Arma branca retida em aorta abdominal superior

Abdominal aorta wounds carries a high immediate mortality. Few patients reach hospital care alive. There are no reports on Medline (1969-2002) about aortic wounds of foreign body with retention. A case with upper abdominal aortic wound with an inlaid blade is reported. The retained blade fixed the stomach to the surgical field, difficulting the vascular control, leading to an unconventional approach and allowing extensive contamination. The patient developed multiple organ dysfunction and died at fifth postoperative day. Singularities of an inlaid knife in upper abdominal aorta and changes in traditional approach are discussed. The authors assumed that the inlaid knife decreased the bleeding, allowing the patient arrival to the hospital, but worsened the approach to the aorta wound.

Tratamento não operatório do ferimento por arma de fogo na região toracoabdominal direita

OBJETIVO: Analisar os resultados obtidos com a introdução do protocolo de tratamento não operatório (TNO) dos ferimentos por arma de fogo (PAF) na transição toracoabdominal direita. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo com dados levantados no período de janeiro de 2005 a dezembro de 2011, tendo como critérios de inclusão: PAF localizado na região toracoabdominal direita, estabilidade hemodinâmica, ausência de sinais de irritação peritonial e realização de tomografia computadorizada. RESULTADOS: No estudo 115 pacientes preencheram os critérios de inclusão. A maioria dos pacientes (95,6%) era do sexo masculino. A média das idades foi 25,8 anos. A média dos índices de trauma: RTS 7,7; ISS 14,8; e TRISS 97%. A maioria dos pacientes era portadora de ferimentos toracoabdominais (62,6%) e 43 pacientes (37,4%), ferimentos abdominais. A lesão hepática ocorreu em 109 pacientes (94,8%) e a renal em 28 pacientes (24,4%). Hemotórax e lesão concomitante abdominal foram verificados em 72 pacientes (62,6%). As lesões associadas foram encontradas em 19 (16,5%) pacientes e as complicações, em 12 (10,5%). A falha do TNO aconteceu em quatro pacientes (3,5%). Nesta série, dois pacientes (1,7%) morreram, ambos devido a trauma cranioencefálico. A permanência hospitalar média foi 9,4 dias. Sessenta e sete pacientes (58,3%) compareceram no controle com dois meses de trauma. A tomografia de abdome mostrou lesão cicatrizada em 58 pacientes (86,5%). CONCLUSÃO: A opção por TNO do PAF na região toracoabdominal direita deve ser vista com cautela e empregada em casos selecionados através de protocolos bem fundamentados e em locais com toda infraestrutura necessária.

Traumatismo cranioencefálico por projétil de arma de fogo: experiência de 16 anos do serviço de neurocirurgia da Santa Casa de São Paulo

OBJETIVO: avaliar os aspectos epidemiológicos e fatores prognósticos associados a uma série de pacientes vítimas de traumatismo cranioencefálico por projétil de arma de fogo (PAF). MÉTODOS: Foram revisados os prontuários de 181 pacientes da Disciplina de Neurocirurgia da Santa Casa de São Paulo com diagnóstico de traumatismo cranioencefálico (TCE) decorrente de agressão por PAF no período de janeiro de 1991 a dezembro de 2005. Foram avaliados: idade, sexo, pontuação na escala de coma de Glasgow (ECG) à admissão, região encefálica acometida pelo PAF, tipo de lesão (penetrante ou tangencial), tipo de tratamento realizado e resultado ou desfecho, baseado na Escala de coma de Glasgow. A relação entre estratégia terapêutica e o resultado final foi analisada pelo teste Chi-quadrado de Pearson com correção de Yate. O teste de Fisher foi utilizado para verificar a mesma correlação individualmente para cada grupo estratificado pela ECG à admissão. RESULTADOS: Na nossa série de 181 pacientes, 85% eram do sexo masculino (n=154) e 15%, do sexo feminino (n=27). A média de idade foi 31,04 anos (+/- 10,98). A principal região encefálica acometida foi o lobo frontal (27,6%), seguido pelo temporal (24,86%) e occipital (16,57%). Dos TCE avaliados, 16% eram tangenciais e 84% penetrantes. CONCLUSÃO: Os pacientes submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico evoluíram melhor do que os submetidos ao tratamento conservador, e os pacientes que se apresentam mais graves à admissão (com ECG entre 3-8) apresentam melhores resultados com o procedimento neurocirúrgico.

Tratamento não operatório das lesões renais por arma de fogo

OBJETIVO: analisar a experiência do tratamento não operatório (TNO) das lesões renais ocasionadas por projétil de arma de fogo (PAF), na região tóraco-abdominal direita, em pacientes com estabilidade hemodinâmica e sem sinais de irritação peritoneal), com destaque para a avaliação da segurança desse tipo de abordagem. MÉTODOS: estudo prospectivo, em pacientes vítimas de agressão por PAF na região tóraco-abdominal direita, com lesão renal, atendidos no Hospital João XXIII (FHEMIG), em Belo Horizonte, no período de janeiro de 2005 a dezembro 2012. Os critérios de inclusão neste estudo foram: estabilidade hemodinâmica, estudo morfofuncional renal pela tomografia e ausência de sinais de irritação peritoneal. RESULTADOS: No período, 128 pacientes preencheram os critérios de inclusão do protocolo e foram submetidos à TNO de ferimento tóraco-abdominal direito por PAF. Destes, 37 (28,9%) apresentavam lesão renal. Índices de trauma: RTS 7,8; ISS 16; e TRISS 99%. As lesões grau II e grau III foram as mais frequentes. A lesão intra-abdominal associada mais comum foi a lesão hepática, presente em 81,1% dos casos. Dois pacientes (5,4%) apresentaram falha no tratamento não operatório. CONCLUSÃO: o tratamento não operatório dessas lesões renais, quando bem indicado, tem alto índice de sucesso, baixa taxa de complicações e aumenta a chance de preservação renal. Ele é seguro para pacientes bem selecionados, em centros de trauma com infraestrutura adequada, profissionais experientes e protocolo específico para realizá-lo.

Evaluation of follicular lymphoid depletion in the Bursa of Fabricius: an alternative methodology using digital image analysis and artificial neural networks

Fifty Bursa of Fabricius (BF) were examined by conventional optical microscopy and digital images were acquired and processed using Matlab® 6.5 software. The Artificial Neuronal Network (ANN) was generated using Neuroshell® Classifier software and the optical and digital data were compared. The ANN was able to make a comparable classification of digital and optical scores. The use of ANN was able to classify correctly the majority of the follicles, reaching sensibility and specificity of 89% and 96%, respectively. When the follicles were scored and grouped in a binary fashion the sensibility increased to 90% and obtained the maximum value for the specificity of 92%. These results demonstrate that the use of digital image analysis and ANN is a useful tool for the pathological classification of the BF lymphoid depletion. In addition it provides objective results that allow measuring the dimension of the error in the diagnosis and classification therefore making comparison between databases feasible.

Methodology for Photovoltaic Modules Characterization and Shading Effects Analysis

This work describes the methodology, basic procedures and instrumental employed by the Solar Energy Laboratory at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul for the determination of current-voltage characteristic curves of photovoltaic modules. According to this methodology, I-V characteristic curves were acquired for several modules under diverse conditions. The main electrical parameters were determined and the temperature and irradiance influence on photovoltaic modules performance was quantified. It was observed that most of the tested modules presented output power values considerably lower than those specified by the manufacturers. The described hardware allows the testing of modules with open-circuit voltage up to 50 V and short-circuit current up to 8 A.

A Design Methodology for the Compensation of Positioning Deviation in Gantry Manipulators

This work presents recent results concerning a design methodology used to estimate the positioning deviation for a gantry (Cartesian) manipulator, related mainly to structural elastic deformation of components during operational conditions. The case-study manipulator is classified as gantry type and its basic dimensions are 1,53m x 0,97m x 1,38m. The dimensions used for the calculation of effective workspace due to end-effector path displacement are: 1m x 0,5m x 0,5m. The manipulator is composed by four basic modules defined as module X, module Y, module Z and terminal arm, where is connected the end-effector. Each module controlled axis performs a linear-parabolic positioning movement. The planning path algorithm has the maximum velocity and the total distance as input parameters for a given task. The acceleration and deceleration times are the same. Denavit-Hartemberg parameterization method is used in the manipulator kinematics model. The gantry manipulator can be modeled as four rigid bodies with three degrees-of-freedom in translational movements, connected as an open kinematics chain. Dynamic analysis were performed considering inertial parameters specification such as component mass, inertia and center of gravity position of each module. These parameters are essential for a correct manipulator dynamic modelling, due to multiple possibilities of motion and manipulation of objects with different masses. The dynamic analysis consists of a mathematical modelling of the static and dynamic interactions among the modules. The computation of the structural deformations uses the finite element method (FEM).

Telerobotics: Methodology for the Development of a Through-the-Internet Robotic Teleoperated System

This work presents a methodology for the development of Teleoperated Robotic Systems through the Internet. Initially, it is presented a bibliographical review of the Telerobotic systems that uses Internet as way of control. The methodology is implemented and tested through the development of two systems. The first is a manipulator with two degrees of freedom commanded remotely through the Internet denominated RobWebCam (http://www.graco.unb.br/robwebcam). The second is a system which teleoperates an ABB (Asea Brown Boveri) Industrial Robot of six degrees of freedom denominated RobWebLink (http://webrobot.graco.unb.br). RobWebCam is composed of a manipulator with two degrees of freedom, a video camera, Internet, computers and communication driver between the manipulator and the Unix system; and RobWebLink composed of the same components plus the Industrial Robot. With the use of this technology, it is possible to move far distant positioning objects minimizing transport costs, materials and people; acting in real time in the process that is wanted to be controller. This work demonstrates that the teleoperating via Internet of robotic systems and other equipments is viable, in spite of using rate transmission data with low bandwidth. Possible applications include remote surveillance, control and remote diagnosis and maintenance of machines and equipments.

Proposal of methodology for the modeling and control of manipulators

Industrial applications demand that robots operate in agreement with the position and orientation of their end effector. It is necessary to solve the kinematics inverse problem. This allows the displacement of the joints of the manipulator to be determined, to accomplish a given objective. Complete studies of dynamical control of joint robotics are also necessary. Initially, this article focuses on the implementation of numerical algorithms for the solution of the kinematics inverse problem and the modeling and simulation of dynamic systems. This is done using real time implementation. The modeling and simulation of dynamic systems are performed emphasizing off-line programming. In sequence, a complete study of the control strategies is carried out through the study of several elements of a robotic joint, such as: DC motor, inertia, and gearbox. Finally a trajectory generator, used as input for a generic group of joints, is developed and a proposal of the controller's implementation of joints, using EPLD development system, is presented.

Unusual association of NDM-1 with KPC-2 and armA among Brazilian Enterobacteriaceae isolates

We report the microbiological characterization of four New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 (blaNDM-1)-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. blaNDM-1 was located on a conjugative plasmid and was associated with Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-2 (blaKPC-2) or aminoglycoside-resistance methylase (armA), a 16S rRNA methylase not previously reported in Brazil, in two distinct strains of Enterobacter cloacae. Our results suggested that the introduction of blaNDM-1 in Brazil has been accompanied by rapid spread, since our isolates showed no genetic relationship.

SEPARATION OF SATURED AND UNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS FROM PALM FATTY ACIDS DISTILLATES IN CONTINUOUS MULTISTAGE COUNTERCURRENT COLUMNS WITH SUPERCRITICAL CARBON DIOXIDE AS SOLVENT: A PROCESS DESIGN METHODOLOGY

In this work the separation of multicomponent mixtures in counter-current columns with supercritical carbon dioxide has been investigated using a process design methodology. First the separation task must be defined, then phase equilibria experiments are carried out, and the data obtained are correlated with thermodynamic models or empirical functions. Mutual solubilities, Ki-values, and separation factors aij are determined. Based on this data possible operating conditions for further extraction experiments can be determined. Separation analysis using graphical methods are performed to optimize the process parameters. Hydrodynamic experiments are carried out to determine the flow capacity diagram. Extraction experiments in laboratory scale are planned and carried out in order to determine HETP values, to validate the simulation results, and to provide new materials for additional phase equilibria experiments, needed to determine the dependence of separation factors on concetration. Numerical simulation of the separation process and auxiliary systems is carried out to optimize the number of stages, solvent-to-feed ratio, product purity, yield, and energy consumption. Scale-up and cost analysis close the process design. The separation of palmitic acid and (oleic+linoleic) acids from PFAD-Palm Fatty Acids Distillates was used as a case study.

Optimization and validation of a methodology to determine total arsenic, As(III) and As(V), in water samples, through graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

The Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF AAS) was the technique chosen by the inorganic contamination laboratory (INCQ/ FIOCRUZ) to be validated and applied in routine analysis for arsenic detection and quantification. The selectivity, linearity, sensibility, detection, and quantification limits besides accuracy and precision parameters were studied and optimized under Stabilized Temperature Platform Furnace (STPF) conditions. The limit of detection obtained was 0.13 µg.L-1 and the limit of quantification was 1.04 µg.L-1, with an average precision, for total arsenic, less than 15% and an accuracy of 96%. To quantify the chemical species As(III) and As(V), an ion-exchange resin (Dowex 1X8, Cl- form) was used and the physical-chemical parameters were optimized resulting in a recuperation of 98% of As(III) and of 90% of As(V). The method was applied to groundwater, mineral water, and hemodialysis purified water samples. All results obtained were lower than the maximum limit values established by the legal Brazilian regulations, in effect, 50, 10, and 5 µg.L-1 para As total, As(III) e As(V), respectively. All results were statistically evaluated.

Application of Response Surface Methodology to study the effect of different calcium sources in fish muscle-alginate restructured products

Sodium alginate needs the presence of calcium ions to gelify. For this reason, the contribution of the calcium source in a fish muscle mince added by sodium alginate, makes gelification possible, resulting a restructured fish product. The three different calcium sources considered were: Calcium Chloride (CC); Calcium Caseinate (CCa); and Calcium lactate (CLa). Several physical properties were analyzed, including mechanical properties, colour and cooking loss. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to determine the contribution of different calcium sources to a restructured fish muscle. The calcium source that modifies the system the most is CC. A combination of CC and sodium alginate weakened mechanical properties as reflected in the negative linear contribution of sodium alginate. Moreover, CC by itself increased lightness and cooking loss. The mechanical properties of restructured fish muscle elaborated were enhanced by using CCa and sodium alginate, as reflected in the negative linear contribution of sodium alginate. Also, CCa increased cooking loss. The role of CLa combined with sodium alginate was not so pronounced in the system discussed here.

Assessment of lettuce quality during storage at low relative humidity using Global Stability Index methodology

During postharvest, lettuce is usually exposed to adverse conditions (e.g. low relative humidity) that reduce the vegetable quality. In order to evaluate its shelf life, a great number of quality attributes must be analyzed, which requires careful experimental design, and it is time consuming. In this study, the modified Global Stability Index method was applied to estimate the quality of butter lettuce at low relative humidity during storage discriminating three lettuce zones (internal, middle, and external). The results indicated that the most relevant attributes were: the external zone - relative water content, water content , ascorbic acid, and total mesophilic counts; middle zone - relative water content, water content, total chlorophyll, and ascorbic acid; internal zone - relative water content, bound water, water content, and total mesophilic counts. A mathematical model that takes into account the Global Stability Index and overall visual quality for each lettuce zone was proposed. Moreover, the Weibull distribution was applied to estimate the maximum vegetable storage time which was 5, 4, and 3 days for the internal, middle, and external zone, respectively. When analyzing the effect of storage time for each lettuce zone, all the indices evaluated in the external zone of lettuce presented significant differences (p < 0.05). For both, internal and middle zones, the attributes presented significant differences (p < 0.05), except for water content and total chlorophyll.

Optimization of the extraction of carrageenan from Kappaphycus alvarezii using response surface methodology

This study aims to optimize an alternative method of extraction of carrageenan without previous alkaline treatment and ethanol precipitation using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). In order to introduce an innovation in the isolation step, atomization drying was used reducing the time for obtaining dry carrageenan powder. The effects of extraction time and temperature on yield, gel strength, and viscosity were evaluated. Furthermore, the extracted material was submitted to structural analysis, by infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-NMR), and chemical composition analysis. Results showed that the generated regression models adequately explained the data variation. Carrageenan yield and gel viscosity were influenced only by the extraction temperature. However, gel strength was influenced by both, extraction time and extraction temperature. Optimal extraction conditions were 74 ºC and 4 hours. In these conditions, the carrageenan extract properties determined by the polynomial model were 31.17%, 158.27 g.cm-2, and 29.5 cP for yield, gel strength, and viscosity, respectively, while under the experimental conditions they were 35.8 ± 4.68%, 112.50 ± 4.96 g.cm-2, and 16.01 ± 1.03 cP, respectively. The chemical composition, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy analyses showed that the crude carrageenan extracted is composed mainly of κ-carrageenan.