Efeitos do tratamento superficial da sílica ativa com soluções de ácidos nítrico e fosfórico em propriedades do concreto

The addition of active silica potentially improves the quality of concrete due to its high reactivity and pore refinement effect. The reactivity of silica is likely related to its charge density. Variations in surface charge alter the reactivity of the material consequently affecting the properties of concrete. The present study aimed at investigating variations in the charge density of silica as a function of acid treatments using nitric or phosphoric acid and different pH values (2.0, 4.0 and 6.0). Effects on concrete properties including slump, mechanical strength, permeability and chloride corrosion were evaluated. To that end, a statistical analysis was carried out and empirical models that correlate studied parameters (pH, acid and cement) with concrete properties were established. The quality of the models was tested by variance analysis. The results revealed that the addition of silica was efficiency in improving the properties of concrete, especially the electrochemical parameters. The addition of silica treated using nitric acid at pH = 4.0 displayed the best cement performance including highest strength, reduced permeability and lowest corrosion current

Adsorção de cobre e cromo utilizando fibra de sisal visando o tratamento da água produzida pela indústria petrolífera

Currently, the oil industry is the biggest cause of environmental pollution. The objective was to reduce the concentration of copper and chromium in the water produced by the oil industry. It was used as adsorbent natural sisal fiber Agave sp treated with nitric acid and sodium hydroxide. All vegetable fibers have physical and morphological properties that enablies the adsorption of pollutants. The basic composition of sisal is cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. The features are typically found in the characterization of vegetable fibers, except the surface area that was practically zero. In the first stage of adsorption, it was evaluated the effect of temperature and time skeeking to optimize the execution of the factorial design. The results showed that the most feasible fiber was the one treated with acid in five hours (30°C). The second phase was a factorial design, using acid and five hours, this time was it determined in the first phase. The tests were conducted following the experimental design and the results were analyzed by statistical methods in order to optimize the main parameters that influence the process: pH, concentration (mol / L) and fiber mass/ metal solution volume. The volume / mass ratio factor showed significant interference in the adsorption process of chromium and copper. The results obtained after optimization showed that the highest percentages of extraction (98%) were obtained on the following operating conditions: pH: 5-6, Concentration: 100 ppm and mass/ volume: 1 gram of fiber/50mL solution. The results showed that the adsorption process was efficient to remove chromium and copper using sisal fibers, however, requiring further studies to optimize the process.

Tratamento eletroquímico de efluente proveniente de caixas separadoras de água e óleo de postos revendedores de combustíveis

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

Projeto, construção e análise de um prototipo vibracional em escala de bancada aplicável ao tratamento de água de produção de petróleo bruto, mediante inovadora operação híbrida de adsorção e auto-flotação

A self-flotator vibrational prototype electromechanical drive for treatment of oil and water emulsion or like emulsion is presented and evaluated. Oil production and refining to obtain derivatives is carried out under arrangements technically referred to as on-shore and off-shore, ie, on the continent and in the sea. In Brazil 80 % of the petroleum production is taken at sea and area of deployment and it cost scale are worrisome. It is associated, oily water production on a large scale, carrier 95% of the potential pollutant of activity whose final destination is the environment medium, terrestrial or maritime. Although diversified set of techniques and water treatment systems are in use or research, we propose an innovative system that operates in a sustainable way without chemical additives, for the good of the ecosystem. Labyrinth adsor-bent is used in metal spirals, and laboratory scale flow. Equipment and process patents are claimed. Treatments were performed at different flow rates and bands often monitored with control systems, some built, other bought for this purpose. Measurements of the levels of oil and grease (OGC) of efluents treaty remained within the range of legal framework under test conditions. Adsorbents were weighed before and after treatment for obtaining oil impregna-tion, the performance goal of vibratory action and treatment as a whole. Treatment technolo-gies in course are referenced, to compare performance, qualitatively and quantitatively. The vibration energy consumption is faced with and without conventional flotation and self-flotation. There are good prospects for the proposed, especially in reducing the residence time, by capillary action system. The impregnation dimensionless parameter was created and confronted with consecrated dimensionless parameters, on the vibrational version, such as Weber number and Froude number in quadratic form, referred to as vibrational criticality. Re-sults suggest limits to the vibration intensity

Efeitos do potencial probiótico Enterococcus faecium 32 e de sua associação com o extrato da alga marinha Caulerpa mexicana no tratamento de colite experimental murina

Ulcerative colitis comprising an inflammatory bowel disease, whose most severe consequence is the development of intestinal neoplasia. The drugs currently used to treat the disease trigger a variety of serious adverse effects and are not effective in many cases. Recent studies demonstrated the effectiveness of natural products for the treatment of inflammatory processes. Seaweed extracts and their purified products have shown protective effects in models of inflammation and the association of traditional therapies with probiotics has significantly improved the clinical symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Therefore, the aims of this study include evaluating the potential effects of the use of probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium 32 (Ef32), the methanolic extract of the green seaweed Caulerpa mexicana (M.E.) and their concomitant administration in a murine model of colitis induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Accordingly, C57BL /6 mice were pretreated orally with Ef32 (109 CFU/ml) for seven days. In the seven days following, the colitis was induced by administration of 3% DSS (w/v) diluted in the animals drinking water. During this period, animals were treated daily with Ef32 and the M.E. (2.0 mg/kg) every other day by intravenous route. The development of colitis was monitored by the disease activity index (DAI), which takes into account the loss of body weight, consistency and presence of blood in stools. After euthanasia, the colon was removed, its length measured and tissue samples were destined for histological analysis and culture for cytokine quantification. The levels of cytokines in the culture supernatant of the colon were measured by ELISA. The treatments with the probiotic Ef32 or the M.E. alone or the combination of these two substances provoked significant improvement as to weight loss and DAI, and prevented the shortening of the colon in response to DSS. The isolated treatments triggered a slight improvement in intestinal mucosal tissue damage. However, their combination was able to completely repair the injury triggered by DSS. The association was also able to reduce the levels of all the cytokines analyzed (IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17A and TNF-α). On the other hand, the treatment with Ef32 did not interfere with the levels of TNF-α, whereas treatment with M.E. did not alter the levels of IL-6. Moreover, the treatment with Ef32 not interferes in TNF-α levels, whereas treatment with M.E. did not alter the levels of IL-6. Therefore, the potential probiotic Ef32 and M.E. and especially when these samples were associated proved promising alternatives in the treatment of ulcerative colitis as demonstrated in an experimental model because of its beneficial effects on morphological and clinical parameters, and by reducing the production of proinflammatory cytokines of Th1, Th2 and Th17

Terapia ocupacional em ação interdisciplinar: jogos educativo-nutricionais na prevenção da obesidade infantil

The inter-subjectivity is the answer in the search for the solution of complex problems, which concerns interfaces of knowledge, respecting their borders. This paradigm is essential in the author's work. So, the search on screen is based on this perspective, by using inter-subject groups of work conduced by professionals of Computer Science, Social Communication, Architecture and Urbanism, Pedagogy, Psicopegagogy, Nutritional Science, Endocrinology, Occupational Therapy and Nursing, it was also part of this group an 8 year old child, daughter of one of the professional who took part of the group. This thesis aims to present the course of investigation developed, analyzing the action of inter-subject Occupational Therapy and Nutrition on the promotion of learning nutritional concepts through educative-nutritional games in order to prevent child's obesity in an educative context. The research was analytic, interventionist and almost experimental. It took place in a public school in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, between August and December 2004. It was selected a sample non-probabilistic, by convenience, of 200 children, born from 1994 to 1996. It was selected almost nonprobabilistically, by convenience, 200 children born between 1994 and 1996. To analyze the results it was used a triangulation, associated by quantitative and qualitative approaches. The basis collect happened through games specially manufactured to these research- video-games, board games, memory games, puzzles, scramble, searching words and iterative basics. There were semi-structured interviews, direct and structured observations and focus in-groups. It was noticed the efficiency of educativenutritional games in the learning process, which lead to a changing of attitude towards the eating choices. These games gave similar results in relation to the compared variations preferences, experience and attitudes, theses attitudes were observed through the game; and the categories to compare the possibility of learning by playing, the fantasy in the learning process, learning concepts of nutritional education and the need of help in the learning process (mediation). It was proved that educativenutritional games could be used to teach nutritional concepts, in an inter-subjective action of Occupational Therapy and Nutrition in schools. The simultaneous application of these games lead to the optimization of child s learning process. It should be emphasized the need of studies about the adaptation of tools used in a child s Nutritional Education, with the help of inter-subjective action. Because just one subject, in a fractionated way can give an answer to complex problems and help to a change of the reality with effectiveness and resolution

Desenvolvimento de uma formulação cólon específica visando o tratamento da colite ulcerativa

Micro and nanoparticulate systems as drug delivery carriers have achieved successful therapeutic use by enhancing efficacy and reducing toxicity of potent drugs. The improvement of pharmaceutical grade polymers has allowed the development of such therapeutic systems. Microencapsulation is a process in which very thin coatings of inert natural or synthetic polymeric materials are deposited around microsized particles of solids or around droplets. Products thus formed are known as microparticles. Xylan is a natural polymer abundantly found in nature. It is the most common hemicellulose, representing more than 60% of the polysaccharides existing in the cell walls of corn cobs, and is normally degraded by the bacterial enzymes present in the colon of the human body. Therefore, this polymer is an eligible material to produce colon-specific drug carriers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the technological potential of xylan for the development of colon delivery systems for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. First, coacervation was evaluated as a feasible method to produce xylan microcapsules. Afterwards, interfacial cross-linking polymerization was studied as a method to produce microcapsules with hydrophilic core. Additionally, magnetic xylan-coated microcapsules were prepared in order to investigate the ability of producing gastroresistant systems. Besides, the influence of the external phase composition on the production and mean diameter of microcapsules produced by interfacial cross-linking polymerization was investigated. Also, technological properties of xylan were determined in order to predict its possible application in other pharmaceutical dosage forms

Repercussões psico-sociais da síndrome dos ovários policísticos: estudo quali-quantitativo

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrame (PCOS) has been shown to cause a reduction in quality of life. Little is known on the psychosocial aspects associated with PCOS, especially on women s own experiences regarding the syndrome. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the psychosocial impact of PCOS by measuring the health-related quality of life and exploring the women s own experiences of PCOS. METHODS: A two-phase model of combination of quantitative and qualitative research approaches was conducted, a crass-sectional survey to pravide quantitative data on the quality of life and a qualitative approach to understand the women s experience in relation to the PC OS sympt?ms. For the first phase, 109 women with PC OS and 104 healthy contrais were evaluated with the 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). Additionally, semi-structured interviews (n=30) were conducted to facilitate in-depth exploration of PC OS women s experience. RESUL TS: PCOS patients showed significant reductions in almost ali SF-36 domains of quality of life when compared with healthy contrais (physical function 76.5:!:20.5 and 84.6:!:15.9, respectively; physical rale function 56.4:!:43.3 and 72.6:!:33.3; general health 55.2:!:21.0 and 62.5:!:17.2; vitality 49.6:!:21.3 and 55.3:!:21.3; social function 55.3:!:32.4 and 66.2:!:26.7; emotional rale function 34.2:!:39.7 and 52.9:!:38.2; mental health 50.6:!:22.8 and 59.2:!:20.2). Thematic analysis revealed reports of feeling abnormal , sadness, afraid and anxiety. These feelings were related to four symptoms commonly experienced by women with PCOS: excess hair grawth; irregular or absent menstruation, infertility and obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Polycystic ovary syndrame impacts women both physically and psychosocially. Owing to this, women with PCOS need not only medical treatment for. the reproductive, esthetic and metabolic repercussions, but also the care of a multidisciplinary team, since PCOS is not just a physical condition, but also an important psychosocial problem that affects various aspects of a woman s life

Prevalência de excesso de peso em pré-escolares na cidade do Natal

Obesity is currently considered a public health problem and there has been growing interest in the study of various aspects related to this infirmity such as: epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and others. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of weight excess and overweight in preschoolers in Natal, Brazil and relate them to variables such as gender, age, type of school (public or private) and zones of the city (east/south and north/west). This is a transversal study, carried out in Natal, Brazil between August and September 2004, in 20 public and 20 private schools/day care centers selected by the systematic sampling method. We measured the weight and height of 3721 students between the ages of 2 and 6 years. The children were stratified, according to age, into age group 1 (2 to 4 years) and age group 2 (5 and 6 years) and according to the region of the school, into north/west and east/south zones, the regions with the smallest and highest quality of life indices in the city, respectively. Children were considered to have weight excess when BMI ≥ 85th percentile, including those with BMI ≥ 95th percentile and overweight when BMI ≥ 95th percentile. The prevalence of weight excess was 26.5%, and of overweight 12.4%. There was greater prevalence of weight excess in the private schools and in the east/south zones. Overweight displayed the same epidemiologic profile, with a greater prevalence in private schools and in the east/south zones. The prevalence of weight excess in preschoolers in Natal, Brazil is high and is related, above all, to private schools and to those located in the highest quality of life areas. Therefore, prevention programs should be implanted in elementary schools in order to decrease weight excess and possible associated co-morbidities. This research project met the norms established by PPGCSa/UFRN and aimed at promoting the interrelation between different researchers and between different fields of knowledge, using multi and interdisciplinary concepts. This study was enriched by the interaction between the following professionals: pediatrician, pediatric gastroenterologist and physician nutrition specialist, pediatric endocrinologist, epidemiologist and biostatistician

Avaliação da atenção à saúde de portadores de HIV no centro de referência para o tratamento da Aids em Natal/RN por profissionais e usuários do serviço

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the health care of HIV/AIDS Reference Center for treatment of AIDS in Natal/RN for professionals and service users. Methods: This is an evaluative study with a quantitative approach, performed in the outpatient Giselda Trigueiro Hospital, in Natal (RN). The target population consisted of 313 patients with HIV and 34 professionals of the center. Data collection occurred from august 2007 to july 2008, with a structured form of interview, validated through a pilot study. The data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The evaluation of the service was considered unsatisfactory by 85.6% users. However, 58.8% of professionals considered it satisfactory. There was difference in the evaluation of the following indicators: the relationship professional users, offering support, timeliness of professional guidelines on the treatment. There was similarity in the following indicators: physical structure, respect for privacy, opportunity to make complaints, hospitality, convenience of schedules, availability of ARVs and laboratory tests, and ease of access. Conclusion: The results point to dissatisfaction of the users and professional satisfaction with the health care of people with HIV / AIDS in the service searched. It was found that the indicators used in this study may be considered relevant to evaluate the service in question, as well as monitoringparameters provide acceptable quality of health care by the National STD/AIDS

Acurácia dos índices antropométricos de obesidade central na determinação de síndrome metabólica e fatores de risco cardiovascular em mulheres com síndrome dos ovários policísticos

A síndrome dos ovários policísticos (SOP) é a desordem endócrina mais comum em mulheres com idade reprodutiva. Seu diagnóstico é firmado através do consenso de Rotterdam na presença de dois dos seguintes critérios: anovulação crônica, sinais clínicos e/ou bioquímicos de hiperandrogenismo e presença de micropolicistos nos ovários. Na SOP, além das características específicas da síndrome é comum a presença de marcadores de risco cardiovascular aumentado como dislipidemia, hipertensão arterial, resistência à insulina e obesidade central Objetivos: Analisar a acurácia diagnóstica da circunferência da cintura (CC), relação cintura-estatura (RCEst), razão cintura-quadril (RCQ) e índice de conicidade (Índice C) para detecção de fatores de risco cardiovascular (FRCV) e síndrome metabólica (SM) em mulheres com síndrome dos ovários policísticos (SOP). Metodologia: Foi realizado estudo transversal envolvendo 108 mulheres na faixa etária de 20-34 anos, com diagnóstico de SOP de acordo com o consenso de Rotterdam. Foram considerados parâmetros clínicos, antropométricos e bioquímicos de avaliação do risco cardiovascular. A análise dos dados foi desenvolvida em duas etapas, conforme descrito a seguir. Fase 1: análise da acurácia dos pontos de corte previamente determinados na literatura nacional para CC, RCEst, RCQ e Índice C, para predição de FRCV; Fase 2: determinação de pontos de corte dos índices antropométricos supracitados, específicos para mulheres com SOP, para discriminação de SM, através da análise da curva ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic). Resultados: Com base nos achados da fase 1 do estudo, a RCEst foi o marcador que apresentou correlações positivas significativas com o xi maior número de FRCV (pressão arterial, triglicerídeos e glicemia após teste oral de tolerância à glicose), além de correlação negativa com HDL-colesterol. Os demais marcadores antropométricos se correlacionaram positivamente com pressão arterial, enquanto CC e RCQ apresentaram correlação positiva também com triglicerídeos. Todos os indicadores antropométricos apresentaram taxas de sensibilidade superiores a 60%, com destaque para a RCEst que apresentou sensibilidade superior a 70%. Na fase 2 da pesquisa observamos que a CC, RCEst e RCQ apresentaram desempenho semelhante na predição de SM, sendo superiores ao Índice C. Os valores de ponto de corte dos índices antropométricos para discriminar SM foram: CC = 95 cm; RCEst = 0,59; RCQ = 0,88; e Índice C = 1,25. Utilizando esses pontos de corte as taxas de sensibilidade e especificidade da CC e RCEst foram superiores às observadas para RCQ e Índice C. Conclusões: Nossos dados enfatizam a importância da avaliação antropométrica no rastreamento do risco cardiovascular em mulheres com SOP, destacando-se a relevância da RCEst na predição de FRCV clássicos e a necessidade de considerar pontos de corte específicos para mulheres com SOP para discriminação de SM

O tratamento ortodôntico em uma perspectiva a longo prazo: avaliação da estabilidade oclusal e do grau de satisfação dos pacientes

This study aimed to evaluate factors associated to orthodontic treatment stability and patient satisfaction in the long-term. A total of 209 patients (88 class I and 121 class II) treated with straight wire fixed appliance were selected at least 5 years post treatment. Six hundred twenty seven dental casts were examined with the PAR Index at pretreatment (T1), end of treatment (T2), and at long-term follow up (T3, mean 8.5 years post treatment). At T3, a Dental Impact on Daily Living questionnaire was used to assess patient satisfaction with the dentition in the long-term. Friedman test and multiple regression analysis were used to evaluate changes among the time points and factors associated with stability and patient satisfaction. Predictive factors used to exam the occlusion were: PAR Index at T1 and T2, age at T1, the amount of time without retainer, length of Hawley retainer wear, length of follow-up, sex, extraction and third molar status. To assess patient satisfaction were considered: changes produced by the orthodontic treatment (PAR T2-T1), post treatment stability (PAR T3), age at the start of treatment (T1), length of treatment (T2-T1), gender, and extraction. Orthodontic treatment produced a significant improvement of 94.2% in the PAR Index (T2-T1), but this change was not associated with the level of satisfaction when the patient was questioned at T3. No significant change was observed between T2 and T3. However, when the sample was divided according to the level of finalization (PAR T2), it was observed that well-finished patients experienced some deterioration (P<.001), whereas the less well-finished ones showed some improvement (P<.05). Even with the deterioration, the well-finished patients still had a better PAR Index at T3 compared to the less well-finished ones (PAR T2- T3). Regression analysis showed that PAR Index at T1 and T2, age at T1, and length of retainer wear had a slight association with occlusal stability (R2 = 0.27). Patient satisfaction was significantly associated only with PAR Index at T3 (r2=0.125, P<.0001). We can conclude that, even thought orthodontic treatment is quite stable, not so well-finished treatments tend to show some improvement and well-finished ones deteriorate some in the long-term. Despite of that, well-finished patients still have better occlusal characteristics. Patient satisfaction is not related to the result of orthodontic treatment; nevertheless, there is a slight association with dentition in the long-term

Impacto da variabilidade de peso no controle matebólico de pacientes transplantados cardíacos

Heart transplantation (HT) represents one of the greatest advances in medicine over the last decades. It is indicated for patients with severe heart disease unresponsive to clinical treatment and conventional surgery, poor short-term prognosis and a 1- year mortality rate over 40%. HT has improved survival worldwide (80% in the first year, 70% in five years and 60% in ten years). However, the procedure has been associated with weight change and increased risk of secondary conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and obesity due to immunosuppressive therapy following transplantation. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of weight change on the metabolic stability of HT patients. The study was retrospective with data collected from the records of 82 adult patients (83% male; average age 45.06±12.04 years) submitted to HT between October 1997 and December 2005 at a transplantation service in Ceará (Brazil). The selected outcome variables (biopathological profile, weight and body mass index―BMI) were related to biochemical and metabolic change. The results were expressed in terms of frequency, measures of central tendency, Student s t test and Pearson s correlation coefficients. The analysis showed that following HT the average global BMI increased from 23.77±3.68kg/m2 to 25.48±3.92kg/m2 in the first year and to 28.38±4.97kg/m2 in the fifth. Overweight/obese patients (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) had higher average levels of glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides than patients with eutrophy/malnutrition (BMI < 25 kg/m2). In conclusion, overweight/obese patients were likely to present higher average levels of glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol and fractions than patients with eutrophy/malnutrition, indicating a direct and significant relation between nutritional status and weight change in the metabolic profile of HT patients

Resiliência e adesão ao tratamento em pacientes com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

Tratamento de fístulas enterocutâneas através de sistema a vácuo com alta pressão e dieta oral normal

Enterocutaneous fistulas are associated with prolonged hospital stay, high morbidity/mortality, and increase in hospital costs. This study aims to describe the use of a vacuum system and normal oral diet in dealing with this problem. Methods: Seventy-four consecutive patients with recent and defined external postoperative fistulas were analyzed. Abdominal imaging was used to exclude abscess and distal obstruction. The fistula tract was sealed with Foley catheter, connected to a negative pressure flask, changed daily for 5, 10 or 15 days, as necessary. Normal oral diet was permitted. Results: No patient died. Serum albumin and transferrin showed significantly higher levels at the end of treatment than at the beginning. The moderate and low-output fistulas had the best results (97% closed). Forty-eight (65%) fistulas closed after five days, 16(22%) after 10 days and 4(5%) after 15 days. Treatment failed in 6(8%) patients, who subsequently underwent surgery. Only one patient with low-output did not close her fistula. The cost of the treatment was US$ 41.75/day and it was considered cost effective. Conclusions: The vacuum system demonstrated good results in the treatment of fistulas. It included simplicity, low cost, short hospital stay, absence of skin breakdown, normal eating, good nutrition and activity patterns