Assessment of Factors Related to Adherence to Treatment in Liver Transplantation Candidates.

BACKGROUND: The relevance that adherence to treatment plays in liver transplantation, and the impact this factor may have on the success of treatment, are fundamental in assessing the variables which affect patient adherence during the pretransplantation period. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine factors that affect liver transplant candidates' adherence to treatment, and analyze the association between adherence, socioeconomic and demographic factors, clinical characteristics, and patient understanding about the disease and liver transplantation. METHODS: This epidemiological, observational, and prospective study included 62 patients registered in the technical database of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo during the period November 2012-May 2014. The dependent variable was adherence to treatment among liver transplantation candidates, and the independent variables included understanding the disease and the transplantation process, and depression and anxiety symptoms among liver transplantation candidates. RESULTS: Work situation (P = .038), understanding about the disease (P = .002), and use of laxatives (P = .045) were the factors related to statistically significant adherence, and it can be concluded that implementation of an educational program may increase adherence up to 3.48 times in the pretransplantation phase, as adherence was 3.48 times lower in patients who reported little or no knowledge of the disease or the procedure.

Evaluation of chemical treatment on zirconia surface with two primer agents and an alkaline solution on bond strength.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effect of an alkaline solution and two 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP)-based primer agents on bond strength to zirconia (yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconium polycrystal [Y-TZP]) through the shear bond strength (SBS) test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty square-shaped Y-TZP samples were embedded in an acrylic resin mold, polished, and randomly assigned to one of six groups (n=10) according to treatment surface: group CR, no treatment (control); group NaOH, 0.5 M NaOH; group AP, Alloy Primer; group ZP, Z-Primer Plus; group NaOH-AP, 0.5 M NaOH + Alloy Primer; and group NaOH-ZP, 0.5 M NaOH + Z-Primer Plus. The resin cement (Rely X U100) was applied inside a matrix directly onto the Y-TZP surface, and it was light-cured for 40 seconds. The samples were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hours prior to the test, which was performed in a universal machine at a crosshead-speed of 0.5 mm/min. The data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey tests (p<0.05). Light stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to assess the surface topography and failure mode. RESULTS: The SBS was significantly affected by the chemical treatment (p<0.0001). The AP group displayed the best results, and the use of NaOH did not improve SBS results relative to either AP or ZP. The samples treated with Alloy Primer displayed mainly mixed failures, whereas those conditioned with Z-Primer Plus or with 0.5 M NaOH presented a balanced distribution of adhesive and mixed failure modes. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a NaOH solution may have modified the reactivity of the Y-TZP surface, whereas the employment of a MDP/6-4-vinylbenzyl-n-propyl amino-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-dithione-based primer enhanced the Y-TZP bond strength.

KDP:Mn piezoelectric coefficients obtained by X-ray diffraction.

Crystals of pure potassium dihydrogen phosphate KH(2)PO(4) (KDP) and Mn-doped KDP (KDP:Mn) were grown from a water solution by the slow evaporation method and their piezoelectric properties were studied by X-ray diffraction methods. The results have shown an increase in the piezoelectric coefficients with the doping.

The entomopathogenic potential of Aspergillus spp. in mosquitoes vectors of tropical diseases.

Eleven strains of the most frequent Aspergillus species found in a survey of Brazilian mosquitoes collected in the states of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were used for bioassays in second-stage larvae of Aedes fluviatilis and Culex quinquefasciatus. Aspergillus ochraceus, A. kanagawaensis and one strain of A. sulphureus were most effective, causing mortality in at least 80% of the larvae of the two mosquito species tested. Variations in entomopathogenic capacity were observed in the experiments with strains of A. sulphureus, A. flavus and A. ochraceus.

Use of lidocaine, propranolol, amiodarone, and verapamil in toad envenoming (Genus Bufo) in dogs

Toad envenoming in dogs can cause death by cardiac fibrilation (CVF). Traditional therapy consists mainly of atropine and propranolol, the last one used to prevent the CVF, that is preceded by negative ventricular deflections (NVDs) in the QRS complex of the electrocardiogram. This study intended to verify, comparatively, the lidocaine, propranolol, amiodarone, and verapamil abilities to prevent CVF in experimentally envenomed dogs. Thirty-six dogs were divided into 6 groups (GL, GP, GA, GV, GST and GSV) with n=6; the dogs were submitted to volatile anaesthesia. The animals of the groups GL, GP, GA, and GV received 0.38g of toad venom through oro-gastric catheter and were treated with the following drugs respectively: lidocaine (4mg/Kg), propranolol (0.1mg/Kg), amiodarone (8mg/Kg), and verapamil (2mg/Kg). These drugs were repeated if NVDs reappeared with cardiac frequency > 150, GST was not treated and GSV was just anaesthetized. The following results were obtained: GL, NVDs present in 4 animals, 100 per cent recuperation with 3.66 doses/animal; GP, NVDs present in 2 animals, 100 per cent recuperation with 3.66 doses/animal; GP, NVDs present in 2 animals, 100 per cent recuperation with 1.66 dose/animal, with bradycardia at the anaesthetic return; GA, NVDs present in 3 animals, 33.33 per cent recuperation with 1.5 dose/animal; GV, NVDs present in 4 animals, 100 per cent recuperation with 2.16 doses/animal; GST, NVD present in 6 animals, 100 per cent death and GSV, NVDs absent, 100 per cent recuperation. As a conclusion, the anaesthetic proceedings used, did not cause NVDs, the envenoming that was not treated was lethal, and among the antiarrhythmics drugs used, verapamil was the most efficient, as it did not cause any serious bradycardia at the anaesthetic return and did not require repeated administrations. For lidocaine, it was efficient but required various administrations; amiodarone could not prevent the death of 4 animals; propranolol was efficient in relation to NVDs control, but caused serious bradycardia at the anaesthetic return.

Ultrastructural differences observed in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis yeast phase cells grown on solid and in liquid medium.

An ultrastructural study was conducted on, yeast-like Paracoccidioides brasiliensis cells grown on liquid and solid peptone--yeast extract--glucose medium. A large proportion of cells grown in liquid medium presented cytoplasmic damage compared with the cells grown on solid medium, which remained intact, suggesting that agar plays an important role in the development of this fungus.

Pathogenic action of Penicillium species on mosquito vectors of human tropical diseases.

In vitro bioassays were performed in order to assess the pathogenicity of 13 Penicillium strains in 2nd stage larvae of Aedes aegypti, Aedes fluviatilis, Anopheles aquasalis and Culex quinquefasciatus. Mortality rates began in the first 24 hours, ranging from 0 to 100%. P. corylophilum, P. fellutanum, P. implicatum, P. janthinellum, P. viridicatum and P. waksmanii species tested on Aedes aegypti larvae and at different concentrations presented mortality rates from 0 to 6.6%. These species, when tested on Aedes fluviatilis, Anopheles aquasalis and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae, presented a mortality rate of 3.33% to 100%. Susceptibility of Aedes fluviatilis, Aedes aegypti, Anopheles aquasalis and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes to the tested agents, turn P. corylophilum and P. janthinellum into candidates for potential use in biological control of vectors.

Penicillium species in mosquitoes from two Brazilian regions.

Penicillium species were isolated from 1073 adult mosquitoes and larvae of Aedes spp., Anopheles spp., Culex spp. and Mansonia spp. captured in the northern and southeastern regions of Brazil. In a total of 24 collections, 198 Penicillium strains were identified in 13 species: Penicillium canescens, P. chrysogenum, P. citrinum, P. corylophilum, P. decumbens, P. expansum, P. fellutanum, P. implicatum, P. janthinellum, P. oxalicum, P. purpurogenum, P. viridicatum and P. waksmanii. The total isolation frequency of the Penicillium species in the investigated mosquitoes was: Anopheles spp. (51.5%), Aedes spp. (15.1%), Culex spp. (23.7%) and Mansonia spp. (10.1%). The Penicillium species with the highest incidence in the mosquito genera were: P. corylophilum, P. janthinellum, P. fellutanum and P. waksmanii. The highest number of mosquitoes were captured in the state of Rio de Janeiro, followed by Rondônia and Minas Gerais.

Localization of glycoconjugates and glycogen in yeast-like cells and protoplasts of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.

The presence and localization of storage polysaccharides and of polysaccharides as cell structure constituents of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis yeast-like cells and protoplasts were studied using the periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (PATAg) technique. Yeast-like cells presented glycogen particles in the form of rosettes, which were mostly concentrated in regions of the cytoplasm. Cells in the budding process presented small amounts of glycogen in their matrix. The intracellular membranes and the attachment of the mother cell to the bud were clearly labelled by silver, demonstrating a large amount of glyco-conjugates. The protoplasts presented a small amount of glycogen in their cytoplasm, a reduction probably due to the enzymatic treatment to which the cells were submitted.

External-feedback effects in high-gain scattering media.

We report on experimental studies of external-feedback effects on high-gain scattering media. We explain experimental results for the pump energy required for laser action as a function of the separation between a mirror and the media by use of Monte Carlo simulations and integration of the laser equations.

Speckle-mirror laser.

We report on a new laser feedback mechanism that uses speckle-pattern phenomena to create highly dispersive feedback. This speckle mirror is capable of creating laser emission as narrow as that from laser cavities using a number of dispersive elements such as gratings and prisms. Contributions from the peaks of intensity of the speckle patterns and a limited pumping-beam diameter are the basic conditions for the observation of this effect.

Inoculation experimental animals with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis strains: an attempt to reestablish the dimorphic process and variation in pathogenicity as a function of time of preservation under mineral oil.

In an attempt to reestablish the dimorphic process in strains of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in the transition phase (Y reversible M) and to reisolate them, five strains in the transitional phase due to the long time of preservation under mineral oil and two strains in the yeast-like phase were inoculated into male albino rats. The animals were then studied for the presence of paracoccidioidomycotic granulomata. Of the seven strains inoculated, five caused granulomatous nodules in several organs of the animals and only two of these five strains, which had been preserved for the shortest period of time (9 years) were reisolated in culture. Two strains were unable to provoke infection, with no lesions detected in any organ. It is assumed that the long period of time during which the strains were left under oil favored the alteration of celt wall contents, leading to differences in pathogenicity.

Diversity of microfungi in the sandy soil of Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The mycobiota of the sandy soil of Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was investigated in 144 sand samples collected at four different sites along the sea coast, divided into three subsites, for a period of one year. A total of 4285 yeast colonies and of 6956 of colonies filamentous fungi were isolated using conventional media and techniques. Representatives of the filamentous fungi corresponding to a total of 1334 colonies were identified and assigned to 34 genera and 170 species. The genera of highest incidence and their respective numbers of species were as follows: Aspergillus, 30.4%, 32 spp.; Penicillium, 16.2%, 35 spp.; Fusarium, 12,6%, 33 spp.; Trichoderma, 6.4%, 7 spp.; Paecilomyces, 3.7%, 10 spp.; Cladosporium, 3.1%, 8 spp. and Acremonium, 1.0%, 8 spp. Several other genera and species were detected at quite low occurrences. Non-sporulating fungi (18.3%) and Coelomycetes (Sphaeropsidales) (1.9%) were also detected. Most of the genera detected belonged to the Deuteromycotina, with fewer proportions belonging to the Ascomycotina and Zygomycotina. Moniliaceae was represented by the largest number of species and Dematiaceae was represented by the largest number of genera. In terms of seasonal distribution, the largest number of filamentous fungi was isolated during the winter and the smallest number the Summer.

Coherent backscattering from high-gain scattering media.

We report on experimental observations of coherent backscattering signals from high-gain scattering media in the regime where significant amplification takes place over one transport length. Our samples consist of polymer sheets containing optically pumped dyes as the amplifying medium, with TiO(2) nanoparticles providing the scattering. The width of the backscattering cones narrows with increasing amplification, while the enhancement factor remains unchanged.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis protoplast production by enzymatic treatment.

The action of the enzymes novozym 234, chitinase and zymolyase 20T on the yeast-like cells of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis was studied in an attempt to obtain protoplast release. Three enzyme systems were used: the first consisted of novozym 234 and chitinase plus 0.2 M phosphate buffer, 0.9 M sorbitol and 0.5 M sodium thioglycolate; the second consisted of novozym 234, chitinase, zymolyase 20T, buffer and osmotic stabilizer, with no sodium thioglycolate; the third consisted of the same enzymes as used in the second system but at twice the concentration, plus buffer and osmotic stabilizer. Protoplasts were only released from 72-h-old cells cultured on solid peptone-yeast extract-glucose medium (PYG) treated with the third enzyme system. Sodium thioglycolate used as pretreatment favoured protoplast release but had no such action when added to the enzyme solution, possibly by altering the activity of the enzymes, novozym 234 in particular. The osmotic stabilizer used, 0.9 M sorbitol, was probably one of the factors, in addition to the enzymes, responsible for the cytoplasmic changes observed by transmission electron microscopy in yeast phase cells and in their protoplasts.

Viability and morphological alterations of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis strains preserved under mineral oil for long periods of time.

We evaluated the survival and the morphological alteration of 70 strains of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis maintained in the Fungal Culture Collection of Institute Oswaldo Cruz and initially preserved by successive subculturing and later under mineral oil at room temperature from 1923 to 1992. Of the 70 strains preserved under mineral oil, 18 (26%) continued to be viable. The mycelia of the 18 viable strains and the mycelia of four representatives of the non-viable strains presented transitional micromorphology under mineral oil. Macroscopy and microscopy of the first subcultures of five of the seven strains, taken as random samples from the 18 viable strains and plated onto peptone-yeast extract-glucose agar, glucose-glycine-yeast extract agar and brain-heart infusion agar media at room temperature, revealed that all samples appeared to be in a transition phase (Y<-->M). These five strains were unable to grow and complete thermal dimorphism at a temperature of 37 degrees C. Only two strains were able to complete the entire dimorphic process. The period of preservation of these strains under oil was relatively short, i.e. 9 and 10 years. The results demonstrate that less widely spaced subculturing and more appropriate culture and environmental conditions are needed to preserve P. brasiliensis strains under oil.

Long-time survival and morphological stability of preserved Sporothrix schenckii strains.

The survival and stability of morphological traits of 33 Sporothrix schenckii strains were evaluated. Strain subcultures were maintained under mineral oil for different periods of time lasting as long as 41 years, or in sterile distilled water for as long as 23 years. Of the 33 strains preserved under mineral oil, 28 (85%) maintained viability and unchanged macro- and microscopic characteristics. All of the 4 strains maintained in distilled water also remained viable, with no morphological changes. The results confirm the efficiency of the methods used to preserve strains of the pathogenous and anamorphous fungus Sp. schenckii, especially in laboratories of limited resources.

Saturation splitting of line shapes in noncollinear four-wave mixing in SF(6).

Phase-conjugate emission by resonant degenerate four-wave mixing with two counterpropagating weak pump beams and a noncollinear strong object beam was calculated for a Doppler-broadened two-level system. Singlepeak Doppler-free lines with small saturation broadening at a collinear configuration became split for a wide angle. The effect is demonstrated with the use of a CO(2) laser and SF(6). Conversely, calculated line shapes with Stark splitting in a collinear arrangement became single peaked for a wide angle.

Saturation spectroscopy of infrared molecular transition in an optically thick cell.

Low-background sub-Doppler saturated absorption line shapes were obtained for SF(6) with a CO(2) laser. With the use of a high-power pump, linewidths near the collisional relaxation width have been observed. The theory for a two-level model has been calculated and shows that the rate-equation approximation overestimates the line narrowing because of the propagation effect. Consistent with experiments, for linear absorption coefficients alphal of less than 15, no subnatural line is predicted.

Saturated absorption in SF(6) with double-velocity selection.

Doppler-free saturated absorption of a weak CO(2) laser probe on SF(6), which is caused by two noncollinear pump beams, is reported. A small-linewidth angular dependence was observed and can be predicted in agreement with a fifth-order perturbation calculation for a two-level atom.