Occupational exposure of physical therapists to electric and magnetic fields and the efficacy of Faraday cages

Objective. Measure physical therapists' exposure to the electric and magnetic fields produced by 17 shortwave diathermy devices in physical therapy clinics in the city of Presidente Prudente, São Paulo State, Brazil. Compare the observed values with the exposure levels recommended by the International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Observe the efficacy of Faraday cages as a means of protecting physical therapists from exposure to oscillating electric and magnetic fields.Methods. Electric and magnetic field measurements were taken at four points during actual physical therapy sessions: in proximity to the operator's pelvis and head, the devices' electrical cables, and the electrodes. The measuring equipment was a Wandel & Goltermann EMR-200.Results. The values obtained in proximity to the electrodes and cables were 10 to 30 times higher than ICNIRP's recommended occupational reference levels. In the shortwave diathermy treatment rooms with Faraday cages, the fields were even higher than in treatment rooms not so equipped-principally the magnetic field, where the values were more than 100 times higher than the ICNIRP exposure limit.Conclusions. The electric and magnetic field intensities obtained in this study are generally above the exposure levels recommend in ICNIRP standards. It was also observed that the Faraday cage offers physical therapists no protection, and instead, increases their level of exposure.

Altered plasma response to zinc and iron tolerance test after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Synthesis, characterization and biological analysis of the complex [VO(Hdhp)(2)] (H(2)dhp=2,3-dihydroxypyridine)

A new vanadium (IV) complex with the monoanion of 2,3-dihydroxypyridine (H(2)dhp), or 3-hydroxy-2(1H)-pyridone, was synthesized, characterized by physicochemical techniques and tested biologically. The EPR data for the [VO(Hdhp)(2)] complex in DMF are: g(x) = 1.9768, g(y) = 1.9768 and g(z) = 1.9390; A values (10(-4) cm(-1)): A(x), 59.4; A(y//), 59.4; A(z), 171.0. The vV=O band in the IR spectrum of the complex is at 986 cm(-1). The complex is paramagnetic, with mu(eff) = 1.65 BM (d(1), spin-only) at 25 degrees C. The irreversible oxidation process [V(V)/V(IV)] of the [VO(Hdhp)(2)] complex, as revealed in a cyclic voltammogram, occurs at 876 mV. The calculated molecular structure of [VO(Hdhp)(2)] shows the vanadium(IV) center in a distorted square pyramidal environment, with the oxo ligand in the apical position and the oxygen donor atoms of the Hdhp ligands in the basal positions. The ability of [VO(Hdhp)(2)] to mimic insulin, and its toxicity to hepato-biliary functions, were investigated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and it was concluded that the length of treatment and the amount of [VO(Hdhp)(2)] administered were effective in reducing experimental diabetes.

Response of macrophage Toll-like receptor 4 to a Sporothrix schenckii lipid extract during experimental sporotrichosis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Production of active recombinant eIF5A: reconstitution in E.coli of eukaryotic hypusine modification of eIF5A by its coexpression with modifying enzymes

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) is the only cellular protein that contains the polyamine-modified lysine, hypusine [N(epsilon)-(4-amino-2-hydroxybutyl)lysine]. Hypusine occurs only in eukaryotes and certain archaea, but not in eubacteria. It is formed post-translationally by two consecutive enzymatic reactions catalyzed by deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS) and deoxyhypusine hydroxylase (DOHH). Hypusine modification is essential for the activity of eIF5A and for eukaryotic cell proliferation. eIF5A binds to the ribosome and stimulates translation in a hypusine-dependent manner, but its mode of action in translation is not well understood. Since quantities of highly pure hypusine-modified eIF5A is desired for structural studies as well as for determination of its binding sites on the ribosome, we have used a polycistronic vector, pST39, to express eIF5A alone, or to co-express human eIF5A-1 with DHS or with both DHS and DOHH in Escherichia coli cells, to engineer recombinant proteins, unmodified eIF5A, deoxyhypusine- or hypusine-modified eIF5A. We have accomplished production of three different forms of recombinant eIF5A in high quantity and purity. The recombinant hypusine-modified eIF5A was as active in methionyl-puromycin synthesis as the native, eIF5A (hypusine form) purified from mammalian tissue. The recombinant eIF5A proteins will be useful tools in future structure/function and the mechanism studies in translation.

The hamster cheek pouch: an immunologically privileged site suitable to the study of granulomatous infections

A bolsa jugal do hamster (BJH) é uma invaginação da mucosa oral, caracterizada histologicamente como semelhante a pele. Nesse estudo nós descrevemos algumas de suas características anatômicas, histológicas e embriológicas e comentamos sobre sua propriedade como local imunologicamente privilegiado, considerando a ausência de drenagem linfática e o reduzido número de células de Langerhans. Apresentamos também os resultados obtidos quando da inoculação de micobacterias (BCG, Mycobacterium tuberculosis e Mycobacterium leprae) e do fungo Paracoccidioides brasiliensis na bolsa jugal. Comparada com as lesões provocadas em outras localizações e, à exceção do BCG, as lesões induzidas na bolsa são menores e de maior duração e, mesmo quando granulomatosas, incapazes de controlar a multiplicação do agente; nos casos em que houve o desenvolvimento da resposta imune, ele se fez tardiamente e foi acompanhado pela redução do número de parasitas nas lesões. Essas observações apontam a bolsa jugal do hamster como um local de escolha para o estudo sobre a participação da resposta imune no desenvolvimento e modulação das doenças infecciosas e dos granulomas.

Ab initio study and NMR analysis of the complexion of citric acid with ion lithium

Quantum mechanics calculations at the ab initio HF/3-21G* level were carried out with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) measurements to characterize citric acid and lithium interactions. The results indicate the formation of a tridentate organometallic compound with one lithium and one citric acid molecule and a tridentate and bidentate compound of two lithium atoms and one citric acid molecule. The results are in agreement with the experimental and theoretical data. (C) 1999 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Scattering of neutral fermions by a pseudoscalar potential step in two-dimensional spacetime

The problem of scattering of neutral fermions in two-dimensional spacetime is approached with a pseudoscalar potential step in the Dirac equation. Some unexpected aspects of the solutions beyond the absence of Klein's paradox are presented. An apparent paradox concerning the uncertainty principle is solved by introducing the concept of effective Compton wavelength. Added plausibility for the existence of bound-state solutions in a pseudoscalar double-step potential found in a recent Letter is given. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Ultrasonic density measurement cell design and simulation of non-ideal effects

This paper presents a theoretical analysis of a density measurement cell using an unidimensional model composed by acoustic and electroacoustic transmission lines in order to simulate non-ideal effects. The model is implemented using matrix operations, and is used to design the cell considering its geometry, materials used in sensor assembly, range of liquid sample properties and signal analysis techniques. The sensor performance in non-ideal conditions is studied, considering the thicknesses of adhesive and metallization layers, and the effect of residue of liquid sample which can impregnate on the sample chamber surfaces. These layers are taken into account in the model, and their effects are compensated to reduce the error on density measurement. The results show the contribution of residue layer thickness to density error and its behavior when two signal analysis methods are used. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

On the dynamic behaviour of a mass supported by a parallel combination of a spring and an elastically connected damper

This paper presents a consistent and concise analysis of the free and forced vibration of a mass supported by a parallel combination of a spring and an elastically supported damper (a Zener model). The results are presented in a compact form and the physical behaviour of the system is emphasised. This system is very similar to the conventional single-degree-of freedom system (sdof)-(Voigt model), but the dynamics can be quite different depending on the system parameters. The usefulness of the additional spring in series with the damper is investigated, and optimum damping values for the system subject to different types of excitation are determined and compared.There are three roots to the characteristic equation for the Zener model; two are complex conjugates and the third is purely real. It is shown that it is not possible to achieve critical damping of the complex roots unless the additional stiffness is at least eight times that of the main spring. For a harmonically excited system, there are some possible advantages in using the additional spring when the transmitted force to the base is of interest, but when the displacement response of the system is of interest then the benefits are marginal. It is shown that the additional spring affords no advantages when the system is excited by white noise. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sediment grain size distribution and heavy metals determination in a dam on the Parana River at Ilha Solteira, Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Recuperação do subsolo em área de empréstimo usada para construção de hidrelétrica

Áreas degradadas referem-se a ecossistemas alterados, onde perdas ou adições são as formas mais comuns de perturbações e degradações ambientais. As áreas de empréstimo em hidrelétricas podem ser consideradas áreas degradadas, pois delas foram retirados os horizontes superficiais do solo. Portanto, este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a recuperação de atributos físicos e da matéria orgânica do subsolo de um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, degradado pela retirada de solo para construção de usina hidrelétrica, por meio de adubação verde e aplicação de calcário e gesso. A pesquisa foi implantada em 1992 e os tratamentos constituíram-se de: testemunha (solo mobilizado e vegetação espontânea); mucuna-preta; guandu até 1994, seguido por feijão-de-porco; calcário + mucuna-preta; calcário + guandu até 1994, seguido por feijão-de-porco; calcário + gesso + mucuna-preta e calcário + gesso + guandu até 1994, seguido por feijão-de-porco. Os tratamentos foram implantados seguindo o esquema em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. Após sete anos, em 1999, foram avaliadas a porosidade do solo, a macroporosidade, a microporosidade, a densidade do solo, matéria orgânica e a produção de massa seca da braquiária. Os tratamentos adotados estão contribuindo para a recuperação dos atributos físicos do subsolo exposto, e o tratamento com mucuna-preta, sem a correção do solo, tem se mostrado mais promissor. Os efeitos da recuperação do solo estão atingindo a profundidade de 0,00-0,10 m.

Efeito do adubo verde e época de semeadura sobre a produtividade do feijão, em plantio direto em região de cerrado

Effect of green manure and sowing date on the productivity of bean no-tillage in the Cerrado region. Green manure and sowing date are two important factors that influence the productivity of cultivars. The objective of this study was to evaluate the production of biomass from different vegetation covers (millet, sorghum and Brachiaria brizantha) and the accumulation of nutrients and their effects on the bean cultivars (Pearl, IAC Tuna and Carioca Precoce) at different sowing dates (6/22 and 7/6). The experiment was conducted at the experimental area of the Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, located in Selviria, Mato Grosso do Sul State, in the 2006/2007 agricultural year. The randomized blocks design was used with four replications, and the evaluations of the coverage were: the biomass of fresh and dry matter and nutrients accumulated in plants; for the beans: cycle, final stand, number of pods/plant, number of seeds per pod, mass of 100 seeds, and productivity. It was observed that millet and sorghum showed higher productivity of fresh and dry mass, and accumulate greater quantity of nutrients in straw; the time most suitable for sowing was in June, and the late sowing of cv. Carioca Precoce did not affect their productivity, the use of Brachiaria brizantha straw in coverage provided better conditions for productivity in the bean no-tillage system.

Uso precoce e tardio de dopamina após isquemia miocárdica

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos na função ventricular esquerda do uso precoce e tardio de dopamina, em modelo experimental de coração isolado. MÉTODO: Foram utilizados 60 coelhos em modelo de coração isolado mantido por animal suporte. Um balão intraventricular foi locado no ventrículo esquerdo. Três grupos foram constituídos: grupo controle (GC); grupo que recebeu dopamina precoce (Dopa P) e grupo que recebeu dopamina tardia (após 20 minutos) (Dopa T). Foram realizadas leituras hemodinâmicas diretas e indiretas. RESULTADOS: Fluxo sangüíneo coronariano: GC(7,196 ± 1,275ml/min); Dopa P (9,477 ± 1,160ml/min); Dopa T (14,316 ± 2,308ml/min), com GC=Dopa P, GC ¹Dopa T e Dopa P¹Dopa T. Primeira derivada temporal da pressão intraventricular (dp/dt+): GC (719,61 ± 127,53ml/min); Dopa P (719,61 ± 127,53ml/min); Dopa T (1431,60 ± 230,87ml/min), p<0,05, Dopa P¹Dopa T, GC=Dopa P e GC ¹ Dopa T. Primeira derivada temporal da pressão intraventricular negativa (dp/dt-): GC (469,85 ± 107,16mmHg/s); Dopa P (716,07 ± 215,66mmHg/s); Dopa T (931,24 ± 181,46mmHg/s), p<0,05, Dopa P¹Dopa T¹GC. Delta V: GC (1,355 ± 0,2432ml); Dopa P (0,97 ± 0,3199ml); Dopa T (1,27 ± 0,2983ml), p>0,05, Dopa P=Dopa T=GC. Estresse sistólico desenvolvido: GC (27,273 ± 10,276g/cm²); Dopa P (55,219 ± 24,625g/cm²); Dopa T (79,152 ± 12,166g/cm²), Dopa P=Dopa T, Dopa P=GC e GC ¹ Dopa T.Dialdeído Malônico (MDA): GC (4,5 ± 0,527mmol/L); Dopa P (4,7 ± 1,16mmol/L); Dopa T (4,1 ± 0,7379mmol/L), p>0,05, Dopa P=Dopa T=GC. CONCLUSÕES: Concluiu-se que, no modelo experimental delineado, o uso precoce da dopamina foi deletério, segundo algumas variáveis hemodinâmicas.

Caracterização das atividades diárias do enfermeiro chefe de seção em um hospital universitário

Trata-se de um estudo descritivo com a finalidade de identificar se o planejamento da assistência de enfermagem faz parte das atividades diárias dos 19 enfermeiros chefes de seção de um Hospital Universitário, através da análise temática de suas entrevistas. Verificou-se que das 309 atividades relatada pelos entrevistados, 71,51% são administrativas, 19,43% delegáveis, 18,74% assistenciais e 0,32% relacionadas apenas ao ensino, visto que as atividades com pesquisas não foram relatadas por eles. Dentre as atividades administrativas, o planejamento formal da assistência de enfermagem não foi mencionado como atividade diária desses enfermeiros. Alicerçadas nos resultados, as autoras fazem recomendações à Instituição em estudo e aos Cursos de Graduação em Enfermagem.