Misura ed elaborazione dei livelli di dose da radiazione diffusa su apparecchiature radiologiche in ambito sanitario

Obiettivo del presente lavoro consiste nell’elaborazione di curve di isodose relative ad alcuni apparecchi radiologici utilizzati in ambito medico partendo da misure effettuate sul campo in condizioni geometriche predefinite. Tali curve hanno consentito una mappatura dei campi di radiazione nei locali di impiego delle apparecchiature stesse, utili nelle valutazioni di radioprotezione degli operatori. In questo modo viene fornito al clinico uno strumento di consultazione per ottimizzare le proprie procedure da un punto di vista dell’esposizione al rischio delle radiazioni ionizzanti.

Resposta da batata cv. Cupido à fertilização organomineral

Potato crop cycle is relatively short and presents high yield per area; therefore, it is a very demanding culture for available nutrients in the soil solution. Despite its importance and the large number of studies about the crop, there is little research on plant nutrition regarding the use of organomineral fertilizer. This study evaluated potato, cv. Cupid, development and productivity as a function of fertilization with pelletized organomineral fertilizer. The experiment was done in Perdizes, Minas Gerais, in the rainy season of 2014/2015. The experimental design was a randomized blocks, with factorial arrangement of 4 x 2 (doses x management) and a control with mineral fertilizer, with 3 repetitions. Organomineral fertilizer doses were 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the conventional mineral dose, which was 600 kg ha-1 K2SO4, 850 kg ha-1 NH4H2PO4, and 300 kg ha-1 (NH4)2SO4 of topdressing 19 days after planting (DAP). Fertilization managements were with or without topdressing at 19 DAP, when the potato was hilled. Two plants per plot were sampled at 36, 50, 64 and 81 DAP and analyzed for leaf, stem and dry matter contents. DRIS - Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System was applied at 36 DAP and the potatoes were harvested 112 DAP and subjected to tuber classification. Throughout the cycle, stem, leaf and tuber dry mass showed no significant differences between the fertilization managements. The doses of organomineral fertilizer and topdressing management does not affect productivity, and the lower doses (25%) were similar the greater ones and the control, with an average of 16.8 t ha-1, demonstrating that it is viable to make a single application of organomineral fertilizer at planting due to operational efficiency. The low yields observed were due to high rainfall and temperature, creating favorable conditions for the incidence of pests and diseases. According to DRIS, the organomineral dose 75% for topdressing, presented the best nutritional balance.

Efeitos do treinamento físico na resposta imunológica de ratos expostos à vincristina

A Vincristina (VCR) é um quimioterápico amplamente utilizado na clínica. Alteraçoes imunológicas sao alguns dos efeitos do quimioterápico mais apresentados pelos pacientes. O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar se o exercício aeróbico prévio (6 semanas de nataçao, 1h/dia, 5 dias/semana, sobrecarga de 5 do peso corporal) poderia melhorar os déficits imunológicos em ratos Wistar posteriormente tratados com o quimioterápico Vincristina. A administraçao da Vincristina foi realizada com dose única semanal de 0,5mg/kg, durante duas semanas, com dose acumulada de 1mg/kg, via intraperitoneal. No 15o dia os ratos foram submetidos à retirada de sangue para análise do sistema imunológico pelo hemograma e dano ao DNA pelo teste Picogreen. Observou-se uma diminuiçao significativa no número de leucócitos, plaquetas e nos níveis de eritrócitos nos ratos tratados com o quimioterápico, assim como significativo dano no DNA celular. No entanto, o exercício foi capaz de proteger dessa diminuiçao das células do sistema imune e do dano causado ao DNA no grupo que praticou o exercício e recebeu o quimioterápico. Portanto, o exercício físico mostrou-se protetor contra a diminuiçao das células do sistema imune e dano ao DNA causado pelo tratamento com o quimioterápico em ratos

Efeitos do treinamento físico na resposta imunológica de ratos expostos à vincristina

A Vincristina (VCR) é um quimioterápico amplamente utilizado na clínica. Alteraçoes imunológicas sao alguns dos efeitos do quimioterápico mais apresentados pelos pacientes. O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar se o exercício aeróbico prévio (6 semanas de nataçao, 1h/dia, 5 dias/semana, sobrecarga de 5 do peso corporal) poderia melhorar os déficits imunológicos em ratos Wistar posteriormente tratados com o quimioterápico Vincristina. A administraçao da Vincristina foi realizada com dose única semanal de 0,5mg/kg, durante duas semanas, com dose acumulada de 1mg/kg, via intraperitoneal. No 15o dia os ratos foram submetidos à retirada de sangue para análise do sistema imunológico pelo hemograma e dano ao DNA pelo teste Picogreen. Observou-se uma diminuiçao significativa no número de leucócitos, plaquetas e nos níveis de eritrócitos nos ratos tratados com o quimioterápico, assim como significativo dano no DNA celular. No entanto, o exercício foi capaz de proteger dessa diminuiçao das células do sistema imune e do dano causado ao DNA no grupo que praticou o exercício e recebeu o quimioterápico. Portanto, o exercício físico mostrou-se protetor contra a diminuiçao das células do sistema imune e dano ao DNA causado pelo tratamento com o quimioterápico em ratos

Efeitos do treinamento físico na resposta imunológica de ratos expostos à vincristina

A Vincristina (VCR) é um quimioterápico amplamente utilizado na clínica. Alteraçoes imunológicas sao alguns dos efeitos do quimioterápico mais apresentados pelos pacientes. O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar se o exercício aeróbico prévio (6 semanas de nataçao, 1h/dia, 5 dias/semana, sobrecarga de 5 do peso corporal) poderia melhorar os déficits imunológicos em ratos Wistar posteriormente tratados com o quimioterápico Vincristina. A administraçao da Vincristina foi realizada com dose única semanal de 0,5mg/kg, durante duas semanas, com dose acumulada de 1mg/kg, via intraperitoneal. No 15o dia os ratos foram submetidos à retirada de sangue para análise do sistema imunológico pelo hemograma e dano ao DNA pelo teste Picogreen. Observou-se uma diminuiçao significativa no número de leucócitos, plaquetas e nos níveis de eritrócitos nos ratos tratados com o quimioterápico, assim como significativo dano no DNA celular. No entanto, o exercício foi capaz de proteger dessa diminuiçao das células do sistema imune e do dano causado ao DNA no grupo que praticou o exercício e recebeu o quimioterápico. Portanto, o exercício físico mostrou-se protetor contra a diminuiçao das células do sistema imune e dano ao DNA causado pelo tratamento com o quimioterápico em ratos

Influência do tempo e dose de heparina em modelo de peritonite aguda

In the last years, heparin has become target of many studies related to inflammation due its ability of biding to proteins involved on immune response. Recently, it was demonstrated, at our laboratory, using a thIoglycollate-induced peritonitis model, heparin s capacity of reduce cellular influx into the peritoneal cavity, 3 hours after the inflammatory stimulus. Once neutrophilic infiltration is highest around 8 hours after the inflammatory stimulus, at the present work, using the same peritonitis model, it was assessed heparin s ability of keeping the interference on leukocyte infiltration, 8 hours after inflammation induction. Moreover, using cellular differential count, it was evaluated how the cellular populations involved in the inflammatory process would be affected by the treatment. Eight hours after the inflammatory stimulus, only heparin dosage of 1 μg/Kg was able to reduce the cellular influx to peritoneum, 62.8% of reduction when compared to positive control (p < 0.001). Furthermore, heparin dosage of 15 μg/Kg presented a pro-inflammatory effect in whole blood verified by the increase of 60.9% (p < 0.001) and 117.8% (p < 0.001) on neutrophils and monocytes proportion, respectively, when compared to positive control. In addition, this dosage also presented a neutrophilic proportion on peritoneal fluid 27.3% higher than positive control (p < 0.05). This duality between anti- and pro-inflammatory effects at different times corroborates studies that attribute a pleiotropic immunomodulator role to heparin.

Identificação de genes em Chromobacterium violaceum relacionados à resposta ao estresse

The sequencing of the genome of Chromobacterium violaceum identified one single circular chromosome of 4.8 Mb, in which approximately 40% of the founded ORFs are classified as hypothetical conserved or hypothetical. Some genic regions of biotechnological and biological interest had been characterized, e. g., environmental detoxification and DNA repair genes, respectively. Given this fact, the aim of this work was to identify genes of C. violaceum related to stress response, as the ones involved with mechanisms of DNA repair and/or genomic integrity maintenance. For this, a genomic library of C. violaceum was built in Escherichia coli strain DH10B (RecA-), in which clones were tested to UVC resistance, resulting in five candidates clones. In the PLH6A clone were identified four ORFs (CV_3721 to 3724). Two ORFs, CV_3722 and CV_3724, were subcloned and a synergic complementation activity was observed. The occurrence of an operon was confirmed using cDNA from C. violaceum in a RT-PCR assay. Further, it was observed the induction of the operon after the treatment with UVC. Thus, this operon was related to the stress response in C. violaceum. The mutagenesis assay with rifampicin after the treatment with UVC light showed high frequency of mutagenicity for the ORF CV_3722 (Pol III δ subunit). In this way, we propose that the C. violaceum δ subunit can act in DH10B in the translesion synthesis using Pol IV in a RecA independent-manner pathway. In growth curve assays other four clones (PLE1G, PLE7B, PLE10B and PLE12H) were able to complement the function at the dose 5 J/m2 and in mutagenicity assays PLE7B, PLE10B and PLE12H showed frequencies of mutation with significant differences upon the control (DH10B), demonstrating that in some way they are involved with the stress response in C. violaceum. These clones appear to be interrelated, probably regulated by a messenger molecule (eg., nucleotide c-di-GMP) and/or global regulatory molecule (eg., σS subunit of RNA polymerase).The results obtained contribute for a better genetic knowledge of this specie and its response mechanisms to environmental stress.

Interação de microorganismos na solubilização de fósforo e potássio de rochas para produção de biofertilizantes

he present model of agriculture is based on intensive use of industrial inputs, due to its rapid response, but it brings harmful consequences to the environment, and it is necessary the use of modern inputs. And an alternative is the use of rock biofertilizers in agriculture, a product easy to use, with higher residual effect and does not harm the environment. The objective of study was to evaluate the inoculation and co-inoculation of different microorganisms in the solubilization of rock phosphate and potash ground microbial evaluating the best performance in the production of biofertilizers comparing with rocks pure in soil chemical properties and, verify effect of inoculation of the bacterium Paenibacillus polymyxa in the absorption of minerals dissolved in the development of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.). The first bioassay was conducted in Laboratory (UFRN) for 72 days in Petri dishes, where the rock powder was increased by 10% and sulfur co-inoculated and inoculated with bacterial suspension of Paenibacillus polymyxa grown in medium tryptone soy broth, Ralstonia solanacearum in medium Kelman, Cromobacterium violaceum in medium Luria-Bertani and Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans in medium Tuovinen and Kelly,and fungi Trichoderma humatum and Penicillium fellutanum in malt extract. Every 12 days, samples were removed in order to build up the release curve of minerals. The second bioassay was conducted in a greenhouse of the Agricultural Research Corporation of Rio Grande do Norte in experimental delineation in randomized block designs, was used 10 kg of an Yellow Argissolo Dystrophic per pot with the addition of treatments super phosphate simple (SS), potassium chloride (KCl), pure rock, biofertilizers in doses 40, 70, 100 and 200% of the recommendation for SS and KCl, and a control, or not inoculated with bacteria P. polymyxa. Were used seeds of cowpea BRS Potiguar and co-inoculated with the bacterial suspension of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and P. polymyxa. The first crop was harvested 45 days after planting, were evaluated in the dry matter (ADM), macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) and micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Mn) in ADM. And the second at 75 days assessing levels of macro end micronutrients in plants and soil, and the maximum adsorption capacity of P in soil. The results showed synergism in co-inoculations with P. polymyxa+R. solanacearum and, P. polymyxa+C. violaceum solubilizations providing higher P and K, respectively, and better solubilization time at 36 days. The pH was lower in biofertilizers higher doses, but there was better with their addition to P at the highest dose. Significant reduction of maximum adsorption capacity of phosphorus with increasing dose of biofertilizer. For K and Ca was better with SS+KCl, and Mg to pure rock. There was an effect of fertilization on the absorption, with better results for P, K and ADM with SS+KCL, and N, Ca and Mg for biofertilizers. Generally, the P. polymyxa not influence the absorption of the elements in the plant. In treatments with the uninoculated P. polymyxa chemical fertilizer had an average significantly higher for weight and number of grains. And in the presence of the bacteria, biofertilizers and chemical fertilizers had positive values in relation to rock and control. The data show that the rocks and biofertilizers could meet the need of nutrients the plants revealed as potential for sustainable agriculture

Aproveitamento de nitrogênio por plantas de milho em resposta à adubação nitrogenada a base de zeólita enriquecida com uréia.

Novas tecnologias têm sido testadas para aumentar a eficiência do uso de fertilizantes nitrogenados pelas culturas, como é o caso do uso dos fertilizantes de liberação lenta. Pesquisas recentes mostram que o uso das zeólitas em associação a uréia nas adubações, pode aumentar a eficiência agronômica do N em algumas culturas. Visando avaliar o aproveitamento do nitrogênio por plantas de milho em função da aplicação de fertilizantes nitrogenados de liberação lenta a base de zeólita enriquecida com uréia, um experimento foi conduzido em um Latossolo Amarelo distrófico, textura muito argilosa, em Paragominas-PA. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso, em parcelas subdivididas, com oito tratamentos e quatro repetições, correspondentes a duas fontes de N (uréia comum e zeólita enriquecida com uréia), nas parcelas, e quatro níveis de N (0, 50%, 100% e 150% da dose recomendada para a cultura do milho), nas subparcelas. A aplicação de zeólita enriquecida com uréia não difere da uréia convencional no aproveitamento de N pelas plantas de milho, em condições de elevada precipitação pluviométrica. A aumento da dose N aplicada no solo promove aumento nos teores e quantidades acumuladas do nutriente nas folhas, colmo e grãos

Lixiviação de cálcio, magnésio e potássio em colunas de um latossolo amarelo distrófico textura média, de Luis Eduardo Magalhães - Ba, em resposta as doses de óxido de magnésio combinadas com gesso.

O estudo da movimentação de nutrientes no solo é fundamental para nortear a sua correção, a fim de favorecer maiores produtividades das culturas. Resssalta-se que é interessante não se ter uma correção do solo somente superficial, mas também condicionando o perfil até a profundidade que alcançam as raízes absorventes de nutrientes. Por outro lado, se a translocação de nutrientes for elevada podem avançar além da profundidade das raízes e serem perdidos por lixiviação e dessa forma podem contaminar as águas subterrâneas. Diante do exposto, o presente trabalho objetivou avaliar a lixiviação de cálcio, magnésio e potássio em colunas de solo em resposta a aplicação de calcário e a combinação de gesso e óxido de magnésio. O ensaio em colunas de PVC foi conduzido no laboratório na Embrapa Solos, segundo um delineamento de blocos casualizados e um arranjo fatorial 1x1x3+2+1, correspondendo a um solo: Latossolo Amarelo distrófico textura média de Luis Eduardo Magalhães- BA, uma proporção de magnesita:gesso (1:1), três doses dessa combinação referente à soma de Ca2+ e de Mg2+ equivalente a 2,0; 4,0 e 8,0 cmolc/dm3 de solo (15, 30 e 45 kg/ha de óxido de magnésio) e mais três tratamentos testemunha, (dois solos adicionados de calcário dolomítico 82,70% de PRNT, elevando a saturação de bases para 60%) recomendada pela Comissão de fertilidade do Solo do Estado de Minas Gerais (1999), e uma amostra do solo sem nenhuma aplicação de corretivos, com três repetições. Nos tratamentos com gesso e magnesita foram incorporados a uma profundidade de 0-5 cm, simulando uma correção num manejo com plantio direto. As testemunhas com calcário possuem duas profundidades, 0-5 e 0-20 cm, simulando correção no plantio direto e convencional respectivamente. O solo recebeu aplicação de água para atingir 70% da capacidade de campo em seguida as colunas foram incubadas. Após esse período iniciou-se uma simulação de chuva com volumes correspondentes ao mês de maior intensidade da região, foi aplicado um volume de água destilada de 110 mL. Sendo que foram divididos em 12 aplicações, realizando 3 aplicações por semana durante o período de 1 mês. O lixiviado foi coletado no dia seguinte as recargas, e foram realizadas análises de cálcio, magnésio, por espectrometria de plasma (icp - oes) e potássio por fotometria de chama, conforme Embrapa (1997). A perda total de cátions no lixiviado foi calculada somando-se a concentração das 12 coletas, e fazendo-se em seguida a média das três repetições. Observou-se que as perdas de magnésio, cálcio e potássio no lixiviado foram influenciadas pelas doses de óxido de magnésio combinadas com gesso, quanto maior a dose maior a perda. E seguiram a seguinte ordem: K+ >> Ca2+ > Mg2+. Além disso, verificou-se que a dose de 15 kg/ha de óxido de magnésio levou a menor perda no lixiviado. Alerta-se para o risco de perda expressiva de potássio e contaminação de águas subterrâneas neste solo de textura média caso aplicação de gesso não seja de forma equilibrada.

Predictive Value Of Phase I Trials For Safety In Later Trials And Final Approved Dose: Analysis Of 61 Approved Cancer Drugs.

Phase I trials use a small number of patients to define a maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the safety of new agents. We compared data from phase I and registration trials to determine whether early trials predicted later safety and final dose. We searched the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website for drugs approved in nonpediatric cancers (January 1990-October 2012). The recommended phase II dose (R2PD) and toxicities from phase I were compared with doses and safety in later trials. In 62 of 85 (73%) matched trials, the dose from the later trial was within 20% of the RP2D. In a multivariable analysis, phase I trials of targeted agents were less predictive of the final approved dose (OR, 0.2 for adopting ± 20% of the RP2D for targeted vs. other classes; P = 0.025). Of the 530 clinically relevant toxicities in later trials, 70% (n = 374) were described in phase I. A significant relationship (P = 0.0032) between increasing the number of patients in phase I (up to 60) and the ability to describe future clinically relevant toxicities was observed. Among 28,505 patients in later trials, the death rate that was related to drug was 1.41%. In conclusion, dosing based on phase I trials was associated with a low toxicity-related death rate in later trials. The ability to predict relevant toxicities correlates with the number of patients on the initial phase I trial. The final dose approved was within 20% of the RP2D in 73% of assessed trials.

The Effect Of Soy Dietary Supplement And Low Dose Of Hormone Therapy On Main Cardiovascular Health Biomarkers: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

To assess the effects of a soy dietary supplement on the main biomarkers of cardiovascular health in postmenopausal women compared with the effects of low-dose hormone therapy (HT) and placebo. Double-blind, randomized and controlled intention-to-treat trial. Sixty healthy postmenopausal women, aged 40-60 years, 4.1 years mean time since menopause were recruited and randomly assigned to 3 groups: a soy dietary supplement group (isoflavone 90mg), a low-dose HT group (estradiol 1 mg plus noretisterone 0.5 mg) and a placebo group. Lipid profile, glucose level, body mass index, blood pressure and abdominal/hip ratio were evaluated in all the participants at baseline and after 16 weeks. Statistical analyses were performed using the χ2 test, Fisher's exact test, Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), paired Student's t-test and Wilcoxon test. After a 16-week intervention period, total cholesterol decreased 11.3% and LDL-cholesterol decreased 18.6% in the HT group, but both did not change in the soy dietary supplement and placebo groups. Values for triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, glucose level, body mass index, blood pressure and abdominal/hip ratio did not change over time in any of the three groups. The use of dietary soy supplement did not show any significant favorable effect on cardiovascular health biomarkers compared with HT. The trial is registered at the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos - ReBEC), number RBR-76mm75.

The Real-life Experience With Cardiovascular Complications In The First Dose Of Fingolimod For Multiple Sclerosis.

Fingolimod is a new and efficient treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). The drug administration requires special attention to the first dose, since cardiovascular adverse events can be observed during the initial six hours of fingolimod ingestion. The present study consisted of a review of cardiovascular data on 180 patients with MS receiving the first dose of fingolimod. The rate of bradycardia in these patients was higher than that observed in clinical trials with very strict inclusion criteria for patients. There were less than 10% of cases requiring special attention, but no fatal cases. All but one patient continued the treatment after this initial dose. This is the first report on real-life administration of fingolimod to Brazilian patients with MS, and one of the few studies with these characteristics in the world.

A Feasibility Study Of Fricke Dosimetry As An Absorbed Dose To Water Standard For 192ir Hdr Sources.

High dose rate brachytherapy (HDR) using 192Ir sources is well accepted as an important treatment option and thus requires an accurate dosimetry standard. However, a dosimetry standard for the direct measurement of the absolute dose to water for this particular source type is currently not available. An improved standard for the absorbed dose to water based on Fricke dosimetry of HDR 192Ir brachytherapy sources is presented in this study. The main goal of this paper is to demonstrate the potential usefulness of the Fricke dosimetry technique for the standardization of the quantity absorbed dose to water for 192Ir sources. A molded, double-walled, spherical vessel for water containing the Fricke solution was constructed based on the Fricke system. The authors measured the absorbed dose to water and compared it with the doses calculated using the AAPM TG-43 report. The overall combined uncertainty associated with the measurements using Fricke dosimetry was 1.4% for k = 1, which is better than the uncertainties reported in previous studies. These results are promising; hence, the use of Fricke dosimetry to measure the absorbed dose to water as a standard for HDR 192Ir may be possible in the future.

Relação dose-dependente do uso crônico de fenitoína e atrofia cerebelar em pacientes com epilepsia

The chronic treatment with phenytoin or the acute intoxication by this drug may cause permanent cerebellar injury with atrophy of cerebellum vermis and hemispheres, which can be detected by neuroimaging studies. The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between the dosage and duration of treatment with phenytoin and the occurrence of cerebellar atrophy. Sixty-six patients were studied and had their tomographies analyzed for cerebellar atrophy. Of the 66 patients studied, 18 had moderate/severe atrophy, 15 had mild atrophy and 33 were considered to be normal. The patients with moderate/severe atrophy were those with higher exposure to phenytoin (longer duration of treatment and higher total dosage) showing statistically significant difference when compared to patients with mild atrophy or without atrophy (p=0.02). Further, the patients with moderate/severe atrophy had serum levels of phenytoin statistically higher than those of patients with mild atrophy or without atrophy (p = 0.008). There was no association between other antiepileptic drugs dosage or duration of treatment and degree of cerebellar atrophy. We also found that older patients had cerebellar atrophy more frequently, indicating that age or duration of the seizure disorder may also be important in the determination of cerebellar degeneration in these patients. We conclude that although there is a possibility that repeated seizures contribute to cerebellar damage, long term exposure to phenytoin, particularly in high doses and toxic serum levels, cause cerebellar atrophy.