Search

The Venezuelan red mud (RM) is an environmental hazard material which was recycled and modified as support of Mo catalysts for the reaction of thiophene hydrodesulfurization (HDS). The catalysts were prepared using a dry RM impregnated with ammonium heptamolybdate. An non-replicated 32 factorial design was used with two factors: sulfuric acid concentration and MoO3 w/w percentage and three levels: 2, 3 and 4 mol/L of sulfuric acid and 5, 10 and 15% w/w MoO3, respectively. The supports and catalytic precursors were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), BET surface measurements and chemical analysis by atomic absorption to determine the Fe concentration. The highest conversions of thiophene were obtained for catalysts prepared with a low sulfuric acid concentration (2 mol/L) and a medium MoO3 concentration (10 w/w%) being superior to those obtained with a commercial CoMo/Al2O3 catalyst. Acid concentration was statistically significant compared to MoO3 loading. These results could be related to the Fe presence from RM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the laser cladding process, control of the process parameters and knowledge of the characteristics of the materials used are essential for obtaining depositions with excellent metallurgical union, satisfactory dilution values, absence of defects, and acceptable geometric characteristics. Without such precautions, depositions can exhibit low or excess dilution, low wettability, and the presence of pores, consequently reducing the performance of the materials. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effects of the laser beam power, with maximum power of 4000 W and continuous wave mode, and scanning speed in laser cladding processes employing the AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel and the AISI 431 martensitic stainless steel, considering the geometric characteristics, dilution, and structural defects of the depositions. It was found that the laser power had a greater effect on the width and dilution of the depositions, while the scanning speed influenced the deposition height. The depositions of AISI 431 steel presented dilution values between 9 and 25%, using power settings between 1400 and 1600 W. The depositions of AISI 316L steel required higher power values between 1900 and 2600 W to achieve dilution values between 15 and 41%. The existence of pores and satisfactory hardness values were observed for both materials, with the average of microhardness of 522 HV0.5/15 and 356 HV0.5/15 on the AISI 431 and AISI 316L depositions. It was also found that the different characteristics of the addition metals, considering their morphology, particle size distribution, and flow rate, led to significant changes in the geometric features of the depositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cadernos Saúde Coletiva is the property of Instituto de Estudos em Saude Colectiva (IESC) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) is an effective treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease; however, some patients develop dysphagia postoperatively. Manometry is used to evaluate disorders of peristalsis, but has not been proven useful to identify which patients may be at risk for postoperative dysphagia. Multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII) evaluates the effective clearance of a swallowed bolus through the esophagus. We hypothesized that MII combined with manometry may detect those patients most at risk of developing dysphagia after LNF. Between March 2003 and January 2007, 74 patients who agreed to participate in this study were prospectively enrolled. All patients completed a preoperative symptom questionnaire, MII/manometry, and 24-h pH monitoring. All patients underwent LNF. Symptom questionnaires were administered postoperatively at a median of 18 months (range: 6–46 months), and we defined dysphagia (both preoperatively and postoperatively) as occurring more than once a month with a severity ≥4 (0–10 Symptom Severity Index). Thirty-two patients (43%) reported preoperative dysphagia, but there was no significant difference in pH monitoring, lower esophageal sphincter pressure/relaxation, peristalsis, liquid or viscous bolus transit (MII), or bolus transit time (MII) between patients with and without preoperative dysphagia. In those patients reporting preoperative dysphagia, the severity of dysphagia improved significantly from 6.8 ± 2 to 2.6 ± 3.4 ( P < 0.001) after LNF. Thirteen (17%) patients reported dysphagia postoperatively, 10 of whom (75%) reported some degree of preoperative dysphagia. The presence of postoperative dysphagia was significantly more common in patients with preoperative dysphagia ( P= 0.01). Patients with postoperative dysphagia had similar lower esophageal sphincter pressure and relaxation, peristalsis, and esophageal clearance to those without dysphagia. Neither MII nor manometry predicts dysphagia in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease or its occurrence after LNF. The presence of dysphagia preoperatively is the only predictor of dysphagia after LNF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background Allergenic components in melon extracts have not been described in spite of the fact that melon (Cucumis melo ) is a frequent allergy-eliciting fruit. The aim of this study was to evaluate allergenic components in melon extract and to report the identification of cucumisin as a major melon allergen. Materials and methods Sera from 35 patients allergic to melon were selected on the basis of clinical symptoms, skin prick tests and oral challenge test. Allergenic components were detected by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. Molecular characterization of IgE-binding bands was performed by N-terminal amino acid sequencing. Results More than 10 IgE-binding bands, between 10 and 80 kDa, were identified in melon extract. Out of them, four IgE-binding bands were major allergens: 14 kDa, 36 kDa, 54 kDa and 67 kDa. These major allergens, except 14 kDa band, showed the same N-terminal sequence: T-T-R-S-W-D-F-L. Research conducted with protein databases identified this N-terminal sequence as cucumisin, an alkaline serine protease, which shares structural homology with microbial subtilisin. The molecular mass of the identified bands corresponds with different molecular forms of cucumisin produced during the processing or degradation of the enzyme: 67 kDa native cucumisin, 54 kDa mature cucumisin and 36 kDa NH2 -terminal cucumisin fragment. Conclusion Cucumisin (Cuc m 1) and several N-terminal cucumisin fragments are the major allergens of melon. The ubiquitous distribution of this protein family (cucumisin-like proteases) in many plant species and its high structural similarity suggest its potential role as a new panallergen in plant foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The evaluation of the international distribution in biomedicine research is a subject that creates expectations. This study assesses the recent evolution of world-wide distribution of research in the anaesthesiology field and discusses some of the possible factors which could give rise to changes in the interpretation of absolute results.Methods: A search on Medline was run to obtain the source country of the journal articles (with abstract) from 10 important anaesthesia journals in the 1997-2001 period. The data were analysed and standardized to journal impact factor values of each publication and population size. Annual evolution in the number of publications in the countries with the largest scientific production was analysed. Furthermore, the distribution of articles by country of origin was studied for each journal.Results: The 9724 publications came from 65 countries. In absolute numbers, the USA leads research in anaesthesiology (24.4%). The evaluation of the contribution of the more productive countries revealed a progressive increase in the German contribution (from 5.1% to 9.4%) and a decrease in the American contribution (from 28.6% to 21.8%) over the 5 years analysed. In relative terms, Finland, Sweden and Denmark were the most productive countries per million inhabitants (8.8, 7.2 and 6 publications/year, respectively).Conclusion: The geographic distribution of the publications on anaesthesiology must not only be analysed in absolute numbers, where the USA is the most productive. The North-European countries show the largest production/number of inhabitants ratio; whereas the largest percentage increase during the period is found in Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adrenergic stress response induced by laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation (LTI) appears to be attenuated by esmolol, but its potential clinical benefits have not been fully weighed against possible adverse effects.Methods: A systematic search up to May 2000 was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, Cochrane library, manual searching and bibliographies in all languages. All randomised comparisons of esmolol with placebo on the haemodynamic changes elicited by LTI were obtained. Trials were included in the present meta-analysis if they recorded heart rate (HR), systolic pressure (SBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) or diastolic pressure (DBP) at three different stages: pre-induction, immediately prior to intubation, and in the post-intubation period. Weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the changes in the haemodynamic variables between treatment and placebo groups were calculated.Results: Of 72 publications identified, 38 randomised controlled trials containing a total of 2009 patients were finally included. Eleven different regimens and doses of esmolol demonstrated effectiveness in the attenuation of HR and BP after LTI in a dose-dependent manner. The most effective regimen was a loading dose of 500 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) over 4 min followed by continuous infusion dose of 200-300 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) [WMD: 20.2 bpm (95% CI: 15.6 to 24.7)]. High bolus dose (200 mg) of esmolol produced a considerable decrease in DBP [WMD 10.1 mmHg (95% CI: 7.3 to 12.8)].Conclusion: Esmolol is effective, in a dose-dependent manner, in the attenuation of the adrenergic response to LTI. To minimise its adverse effects it should be administered, when considered clinically appropriate, as a continuous infusion regimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Allergy to plant-derived fresh foods has often been reported in geographical areas where birch or ragweed pollens are frequent and has been attributed to cross-reactivity to pollens. Objective The aim of this study has been to evaluate allergy to plant-derived fresh foods among pollen-allergic patients from a birch and ragweed-free area. Methods Ninety-five pollen-allergic patients took part in the study. The study consisted of a questionnaire, skin prick tests and challenge tests. Pollen skin tests to five grasses, eight trees and seven weeds were performed in duplicate. Prick tests (prick by prick) and challenge tests were carried out with the fresh foods. Results Most patients allergic to pollens were sensitized to grass (Lolium and Phleum; 97.9%), followed by tree (Olea; 82.1%) and weed pollens (Plantago; 64.2%). 35 of the 95 pollen-allergic patients had positive skin test responses to some plant-derived fresh foods, the highest percentage corresponding to several fruits in the Rosaceae family (peach and pear, 26.3%), followed by Cucurbitacea fruits (melon, 13.7%). The 21.05% of the pollen-allergic patients were allergic to some type of plant-derived fresh food. Peach was the plant-derived fresh food which most frequently elicited allergy symptoms (12.6%), followed by melon (7.36%). The cluster of positive responses to Rosaceae fruits was higher for skin testing than for challenge testing. Conclusion Peach was the most important allergy provoking fruit in a birch and ragweed free-area where apples were consumed at a rate of two times more than peaches and the patients allergic to pollen were principally sensitized to grass pollens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SummaryThe post-operative anti-emetic efficacy of 4 and 8 mg of ondansetron in adult patients with and without a previous history of motion sickness (PHMS) was assessed by meta-analysis. MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for randomized placebo-controlled trials evaluating the anti-emetic effectÍiveness of ondansetron in a 24-h period. In the 49 studies found, a further selection was with respect to those studies that noted the patient's previous history of motion sickness. Twelve trials involving 2122 patients; 446 previous history of motion sickness(+) patients and 1676 previous history of motion sickness(–) patients met the selection criteria. The dose of 4 mg ondansetron was 71.5% more effective in previous history of motion sickness(+) than in previous history of motion sickness(–) patients. For the 8 mg dose, the odds ratios (95% CI) were: previous history of motion sickness(+)=3.11 (1.40–6.93) and previous history of motion sickness(–)=2.08 (1.35–3.21). The calculated number needed to treat was also more favourable in previous history of motion sickness(+) patients for both doses of ondansetron, demonstrating a higher effectiveness in this subgroup of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objective of this study was to compare, by means of meta-analysis, the postoperative antiemetic efficacy of ondansetron in patients with and without antecedents of postoperative nausea and vomiting.Methods: MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for randomised placebo-controlled trials which evaluated the antiemetic effectiveness of 4 mg and 8 mg intravenous doses of prophylactic ondansetron in adult patients. A further selection was with respect to those studies which noted the patient's previous history of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PH-PONV) and, for the meta-analysis, the patients were divided into two sub-groups: those with (PH-PONV +) and those without a previous history of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PH-PONV -). Absence of vomiting was used as the index of effectiveness.Results: Twenty-one trials involving 3984 patients (2446 in ondansetron groups and 1538 in placebo groups; 1163 PH-PONV(+) patients and 2821 PH-PONV(-) patients) met the selection criteria. The effectiveness of the 4 mg dose of ondansetron was: OR (95% CI)=2.40 (1.77-3.26) vs. 2.71 (2.23-3.30) for the patients of PH-PONV(+) and PH-PONV(-) sub-groups, respectively. For the 8 mg dose, the effectiveness of ondansetron was: PH-PONV(+)=4.21 (2.66-6.66) and PH-PONV(-)=2.61 (1.81-3.59). For neither of the doses evaluated was there any significant statistical difference between the sub-groups.Conclusions: The effectiveness of ondansetron in the prevention of postoperative vomiting is not affected by the patients' PH-PONV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents studies related to contact dermatitis. Eyelid dermatitis; Hypersensitivity to sesame in foods and cosmetics; Textile dye contact dermatitis.

We report the clinical characteristics of peach allergy encountered in a population of peach-allergic patients. We evaluated 165 patients. The 70 peach-allergic patients were diagnosed through clinical history, the skin prick-prick test, and open oral challenge and rub tests to peach. As a pollinic control group. 95 pollen-allergic patients were also evaluated. Some 49% of the patients were male and 51% female. The mean age was 20±8 years. Oral allergy syndrome (86%) was the most common symptom, followed by contact urticaria (61%) and systemic symptoms (26%). Some 67% of the patients were allergic to peach pulp, and 36% reported symptoms related to canned peach. Canned peach and pulp symptoms were statistically associated (P<0.01), and symptoms to canned peach were more frequently reported by patients with systemic symptoms (P <0.05). On evaluation of the peach-allergic patients" characteristics, three risk factors - allergy to peach pulp, allergy to canned peach, and peach allergy in non-pollen-allergic patients - were found, indicating development of systemic symptoms on eating peach. Most of the peach-allergic patients (81%) also had pollen allergy, which was linked to a higher prevalence of asthma (73%) than in the pollen-allergic patients of the control group (48%): this difference was statistically significant (P <0.01). Finally, two groups were clearly defined by the seriousness of the peach allergy - the non-pollen-allergic patients were more predisposed to the occurrence of systemic symptoms (>50%), and the pollen-allergic patients to asthma (>70%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and their afterglows are the most brilliant transient events in the Universe. Both the bursts themselves and their afterglows have been predicted to be visible out to redshifts of z ≈ 20, and therefore to be powerful probes of the early Universe. The burst GRB 000131, at z = 4.50, was hitherto the most distant such event identified. Here we report the discovery of the bright near-infrared afterglow of GRB 050904 (ref. 4). From our measurements of the near-infrared afterglow, and our failure to detect the optical afterglow, we determine the photometric redshift of the burst to be z = 6.39 - 0.12 + 0.11 (refs 5–7). Subsequently, it was measured spectroscopically to be z = 6.29 ± 0.01, in agreement with our photometric estimate. These results demonstrate that GRBs can be used to trace the star formation, metallicity, and reionization histories of the early Universe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes a case of generalized dermatitis due to pseudoephedrine. Clinical manifestations; Medical history; Diagnostic results; Treatment regimen.

Examines the allergen levels of mite species in house dust samples collected from homes of asthmatic patients in Madrid, Spain. Bronchial hyperactivity of mite species; Immunoglobulin E-mediated sensitization of patients to Blomia tropicalis; Measurement of allergen levels by enzyme-linked immunorsorbent assay using monoclonal antibodies.

Background: We report on a 21-year-old atopic woman who developed urticaria, angioedema of the face, and wheezy dyspnea shortly after drinking beer and after eating a corn-made snack. Methods: Skin prick tests and specific IgE determinations to beer ingredients and cereal extracts were performed. Immunoblotting inhibition assays were carried out to investigate possible common allergens shared by barley and malt with corn. Results: Skin prick tests and specific IgE measurements with beer, barley, malt, wheat, corn, rye, rice, and oat flour were positive. Ten pollen-allergic patients showed negative skin tests to beer. Double-blind, placebo-controlled, oral challenge tests with sodium metabisulfite and wheat flour were negative. Immunoblotting demonstrated several IgE-binding bands at 31–56 kDa in malt and barley extracts, and a major band at 38 kDa in the beer extract. Immunoblot inhibition assays showed that malt extract was able to inhibit most of the IgE-binding bands in wheat and corn extracts, whereas corn did not produce significant inhibition to barley and malt extracts. Conclusions: This patient developed type I hypersensitivity to barley/malt and corn. Although she also showed IgE reactivity to wheat and other cereals, no symptoms were elicited upon ingestion of these cereals, probably indicating latent sensitization to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]