Study of Mercury [Hg(II)] Adsorption from Aqueous Solution on Functionalized Activated Carbon.

Mercury and its compounds are toxic substances, whose uncontrolled presence in the environment represents a danger to ecosystems and the organisms that inhabit in it. For this reason, in this work, we carried out a study of mercury [Hg(II)] adsorption from aqueous solution on functionalized activated carbon. The activated carbons were prepared by chemical activation of a mango seed with solutions of CaCl2 and H2SO4 at different concentrations, later, the carbonaceous materials were functionalized with Na2S, with the aim of increasing the sulfur content in the carbonaceous matrix and its affinity to mercury. The materials were characterized using: proximal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Boehm titrations, point zero charge (pHPZC), and infrared spectroscopy. Additionally, immersion calorimetries were performed in the mercury solution. The results of textural and chemical characterization show materials with low Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface areas between 2 and 33 m2·g-1 and low pore volumes. However, they had a rich surface chemistry of oxygenated groups. The enthalpies of immersion in the mercury solutions are between -31.71 and -77.31 J·g-1, showing a correlation between the magnitude of the enthalpic data and the adsorption capacity of the materials. It was evidenced that the functionalization process produces a decrease in the surface area and pore volume of the activated carbons, and an increase in the sulfur content of the carbonaceous matrix. It was evidenced that the functionalization process generated an increase in the mercury [Hg(II)] adsorption capacity between 21 and 49% compared to those of the nonfunctionalized materials, reaching a maximum adsorption capacity of 85.6 mgHg2+g-1.

Data of preparation and characterization of activated carbon using two activant agents and mango seed as precursor material.

The aim of this research is to prepare various carbonaceous materials with different textural, structural and chemical characteristics, using mango seed a rarely used residue for the preparation of activated carbons, as the precursor material. The mango seed was analyzed by TGA and SEM also methodological data about the preparation of activated carbons are provided. Four activated carbons were prepared using sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) as activating agents and were characterized by means of TGA, SEM/EDX, Boehm Titration, isotherm determination of N2 adsorption-desorption at -196 °C and immersion calorimetry. Four carbons were obtained with superficial areas BET between 6 and 33 m2 g-1 and different chemical characteristics associated with the changes in the concentration of the activating agents. The activated carbons that were prepared with the highest activating agent concentrations, obtained better results in the amount of oxygenated surface groups, the total acidity and the amount of fixed carbon. The enthalpy of immersion in water was between 7 and 16 J g-1.

Inducción de secuencia rápida para intubación orotraqueal en Urgencias / Rapid sequence induction for orotracheal intubation in the Emergency Department

La vía aérea es una de las más altas prioridades en un paciente críticamente enfermo. Su alteración es considerada como una de las principales causas de muerte, y la intubación orotraqueal es una de las formas más efectivas para su manejo. Objetivo: Suministrar información actualizada acerca del manejo de la vía aérea por medio de la intubación orotraqueal en el servicio de urgencias. Materiales y métodos: Se han empleado artículos de revisión narrativa, asados en la literatura de las bases de datos Pubmed, Ebsco y Lilacs, complementada con opiniones de expertos en el manejo de la vía aérea. Resultados: Conocer la forma en que debemos manejar al paciente con inminencia de falla ventilatoria e identificar a aquellos pacientes que en un determinado momento podrán llegar a presentar problemas para una adecuada ventilación u oxigenación y así poder anticiparse a los eventos; realizar una valoración clínica rápida para reconocer las características de la vía aérea, las indicaciones de intubación y un adecuado uso de los dispositivos y medicamentos. Las benzodiacepinas son medicamentos que se usan ampliamente en el proceso de intubación orotraqueal, sin embargo, existen otros medicamentos con mejor perfil que pueden ser utilizados según las características de cada paciente. Es indispensable la asociación de un medicamento miorrelajante para facilitar las maniobras de intubación. Conclusiones: La anticipación del evento disminuye el margen de error en la práctica clínica; la inducción de secuencia rápida para intubación orotraqueal permite realizar de manera ordenada una adecuada intubación orotraqueal, minimizar los errores y disminuir las consecuencias de una vía aérea mal manejada en el servicio de urgencias. La tenencia de todos los elementos necesarios para la correcta atención de los pacientes permite disminuir los tiempos de respuesta ante las urgencias.

A patent airway is one of the major priorities in the critically ill patient. An altered airway is considered one of the main causes of death, and orotracheal intubation constitutes one of the most effective procedures for airway management. Objective: To provide updated information on airway management using orotracheal intubation in the emergency department. Materials and methods: A narrative review article is presented based on the literature found in PubMed, Ebsco, and Lilacs databases, complemented with expert opinion on airway management. Results: In order to anticipate impending events and to manage the patient with imminent respiratory failure and other problems, a rapid clinical assessment is required to identify airway features, indications for intubation, and the appropriate use of the devices and medications. Benzodiazepines are widely used in these situations, but there are other medications with a better profile that could be used. The combination with an agent providing muscle relaxation is indispensable in order to facilitate intubation manoeuvres. Conclusions: Anticipating [impending] events (by rapid sequence induction for orotracheal intubation) minimises the margin of error in clinical practice. Having all the required elements to deliver adequate patient care can lead to decreased response times in emergency situations.

Hematurias hereditarias benignas: consideraciones diagnósticas a propósito de un caso / Benign inherited haematurias: diagnostic considerations a case purpose

Numerosas patologías intra y extrarrenales cursan con hematuria y tienen evolución tórpida, sin embargo, existe un pequeño grupo de trastornos hereditarios que son considerados benignos, entre ellos la hematuria familiar benigna y la hemoglobinopatía C, heredadas de forma codominante autosómica. El diagnóstico se realiza por exclusión. El caso clínico describe a una paciente que consulta para control de adulto sano presentando hematuria asintomática. No hay signos de daño en el funcionalismo renal, por lo que se solicitan estudios paraclínicos para descartar otras patologías que cursan con hematuria. Se descartan enfermedades infecciosas y del colágeno, cáncer renal, nefrolitiasis y hematuria familiar benigna. Por último, se plantea un defecto de la hemoglobina y se solicita electroforesis de hemoglobina que establece el diagnóstico de hemoglobinopatía C de rasgo heterocigoto. Se le explica a la paciente las características y el buen pronóstico de su patología. No se instaura tratamiento médico