RESUMO
Acid mine drainage (AMD) has been identified as the main cause for outflow of acid water and radioactive/non-radioactive contaminants. AMD encompasses pyrites oxidation when water and oxygen are available. AMD was identified in uranium waste rock piles (WRPs) of Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil-Caldas facility (Brazilian uranium mine), resulting in high costs for water treatment. AMD reduction is the main challenge, and scientific investigation has been conducted to understand oxygen and water transportation within WRPs, where 222Rn is used as natural tracer for oxygen transportation. The study consists of soil radon gas mapping in the top layer of WRP4 using active soil gas pumping, radon adsorption in active charcoal and 222Rn determination using high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. A sampling network of 71 points was built where samples were collected at a depth of 40 cm. Soil radon gas concentration ranged from 33.7 to 1484.2 kBq m(-3) with mean concentration of 320.7±263.3 kBq m(-3).
Assuntos
Gases/química , Monitoramento de Radiação , Traçadores Radioativos , Radônio/análise , Poluentes Radioativos do Solo/análise , Urânio/análise , Humanos , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Ferro/química , Mineração , Espectrometria gamaRESUMO
We assessed the utility of expert oral examination as a part of the diagnostic evaluation of patients with suspected Crohn's disease. Of 45 patients with newly diagnosed CD, 25 had been examined by a dentist. Twelve (48%) of these had oral CD lesions. Mucosal tags constituted the most frequent form of oral lesion (8/12). Of 8 oral biopsy specimens, 6 (75%) contained non-caseating granulomas. Patients with oral CD had more oral symptoms, presented for diagnosis sooner, and were more likely to have other upper gastrointestinal inflammation than those without oral lesions. Oral manifestations of CD are common in children; therefore, expert oral examination may be useful during diagnostic evaluation of children with suspected inflammatory bowel disease.
Assuntos
Doença de Crohn/patologia , Boca/patologia , Adolescente , Biópsia , Criança , Feminino , Granuloma/patologia , Humanos , Masculino , Mucosa Bucal/patologia , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
In a case-control study in Natal, northeast Brazil, conducted between September 1984 and February 1986, 303 cases of intrauterine growth retardation and 282 cases of preterm delivery were compared with 1,710 normal controls to ascertain the effects of the preceding birth-to-conception interval on pregnancy outcome. The risk of intrauterine growth retardation associated with interpregnancy intervals of six months or less was 1.38 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-1.86) after adjustment for maternal age, education, smoking, and prior fetal loss or low birth weight. When maternal postpartum body weight was introduced into the logistic model, the risk of intrauterine growth retardation decreased slightly to 1.25 and was no longer significant (95% CI: 0.91-1.72). Short interpregnancy intervals (six months or less) were more frequently observed in women with postpartum body weight of less than 45 kg (31.1%) than in women weighing 50 kg or more (18.9%), which might suggest that the effect of short intervals on the risk of intrauterine growth retardation is mediated through maternal nutritional status. No association was found between birth-to-conception intervals and preterm delivery.
Assuntos
Intervalo entre Nascimentos , Retardo do Crescimento Fetal/etiologia , Recém-Nascido de Baixo Peso , Adulto , Peso Corporal , Brasil , Métodos Epidemiológicos , Feminino , Humanos , Recém-Nascido , Recém-Nascido Prematuro , Estado Nutricional , Gravidez , Análise de Regressão , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
In this paper a systemic or national approach to cost-effectiveness analysis of risk-reduction measures is reviewed, and its advantages and limitations are discussed. The method is applied to the problem of the cost-effectiveness of increasing the Angra 3 NPP containment wall thickness from the present 60 cm to 180 cm thick in order to prevent damage to the reactor core in case of a direct commercial aircraft crash on it. It is concluded that this measure is not cost-effective if the referred approach is considered.
Assuntos
Prevenção de Acidentes , Reatores Nucleares , Risco , Segurança , Teorema de Bayes , Brasil , Análise Custo-BenefícioRESUMO
The prevalence of Pseudomonas cepacia infection increased from 10% in 1971 to 18% by 1981 in a population of approximately 500 patients with cystic fibrosis. Carriage of P. aeruginosa has remained unchanged at 70% to 80% over the same period. Patients infected with P. cepacia have greater impairment of pulmonary function than those with P. aeruginosa. A syndrome characterized by high fever, severe progressive respiratory failure, leukocytosis, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate has occurred in eight patients over the past 3 years, with a 62% fatality rate. Because P. cepacia strains are uniformly resistant to ticarcillin, piperacillin, and aminoglycosides, and because ceftazidime is ineffective despite in vitro activity, treatment of these infections is very difficult. Prevention of acquisition and effective treatment of P. cepacia in patients with cystic fibrosis are now major clinical problems in our clinic.
Assuntos
Fibrose Cística/complicações , Infecções por Pseudomonas/complicações , Escarro/microbiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Criança , Fibrose Cística/microbiologia , Resistência Microbiana a Medicamentos , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pseudomonas/efeitos dos fármacos , Infecções por Pseudomonas/microbiologia , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/efeitos dos fármacos , Testes de Função RespiratóriaRESUMO
The effect of prophylactic antibiotics on bacterial colonization of the respiratory tract and on general progression of cystic fibrosis was studied in a two-year prospective study of 47 mildly to moderately affected patients. One group of patients received inhaled cephaloridine and the other received no inhaled antibiotic; both groups received cloxacillin orally. Carriage of Haemophilus influenzae was greater in the group not receiving inhaled antibiotic (55% vs 20%). Rates of carriage of Staphylococcus aureus (23%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa (greater than 90%). Pseudomonas cepacia (45%), and other organisms were similar in both groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups in incidence of respiratory tract infections or hospital admissions, clinical scores, radiologic scores, or rate of change of pulmonary function. Although continuous antistaphylococcal antibiotic prophylaxis may be successful in suppressing colonization with S. aureus, it may also contribute to the high rates of carriage of Ps. aeruginosa and Ps. cepacia observed in patients with cystic fibrosis.
Assuntos
Cefaloridina/uso terapêutico , Cloxacilina/uso terapêutico , Fibrose Cística/terapia , Infecções Respiratórias/prevenção & controle , Administração Oral , Adolescente , Aerossóis , Cefaloridina/administração & dosagem , Criança , Cloxacilina/administração & dosagem , Feminino , Haemophilus influenzae/isolamento & purificação , Humanos , Masculino , Estudos Prospectivos , Pseudomonas/isolamento & purificação , Testes de Função Respiratória , Escarro/microbiologia , Staphylococcus aureus/isolamento & purificaçãoRESUMO
In 37 children with Campylobacter enteritis seen over a 6-month period, ages ranged from 2 weeks to 15 years. The sex ratio (male:female) was three:two. Fever, diarrhea, and bloody stools occurred in about 90% of patients. Blood appeared in the stools characteristically 2 to 4 days after onset of symptoms. Over 90% of older children developed abdominal pain. Vomiting was mild and occurred in 30% of patients. Dehydration was not a feature. Infection occurred in all social classes and was not associated with parental occupation, travel, or animal contact. The illness often presented characteristically and a rapid laboratory diagnosis could be made in patients presenting acutely by direct phase-contrast microscopy of stools. The organism persisted in the stools for up to seven weeks in untreated patients, but could no longer be cultured after 48 hours of therapy with erythromycin, to which all strains were highly sensitive. Significant serologic responses were elicited using a serum bactericidal assay. The Skirrow-type selective medium used by us could be improved by increasing the concentration of polymyxin B sulfate to 5 microgram/ml.