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BackgroundThe Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS) Junior stent is newly approved for the treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms.ObjectiveTo report our multicenter experience with use of the LVIS Jr device.MethodsThe neurointerventional databases of the participating institutions were retrospectively reviewed for aneurysms treated with LVIS Jr from the time of Food and Drug Administration approval until February 2016. All patients in the study period were included. Clinical presentation, aneurysm location, aneurysm size, vessel size, procedural complications, clinical and imaging follow-up were included in the analysis.ResultsEighty-five patients (54 female and 31 male) met the inclusion criteria for the study. Sixty-eight (80%) of the aneurysms were unruptured and the remainder were ruptured. The most common location of the treated aneurysms was anterior communicating artery (36%), middle cerebral artery bifurcation (22%), and basilar terminus (15%). The mean aneurysm size was 6.1 mm. The mean minimum parent vessel size was 2.3 mm. The LVIS Jr was successfully deployed in all but one case (99%). Initial angiographic results demonstrated Roy–Raymond class 1–2 occlusions in 61/84 patients (73%). At 6 months, 85% of the patients seen at follow-up had Roy–Raymond class 1–2 aneurysm occlusion. No procedure-related deaths occurred. Two cases of procedure-related complications (intraprocedural rupture and delayed rupture at day 2) were seen, leading to permanent neurologic morbidity. Both these cases were in patients with ruptured aneurysms.ConclusionsThe LVIS Jr is a technically feasible, safe, and effective treatment for wide-necked intracranial aneurysms. Early results are promising but will need to be corroborated with longer-term follow-up.

This work presents the results of a survey carried out among Brazilian calibration laboratories accredited under ISO/IEC 17025:2005 with the objective to identify how these laboratories investigate the root causes of unsatisfactory results in proficiency testing. The survey was coordinated by the Brazilian accreditation body, the General Coordination for Accreditation (Cgcre), of the Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (Inmetro).

The use of long-period gratings (LPGs) to distribute optical power from one core to all the cores in a multicore fiber (MCF) is theoretically analyzed. Simple analytical expressions that describe the mode power’s evolution along the LPGs are derived from the coupled mode equations. This study demonstrated the power transfer between cores in a MCF promoted by identical LPGs. Moreover, with this technique, the pump signal can be distributed to all the cores without interfering with the transmission signals.

One of the early predictors of cardiovascular diseases, with growing interest, is the arterial stiffness which is typically evaluated through the velocity and morphology of the arterial pressure wave. In each cardiac cycle the heart generates a pressure wave which propagates through the arterial tree. Along its path, the pressure wave interacts with the arterial walls and, consequently, the morphology of a local arterial pressure wave can be assessed by the arterial distention movement. Due to its superficiality, proximity of the heart and high probability of atherosclerosis development, the carotid artery has particular interest to be monitored. In this work, the development of a non-invasive fibre Bragg grating (FBG) probe for the acquisition of the arterial distention wave is presented. Comparing to traditional methods, optical FBG based sensors can offer many advantages, namely, compactness, immunity to electromagnetic interference, high sensitivity, low noise and immunity to light source intensity due to its codification in the wavelength domain. The arterial movements induce strain on a uniform FBG, with the arterial distention pattern. The carotid pulse wave was successful accessed in young human carotid artery, with an acquisition rate of 950 Hz, allowing a clear distinction of the carotid pulse identification points.

Pulmonary myxoma is an extremely rare benign neoplasm. It is mostly parenchymal but may occasionally occur within the tracheobronchial tree. There are very few reports of endobronchial myxoma.

The aim of the present work was the assessment of economic and environmental aspects of decentralized energy-saving wastewater treatment systems. The formulated investment and operation cost functions were adjusted by a power law function. The different wastewater systems serving population settlements between 50 p.e. and 250 p.e., presented associated investment costs varying from €400/p.e. to €200/p.e. and annual operation costs in the range of €70/p.e.– €20/ p.e., respectively. A life cycle analysis approach was used to compare the environmental impact of alternative wastewater treatment systems. The assessment was focused on two energy-saving systems (constructed wetland and slow rate infiltration) and a conventional one (activated sludge process). Low environmental impact of energy-saving wastewater treatment systems was demonstrated, being the most relevant the global warming indicator. Options for reduction of life cycle impacts were assessed including materials used in construction and operation lifetime of the systems. A 10% extension of operation lifetime of constructed wetland and slow rate infiltration systems lead to a 5% and 7% decrease in the abiotic depletion indicator, respectively, and to a 1% decrease in CO2emissions in both systems. Replacing steel with HDPE in the activated sludge tank resulted in a 1% reduction in CO2 emission and 1% in the abiotic depletion indicator. In the case of the Imhoff tank a 1% reduction in CO2emissions and 5% in abiotic depletion indicator were observed when concrete was replaced by HDPE. Therefore, considering the huge potential of energy saving wastewater treatment systems, the overall environmental impact of such design alternatives should not be discarded.

A cost-effectiveness integrated methodology applied in a water resources management and sanitation project in Minho and Lima's region (Portugal) is presented. First, environmental objectives and programmes of measures (PM) are established and priorities are identified using a cause-effect assessment matrix and a global effectiveness index. Aiming to achieve more demanding goals, some complementary actions are considered, including “decentralized low-energy wastewater treatment plants construction”. A geographic information system was used to select potential implementation sites, and suitable treatment processes for each location are identified. The centralized and decentralized wastewater treatment plants combination is promising, achieving a cost-effectiveness attendance of €1510/equivalent-inhabitant in Minho-Lima river basins.

A cost-effectiveness integrated methodology applied in a water resources management and sanitation project in Minho and Lima's region (Portugal) is presented. First, environmental objectives and programmes of measures (PM) are established and priorities are identified using a cause-effect assessment matrix and a global effectiveness index. Aiming to achieve more demanding goals, some complementary actions are considered, including “decentralized low-energy wastewater treatment plants construction”. A geographic information system was used to select potential implementation sites, and suitable treatment processes for each location are identified. The centralized and decentralized wastewater treatment plants combination is promising, achieving a cost-effectiveness attendance of €1510/equivalent-inhabitant in Minho-Lima river basins.

The aim of the present work was the assessment of economic and environmental aspects of decentralized energy-saving wastewater treatment systems. The formulated investment and operation cost functions were adjusted by a power law function. The different wastewater systems serving population settlements between 50 p.e. and 250 p.e., presented associated investment costs varying from €400/p.e. to €200/p.e. and annual operation costs in the range of €70/p.e.– €20/ p.e., respectively. A life cycle analysis approach was used to compare the environmental impact of alternative wastewater treatment systems. The assessment was focused on two energy-saving systems (constructed wetland and slow rate infiltration) and a conventional one (activated sludge process). Low environmental impact of energy-saving wastewater treatment systems was demonstrated, being the most relevant the global warming indicator. Options for reduction of life cycle impacts were assessed including materials used in construction and operation lifetime of the systems. A 10% extension of operation lifetime of constructed wetland and slow rate infiltration systems lead to a 5% and 7% decrease in the abiotic depletion indicator, respectively, and to a 1% decrease in CO2emissions in both systems. Replacing steel with HDPE in the activated sludge tank resulted in a 1% reduction in CO2 emission and 1% in the abiotic depletion indicator. In the case of the Imhoff tank a 1% reduction in CO2emissions and 5% in abiotic depletion indicator were observed when concrete was replaced by HDPE. Therefore, considering the huge potential of energy saving wastewater treatment systems, the overall environmental impact of such design alternatives should not be discarded.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of carbon availability and intermittent aeration on nitrogen removal in a Sequencing Batch Biofilm Reactor (SBBR). The percentage of nitrogen removal in the SBBRs operating with dump fill and slow fill with optimum intermittent aeration was quite similar, 75.7% and 69.2%, respectively, indicating that intermittent aeration allowed a considerable energy saving without compromising significantly nitrogen removal. Accumulation of storage polymers by heterotrophic bacteria was only observed in the dump fill mode of operation. FISH analyses of the biofilm indicated that ammonia-oxidisers belonged to the beta-subclass Proteobacteria and nitrite-oxidisers were affiliated with the genus Nitrospira.

ABSTRACTThe interplay between mucosal immune responses to natural exposure to mutans streptococci and the incorporation and accumulation of these cariogenic microorganisms in oral biofilms is unclear. An initial approach to explore this question would be to assess the native secretory immunity emerging as a consequence of Streptococcus mutansinfection. To this end, we analyzed salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibody to mutans streptococcal glucosyltransferase (Gtf) and glucan binding protein B (GbpB) and to domains associated with enzyme function and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II binding in two experiments. Salivas were collected from approximately 45-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats, which were then infected with S. mutansSJ32. Infection was verified and allowed to continue for 2 to 2.5 months. Salivas were again collected following the infection period. Pre- and postinfection salivas were then analyzed for IgA antibody activity using peptide- or protein-coated microsphere Luminex technology. S. mutansinfection induced significant levels of salivary IgA antibody to Gtf (P< 0.002) and GbpB (P< 0.001) in both experiments, although the levels were usually far lower than the levels achieved when mucosal immunization is used. Significantly (P< 0.035 to P< 0.001) elevated levels of postinfection salivary IgA antibody to 6/10 Gtf peptides associated with either enzyme function or MHC binding were detected. The postinfection levels of antibody to two GbpB peptides in the N-terminal region of the six GbpB peptides assayed were also elevated (P< 0.031 and P< 0.001). Interestingly, the patterns of the rodent response to GbpB peptides were similar to the patterns seen in salivas from young children during their initial exposure to S. mutans.Thus, the presence of a detectable postinfection salivary IgA response to mutans streptococcal virulence-associated components, coupled with the correspondence between rat and human mucosal immune responsiveness to naturally presented Gtf and GbpB epitopes, suggests that the rat may be a useful model for defining mucosal responses that could be expected in humans. Under controlled infection conditions, such a model could prove to be helpful for unraveling relationships between the host response and oral biofilm development.

The interplay between mucosal immune responses to natural exposure to mutans streptococci and the incorporation and accumulation of these cariogenic microorganisms in oral biofilms is unclear. An initial approach to explore this question would be to assess the native secretory immunity emerging as a consequence of Streptococcus mutans infection. To this end, we analyzed salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibody to mutans streptococcal glucosyltransferase (Gtf) and glucan binding protein B (GbpB) and to domains associated with enzyme function and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II binding in two experiments. Salivas were collected from approximately 45-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats, which were then infected with S. mutans SJ32. Infection was verified and allowed to continue for 2 to 2.5 months. Salivas were again collected following the infection period. Pre- and postinfection salivas were then analyzed for IgA antibody activity using peptide- or protein-coated microsphere Luminex technology. S. mutans infection induced significant levels of salivary IgA antibody to Gtf (P < 0.002) and GbpB (P < 0.001) in both experiments, although the levels were usually far lower than the levels achieved when mucosal immunization is used. Significantly (P < 0.035 to P < 0.001) elevated levels of postinfection salivary IgA antibody to 6/10 Gtf peptides associated with either enzyme function or MHC binding were detected. The postinfection levels of antibody to two GbpB peptides in the N-terminal region of the six GbpB peptides assayed were also elevated (P < 0.031 and P < 0.001). Interestingly, the patterns of the rodent response to GbpB peptides were similar to the patterns seen in salivas from young children during their initial exposure to S. mutans. Thus, the presence of a detectable postinfection salivary IgA response to mutans streptococcal virulence-associated components, coupled with the correspondence between rat and human mucosal immune responsiveness to naturally presented Gtf and GbpB epitopes, suggests that the rat may be a useful model for defining mucosal responses that could be expected in humans. Under controlled infection conditions, such a model could prove to be helpful for unraveling relationships between the host response and oral biofilm development.

This work aimed to prepare biodegradable polymeric materials based on blends of a synthetic high density polyethylene (HDPE) and biodegradable polymers such as polylactic acid (PCL) and poly(caprolactone) (PLA), in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder. A polyethylene modified with maleic anhydride was used as compatibiliser. The mechanical results showed that the addition of PLA improves the blends stiffness while the addition of PCL leads to materials with a greater elongation at break and a lower Young modulus. This feature is related with the mechanical properties of each material as well as the adhesion between them. Concerning the biodegradability tests, it was found that HDPE/PCL blend presents the highest degree of biodegradability.

Blends of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and biodegradable polymers – polylactic acid, PLA, poly(?-caprolactone), PCL and Mater-Bi® (thermoplastic starch (TPS) with PLA or PCL) – were prepared in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder, together with polyethylene modified with maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) used as compatibiliser. The mechanical and rheological properties, morphology and potential for biodeterioration of polymeric materials were evaluated. Blends with PLA showed a reduced elongation at break but an increased Young's modulus while the addition of PCL led to materials with a greater elongation at break and a lower Young modulus. The rheological results evidenced that HPDE and the blend with the highest TPS level exhibited the highest viscosity. The microbial growth test carried out to evaluate the potential for biodeterioration of the blends, using a pure culture of Pseudomonas fluorescens, indicated that HDPE/PCL had a lower resistance to bacterial attack than the blend of HDPE/PLA. This was verified by a higher cell number on its surface after 10 weeks of incubation. The addition of 30% starch to the HDPE/PLA blend enhanced its biodeterioration potential, the same was not observed in the case of the HDPE/PCL blend containing just 18% starch.

Rough and porous Ni layers have been obtained by cathodic deposition from a NiCl 2, NH 4Cl solution, at high current density. Characterisation by SEM has shown that they consisted of micro-dendrites separated by pores with a typical diameter of 1 μm. In addition, circular hollows (10–100 μm in diameter) were found on the deposit surface; their density varied with the deposition current density and deposition charge. The surface roughness of the Ni deposits, measured by EIS, was found to increase roughly linearly with the deposition charge, and to be little dependent on current density, provided a threshold value was exceeded. The oxygen evolution reaction has been studied on these electrodes by simultaneous real-time measurements of potential and electrolyte resistance fluctuations. The analysis of the electrochemical noise indicated that the dimensions of oxygen bubbles detaching from the electrodes slightly increased with the deposit surface roughness. It is not clear, however, whether or not this increase was associated with the effect of the small (1 μm) or the large (10–100 μm) features on the electrode-bubble interactions.

A study investigating the causes of rash diseases using systematic laboratory testing was conducted in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, between January 1994 to April 1998. Sera from 327 patients were tested for evidence of anti-rubella virus, measles virus, human parvovirus B19 and dengue fever virus specific immunoglobulin IgM and anti-human herpes virus type 6 (HHV-6) IgG antibodies. A laboratory confirmed diagnosis was achieved in 71·3% of the cases investigated: dengue fever (33·0%), rubella (20·2%), parvovirus B19 (9·2%), measles (6·7%) and HHV-6 (2·1%). No diagnosis was established for 94 cases (28·7%). An outbreak of measles was detected during 1997, with a peak in September and October. All of the diseases studied here presented with clinical features similar to measles and classical symptoms were found in all measles confirmed cases. The large overlap of combinations of signs and symptoms seen in this study highlights the difficulties of diagnosing a rash illness on clinical grounds alone.

A study investigating the causes of rash diseases using systematic laboratory testing was conducted in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, between January 1994 to April 1998. Sera from 327 patients were tested for evidence of anti-rubella virus, measles virus, human parvovirus B19 and dengue fever virus specific immunoglobulin IgM and anti-human herpes virus type 6 (HHV-6) IgG antibodies. A laboratory confirmed diagnosis was achieved in 71·3% of the cases investigated: dengue fever (33·0%), rubella (20·2%), parvovirus B19 (9·2%), measles (6·7%) and HHV-6 (2·1%). No diagnosis was established for 94 cases (28·7%). An outbreak of measles was detected during 1997, with a peak in September and October. All of the diseases studied here presented with clinical features similar to measles and classical symptoms were found in all measles confirmed cases. The large overlap of combinations of signs and symptoms seen in this study highlights the difficulties of diagnosing a rash illness on clinical grounds alone.

This paper presents the first results concerning tests carried out to evaluate the atmospheric corrosion in Brazilian Legal Amazon, as part of the SIVAM – Amazon Surveillance System. The aim of the present work is to determine and select materials as well as anti‐rust paints, which will be employed to protect metallic structures of radar towers, equipment and buildings. Five anti‐rust paints on mild and galvanised steels were tested. Field tests are supported by accelerated laboratory results in wet and drying cycles in electrolytes simulating different microclimates. These solutions were prepared in laboratory based on pH, conductivity and chloride content values of locally collected rainwater.

This paper presents the first results concerning tests carried out to evaluate the atmospheric corrosion in Brazilian Legal Amazon, as part of the SIVAM – Amazon Surveillance System. The aim of the present work is to determine and select materials as well as anti-rust paints, which will be employed to protect metallic structures of radar towers, equipment and buildings. Five anti-rust paints on mild and galvanised steels were tested. Field tests are supported by accelerated laboratory results in wet and drying cycles in electrolytes simulating different microclimates. These solutions were prepared in laboratory based on pH, conductivity and chloride content values of locally collected rainwater.

Background:Predicting outcomes after endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke with baseline variables remains a challenge. We assessed the performance of stroke outcome prediction models for EVT in acute ischemic stroke in an iterative fashion using baseline, treatment-related and post-treatment variables. Methods:Data from the ESCAPE-NA1 trial were used to build 4 outcome prediction models using multi-variable logistic regression: Model 1 included baseline variables only that are available prior to treatment decision-making, model 2 included additional treatment-related variables, model 3 additional early post-treatment variables, and model 4 additional late post-treatment variables. The primary outcome was 90-day modified Rankin Scale score 0-2. Model performance was compared using the area under the curve (AUC). Results:Among 1,105 patients, good outcome was achieved by 666 (60.3%). When using baseline variables only (model 1), the AUC was 0.74 (95%CI:0.71-0.77); this iteratively improved when treatment and post-treatment variables were added to the models (model 2: AUC 0.77,95%CI: 0.74-0.80, model 3: AUC 0.80,95%CI:0.77-0.83, model 4: AUC 0.82, 95%CI:0.79-0.85). Conclusions:Predicting EVT outcomes using baseline variables alone is inaccurate in one in four patients, and may be inappropriate for patient selection. Even the most comprehensive models with treatment-related and post-treatment factors involve considerable uncertainty.

Membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS) has been applied to monitor and compare in real time the extent by which three photocatalytic remediation processes&sbd;Fenton's reagent/UV, ferrioxalate/H2O2/UV, and TiO2/UV&sbd;destroy two common water pollutants&sbd;phenol and trichloroethylene (TCE). Continuous MIMS and selected ion monitoring (MIMS−SIM) of both phenol and TCE degradation and CO2 production show first-order kinetics for the three processes. Phenol half-life times indicate that Fenton's reagent/UV and ferrioxalate/H2O2/UV destroys phenol 10 times faster than TiO2/UV, that is, Fenton's reagent/UV ≈ ferrioxalate/H2O2/UV ≫ TiO2/UV. For TCE, half-life times for the three remediation processes are ordered as follows:  ferrioxalate/H2O2/UV ≫ Fenton's reagent/UV > TiO2/UV. For phenol, the extent of mineralization measured via total organic carbon analysis was lower than the extent of degradation measured by MIMS−SIM; hence, for the three processes, the intermediate products of phenol photocatalytic degradation are slowly destroyed. For Fenton's reagent/UV and ferrioxalate/H2O2/UV, GC/MS analysis detected pyrocatechol as the main intermediate of phenol degradation and p-benzoquinone for TiO2/UV.