Influence of fresh frozen plasma as a trigger factor for kidney dysfunction in cardiovascular surgery

OBJETIVO: A disfunção renal é uma complicação importante no cenário de pós-operatório de cirurgia cardiovascular. Como fatores de risco conhecidos no intraoperatório para o seu desenvolvimento destacam-se a circulação extracorpórea, a hemodiluição, drogas antifibrinolíticos e a transfusão sanguínea. O objetivo deste estudo é identificar os fatores de risco na transfusão de sangue e derivados para o desenvolvimento de disfunção renal em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardiovascular. MÉTODOS: Noventa e sete pacientes foram estudados e 84 foram analisados. A amostra foi estratificada em dois grupos, sendo que o incremento de 30% na creatinina sérica no pós-operatório foi considerado para o grupo com disfunção renal (n = 9; 10,71%). O grupo não disfunção renal foi caracterizado pela creatinina sérica, que permaneceu inferior a aumento de 30% no pós-operatório (n = 75; 89,28%). RESULTADOS: Foi observado que a transfusão de plasma fresco congelado no grupo não disfunção renal foi de 2,05 ± 0,78 unidades e 3,80 ± 2,16 unidades no grupo disfunção renal com P= 0,032. CONCLUSÃO: Foi possível associar, nesta série de pacientes, que a transfusão de plasma fresco congelado foi um fator de risco para disfunção renal pós-operatório de cirurgia cardiovascular.

Use of fresh autogenous vaginal tunic in the experimental lamellar keratoplasty in dogs (Canis familiaris, LINNAEUS, 1758)

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

Study of the dielectric and ferroelectric properties of chemically processed BaxSr1-xTiO3 thin films

Polycrystalline BaxSr1-xTiO3 (x = 0.4 and 0.8) thin films with a perovskite structure were prepared by the polymeric precursor method on a platinum-coated silicon substrate. High-quality thin films with uniform composition and thickness were successfully produced by dip-coating and spin-coating techniques. The resulting thin films prepared by dip and spin-coating showed a well-developed dense polycrystalline structure with uniform grain size distribution. The metal-BST-metal structure of the thin films displays good dielectric and ferroelectric properties. The ferroelectric nature to BaxSr1-xTiO3 (x = 0.8) thin film, indicated by butterfly-shaped C-V curves and confirmed by the hysteresis curve, showed 2P(r) = 5.0 muC/cm(2) and E-c = 20 kV/cm. The capacitance-frequency curve reveals that the dielectric constant may reach a value of up to 794 at 1 kHz. on the other hand, the BaxSr1-xTiO3 (x = 0.4) thin films had paraelectric nature and dielectric constant and the dissipation factor at a frequency of 100 kHz were 680 and 0.01, respectively, for film annealed at 700 degreesC. In addition, an examination of the film's I-V curve at room temperature revealed the presence of two conduction regions in the BaxSr1-xTiO3 (x = 0.4 and 0.8) thin films, showing ohmic-like behavior at low voltage and a Schottky-emission or Poole-Frenkel mechanism at high voltage. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

SYSTEMATICS OF FRESH-WATER AUDOUINELLA (ACROCHAETIACEAE, RHODOPHYTA) IN NORTH-AMERICA .1. THE REDDISH SPECIES

Multivariate morphometrics and image analysis were used to determine the number of well-distinguished infrageneric taxa of reddish freshwater Audouinella in North America. Three distinct groupings were differentiated from 83 populations collected from Alaska and Labrador in the north to central Mexico and Jamaica in the south. These groupings were statistically related to seven type specimens. The following species were recognized: A. eugenea (SKUJA) JAO, A. hermannii (ROTH) DUBY [syn.: A. violacea (KUTZ.) HAMEL and its varieties, alpina (KUTZ.) RAB., dalmatica (KUTZ.) RAB., expansa (WOOD) SMITH, and hercynica (KUTZ.) KUTZ.] and A. tenella (SKUJA) PAPENFUSS. These species are separated based on dimensions of vegetative cells and monosporangia. A. tenella is found only in California, A. eugenea in warm, alkaline and high-ion waters of the tropical rainforest and desert-chaparral, while A. hermannii occurs widely from the boreal to south temperate and in waters with relatively low temperatures and ion content.

The effect of polymerization cycles on porosity of microwave-processed denture base resin

Statement of problem. Although most of the physical properties of denture base resin polymerized by microwave energy have been shown to be similar to resins polymerized by the conventional heat polymerization method, the presence of porosity is a problem.Purpose. This study evaluated the effect of different microwave polymerization cycles on the porosity of a denture base resin designed for microwave polymerization.Material and methods. Thirty-two rectangular resin specimens (65 X 40 X 5 mm) were divided into 3 experimental groups (A, B, and C; Onda-Cryl, microwave-polymerized resin) and I control group (T; Classico, heat-polymerized resin), according to the following polymerization cycles: (A) 500 W for 3 minutes, (B) 90 W for 13 minutes + 500 W for 90 seconds, (C) 320 W for 3 minutes + 0 W for 4 minutes + 720 W for 3 minutes, and (T) 74degreesC for 9 hours. Porosity was calculated by measurement of the specimen volume before and after its immersion in water. Data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance (alpha = .05).Results. The mean values and SDs of the percent mean porosity were: A = 1.05% +/- 0.28%, B = 0.91% +/- 0.15%, C = 0.88% +/- 0.23%, T = 0.93% +/- 0.23%. No significant differences were found in mean porosity among the groups evaluated.Conclusion. Within the limitations of this study, a denture base resin specifically designed for microwave Polymerization tested was not affected by different polymerization cycles. Porosity was similar to the conventional heat-polymerized denture base resin tested.

Study of synthesis variables in the nanocrystal growth behavior of tin oxide processed by controlled hydrolysis

Tin dioxide nanoparticle suspensions were synthesized at room temperature by the hydrolysis reaction of tin chloride (II) dissolved in ethanol. The effect of the initial tin (II) ion concentration, in the ethanolic solution, on the mean particle size of the nanoparticles was studied. The Sn2+ concentration was varied from 0.0025 to 0.1 M, and all other synthesis parameters were kept fixed. Moreover, an investigation of the effect of agglomeration on the nanoparticle characteristics (i.e., size and morphology) was also done by modifying the pH of the SnO2 suspensions. The different samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, optical absorption spectroscopy in the ultraviolet range, and photoluminescence measurements. The results show that higher initial ion concentrations and agglomeration lead to larger nanoparticles. The concentration effect is explained by enhanced growth due to a higher supersaturation of the liquid medium. However, it was observed that the agglomeration of the nanoparticles in suspension induce coarsening by the oriented-attachment mechanism.

Photoluminescence of nanostructured PbTiO3 processed by high-energy mechanical milling

This letter reports on a process to prepare nanostructured PbTiO3 (PT) at room temperature with photoluminescence (PL) emission in the visible range. This process is based on the high-energy mechanical milling of ultrafine PbTiO3 powder. The results suggest that high-energy mechanical milling modifies the particle's structure, resulting in localized states in an interfacial region between the crystalline PT and the amorphous PT. These localized states are believed to be responsible for the PL obtained with short milling times. When long milling times are employed, the amorphous phase that is formed causes PL behavior. An alternative method to process nanostructured wide-band-gap semiconductors with active optical properties such as PL is described in this letter. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.

Enhanced electrical property of nanostructured Sb-doped SnO2 thin film processed by soft chemical method

The effect of the Sb addition on the microstructural and electrical conductivity of the SnO2 thin film was studied in this work. Experimental results show that the Sb addition allowed to control the grain size and electrical conductivity of the SnO2 thin film, resulting in a nanostructured material. The nanostructured Sb-doped SnO2 thin films present high electrical conductivity, even in the presence of high porosity, supporting the hypothesis that nanostructured material must possess strong electrical conductivity. This work involves important aspects that can be applied to the development of high performance transparent conducting thin film. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

PATHOGENIC OR POTENTIALLY PATHOGENIC BACTERIA AS CONTAMINANTS OF FRESH-WATER FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES IN ARARAQUARA, BRAZIL

The microbiological quality of various fresh waters in the Araraquara region, state of São Paulo, Brazil was investigated. Ninety-nine water samples were taken from rivers, reservoirs, artesian and non-artesian wells, springs and tap waters, and these waters were analysed using: plate counts of heterotrophic microorganisms (per 1 ml); Most Probable Number (MPN) of fecal coliforms and E. coli (per 100 ml); tests for presence of Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia, the E. coli pathogens of classes EPEC, ETEC and EIEC and Mycobacterium, Shigella, Yersinia and enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) were not isolated. The other types of microorganisms were isolated in varying proportions. We conclude that the waters investigated represent a potential microbiological health risk.

SEROTYPES AND VIRULENCE OF SALMONELLA SP ISOLATED FROM FRESH-WATER

Twenty six Salmonella isolates of different serotypes were found in samples of fresh water. All 26 strains were checked for the presence of plasmids. Plasmids were found in eleven isolates. Four of the plasmid-containing strains and two of the plasmid-free strains were tested for invasiveness in mice. At least in the case of S. typhimurium, it seems reasonable to link virulence with plasmid harbouring.

Air-drying of fresh and osmotically pre-treated pineapple slices: Fixed air temperature versus fixed slice temperature drying kinetics

In this investigation, the air drying characteristics of fresh and osmotically pre-treated pineapple slices in a tray dryer were studied under different operating conditions. The air velocity varied from 1.5 to 2.5 m/s and the air temperature from 40 to 70 degreesC. The analytical solution of the second Fick's law for an infinite slab was used to calculate effective diffusion coefficients and their temperature dependence could be well represented by an Arrhenius-type equation. Comparison of the results showed that the diffusion coefficients were lower for the pre-treated fruit. By means of automatic control, it was possible to obtain drying curves under conditions of constant product temperature, which showed to be an alternative to reduce the drying time of pineapple slices.

Seed dispersal by fishes in tropical and temperate fresh waters: The growing evidence

Fruit-eating by fishes represents an ancient (perhaps Paleozoic) interaction increasingly regarded as important for seed dispersal (ichthyochory) in tropical and temperate ecosystems. Most of the more than 275 known frugivorous species belong to the mainly Neotropical Characiformes (pacus, piranhas) and Siluriformes (catfishes), but cypriniforms (carps, minnows) are more important in the Holarctic and Indomalayan regions. Frugivores are among the most abundant fishes in Neotropical floodplains where they eat the fruits of a wide variety of trees and shrubs. By consuming fruits, fishes gain access to rich sources of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins and act as either seed predators or seed dispersers. With their often high mobility, large size, and great longevity, fruit-eating fishes can play important roles as seed dispersers and exert strong influences on local plant-recruitment dynamics and regional biodiversity. Recent feeding experiments focused on seed traits after gut passage support the idea that fishes are major seed dispersers in floodplain and riparian forests. Overfishing, damming, deforestation and logging potentially diminish ichthyochory and require immediate attention to ameliorate their effects. Much exciting work remains in terms of fish and plant adaptations to ichthyochory, dispersal regimes involving fishes in different ecosystems, and increased use of nondestructive methods such as stomach lavage, stable isotopes, genetic analyses and radio transmitters to determine fish diets and movements. (C) 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.