Computational model of trachea-alveoli gas movement during spontaneous breathing.

A computational model of the transport of gases involved in spontaneous breathing, from the trachea inlet to the alveoli was developed for healthy patients. Convective and diffusive transport mechanisms were considered simultaneously, using a diffusion coefficient (D) that has considered the four main species of gases present in the exchange carried out by the human lung, nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor (H2O). A Matlab® script was programmed to simulate the trachea-alveolus gas exchange model under three respiratory frequencies: 12, 24 and 40 breaths per minute (BPM), each with three diaphragmatic movements of 2 cm, 4 cm, and 6 cm. During the simulations, the CO2 inlet concentrations in the alveoli and the O2 concentration at the inlet of the trachea were kept constant. A simplified but stable model of mass transport between the trachea and alveoli was obtained, allowing the concentrations to be determined dynamically at the selected test points in the airway.

Fabry disease in latin america: data from the fabry registry.

The purpose of these analyses was to characterize demographic and baseline clinical characteristics of Latin American patients with Fabry disease compared to that of patients in the rest of the world. Observational data reported to the Fabry Registry were obtained from untreated patients or prior to treatment with enzyme replacement therapy. As of October 1, 2010, 3,752 patients were enrolled in the Fabry Registry worldwide, including 333 patients within Latin America. Latin American patients tended to be younger than Fabry Registry patients enrolled in the rest of the world: mean current age 35.5 years versus 39.2 years for men (p < 0.05 by t-test), mean age 37.8 years versus 43.6 years for women (p < 0.05 by t-test). A smaller percentage of Latin American patients have received enzyme replacement therapy, compared to patients in the rest of the world: 67% versus 80% for men, and 19% versus 39% of women, respectively. Thirty-one percent of men and 22% of women in Latin America reported experiencing a significant cardiovascular, renal, or cerebrovascular event, at a mean age of 35 ± 12.6 years in men and 44 ± 12.3 years in women. Cardiovascular events were the most common type of initial clinical event among men and women in Latin America. The medical community in Latin America should be aware of Fabry disease as a possible cause of renal or cardiac dysfunction. Increased awareness will facilitate prompt diagnosis and initiation of treatment.

Valores hematológicos del machín negro (cebus apella) mantenido en cautiverio / Hematological values in tufted capuchin (cebus apella) reared in captivity

El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar los valores hematológicos referenciales del machín negro (Cebus apella) mantenidos en cautiverio en el Patronato del Parque de Las Leyendas, Lima. Se utilizaron 32 primates (25 machos y 7 hembras), entre juveniles, sub-adultos y adultos, en aparente buen estado de salud. Los primates fueron anestesiados con una combinación de ketamina (10 mg/kg/pv) y xilazina (1 mg/kg/pv), vía intramuscular, a través de una malla de contención. Se recolecto muestras de sangre por punción de la vena femoral utilizando vacutainers con anticoagulante EDTA. Se realizó el recuento de glóbulos rojos (GR) y blancos (GB) utilizando la cámara de Neubauer, el recuento plaquetario y diferencial utilizando la coloración de Wright, la determinación de la hemoglobina (Hb) con el método de cianometahemoglobina, el hematocrito (Ht) a través del microhematocrito y los índices eritrocitos aplicando formulas estándares con los valores de GR, Hb y Ht. Los valores promedio calculados fueron de GR: 5.12 x 106/ ul, GB: 7.20 x 103/ul, neutrófilos: 50.8%, linfocitos: 47.6%, monocitos: 0.15%, eosinófilos: 1.06%, basófilos: 0.4%, plaquetas: 227 x 103/ul, Hb: 12.39 g/dl, Ht: 37.97% e índices hematológicos de VGM: 76.1 fl, HGM: 24.8 pg, CHGM: 32.6 g/dl. No se encontró diferencias significativas entre grupos etarios ni entre sexos.

The objective of the present study was to determine referential hematological values of the tufted capuchin (Cebus apella) maintained in captivity at the Patronato del Parque de Las Leyendas, Lima. A total of 32 primates (25 males and 7 females), among juveniles, sub adults and adults, in apparent good conditions were used. The primates were i.m. anesthetized with a combination of ketamine (10 mg/kg/bw) and xylazine (1 mg/kg/bw). The samples were obtained by puncture of the femoral vein using vacutainers with EDTA as anticoagulant. The red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) count were performed using the chamber of Neubauer, the platelet count and differential using the Wright stain, the hemoglobin (Hb) with the cianometahemoglobin method, the hematocrit(Ht) with the microhematocrit method and the eritrocitic indexes applying standard formulas with RBC, Hb and Ht values. The average values were RBC: 5.12 x 106/ul, WBC: 7.2x103/ul, neutrophils: 50.8%, lymphocytes: 47.6%, monocytes: 0.15%, eosinophils: 1.06%, basophils: 0.4%, platelets: 227 x 103/ìl, Hb: 12.4 g/dl, Ht: 37.97%, VCM: 76.04 fl, HCM: 24.8 pg, CHCM: 32.6 g/dl. There were not significant differences due to age or sex.

[Evaluation of AIDS-related knowledge and behavior among seasonal workers in Switzerland]. / Evaluation des connaissances et comportements relatifs au SIDA de travailleurs saisonniers en Suisse.

Although an increasing number of AIDS prevention programmes are addressing migrants and ethnic minorities, few are either solidly research-based or adequately evaluated. Reported on here is a baseline evaluation of a marginal foreign population, Spanish and Portuguese seasonal workers in Switzerland. AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviours were assessed with both qualitative and quantitative methods during the winter of 1989-1990. The seasonal workers studied had been reached by prevention programmes both in the host country and in the country of origin, and knowledge was better than expected. Zones of ambiguity, such as confusion between AIDS and treatable STDs, persist however. Legal restrictions which prohibit family reunification affect sexual behavior: respondents report both more abstinence and more transitory sexual relations than the comparison Swiss population. Only about one in five report always using condoms during transitory relations. Qualitative material is used to suggest a relation between attitudes and protective behaviors. HIV/AIDS prevention programmes for Spanish and Portuguese populations in Switzerland are being established on the basis of the research findings.

Characterization and use of a penicillin acylase biocatalyst.

A complete characterization of a penicillin acylase biocatalyst is presented, including the determination of physicochemical and kinetic parameters. Stability studies are detailed in terms of both storage temperature and pH as well as operational stability after 150 batch reactions of two hours duration each. An Arrhenius-type model was used to simulate the effect of pH on biocatalyst stability. A kinetic model is proposed to describe batch and continuous stirred tank reactors and to predict the long-term behavior of the process.