Effects of Particle Size Distribution of Standard Sands on the Physical-Mechanical Properties of Mortars.

Obtained natural sands can present different particle size distributions (PSD), although they have the same mineralogical origin. These differences directly influence the physical and mechanical behavior of mortars and, therefore, the performance of mortar and ceramic renderings. Standardizing the particle size of sands based on pre-established requirements in normative standards (NBR 7214 or ASTM C778) is one way to minimize these effects. However, these standards do not consider the optimization of the granular skeleton through the analysis of bulk density and PSD, which may be insufficient to obtain satisfactory results. Therefore, this paper analyzes the effects of using different particle size ranges on the physical and mechanical behavior of cement and hydrated lime mortars. The properties of consistency index, bulk density, air content, capillary water absorption, water absorption by immersion, flexural strength, compressive strength, and dynamic modulus of elasticity were evaluated. For this purpose, standardized sands of the same mineralogical origin were made with different particle size ranges, being: (i) standardized sand constituted by 25% of coarse and fine fractions (S25-control), (ii) standardized sand constituted by 30% of coarse fraction and 20% of fine fraction (S30-20), and (iii) standardized sand composed by 40% of coarse fraction, and 10% of fine fraction (S40-10), respectively. The results indicated that variations in the particle size composition of the standardized sands are necessary to obtain mixtures with higher compactness and, therefore, mortars with better physical and mechanical performance. Thus, the dosage of the particle size fractions of standardized sand should consider the optimization of the granular skeleton, being the unit mass and the granulometric composition as important parameters to meet this premise.

Microbiota de úlceras venosas pós uso de "Bota de Unna" / Microorganisms present after use of Unna's boot from ulcers venous patient

Modelo do Estudo: Foi realizado um estudo individual, analítico, observacional, longitudinal prospectivo, controlado, estudo de coortes concorrente, realizado no período de abril de 2013 a novembro de 2014. Objetivo: Avaliar a microbiota presente no exudato da úlcera venosa de pacientes com "Bota de Unna" e a sua resistência aos antimicrobianos. Métodos: Foram coletadas amostras do exudato de feridas de pacientes com o uso de "Bota de Unna" e de terapia tópica durante a troca do curativo e após sete dias. Os micro-organismos isolados foram identificados e testados quanto à susceptibilidade a antimicrobianos: Resultado: Os micro-organismos Gram positivos isolados foram: S. aureus, E. faecalis, S. xylosus e S. haemolyticus. Os micro-organismos Gram negativos foram: E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. plymuthica, P. mirabilis, K. pneumoniae, K. oxytoca, P. stuartii, P. vulgaris, A. hydrophila, S. marcescens, A.baumannii, E. cloacae e Tatumella sp. O percentual de crescimento e a microbiota no exudato da úlcera após sete dias não foi significante entre os dois tipos de curativo. O aumento de resistência dos cocos Gram positivos aos antimicrobianos testados nos pacientes que utilizam a "Bota de Unna" foi maior do que nos pacientes sem bota (p=0,0093). Conclusão: O número de micro-organismos na microbiota do exudato da úlcera venosa após troca do curativo é maior independentemente do tipo do curativo. Os cocos Gram-positivos apresentam aumento de resistência aos antimicrobianos nos pacientes que utilizam a "Bota de Unna" (AU)

Model Study: A special analytical observational prospective longitudinal and controlled study of concurrent cohort was conducted from April 2013 to November 2014. Objective: To evaluate the microbiota present in the secretion of venous ulcer patients with "Unna Boot" and their resistance to antimicrobials. Methods: secretion samples were collected from wounds of patients with and without the use of "Unna Boot" and topic therapy during the dressing change and after seven days. The isolated microorganisms were identified and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility: Result: The isolated Gram-positive microorganisms were: S. aureus, E. faecalis, S. haemolyticus and S. xylosus. Gram-negative microorganisms were E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. plymuthica, P. mirabilis, K. pneumoniae, K. oxytoca, P. stuartii, P. vulgaris, A. hydrophila, S. marcescens, A. baumannii, E. cloacae and Tatumella sp. The growth percentage and the microbiota in the secretion of the ulcer after seven days was not significant between the two types of dressing. The resistance of Gram-positive cocci to antimicrobials in patients using the "Unna Boot" was higher than in patients without boot (p = 0.0093). Conclusion: The number of microorganisms in microbial secretion venous ulcer after dressing change is higher regardless of the type of dressing. The positive cocci increased antimicrobial resistance in patients using the "Unna Boot".(AU)

Evaluating the effectiveness of the customized Unna boot when treating patients with venous ulcers.

BACKGROUND: Lower limb ulcers are a serious medical and socioeconomic problem throughout the world. One type of chronic wound of the lower extremities is the venous ulcer. Therapeutic methods for treating venous ulcer include the use of the Unna boot. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of the customized Unna boot in the treatment of venous ulcers and to monitor the subsequent development and healing of the lesions. METHODS: Prospective exploratory and quantitative longitudinal study, conducted at the "Outpatients Department (Wound Care) of the Grupo da Fraternidade Espírita Irmão Alexandre" in the city of Pouso Alegre (MG), Brazil, in 2008. The sample consisted of 32 patients with venous ulcers who underwent treatment with the Unna boot and 11 patients (control group), who used a simple bandage application. The patients'lesions were monitored over a three month period. RESULTS: The average age of the predominently female (65.1%) patients was 61.88. From observing the differences in healing times at the three evaluation stages, it was clear that after the initial evaluation the wound area decreased in Groups 1 and 2 (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The use of the customized Unna boot contributes to quicker healing. However, over a period of three months the simple bandage applications were seen to be just as effective as the Unna boot method.

Evaluating the effectiveness of the customized Unna boot when treating patients with venous ulcers* / A avaliação da eficácia da bota de Unna artesanal no tratamento de pacientes portadores de úlceras venosas

Lower limb ulcers are a serious medical and socioeconomic problem throughout the world. One type of chronic wound of the lower extremities is the venous ulcer. Therapeutic methods for treating venous ulcer include the use of the Unna boot. To evaluate the effectiveness of the customized Unna boot in the treatment of venous ulcers and to monitor the subsequent development and healing of the lesions. Prospective exploratory and quantitative longitudinal study, conducted at the "Outpatients Department (Wound Care) of the Grupo da Fraternidade Espírita Irmão Alexandre" in the city of Pouso Alegre (MG), Brazil, in 2008. The sample consisted of 32 patients with venous ulcers who underwent treatment with the Unna boot and 11 patients (control group), who used a simple bandage application. The patients'lesions were monitored over a three month period. The average age of the predominently female (65.1%) patients was 61.88. From observing the differences in healing times at the three evaluation stages, it was clear that after the initial evaluation the wound area decreased in Groups 1 and 2 (p>0.05). The use of the customized Unna boot contributes to quicker healing. However, over a period of three months the simple bandage applications were seen to be just as effective as the Unna boot method. .

As úlceras de membros inferiores constituem um sério problema médico e socioeconómico mundial. Um tipo de ferida crónica dos membros inferiores é a úlcera venosa. Dentre os métodos terapêuticos encontra-se o curativo bota de Unna artesanal. Avaliar a eficácia do uso da bota de Unna artesanal no tratamento de úlceras venosas e acompanhar o desenvolvimento da cicatrização das feridas. Estudo do tipo longitudinal e prospectivo, de caráter exploratório e quantitativo, realizado no ambulatório de feridas do Grupo da Fraternidade Espírita Irmão Alexandre na cidade de Pouso Alegre - MG, no ano de 2008. A amostra foi composta de 32 pacientes portadores de úlceras venosas que realizavam o tratamento com bota de Unna e de 11, grupo controle, que utilizaram curativo simples. As lesões dos pacientes foram acompanhadas por um período de três meses. A idade média das pessoas foi de 61,88 anos, predominando o sexo feminino (65,1%). Observando-se as diferenças nos tempos de cicatrização das feridas, em relação aos três momentos de avaliação, evidenciou-se que após a avaliação inicial houve diminuição da área da ferida, semelhante tanto para o grupo 1 como para o grupo 2 (p>0,05). A utilização da Bota de Unna artesanal contribui para aceleração no processo cicatricial, porém quando comparada com o curativo simples apresentou semelhante eficiência que este, quando analisada por um período de três meses. .

Depression and conservative surgery for breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Depression is prevalent among women and associated with reduced quality of life, and therefore it is important to determine its incidence in adult women, especially in those with breast cancer. OBJECTIVE: To determine the occurrence of depression in women who underwent conservative surgery for breast cancer with or without breast reconstruction. METHODS: Seventy-five women aged between 18 and 65 years were enrolled. Patients had undergone conservative surgery for breast cancer with immediate breast reconstruction (n = 25) or without breast reconstruction (n = 25) at least one year before the study. The control group consisted of 25 women without cancer, but of similar age and educational level distribution as the other two groups. The Beck Depression Inventory was used to measure depression. The collected data were assessed using analysis of variance and the χ² test. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups in age (p = 0.72) or educational level (p = 0.20). A smaller number of patients had undergone the menopause (p = 0.02) in the control group than in other groups. There were no significant differences in occurrence of depression between groups (χ² = 9.97; p = 0.126). CONCLUSÍON: Conservative surgery for breast cancer did not affect the occurrence of depression in women, regardless of whether breast reconstruction was performed.

Depression and conservative surgery for breast cancer

BACKGROUND: Depression is prevalent among women and associated with reduced quality of life, and therefore it is important to determine its incidence in adult women, especially in those with breast cancer. OBJECTIVE: To determine the occurrence of depression in women who underwent conservative surgery for breast cancer with or without breast reconstruction. METHODS: Seventy-five women aged between 18 and 65 years were enrolled. Patients had undergone conservative surgery for breast cancer with immediate breast reconstruction (n = 25) or without breast reconstruction (n = 25) at least one year before the study. The control group consisted of 25 women without cancer, but of similar age and educational level distribution as the other two groups. The Beck Depression Inventory was used to measure depression. The collected data were assessed using analysis of variance and the χ2 test. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups in age (p = 0.72) or educational level (p = 0.20). A smaller number of patients had undergone the menopause (p = 0.02) in the control group than in other groups. There were no significant differences in occurrence of depression between groups (χ2=9.97; p = 0.126). CONCLUSÍON: Conservative surgery for breast cancer did not affect the occurrence of depression in women, regardless of whether breast reconstruction was performed.