[Spatial and temporal patterns of mortality among motorcyclists in a State of the Brazilian Northeast in the 21st century]. / Padrões espaciais e temporais da mortalidade de motociclistas em estado do nordeste brasileiro no século XXI.

The scope of this work was to analyze the trend and distribution of mortality among motorcyclists in traffic accidents in the State of Alagoas. It involved an ecological study relating to all deaths resulting from motorcycle accidents in the state in the period from 2001 to 2015. Mortality data were obtained from the Mortality Information System (MIS). Mortality rates were calculated and stratified by gender. The joinpoint regression model was used for trend analysis and the Annual Percentage Variation (APV) was calculated with a significance rate of 5%. For the spatial analysis, local empirical Bayesian modeling and Moran statistics and spatial scanning statistics were applied. There were 1,458 deaths of motorcyclists in the period studied, 91.3% of which were men. Three temporal behaviors were observed in this population group: growth (2001-2005), stationary pattern (2005-2013) and decline from 2013 onwards. The highest rates were observed in the 'agreste' and 'sertão' regions of the state of Alagoas. Five spatial clusters were revealed with relation to general and male mortality, all located in the 'agreste' and 'sertão' hinterlands of Alagoas. The modeling showed a reduction of mortality from 2013 onwards and the spatial analysis revealed that the problem is more acute in the interior of the state.

Este trabalho objetivou analisar a tendência e a distribuição espacial da mortalidade de motociclistas em acidentes de transporte no estado de Alagoas. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico referente a todos os óbitos decorrentes de acidentes motociclísticos no estado no período 2001-2015. Os dados de mortalidade foram obtidos do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM). As taxas de mortalidade foram calculadas e estratificadas por sexo. Para a análise de tendência, foi empregado o modelo de regressão por pontos de inflexão. Calculou-se a Variação Percentual Anual (VPA). Significância de 5%. Para a análise espacial, aplicou-se modelagem bayesiana empírica local, estatística de Moran e estatística de varredura espacial. Foram registrados 1.458 óbitos de motociclistas no período estudado, sendo 91,3% homens. Três comportamentos temporais foram observados nessa população: crescimento (2001-2005), padrão estacionário (2005-2013) e declínio a partir de 2013. As maiores taxas foram observadas no agreste e sertão. Cinco aglomerados espaciais foram evidenciados no que se refere à mortalidade geral e masculina, todos situados no agreste e sertão alagoanos. A modelagem mostrou redução da mortalidade a partir de 2013 e a análise espacial evidenciou que o problema é mais grave no interior do estado.

Padrões espaciais e temporais da mortalidade de motociclistas em estado do nordeste brasileiro no século XXI / Spatial and temporal patterns of mortality among motorcyclists in a State of the Brazilian Northeast in the 21st century

Resumo Este trabalho objetivou analisar a tendência e a distribuição espacial da mortalidade de motociclistas em acidentes de transporte no estado de Alagoas. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico referente a todos os óbitos decorrentes de acidentes motociclísticos no estado no período 2001-2015. Os dados de mortalidade foram obtidos do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM). As taxas de mortalidade foram calculadas e estratificadas por sexo. Para a análise de tendência, foi empregado o modelo de regressão por pontos de inflexão. Calculou-se a Variação Percentual Anual (VPA). Significância de 5%. Para a análise espacial, aplicou-se modelagem bayesiana empírica local, estatística de Moran e estatística de varredura espacial. Foram registrados 1.458 óbitos de motociclistas no período estudado, sendo 91,3% homens. Três comportamentos temporais foram observados nessa população: crescimento (2001-2005), padrão estacionário (2005-2013) e declínio a partir de 2013. As maiores taxas foram observadas no agreste e sertão. Cinco aglomerados espaciais foram evidenciados no que se refere à mortalidade geral e masculina, todos situados no agreste e sertão alagoanos. A modelagem mostrou redução da mortalidade a partir de 2013 e a análise espacial evidenciou que o problema é mais grave no interior do estado.

Abstract The scope of this work was to analyze the trend and distribution of mortality among motorcyclists in traffic accidents in the State of Alagoas. It involved an ecological study relating to all deaths resulting from motorcycle accidents in the state in the period from 2001 to 2015. Mortality data were obtained from the Mortality Information System (MIS). Mortality rates were calculated and stratified by gender. The joinpoint regression model was used for trend analysis and the Annual Percentage Variation (APV) was calculated with a significance rate of 5%. For the spatial analysis, local empirical Bayesian modeling and Moran statistics and spatial scanning statistics were applied. There were 1,458 deaths of motorcyclists in the period studied, 91.3% of which were men. Three temporal behaviors were observed in this population group: growth (2001-2005), stationary pattern (2005-2013) and decline from 2013 onwards. The highest rates were observed in the 'agreste' and 'sertão' regions of the state of Alagoas. Five spatial clusters were revealed with relation to general and male mortality, all located in the 'agreste' and 'sertão' hinterlands of Alagoas. The modeling showed a reduction of mortality from 2013 onwards and the spatial analysis revealed that the problem is more acute in the interior of the state.

Dengue associated with severe cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis and pericardial effusion: a case report.

Dengue is a viral disease, caused by an arbovirus of the genus Flavivirus. In Brazil, its incidence rate is high with a broad clinical spectrum. This report discusses a rare case of dengue associated with cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis and pericardial effusion with eminence of cardiac tamponade in a previously healthy patient with no comorbidities. The serology for dengue was positive and the histopathological analysis of the cutaneous lesions confirmed the diagnosis of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. After receiving treatment, the patient's condition greatly improved.

Adhesive performance of silver-palladium-copper-gold alloy and component metals bonded with organic sulfur-based priming agents and a tri-n-butylborane initiated luting material.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effect of thione-based metal priming agents on the adhesive behavior of a Ag-Pd-Cu-Au alloy and component metals bonded with an acrylic resin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Disk specimens (10 mm in diameter by 3 mm thick) were prepared from a silver-palladium-copper-gold (Ag-Pd-Cu-Au) alloy (Castwell M.C.12), high-purity silver, palladium, copper and gold. Four single-liquid priming agents containing organic sulfur compound (Alloy Primer, Metaltite, M.L. Primer and V-Primer) and three acidic priming agents (All Bond II Primer B, Estenia Opaque Primer and Super-Bond Liquid) were assessed. The metal specimens were flat-ground with abrasive papers, primed with one of the agents and bonded with a tri-n-butylborane initiated resin. The shear bond strengths were determined both before and after repeated thermocycling (5°C and 55°C, 1 min each, 20,000 cycles). The results were statistically analyzed with a non-parametric procedure (p = 0.05 level). RESULTS: The post-thermocycling bond strengths in MPa (median; n = 11) associated with the Alloy Primer, Metaltite, M.L. Primer and V-Primer materials were, respectively, 20.8, 22.8, 17.8 and 18.4 for the Ag-Pd-Cu-Au alloy; 19.6, 21.9, 14.4 and 20.1 for silver; 5.4, 4.5, 12.8 and 5.3 for palladium; 17.1, 19.2, 0.7 and 6.6 for copper; and 18.5, 17.7, 22.8 and 15.4 for gold. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that the use of the four priming agents, which are based on organic sulfur compounds, effectively enhanced bonding to the Ag-Pd-Cu-Au alloy and the component metals, although the bonding performance varied among the priming agents and metal elements. The priming agents appeared to have more of an effect on the alloy, silver and gold than on the palladium and copper.

Adhesive bonding of Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy and component metals with acidic primers and a tri-n-butylborane initiated resin.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of acidic functional monomers on the bond strength and durability of an acrylic resin joined to Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy and component metals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Disk specimens of two different sizes (10 and 8 mm in diameter and 2.5 mm in thickness) were prepared from uncast Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy, titanium, aluminum, and niobium. The specimens were ground with abrasive paper and divided into 8 groups: unprimed control, primed with Acryl Bond, Alloy Primer, All Bond II Primer B, Estenia Opaque Primer, M.L. Primer, MR. Bond, and Super-Bond Liquid. The disks were bonded with tri-n-butylborane (TBB)-initiated acrylic resin, and shear bond strengths were determined both before and after thermocycling. RESULTS: The Alloy Primer and Estenia Opaque Primer agents, which contain a hydrophobic phosphate monomer (MDP), and Super-Bond Liquid demonstrated a durable bond with Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy. MDP was also effective in bonding Ti, Al, and Nb. CONCLUSION: The two primers containing MDP were effective for treating Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy and Ti. Al and Nb showed bonding behavior similar to Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy and Ti when the two metals were treated with acidic primers and bonded with the TBB-initiated acrylic resin.

Evaluation of thiouracil-based adhesive systems for bonding cast silver-palladium-copper-gold alloy.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of adhesive systems based on a thiouracil monomer on bonding to silver-palladium-copper-gold (Ag-Pd-Cu-Au) alloy (Castwell M.C.12). Disk specimens were cast from the alloy and then air-abraded with alumina. The disks were bonded using six bonding systems selected from four primers and three luting materials. Shear bond strengths were determined both before and after thermocycling. Bond strength varied from 2.7 MPa to 32.0 MPa. Three systems based on a thiouracil monomer (MTU-6) showed durable bonding to the alloy, with post-thermocycling bond strengths of 22.4 MPa for the Metaltite (MTU-6) primer and Super-Bond, a tri-n-butylborane (TBB) initiated resin, 9.0 MPa for the Multi-Bond II resin, and 8.1 MPa for the Metaltite and Bistite II system. It can be concluded that a combination of thiouracil-based primer and TBB initiated resin is effective for bonding Ag-Pd-Cu-Au alloy.

Effect of alumina air-abrasion on mechanical bonding between an acrylic resin and casting alloys.

This study examined the effect of alumina air-abrasion with different pressure on bonding between an acrylic resin and casting alloys. Disk specimens (8 and 10 mm in diameter) were cast from a silver-palladium-copper-gold (Ag-Pd-Cu-Au, Castwell M.C.12) alloy and a titanium-aluminum-niobium alloy (Ti-6Al-7Nb, T-Alloy Tough). The disks were air-abraded with alumina particles (50-70 microm) under different air-pressures (0 unabraded, 0.1, and 0.6 MPa). The disk pairs were bonded together with a tri-n-butylborane (TBB)-initiated acrylic resin, and shear bond strengths were determined both before and after thermocycling. Bond strength varied from a maximum of 37.1 MPa to a minimum of 3.6 MPa for the Ag-Pd-Cu-Au alloy, whereas bond strength to Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy ranged from 34.7 MPa to 0.1 MPa. Specimens abraded with 0.6 MPa pressure recorded the greatest post-thermocycling bond strength (21.7 MPa and 17.9 MPa), and unabraded specimens showed the lowest strength (3.6 MPa and 0.1 MPa) for both alloys. Post-thermocycling bond strength to the Ag-Pd-Cu-Au alloy was higher than that to the Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy under identical air-abrading conditions. It can be concluded that alumina air-abrasion with an air-pressure of 0.6 MPa is effective in enhancing retentive characteristics of the TBB-initiated resin joined to the alloys.

Epinephrine quantification in pharmaceutical formulations utilizing plant tissue biosensors.

A plant tissue biosensor associated with flow injection analysis is proposed to determine epinephrine in pharmaceutical samples. The polyphenol oxidase enzymes present in the fibers of a palm tree fruits (Livistona chinensis), catalyses the oxidation of epinephrine to epinephrinequinone as a primary product. This product is then electrochemically reduced (at -0.10 V versus Ag/AgClsat) on the biosensor surface and the resulting current is used for the quantification of epinephrine. The biosensor provides a linear response for epinephrine in the concentration range from 5.0 x 10(-5) to 3.5 x 10(-4) mol l(-1). The limit of detection estimated for this interval was 1.5 x 10(-5) mol l(-1) and the correlation coefficient of 0.998, working under a flow rate of 2.0 ml min(-1) and using a sample loop of 100 microl. The repeatability (R.S.D. for 10 consecutive determinations of a 3.0 x 10(-4) mol l(-1) epinephrine solution) was 3.1%. The results obtained by the method here proposed were compared with the official UV spectrophotometric procedure and also using a plant tissue reactor. The responses obtained with the proposed strategies were in good agreement with both ways of analyses, whereas the values obtained by the official spectrophotometric method was strongly affected by benzoic acid, present in the formulation of pharmaceutical product utilized for inhalation. Such favorable results obtained with the carbon paste biosensor or utilizing the bioreactor, joined with the simplicity of its preparation turns these procedures very attractive for epinephrine quantification in pharmaceutical products.

Electrochemical behavior of pyrroloquinoline quinone immobilized on silica gel modified with zirconium oxide.

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) was immobilized on the silica gel surface modified with zirconium oxide, designated as Si:Zr, by the carboxylic groups of the PQQ molecule and the zirconium oxide on the silica surface. The electrochemistry of PQQ immobilized on the Si:Zr matrix, incorporated in a carbon paste electrode, was evaluated using the cyclic voltammetry technique. The Si:Zr:PQQ-modified electrode showed a redox couple at E(m)=(E(pa1)+E(pc))/2=-0.150 V vs SCE at pH 7, close to that observed in aqueous solution, and another oxidation peak, E(pa2)=-0.100 V vs SCE. Studies in different pH solutions in the range of 3-7 showed that the first oxidation peak, E(pa1), is highly dependent on the solution pH shifting from to -0.175 to 0.100 V vs SCE, while E(pa2) remains practically constant at 0.100 V as the pH decreases from 7 to 3. The immobilized PQQ electrode presented the property to electrocatalyze the NADH at 150 mV vs SCE. The effect of addition of Ca(2+) ions on the electrode electroactivity for the NADH oxidation was also verified. Different from that observed for the PQQ immobilized on other electrode materials, the Ca(2+) ions did not influence the electrocatalytical response; however, the electrode stability was considerably improved in the presence of Ca(2+) ions, indicating that the matrix surface has a great influence on the electrochemical behavior of PQQ.

Lysophosphatidic acid enhances in vivo infiltration and activation of guinea pig eosinophils and neutrophils via a Rho/Rho-associated protein kinase-mediated pathway.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) has been shown to be a chemoattractant in in vitro studies. The present study was carried out to determine whether LPA enhances infiltration of inflammatory cells in in vivo studies with guinea pigs. LPA (1 - 10 microg/ml), when by guinea pigs for 5 min, substantially increased the numbers of eosinophils and neutrophils in the bronchoalveolar lavege fluid (BALF), which was recovered at over 4 h after the inhalation of LPA. Infiltration in BALF was significantly inhibited by inhalation of Y-27632, an inhibitor of Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK). LPA also increased superoxide production of eosinophils and neutrophils. In contrast, Y-27632 inhibited superoxide production. These findings suggest that LPA may contribute to infiltration and activation of inflammatory cells in bronchial asthma; furthermore, the Rho/ROCK-mediated pathway may be involved.

Synthesis and antirheumatic activity of the metabolites of esonarimod.

We have developed esonarimod, (+/-)-2-acetylthiomethyl-4-(4-methylphenyl)-4-oxobutanoic acid, as a new antirheumatic drug. Now we describe herein the preparation of the enantiomers of (+/-)-deacetylesonarimod, the pharmaceutically active metabolites of esonarimod, and comparison of their antirheumatic activities. No significant difference has been observed between the two enantiomers. In a pre-clinical study of esonarimod, other metabolites were detected in rat blood or urine. We also synthesized these compounds as authentic samples to analyze the human metabolites in clinical studies of esonarimod.

Role of Rho-associated protein kinase and histamine in lysophosphatidic acid-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in guinea pigs.

Inhalation of oleoyl lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) induced airway hyperresponsiveness to acetylcholine (ACh). In contrast, palmitoyl and stearoyl LPA exerted minimal effects. Airway hyperresponsiveness was inhibited by inhalation of Y-27632, an inhibitor of Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK). Mepyramine, an H1 histamine receptor antagonist and ketotifen, an inhibitor of histamine release and H1 histamine receptor antagonist, also inhibited airway hyperresponsiveness induced by LPA; however, aspirin failed to attenuate this response. The incubation of lung fragments with LPA gave rise to releases in histamine. On the other hand, LPA produced no significant changes on the smooth muscle contraction evoked by ACh. These findings suggest that LPA-induced airway hyperresponsiveness is attributable to activation of the Rho/ROCK-mediated pathway via endothelial cell differentiation gene (EDG) receptors, probably EDG 7. Moreover, histamine release may be involved.