The use of the cap and underwater technique as an aid in endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding: case series.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Upper GI bleeding (UGIB) is a medical emergency associated with elevated mortality and significant costs to the health care system. EGD is currently the method of choice for the diagnosis and management of these conditions. However, the location of bleeding lesions and technical difficulties in achieving endoscope stability may challenge even the most experienced endoscopists. Herein, we demonstrate the use of the cap and underwater technique as a helpful aid in these situations. METHODS: We present a case series of 4 patients with acute UGIB who underwent EGD with suboptimal endoscopic visualization or technical difficulties in identifying the source of bleeding. A transparent plastic cap was attached to the distal tip of the gastroscope, and the water immersion technique (underwater) was used for endoscopic re-evaluation of the bleeding site. RESULTS: Three patients presented with duodenal bleeding, and 1 was diagnosed with diffuse bleeding from the esophagus. The clear and accurate identification of the source of bleeding and effective hemostasis were possible after cap and underwater technique evaluation in all patients. CONCLUSION: The use of the cap and underwater technique is a simple, safe, and low-cost strategy that improves the identification and control of UGIB in locations with poor visibility and technical challenges during endoscopic evaluation.

Rare earth elements in drill cutting samples from off-shore oil and gas exploration activities in ultradeep waters.

Rare earth elements (REEs) are essential in high technology industries and have great economic value. The monitoring of REEs concentrations in rocks from oil well drill cuttings is critical to avoid environmental contamination and evaluate new sources of these elements. However, information is scarce about the REEs concentrations in drill cuttings. In this work, the concentration of REEs in drill cuttings from oil and gas exploration wells in ultradeep coastal water of Brazilian were investigated at different depths. The drill cutting samples were submitted to microwave-assisted acid digestion prior to the determination of concentration by ICP-MS, using Rh as internal standard for calibration. The limits of quantification (LoQ) ranged from 3.3 µg kg-1 for Ho to 198 µg kg-1 for Sm. The accuracy was evaluated by analyzing certified reference materials for rocks. The obtained REEs concentrations agreed with the certified values, reaching 83%-105% agreement. The drill cutting depth profile analysis indicates Ce, La, Nd, Sm, and Eu concentrations up to mg kg-1. The REEs concentrations obtained in drill cutting depth profile was analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA), and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) identified tendency and similarity between drill cutting samples. Three groups were formed according to the composition of the REEs. In addition, the concentration of these chemicals elements varied at different depths. The analysis of drill cuttings revealed REEs concentrations up to the mg per kg-range (ppm), potentially making this disposable material an alternative source for REEs extraction, and adding value to this material.

Transporte ativo no trajeto escolar: uma revisão integrativa / Active transport at the school path: an integrative review

o transporte ativo pode ser uma oportunidade para desenvolver comportamentos mais saudáveis na vida das crianças e jovens. O presente estudo busca identificar barreiras e facilitadores desse comportamento, bem como suas interfaces com a saúde dos escolares por meio de revisão de literatura. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa de literatura realizada nas bases eletrônicas BVS, Scielo e periódico Capes, utilizando os descritores mobilidade, transporte, deslocamento, ativo, sustentável, estudantes, escolares e trajeto escolar em português, inglês e espanhol. Foram incluídos estudos realizados nas Américas e publicados nos últimos cinco anos. Os 16 artigos selecionados foram desenvolvidos no Brasil, Canadá, México e Estados Unidos, sendo que a maioria deriva de pesquisas mais amplas. Os resultados indicam que a prevalência de transporte ativo no trajeto escolar variou entre 10% nos Estados Unidos e 76% no Brasil. Alguns facilitadores desse comportamento foram: pais que utilizam transporte ativo; expectativa dos pais; percepção dos pais sobre boa estrutura e segurança; crianças mais velhas, sem veículos, de grandes cidades, com menor satisfação familiar, com maior número de dias fisicamente ativos; ser homem; presença de adulto e clima. Algumas barreiras foram: distâncias; maior idade, nível de escolaridade da mãe e classe econômica; maior tempo de trabalho dos pais; posse de veículo; zona urbana; bullying; muita coisa para carregar, ausência de árvore, criminalidade; presença de animais vadios e ter etnia latina. A interface do transporte ativo no trajeto escolar com a saúde foi reportada com o nível de atividade física, obesidade/sobrepeso (saúde individual) e barreiras e facilitadores a esse tipo de deslocamento (saúde ambiental). Considerando que atitudes cultivadas na infância têm grandes chances de permanecer na vida adulta, o transporte ativo no trajeto escolar pode ser uma estratégia na criação de hábitos saudáveis e sustentáveis que contribuam para melhor qualidade de vida, desde que se considerem seus determinantes e condicionantes...(AU)

the active transport can be an opportunity to develop healthier beh av iors in t h e lives of children and young people. The present study seeks to identify barriers and facilitators of this behavior, as well as their interfaces with the students' health through a literature review. It is an integrative literature review carried out on the electronic databases BVS, Scielo and Capes periodical, using the descriptors of mobility, transport, displacement, active, sustainable, students, school and schoo l p ath in Po rtuguese, English and Spanish. Studies carried out in the Americas and published in the last five years were included. The 16 selected papers were developed in Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the United States, with most of them deriving from broader researches. The results obtained reveal t he p revalence of active transport in school path varied between 10% in the United States and 76% in Brazil. Some facilitators of this behavior were: parents or adults who use active transport; parental expectation; parents' perception of good structure and safety; older children, without vehicles, large cities, with less family satisfaction, with more days of physical activities; be a man; adult presence and climate. Some barriers were: dist an ces; older age, mother's education level and economic class; longer working time for parents; vehicle ownership; urban area; bullying; a lot to carry, few trees, crime; presence of stray anim als and having Latin ethnicity. The interface between active transport in the school path and health was rep o rted as the level of hysical activity, obesity/overweight (individual health) and barriers and facilitators to this type of displacement (environmental health). Considering that attitudes cultivated in childhood are very likely to remain in adulthood, active transportation on the school path can be a strategy in creating h ealthy and sustainable habits that contribute to a better quality of life, as long as its determinants and condit ions are considered...(AU)

Recovery of lanthanides from hydrocarbon cracking spent catalyst through chemical and biotechnological strategies.

The aim of this work is to evaluate the rare earth elements (REEs) recovery from fluid catalytic cracking spent catalyst (FCC-SC) by chemical and biochemical strategies while also examining a route for the valorization of biodiesel-derived glycerin (RG), which is presently unprofitable to refine. Recovery tests for REEs were performed with no pretreatment of the FCC-SC. A chemical leaching investigation was carried out using HCl, HNO3, NaOH, CaCl2 and citric acid aqueous solutions (1 mol L-1, at 30, 50, 60 or 70 ± 1 °C). The leaching tests carried out with 1 mol L-1 citric acid at 50 °C provided the best recovery of La (27%). Subsequent bioleaching tests were carried out with four strains of Yarrowia lipolytica to evaluate their potential to produce organic acids using RG as the main carbon source. The FCC-SC contains some REEs, predominantly La. Remarkable biorecovery rates for REEs (namely, La (53%), Ce and Nd (both 99%)) were achieved using the Y. lipolytica IM-UFRJ 50678 fermented medium at 50 °C. Thus, here, a sustainable approach to recovering metals from spent cracking catalyst using RG under low-cost and non-energy-intensive processing conditions is reported.

Primary gastric volvulus: a report of two cases.

Gastric volvulus is an uncommon cause of gastric obstruction. It can be classified as primary when no underlying condition is identified as the cause for the rotation. An acute presentation includes typical symptoms and is frequently detected by imaging studies. Chronic cases present with intermittent vague symptoms and imaging studies may be normal during the symptomatic interval. The lack of specific symptoms and signs delays the diagnosis of chronic volvulus. However, appropriate treatment demands prompt diagnosis. We report two cases of primary gastric volvulus, with chronic or subacute symptoms and normal imaging studies during the asymptomatic periods. Both were treated surgically and had an uneventful follow-up.

Biosurfactant-assisted phytoremediation of multi-contaminated industrial soil using sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.).

This study evaluated the use of commercial rhamnolipid biosurfactant supplementation in the phytoremediation of a soil via sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cultivation. The soil, obtained from an industrial area, was co-contaminated with heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons. The remediation tests were monitored for 90 days. The best results for removal of contaminants were obtained from the tests in which the sunflower plants were cultivated in soil with 4 mg kg-1 of the rhamnolipid. Under these conditions, reductions of 58% and 48% were obtained in the total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations, respectively; reductions in the concentrations of the following metals were also achieved: Ni (41%), Cr (30%), Pb (29%), and Zn (20%). The PCR-DGGE analysis of soil samples collected before and after the treatments verified that the plant cultivation and biosurfactants supplementation had little effect on the structure of the dominant bacterial community in the soil. The results indicated that sunflower cultivation with the addition of a biosurfactant is a viable and efficient technology to treat soils co-contaminated with heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons.

Efficient removal of mercury from aqueous solutions and industrial effluent.

The objective of this study was to examine the ability of a solid waste produced during beneficiation of ornamental rocks to remove mercury (Hg) from an industrial effluent and aqueous solutions under various conditions. Batch studies have been carried out by observing the effects of pH, concentration of the adsorbate, contact time, and so on. Various sorption isotherm models such as Langmuir, Freundlich, and Tóth have been applied for the adsorbent. Film and intraparticle diffusion were both found to be rate-limiting steps. Adsorption was properly described by the Freundlich model (capacity constant of 0.3090 (mg g(-1))(mg L(-1))(-1/n) and adsorption intensity indicator of 2.2939), which indicated a favorable sorption and encouraged subsequent studies for treatment of Hg-containing industrial effluent. Industrial effluent treatment efficiency reached Hg removals greater than 90% by using ornamental rock solid waste (ORSW). Besides, desorption studies indicated that the maximum recovery of mercury was 100 ± 2% for 1 mol L(-1) HNO3 and 74 ± 8% for 0.1 mol L(-1) HNO3. The ORSW could be reused thrice without significant difference on the Hg removal rate from industrial effluent. These findings place ORSW as a promising efficient and low-cost adsorbent for the removal of Hg from aqueous solutions and industrial effluent.

Triplet state of 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol chemisorbed on silica nanoparticles.

The knowledge of photochemical kinetics in colloidal systems is important in understanding environmental photochemistry on dispersed solid surfaces. As model materials for the chemically sorbed organic compounds present in natural environments, modified silica nanoparticles (NPs) were obtained here by condensation of the silanol groups of fumed silica nanoparticles with 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol. These particles were characterized by different techniques. To evaluate their toxicity, the inhibition of the natural luminescence emission of the marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri in suspensions of the particles was measured. Laser flash-photolysis experiments (λ(exc) = 266 nm) performed with NP suspensions in acetonitrile-aqueous phosphate buffer mixtures showed the formation of the lowest triplet excited state of the chemisorbed organic groups (λ(max) = 390 nm). DFT calculations of the absorption spectrum of this radical support the assignment. From the calculated triplet energy, a thermodynamically favorable energy transfer from these triplet states to oxygen to yield singlet molecular oxygen is predicted. A value of 0.09 was measured for the quantum yield of singlet molecular oxygen generation by air-saturated suspensions of the nanoparticles in the mixture of solvents acetonitrile-aqueous phosphate buffer. The quantum yield of singlet molecular oxygen generation by the free 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol in the same solvent is 0.31.

Generation of chemisorbed benzyl radicals on silica nanoparticles.

Functionalized silica nanoparticles (NP) were obtained by esterification of the silanol groups of fumed silica nanoparticles with benzyl alcohol. These particles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, (13)C and (29)Si NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, total organic carbon, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis, UV-visible spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. NP suspensions in water/acetonitrile mixtures were used as quenchers of benzophenone (BP) phosphorescence in time-resolved experiments at the excitation wavelength of 266 nm. The phosphorescence signals obtained in the presence of the nanoparticles were fitted to biexponential decays. Both decays were accelerated in the presence of increasing amounts of NP. A model, including the reversible adsorption of BP on the NP, which was supported by computer simulations accounts for the observed results. Laser flash-photolysis experiments with excitation at 266 nm of NP suspensions in water/acetonitrile in the presence of BP generated benzyl radicals that were attached to the silica surface. These radicals were detected at their absorption maxima (320 nm) by transient optical techniques.

The use of molecular probes for the characterization of dispersions of functionalized silica nanoparticles.

Butoxylated silica nanoparticles (BSN) were prepared by esterification of the silanol groups of fumed silica nanoparticles with butanol and characterized by 13C and 29Si NMR and thermogravimetry. The molecular probes benzophenone (BP) and safranine-T were used to investigate the BSN suspensions in water:acetonitrile. Laser flash-photolysis experiments at lambda(exc)=266 nm performed with BSN suspended in acetonitrile:aqueous phosphate buffer supported previous results of our group obtained by time-resolved phosphorescence experiments and showed that only free and adsorbed excited triplet states of BP and diphenylketyl radicals contribute to the signals. The UV-vis spectroscopic and photophysical properties of safranine-T are strongly solvent-dependent. Thus, the analysis of the emission spectra and fluorescence lifetimes yielded information on the localization of this probe molecule in suspensions of BSN and of the bare silica nanoparticles. The values of the equilibrium constant for the adsorption of the ground-state safranine-T on the particles were found to be (9.2+/-0.8)x10(4), (7.2+/-0.8)x10(5), and (3.0+/-0.1)x10(4) for the BSN in 1:1 acetonitrile:water, SiO2 in 1:1 acetonitrile:water, and SiO2 in acetonitrile, respectively.

Bioremediation of marine sediments impacted by petroleum.

The aim of this work was to optimize the bioremediation of crude oil-contaminated sand sediment through the biostimulation technique. The soil was obtained in the mid-tide zone of Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and was artificially contaminated with crude oil at 14 g kg(-1). Bioremediation optimization was performed using an experimental design and statistical analysis of the following factors: supplementation with commercial biosurfactant Jeneil IBR 425 and commercial mineral NPK fertilizer. The response variable used was the biodegradation of the heavy oil fraction, HOF. The analysis of the studied factors and their interactions was executed using contour plots, Pareto diagram and ANOVA table. Experimental design results indicated that the supplementation with fertilizer at 100:25:25 C/N/P ratio and biosurfactant at 2 g kg(-1) yielded biodegradation of HOF at about 30% during 30 days of process. Some experiments were carried out using the experimental design results, yielding 65% of biodegradation of HOF and 100% of n- alkanes between C15 and C30 during 60 process days. Intrinsic biodegradation test was carried out, yielding 85% of biodegradation of n-alkanes between C15 and C30 during 30 days of process.

Mesoporous silica originating from a gaseous ammonia epoxide ring opening and the thermodynamic data on some divalent cation adsorptions.

An organofunctionalized mesoporous HMS-like compound has been synthesized by reacting the silylating agent 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane with gaseous ammonia. The reaction path leads to the opening of the three membered epoxide ring to incorporate ammonia to give the modified silylating agent. This new silylating agent was used to synthesize a mesostructure inorganic-organic hybrid through the neutral template directing agent, dodecylamine, using a co-condensation process, and exploring the ability of the silicon source tetraethoxysilane. The final solid named HMS-NH has been characterized through elemental analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, nitrogen gas adsorption, infrared spectroscopy and solid state NMR for the 29Si nucleus. An amount of 1.06+/-0.10 mmol of pendant groups is covalently bonded to the inorganic backbone. The attached basic centers adsorbed divalent cations to give the maxima adsorption capacity of 0.74+/-0.03, 0.55+/-0.06, 0.53+/-0.05 and 0.51+/-0.06 mmolg(-1) for copper, nickel, zinc and cobalt, respectively. From calorimetric determinations the quantitative thermal effects for all these cation/basic center interactions gave exothermic enthalpy, negative Gibbs free energy and positive entropy. These thermodynamic data confirmed the energetically favorable condition of such interactions at the solid/liquid interface for all systems.

Biosurfactants production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa FR using palm oil.

Biosurfactants production by a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa using palm oil as a sole carbon source was investigated. The experiments were carried out in 500-mL conical flasks containing 100 mL of mineral media supplemented with palm oil as the sole carbon source. The P. aeruginosa FR strain was able to reduce surface tension of three tested inorganic media. Rotation velocities from 100 to 150 rpm provided free-cell fermented media with the lowest surface tension of approx 33 mN/m. Emulsification index results of even 100% were achieved when diesel was used as oil phase. Eight surface-active compounds produced by the bacterium were identified by mass spectrometry.

Estudo da prevalência da co-infecção HIV/HCV no município de Bragança Paulista - SP no periodo de 1992 a 2004 / HIV/HCV coinfection prevalence study in the city of Braganca Paulista - SP during the period from 1992 to 2004

A infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C (HCV) vem se tornando um agravo importante na saúde do portador do vírus HIV com a piora significativa no prognostico, devido a insuficiencia hepatica e carcinoma hepatocelular. Frente a esta situação, determinar a prevalência da co-infecção HIV/HCV é de extrema importância. A pesquisa foi feita por meio de um estudo retrospectivo baseado no levantamento de prontuários de pacientess do programa DST/AIDS do Centro de Saúde de Bragança Paulista (Secretaria de Saúde) e do Hospital Universitário São Francisco (HUSF) no período de 1992 a 2004. Foram levantados 184 prontuários de pacientes com sorologia positiva para o HIV. Desse universo de pacientes, 141 realizaram o teste, sendo positivo em 47 pacientes (33,3porcento) e negativo em 89 (66,7 porcento); 43 não realizaram o teste (23,4porcento). A analise estatistica dos dados demonstrou um número significativamente maior de HIV positivos do sexo masculino (p<0,04), bem como uma maior quantidade de testes para o virus HCV realizados em homens (p<0,03). Observou-se ainda uma positividade altamente significativa na sorologia para o vírus HCV, sendo maior em homens que em mulheres (p<0,0005). O presente estudo confirma a alta prevalência de sorologia positiva para o vírus da hepatite C em pacientes com HIV na cidade de Bragança Paulista - SP . Observa-se a necessidade de solicitação de exames de sorologia para o HCV de rotina em todos os pacientes portadores do HIV

Some features associated with organosilane groups grafted by the sol-gel process onto synthetic talc-like phyllosilicate.

Two new lamellar inorganic-organic magnesium silicates have been successfully synthesized by using sol-gel based processes under mild temperature conditions. The talc-organosilicates derived using two silylating agents as the silicon source, (i) 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane, and (ii) from the attachment of 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol molecule to this precursor agent, yielded PhMg-Cl and PhMg-Tz phyllosilicates. These organoclays were characterized through elemental analyses, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, surface area, thermogravimetry, and carbon and silicon solid state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results confirmed the presence of organic moieties covalently bonded to the inorganic silicon sheet network of the 2:1 class of phyllosilicates, with a density of organic molecules of 6.6+/-0.1 and 2.7+/-0.2 mmol g(-1) anchored on the inorganic layer and with interlayer distances of 1158 and 1628 pm, respectively. The nuclear magnetic resonances results in the solid state are in agreement with the sequence of carbons distributed in the pendant chains of the original silylating agents and the silicon bonded to oxygen atoms or carbon atoms of the inorganic sheets, as expected for the organically functionalized phyllosilicates. The enhanced potential of the new compound PhMg-Tz as a multi property material was explored in adsorbing cations from aqueous solution. The basic sulfur and nitrogen centers attached to the pendant chains inside the lamellar cavity can coordinate mercury, by presenting an isotherm saturated at 0.19 mmol g(-1) of this heavy metal. The functionality of this organoclay-like material expresses its potential for heavy cation removal from an ecosystem.

Biosurfactants production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa FR using palm oil.

Biosurfactants production by a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa using palm oil as a sole carbon source was investigated. The experiments were carried out in 500-mL conical flasks containing 100 mL of mineral media supplemented with palm oil as the sole carbon source. The P. aeruginosa FR strain was able to reduce surface tension of three tested inorganic media. Rotation velocities from 100 to 150 rpm provided free-cell fermented media with the lowest surface tension of approx 33 mN/m. Emulsification index results of even 100% were achieved when diesel was used as oil phase. Eight surface-active compounds produced by the bacterium were identified by mass spectrometry.