Mechatronic system for performing blood pre-transfusion tests

The blood types determination is essential to perform safe blood transfusions. In emergency situations isadministrated the “universal donor” blood type. However, sometimes, this blood type can cause incom-patibilities in the transfusion receptor. A mechatronic prototype was developed to solve this problem.The prototype was built to meet specific goals, incorporating all the necessary components. The obtainedsolution is close to the final system that will be produced later, at industrial scale, as a medical device.The prototype is a portable and low cost device, and can be used in remote locations. A computer appli-cation, previously developed is used to operate with the developed mechatronic prototype, and obtainautomatically test results. It allows image acquisition, processing and analysis, based on Computer Visionalgorithms, Machine Learning algorithms and deterministic algorithms. The Machine Learning algorithmsenable the classification of occurrence, or alack of agglutination in the mixture (blood/reagents), and amore reliable and a safer methodology as test data are stored in a database. The work developed allowsthe administration of a compatible blood type in emergency situations, avoiding the discontinuity of the“universal donor” blood type stocks, and reducing the occurrence of human errors in the transfusion practice.

Blood type classification using computer vision and machine learning

In emergency situations, where time for blood transfusion is reduced, the O negative blood type (the universal donor) is administrated. However, sometimes even the universal donor can cause transfusion reactions that can be fatal to the patient. As commercial systems do not allow fast results and are not suitable for emergency situations, this paper presents the steps considered for the development and validation of a prototype, able to determine blood type compatibilities, even in emergency situations. Thus it is possible, using the developed system, to administer a compatible blood type, since the first blood unit transfused. In order to increase the system’s reliability, this prototype uses different approaches to classify blood types, the first of which is based on Decision Trees and the second one based on support vector machines. The features used to evaluate these classifiers are the standard deviation values, histogram, Histogram of Oriented Gradients and fast Fourier transform, computed on different regions of interest. The main characteristics of the presented prototype are small size, lightweight, easy transportation, ease of use, fast results, high reliability and low cost. These features are perfectly suited for emergency scenarios, where the prototype is expected to be used.

Variant Rh Alleles And Rh Immunisation In Patients With Sickle Cell Disease.

Alloimmunisation is a major complication in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) receiving red blood cell (RBC) transfusions and despite provision of Rh phenotyped RBC units, Rh antibodies still occur. These antibodies in patients positive for the corresponding Rh antigen are considered autoantibodies in many cases but variant RH alleles found in SCD patients can also contribute to Rh alloimmunisation. In this study, we characterised variant RH alleles in 31 SCD patients who made antibodies to Rh antigens despite antigen-positive status and evaluated the clinical significance of the antibodies produced. RHD and RHCE BeadChip™ from BioArray Solutions and/or amplification and sequencing of exons were used to identify the RH variants. The serological features of all Rh antibodies in antigen-positive patients were analysed and the clinical significance of the antibodies was evaluated by retrospective analysis of the haemoglobin (Hb) levels before and after transfusion; the change from baseline pre-transfusion Hb and the percentage of HbS were also determined. We identified variant RH alleles in 31/48 (65%) of SCD patients with Rh antibodies. Molecular analyses revealed the presence of partial RHD alleles and variant RHCE alleles associated with altered C and e antigens. Five patients were compound heterozygotes for RHD and RHCE variants. Retrospective analysis showed that 42% of antibodies produced by the patients with RH variants were involved in delayed haemolytic transfusion reactions or decreased survival of transfused RBC. In this study, we found that Rh antibodies in SCD patients with RH variants can be clinically significant and, therefore, matching patients based on RH variants should be considered.

Optimização do tratamento por lamas activadas do efluente líquido da Mundotêxtil

A Mundotêxtil foi fundada em 1975 tendo iniciado a sua actividade na área comercial de produtos têxteis. Actualmente é o maior produtor nacional de atoalhados de felpo e emprega 575 colaboradores. Como resultado do seu crescimento e sobretudo da actividade de tingimento de fio e felpo, as necessidades de água são consideráveis e o volume de efluentes gerados nos processos industriais é cada vez maior a empresa avançou com a construção de uma estação de tratamento por lamas activadas, colocando-a em funcionamento em Setembro de 2004. Inicialmente surgiram dificuldades para a remoção da cor e da concentração da Carência Química de Oxigénio (CQO) de modo a cumprir os limites máximos de emissão permitidos nas normas de descarga no rio Ave e no Decreto-Lei nº 236/98, de 1 de Agosto. Com a descarga de parte dos efluentes no SIDVA e a utilização de um coagulante adicionado ao reactor o tratamento passou a apresentar melhores resultados. O intuito deste trabalho é o de apresentar soluções de modo a optimizar o funcionamento do tratamento biológico da Mundotêxtil. A optimização pode começar na concepção dos produtos, pode incidir no processo de fabrico para além de poder ser efectuada no seio da estação de tratamento biológico. Foi efectuado um estudo do tratamento biológico por lamas activadas no Laboratório de Tecnologia Química Profª Doutora Lída de Vasconcelos, laboratório tecnológico do Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto (ISEP) que decorreu nos meses de Maio, Junho e Julho de 2010. O estudo laboratorial foi efectuado para três situações distintas: 1) tratamento do efluente bruto sem qualquer tipo de pré-tratamento (ensaios 1 a 3); 2) tratamento do efluente bruto submetido a pré-tratamento com coagulante Ambifloc BIO MD (ensaios 4 e 5) e 3) tratamento com adição de fungos ao tanque de arejamento (ensaio 6). Foram utilizadas duas instalações de tratamento alimentadas a partir do mesmo tanque de alimentação. Os dois sistemas eram idênticos, diferiram nos caudais de alimentação de efluente que foram alterados ao longo do estudo. O efluente a tratar foi fornecido pela empresa Mundotêxtil, sendo recolhido por diversas vezes ao longo dos ensaios. Este efluente foi retirado após o pré-tratamento da empresa, ou seja este efluente é o mesmo que alimenta o tratamento biológico da Mundotêxtil. Devido a este facto o efluente usado no estudo laboratorial teve uma variabilidade no período em que decorreu o estudo, nomeadamente em termos de concentração de CQO e cor. A relação entre a Carência Bioquímica (CBO5) e a CQO situouse entre 0,47 e 0,63 o que traduz que está dentro dos valores típicos para um efluente têxtil. Os melhores resultados globais de remoção de CQO foram obtidos no ensaio 5 e estiveram compreendidos entre 73,2% e 77,5% para o ensaio 5.1 e entre 62,9 e 73,2% para o ensaio 5.2. Neste ensaio foi utilizado o coagulante. Todos os valores de concentração de CQO obtidos nos efluentes dos decantadores para os ensaios 2, 5 e 6 são inferiores aos valores limite de descarga definidos nas normas de descarga no rio Ave e o Decreto-Lei 236/98. Os valores de concentração de Sólidos Suspensos Totais (SST), pH, fósforo, CBO5 e cor nos decantadores cumpriram os limites de descarga definidos nas normas de descarga no rio Ave e no Decreto-Lei nº 236/98 em todos os ensaios. Os parâmetros cinéticos obtidos para os ensaios com descorante são os que melhor se ajustam ao projecto de uma instalação de tratamento biológico por lamas activadas do efluente da Mundotêxtil. Os valores obtidos, após ajuste, são os seguintes: k=0,015 L/(mgSSV*d); Sn=12 mg/L; a=0,7982 kgO2/kgCBO5; b=0,0233 [kgO2/(kgSSV*d); y=0,2253 kgSSV/kgCBO5; kd=0,0036 kgSSV/(kgSSV*d. Com base nos parâmetros cinéticos obtiveram-se os seguintes resultados para o projecto de uma estação de tratamento biológico por lamas activadas: · Tempo de retenção hidráulica no reactor de 1,79 d, · Volume do reactor igual a 3643 m3 · Consumo de oxigénio no reactor de 604 kg/d · Razão de recirculação igual a 0,8 · Volume total do decantador secundário igual a 540 m3 · Diâmetro do decantador secundário igual a 15 m A quantidade de oxigénio necessário é baixa e o valor mais adequado deverá ser da ordem de 1200 kg/d. Também foi efectuada uma análise aos produtos químicos consumidos pela empresa na área das tinturarias com a finalidade de identificar as substâncias com uma maior influência potencial no funcionamento da Estação de Tratamento Biológico. O encolante CB, Cera Têxtil P Líquida, Perfemina P-12, Meropan DPE-P, Meropan BRE-P, Indimina STS e Benzym TEC são os produtos químicos que têm uma influência potencial mais significativa na qualidade dos efluentes. Devido ao facto das temperaturas do efluente alimentado ao tratamento biológico da Mundotêxtil oscilarem entre 35 ºC e 43ºC efectuou-se um estudo às necessidades de água quente das tinturarias e por outro lado à capacidade de aquecimento dos efluentes disponíveis. Actualmente a racionalização dos consumos de água é cada vez mais premente, por isso também é apresentado neste trabalho um estudo para a substituição das máquinas convencionais das tinturarias com uma relação de banho 1:10 por máquinas de banho curto (1:6,5). Verifica-se a redução de consumos de 40% de água, 52% de energia eléctrica, 35% de produtos químicos, 51% das necessidades de vapor e por consequência um aumento da produtividade. A empresa pode reduzir os consumos de água em cerca de 280.000 m3/ano. A utilização do pré-tratamento com o coagulante permitirá baixar a concentração da CQO e reduzir a cor à entrada do reactor tratamento biológico. Deste modo é possível manter um tratamento eficiente à saída do tratamento biológico nas situações de descarga de cores carregadas e carga orgânica elevada. Com este conjunto de soluções, quer sejam aplicadas na totalidade ou não, a empresa Mundotêxtil pode enfrentar o futuro com mais confiança podendo estar preparada para fazer face à escassez de água e custos cada vez maiores da energia. Por outro lado pode tratar os seus efluentes a custos menores. A substituição das máquinas de tingimento por máquinas com relação de banho mais baixa (banho curto) implica investimentos elevados mas estes investimentos são necessários não só por motivos ambientais mas também devido à grande competitividade dos mercados.

Novel approaches for culturing hepatocytes for drug testing applications

Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D degree in Biochemisry, Biotechnology

In vitro inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum by substances isolated from Amazonian antimalarial plants

In the present study, a quassinoid, neosergeolide, isolated from the roots and stems of Picrolemma sprucei (Simaroubaceae), the indole alkaloids ellipticine and aspidocarpine, isolated from the bark of Aspidosperma vargasii and A. desmanthum (Apocynaceae), respectively, and 4-nerolidylcatechol, isolated from the roots of Pothomorphe peltata (Piperaceae), all presented significant in vitro inhibition (more active than quinine and chloroquine) of the multi-drug resistant K1 strain of Plasmodium falciparum. Neosergeolide presented activity in the nanomolar range. This is the first report on the antimalarial activity of these known, natural compounds. This is also the first report on the isolation of aspidocarpine from A. desmanthum. These compounds are good candidates for pre-clinical tests as novel lead structures with the aim of finding new antimalarial prototypes and lend support to the traditional use of the plants from which these compounds are derived.

Educational intervention on malignant hyperthermia with nursing professionals of the operating room

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention on malignant hyperthermia with operating room nurses. METHOD A quasi-experimental study, aimed at an educational intervention of short duration with the nursing staff in the operating room of the institution hosting the research in the city of São Paulo, with the participation of 96 professionals. Pre-intervention tests and post-intervention tests were applied, which consisted of a lecture followed by simulation. RESULTS Considering the overall results of the intervention, there was a statistically significant difference (p<0.00). After the educational intervention, there was an increase of the minimum and maximum scores, and average growth of 2.64 points in the knowledge of professionals when compared to the previous step. CONCLUSION The educational intervention strategy favors the concept of the content developed by everyone involved and qualifies professionals to work safely.

Törmäysystävällisen valaisinpylvään tuotteistaminen

Euroopan unioni on tiukentanut teiden laitteiden ja tukirakenteiden törmäysturvallisuusvaatimuksia. Uuden standardoinnin tarkoituksena on lieventää ajoneuvon kuljettajan ja matkustajan vammojen vakavuutta ajoneuvon törmätessä tielaitteiden pysyviin rakenteisiin. Käytännössä rakenteiden tulee hidastaa ajoneuvon nopeutta hallitusti eri törmäysnopeuksilla, jolloin matkustajaan kohdistuvat kiihtyvyydet eivät aiheuta vakavaa loukkaantumisriskiä. Vuonna 2005 Mikkelin ammattikorkeakoulun YTI-tutkimuskeskus ja Tehomet Oy kehittivät ensimmäisen version törmäysystävällisestä valaisinpylväästä. Tässä diplomityössä tavoitteena oli kehittää aikaisemmin tehdystä versiosta helpommin valmistettava versio sekä parantaa pylvään törmäyskäyttäytymistä. Valmistusmenetelmistä valittiin pultruusio, kuitukelaus, alipaineinjektio ja RTM. Menetelmille suunniteltiin soveltuvat rakenteet ja laskettiin rakenteiden valmistuskustannukset. Pultruusiolla, alipaineinjektiolla ja RTM:11ä valmistettiin koe-erä esitörmäyskokeita varten. Esitörmäyskokeiden jälkeen valittiin valmistusmenetelmäksi RTM. TKK/Tielaboratorion virallisissa testeissä kehitetylle pylväälle myönnettiin HE2-turvaluokitus. Hanketta jatketaan kehittämällä valmistusprosessia tehokkaammaksi uudistamalla muottitekniikkaa sekä ottamalla käyttöön lujiteaihiot. Tavoitteena on käynnistää tuotanto keväällä 2008. Kehitetty pylväs esitellään kansainvälisillä "Sähkö, Tele, Valo- ja AV 2008"-messuilla Jyväskylän Paviljongissa 6.-8.2.2008.

Atuação dos profissionais de enfermagem durante o processo transfusional na UTI de um hostital universitário

Prospective descriptive study with quantitative approach, which aimed to analyze the relationship of the knowledge of Nurses and conduct assistance during the process of transfusion, to patients in the ICU of a university hospital in Natal-RN. The sample consisted of 27 professionals from the nursing staff (5 nurses and 22 nursing technicians), climbing in the ICU during the period of data collection. Data collection was through a questionnaire and structured form of observation, in addition to consulting the diary. The results were organized in SPSS 15.0, tabulated, cathegorized and analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. The results show a young population, aged between 21 and 32 years (63.0%), female (85.2%). Among those surveyed were the main type of stock, mostly technical, nursing (ρ= 0006), which have little time to experience - up to 2 years (ρ= 0008), did not know the DRC in 153 (ρ= 0019), held greater number of pipelines care in blood (ρ= 0018), the non-participation in training and feel informed about the process of transfusion, showed no significant differences. As for officials, highlighted only the time to experience more than 2 years, carrying out fewer procedures and feel informed about the blood. As for the pipes during the transfusion process, I found that the majority of pipes observed in both the stock and the staff were inadequate, with predominance in the first, both in the pursuit of conduct regarding the shortfall. The averages of inappropriate conduct, predominantly developed by stock, were higher in all stages for appropriate conduct. Analyzing the knowledge about the disease process, the stock market were those who had lower scores of knowledge in three stages. As the relationship between the pipes care and knowledge, we see that at all stages of the process of transfusion inadequate knowledge of the averages were higher, taking a significant difference in the stages pre-transfusion (ρ= 0012). When analyzing the average of pipes behind, we see that in inappropriate conduct were significantly higher (ρ= 0031), who had searched in inadequate knowledge. As for the frequency of total procedures performed, we found a significant predominance (ρ= 0049) of inappropriate conduct (88.9%) of which 81.5% were developed by professionals who had inadequate knowledge, showing moderate correlation (r = 0,516) and odds ratio of 2,750 times the development of inappropriate conduct in trade with inadequate knowledge. We conclude that the professionals surveyed, especially the technicians of nursing stock, showed serious deficiencies with regard to the development of pipelines and knowledge of the transfusion process, showing the inadequacy to develop this therapy. Facing the foregoing, we accept the alternative hypothesis proposed in the study, because we show that the inadequacy of knowledge about the process of transfusion influence in inappropriate conduct implemented by the nursing staff in ICU.

Alterações nutricionais em hortaliças decorrentes de diferentes métodos de cozimento

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

Estudo fitoquímico e atividades biológicas preliminares de extratos de Polygonum Acre (Polygonaceae) H.B.K. e Synadenium Carinatum (Euphorbiaceae) Boiss

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Sistemas nanoestruturados mucoadesivos para administração nasal de zidovudina

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Atividade diurética dos extratos aquoso e etanólico de Bugre (Hedyosmum brasiliense Miq.) e seus efeitos na pressão arterial média em testes pré-clÍnicos

The object of this study was assess through pre-clinical tests, the possible diuretic activity and the effects on the mean arterial pressure of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of branches of “bugre”, Hedyosmum brasiliense Miq., species used in the treatment of renal and urinary disorders The tests were made in males anesthetized Wistar rats and randomly distributed into 4 experimental groups: Group I – Water control, group II – treated with aqueous extract (EA) of “bugre”, Group III – water control + “tween 80”, group IV – treated with ethanol extract (EE) and “bugre”. All groups were subjected to experimental protocol, composed of three periods: Balance (40 minutes), Basal (30 minutes) and Experimental (90 minutes), occurring the urine collection every 30 minutes, from the basal period and measuring blood pressure every 10 minutes. The results presented validate the ethnobotany indication of the use of H. brasiliense tea in the treatment of renal problems, because increased significantly the urinary flow in anesthetized Wistar rats (diuretic effect), without changing significantly (p>0,05) the arterial pressure

Alterações nuricionais em casca e polpa de cenoura decorrentes de diferentes métodos de cozimento

The aim of this study was to verify the carrot cooking most suitable method to minimize nutrient losses. Carrot peel slices were subjected to pre cooking tests that were initiated with 0.5 min of duration and then increased in 0.5 min successively. The carrot pieces texture was monitored during the pre tests so all would havethe same texture independent of the type of cooking. The degree of softennes was evaluated by pressuring the pieces between the toes. The carrot pulp and pell were subjected to four types of heat treatment (pressure, immersion, microwave, and steam), after that they were pounded with a food processor and stored at -18 ºC. The nutritional analyses were as follow: The evalu determination of proteins, lipids, fibers, sugars reducers, total of ascorbic acid content and minerals (iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium). The analyses were accomplished with fresh carrot and after cooking with the different methods. The peel of the carrot presented as amounts of proteins, lipids, fibers percentages, sugars reducers, total and ascorbic acid content equivalent to the pulp. In addition, the minerals content was superior in the peel in relation to the pulp, presenting respective percentages of 38,10%, 95,12%, 47,04%, 58,88%, 70,27% and 21,27%. There were nutrient losses in relation to the raw vegetable, when the carrot pieces were submitted to the different cooking methods. The methods of steaming and microwave had lower nutritional losses.

Correlação entre os resultados pré-operatórios de testes cardiopulmonares e a evolução pós-operatória em cirurgia bariátrica

Pós-graduação em Bases Gerais da Cirurgia - FMB