A comparative study on the different staining methods and number of specimens for the detection of acid fast bacilli

The presence of acid fast bacilli in multiple specimens was investigated comparatively with Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) and fluorescence microscopy (FM) staining in order to determine sensitivity in detecting tuberculosis (TB). A total of 465 specimens obtained from 295 patients were analysed at Harran University Medical School Hospital between March 1998 and March 2000. The culture was employed as the reference method. Sixty-eight patients (23.1%) were diagnosed as having TB by culture. The ZN and FM staining sensitivities were 67.6% (46/68) and 85.2% (58/68) respectively. Two hundred and one patients (68.1%) submitted one specimen to the laboratory. TB positivity was detected in 42 (20.9%) of these patients by culture. The sensitivities of ZN and FM stains were found to be 61% and 83% in these patients. However, in 18 patients (6.1%) who submitted two specimens to the laboratory, the TB was positive in six of them (33.3%) and ZN and FM sensitivities were 66% and 83% respectively. When three specimens or more were collected from the patients (76 patients, 25.8%), TB positivity was determined in 20 of them (26.3%) and the sensitivities were 80% and 92% in the ZN- and FM-stained smears, respectively. Our data indicate that in the diagnosis of TB, FM has greater sensitivity than ZN. In particular, in the case of a single specimen, the diagnostic value of FM is quite significant. It is, therefore, possible to conclude that both ZN and FM staining can be used for the diagnosis of TB when there are more than two specimens. However, if only one or two specimens are available, FM staining is preferable.

Symbolic trephinations and population structure

The sample examined consists of 19 skulls with symbolic trephinations and 86 skulls without trepanations dated from the X century. Skulls were all excavated in the Great Hungarian Plain in the Carpathian Basin, which was occupied by the Hungarian conquerors at the end of the IX century. The variations of 12 cranial dimensions of the trephined skulls were investigated and compared to the skulls without trepanations after performing a discriminant analysis. The classification results evince that the variability of non-trephined skulls shows a more homogeneous and a more characteristic picture of their own group than the trephined samples, which corresponds to the notion, formed by archaeological evidence and written historical sources, of a both ethnically and socially differing population of the Hungarian conquerors. According to historical research, a part of the population was of Finno-Ugric origin, while the military leading layer of society can be brought into connection with Turkic ethnic groups. All the same, individuals dug up with rich grave furniture and supposed to belong to this upper stratum of society are primarily characterized by the custom of symbolic trephination, and, as our results demonstrate, craniologically they seem to be more heterogeneous.

Spinitectus osorioi (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) in the Mexican endemic fish Atherinella alvarezi (Atherinopsidae) from the Atlantic River drainage system in Chiapas, Southern Mexico

Specimens of Spinitectus osorioi Choudhury and Pérez-Ponce de León, an intestinal nematode species previously considered to be specific to Chirostoma spp and endemic to some lakes in the Pacific drainage in Michoacán, were collected from the freshwater fish Atherinella alvarezi (Díaz-Pardo) (Atherinopsidae) of the Michol River near Palenque, Chiapas, Southern Mexico, which belongs to the Atlantic drainage system. Studies using light and scanning electron microscopy revealed some taxonomically important, previously unreported or erroneously reported features of S. osorioi, such as the location of the vulva, the actual number and distribution of postanal papillae and phasmids and the presence of a short median cuticular ridge anterior to the cloacal opening (in addition to two long subventral ridges). The recorded somewhat shorter spicules (420-465 and 105-111 μm) and mostly smaller eggs (33-36 × 18-20 μm) as compared to the original species description may be due to a different type of host, geographical region or generally smaller body measurements of these specimens. These biometrical differences are considered to be within the limits of the intraspecific variability of S. osorioi. A key to species of Spinitectus parasitizing freshwater fishes in Mexico is provided.

Opisthorchiasis in infant remains from the medieval Zeleniy Yar burial ground of XII-XIII centuries AD

We present a paleoparasitological analysis of the medieval Zeleniy Yar burial ground of the XII-XII centuries AD located in the northern part of Western Siberia. Parasite eggs, identified as eggs of Opisthorchis felineus, were found in the samples from the pelvic area of a one year old infant buried at the site. Presence of these eggs in the soil samples from the infant’s abdomen suggests that he/she was infected with opisthorchiasis and imply consumption of undercooked fish. Ethnographic records collected among the population of the northern part of Western Siberia reveal numerous cases of feeding raw fish to their children. Zeleniy Yar case of opisthorchiasis suggests that this dietary custom has persisted from at least medieval times.

Inserção dos egressos da Escola de Enfermagem da USP no mercado de trabalho: facilidades e dificuldades

Com o objetivo de caracterizar os egressos do Curso de Graduação em Enfermagem da Escola de Enfermagem da Universidade de São Paulo, no período de 2000 a 2005, realizou-se um estudo descritivo exploratório, numa abordagem quantitativa. Dos 465 egressos do período pesquisado, 175 (37,6%) responderam ao instrumento de coleta de dados. A inserção no mercado de trabalho se deu majoritariamente em instituições hospitalares privadas, por meio de processo seletivo, no município de São Paulo, na área de assistência. A maioria permaneceu nos primeiros empregos por um a seis meses. A faixa salarial predominante no primeiro emprego variou de US$950.50 a US$1,520.00. No momento da coleta de dados, grande parte dos participantes possuía um vínculo empregatício e estava inserida em instituições hospitalares privadas, com média salarial de US$1,437.50. Os resultados dessa pesquisa evidenciam que houve rápida inserção dos egressos no mercado de trabalho.

Disreflexia autonômica e intervenções de enfermagem para pacientes com lesão medular

O presente trabalho trata-se de estudo retrospectivo realizado em 2009 que objetivou identificar diagnósticos e intervenções de enfermagem para o cuidado de pacientes com lesão medular (LM). Os dados foram coletados de 465 prontuários de pacientes com LM em processo de reabilitação. Identificou-se o diagnóstico de enfermagem Risco para disreflexia autônomica em 271 (58,3%) prontuários, dos quais 80 pacientes desenvolveram disreflexia autônomica. Predominaram homens jovens, com idade média de 35,7 anos, sendo o trauma a principal causa da LM e o nível neurológico igual ou acima da sexta vértebra torácica. As intervenções de enfermagem foram organizadas em dois grupos, um voltado para a prevenção da disreflexia autonômica e outro, para seu tratamento. Desenvolveu-se um guia de intervenções para uso na prática clínica de enfermeiros reabilitadores e para inserção em sistemas de informação. Ressalta-se a importância da retirada do estímulo causador da disreflexia autonômica como terapêutica mais eficaz e como melhor intervenção na prática de enfermagem.

Características ambientais determinantes da capacidade produtiva de sítios cultivados com eucalipto

A análise discriminante foi utilizada com o objetivo de identificar as características ambientais determinantes da qualidade de sítios florestais da região do mar de morros, no Médio Rio Doce (MG). Cinqüenta e oito unidades de amostra, com 480 m² (20 x 24 m), de povoamentos de Eucalyptus grandis com 5,5 anos de idade, implantados em dezembro de 1987, espaçamento 3 x 2 m, foram agrupadas em três classes de sítio. O projeto ocupa área de 1.465 ha no município de São João Evangelista (MG). Há predomínio de Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo distrófico ou álico textura média a argilosa fase floresta subperenifólia relevo forte ondulado e montanhoso, associado com Latossolo Câmbico e Latossolo Regossólico, formado sobre embasamento granito-gnaisse do Grupo Paraíba. Um modelo discriminante com duas funções lineares foi gerado, observando o grau de acerto na classificação das parcelas nas classes de sítio originais. As variáveis incluídas no modelo foram selecionadas por procedimento Stepwise, tendo como critério de seleção a maximização da Distância Generalizada de Mahalanobis. O modelo classificou corretamente 86,2% das parcelas. As oito características ambientais incluídas no modelo foram: altitude, pedoforma, declividade, radiação solar, floculação de argila (0-20 cm), relação silte/argila (40-60 cm) e relação cálcio/soma de bases trocáveis (0-20 e 40-60 cm). Destacaram-se as características fisiográficas, que representam, indiretamente, fatores de ação direta sobre o crescimento do povoamento, devendo ser observadas, prioritariamente, na seleção de áreas para implantação e manutenção de florestas comerciais de eucalipto.

Teor total e capacidade máxima de adsorção de chumbo em Latossolos brasileiros

O teor total e a capacidade máxima de adsorção de chumbo (Pb) dos solos são influenciados pelos seus atributos físicos, químicos e mineralógicos e o seu conhecimento é de fundamental importância para estudos da dinâmica do Pb no meio ambiente. Neste estudo, determinaram-se o teor total e a capacidade máxima de adsorção de Pb (CMAPb) de Latossolos de várias regiões geográficas do Brasil e correlacionaram-se os valores de CMAPb com os seus atributos físicos, químicos e mineralógicos. O teor total variou de 6,14 a 30,55 mg kg-1, com média de 18,00 mg kg-1, verificando-se os maiores teores em solos das regiões sul e sudeste. A CMAPb variou de 2.115 a 19.465 mg kg-1, com média de 11.296 mg kg-1, apresentando correlação negativa com as relações Al2O3/Fe2O3 e Gt/(Gt + Hm) e correlação positiva com Si e Fe, extraídos por ataque sulfúrico, Fe, extraído pelo oxalato ácido de amônio e ditionito-citrato-bicarbonato de sódio, caulinita e hematita, bem como com os valores de CTC e superfície específica. Os solos estudados apresentaram grande capacidade de retenção de Pb, tendo os Latossolos Roxos e Latossolos Vermelho-Escuros apresentado maiores CMAPb que os Latossolos Vermelho-Amarelos e Latossolo Amarelo. Adicionalmente, a maioria dos solos apresentou CMAPb maior que a CTC a pH 7,0, o que pode ser um indicativo de que parte do Pb é adsorvido como complexo de esfera interna.

Caracterização química e espectroscópica de ácidos húmicos e fúlvicos isolados da camada superficial de latossolos brasileiros

A determinação de características estruturais das substâncias húmicas (SH) é essencial para o entendimento do comportamento da química de superfície dos solos altamente intemperizados. Ácidos húmicos (AH) e fúlvicos (AF) obtidos no horizonte superficial de sete Latossolos de diferentes regiões do Brasil foram caracterizados mediante a análise da composição elementar, da acidez total e carboxílica, da capacidade de oxidação e por métodos espectroscópicos. As substâncias húmicas apresentaram elevado grau de oxidação, acidez e massa molecular relativamente baixas, caracterizando a matéria orgânica alcalina solúvel como bastante reativa. Os AF apresentaram menor teor de C e maior de O do que os AH. Foram observados valores elevados da relação entre absorvância em 465 e 665 nm (E4/E6) e a massa molar média foi estimada em 1.106 e 618 g mol-1 para AH e AF, respectivamente. A menor massa molar estimada para os AF foi compatível com sua menor complexidade química revelada pelos espectros de IV-TF, que apresentaram menor número de bandas de absorção bem definidas. A ressonância magnética nuclear (RMN ¹H) mostrou a presença de H mais hidrofóbico nos AH e de H ligado a átomos de O em maior quantidade nos AF, compatível com sua maior acidez e, portanto, solubilidade em qualquer valor de pH. Apesar da mesma funcionalidade química encontrada tanto nos AH como nos AF, a análise estatística permitiu separar a maioria desses ácidos, indicando a presença de frações humificadas de natureza química individual.

Method to estimate soil macroporosity and microporosity based on sand content and bulk density

Macroporosity is often used in the determination of soil compaction. Reduced macroporosity can lead to poor drainage, low root aeration and soil degradation. The aim of this study was to develop and test different models to estimate macro and microporosity efficiently, using multiple regression. Ten soils were selected within a large range of textures: sand (Sa) 0.07-0.84; silt 0.03-0.24; clay 0.13-0.78 kg kg-1 and subjected to three compaction levels (three bulk densities, BD). Two models with similar accuracy were selected, with a mean error of about 0.02 m³ m-3 (2 %). The model y = a + b.BD + c.Sa, named model 2, was selected for its simplicity to estimate Macro (Ma), Micro (Mi) or total porosity (TP): Ma = 0.693 - 0.465 BD + 0.212 Sa; Mi = 0.337 + 0.120 BD - 0.294 Sa; TP = 1.030 - 0.345 BD 0.082 Sa; porosity values were expressed in m³ m-3; BD in kg dm-3; and Sa in kg kg-1. The model was tested with 76 datum set of several other authors. An error of about 0.04 m³ m-3 (4 %) was observed. Simulations of variations in BD as a function of Sa are presented for Ma = 0 and Ma = 0.10 (10 %). The macroporosity equation was remodeled to obtain other compaction indexes: a) to simulate maximum bulk density (MBD) as a function of Sa (Equation 11), in agreement with literature data; b) to simulate relative bulk density (RBD) as a function of BD and Sa (Equation 13); c) another model to simulate RBD as a function of Ma and Sa (Equation 16), confirming the independence of this variable in relation to Sa for a fixed value of macroporosity and, also, proving the hypothesis of Hakansson & Lipiec that RBD = 0.87 corresponds approximately to 10 % macroporosity (Ma = 0.10 m³ m-3).

Urea coated with oxidized charcoal reduces ammonia volatilization

Urea is the most consumed nitrogen fertilizer in the world. However, its agronomic and economic efficiency is reduced by the volatilization of NH3, which can reach 78 % of the applied nitrogen. The coating of urea granules with acidic compounds obtained by charcoal oxidation has the potential to reduce the volatilization, due to the acidic character, the high buffering capacity and CEC. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of HNO3-oxidized carbon on the control of NH3 volatilization. These compounds were obtained by oxidation of Eucalyptus grandis charcoal, produced at charring temperatures of 350 and 450 ºC, with 4.5 mol L-1 HNO3. The charcoal was oxidized by solubilization in acidic or alkaline medium, similar to the procedure of soil organic matter fractionation (CHox350 and CHox450). CHox was characterized by C, H, O, N contents and their respective atomic relations, by the ratio E4 (absorbance 465 nm) by E6 (absorbance 665 nm), and by active acidity and total acidity (CEC). The inhibitory effect of CHox on the urease activity of Canavalia ensiformis was assessed in vitro. The NH3 volatilization from urea was evaluated with and without coating of oxidized charcoal (U-CHox350 or U-CHox450) in a closed system with continuous air flow. The pH of both CHox was near 2.0, but the total acidity of CHox350 was higher, 72 % of which was attributed to carboxylic groups. The variation in the ionization constants of CHox350 was also greater. The low E4/E6 ratios characterize the high stability of the compounds in CHox. CHox did not inhibit the urease activity in vitro, although the maximum volatilization peak from U-CHox450 and U-CHox350 occurred 24 h after that observed for uncoated urea. The lowest volatilization rate was observed for U-CHox350 as well as a 43 % lower total amount of NH3 volatilized than from uncoated urea.

Espectrofotometria de longo caminho óptico em espectrofotômetro de duplo-feixe convencional: uma alternativa simples para investigações de amostras com densidade óptica muito baixa

We describe the design and tests of a set-up mounted in a conventional double beam spectrophotometer, which allows the determination of optical density of samples confined in a long liquid core waveguide (LCW) capillary. Very long optical path length can be achieved with capillary cell, allowing measurements of samples with very low optical densities. The device uses a custom optical concentrator optically coupled to LCW (TEFLON® AF). Optical density measurements, carried out using a LCW of ~ 45 cm, were in accordance with the Beer-Lambert Law. Thus, it was possible to analyze quantitatively samples at concentrations 45 fold lower than that regularly used in spectrophotometric measurements.

Preparación de nanopartículas de plata en ausencia de polimeros estabilizantes

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared by means of the polyol method in the absence of stabilizing polymers. To accomplish this objective, AgNO3 was added to ethylene glycol in the presence of NaOH (1 mol.L-1), the suspension formed was irradiated with a microwave source for 60 seconds at a power of 465 watts. It was found that under these conditions AgNPs of sizes between 4-18 nm are formed. Also the results indicate that part of the ethylene glycol is oxidized to carbonyl compounds that reduce the Ag+. These organic compounds are adsorbed on the surfaces of AgNPs, forming a protective film that prevents their aggregation.

Avaliação de processo oxidativo avançado pelo reagente de Fenton em condições otimizadas no tratamento de lixiviado de aterro sanitário com ênfase em parâmetros coletivos e caracterização do lodo gerado

An alternative for landfill leachate treatment are advanced oxidation processes by Fenton's reagent (AOP/Fenton). In this context, the aim of this paper was to evaluate, in a bench scale, the treatability of leachate pós-AOP/Fenton characterizing the supernatant and the sludge generated separately. Observed in optimal conditions, high removal efficiency of COD (76.7%), real color (76.4%) and humic substances (50%). Organic compounds were detected in the sludge (2.465 mg COD L-1) and high concentration of iron (1.757 mg L-1) as was expected. Finally, the sludge generated showed low settling hindering their separation by sedimentation (SVI = 321 mL g-1).

The relation between the general maxim of causality and the principle of uniformity in hume's theory of knowledge

ABSTRACT When Hume, in the Treatise on Human Nature, began his examination of the relation of cause and effect, in particular, of the idea of necessary connection which is its essential constituent, he identified two preliminary questions that should guide his research: (1) For what reason we pronounce it necessary that every thing whose existence has a beginning should also have a cause and (2) Why we conclude that such particular causes must necessarily have such particular effects? (1.3.2, 14-15) Hume observes that our belief in these principles can result neither from an intuitive grasp of their truth nor from a reasoning that could establish them by demonstrative means. In particular, with respect to the first, Hume examines and rejects some arguments with which Locke, Hobbes and Clarke tried to demonstrate it, and suggests, by exclusion, that the belief that we place on it can only come from experience. Somewhat surprisingly, however, Hume does not proceed to show how that derivation of experience could be made, but proposes instead to move directly to an examination of the second principle, saying that, "perhaps, be found in the end, that the same answer will serve for both questions" (1.3.3, 9). Hume's answer to the second question is well known, but the first question is never answered in the rest of the Treatise, and it is even doubtful that it could be, which would explain why Hume has simply chosen to remove any mention of it when he recompiled his theses on causation in the Enquiry concerning Human Understanding. Given this situation, an interesting question that naturally arises is to investigate the relations of logical or conceptual implication between these two principles. Hume seems to have thought that an answer to (2) would also be sufficient to provide an answer to (1). Henry Allison, in his turn, argued (in Custom and Reason in Hume, p. 94-97) that the two questions are logically independent. My proposal here is to try to show that there is indeed a logical dependency between them, but the implication is, rather, from (1) to (2). If accepted, this result may be particularly interesting for an interpretation of the scope of the so-called "Kant's reply to Hume" in the Second Analogy of Experience, which is structured as a proof of the a priori character of (1), but whose implications for (2) remain controversial.