Search

Two commercial organosilicons, Hydrophase®, a monomeric dispersion, and Disboxan 450®, an oligomeric dispersion, were studied in pure form and applied on acrylic paint replicas. Their physico-chemical characteristics, coating properties, and interaction with acrylic paint replicas were evaluated by TG, DSC, FTIR, and contact angle measurements. Hydrophase® showed a higher interaction when used on the top of acrylic paint replicas than Disboxan 450®. No appreciable modification was detected after two years of natural ageing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to characterize the volatile fraction of teas, prepared from chamomile sachets marketed in the Rio de Janeiro city, using solid phase extraction and chromatographic techniques. Forty two compounds were tentatively or definitely identified. Among them, nineteen (19) compounds were identified for the first time as chamomile constituents. Believing that the samples were collected from reliable producers and suppliers, the identification of these new volatile compounds could be explained by the selectivity of the volatile fraction isolation process. The samples belong to the chemotype A, in which the main component is the bisabolol oxide A. The compounds 1.8-cineol and linalool presented odour activity values greater than one, being classified as potent odorants. The presence of ascaridole, coumarin and 7-methoxycoumarin denotes that this beverage must be consumed with care by specific groups like pregnant women and people that are accomplishing anticoagulant therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cachaça is the typical and exclusive denomination of Brazilian sugar cane spirit. In this study, analysis of ethyl carbamate (EC) was carried out in 120 cachaças samples acquired at different regions from the Rio de Janeiro city (north, south, west and downtown). In total, 47% of samples exhibited EC contents above 150 mg L-1. Mean value found in the west region was significantly (P<0.05) lower than those from other regions. Although the mean value of the samples from the downtown region was higher than that from northern and southern regions, there were no significant differences (P<0.05) between the three regions. Cachaças were classified, as follows: (A) very high concentration (301-800 mg L-1); (B) high concentration (151-300 mg L-1); standardized concentration (0-150 mg L-1) (C). West region presented 3% of samples classified in the upper concentration limit (A), downtown region presented the greatest percentage (27%). In the high concentration class (B), the regions showed similar distribution percentage (ca 30%). In the class (C), west region showed the highest percentage (67%) while downtown region presented the lowest representativeness (43%). A small number (4%) of commercial multi-distilled cachaça exhibited very low contaminant level (<5 μg L-1). Consumers of cachaça sold in the Rio de Janeiro city continue very exposed to the EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- This paper aims to develop a novel micro-ablation system to realise micrometric and well-defined hydrogel structures. To engineer a tissue it is necessary to evaluate several aspects, such as cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions, its micro-architecture and mechanical stimuli that act on it. For this reason, it is important to fabricate a substrate which presents a microtopology similar to natural tissue and has chemical and mechanical properties able to promote cell functions. In this paper, well-defined hydrogel structures embedding cells were microfabricated using a purposely developed technique, micro-laser ablation, based on a thulium laser. Its working parameters (laser power emission, stepper motor velocity) were optimised to produce shaded "serpentine" pattern on a hydrogel film. Design/methodology/approach -- In this study, initially, swelling/contraction tests on agarose and alginate hydrogel in different solutions of main components of cell culture medium were performed and were compared with the MECpH model. This comparison matched with good approximation experimental measurements. Once known how hydrogel changed its topology, microstructures with a well-defined topology were realised using a purposely developed micro-laser ablation system design. S5Y5 neuroblastoma cell lines were embedded in hydrogel matrix and the whole structure was ablated with a laser microfabrication system. The cells did not show damages due to mechanical stress present in the hydrogel matrix and to thermal increase induced by the laser beam. Findings -- The hydrogel structure is able to reproduce extracellular matrix. Initially, the hydrogel swelling/contraction in different solutions, containing the main components of the most common cell culture media, was analysed. This analysis is important to evaluate if cell culture environment could alter microtopology of realised structures. Then, the same topology was realised on hydrogel film embedding neuronal cells and the cells did not show damages due to mechanical stress present in the hydrogel matrix and to thermal increase induced by the laser beam. The interesting obtained results could be useful to realise well-defined microfabricated hydrogel structures embedding cells to guide tissue formation Originality/value -- The originality of this paper is the design and realisation of a 3D microfabrication system able to microfabricate hydrogel matrix embedding cells without inducing cell damage. The ease of use of this system and its potential modularity render this system a novel potential device for application in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archivos Latinoamericanos de Nutrición is the property of Sociedad Latinoamericana de Nutricion 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.)

This article describes hepatocyte metabolism mathematical model (HEMETβ), which is an improved version of HEMET, an effective and versatile virtual cell model based on hepatic cell metabolism. HEMET is based on a set of non-linear differential equations, implemented in Simulink®, which describes the biochemical reactions and energetic cell state, and completely mimics the principal metabolic pathways in hepatic cells. The cell energy function and modular structure are the core of this model. HEMETβ as HEMET model describes hepatic cellular metabolism in standard conditions (cell culture in a plastic multi-well placed in an incubator at 37°C with 5% of CO2) and with excess substrates concentration. The main improvements in HEMETβ are the introductions of Michaelis–Menten models for reversible reactions and enzymatic inhibition. In addition, we eliminated hard non-linearities and modelled cell proliferation and every single aminoacid degradation pathway. All these innovations, combined with a user-friendly aspect, allow researchers to create new cell types and validate new experimental protocols just varying ‘peripheral’ pathways or model inputs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Introduction: Neobladder vaginal fistula is a known complication after cystectomy and orthotopic neobladder in women. The exact incidence is still unknown, even if in some of the largest series is reported in about 5% of female patients. We present our personal experience with a case of neobladder vaginal fistula. Methods: A fifty-year old woman affected by T2G3 bladder cancer underwent radical cystectomy and orthotopic neobladder in December 2007. Definitive pathological examination revealed pT3aN0G3 urothelial cancer with squamous aspects. Two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy were administered before cystectomy. Three weeks after cystectomy, a retrograde cystography revealed a fistula between vagina and neobladder. At first, the patient was treated conservatively, keeping the urethral catheter for two months. Cystographies, repeated every month, recorded a reduction in size of the fistula but not the complete closure. A surgical correction was planned. Preoperative cystoscopy showed the neobladder opening of the fistula on the posterior wall. Then a transvaginal approach with fistula excision and a two layer cross suture were performed. Results: At the cystography performed 1 month after surgical repair no fistula was detected, and the patient was completely dry. At 3 months follow-up the patient was completely dry. Conclusion: The development of a neobladder-vaginal fistula is a significant, even if infrequent, complication after cystectomy. In our case, we performed a transvaginal approach without tissue interposition, with good results. Such procedure is easy and effective and, in our opinion, can be tempted as first line surgical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Skin avulsion of male genital is a rare urological emergency. Although not life-threatening such lesions are both physically and psychologically traumatic. If poorly managed in the acute setting, these injuries may result in long-term problems or permanent disabilities. Methods: A 58 year-old male patient was admitted to the Emergency Department of our hospital with a traumatic injury of the penis, caused by a bike trauma. At the inspection, a rather complete degloving of penis and a tear in scrotal skin with no involvement of testes were observed. The skin was completely detached, out of the penis, but for a small flap at the penoscrotal angle. After a careful cleaning, the penis was covered again with the skin attached to penoscrotal angle through multiple circumferential sutures. Results: A complete cover of the defects was obtained with one-step surgery. The patients was treated with broad spectrum of antibiotics for 1 month. No infections occurred. The patient was discharged from hospital after 5 days. After 3 months from trauma, the patient is able to achieve a sexual intercourse, with normal erectile function, no painful erections and no penile recurvatum. Conclusions: Traumatic skin avulsion of penis is a rare condition; the best aesthetic and functional results depends on the choice of the proper treatment. Conservative approach in selected cases can provide good results both aesthetically and functionally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nephroptosis has been defined as renal descent of 5 or more cm on orthostasis. This disease is more frequent in young and slim women. The patient complains pain in upright position, that regress lying down. The therapy consists of surgical treatment. We report the case of a woman treated with retroperitoneoscopic nephropexy. Methods: We present the case of a 25–years old woman, affected by lumbar pain in upright position for about 1 year. Ultrasound scan of the abdomen and RX-KUB did not show hydronephrosis nor stones. Both an orthopedic examination and a spinal MRI excluded bone or muscular diseases. Intravenous pyelography and diuretic isotope renography in upright position revealed a renal descent of more than 5 cm, without obstruction of upper urinary tract. The patient underwent a renal color doppler imaging, that showed reduction of right kidney resistive index in upright position. The patient underwent a right retroperitoneoscopic nephropexy. After complete dissection of the perirenal fat from the kidney, three nonabsorbable sutures were placed between the posterior renal capsule and the psoas muscle. Results: NO blood loss nor perioperative complications have been observed. One month after the procedure, the patient did not complain any pain. Renal color doppler, performed one month after the nephropexy, showed a normalization of resistive index. Conclusions: Symptomatic nephroptosis is a disease that has been questioned in the past. Nowadays, the modern imaging and functional examination available allow to identify the "true" cases of symptomatic nephroptosis. The treatment with retroperitoneoscopic nephropexy is an easy and effective procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An investigation was carried out to identify the compounds responsible for the cambará honey aroma. Volatiles were isolated from the headspace or aqueous extract by adsorptive column chromatography, eluted with acetone and analysed by GC-FID, GC-O and GC-MS. Volatiles were separated on polar and non-polar phase columns. Phenylacetic acid, diethylene glycol and benzaldehyde were by far the most abundant volatile compounds in the aqueous extract, while benzaldehyde and benzonitrile predominated in the headspace fraction. Based on AEDA, benzaldehyde, 2,3-methybutanoic acid and benzonitrile were found to be the most potent odorants in both headspace and aqueous extract aromas. 2-Phenylethanol was only found in the headspace aroma. Phenyl-1,2-propanedione, benzoic and phenylacetic acid were odour-active compounds found only in the aqueous extract. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oils and infusions from commercial peppermint sachets (CPS), and non-commercial genuine peppermint (NCP) and cornmint (NCC) samples were analyzed by GC/MS and LC/MS. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of mint oils against Fusarium moniliforme, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigates was determined. Antioxidant potential was monitored by total phenolic content (TPC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and soybean oil oxidation tests. CPS and NCC oils had lower menthofuran content than NCP. Mint oils did not show a uniform standard of antifungal activity and they had the modest reducing ability. CPS and NCC infusions showed higher IC50 and lower TPC than NCP ones. In the soybean oxidation test, mint oils presented prooxidant behavior. CPS infusions showed antioxidant potential significantly (P