ZnWO4 nanocrystals: synthesis, morphology, photoluminescence and photocatalytic properties.

The present joint experimental and theoretical work provides in-depth understanding on the morphology and structural, electronic, and optical properties of ZnWO4 nanocrystals. Monoclinic ZnWO4 nanocrystals were prepared at three different temperatures (140, 150, and 160 °C) by a microwave hydrothermal method. Then, the samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction with Rietveld refinement analysis, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electronic microscopy, micro-Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and photoluminescence measurements. First-principles theoretical calculations within the framework of density functional theory were employed to provide information at the atomic level. The band structure diagram, density of states, Raman and infrared spectra were calculated to understand the effect of structural order-disorder on the properties of ZnWO4. The effects of the synthesis temperature on the above properties were rationalized. The band structure revealed direct allowed transitions between the VB and CB and the experimental results in the ultraviolet-visible region were consistent with the theoretical results. Moreover, the surface calculations allowed the association of the surface energy stabilization with the temperature used in the synthesis of the ZnWO4 nanocrystals. The photoluminescence properties of the ZnWO4 nanocrystals prepared at 140, 150, and 160 °C were attributed to oxygen vacancies in the [WO6] and [ZnO6] clusters, causing a red shift of the spectra. The ZnWO4 nanocrystals obtained at 160 °C exhibited excellent photodegradation of Rhodamine under ultraviolet light irradiation, which was found to be related to the surface energy and the types of clusters formed on the surface of the catalyst.

Utilização dos leitos hospitalares sob gestão pública em Município de médio porte da região sul do Brasil, 1998-2002 / Use of hospital beds under public administration in a medium-size municipality in the southern region of Brazil, 1998-2002

O estudo procura analisar o perfil de internações nos leitos hospitalares sob gestão pública, entre 1998 e 2002, e relacioná-lo às mudanças implantadas nos sistema municipal de saúde de Maringá, cidade localizada no Estado do Paraná, sul do Brasil, cuja rede hopitalar é, predominantemente, privada, com défict de leitos disponíveis para o Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), fato agravado pela quase metade desses leitos ser destinada à área de Psiquiatria. Entre os principais resultdos, observaram-se baixas taxas de internações pelo SUS e, no início do período estudado, elevada evasão para internação em outros Municípios por lesões, envenenamento e outras causas externas (65,9%), doenças do aparelho respiratório (56,2%), gravidez, parto e puerpério (44,1%) e doenças do aparelho circulatório (34%). Porém observou-se notória redução de internações em 2002. A ocorrência de internações em Maringá foi sempre crescente, tanto entre os residentes quanto entre os não residentes. Conclui-se que os leitos hospitalares são insuficientes para o atendimento da clientela do SUS, indicando a necessidade de expansão dessa oferta para adequá-la às necessidades de atenção hospitalar da população do Município, bem como da referenciada por outras cidades...

The terrestrial Gastropoda Megalobulimus abbreviatus as a useful model for nociceptive experiments: effects of morphine and naloxone on thermal avoidance behavior.

We describe the behavior of the snail Megalobulimus abbreviatus upon receiving thermal stimuli and the effects of pretreatment with morphine and naloxone on behavior after a thermal stimulus, in order to establish a useful model for nociceptive experiments. Snails submitted to non-functional (22 degrees C) and non-thermal hot-plate stress (30 degrees C) only displayed exploratory behavior. However, the animals submitted to a thermal stimulus (50 degrees C) displayed biphasic avoidance behavior. Latency was measured from the time the animal was placed on the hot plate to the time when the animal lifted the head-foot complex 1 cm from the substrate, indicating aversive thermal behavior. Other animals were pretreated with morphine (5, 10, 20 mg/kg) or naloxone (2.5, 5.0, 7.5 mg/kg) 15 min prior to receiving a thermal stimulus (50 degrees C; N = 9 in each group). The results (means +/- SD) showed an extremely significant difference in response latency between the group treated with 20 mg/kg morphine (63.18 +/- 14.47 s) and the other experimental groups (P < 0.001). With 2.5 mg/kg (16.26 +/- 3.19 s), 5.0 mg/kg (11.53 +/- 1.64 s) and 7.5 mg/kg naloxone (7.38 +/- 1.6 s), there was a significant, not dose-dependent decrease in latency compared to the control (33.44 +/- 8.53 s) and saline groups (29.1 +/- 9.91 s). No statistically significant difference was found between the naloxone-treated groups. With naloxone plus morphine, there was a significant decrease in latency when compared to all other groups (minimum 64% in the saline group and maximum 83.2% decrease in the morphine group). These results provide evidence of the involvement of endogenous opioid peptides in the control of thermal withdrawal behavior in this snail, and reveal a stereotyped and reproducible avoidance behavior for this snail species, which could be studied in other pharmacological and neurophysiological studies.

The terrestrial Gastropoda Megalobulimus abbreviatus as a useful model for nociceptive experiments: effects of morphine and naloxone on thermal avoidance behavior

We describe the behavior of the snail Megalobulimus abbreviatus upon receiving thermal stimuli and the effects of pretreatment with morphine and naloxone on behavior after a thermal stimulus, in order to establish a useful model for nociceptive experiments. Snails submitted to non-functional (22°C) and non-thermal hot-plate stress (30°C) only displayed exploratory behavior. However, the animals submitted to a thermal stimulus (50°C) displayed biphasic avoidance behavior. Latency was measured from the time the animal was placed on the hot plate to the time when the animal lifted the head-foot complex 1 cm from the substrate, indicating aversive thermal behavior. Other animals were pretreated with morphine (5, 10, 20 mg/kg) or naloxone (2.5, 5.0, 7.5 mg/kg) 15 min prior to receiving a thermal stimulus (50°C; N = 9 in each group). The results (means ± SD) showed an extremely significant difference in response latency between the group treated with 20 mg/kg morphine (63.18 ± 14.47 s) and the other experimental groups (P < 0.001). With 2.5 mg/kg (16.26 ± 3.19 s), 5.0 mg/kg (11.53 ± 1.64 s) and 7.5 mg/kg naloxone (7.38 ± 1.6 s), there was a significant, not dose-dependent decrease in latency compared to the control (33.44 ± 8.53 s) and saline groups (29.1 ± 9.91 s). No statistically significant difference was found between the naloxone-treated groups. With naloxone plus morphine, there was a significant decrease in latency when compared to all other groups (minimum 64 percent in the saline group and maximum 83.2 percent decrease in the morphine group). These results provide evidence of the involvement of endogenous opioid peptides in the control of thermal withdrawal behavior in this snail, and reveal a stereotyped and reproducible avoidance behavior for this snail species, which could be studied in other pharmacological and neurophysiological studies.

Megaesôfago em gato. Relato de caso

O artigo não apresenta resumo.

Evaluation of a patient teaching skills course disseminated through staff developers.

Effective Patient Teaching (EPT), a course designed to improve health professionals' and health professions students' teaching skills, reliably produces gains in participants' skills when presented by its developers. The objective of this dissemination research study was to investigate whether, using a 'training of trainers' approach, seven nurses with staff development responsibilities in five different sites could teach EPT with similar effectiveness. The evaluation included pre- and post-course analysis of audiotaped patient education sessions conducted by 48 health professional participants who took EPT from one of the trainers in their home institutions. Post-course participant satisfaction surveys were also administered. EPT resulted in teaching skill improvements in four of five sites, and overall teaching skills scores improved significantly (P < 0.01). EPT can improve participants' teaching skills when taught by health professional trainers with staff development responsibilities who have recently received EPT training.

Influência da baixa temperatura ambiental sobre a atividade fagocítica de trombócitos de rä touro gigante (Rana catesbeiana) / Influence of low environmental temperature on the phagocytic activity of bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) thrombocytes

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi o de investigar a influência da baixa temperatura ambiental sobre a atividade fagocitária de trombócitos de rä touro gigante (Rana catesbeiana). O modelo indutor de fagocitose utilizado foi a injeçäo de carväo coloidal no saco linfático dorsal. Os resultados alcançados mostraram que o frio foi capaz de modular significativamente a capacidade fagocítica dos trombócitos. Animais tratados e mantidos a 6§C exibiram uma lenta atividade inicial à 1h (16,3 mais ou menos 4,3; resultados expressos com média desvio padräo de trombócitos positivos em 400 células analisadas/animal; n=6), que aumentou discretamente às 6h e 12h (45,8 mais ou menos 12,2; 55,5 mais ou menos 9,6), alcançando o máximo de reaçäo aos 3d e 7d (80,3 mais ou menos 27,5; 78,3 mais ou menos 29,5). Por outro lado, räs mantidas a 24§C apresentaram uma forte resposta inicial à 1h (90,0 mais ou menos 16,7), aumentando marcadamente até 1d (196,0 mais ou menos 49,8), e entäo diminuindo até 7d (56,0 mais ou menos 10,6). Os resultados obtidos suportam estudos prévios que demonstram a importância da temperatura ambiental sobre múltiplos processos relativos aos mecanismos de defesa desses animais

Situational obstacles to adherence for adolescents with diabetes.

Twenty adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were interviewed to obtain samples of problem situations that create obstacles to dietary adherence. The resulting 57 situations were analyzed using a reliable coding system to determine the presence or absence of 28 stimulus features. A hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify 10 relatively homogeneous categories of obstacles to dietary adherence: being tempted to stop trying; negative emotional eating; facing forbidden foods; peer interpersonal conflict; competing priorities; eating at school; social events and holidays; food cravings; snacking when home, alone, or bored; and social pressure to eat. Diabetes educators should consider an individual's ability to cope with this array of obstacles to adherence when individualizing treatment. Dietary intervention then can be personalized to address specific situational obstacles.

Diabetic mothers and pregnancy loss: implications for diabetes educators.

Perinatal deaths among diabetic women are sufficiently common that nearly all diabetes educators eventually care for someone who loses a baby. This case report and discussion identifies ways in which diabetes educators can promote patients' health and provide emotional first aid in the immediate aftermath of perinatal loss. Psychological reactions of both the mother and the health care providers are considered. Practical ways to assist patients, and pitfalls to avoid, also are presented.