Rabdomiossarcoma prostático em adulto: relato de caso

O rabdomiossarcoma prostático é um tumor agressivo, encontrado predominantemente na infância, sendo bastante raro na vida adulta. Apresentamos o caso de um paciente de 27 anos de idade que tinha lesão extensa, com invasão dos planos periprostáticos e metástases a distância no momento do diagnóstico. Estudamos os achados aos exames de ultra-som, tomografia computadorizada, ressonância magnética e tomografia por emissão de pósitrons/tomografia computadorizada, correlacionando-os com os casos já descritos na literatura.

Subtypes of adolescents with substance use disorders and psychiatric comorbidity using cluster and discriminant analysis of MMPI-A profiles

The main aim of this study was to replicate and extend previous results on subtypes of adolescents with substance use disorders (SUD), according to their Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory for adolescents (MMPI-A) profiles. Sixty patients with SUD and psychiatric comorbidity (41.7% male, mean age = 15.9 years old) completed the MMPI-A, the Teen Addiction Severity Index (T-ASI), the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), and were interviewed in order to determine DSMIV diagnoses and level of substance use. Mean MMPI-A personality profile showed moderate peaks in Psychopathic Deviate, Depression and Hysteria scales. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed four profiles (acting-out, 35% of the sample; disorganized-conflictive, 15%; normative-impulsive, 15%; and deceptive-concealed, 35%). External correlates were found between cluster 1, CBCL externalizing symptoms at a clinical level and conduct disorders, and between cluster 2 and mixed CBCL internalized/externalized symptoms at a clinical level. Discriminant analysis showed that Depression, Psychopathic Deviate and Psychasthenia MMPI-A scales correctly classified 90% of the patients into the clusters obtained.

Doença de Madelung: relato de caso e revisão da literatura

A doença de Madelung é caracterizada por massas simétricas de tecido adiposo no pescoço, ombros, braços e parte superior do tronco. A tomografia computadorizada demonstra achados de imagem característicos e é considerada o método de escolha para diagnóstico, estadiamento pré-operatório e acompanhamento pós-cirúrgico. Relatamos o caso de um homem com aspectos tomográficos típicos da doença de Madelung.

Recanalização da artéria tibial anterior via artéria pediosa: relato de caso

Os autores relatam um caso de abordagem mista para o tratamento endovascular de doença oclusiva da artéria tibial anterior por acesso pedioso retrógrado, no qual a abordagem tradicional anterógrada foi inadequada em vencer uma oclusão. A técnica parece oferecer uma opção para procedimentos endovasculares, que objetivam o tratamento de lesões da artéria tibial anterior em que a via anterógrada convencional mostre-se inadequada.

Susceptibility weighted imaging: differentiating between calcification and hemosiderin

Objective:To present a detailed explanation on the processing of magnetic susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI), demonstrating the effects of echo time and sensitive mask on the differentiation between calcification and hemosiderin.Materials and Methods:Computed tomography and magnetic resonance (magnitude and phase) images of six patients (age range 41– 54 years; four men) were retrospectively selected. The SWI images processing was performed using the Matlab’s own routine.Results:Four out of the six patients showed calcifications at computed tomography images and their SWI images demonstrated hyperintense signal at the calcification regions. The other patients did not show any calcifications at computed tomography, and SWI revealed the presence of hemosiderin deposits with hypointense signal.Conclusion:The selection of echo time and of the mask may change all the information on SWI images, and compromise the diagnostic reliability. Amongst the possible masks, the authors highlight that the sigmoid mask allows for contrasting calcifications and hemosiderin on a single SWI image.

Preparação e caracterização de eletrodos monocristalinos

Studies of the kinetics of electrocatalytic reactions on well oriented single crystal surfaces have demonstrated the influence of surface structure on the rate and mechanisms of many electrochemical processes. The preparation and characterization of these surfaces is the first step in this type of studies. In this paper, a methodology employed in order to ensure the quality and cleanliness of single crystals and their utilization as rotating electrodes is described.

Metodologia para o crescimento de esferas monocristalinas de metais nobres

This paper describes in detail a technique employed to grow quasi-spherical single crystals of noble metals for electrochemical applications, using platinum as an example. The metal beads were formed by melting the extremity of a wire in an oxygen / butane flame. X-ray techniques were used to check the crystallization and to determine the orientation of the crystals. Treatment with a pure hydrogen flame followed by a cooling procedure in a hydrogen / argon atmosphere were used for conditioning the well-defined platinum single crystal surfaces. Finally, electrochemical characterization of the Pt(111), Pt(110) and Pt(100) surfaces was done in diluted sulfuric acid solution in the hydrogen adsorption / desorption potential region.

Eletrocatálise e poluição ambiental

This work considers mainly the problem of environmental pollution due to the production of energy by burning fossil fuels, particularly in urban vehicles. Electrochemical energy conversion is proposed as a partial solution to this problem, through the use of hydrogen in fuel cells. In both the production of hydrogen by electrolysis and in the electrochemical processes in fuel cells, the key factor is electrocatalysis. The concept of electrocatalysis, the production of catalysts and supported catalysts and their use in practical systems for the conversion of energy is discussed.

Desproporcionamento de tolueno sobre zeólitas tipo mordenita - atividade e seletividade na obtenção de xilenos

A sodium mordenite zeolite (Na-MOR) was synthesized and modified by dealumination with chloridric acid solution (H-MOR). X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Inductive Coupled Plasm (ICP) and Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM) techniques were used for sample characterization. The zeolite catalytic behavior was evaluated through toluene disproportionation at 435°C. It was verified that mordenites were very selective for the disproportionation reaction and the samples with higher aluminum content showed larger initial activity, however, these samples showed too a higher deactivation velocity due to a blockage of the unidimensional porous system of the zeolite by coke deposits. The selectivity to xylene isomers was practically not influenced by the Si/Al ratio and changed with the time on stream, due to coke formation. Transition state shape selectivity inside the mordenite pores is also discussed.

Reação de geração de oxigênio em eletrodos de Mn2O3 suportados em aço inoxidável

A study of the kinetics of oxygen evolution in alkaline conditions from ceramic films of Mn2O3 supported on stainless steel was carried out. This study has been done through the determination of transfer coefficients, Tafel slopes and exchange currents using potentiodynamic and quasi-potentiostatic measurements. The activation energy was determined as a function of the overpotential and, additionally, the electrode active surface was estimated. The results are consistent with data already published for other electrodes, implying that the methods used in this work were reliable and precise.

Aspectos relacionados à utilização da equação logística quadrática em processos eletroquímicos

The concepts of dissipation and feedback are contained in the behavior of many natural dynamical systems. They have been used to predict the evolution of populations leading to the formulation of the quadratic logistic equation (QLE). More recently, the QLE has been used to provide a better understanding of physicochemical systems with promising results. Many physical, chemical and biological dynamic phenomena can be understood on the basis of the QLE and this work describes the main aspects of this equation and some recent applications, with emphasis on electrochemical systems. Also, it is illustrated the concept of potential energy as a convenient way of describing the stability of the fixed points of the QLE.

A quimiluminescência como ferramenta analítica: do mecanismo a aplicações da reação do luminol em métodos cinéticos de análise

Relevant aspects of proposed mechanisms of the chemiluminescent reaction of luminol are presented and commented to emphasize its perspectives for kinetic analysis. A careful search for analytical applications of this reaction is discussed in order to point out new trends of the studies. Kinetic analysis using the luminol reaction is proposed to be a very attractive due to the good performance of the reaction in analytical applications and the positive characteristics of kinetic analysis, such as low cost and sensibility. It is pointed out that kinetic analysis using the chemiluminescent reaction of luminol should be encouraged.