How to prevent venous cannula orifice obstruction during extracorporeal circulation.

Venous cannula orifice obstruction is an underestimated problem during augmented cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), which can potentially be reduced with redesigned, virtually wall-less cannula designs versus traditional percutaneous control venous cannulas. A bench model, allowing for simulation of the vena cava with various affluent orifices, venous collapse and a worst case scenario with regard to cannula position, was developed. Flow (Q) was measured sequentially for right atrial + hepatic + renal + iliac drainage scenarios, using a centrifugal pump and an experimental bench set-up (afterload 60 mmHg). At 1500, 2000 and 2500 RPM and atrial position, the Q values were 3.4, 6.03 and 8.01 versus 0.77*, 0.43* and 0.58* l/min: p<0.05* for wall-less and the Biomedicus(®) cannula, respectively. The corresponding pressure values were -15.18, -31.62 and -74.53 versus -46.0*, -119.94* and -228.13* mmHg. At the hepatic position, the Q values were 3.34, 6.67 and 9.26 versus 2.3*, 0.42* and 0.18* l/min; and the pressure values were -10.32, -20.25 and -42.83 versus -23.35*, -119.09* and -239.38* mmHg. At the renal position, the Q values were 3.43, 6.56 and 8.64 versus 2.48*, 0.41* and 0.22* l/min and the pressure values were -9.64, -20.98 and -63.41 versus -20.87 -127.68* and -239* mmHg, respectively. At the iliac position, the Q values were 3.43, 6.01 and 9.25 versus 1.62*, 0.55* and 0.58* l/min; the pressure values were -9.36, -33.57 and -44.18 versus -30.6*, -120.27* and -228* mmHg, respectivly. Our experimental evaluation demonstrates that the redesigned, virtually wall-less cannulas, allowing for direct venous drainage at practically all intra-venous orifices, outperform the commercially available control cannula, with superior flow at reduced suction levels for all scenarios tested.

Bone Mineral Accrual in Physically Active Girls. With Special Reference to Reduction in Physical Activity Level and Use of Oral Contraceptives

Adolescence is an important time for acquiring high peak bone mass. Physical activity is known to be beneficial to bone development. The effect of estrogen-progestin contraceptives (EPC) is still controversial. Altogether 142 (52 gymnasts, 46 runners, and 42 controls) adolescent women participated in this study, which is based on two 7-year (n =142), one 6-year (n =140) and one 4-year (n =122) follow-ups. Information on physical activity, menstrual history, sexual maturation, nutrition, living habits and health status was obtained through questionnaires and interviews. The bone mineral density (BMD) and content (BMC) of lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) were measured by dual- energy X-ray absoptiometry. Calcaneal sonographic measurements were also made. The physical activity of the athletes participating in this study decreased after 3-year follow-up. High-impact exercise was beneficial to bones. LS and FN BMC was higher in gymnasts than in controls during the follow-up. Reduction in physical activity had negative effects on bone mass. LS and FN BMC increased less in the group having reduced their physical activity more than 50%, compared with those continuing at the previous level (1.69 g, p=0.021; 0.14 g, p=0.015, respectively). The amount of physical activity was the only significant parameter accounting for the calcaneal sonography measurements at 6-year follow-up (11.3%) and reduced activity level was associated with lower sonographic values. Long-term low-dose EPC use seemed to prevent normal bone mass acquisition. There was a significant trend towards a smaller increase in LS and FN BMC among long-term EPC users. In conclusion, this study confirms that high-impact exercise is beneficial to bones and that the benefits are partly maintained even after a clear reduction in training level at least for 4 years. Continued exercise is needed to retain all acquired benefits. The bone mass gained and maintained can possibly be maximized in adolescence by implementing high-impact exercise for youngsters. The peak bone mass of the young women participating in the study may be reached before the age of 20. Use of low-dose EPCs seems to suppress normal bone mass acquisition.

Retinoblastoma Protein Knockdown Favors Oxidative Metabolism and Glucose and Fatty Acid Disposal in Muscle Cells.

Deficiency in the retinoblastoma protein (Rb) favors leanness and a healthy metabolic profile in mice largely attributed to activation of oxidative metabolism in white and brown adipose tissues. Less is known about Rb modulation of skeletal muscle metabolism. This was studied here by transiently knocking down Rb expression in differentiated C2C12 myotubes using small interfering RNAs. Compared with control cells transfected with non-targeting RNAs, myotubes silenced for Rb (by 80-90%) had increased expression of genes related to fatty acid uptake and oxidation such as Cd36 and Cpt1b (by 61% and 42%, respectively), increased Mitofusin 2 protein content (∼2.5-fold increase), increased mitochondrial to nuclear DNA ratio (by 48%), increased oxygen consumption (by 65%) and decreased intracellular lipid accumulation. Rb silenced myotubes also displayed up-regulated levels of glucose transporter type 4 expression (∼5-fold increase), increased basal glucose uptake, and enhanced insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation. Interestingly, exercise in mice led to increased Rb phosphorylation (inactivation) in skeletal muscle as evidenced by immunohistochemistry analysis. In conclusion, the silencing of Rb enhances mitochondrial oxidative metabolism and fatty acid and glucose disposal in skeletal myotubes, and changes in Rb status may contribute to muscle physiological adaptation to exercise. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 708-718, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) with or without hemithoracic radiotherapy: final results of the randomized multicenter phase II trial SAKK17/04.

Aim: We have previously documented the feasibility of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and EPP in a multicenter trial of MPM (Weder, Ann Oncol 18: 1196, 2007). The objectives of the trimodality trial SAKK17/04 (NCT00334594) were to evaluate the time to loco-regional relapse with or without high dose hemithoracic radiotherapy in a prospective multicenter randomized phase II trial in patients with R0 and R1 resection after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and EPP. Methods: Eligible patients had pathologically confirmed MPM, surgically resectable TNM stage (T1-3 N0-2 M0), PS0-1, ages 18-70 years. Part 1 had a phase II design, and included neoadjuvant chemotherapy with 3 cycles of cisplatin and pemetrexed, followed by restaging and EPP. The primary endpoint of part 1 was complete macroscopic resection (R0-1). Part 2 randomized consenting patients with R0-1 resection into two parallel phase II arms (control arm A and radiotherapy arm B). The primary endpoint for part 2 was loco-regional relapse-free survival (RFS). To detect a 1 year increase with 80% power and 10% alpha, 37 patients were needed for arm B. Secondary endpoints included operability, tolerability of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, survival, and translational research Results: Because accrual of part 2 was slower than planned, the trial was stopped in 2013. Overall, 153 patients entered the trial, of whom 125 underwent surgery and 99 had a complete macroscopic resection (primary endpoint part 1). Of the later patients, 54 could be randomized 1:1 into each arm. Reasons for non-randomization included patient refusal in 24 and ineligibility or protocol deviations in 21. Of the 27 patients randomized to hemithoracic radiotherapy, 25 completed the treatment as planned. For part 1 the median RFS was 8.8 (95%CI: 7.3-10.7) and median OS was 15.0 (95% CI: 12.1-19.3) months. For part 2 the median local RFS for group A was 7.6 (95%CI: 5.5-10.7) and for group B 9.4 (95%CI: 6.5-11.9) months (primary endpoint part 2), while the overall RFS and OS for group A were 5.7 (95%CI: 3.5-8.8) and 16.9 (95%CI: 10.7-23.6) months and for group B 7.6 (95% CI:5.2-10.6) and 14.9 (95%CI: 7.0-17.6) months. Conclusions: This study did not reach the primary endpoint which was defined as one-year increase in loco-regional relapse-free survival and thus does not support the routine use of hemithoracic RT after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and EPP. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Naturally occurring pentaoxygenated, hexaoxygenated and dimeric xanthones: a literature survey

This review gives information on the chemical study of 71 pentaoxygenated, 11 hexaoxygenated and 9 dimeric and more complex xanthones naturally occurring in 7 families, 29 genus and 62 species of higher plants, and 11 described as fern and fungal metabolites. The value of these groups of substances in the connection with the pharmacological activity and the therapeutic use of some species is shown. The structural formulas of 23 isolated compounds and their distribution in the species studied are given.

Compostos de mercúrio. Revisão de métodos de determinação, tratamento e descarte

This review article on mercury compounds deals with the differences on toxicity of different forms of this metal, the Brazilian regulation for its disposal and the usual methods of determination. Besides that, the text gives special emphasis on the methods used for the treatment and disposal of residues containing mercury, as well as the new developments being made in this area.

Distribuição de mercúrio total como indicador de poluição urbana e industrial na costa brasileira

The monitoring of the pollution status of the Brazilian coast is hampered by the lack of a consistent environmental indicator. We propose Hg as an environmental proxy to anthropogenic pollution of coastal regions due to its absence in the Brazilian geology, its ubiquity in anthropogenic effluents, and its toxicity. Available data suggest Hg "backgrounds" in coastal sediments of 1-10 ng g-1, in the East and 15-30 ng g-1 in the South. We suggest short sediment cores to establish these values estimating a geo-accumulation index to compare all areas. The distribution of index values showed the majority of southern coast at least moderately contaminated whereas many eastern areas are still pristine.

Relationship between botanical origin and antioxidants vitamins of bee-collected pollen

This study quantified vitamin C, E and β-carotene in samples of fresh bee-collected pollen and correlating them with the botanical origin. Vitamin content varied between 13.5 and 42.5 µg/g for vitamin E; 56.3 and 198.9 µg/g for β-carotene and 273.9 and 560.3 µg/g for vitamin C. It was concluded that the botanical origin and collecting season influenced the vitamin contents. There is a relationship between the vitamins and its botanical origin: Raphanus sp and Macroptilium sp, Mimosa caesalpineafolia with β-carotene; Raphanus sp, Eucalyptus sp, Macroptilium sp, Mimosa caesalpineafolia with vitamin E and Anadenanthera sp, Arecaceae type and Philodendron sp with vitamin C.

Determination of polyphenol contents and antioxidant capacity of no-alcoholic red grape products (vitis labrusca) from conventional and organic crops

The polyphenol contents and antioxidant capacity of Brazilian red grape juices and wine vinegars were analyzed. Additionally, it was analyzed the human polyphenol absorption and acute effect in plasmatic oxidative metabolism biomarkers after juice ingestion. The organic Bordo grape juice (GBO) presented a higher level of trans-resveratrol, quercitin, rutin, gallic acid, caffeic acid and total flavonoids then other juices and vinegars as well as antioxidant capacity. The plasmatic polyphenol increased 27.2% after GBO juice ingestion. The results showed that juices and vinegars from Brazilian crops present similar chemical and functional properties described in studies performed in other countries.

Assinatura da deposição atmosférica de testes nucleares em sedimentos da costa brasileira (240+239Pu e 137Cs)

The aim of this review is to take a look at Cold War era nuclear tests signatures found in Brazilian coastal sediments. Both137Cs and 240+239Pu signatures have been documented in mangrove, coastal mudflats and continental shelf sediments, associated with above ground nuclear tests beginning in the 1950's. The dates associated to the anthropogenic radionuclide signatures 137Cs and 240+239Pu along sediment columns are confirmed by 210Pb geochronology in many of the studies highlighted in this review. The results outlined in this review characterize the extent to which nuclear fallout products reach the Brazilian coast in quantities sufficient for detection, allowing the use of these radioisotopes as geochronometers.

Chemical profiling of six samples of Brazilian propolis

Six samples of Brazilian propolis from Minas Gerais and Paraná states were analyzed to identify the constituents (GC/MS and HPLC/MS) and to determine their contents (HPLC and external standardization). All samples contained characteristic constituents of green propolis, but the samples from Minas Gerais had higher contents of prenylated phenylpropanoids and caffeoylquinic acids. Kaempferide and two other flavonoids were among the major constituents of the samples from Minas Gerais. Luteolin 5-O-methyl ether was detected only in samples from Paraná. Baccharis dracunculifolia was a source of resins for all samples analyzed, but the samples from Paraná had more complex plant origin.

Garlic viral complex: identification of Potyviruses and Carlavirus in Central Brazil

Garlic viruses often occur in complex infections in nature. In this study, a garlic virus complex, collected in fields in Brazil, was purified. RT-PCR was performed using specific primers designed from the consensus regions of the coat protein genes of Onion yellow dwarf virus, a garlic strain (OYDV-G) and Leek yellow stripe virus (LYSV). cDNA of Garlic common latent virus (GCLV) was synthesized using oligo-dT and random primers. By these procedures individual garlic virus genomes were isolated and sequenced. The nucleotide sequence analysis associated with serological data reveals the presence of two Potyvirus OYDV-G and LYSV, and GCLV, a Carlavirus, simultaneously infecting garlic plants. Deduced amino acid sequences of the Brazilian isolates were compared with related viruses reported in different geographical regions of the world. The analysis showed closed relations considering the Brazilian isolates of OYDV-G and GCLV, and large divergence considering LYSV isolate. The detection of these virus species was confirmed by specific reactions observed when coat protein genes of the Brazilian isolates were used as probes in dot-blot and Southern blot hybridization assays. In field natural viral re-infection of virus-free garlic was evaluated.

Genotypic diversity among brazilian isolates of Macrophomina phaseolina revealed by RAPD

Macrophomina phaseolina has been considered one of the most prevalent soybean (Glycine max) pathogens in Brazil. No genetic resistance has been determined in soybean and very little is known about the genetic diversity of this pathogen in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Fifty-five isolates from soybean roots were collected in different regions and analyzed through RAPD for genetic diversity. The UPGMA cluster analysis for 74 loci scored permitted identification of three divergent groups with an average similarity of 99%, 92% and 88%, respectively. The three groups corresponded to 5.45%, 59.95% and 34.6%, respectively of all isolates used. A single plant had three different haplotypes, while 10.9% of the analyzed plants had two different haplotypes. In another study the genetic similarity was evaluated among isolates from different hosts [soybean, sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), sunflower (Helianthus annuus), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), corn (Zea mays) and wheat (Triticum aestivum)] as well as two soil samples from native areas. Results showed that more divergent isolates originated from areas with a single crop. Isolates from areas with crop rotation were less divergent, showing high similarity values and consequently formed the largest group. Amplification of the ITS region using primers ITS1 and ITS4 produced only one DNA fragment of 620 bp. None of the isolates were differentiated through PCR-RFLP. Our results demonstrated genetic variability among Brazilian isolates of M. phaseolina and showed that one single root can harbor more than one haplotype. Moreover, cultivation with crop rotation tends to induce less specialization of the pathogen isolates. Knowledge of this variation may be useful in screening soybean genotypes for resistance to charcoal rot.

Resultados científicos do cruzeiro do "Baependi" e do "Vega" à Ilha da Trindade: Hydrozoa

In Anis paper are listed 19 different species of Hydrozca collected during a trip to the oceanic island of Trindade, located at lat. 20º 30' 00" S. and long. 29º 22' 00" W., 600 miles off the brazilian coast. During the trip hawls and dredges were done at different points of the island and of banks that exist between the coast and the island. Of the 19 listed species one is here considered new to science: Hebellopsis besnardi (p. 83), characterized by having thecae with a single curvature and a strongly everted margin. Its measures are intermediate between those os H. hartmeyeri and H. sinuosa, which are its closest allies. H. besnardi was found epizoic on D. quadridentata. Of the remainder 18, 14 were already known from the brazilian coast. Of these 14, 4 were previously known only from the coast south of Cabo Frio, and 10 are at present known only from the region north of Cabo Frio. Five species are found both north and south of this Cape. As a whole, 5 species are recorded now for the first time on the brazilian coast, of these are given a full description and figures. This paper has the purpose of increasing the faunistical knowledge of this region of the Atlantic Ocean as a first step towards the understanding of the zoogeographical relationships with the other oceans and the establishment of the zoogeographical regions of this coast.

Reencontro de Balanoglossus gigas Fr. Muller no litoral brasileiro

Re-finding of Balanoglossus gigas FR. MUULLER on the brasilian sea shore. Balanoglossus gigas, the giant Enteropneusta, has been described for the first time by Fritz Muller in his notes collected and published by Dr. HERMANN VON IHERING (1898, pg. 35). FR. MULLER found the Balanoglossus on the coats of the State of Santa Catarina in 1884. Once again in 1885 several specimens of that animal were captured by FR. MULLER in the same place. Since that time up to now no references on the occurrence of this animal have been found in the zoological bibliography. During the spring of 1948 Prof. W. BESNARD, Director of he Instituto Paulista de Oceanografia saw some signals indicating the existence of Balanoglossus at the beach of São Sebastião, State of São Paulo. From 1948 to now several attempts have been made to catch the animal alive and complete. On the last September during a shorts visit to the beach of São Sebastião one Balanoglossus was captured and brought to the Department of General and Animal Physiology in good conditions. The animal measured 1.80 m in length. It seems to be the largest Balanoglossus known. According to the descriptions of SPENGEL (1893, pg. 158), and VAN DER HORST (1939) pg. 717) it was possible to identify this Enteropneusta as Balanoglossus gigas FR. MULLER, refound at the Brazilian coast sixty six years after its discovery by FR. MÜLLER.