Evaluating the quality of life in patients with refractory chronic heart failure undergoing cardiac resynchronization regarding the type of therapeutic response

The benefits of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in the quality of life have been largely demonstrated in selected patients with severe congestive heart failure (CHF). However, the differences between responders and non-responders, with regard to the effect of CRT in the various dimensions of quality of life is still a matter of discussion. Objective: to evaluate the impact of CRT on the quality of life of patients with CHF refractory to optimal pharmacological therapy, within 6 months after CRT.

The surplus value of Azorean macroalgae as health-promoting food. Protein, fiber, carbohydrates, lipids and vitamins determination

AICMA 2012 (BIT's 1st Annual International Congress of Marine Algae), World Expo Center, Dalian, China, 20-23 de Setembro.

Layer-by-layer immobilization of carbon dots fluorescent nanomaterials on single optical fiber

We report within this paper the development of a fiber-optic based sensor for Hg(II) ions. Fluorescent carbon nanoparticles were synthesized by laser ablation and functionalized with PEG200 and N-acetyl-l-cysteine so they can be anionic in nature. This characteristic facilitated their deposition by the layer-by-layer assembly method into thin alternating films along with a cationic polyelectrolyte, poly(ethyleneimine). Such films could be immobilized onto the tip of a glass optical fiber, allowing the construction of an optical fluorescence sensor. When immobilized on the fiber-optic tip, the resultant sensor was capable of selectively detecting sub-micromolar concentrations of Hg(II) with an increased sensitivity compared to carbon dot solutions. The fluorescence of the carbon dots was quenched by up to 44% by Hg(II) ions and interference from other metal ions was minimal.

The D1822V APC polymorphism interacts with fat, calcium, and fiber intakes in modulating the risk of colorectal cancer in Portuguese persons

Background - Both genetic and environmental factors affect the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Objective - We aimed to examine the interaction between the D1822V polymorphism of the APC gene and dietary intake in persons with CRC. Design - Persons with CRC (n = 196) and 200 healthy volunteers, matched for age and sex in a case-control study, were evaluated with respect to nutritional status and lifestyle factors and for the D1822V polymorphism. Results - No significant differences were observed in energy and macronutrient intakes. Cases had significantly (P < 0.05) lower intakes of carotenes, vitamins C and E, folate, and calcium than did controls. Fiber intake was significantly (P = 0.004) lower in cases than in controls, whereas alcohol consumption was associated with a 2-fold risk of CRC. In addition, cases were significantly (P = 0.001) more likely than were controls to be sedentary. The homozygous variant for the APC gene (VV) was found in 4.6% of cases and in 3.5% of controls. Examination of the potential interactions between diet and genotype found that a high cholesterol intake was associated with a greater risk of colorectal cancer only in noncarriers (DD) of the D1822V APC allele (odds ratio: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.00, 2.76). In contrast, high fiber and calcium intakes were more markedly associated with a lower risk of CRC in patients carrying the polymorphic allele (DV/VV) (odds ratio: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.27, 0.94 for fiber; odds ratio: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.28, 0.93 for calcium) than in those without that allele. Conclusion - These results suggest a significant interaction between the D1822V polymorphism and the dietary intakes of cholesterol, calcium, and fiber for CRC risk.

Optical fiber sensor for Hg(II) based on carbon dots

An optical fiber sensor for Hg(II) in aqueous solution based on sol–gel immobilized carbon dots nanoparticles functionalized with PEG200 and N-acetyl-l-cysteine is described. This sol–gel method generated a thin (about 750 nm), homogenous and smooth (roughness of 2.7±0.7 a˚ ) filmthat immobilizes the carbon dots and allows reversible sensing of Hg(II) in aqueous solution. A fast (less than 10 s), reversible and stable (the fluorescence intensity measurements oscillate less than 1% after several calibration cycles) sensor system was obtained. The sensor allow the detection of submicron molar concentrations of Hg(II) in aqueous solution. The fluorescence intensity of the immobilized carbon dots is quenched by the presence of Hg(II) with a Stern-Volmer constant (pH = 6.8) of 5.3×105M−1.

Redes “Fiber To The Home – FTTH”. O despertar de novos serviços de telecomunicações

Se ha poucos anos nao imaginavamos as nossas vidas sem o conforto proporcionado pela iluminacao artificial, fruto do desenvolvimento e proliferacao da producao, transporte e distribuicao de energia electrica, seguramente que nos dias de hoje e indissociavel juntar a esse mesmo conforto e estilo de vida a utilizacao dos meios de telecomunicacoes actuais. Com efeito, a vulgarizacao do uso de telemoveis, a recepcao e transmissao de dados a velocidades cada vez maiores, o aparecimento de televisao de alta definicao (TVAD) em substituicao do actual formato PAL, a surgimento de ofertas de novos servicos como o Video on Demand a par da emergente televisao digital terrestre constituem, seguramente, uma nova revolucao nas infra-estruturas de telecomunicacoes domesticas e profissionais. O sector das telecomunicacoes tem sido aquele que se encontra em pleno crescimento, com os fabricantes e operadores a lancarem novos produtos e solucoes de forma continuada, bem como uma atenta e perspicaz reaccao por parte dos legisladores. Assiste-se verdadeiramente na industria das telecomunicacoes a um movimento relacionado com a convergencia para as redes IP (“Internet Protocol”, ou Protocolo de Internet).

Castor fiber na gruta do Caldeirão. Existência, distribuição e extinção do castor em Portugal

Beaver only had been found in Portugal in a Chalcolithic locality, the Vila Nova de S. Pedro castrum. It has now been identified in the Upper Paleolithic (Solutrean) from Gruta do Caldeirão, near Tomar. The species has been found recently at «Gruta do Almonda»; 4 teeth were collected in bed C, older than a Solutrean sequence (see Anexo for details). The species seems to have been rare, as it was also the case with portuguese Miocene Castoridae Enroxenomys minutus and Chalicomys jaegeri. If account is taken of the presence in the Middle Ages until Castille of words meaning beaver (relared to the popular latin Fiber/Biber), it is obvious that these animais still existed then. Such nouns were largely predominant over rhe rather erudite latin (greek deríved) words as Castor,-óris and derived ones, as it could be expected. This allowed us to recognize that veiro should be the corresponding word with Fiber affinities in archaic portuguese. It was previously supposed to mean only expensive furs then imported into Portugal. Indeed it was also a zoonym. Anywày, beaver should be scarce by XIIIth century since it is not included in the quite detailed price list imposed by the «Lei da Almotaçaria» from December 26, 1253 (see Quadro II). Toponyms in veiro and derived words (fig. 2; Quadro III) (plural, feminines, diminutives, inhabited places) give a resrrictive view of rhe Middle Age distribution. Some of them are certainly older than Portugal itself (firsr half of XIlth cenrury); others existed by the XIVth century bur were probably older. Some rare toponyms seem to be derived from the erudite latin Castor,-óris. Nothing suggests that these words were still in use as zoonyms during the Middle Ages. All toponyms are located in regions near rivers and other freshwaters ecologically suitable for beavers, so we can approximately retrace its former, Middle Age disrribution in Portugal (fig. 2; Quadro III). Most of them are locared in the Center-West and Northwest of Portugal, with a suitable c1imate (rainfall in general over 800 mílimerers per year); the only sure geographical exception is Veiros, in Alto Alentejo province, in a region with comparable precipitations and less dry climate conditions than mosr of the territories South of rhe Tagus. There are less and less of these toponyms towards rhe South and the inner part of the country, and they are enrirely lacking in all drier regions from Trás-os-Montes, Beira, Alentejo beyond Tagus' basin, and in Algarve. Nothing suggests beavers lived there, No post-medieval toponym is known, nor any reference after middle XVth century. No such locality was at, or close by to, any frontier. Hence the hypothesis of veiro (et al.} as meaning but points where expensive furs (supposedly known as veiros in general but without c1early saying from what animal they were obrained from) is to be discarded. During the Middle Ages, beaver discriburion concerned all the main river basins from Minho to Tagus ones. Quite rarefied in rhe XIIIth, the beavers may have disappeared from Portugal during the XVth century. Ecological requiremenrs restricted their former distriburion. Vulnerability to natural causes (i.e., severe drought) and to human pressure may have accounted heavily for this species' extinction. Last (1446) reference for Portugal known to us suggests the species was by then almost extinct.

Spatial distribution of specialized cardiac care units in the state of Santa Catarina

OBJECTIVE To analyze the methodology used for assessing the spatial distribution of specialized cardiac care units. METHODS A modeling and simulation method was adopted for the practical application of cardiac care service in the state of Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil, using the p-median model. As the state is divided into 21 health care regions, a methodology which suggests an arrangement of eight intermediate cardiac care units was analyzed, comparing the results obtained using data from 1996 and 2012. RESULTS Results obtained using data from 2012 indicated significant changes in the state, particularly in relation to the increased population density in the coastal regions. The current study provided a satisfactory response, indicated by the homogeneity of the results regarding the location of the intermediate cardiac care units and their respective regional administrations, thereby decreasing the average distance traveled by users to health care units, located in higher population density areas. The validity of the model was corroborated through the analysis of the allocation of the median vertices proposed in 1996 and 2012. CONCLUSIONS The current spatial distribution of specialized cardiac care units is more homogeneous and reflects the demographic changes that have occurred in the state over the last 17 years. The comparison between the two simulations and the current configuration showed the validity of the proposed model as an aid in decision making for system expansion.

Increasing the wear resistance of molds for injection of glass fiber reinforced plastics

Abrasion by glass fibers during injection molding of fiber reinforced plastics raises new challenges to the wear performance of the molds. In the last few decades, a large number of PVD and CVD coatings have been developed with the aim of minimizing abrasion problems. In this work, two different coatings were tested in order to increase the wear resistance of the surface of a mold used for glass fiber reinforced plastics: TiAlSiN and CrN/CrCN/DLC. TiAlSiN was deposited as a graded monolayer coating while CrN/CrCN/DLC was a nanostructured coating consisting of three distinct layers. Both coatings were produced by PVD unbalanced magnetron sputtering and were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), micro hardness (MH) and scratch test analysis. Coating morphology, thickness, roughness, chemical composition and structure, hardness and adhesion to the substrate were investigated. Wear resistance was characterized through industrial tests with coated samples and an uncoated reference sample inserted in a feed channel of a plastic injection mold working with 30 wt.% glass fiber reinforced polypropylene. Results after 45,000 injection cycles indicate that the wear resistance of the mold was increased by a factor of 25 and 58, by the TiAlSiN and CrN/CrCN/DLC coatings, respectively, over the uncoated mold steel.

Halting the fuse discharge propagation using optical fiber microwires

We report and analyze the halting of the fuse effect propagation in optical fiber microwires. The increase of the mode field diameter in the tapered region decreases the optical intensity resulting in the extinction of the fuse effect. This fiber element presents a low insertion loss and can be introduced in the optical network in order to protect the active equipment from the damage caused by the fuse effect.

Halting the fuse discharge propagation Using optical fiber microwires

We report and analyze the halting of the fuse effect propagation in optical fiber microwires. The increase of the mode field diameter in the tapered region decreases the optical intensity resulting in the extinction of the fuse effect. This fiber element presents a low insertion loss and can be introduced in the optical network in order to protect the active equipment from the damage caused by the fuse effect. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America

Cardiac involvement in human rabies: case report

A case of human rabies with cardiac involvement and viral inclusion bodies in the heart is presented. The Negri bodies were found in the Schwann cells of the right epicardial atrium, with secondary mononuclear cells inflammation. In the myocardium, an interstitial edema, proliferation of Anitschkov and rare mononuclear inflammatory cells were seen. There was no relevant cardiovascular signs or symptoms. The rarity of histological descriptions of Negri bodies in the heart is stressed, as well as the importance of cardiac involvement as a potential complication for cases with life prolonged by intensive care units, or in the end-stages of the disease.

High-performance flexible hybrid field-effect transistors based on cellulose fiber paper

IEEE Electron Device Letters, VOL. 29, NO. 9,

Influence of attenuation correction in the MPI image reconstructed by the ‘Evolution for Cardiac’™

The acquisition of a Myocardial Perfusion image (MPI) is of great importance for the diagnosis of the coronary artery disease, since it allows to evaluate which areas of the heart aren’t being properly perfused, in rest and stress situations. This exam is greatly influenced by photon attenuation which creates image artifacts and affects quantification. The acquisition of a Computerized Tomography (CT) image makes it possible to get an atomic images which can be used to perform high-quality attenuation corrections of the radiopharmaceutical distribution, in the MPI image. Studies show that by using hybrid imaging to perform diagnosis of the coronary artery disease, there is an increase on the specificity when evaluating the perfusion of the right coronary artery (RCA). Using an iterative algorithm with a resolution recovery software for the reconstruction, which balances the image quality, the administered activity and the scanning time, we aim to evaluate the influence of attenuation correction on the MPI image and the outcome in perfusion quantification and imaging quality.

CardioML: integrating personal cardiac information for ubiquous diagnosis and analysis

The latest medical diagnosis devices enable the performance of e-diagnosis making the access to these services easier, faster and available in remote areas. However this imposes new communications and data interchange challenges. In this paper a new XML based format for storing cardiac signals and related information is presented. The proposed structure encompasses data acquisition devices, patient information, data description, pathological diagnosis and waveform annotation. When compared with similar purpose formats several advantages arise. Besides the full integrated data model it may also be noted the available geographical references for e-diagnosis, the multi stream data description, the ability to handle several simultaneous devices, the possibility of independent waveform annotation and a HL7 compliant structure for common contents. These features represent an enhanced integration with existent systems and an improved flexibility for cardiac data representation.