Agronomic and sensory evaluation of lettuce in hydroponic system

Lettuce is the most important leafy vegetable in Brazil. Hydroponic lettuce cultivation has grown due to the viability of harvesting throughout the year. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the agronomic characteristics, color, and preference of curly lettuce in the NFT hydroponic system. Six lineages (6601-1A, 6601-2L, 7016-6A, 7119-1B, 7223-1A, and 7224-4A) and two commercial cultivars (Brida and Vanda) of lettuce were used, in a completely randomized blocks design with four replications. Shoot length, root length, stem length, number of leaves, stem diameter, plant diameter, shoot fresh mass, root fresh mass, chlorophyll content, instrumental color, and sensory characteristics were evaluated. As for agronomic evaluation, the bolting of 6601-2L lettuce was relevant in different attributes. The Vanda lettuce and the lineage 7016-6A presented best performances for shoot fresh mass (399.44 and 378.63 g, respectively), while the lineages 7119-1B and 6601-2L present the worst performance (279.50 and 273.13 g, respectively). There was variation in chlorophyll content and luminosity, however, the evaluators did not notice differences between lettuces for brightness or green color, as well as for crunchy texture. Lettuces 6601-2L, 7224-4A, 6601-1A, Brida, 7223-1A, and 7119-1B were preferred. The variation among plants may be due to different situations, such as harvesting times and bolting, and a direct relationship between agronomic properties and preference among lettuces has not been established yet.

Surgical correction of disc pathology in fighter pilots: a review of 14 cases.

BACKGROUND: Disorders of the spine are common in fighter crewmembers. The high cost of training and experience for pilots makes it important to use all reasonable clinical means to restore grounded pilots to their flying duties, provided that all safety standards are maintained. To date, there has been limited research into specific surgical treatment of spine injury in pilots. This study was designed to examine the efficacy of surgical procedures in Spanish Air Force fighter pilots with injuries to the spine, as well as the aeromedical disposition of such pilots. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted using the medical records of 14 fighter pilots with symptomatic spinal disorders treated by surgery. RESULTS: The 14 pilots underwent surgery: 12 cases involved fusion of vertebral structures (arthrodesis), while 2 pilots underwent discectomy. All pilots were subsequently given waivers to resume flying duties. DISCUSSION: The successful return to flight status of these pilots indicates the practical application of surgical techniques that safely stabilize the spine. However, due the sample limited size of the sample, further studies are needed.

Longitudinal urethral sling with prepubic and retropubic fixation for male urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVE: Description and early results of a new urethral sling technique for treatment of postprostatectomy urinary incontinence, which combines efficacy, low cost and technical simplicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May 2003 to April 2004, 30 patients with moderate or total urinary incontinence, following radical prostatectomy or endoscopic resection of the prostate, underwent the new technique. The technique is based on the placement of a longitudinal-shaped sling in the bulbar urethra, measuring 4 cm in length by 1.8 cm in width, made of Dacron or polypropylene mesh, fixed by 4 sutures on each side, with 2 sutures passed with Stamey-Pereira needle by retropubic approach and 2 by prepubic approach, which are then tied over the pubis. Pressure control was determined by interrupting the loss of infused water through a suprapubic cystostomy 60 cm from the pubis level. RESULTS: Pre-operative assessment excluded vesical instability, urethral stenosis and urinary infection. Suprapubic cystostomy was removed when the patient was able to satisfactorily void with urinary residue lower than 100 mL, which occurred in 29 of the 30 cases. In 2 cases, there was infection of the prosthesis, requiring its removal. In 3 cases, there was the need to adjust the sling (increasing the tension), due to failure of the urinary continence. Overall, 20 of 30 (66.7 percent) operated patients became totally continent, and did not require any kind of pads. Four of 30 (13.3 percent) patients achieved partial improvement, requiring 1 to 2 pads daily and 6 of 30 (20 percent) patients had minimal or no improvement. There was no case of urethral erosion. CONCLUSION: This new sling technique has shown highly encouraging preliminary results. Its major advantage over other surgical techniques for treatment of moderate or severe stress urinary incontinence is the simplicity for its execution and low cost. A long-term assessment, addressing maintenance of continence, detrusor function and preservation of the upper urinary tract, is still needed.

Is the periprostatic anesthetic blockade advantageous in ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the benefit of the periprostatic administration of lidocaine previously to ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the period from April to October 2002, forty patients underwent ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy due to increased PSA or abnormal digital rectal examination. A randomized double-blind study was performed, where the patients received an injection of lidocaine 2 percent or saline solution, in a total of 10 ml periprostatic. Immediately following the biopsy, the pain associated to the procedure was assessed, using a visual analogical scale from 0 to 10. The mean number of fragments collected per patient in the biopsies was 11.3. The statistical analysis used for assessment of pain was the Student's t, with p < 0.05 being significant. RESULTS: The groups were homogeneous concerning the anthropometrical data. In relation to pain, those patients in the groups that underwent biopsy with the use of lidocaine presented a maximum score of 6, while in the group that underwent biopsy with the use of saline solution, 4 patients presented score 7 ou 8. The mean score and standard deviation with lidocaine were 2.55 ± 2.34 (CI 95 percent = 1.53 to 3.57) and with saline solution were 3.75 ± 2.52 (CI 95 percent = 2.66 ± 4.84) with no statistical significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: The lidocaine injection did not show statistical difference when compared with saline solution in the periprostatic blockade during echo-guided prostate biopsy.

Is the periprostatic anesthetic blockade advantageous in ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the benefit of the periprostatic administration of lidocaine previously to ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the period from April to October 2002, forty patients underwent ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy due to increased PSA or abnormal digital rectal examination. A randomized double-blind study was performed, where the patients received an injection of lidocaine 2% or saline solution, in a total of 10 ml periprostatic. Immediately following the biopsy, the pain associated to the procedure was assessed, using a visual analogical scale from 0 to 10. The mean number of fragments collected per patient in the biopsies was 11.3. The statistical analysis used for assessment of pain was the Student's t, with p < 0.05 being significant. RESULTS: The groups were homogeneous concerning the anthropometrical data. In relation to pain, those patients in the groups that underwent biopsy with the use of lidocaine presented a maximum score of 6, while in the group that underwent biopsy with the use of saline solution, 4 patients presented score 7 ou 8. The mean score and standard deviation with lidocaine were 2.55 +/- 2.34 (CI 95% = 1.53 to 3.57) and with saline solution were 3.75 +/- 2.52 (CI 95% = 2.66 +/- 4.84) with no statistical significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: The lidocaine injection did not show statistical difference when compared with saline solution in the periprostatic blockade during echo-guided prostate biopsy.

Longitudinal urethral sling with prepubic and retropubic fixation for male urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: Description and early results of a new urethral sling technique for treatment of postprostatectomy urinary incontinence, which combines efficacy, low cost and technical simplicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May 2003 to April 2004, 30 patients with moderate or total urinary incontinence, following radical prostatectomy or endoscopic resection of the prostate, underwent the new technique. The technique is based on the placement of a longitudinal-shaped sling in the bulbar urethra, measuring 4 cm in length by 1.8 cm in width, made of Dacron or polypropylene mesh, fixed by 4 sutures on each side, with 2 sutures passed with Stamey-Pereira needle by retropubic approach and 2 by prepubic approach, which are then tied over the pubis. Pressure control was determined by interrupting the loss of infused water through a suprapubic cystostomy 60 cm from the pubis level. RESULTS: Pre-operative assessment excluded vesical instability, urethral stenosis and urinary infection. Suprapubic cystostomy was removed when the patient was able to satisfactorily void with urinary residue lower than 100 mL, which occurred in 29 of the 30 cases. In 2 cases, there was infection of the prosthesis, requiring its removal. In 3 cases, there was the need to adjust the sling (increasing the tension), due to failure of the urinary continence. Overall, 20 of 30 (66.7%) operated patients became totally continent, and did not require any kind of pads. Four of 30 (13.3%) patients achieved partial improvement, requiring 1 to 2 pads daily and 6 of 30 (20%) patients had minimal or no improvement. There was no case of urethral erosion. CONCLUSION: This new sling technique has shown highly encouraging preliminary results. Its major advantage over other surgical techniques for treatment of moderate or severe stress urinary incontinence is the simplicity for its execution and low cost. A long-term assessment, addressing maintenance of continence, detrusor function and preservation of the upper urinary tract, is still needed.

Oxidative stress in asphyxiated term infants resuscitated with 100% oxygen.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that resuscitation of asphyxiated infants with pure oxygen causes hyperoxemia and oxidative stress.Study design Asphyxiated term newborn infants (n = 106) were randomly resuscitated with room air (RAR = 51) or 100% oxygen (OxR = 55). The Apgar score, time of the first cry, and establishment of a sustained pattern of respiration were recorded. Assays performed included: blood gases; reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in whole blood; glutathione-related enzyme activities; and superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) in erythrocytes. RESULTS: The RAR group needed less time of ventilation for resuscitation (5.3 +/- 1.5 vs 6.8 +/- 1.2 min; P <.05). Pure oxygen caused hyperoxemia (PO(2), 126.3 +/- 21.8 mm Hg) that did not occur with the use of room air (PO(2), 72.2 +/- 6.8 mm Hg). GSH was decreased and GSSG, the glutathione cycle enzymes, and SOD activities were increased in both asphyxiated groups. However, the 100% oxygen-resuscitated group showed significantly greater alterations that correlated positively with hyperoxemia. CONCLUSIONS: Asphyxia causes oxidative stress in the perinatal period, and resuscitation with 100% oxygen causes hyperoxemia and increased oxidative stress. Because there are no advantages to resuscitation with 100% oxygen, room air may be preferred under certain circumstances for the resuscitation of asphyxiated neonates.

Hyperoxemia caused by resuscitation with pure oxygen may alter intracellular redox status by increasing oxidized glutathione in asphyxiated newly born infants.

In a prospective, randomized, blinded trial we have studied the effects of resuscitation upon oxygenation in a group of asphyxiated newly born infants receiving room air or 100% oxygen as the gas source. During the acute phase of asphyxia and until the resuscitation procedure concluded, we determined serial blood gases as well as reduced and oxidized glutathione, enzymes involved in the glutathione redox cycle, and antioxidant enzyme activities. The use of 100% oxygen caused a remarkable increase of partial pressures of oxygen in arterial blood, with values that were frequently above physiological levels (> 100 mm Hg). In addition, we have found a significant correlation between hyperoxemia and the intra-erythrocyte GSSG (oxidized glutathione) concentration. We hypothesize that hyperoxemia may be 1 of the triggering factors responsible for an increased oxidation of GSH (reduced glutathione). Moreover, an increased antioxidant enzyme activity, which reflects an oxidative stress, indicates that the antioxidant capacity of the newly born infant may have been surpassed.

Prostatectomia radical por via perineal: resultados dos 70 casos iniciais / Radical perineal prostatectomy: results of the 70 initial cases

De setembro de 1996 a fevereiro de 1998, 70 pacientes foram submetidos à prostatectomia radical por via perineal para tratamento do adenocarcinoma localizado da próstata, clinicamente estagiados de T1 à T2b. Os critérios de seleçäo para utilizar a via perineal foram: glândulas menores de 60g., PSA menor que 20ng/ml, escore de Gleason menor ou igual a 7, ausência de doença extra-prostática ou ganglionar aos exames de ultra-som transretal e tomografia computadorizada da pelve. Nos casos de escore de Gleason 7 ou PSA entre 10 e 20ng/ml, procedeu-se a linfadenectomia pélvica concomitante, através de mini-laparotomia. Todos os casos foram operados pela mesma equipe. Dos 70 casos operados, três necessitaram transfusäo sanguínea. O tempo cirúrgico médio foi de 1h e 45 min. A idade média foi de 64 anos (54 - 72 anos) e o seguimento médio foi de 16 meses (6 a 23 meses). O PSA pré-operatório médio foi de 7,2ng/ml (2,7 a 20,6 ng/ml). Em 10/70 pacientes (14,3 porcento) apresentaram PSA maior que 0,1 ng/ml no seguimento. Dos 70 pacientes, 85,72 porcento estäo completamente continentes ou com mínima incontinência de esforço, 14,28 porcento estäo com incontinência urinária severa ou moderada e 8 porcento estäo com incontinência fecal leve ou moderada. Quatro pacientes (5,7 porcento) desenvolveram estenose da anastomose vésico-uretral, necessitando dilataçöes posteriores. Dos pacientes que tinham atividade sexual pré-operatório, 41 porcento mantiveram atividade sexual inalterada ou minimamente prejudicada no pós-operatório. Nenhum paciente morreu em decorrência do ato operatório. Concluímos que a prostatectomia radical por via perineal é uma cirurgia segura, rápida e eficiente no tratamento do câncer de próstata, sendo uma ótima opçäo em casos selecionados