An outbreak of Portuguese man-of-war (Physalia physalis - Linnaeus, 1758) envenoming in Southeastern Brazil

Introduction Portuguese man-of-war, Physalia physalis (Linnaeus, 1758), are cnidarians capable of discharging intracellular organelles filled with venom, resulting in severe envenomation in humans. Methods We report the clinical and therapeutic aspects of 331 accidents involving Portuguese man-of-war in an outbreak on the coast of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Results The clinical manifestations of envenomation were rare and mild and mostly local, systemic reactions; there was a low rate of late complications. Conclusions The consequences of envenomation were of moderate severity, and first aid measures were effective in controlling the pain. Outbreaks of accidents involving Portuguese man-of-war occur periodically in the area without a clear explanation.

Intraoperative Cardiac Arrest and Mortality in Trauma Patients. A 14-Yr Survey from a Brazilian Tertiary Teaching Hospital

Background: Little information on the factors influencing intraoperative cardiac arrest and its outcomes in trauma patients is available. This survey evaluated the associated factors and outcomes of intraoperative cardiac arrest in trauma patients in a Brazilian teaching hospital between 1996 and 2009.Methods: Cardiac arrest during anesthesia in trauma patients was identified from an anesthesia database. The data collected included patient demographics, ASA physical status classification, anesthesia provider information, type of surgery, surgical areas and outcome. All intraoperative cardiac arrests and deaths in trauma patients were reviewed and grouped by associated factors and also analyzed as totally anesthesia-related, partially anesthesia-related, totally surgery-related or totally trauma patient condition-related.Findings: Fifty-one cardiac arrests and 42 deaths occurred during anesthesia in trauma patients. They were associated with male patients (P<0.001) and young adults (18-35 years) (P = 0.04) with ASA physical status IV or V (P<0.001) undergoing gastroenterological or multiclinical surgeries (P<0.001). Motor vehicle crashes and violence were the main causes of trauma (P<0.001). Uncontrolled hemorrhage or head injury were the most significant associated factors of intraoperative cardiac arrest and mortality (P<0.001). All cardiac arrests and deaths reported were totally related to trauma patient condition.Conclusions: Intraoperative cardiac arrest and mortality incidence was highest in male trauma patients at a younger age with poor clinical condition, mainly related to uncontrolled hemorrhage and head injury, resulted from motor vehicle accidents and violence.

Africanized honeybees in urban areas: a public health concern

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

High incidence of preventable deaths during childhood in Porto Velho, Rondonia - Brazil

Background: We aimed to estimate and analyze epidemiological profile of deaths during childhood. Method: We used the databases of deaths provided by Information System of mortality between 2006 and 2010. We selected only those records where the occurrence of deaths corresponded to Porto Velho city and those who were aged between 12 and 48 months old at the moment of death. We examined only deaths from preventable causes and poorly defined. Results: The total number of deaths was estimated to be 103, 48.6% male. High frequencies of deaths occurred (39.8%) in children before reaching two years old. Vast majority of deaths (66.9%) was due to preventable causes, 18.4% by poorly defined causes and nearly one in three by external causes. Approximately one in four were due to traffic accidents, 41.9% by drowning and submersion. Also, there were significant frequencies of deaths associated with respiratory diseases (17.5%) and infectious and parasitic diseases (16.6%). Conclusion: These findings reinforce the importance of studies of infant mortality, drawing attention to the debate on policy design to reduce childhood deaths, especially in acting on preventable causes.

Cardiovascular responses induced by acute video game boxing performance in healthy women

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggested that some interactive video games induce cardiovascular responses. However, some different styles of video games have not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate cardiovascular responses induced by video game boxing performance in healthy women. METHOD: We evaluated ten female sedentary volunteers, aged 20.9 ± 1.4 years, weight 58.7 ± 8.0 kg, height 163.2 ± 5.4cm. All subjects were weighed and measured. Their heart rate, blood pressure and lactate levels were recorded before and after video game performance. The volunteers played a Sony video game (Nintendo® Wii) by using the boxing method, in which all volunteers played for 10 minutes without interruption. At the end of the game the volunteers were reassessed using the same parameters mentioned above. RESULTS: At the end of the video game boxing performance we observed highly significant increases of lactate production (p < 0.0035) and the double product (heart rate vs. systolic blood pressure) was also higher (p < 0.0001). Both parameters indicate that the performance increased demands of the cardiovascular system. CONCLUSION: We conclude that a ten-minute video game boxing performance induces cardiovascular responses similar to aerobic exercise. This may be a practical form of exercise, but care should be exercised concerning subjects with cardiovascular disorders.

Análise dos limites de inflamabilidade a partir de uma visão de pressões parciais de biocombustível

In this work concepts of flammability limits of anhydrous and hydrated ethanol to pressures below atmospheric, using the Dalton model for gaseous mixtures. Theoretical and experimental methods for determining the boundaries and the influence of parameters such as concentration, temperature and pressure were introduced. Analyzes from partial pressures of fuel vapor and correlations with temperature and total pressure were made. Finally presents an overview of aviation fuels, their requisites and trends in the use of biofuels in commercial aviation industry

Avaliação de juntas soldadas em tubos de aço carbono submetidos a altas temperatura e pressões

The welding process in industrial piping is still the most effective way to ensure the durability and quality of the wide range of industrial process, although because of the high demand for energy and quality of the produced products, the piping has been constantly tested for high pressure applications and still high temperature. The welding method analyzed is the TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding or GTAW (Gas-Shielded Tungsten Arc Welding), which ones have as principal feature the utilization of a not consumable tungsten electrode in the torch extremity , in this process is necessary a protective atmosphere of inert gas. The welding TIG advantage is the obtaining of a welded seam clean and with quality for not has slag after the welding. This work has as objective show the variability in the carbon steel piping welding parameters and by the tests in four proof bodies will be shown the influence of the variation of the welding methods in a welded seam. The tests will vary since the piece to be welded preparation, till penetrating liquid tests, welding macrography, welding x-ray and traction tests. Even been a clean and with quality welding is necessary a final inspection in the seam welded looking for defects almost inevitable resulted of the welded process, the obtained results have the objective of indicate and minimize the defects to ensure quality and durability of the welded seam

A six-year retrospective study of maxillofacial fractures from radiographic findings in Brazil

Objective: this study aimed to present the causes and prevalence of maxillofacial fractures that occurred in the region of Araraquara-SP – Brazil, during a 6-year period. Methods: information regarding age, gender, etiology, and maxillofacial fracture site, as well as type of radiographic examination were evaluated. Data were gathered from the radiographic examination and radiographic report of the Division of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, and from charts of the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of patients attending for maxillofacial fractures from 2004 to 2009. A descriptive statistical analysis was developed using Epi-Info 3.5.1. Results: from a total of 11,728 patients assisted, 407 patients presented maxillofacial fractures. The prevalent age ranged from 21 to 30 years old. From the total patients, 322 were men and 85 were women (ratio of men to women was 3.8:1). Panoramic radiography (n = 306) was most frequently used to observe maxillofacial fractures. Mandibular fractures were frequent in the body of the mandible (n = 127), followed by symphysis (n = 102), and the prevalent cause was traffic accidents (n = 161). Conclusion: more than half of affected individuals were younger than 40 years of age. The body of the mandible was the most common fracture location visualized by panoramic radiography for traffic accidents and fights.

Impact of the temperament of Nellore cows on the quality of handling and pregnancy rates in fixed-time artificial insemination

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Preoperative therapy restores ventilatory parameters and reduces length of stay in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization

Introduction: The frequency of surgical procedures has increased steadily in recent decades, including the myocardial revascularization.Objectives: To demonstrate the importance of physiotherapy in the preoperative period of cardiac surgery in relation to the reduction of hospital stay, changes in lung volumes and respiratory muscle strength.Methods: We conducted a prospective study with patients undergoing myocardial revascularization, the Hospital das Clinicas da Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)/Botucatu - SP. We evaluated 70 patients of both genders, aged between 40 and 75 years, subdivided into two groups: group I - 35 patients of both genders, who received a written protocol guidance, breathing exercises and respiratory muscle training in the preoperative period and group II - 35 patients of both genders, who received only orientation of the ward on the day of surgery. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of UNESP /Botucatu - SP.Results: Maximal inspiratory pressure in third postoperative day and fifth postoperative day and significant difference between groups, being better for the intervention group. Expiratory pressure was significant in fifth postoperative day in the intervention group compared to controls. The difference of length of hospital stay in the postoperative was found between the groups with shorter hospital stay in the group receiving preoperative therapy.Conclusion: Physical therapy plays an important role in the preoperative period, so that individuals in the intervention group more readily restored the parameters evaluated before surgery, in addition, there was a decrease in the time of the postoperative hospital stay. Thus, it is thought the cost-effectiveness of a program of preoperative physiotherapy.

Vibração incidente sobre o corpo inteiro do operador de trator agrícola ensaiado em pista de vibração com diferentes lastros, velocidades e pressões de inflação dos pneus

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Energia na Agricultura) - FCA

Metamorphic evolution and P-T path of gneisses from Goiás Magmatic Arc in southwestern Goiás State

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

Road safety: implications for sustainable development in Latin America

Road accidents cause more deaths than homicides in Latin America, nevertheless it is not highlighted as a major concern by media and society. World Health Organization put this issue in high priority by releasing the Decade of Action in Road Safety that establishes five pillars to guide national road safety plans and activities. This paper addresses the drawbacks in the implementation of these actions in Latin American countries and its implications to achieve a sustainable development. The main concerns are: lack of empowerment of the road safety management organisations; lower vehicular standards; corruption related to the enforcement of traffic safety laws to and to the construction of safer roads; absence of safety vehicular inspections; vehicle fleet increase, decrease of public transportation demand; and the absence of a safety culture. Without facing these problems, sustainable development in Latin America will be impaired, once road safety is a fundamental link to achieve sustainability.

Influência de pressões de trabalho, espaçamentos e altura de instalação na distribuição de água de aspersor autocompensante

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Ciência do Solo) - FCAV

Hamlet's Ophelia: The Changing Perceptions of Suicide, Death, and Madness in the Elizabethan and Victorian Periods

William Shakespeare's Hamlet, Prince of Denmark has been the source of question, debate, and research since its theatrical debut. In the midst of readings performances and one particular question has remained open and unresolved: was Ophelia's death an accident or a suicide? Some see Ophelia's death as an accident; others see it as a suicide resulting from the accumulation of a series of unfortunate events: her rejection by her boyfriend, her father’s murder, and her possible pregnancy. This paper will explore that age-old question from the perspectives of two historically different audiences: those of sixteenth-century and nineteenth-century England. I will argue that, despite the 300-year expanse between these two audiences, both emerged with the same conclusion: Ophelia's death was accidental. However, cultural and scientific changes affected the reasons why each came to that conclusion.