Qualidade de vida do servidor da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte em condição crônica de saúde

The study aimed to analyze the influence of chronic health conditions (CHC) on quality of life (QOL) of UFRN servers assaulted by CHC. It is a descriptive and cross-sectional study with prospective data and quantitative approach, accomplished in the ambulatory clinic of the Department of Server Assistance (DSA) of the Pro-Rectory of Human Resources, during three months. The sample was composed by accessibility, totaling 215 people, being 153 active and 62 inactive servers, in chronic health condition. The data were collected through the application of the sociodemographic characterization, health, environmental and laboral form, the Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short Form (SF-36). The study was evaluated by the HUOL Ethics Committee (CAAE no. 0046.0.294.000.10), obtaining assent. The results were analyzed in the SPSS 15.0 program through the descriptive and inferential statistics. It was identified servants predominantly male (59,1%), under 60 years old, married or in stable union, Catholics, brown color, living in the capital and residents in own home. Regarding labor issues, there was a predominance of active servers technical-administrative with intermediate and medium level positions and small proportion of docents. Among the CHC, the non-communicable diseases - NCDs (95.8%) had a higher frequency, followed by persistent mental disorders - PMDs (18.6%) and, finally, the continuous and structural physical deficiency - CSPD (16.9 %). The QOL of servers was considered good, with a mean score of 72.5 points in the total score, with the most affected domains: physical (59.1), general health (66.2), bodily pain (66.3) and functional aspects (72.0). The mental health dimension (76.5) had a better average than the physical dimension (68.0 points). It was found that the decrease in QOL scores is significant statistically related to higher number of CHC (ρ <0.001), with no statistical significance regarding the functional situation (p = 0.259). The administrative technicians of elementary, primary, secondary levels and docents had the worst QOL scores. After the correlation analysis of CHC with the domains and dimensions of the SF-36, there was statistically significant, negative and weak correlation of the domains: functional aspect (ρ = 0.002, r = -0.207), physical aspects (ρ = 0.007; r = -0.183), vitality (ρ = 0.002, r = -0.213), social function (ρ = 0.000, r = -0.313), emotional aspects (ρ = 0.000, r = -0.293), mental health (ρ = 0.000 , r = -0.238), physical health dimension (ρ = 0.002, r = -0.210) and mental health dimension (ρ = 0.000, r = -0.298). The presence of PMD isolated or together, contributed to a lower SF-36 scores, being the domains variation of mean significant, except for bodily pain, general health and physical aspects. By correlating the categories of CHC and QOL, there was a weak correlation (r ≤ -0.376) and significant (ρ ≤ 0.011), mainly related to the NCD, PMDs and NCD + PMD, affecting the mental health, social function, emotional aspects, vitality and functional aspect domains. Front of the results, it was concludes that the servers quality of life is influenced by the CHC. Thus, it was inferred that the presence of CHC causes a negative effect on quality of life, leading the active and inactive servers to exposure their overall life activities and work over the years, due to the morbidity affected, mainly related to NCDs and PMDs. Descriptors: Quality of life. Chronic disease. Occupational Health. Nursing

Avaliação da molhabilidade de soluções de tensoativos em aço inoxidável

With the increasing industrialization of the planet caused by globalization, it has become increasingly common to search for highly resistant and durable materials for many diverse branches of activities. Thus, production and demand for materials that meet these requirements have constantly increased with time. In view of this, stainless steel is presented as one of the materials which are suitable applications, due to many features that are interesting for several segments of the industry. Concerns of oil companies over heavy oil reservoirs have grown steadily for the last decades. Rheological properties of these oils impair their transport in conventional flow systems. This problem has created the need to develop technologies to improve flow and transport, reducing operation costs so as to enable oil production in the reservoir. Therefore, surfactant-based chemical systems are proposed to optimize transport conditions, effected by reduction of interfacial tensions, thereby enhancing the flow of oil in ducts and reducing load losses by friction. In order to examine such interactions, a study on the wettability of metallic surfaces has been undertaken, represented by measuring of contact angle of surfactant solutions onto flat plates of 304 stainless steel. Aqueous solutions of KCl, surfactants and mixtures of surfactants, with linear and aromatic hydrocarbon chain and ethoxylation degrees ranging between 20 to 100, have been tested. The wettability was assessed by means of a DSA 100 krüss goniometer. The influence of roughness on the wettability was also investigated by machining and polished the stainless steel plates with sandpapers of references ranging between 100 of 1200. The results showed that sanding and polishing plates result in decrease of wettability. As for the solutions, they have provided better wettability of the stainless steel than the KCl solutions tested. It was also been concluded that surfactant mixtures is an option to be considered, since they promote interactions that generate satisfactory contact angles for a good wettability on the stainless steel plate. Another conclusion refers to the influence of the ethoxylation degree of the nonionic surfactant molecules on wettability. It has been observed that contact angles decrease with decreasing ethoxylation degrees. This leads us to conclude that molecules with higher ethoxylation degree, being more hydrophobic, decrease the interaction of water with the ducts, thereby reducing friction and improving the flow

Self-assembling of phenothiazine compounds investigated by small-angle X-ray scattering and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy

Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) have been carried out to investigate the structure of the self-aggregates of two phenothiazine drugs, chlorpromazine (CPZ) and trifluoperazine (TFP), in aqueous solution. In the SAXS studies, drug solutions of 20 and 60 mM, at pH 4.0 and 7.0, were investigated and the best data fittings were achieved assuming several different particle form factors with a homogeneous electron density distribution in respect to the water environment. Because of the limitation of scattering intensity in the q range above 0.15 angstrom(-1), precise determination of the aggregate shape was not possible and all of the tested models for ellipsoids, cylinders, or parallelepipeds fitted the experimental data equally well. The SAXS data allows inferring, however, that CPZ molecules might self-assemble in a basis set of an orthorhombic cell, remaining as nanocrystallites in solution. Such nanocrystals are composed of a small number of unit cells (up to 10, in c-direction), with CPZ aggregation numbers of 60-80. EPR spectra of 5- and 16-doxyl stearic acids bound to the aggregates were analyzed through simulation, and the dynamic and magnetic parameters were obtained. The phenothiazine concentration in EPR experiments was in the range of 5-60 mM. Critical aggregation concentration of TFP is lower than that for CPZ, consistent with a higher hydrophobicity of TFP. At acidic pH 4.0 a significant residual motion of the nitroxide relative to the aggregate is observed, and the EPR spectra and corresponding parameters are similar to those reported for aqueous surfactant micelles. However, at pH 6.5 a significant motional restriction is observed, and the nitroxide rotational correlation times correlate very well with those estimated for the whole aggregated particle from SAXS data. This implies that the aggregate is densely packed at this pH and that the nitroxide is tightly bound to it producing a strongly immobilized EPR spectrum. Besides that, at pH 6.5 the differences in motional restriction observed between 5- and 16-DSA are small, which is different from that observed for aqueous surfactant micelles.

Tratamento eletroquímico de água produzida sintética para remoção de hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos

The aim of this work is the treatment of produced water from oil by using electrochemical technology. Produced water is a major waste generated during the process of exploration and production in the oil industry. Several approaches are being studied aiming at the treatment of this effluent; among them can be cited the biological process and chemical treatments such as advanced oxidation process and electrochemical treatments (electrooxidation, electroflotation, electrocoagulation, electrocoagulation). This work studies the application of electrochemical technology in the treatment of the synthetic produced water effluent through the action of the electron, in order to remove or transform the toxic and harmful substances from the environment by redox reactions in less toxic substances. For this reason, we used a synthetic wastewater, containing a mixture H2SO4 0,5M and 16 HPAs, which are: naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo (a) anthracene, chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k) fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, dibenzo(a, h)anthracene, benzo(g, h, i)perylene. Bulk electrochemical oxidation experiments were performed using a batch electrochemical reactor containing a pair of parallel electrodes, coupled with a power supply using a magnetic stirrer for favoring the transfer mass control. As anodic material was used, a Dimensionally Stable Anode (DSA) of Ti/Pt, while as cathode was used a Ti electrode. Several samples were collected at specific times and after that, the analysis of these samples were carried out by using Gas Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC - MS) in order to determine the percentage of removal. The results showed that it was possible to achieve the removal of HPAs about 80% (in some cases, more than 80%). In addition, as an indicator of the economic feasibility of electrochemical treatment the energy consumption was analyzed for each hour of electrolysis, and based on the value kWh charged by ANEEL, the costs were estimated. Thus, the treatment costs of this research were quite attractive

Desenvolvimento de um novo complexo macrocíclico do sistema cobalto cyclam

In this work were synthesized and studied the spectroscopic and electrochemical characteristics of the coordination compounds trans-[Co (cyclam)Cl2]Cl, trans- Na[Co(cyclam)(tios)2], trans-[Co(en)2Cl2]Cl and trans-Na[Co(en)2(tios)2], where tios = thiosulfate and en = ethylenediamine. The compounds were characterized by: Elemental Analysis (CHN), Absorption Spectroscopy in the Infrared (IR), Uv-Visible Absorption Spectroscopy, Luminescence Spectroscopy and Electrochemistry (cyclic voltammetry). Elemental Analysis (CHN) suggests the following structures for the complex: trans- [Co(cyclam)Cl2]Cl.6H2O and trans-Na[Co(cyclam)(tios)2].7H2O. The electrochemical analysis, when compared the cathodic potential (Ec) processes of the complexes trans- [Co(cyclam)Cl2]Cl and trans-[Co(en)2Cl2]Cl, indicated a more negative value (-655 mV) for the second complex, suggesting a greater electron donation to the metal center in this complex which can be attributed to a greater proximity of the nitrogen atoms of ethylenediamine in relation to metal-nitrogen cyclam. Due to the effect of setting macrocyclic ring to the metal center, the metal-nitrogen bound in the cyclam are not as close as the ethylenediamine, this fact became these two ligands different. Similar behavior is also observed for complexes in which the chlorides are replaced by thiosulfate ligand, trans-Na[Co(en)2(tios)2] (-640 mV) and trans-Na[Co(cyclam)(tios)2] (-376 mV). In absorption spectroscopy in the UV-visible, there is the band of charge transfer LMCT (ligand p d* the metal) in the trans-Na[Co(cyclam)(tios)2] (350 nm, p tios  d* Co3+) and in the trans-Na[Co(en)2(tios)2] (333 nm, p tios d* Co3+), that present higher wavelength compared to complex precursor trans- [Co(cyclam)Cl2]Cl (318 nm, pCl  d* Co3+), indicating a facility of electron density transfer for the metal in the complex with the thiosulfate ligand. The infrared analysis showed the coordination of the thiosulfate ligand to the metal by bands in the region (620-635 cm-1), features that prove the monodentate coordination via the sulfur atom. The νN-H bands of the complexes with ethylenediamine are (3283 and 3267 cm-1) and the complex with cyclam bands are (3213 and 3133 cm-1). The luminescence spectrum of the trans-Na[Co(cyclam)(tios)2] present charge transfer band at 397 nm and bands dd at 438, 450, 467, 481 and 492 nm.

Value of ultrasonographic contrast in duplex scanning of leg arteries - Comparison with conventional duplex scanning and arteriography

Aim. Duplex scanning has been used in the evaluation of the aorta and proximal arteries of the lower extremities, but has limitations in evaluating the arteries of the leg. The utilization of ultrasonographic contrast (USC) may be helpful in improving the quality of the image in these arteries. The objective of the present study was to verify whether the USC increases the diagnostic accuracy of patency of the leg arteries and if it diminishes the time needed to perform duplex scanning.Methods. Twenty patients with critical ischemia (20 lower extremities) were examined by standard duplex scanning, duplex scanning with contrast and digital subtraction arteriography (DSA). The 3 arteries of the leg were divided into 3 segments, for a total of 9 segments per limb. Each segment was evaluated for patency in order to compare the 3 diagnostic methods. Comparison was made between standard duplex scanning and duplex scanning with contrast in terms of quality of the color-coded Doppler signal and of the spectral curve, and also of the time to perform the exams.Results. Duplex scanning with contrast was similar to arteriography in relation to patency diagnosis (p>0.3) and even superior in some of the segments. Standard duplex scanning was inferior to arteriography and to duplex scanning with contrast (p<0.001). There were improvements of 70% in intensity of the color-coded Doppler signal and 76% in the spectral curve after the utilization of contrast. The time necessary to perform the examinations was 23.7 minutes for standard duplex scanning and 16.9 minutes for duplex scanning with contrast (p<0.001).Conclusion. The use of ultrasonographic contrast increased the accuracy of the diagnosis of patency of leg arteries and diminished the time necessary for the execution of duplex scanning.

GABA(A) receptor activation in the lateral parabrachial nucleus induces water and hypertonic NaCl intake

Inhibitory serotonergic and cholecystokinergic mechanisms in the lateral parabrachial nucleus and central GABAergic mechanisms are involved in the regulation of water and NaCl intake. In the present study we investigated if the GABA(A) receptors in the lateral parabrachial nucleus are involved in the control of water, NaCl and food intake in rats. Male Holtzman rats with stainless steel cannulas implanted bilaterally into the lateral parabrachial nucleus were used. Bilateral injections of muscimol (0.2 nmol/0.2 mu l) into the lateral parabrachial nucleus strongly increased 0.3 M NaCl (20.3 +/- 7.2 vs. saline: 2.6 +/- 0.9 ml/180 min) without changing water intake induced by the treatment with the diuretic furosemide combined with low dose of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor captopril s.c. In euhydrated and satiated rats, bilateral lateral parabrachial nucleus injections of muscimol (0.2 and 0.5 nmol/0.2 0) induced 0.3 M NaCl intake (12.1 +/- 6.5 and 32.5 +/- 7.3 ml/180 min, respectively, vs. saline: 0.4 +/- 0.2 ml/180 min) and water intake (5.2 +/- 2.0 and 7.6 +/- 2.8 ml/ 180 min, respectively, vs. saline: 0.8 +/- 0.4 ml/180 min), but no food intake (2 +/- 0.4 g/240 min vs. saline: 1 +/- 0.3 g/240 min). Bilateral lateral parabrachial nucleus injections of the GABAA antagonist bicuculline (1.6 nmol/0.2 mu l) abolished the effects of muscimol (0.5 nmol/0.2 mu l) on 0.3 M NaCl and water intake. Muscimol (0.5 nmol/0.2 mu l) into the lateral parabrachial nucleus also induced a slight ingestion of water (4.2 +/- 1.6 ml/240 min vs. saline: 1.1 +/- 0.3 ml/240 min) when only water was available, a long lasting (for at least 2 h) increase on mean arterial pressure (14 +/- 4 mm Hg, vs. saline: -1 +/- 1 mm Hg) and only a tendency to increase urinary volume and Na+ and K+ renal excretion. Therefore the activation of GABAA receptors in the lateral parabrachial nucleus induces strong NaCl intake, a small ingestion of water and pressor responses, without changes on food intake. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of IBRO.

Cardiovascular responses to hydrogen peroxide into the nucleus tractus solitarius

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

Surface roughness of denture base and reline materials after disinfection by immersion in chlorhexidine or microwave irradiation

Background: This study evaluated the effect of disinfection by immersion and microwave irradiation on the roughness of one denture base resin (Lucitone-L) and five relining materials, three hard (Tokuyama Rebase II-TR, New Truliner-NT, Ufigel Hard-UH) and two resilient (Trusoft-T, Sofreliner-S).Methods: Fifty specimens were made and divided into groups: CL2 specimens were brushed with 4% chlorhexidine (1 min), immersed in the same solution (10 min) and immersed in water (3 min); MW2 specimens were immersed in water and microwave irradiated (650W; 6 min); CL2 and MW2 specimens were disinfected twice; CL7 and MW7 specimens were submitted to seven cycles using chlorhexidine or microwave irradiation, respectively; W specimens were not disinfected and remained in water (37 degrees C; 7 days).Results: Results were statistically analysed (p = 0.05) and revealed that, at baseline, the highest mean value was observed for T (p < 0.001). Material NT showed increase in roughness after the first (p = 0.003), second (p = 0.001), seventh (p = 0.000) cycles of microwave disinfection and after 7 days of immersion in water (p = 0.033).Conclusions: Resilient liner S presented significant increase in roughness after the second cycle of disinfection with chlorhexidine (p = 0.003). Material T exhibited significantly decreased roughness in group W (p = 0.010), while microwaving produced severe alterations on its surface.

Studies on the electrochemical disinfection of water containing Escherichia coli using a Dimensionally Stable Anode

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

A thin layer electrochemical cell for disinfection of water contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus

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

Studies of the Electrochemical Degradation of Acetaminophen Using a Real-Time Biomimetic Sensor

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

Degradação eletroquímica do cloranfenicol em reator de fluxo

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