Experimental and Theoretical Study on Supramolecular Ionic Liquid (IL)-Asphaltene Complex Interactions and Their Effects on the Flow Properties of Heavy Crude Oils.

A combined study for understanding the molecular interactions of asphaltenes with molecular species such as ionic liquids (ILs) comprised experimental measurements and computational numerical simulation calculations, using density-functional theory (DFT) with dispersion corrections, molecular dynamics (MD) calculations, and experimental rheological characterization of the heavy crude oils (HCOs), before and after doping with ILs, respectively. The main results show that ILs influence the asphaltenic dimer association by forming supramolecular complexes that modify the properties of crude oils such as viscosity and interfacial tension. The IL-cation and asphaltene-π ligand molecular interactions seem to dominate the interactions between ionic liquids and asphaltenes, where ILs' high aromaticity index induces a strong interaction with the aromatic hard core of asphaltenes.

Branch retinal artery occlusion in a patient with one eye. Laser Nd:YAG approach. / Oclusión de rama arterial retiniana en un paciente con ojo único. Abordaje mediante láser Nd:YAG.

CLINICAL CASE: An 82-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department complaining of a sudden painless visual loss in his left eye (OS). He was diagnosed with branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) with a visible embolus. In 2012, he had a central artery occlusion (CRAO) in his right eye (OD). An embolysis with Nd:YAG laser was attempted, the retinal arterial blood flow was restored completely and the visual field was improved, with no secondary complications. CONCLUSIONS: Nd:YAG laser embolysis is a treatment to be considered in patients with BRAO with a visible embolus. The risks and benefits of the procedure should be evaluated, comparing it with possible permanent loss of visual acuity and other vascular complications caused by BRAO.

DFT study of the energetic and noncovalent interactions between imidazolium ionic liquids and hydrofluoric acid.

In this work, we evaluated the energetic interactions between imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) and hydrofluoric acid, as well as the cation-anion interactions in ILs. We used DFT calculations that include dispersion corrections employing the PBE and M06 functionals. We tested 22 ILs, including [C4MIM][PF6], [C4MIM][NTf2], and [C4MIM][CH3COO], obtaining interaction energies in the range of -27 to -13 kcal/mol with the PBE functional. The NCI (noncovalent interaction) index developed by Yang and collaborators ( J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010 , 132 , 6498 - 6506 ; J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2011 , 7 , 625 - 632 ) also was used for mapping the key noncovalent interactions (hydrogen bonds, van der Waals, and steric repulsions) between the anions and cations of ILs and also for interactions of ILs with hydrofluoric acid (HF). The results obtained show that the anions have a stronger effect with respect to cations in their capacity for interacting with hydrofluoric acid, and the strongest interaction energies occur in systems where the key noncovalent interactions are mainly hydrogen bonds. The [C4MIM][PF6], [C4MIM][NTf2], and [C4MIM][BF4] ionic liquids displayed the weakest cation-anion interactions.

Plasmocytoma of C1 in a child. Case report.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Vertebral involvement is a common occurrence in myelomas, but isolated involvement of the high cervical spine is exceptionally rare. This factor, together with the pediatric age of our patient, makes this case the first report of a plasmocytoma involving C1. CASE REPORT: A 14-year-old boy, without neurological involvement, presented with cervical pain and a palpable posterior neck mass. Cervical spine radiographs showed an osteolytic lesion at C1 compressing the cervical spinal canal and instability of the craniocervical junction. After a complete study, the patient was diagnosed with solitary plasmocytoma. A sequential treatment was instituted that consisted of radiotherapy after craniocervical junction stabilization with an halo-jacket, followed by occipitocervical stabilization with instrumented arthrodesis that was accompanied by resection of the residual C1 tumor and, finally, with consolidation of the oncological treatment with further radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: The treatment of choice for a cervical solitary plasmocytoma consists of a combination of chemotherapy, corticosteroids, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, but the main neurosurgical problem is the craniocervical instability as occurred in other tumor of the cervical column.

Aplicação da classificação internacional de funcionalidade, incapacidade e saúde (CIF) na prática clínica do fisioterapeuta / Application of the international classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF) in physiotherapists clinical practice

A Organizacao Mundial de Saude publicou a Classificacao Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saude (CIF), em 2001, que reflete a mudanca de uma abordagem baseada na doenca para enfatizar a funcionalidade como um componente da saude. Objetivo: Analisar a aplicabilidade clinica desse modelo e a importancia da CIf para o fisioterapeuta brasileiro. Metodo: Avaliacao fisioterapeutica de tres pacientes com lombalgia cronica, no contexto da CIF. Resultados: o paciente A relatou dor em grau tres, prejudicando a qualidade do sono e algumas atividades de vida diaria, nao apresentou restricao na participacao social e encontrava-se levemente satisfeito com a vida. O individuo B relatou dor graduada como quatro, chegando a nove no trabalho, limitacao na participacao social, principalmente restricoes ao lazer, e mostrou-se levemente insatisfeito com a vida. O individuo C apresentou dos constante e de grau cinco a lombalgia impactava negativamente seu trabalho e lazer. Este individuo mostrou-se extremamente insatisfeito com sua vida. Conclusao: o estudo mostrou que uma mesma patologia diagnosticada em diferentes individuos nao causaea necessariamente as mesmas repercussoes funcionais, dai a necessidade de os profissionais envolvidos na reabilitacao centrarem suas avaliacaoes e intervencoes no paciente, baseando-se no modelo da CIF como ferramenta para a descricao e a classificacao de todo o processo saude-doenca

Malignant hyperthermia.

Malignant hyperthermia is a pharmacogenetic disease of skeletal muscle characterized by hypermetabolism that occurs on exposure to a triggering agent or agents. The most common agents are halogenated inhalational anesthetics and succinylcholine, a depolarizing muscle relaxant. Patients who experience malignant hyperthermia are generally transferred to the ICU for ongoing treatment and monitoring for secondary complications of the disorder. Critical care practitioners must be both knowledgeable and competent to prevent and treat perioperative episodes of malignant hyperthermia. A thorough preoperative interview should be done to determine risk factors and susceptible patients. This article provides critical care nurses with sound information on the pathophysiology of malignant hyperthermia, the ability to assess the disease properly and treat the patient both before and after the crisis, and the ability to provide support and teaching to patients and patients' families to prevent the recurrence of malignant hyperthermia.