direct and Simultaneous Determination of Cd Cu, and Se in Blood Samples by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

A graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric method is proposed for the direct and simultaneous determination of Cd, Cu, and Se in human blood. Samples were diluted 1:10 (v/v) in 0.5% (v/v) HNO(3) + 0.5% (v/v) Triton X-100 solution. For 12 mu L injected sample volume + 5 mu L, of 1000 mg L(-1) Pd(NO(3))(2) + 3 mu L of 1000 mg L(-1) Mg(NO(3))(2), the calculated characteristic masses (mo) were 0.9 pg Cd, 16 pg Cu, and 39 pg Se, which are close to those mo values for single-element conditions for THGA furnace (1.3 pg Cd, 17 pg Cu, and 45 pg Se). Calibration curves with linear correlations better than 0.999 were obtained. The limits of detection (LOD) were 0.03 mu g L(-1) Cd, 0.075 mu g L(-1) Cu and 0.3 mu g L(-1) Se, and the relative standard deviations (n= 12) were 2.5%, 0.3%, and 1.5%, respectively. The method was applied for Cd, Cu, and Se determination in 10 human blood samples and the results were in agreement at the 95% confidence level with those obtained by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Concentrations of analytes in the selected blood samples varied from 1.7 to 3.2 mu g L(-1) Cd, 700 to 921.7 mu g L(-1) Cu, and from 68.6 to 350 mu g L(-1) Se. The accuracy of the proposed method was also evaluated by an addition-recovery experiment and recoveries of Cd, Cu, and Se added to blood samples ranged from 99-109%, 91-103%,and 93-103%, respectively.

Assessment of the percutaneous penetration of cisplatin: The effect of monoolein and the drug skin penetration pathway

It was intended to examine the in vitro penetration of cisplatin (CIS) through porcine skin in the presence of different concentrations of monoolein (MO) as well as to verify the main barrier for CIS skin penetration. In vitro skin penetration of CIS was studied from propylene glycol (PG) solutions containing 0%, 5%, 10%, and 20% of MO using Franz-type diffusion cell and porcine ear skin. Pretreatment experiments with MO and experiments with skin without stratum corneum (SC) were also carried out. Skin penetration studies of CIS showed that the presence of MO doubled the drug permeation through the intact skin. However, permeation studies through the skin without SC caused only a small enhancement of CIS permeation compared to intact skin. Moreover, pretreatment of skin with MO formulations did not show any significant increase in the flux of the drug. In conclusion, MO did not act as a real penetration enhancer for CIS, but it increased the drug partition to the receptor solution improving CIS transdermal permeation. The absence of improvement in drug permeation by MO pretreatment and by the removal of SC indicates that the SC is not the main barrier for the permeation of the metal coordination compound. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Usefulness of Proteinuria as a Prognostic Marker of Mortality and Cardiovascular Events Among Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (Data from the Evaluation of Oral Xemilofiban in Controlling Thrombotic Events [EXCITE] Trial)

Proteinuria was associated with cardiovascular events and mortality in community-based cohorts. The association of proteinuria with mortality and cardiovascular events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was unknown. The association of urinary dipstick proteinuria with mortality and cardiovascular events (composite of death, myocardial infarction, or nonhemorrhagic stroke) in 5,835 subjects of the EXCITE trial was evaluated. Dipstick urinalysis was performed before PCI, and proteinuria was defined as trace or greater. Subjects were followed up for 210 days/7 months after enrollment for the occurrence of events. Multivariate Cox regression analysis evaluated the independent association of proteinuria with each outcome. Mean age was 59 years, 21% were women, 18% had diabetes mellitus, and mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was 90 ml/min/1.73 m(2). Proteinuria was present in 750 patients (13%). During follow-up, 22 subjects (2.9%) with proteinuria and 54 subjects (1.1%) without proteinuria died (adjusted hazard ratio 2.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.65 to 4.84, p <0.001). The severity of proteinuria attenuated the strength of the association with mortality after PCI (low-grade proteinuria, hazard ratio 2.67, 95% CI 1.50 to 4.75; high-grade proteinuria, hazard ratio 3.76, 95% CI 1.24 to 11.37). No significant association was present for cardiovascular events during the relatively short follow-up, but high-grade proteinuria tended toward increased risk of cardiovascular events (hazard ratio 1.45, 95% CI 0.81 to 2.61). In conclusion, proteinuria was strongly and independently associated with mortality in patients undergoing PCI. These data suggest that such a relatively simple and clinically easy to use tool as urinary dipstick may be useful to identify and treat patients at high risk of mortality at the time of PCI. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (Am J Cardiol 2008;102:1151-1155)

Long-term safety and efficacy of percutaneous coronary intervention with stenting and coronary artery bypass surgery for multivessel coronary artery disease - A meta-analysis with 5-year patient-level data from the ARTS, ERACI-II, MASS-II, and SoS trials

Background-Randomized trials that studied clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with bare metal stenting versus coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are underpowered to properly assess safety end points like death, stroke, and myocardial infarction. Pooling data from randomized controlled trials increases the statistical power and allows better assessment of the treatment effect in high-risk subgroups. Methods and Results-We performed a pooled analysis of 3051 patients in 4 randomized trials evaluating the relative safety and efficacy of PCI with stenting and CABG at 5 years for the treatment of multivessel coronary artery disease. The primary end point was the composite end point of death, stroke, or myocardial infarction. The secondary end point was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular accidents, death, stroke, myocardial infarction, and repeat revascularization. We tested for heterogeneities in treatment effect in patient subgroups. At 5 years, the cumulative incidence of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke was similar in patients randomized to PCI with stenting versus CABG (16.7% versus 16.9%, respectively; hazard ratio, 1.04, 95% confidence interval, 0.86 to 1.27; P = 0.69). Repeat revascularization, however, occurred significantly more frequently after PCI than CABG (29.0% versus 7.9%, respectively; hazard ratio, 0.23; 95% confidence interval, 0.18 to 0.29; P<0.001). Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events were significantly higher in the PCI than the CABG group (39.2% versus 23.0%, respectively; hazard ratio, 0.53; 95% confidence interval, 0.45 to 0.61; P<0.001). No heterogeneity of treatment effect was found in the subgroups, including diabetic patients and those presenting with 3-vessel disease. Conclusions-In this pooled analysis of 4 randomized trials, PCI with stenting was associated with a long-term safety profile similar to that of CABG. However, as a result of persistently lower repeat revascularization rates in the CABG patients, overall major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event rates were significantly lower in the CABG group at 5 years.

Carbamazepine can induce kidney water absorption by increasing aquaporin 2 expression

Background. Carbamazepine (Carba) is an anticonvulsant and psychotropic drug used widely for the treatment of intellectual disability and severe pains, but the incidence of hyponatremia is a common related occurrence. This hyponatremia is frequently attributed to a SIADH induced by this drug. It is also known that Carba is used to decrease the urinary volume in Diabetes Insipidus (DI) because it has an antidiuretic effect. Lithium (Li) is one of the most important drugs used to treat bipolar mood disorders. However Li has the undesirable capacity to induce DI. Nowadays, the association of these drugs is used in the treatment of patients with psychiatric and neurological problems. Methods. In vivo and in vitro (microperfusion) experiments were developed to investigate the effect of Carba in the rat Inner Medullary Collecting Duct (IMCD). Results. The results revealed that Carba was able to stimulate the V2 vasopressin receptor-Protein G complex increasing the water permeability (Pf) and water absorption. In vivo studies showed that in rats with lithium-induced DI, Carba decreased the urinary volume and increased the urinary osmolality. AQP2 expression was increased both in normal IMCD incubated with Carba and in IMCD from lithium-induced DI after Carba addition to the diet, when compared with the control. Conclusion. These results showed that the hyponatremia observed in patients using this anticonvulsant drug, at least in part, is due to the Carba capacity to increase IMCD`s Pf and that the Lithium-Carbamazepine association is beneficial to the patient.

Percutaneous central venous catheterization through the external jugular vein in children: improved success rate with body maneuvers and fluoroscopy assistance

Background/Purpose: Central venous catheterization is among the most common procedures performed by pediatric surgeons. Significant morbidity and even mortality can ensue from the widespread approach to the deep veins of the neck and femoral region. The external jugular vein (EJV) is a low-morbidity alternative for percutaneous catheterization in children, but it has yielded a low success rate in previous reports The authors show an improved success rate with this option. Methods: We performed an analysis of 33 patients` charts in which central venous catheterization using Seldinger technique through the EJV was attempted in 2005. Age, diagnosis, maneuvers used for success, fluoroscopy usefulness, and types of inserted catheters were evaluated. Results: The procedure was successful in 26 (78.8%) patients without complications. Diagnosis was neoplasia in almost half of the patients (42%). In half of the successful cases, body maneuvers were used, namely, twisting the head of the patient to the side of the vein and stretching the ipsilateral arm and shoulder. All but one procedure were completed under fluoroscopic guidance. In 6 (23%) patients, a long-term catheter was inserted. Conclusions: The EJV is an excellent option for central venous catheterization in children. The execution of simple maneuvers along with fluoroscopic assistance might allow for an improved success rate not only for short-term but also for long-term catheter insertion. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

HDL-C concentration is related to markers of absorption and of cholesterol synthesis: Study in subjects with low vs. high HDL-C

Background: The antiatherogenic functions of high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) include its role in reverse cholesterol transport, but to what extent the concentration of HDL-C interferes with the whole-body cholesterol metabolism is unknown. Therefore, we measured markers of body cholesterol synthesis (desmosterol and lathosterol) and of intestinal cholesterol absorption (campesterol and beta-sitosterol) in healthy subjects that differ according to their plasma HDL-C concentrations. Methods: Healthy participants presented either low HDL-C (<40 mg/dl, n = 33,17 male and 16 female) or high HDL-C (>60 mg/dl, n = 33, 17 male and 16 female), BMI <30 kg/m(2), were paired according to age and gender, without secondary factors that might interfere with their plasma lipid concentrations. Plasma concentrations of non-cholesterol sterols were measured by the combined GC-MS analysis. Results: Plasma desmosterol did not differ between the two groups; however, as compared with the high HDL-C participants, the low HDL-C participants presented higher concentration of lathosterol and lower concentration of the intestinal cholesterol absorption markers campesterol and beta-sitosterol. Conclusion: Plasma concentrations of HDL, and not the activities of LCAT and CETP that regulate the reverse cholesterol transport system, correlate with plasma sterol markers of intestinal cholesterol absorption directly, and of cholesterol synthesis reciprocally. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Pressure-Frequency Sensing Subxiphoid Access System for Use in Percutaneous Cardiac Electrophysiology: Prototype Design and Pilot Study Results

We have designed, built, and tested an early prototype of a novel subxiphoid access system intended to facilitate epicardial electrophysiology, but with possible applications elsewhere in the body. The present version of the system consists of a commercially available insertion needle, a miniature pressure sensor and interconnect tubing, read-out electronics to monitor the pressures measured during the access procedure, and a host computer with user-interface software. The nominal resolution of the system is <0.1 mmHg, and it has deviations from linearity of <1%. During a pilot series of human clinical studies with this system, as well as in an auxiliary study done with an independent method, we observed that the pericardial space contained pressure-frequency components related to both the heart rate and respiratory rate, while the thorax contained components related only to the respiratory rate, a previously unobserved finding that could facilitate access to the pericardial space. We present and discuss the design principles, details of construction, and performance characteristics of this system.

Sclerotic Vertebral Metastases: Pain Palliation Using Percutaneous Image-Guided Cryoablation

Cryoablative therapies have been proposed to palliate pain from soft-tissue or osteolytic bone tumors. A case of a patient with painful thoracic and sacral spine sclerotic metastases successfully treated by image-guided percutaneous cryoablation with the aid of insulation techniques and thermosensors is reported in this case report.

Long-Term Results of Percutaneous Bilioenteric Anastomotic Stricture Treatment in Liver-Transplanted Children

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mid- and long-term results of percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) and biliary drainage in children with isolated bilioenteric anastomotic stenosis (BAS) after pediatric liver transplantation. Sixty-four children underwent PTC from March 1993 to May 2008. Nineteen cholangiograms were normal; 10 showed intrahepatic biliary stenosis and BAS, and 35 showed isolated BAS. Cadaveric grafts were used in 19 and living donor grafts in 16 patients. Four patients received a whole liver, and 31 patients received a left lobe or left lateral segment. Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy was performed in all patients. Indication for PTC was based on clinical, laboratory, and histopathologic findings. In patients with isolated BAS, dilation and biliary catheter placement, with changes every 2 months, were performed. Patients were separated into 4 groups according to number of treatment sessions required. The drainage catheter was removed if cholangiogram showed no significant residual stenosis and normal biliary emptying time after a minimum of 6 months. The relationship between risk factors (recipient`s weight < 10 kg, previous exposure to Cytomegalovirus, donor-recipient sex and weight relations, autoimmune disease as indication for transplantion, previous Kasai`s surgery, use of reduced liver grafts, chronic or acute rejection occurrence) and treatment was evaluated. Before PTC, fever was observed in 46%, biliary dilation in 23%, increased bilirubin in 57%, and increased gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in 100% of patients. In the group with BAS, 24 of 35 (69%) patients had histopathologic findings of cholestasis as did 9 of 19 (47%) patients in the group with normal PTC. Of the 35 patients, 23 (65.7%) needed 1 (group I), 7 needed 2 (group II), 4 needed 3 (group III), and 1 needed 4 treatment sessions (group IV). The best results were observed after 1 treatment session, and the mean duration of catheter placement and replacement was 10 months. The primary patency rate was 61.2%, and the recurrence rate was 34.3% (group I). Seven patients (7 of 35; 20%) had their stricture treated with a second treatment session (group II). The average drainage time in group II was 24 months. During a period > 20 months, 4 patients (4 of 35; 11.4%) required 1 additional treatment session (group III), and 1 patient (1 of 35; 2.9%) had a catheter placed at the end of the study period (group IV). Drainage time in group I was significantly shorter than those in groups II, III, and IV (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant relation between therapeutic response and the selected risk factors (p > 0.05). The majority of complications, such as catheter displacement and leakage, were classified as minor; however, 2 patients (5.7%) with hemobilia were noted. Complications increased according to the need for reintervention. In conclusion, balloon dilation and percutaneous drainage placement is safe and effective, and it has long-term patency for children with BAS after liver transplantation. Because of prolonged treatment time, reintervention may be necessary, thereby increasing the complication rate. Balloon dilation and percutaneous drainage placement should be considered as the first treatment option because of its minimally invasive nature.

Midterm and long-term results of percutaneous endovascular treatment of venous outflow obstruction after pediatric liver transplantation

PURPOSE: To evaluate retrospectively the midterm and long-term results of percutaneous endovascular treatment of venous outflow obstruction after pediatric liver transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 9-year period, 18 children with obstruction of a hepatic vein (HV) or inferior vena cava (IVC) anastomosis underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with balloon dilation or stent placement in case of PTA failure after liver transplantation. Patients` body weights ranged from 7.7 kg to 42.6 kg (mean, 18.8 kg +/- 9). Potential predictors of patency were compared between balloon dilation and stent placement groups. RESULTS: Forty-two procedures were performed (range, 1-11 per patient; mean, 2). Technical and initial clinical success were achieved in all cases. Major complications included one case of pulmonary artery stent embolization and one case of hemothorax. Three children (25%) with HV obstruction were treated with PTA and nine (75%) were treated with stent placement. Three children with IVC obstruction (75%) were treated with PTA and one (25%) was treated with a stent. There were two children with simultaneous obstruction at the HV and IVC; one was treated with PTA and the other with a stent. Cases of isolated HV stenosis have a higher probability of patency with balloon-expandable stent treatment compared with balloon dilation (P < .05). Follow-up time ranged from 7 days to 9 years (mean, 42 months +/- 31), and the primary assisted patency rate was 100% when stent placement was performed among the first three procedures. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of venous outflow obstruction resulting from HV and/or IVC lesions after pediatric liver transplantation, percutaneous endovascular treatment with balloon dilation or stent placement is a safe and effective alternative treatment that results in long-term patency.