Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenol by Thermal Titanium Dioxide Thin Layer Electrodes

Electrochemical processes in industrial effluents have been studied as a means to obtain higher efficiency in wastewater treatment. Heterogeneous photocatalysis appears as a low-cost alternative through the use of lower wattage lamps and thermal TiO2 films. Photocatalysis became a clean process for water treatment due to hydroxyl radicals generated on semiconductor surface. Such radicals are able to degrade several organic compounds. This study used different electrodes and analytical methods for degradation of phenol molecules to reduce treatment costs, improve efficiency, and identify compounds formed during the decomposition of phenolic molecules. Thermal growth of TiO2 film was observed on the titanium electrode in rutile form. Application of an electrical potential on the Ti/TiO2 working electrode increases efficiency in reducing concentration of phenol after photocatalytic treatment. Still, high energy radiation (UVC) showed best degradation rates in photolytic process. Different compounds formed during the degradation of phenol were also identified in the UVC-PE treatment.

Optimal and sub-optimal control in Dengue epidemics

This work concerns the application of the optimal control theory to Dengue epidemics. The dynamics of this insect-borne disease is modelled as a set of non-linear ordinary differential equations including the effect of educational campaigns organized to motivate the population to break the reproduction cycle of the mosquitoes by avoiding the accumulation of still water in open-air recipients. The cost functional is such that it reflects a compromise between actual financial spending (in insecticides and educational campaigns) and the population health (which can be objectively measured in terms of, for instance, treatment costs and loss of productivity). The optimal control problem is solved numerically using a multiple shooting method. However, the optimal control policy is difficult to implement by the health authorities because it is not practical to adjust the investment rate continuously in time. Therefore, a suboptimal control policy is computed assuming, as the admissible set, only those controls which are piecewise constant. The performance achieved by the optimal control and the sub-optimal control policies are compared with the cases of control using only insecticides when Breteau Index is greater or equal to 5 and the case of no-control. The results show that the sub-optimal policy yields a substantial reduction in the cost, in terms of the proposed functional, and is only slightly inferior to the optimal control policy. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Comparison of pharmacopuncture, aquapuncture and acepromazine for sedation of horses

Pharmacopuncture, the injection of subclinical doses of drugs into acupoints reduces drug undesirable side effects, residues in animal consumption products and treatment costs in large animals. Acepromazine (Acp) produces several undesirable effects, such as hypotension. Previous studies with the injection of 1/10 of Acp dose in dog acupoints showed its advantage for sedation, minimizing undesirable effects. Eight horses were randomly submitted to four different treatment protocols according to a Latin Square double-blind design: (i) 0.1 ml kg(1) of saline subcutaneously injected at the cervical region, (ii) 0.1 mg kg(1) of Acp injected subcutaneously at the cervical region, (iii) 0.01 ml kg(1) of saline injected into GV1 acupoint (aquapuncture) and (iv) 0.01 mg kg(1) of Acp injected into GV1 acupoint (pharmacopuncture). Heart rate, respiratory rate, head height and degree of sedation were measured before and at 30, 60 and 90 min after treatments. Signs of sedation were observed in all treated groups at 30 min and only in 1/10Acp-GV1 at 60 min after the treatments. Only the group treated with 0.1 mg kg(1) of Acp s.c. had significantly lower values of head height at 30 min. Respiratory rate tended to reduce in all groups but was significantly lower only in horses treated with 0.1 mg kg(1) of Acp s.c. Heart rate remained unchanged in all groups. Acp-pharmacopuncture on GV1 in horses produced a mild sedation when compared with the conventional dose of Acp. More investigations are necessary to determine the optimal dosage of Acp-pharmacopuncture for sedation in horses.

Multiplex PCR use for Staphylococcus aureus identification and oxacillin and mupirocin resistance evaluation

Oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus represents a serious problem in hospitals worldwide, increasing infected patients' mortality and morbidity and raising treatment costs and internment time. In this study, the results of using the Multiplex PCR technique to amplify fragments of the genes femA (specific-species), mecA (oxacillin resistance) and ileS-2 (mupirocin resistance) were compared with those of tests conventionally used to identify S. aureus isolates and ascertain their resistance to drugs. Fifty S. aureus strains were isolated from patients receiving treatment at UNOESTE University Hospital in Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil. The 686 bp fragment corresponding to the gene femA was amplified and detected in all the isolates. On the other hand, the 310 bp fragment corresponding to the mecA gene was amplified in 29 (58%) of the isolates. All of the isolates showed sensitivity to mupirocin in the agar diffusion test, which was corroborated by the lack of any amplicon of the 456 bp fragment corresponding to the ileS-2 gene, in the PCR bands. The conventional tests to identify S. aureus and detect resistance to oxacillin and mupirocin showed 100% agreement with the PCR Multiplex results. The use of techniques for rapid and accurate identification of bacteria and assessment of their resistance may be valuable in the control of infection by resistant strains, allowing the rapid isolation and treatment of an infected patient. However, the results demonstrate that traditional phenotypic tests are also reliable, though they take more time.

Estudos de medicamentos biosimilares

In Brazil, the registration of new drugs is carried out only when the regulatory agency (Anvisa, acronym in Portuguese) is fully satisfied with the evidence of their quality, efficacy and safety, presented by a pharmaceutical industry that strive for this registration. With the patent expiration, pharmaceutical companies are attracted to produce biological medicines called biosimilar or biogenerics or simply generics, whose approval may result in reduced treatment costs. But it is necessary that the biosimilar be, at least, equally efective and safe and without contaminants in relation to the original. Recent consensus guidelines aim to establish criteria for efcacy and safety of these medicines. Preclinical studies in vitro and in vivo, the origin of raw materials and clinical studies phase I, II and III are recommended for biosimilar medicine registration in the international market. Low molecular weight heparins are found in this situation. In this review we specifcally addressed this type of medicine, which could serve as a benchmark for other biosimilar medicines.

Deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis in oral and maxillofacial surgery: a Brazilian survey

Background : Deep venous thrombosis (DVP) is a frequent disease. Prophylaxis is the best means to reduce its incidence, for lowering morbidity and mortality rates and treatment costs caused by its complications. Objective : To evaluate the knowledge and use of any kind of DVT prophylaxis by Brazilian Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons. Materials and Methods : A questionnaire was sent to all Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons associated to the Brazilian College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons that have a valid e-mail address. The data retrieved was evaluated and tabulated. Results : Of the 1100 questionnaires sent, only 4% were retrieved. The 42 retrieved were included in the study. Twenty six of the surgeons do not use any kind of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis, 11 use mechanical means as elastic compressive stockings or pneumatic compressive devices for prophylaxis, and 5 uses low-molecular weight heparins (LMWH) as the choice for prophylaxis. Conclusion : The data collected, despite the low rate of participation (4%) by the surgeons, shows that this subject still does not receive proper attention. Whereas other medical specialties make routine use of prophylactic means maybe the maxillofacial surgeons lack concern on that matter.

Cost-effectiveness comparison between pituitary down-regulation with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist short regimen on alternate days and an antagonist protocol for assisted fertilization treatments

Objective: To compare cost-effectiveness between pituitary down-regulation with a GnRH agonist (GnRHa) short regimen on alternate days and GnRH antagonist (GnRHant) multidose protocol on in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcome. Design: Prospective, randomized. Setting: A private center. Patient(s): Patients were randomized into GnRHa (n = 48) and GnRHant (n = 48) groups. Intervention(s): GnRHa stimulation protocol: administration of triptorelin on alternate days starting on the first day of the cycle, recombinant FSH (rFSH), and recombinant hCG (rhCG) microdose. GnRHant protocol: administration of a daily dose of rFSH, cetrorelix, and rhCG microdose. Main Outcome Measure(s): ICSI outcomes and treatment costs. Result(s): A significantly lower number of patients underwent embryo transfer in the GnRHa group. Clinical pregnancy rate was significantly lower and miscarriage rate was significantly higher in the GnRHa group. It was observed a significant lower cost per cycle in the GnRHa group compared with the GnRHant group ($5,327.80 ± 387.30 vs. $5,900.40 ± 472.50). However, mean cost per pregnancy in the GnRHa was higher than in the GnRHant group ($19,671.80 ± 1,430.00 vs. $11,328.70 ± 907.20). Conclusion(s): Although the short controlled ovarian stimulation protocol with GnRHa on alternate days, rFSH, and rhCG microdose may lower the cost of an individual IVF cycle, it requires more cycles to achieve pregnancy. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT01468441. © 2013 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Diabetes mellitus tipo 2 e esquema terapêutico: impacto da prática de atividades físicas sobre o custo do tratamento ambulatorial em Unidade Básica de Saúde da cidade de Bauru -SP

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Uso da inseminação artificial em tempo fixo (IATF) em bubalinos criados em sistema de produção na várzea no estado do Amapá

Incrementa o uso da Inseminação Artificial em Tempo Fixo (IATF) em búfalas criadas em sistema produtivo extensivo de terras alagadas sazonalmente. O experimento realizado na cidade de Itaubal, no estado do Amapá, mais precisamente na Fazenda Motogeral LTDA, no período de novembro de 2004 a fevereiro de 2005, na estação favorável à reprodução. A propriedade possui um rebanho bubalino mestiço, onde predomina as raças Mediterrâneo e Murrah. Os animais possuem idade média de seis anos, em sua maioria plurípara e todas amamentando. Utilizou-se 93 animais, sendo que 70 animais sincronizados e inseminados em tempo fixo e 23 animais como grupo controle. Todos os animais foram previamente selecionados através de exame ginecológico e escore de condição corporal (ECC). Os animais sincronizados dividiram-se em três grupos: No grupo 1 (G1) com 20 animais utilizou-se o protocolo ovsynch; No grupo 2 (G2) com 29 animais utilizou-se o protocolo DIB-synch; e no grupo 3 (G3), 21 animais compuseram o grupo denominado CLsynch. E os não sincronizados compuseram o grupo controle ou Grupo 4 (G4) composto por 23 animais que foram inseminados 12h após a visualização do cio. Das 93 búfalas inseminadas 52 (55,91%) tornaram-se gestantes. Das 70 búfalas sincronizadas e inseminadas em tempo pré-determinado 43 (61,43%) ficaram gestantes. No G1 12 (60%) búfalas ficaram gestantes, no G2 19 (65,5%) búfalas ficaram gestantes e no G3 12 (57,14%) búfalas ficaram gestantes. No grupo controle a taxa de prenhez foi de 39,13%. Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos sincronizados e o grupo controle (P=0,27; X²=3,86). Nos grupos sincronizados não se observou diferença significativa entre os grupos (P=0,82; X² =0,38). As variáveis presença de muco (P= 4,11; Fisher=0,99) e contratilidade uterina (P=8,65; Fisher=0,99) influenciaram significativamente na taxa de prenhez. Dos 70 animais sincronizados 34 (48,57%) apresentaram muco e 54 (77,14%) apresentaram contratilidade uterina durante a IATF. Quanto ao ECC apesar de estatisticamente não ter influencia nos resultados, notou-se que os animais com ECC• 2.5 apresentaram as maiores taxas de prenhez. Pode-se concluir que os protocolos utilizados mostram que a IATF em bubalinos, criados de forma extensiva em áreas pantanosas, são uma alternativa promissora para melhorar a eficiência reprodutiva desta espécie na região Amazônica. O protocolo CL-synch precisa de mais estudos, com maior número de animais. Os custos dos tratamentos, não inviabilizam a adoção da técnica em propriedades rurais com sistema de produção extensiva.

Pneumonias em Bovinos Neonatos

Pneumonia is a respiratory disease that most affects the cattle, especially calves, which according to their anatomical and physiological characteristics are more susceptible to respiratory diseases compared to other large mammals. Therefore, prevention of pneumonia is a key factor to minimize the possible economic losses generated by the early involvement of a calf by these diseases, which can cause a decrease in animal development. Despite the multifactorial etiology and classification on the types of pneumonia is still subject of discussion, most pneumonias are in three categories: bronchopneumonia, interstitial pneumonia and metastatic pneumonia, the first being the most important among them. Clinical signs vary with the cause, but are classified as medical conditions ranging since subclinical to clinically irreversible. Treatment depends on the clinical experience and can associate drugs for alleviating the symptoms with anti-inflammatories and antibiotics. Thus, premature diagnosis is directly linked to prognosis, treatment costs and spread of the disease

Acidose láctica ruminal aguda induzida experimentalmente em ovinos: estudo clínico e laboratorial

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV

Fatores de risco relacionados à perda de produtividade laboral e aumento dos custos ambulatoriais de pacientes atendidos por unidades básicas de saúde

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

Avaliação das causas e consequências das patologias dos sistemas impermeabilizantes: um estudo de caso

This work aims to assess a case ofwaterproofing pathology, from the presentation of the pathological manifestations, thecharacterization and quantification of negotiationsproposals. With these data, graphs were elaborated with thepurpose ofemphasizing the cost increase from the time of intervention, to give an increase of 1,429.00 % inthe presented study. Also show the proportion of spending on finishes and waterproofing,demonstratingthe greatinfluence of the finishes in the composition of the treatment costs. Inthisstudy, it was foundthat these finishes made up89% of the total cost. In the bibliographic reference, presented to the active mechanisms, the characterization of waterproofing systems and the most common pathologies. It follows the importance of sealing to ensure integrity of a construction

Avaliação das causas e consequências das patologias dos sistemas impermeabilizantes: um estudo de caso

This work aims to assess a case ofwaterproofing pathology, from the presentation of the pathological manifestations, thecharacterization and quantification of negotiationsproposals. With these data, graphs were elaborated with thepurpose ofemphasizing the cost increase from the time of intervention, to give an increase of 1,429.00 % inthe presented study. Also show the proportion of spending on finishes and waterproofing,demonstratingthe greatinfluence of the finishes in the composition of the treatment costs. Inthisstudy, it was foundthat these finishes made up89% of the total cost. In the bibliographic reference, presented to the active mechanisms, the characterization of waterproofing systems and the most common pathologies. It follows the importance of sealing to ensure integrity of a construction

An economic evaluation of antihypertensive therapies based on clinical trials

OBJECTIVE: Hypertension is a major issue in public health, and the financial costs associated with hypertension continue to increase. Cost-effectiveness studies focusing on antihypertensive drug combinations, however, have been scarce. The cost-effectiveness ratios of the traditional treatment (hydrochlorothiazide and atenolol) and the current treatment (losartan and amlodipine) were evaluated in patients with grade 1 or 2 hypertension (HT1-2). For patients with grade 3 hypertension (HT3), a third drug was added to the treatment combinations: enalapril was added to the traditional treatment, and hydrochlorothiazide was added to the current treatment. METHODS: Hypertension treatment costs were estimated on the basis of the purchase prices of the antihypertensive medications, and effectiveness was measured as the reduction in systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (in mm Hg) at the end of a 12-month study period. RESULTS: When the purchase price of the brand-name medication was used to calculate the cost, the traditional treatment presented a lower cost-effectiveness ratio [US$/mm Hg] than the current treatment in the HT1-2 group. In the HT3 group, however, there was no difference in cost-effectiveness ratio between the traditional treatment and the current treatment. The cost-effectiveness ratio differences between the treatment regimens maintained the same pattern when the purchase price of the lower-cost medication was used. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the traditional treatment is more cost-effective (US$/mm Hg) than the current treatment in the HT1-2 group. There was no difference in cost-effectiveness between the traditional treatment and the current treatment for the HT3 group.