'A pilot study to investigate external urethral sphincter electromyographic activity and the influence of hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle'

But de l'étude Un enregistrement spécifique EMG du sphincter strié urétral avec décharges répétitives et complexes ainsi que salves de décélération a été décrit comme pathognomonique du syndrome de Fowler, un trouble de la relaxation du sphincter strié urétral chez la femme jeune responsable d'une retention urinaire. Nous avons souhaité étudier la présence de cet enregistrement EMG spécifique chez la femme asymptomatique, ceci à différents moments du cycle menstruel. Matériel et Méthode Nous avons recruté des femmes volontaires saines âgées entre 20 et 40 ans, ayant un cycle hormonal régulier, et ne présentant aucun symptôme urinaire. Les critères d'exclusion étaient la presence d'une dysfonction mictionnelle, d'une infection urinaire, la grossesse, la prise d'une thérapie hormonale ou d'hormone contraceptive, une obésité et des antécédants d'intervention pelvienne. Nous avons procédé à deux enregistrements EMG du sphincter strié urétral des participantes éligibles, utilisant une aiguille concentrique, ceci dans la première phase du cycle (phase folliculaire) et dans la dernière phase du cycle (phase lutéale). Les taux sériques de progestérone et d'oestrogène étaient mesurés à chaque enregistrement. Résultats 15 participantes ont complété l'étude. L' enregistrement EMG du sphincter a été positif avec présence de décharges répétitives et de salves de décélération lors d'une ou des deux phases du cycle menstruel chez 8 participantes (53%). Trois participantes présentaient cet enregistrement spécifique lors des deux phases du cycle et cinq participantes présentaient cet enregistrement spécifique lors de la phase lutéale uniquement. Aucune femme ne présentait cet enregistrement spécifique en début de cycle uniquement. Il n'y avait pas de relation avec l'âge, la parité ou les taux hormonaux. Conclusions L'enregistrement EMG spécifique du sphincter strié urétral, avec décharges répétitives et salves de décélération, se retrouve chez une proportion élevée de femmes asymptomatiques. Il a été montré que ce tracé change lors du cycle menstruel, en étant retrouvé plus fréquemment dans la dernière phase du cycle. L'importance de cet enregistrement EMG dans l'étiologie de la retention urinaire de la femme jeune reste à éclaircir. Nous devons considérer que sa présence ne pose pas automatiquement un diagnostic de syndrome de Fowler chez la femme en rétention urinaire.

Aspectos de imagem na tendinite calcária pré-vertebral

A tendinite calcária aguda pré-vertebral é uma condição benigna e rara que apresenta calcificação das fibras do músculo longo do pescoço com reação inflamatória local, sendo esta uma das formas de apresentação menos frequentes da doença por deposição de hidroxiapatita de cálcio. Manifesta-se com dor cervical aguda e/ou odinofagia, podendo ser erroneamente diagnosticada como abscesso retrofaríngeo, espondilodiscite ou alteração decorrente de trauma. Os achados radiológicos na tendinite calcária pré-vertebral são patognomônicos. O conhecimento de tais achados é muito importante, pois o correto diagnóstico possibilita a resolução precoce dos sintomas e evita intervenções desnecessárias em um paciente que apresenta afecção com boa resposta ao tratamento conservador.

Dopplerfluxometria de artérias oftálmicas e avaliação da função endotelial nas formas precoce e tardia da pré-eclâmpsia

OBJETIVO: Avaliar possíveis diferenças entre a disfunção endotelial, avaliada pela dilatação fluxo-mediada, e hiperperfusão central, avaliada por dopplerfluxometria da artéria oftálmica, entre pacientes portadoras da forma precoce e tardia da pré-eclâmpsia. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: O teste de dilatação fluxo-mediada e a dopplerfluxometria da artéria oftálmica foram obtidos de 81 gestantes, sendo 56 portadoras de pré-eclâmpsia (26 na forma precoce e 30 na forma tardia) e 25 gestantes saudáveis (grupo controle). RESULTADOS: Portadoras de pré-eclâmpsia apresentaram valores menores de dilatação fluxo-mediada quando comparadas ao grupo controle, tanto na forma precoce (7,62 ± 5,42% × 14,12 ± 6,14%; p = 0,02) como na forma tardia (5,83 ± 4,12% × 14,12 ± 6,14%; p = 0,00). Não houve diferença quando foram comparadas as duas formas (7,62 ± 5,42% × 5,83 ± 4,12%; p = 0,09). A dopplerfluxometria da artéria oftálmica apresentou-se significativamente menor nas pacientes portadoras de pré-eclâmpsia quando comparadas ao grupo controle, tanto na forma precoce (0,631 ± 0,024 × 0,737 ± 0,032; p = 0,01) como na forma tardia (0,653 ± 0,019 × 0,737 ± 0,032; p = 0,03). Não houve diferença entre as duas formas de apresentação (0,631 ± 0,024 × 0,653 ± 0,019; p = 0,12). Os resultados basicamente demonstram redução nos valores de dilatação fluxo-mediada e dopplerfluxometria da artéria oftálmica nas formas tardia e precoce da pré-eclâmpsia quando comparadas ao grupo controle, sem, contudo, diferenças significativas entre as duas formas de apresentação da doença. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados indicam a presença de disfunção endotelial e hiperperfusão central em gestantes com pré-eclâmpsia, tanto na forma precoce como na tardia.

Predição de pré-eclâmpsia em suas formas tardia e precoce pela dilatação fluxo-mediada da artéria braquial

Objetivo:Avaliar a capacidade de predição das formas precoce e tardia da pré-eclâmpsia pela dilatação fluxo-mediada da artéria braquial (FMD), marcador biofísico de disfunção endotelial.Materiais e Métodos:Um total de 91 pacientes de alto risco para desenvolvimento de pré-eclâmpsia foi submetido a FMD entre 24 e 28 semanas de gestação.Resultados:Das pacientes selecionadas, 19 desenvolveram pré-eclâmpsia, sendo 8 em sua forma precoce e 11 em sua forma tardia. Usando-se um valor de corte de 6,5%, a sensibilidade (S) da FMD para predição de pré-eclâmpsia precoce foi 75,0%, com especificidade (E) de 73,3%, valor preditivo positivo (VPP) de 32,4% e valor preditivo negativo (VPN) de 91,9%. Para predição de pré-eclâmpsia tardia, encontrou-se valor de S de 83,3%, E de 73,2%, VPP de 34,4% e VPN de 96,2%. Para a predição de todas as formas associadas de pré-eclâmpsia, encontrou-se valor de S de 84,2%, E de 73,6%, VPP de 45,7% e VPN de 94,6%.Conclusão:A FMD se mostrou uma ferramenta com boa capacidade de predição de pré-eclâmpsia, nas suas formas tardia e precoce, o que pode representar um impacto positivo no acompanhamento de gestantes de alto risco para desenvolvimento dessa síndrome.

Modificação de um micro-extrator de vidro para pré-enriquecimento de traços de pesticidas organoclorados de água para análise por cromatografia gasosa

Two models of a glass micro-extractor were constructed after modification of a model proposed in the literature. The two models were used for the simultaneous extraction and enrichment of organochlorinated pesticides from aqueous matrixes to an organic solution appropriate for the gas chromatographic analysis of the pesticide. It was established that the performance of one of the modified micro-extractors permits the pre-concentration of the pesticides to a level that allow their quantitation at the trace level with electron capture detection. It is thus concluded that the glass micro-extractor is a suitable tool for the sample preparation step in the gas chromatographic analysis of environmental pollutants of the class of pesticides.

Determinação de fósforo orgânico em águas de produção petrolífera por ICP- AES e ICP- MS após pré-concentração em coluna de sílica-C18

Results on the optimization of analytical methods for the determination of phosphorus in phosphino-polycarboxylate (PPCA), used frequently as scale inhibitor during oil production, by ICP-AES and ICP-MS are presented. Due to the complex matrix of production waters (brines) and their high concentration in inorganic phosphorus, the separation of organic phosphorus prior to its determination is necessary. In this work, minicolumns of silica immobilized C18 were used. Optimization of the separation step resulted in the following working conditions: (1) prewashing of the column with methanol (80% v/v); (2) use of a flow rate of 5 mL/min and 10 mL/min, respectively, for the preconditioning step and for percolation of the water sample; (3) final elution of organic phosphorus with 7 mL of buffer of H3BO3/NaOH (0.05 M, pH 9) with a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Sample detection limits (3s) for different combinations of nebulizers and spectrometric methods, based on 10 mL water aliquots, are: ICP-AES -Cross flow (47 mg/L) and Ultrasonic (18 mug/L); ICP-MS -Cross flow (1.2 mug/L), Cyclonic (0.7 mug/L) and Ultrasonic (0.5 mug/L). Typical recoveries of organic phosphorus are between 90 and 95% and the repeatability of the whole procedure is better than 10%. The developed methodology was applied successfully to samples from the oil-well NA 46, platform PNA 2, Campos basin, Brazil. Assessment of the PPCA inhibitor was possible at lower concentrations than achieved by current analytical methods, resulting in benefits such as reduced cost of chemicals, postponed oil production and lower environmental impacts.

Determinação de Cd, Ni e Zn por espectrometria de emissão atômica com plasma indutivamente acoplado, após separação e pré-concentração em coluna contendo p-dimetilaminobenzilidenorodanina adsorvida sobre sílica gel

A column packed with 5-(4-dimethylaminobenzylidene)rhodanine adsorbed on silica gel was used for the preconcentration of Cd, Ni and Zn at different spiked solutions prior to their determination by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. This column allowed recoveries over than 98% for the above elements and accurate analyses of coastal sea-water certified reference material were also achieved.

Extração e pré-concentração de compostos orgânicos voláteis por permeação em membrana para análise cromatográfica

This work discusses sample preparation processes for gas chromatography (GC) based on the technique of extraction through membrane permeation (MPE). The MPE technique may be easily coupled to GC via a relatively simple device, which is a module that holds the membrane and is directly connected to the GC column. The possibility of operational errors due to sample handling is substantially reduced in an MPE-GC system because the sample preparation and the chemical analysis are accomplished as a one-step process. The MPE technique is of relatively wide application as it can be used for aqueous samples, solid samples and gaseous samples. Depending on the type of sample the extraction is performed with the membrane in direct contact with the sample or in contact with its headspace. The MPE-GC technique is very useful in trace analysis, due to the time-dependent enrichment of the analyte. A typical application of MPE-GC is the analysis of VOCs present in water that may be accomplished with detection limits at the low ppb (mugL-1) level.

A combustão catalítica do metano: estudo estatístico do efeito das variáveis de preparação e pré-tratamento de catalisadores de paládio suportado sobre a atividade catalítica

The catalytic combustion of methane on alumina supported palladium catalysts was studied. It has been reported that the activity of the catalyst increases with its time on line, despite of an increase of the palladium particle size. However, different preparation, pretreatment and testing conditions can be the reason for the observed different results. An experimental design, which allows to verify the influence of several parameters at the same time with a good statistical quality, was used. A Plackett-Burman design was selected for the screening of the variables which have an effect on the increase of the catalyst activity.

Experimentos didáticos em química analítica envolvendo separação de fases e pré-concentração

The aim of this work was to propose two different didactic experiments, which can be used in practical classes of analytical chemistry courses. More flexible experiments related to the theme, giving some options to the instructor are proposed. In this way, the Experiment 1 was divided in two parts. In the first one, the visualization of two distinct phases separation is emphasized: the rich and the poor phases in surfactant. In the second part, the metal pre-concentration (Co as example) is emphasized. The Experiment 2 has three different parts. In the first one, the complex formation is pointed out, in the second one, the pH influence is shown and in the last one, the influence of the complexation time is demonstrated.

Pré-concentração de chumbo e cádmio em um sistema de micro extração líquido-líquido e determinação por espectrometria de absorção atômica com chama

A method for determination of lead and cadmium in aqueous samples using solvent microextraction and dithizone as complexing agent with FAAS was developed. Solvent microextraction parameters were optimized. The effect of foreign ions on the extraction yields was studied. The extraction was carried out until the aqueous to organic phase ratio achieved a 250 fold preconcentration of metals. For preconcentration times of 4 min the 3sigma detection limits, relative standard deviations (n=7) and linear calibration ranges were 1.6 mug L-1, 5.8% and 10.0 -- 80.0 mug L-1 for lead and 11.1 ng L-1, 5.9% and 0.3 -- 3.0 mug L-1 for cadmium, respectively. The solvent microextraction procedure presented here was applied to the determination of lead and cadmium in natural waters.

Determinação espectrofotométrica de alumínio em concentrados salinos utilizados em hemodiálise empregando pré-concentração em fluxo

An automatic flow injection procedure for spectrophotometric aluminium determination in purified water and solutions containing high salts concentrations used for hemodyalisis treatment was developed. The method was base on reaction of Al3+ with cianine eriochrome R (ECR) after preconcentration using the AG50W-X8 cationic-exchange resin. Elution was carried out using a 1 % (m/v) calcium chloride solution. The manifold comprised an automatic proporcional injector controlled by a computer equipped with an eletronic interface and software written in QuicBASIC 4.5 with facilities to control the injector and perform data acquisition. Samples with concentration ranging from 4.96 to 19.90 µg L-1 Al were analyzed and recoveries between 88 and 113% were obtained by using the standard addition method. Other profitable analytical characteristics such as a relative standard deviation 1.3 % (n = 10) for a typical sample 14.5 µg L-1 Al, a linear response ranging up to 60.0 µg L-1Al, and a sampling throughput of 10 determinations per hour were achieved. A detection limit of 4.2 µg L-1 Al was estimated as suggested by IUPAC.

Determinação de Mn, Cu e Zn em matrizes salinas após separação e pré-concentração usando Amberlite XAD-7 impregnada com Vermelho de Alizarina S

The aim of this work was to explore the possibility of the application of a non-ionic resin obtained by impregnation of Alizarin Red S (VAS) in Amberlite XAD-7 for manganese, copper and zinc separation and preconcentration in saline matrices. For these system, the metals were quantitatively retained, in the pH range 8.5-10.0, by using 0.50 g of solid phase, stirring time of five minutes and a total mass up to 200 mug of each cation. The sorbed elements were subsequently eluted and a fifty-fold, ten-fold and ten-fold preconcentration factor for to Zn, Cu and Mn were obtained, respectively.

Pré-concentração de nitrosaminas a partir de amostras aquosas por extração em fase sólida e cromatografia capilar eletrocinética micelar

This paper describes the development of a methodology for solid phase extraction (SPE) and pre-concentration of nitrosamines from aqueous samples using granular activated charcoal as stationary phase. micelar electrokinetic capillary Chromatography (MEKC) was used for the separation and identification of the nitrosamines in the extracts. Using a sample with 50 µg l-1 of each nitrosamines standards (dimethylnitrosamine, DMN; diethylnitrosamine, DEN; N-nitrosopyrrolidine, NPYR; N-nitrosopiperidine, NPIP; N-nitrosomorpholine, NMOR), the methodology showed a range of recuperation from 29 to 107% with a linear zone between 10 and 500 µg l-1. The developed methodology can be applicable to the determination of these analytes in different aqueous samples.