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Water contamination with toxic metals causes harmful effects on the environment and to human health. Although cucurbiturils have carboxyl groups in their portal that can interact with metal ions, there is a lack of studies about their use as metal adsorbent. This scenario has motivated conduction of the present study, which addresses the use of cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) and cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) for adsorbing Pb and Cr from water samples, in free forms and immobilized in poly(urethane) sponges. The adsorption kinetics revealed that CB[8] leads to faster adsorption compared to CB[6], with equilibrium achieved in 8 h for CB[8] and 48 h for CB[6] for both metals, and achieved up to 80% of decrease in metal concentration. The Langmuir isotherm model provided a better description of adsorption for Cr and Pb in CB[6] and Pb in CB[8] with a maximum concentration adsorbed of 32.47 mg g-1 for Pb in CB[6], while the Dubinin-Radushkevich model was more suitable for Cr adsorption in CB[8]. Sponges containing CB[6] and CB[8] have proven to be efficient for Pb and Cr remediation in tannery effluent samples, reducing Cr and Pb concentration by 42 and 33%, respectively. The results indicate that CB[6] and CB[8], whether used in their pure form or integrated into sponges, exhibit promising potential for efficiently adsorbing metals in aqueous contaminated environments.
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Chumbo , Poliuretanos , Poluentes Químicos da Água , Poliuretanos/química , Adsorção , Poluentes Químicos da Água/química , Chumbo/química , Cromo/química , CinéticaRESUMO
The aim of this work was to study the stability and morphological properties of polystyrene latex containing kaolinite as a filler during the process of synthesis of nanocomposites viaemulsion polymerization. Nanocomposites with 1, 3, and 5 wt% of kaolinite were prepared. Latexes with 1 to 3 wt% of kaolinite were stable during the polymerization reaction. Hydrodynamic diameters of 93.68 and 82.11 nm were found for latexes with 1 and 3 wt% of kaolinite, respectively. The quantities of 1 to 3 wt% of kaolinite added during the reaction did not influence the reaction conversion curves or the number of particles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and unconventional techniques of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) showed the presence of exfoliated and intercalated structures of the kaolinite.
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BACKGROUND: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte (MLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) have been previously studied as predictors of survival in different malignancies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of these hematologic inflammatory biomarkers for patients with brain metastases (BM). METHODS: We reviewed a consecutive cohort of patients at Instituto do Cancer do Estado de São Paulo (ICESP-FMUSP) from 2011 to 2016 with ≥ 1 BM treated primarily by surgical resection. The primary outcome was 1-year survival. We optimized the NLR, MLR, PLR, and RDW cutoff values, preserving robustness and avoiding overestimation of effect size. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients (mean age 56.1 years; 55.0% female) met inclusion criteria. Gross-total resection was achieved in 89.0%. The median (quartiles) preoperative and postoperative KPS scores were 60 (50-80) and 80 (60-90), respectively. Preoperative NLR was significantly associated with survival (HR 2.66, 95% CI: 1.17-6.01, p = 0.019). A NLR cutoff value of 3.83 displayed the most significant survival curve split. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative NLR is an independent predictor of survival in newly diagnosed BM. We propose a cutoff value of 3.83 for preoperative NLR testing may be clinically useful as predictor of poor survival in this population. The wide accessibility of the NLR favors its inclusion in clinical decision-making processes for BM management.
ANTECEDENTES: Os neutrófilos para linfócitos (NLR), monócitos para linfócitos (MLR), proporção de plaquetas para linfócitos (PLR) e largura de distribuição de glóbulos vermelhos (RDW) foram previamente estudados como preditores de sobrevivência em diferentes malignidades. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o valor preditivo desses biomarcadores inflamatórios hematológicos para pacientes com metástases cerebrais (MB). MéTODOS: Nós revisamos uma coorte consecutiva de pacientes no Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo (ICESP-FMUSP) de 2011 a 2016 com ≥ 1 MB tratados principalmente por ressecção cirúrgica. O desfecho primário foi a sobrevida em 1 ano. Otimizamos os valores de corte de NLR, MLR, PLR e RDW, preservando a robustez e evitando superestimação do tamanho do efeito. RESULTADOS: Um total de 200 pacientes (idade média de 56,1 anos; 55,0% mulheres) preencheram os critérios de inclusão. A ressecção grosseira total foi obtida em 89,0%. A mediana (quartis) dos escores KPS pré-operatório e pós-operatório foram 60 (5080) e 80 (6090), respectivamente. O NLR pré-operatório foi significativamente associado à sobrevida (HR 2,66, IC 95%: 1,176,01, p = 0,019). Um valor de corte de NLR de 3,83 exibiu a divisão da curva de sobrevivência mais significativa. CONCLUSõES: O NLR pré-operatório é um preditor independente de sobrevida em MBs recém-diagnosticados. Propomos que um valor de corte de 3,83 para o teste de NLR pré-operatório pode ser clinicamente útil como preditor de baixa sobrevida nesta população. A ampla acessibilidade do NLR favorece sua inclusão nos processos de tomada de decisão clínica para o gerenciamento de BM.
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Neoplasias Encefálicas , Neutrófilos , Humanos , Feminino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Masculino , Prognóstico , Estudos Retrospectivos , Brasil , Linfócitos/patologia , Plaquetas/patologia , Neoplasias Encefálicas/patologiaRESUMO
Abstract Background The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte (MLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) have been previously studied as predictors of survival in different malignancies. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of these hematologic inflammatory biomarkers for patients with brain metastases (BM). Methods We reviewed a consecutive cohort of patients at Instituto do Cancer do Estado de São Paulo (ICESP-FMUSP) from 2011 to 2016 with ≥ 1 BM treated primarily by surgical resection. The primary outcome was 1-year survival. We optimized the NLR, MLR, PLR, and RDW cutoff values, preserving robustness and avoiding overestimation of effect size. Results A total of 200 patients (mean age 56.1 years; 55.0% female) met inclusion criteria. Gross-total resection was achieved in 89.0%. The median (quartiles) preoperative and postoperative KPS scores were 60 (50-80) and 80 (60-90), respectively. Preoperative NLR was significantly associated with survival (HR 2.66, 95% CI: 1.17-6.01, p = 0.019). A NLR cutoff value of 3.83 displayed the most significant survival curve split. Conclusions Preoperative NLR is an independent predictor of survival in newly diagnosed BM. We propose a cutoff value of 3.83 for preoperative NLR testing may be clinically useful as predictor of poor survival in this population. The wide accessibility of the NLR favors its inclusion in clinical decision-making processes for BM management.
Resumo Antecedentes Os neutrófilos para linfócitos (NLR), monócitos para linfócitos (MLR), proporção de plaquetas para linfócitos (PLR) e largura de distribuição de glóbulos vermelhos (RDW) foram previamente estudados como preditores de sobrevivência em diferentes malignidades. Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o valor preditivo desses biomarcadores inflamatórios hematológicos para pacientes com metástases cerebrais (MB). Métodos Nós revisamos uma coorte consecutiva de pacientes no Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo (ICESP-FMUSP) de 2011 a 2016 com ≥ 1 MB tratados principalmente por ressecção cirúrgica. O desfecho primário foi a sobrevida em 1 ano. Otimizamos os valores de corte de NLR, MLR, PLR e RDW, preservando a robustez e evitando superestimação do tamanho do efeito. Resultados Um total de 200 pacientes (idade média de 56,1 anos; 55,0% mulheres) preencheram os critérios de inclusão. A ressecção grosseira total foi obtida em 89,0%. A mediana (quartis) dos escores KPS pré-operatório e pós-operatório foram 60 (50-80) e 80 (60-90), respectivamente. O NLR pré-operatório foi significativamente associado à sobrevida (HR 2,66, IC 95%: 1,17-6,01, p = 0,019). Um valor de corte de NLR de 3,83 exibiu a divisão da curva de sobrevivência mais significativa. Conclusões O NLR pré-operatório é um preditor independente de sobrevida em MBs recém-diagnosticados. Propomos que um valor de corte de 3,83 para o teste de NLR pré-operatório pode ser clinicamente útil como preditor de baixa sobrevida nesta população. A ampla acessibilidade do NLR favorece sua inclusão nos processos de tomada de decisão clínica para o gerenciamento de BM.
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OBJECTIVE: Examine the driving impairment effects of alcohol alone and of alcohol combined with texting. METHODS: Fifteen drivers (nine male, six female; mean age: 31.1 ± 6.9 years, range: 23 to 43 years) with similar drinking habit (i.e., social drinkers) completed a lap in a closed-course section in six different situations: (I) sober; (II) sober and while texting; (III) 30 minutes after ingesting a moderate dose of ethanol (0.50 g/kg); (IV) 30 minutes after drinking and while texting; (V) 60 minutes after drinking, (VI) 60 minutes after drinking and while texting. Driving performance was analyzed by means of maximum and mean speed, braking time and braking distance; and ability to control the car (i.e., evaluating if the drivers hit a traffic cone or exceeded the boundaries of the course). P values of < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Pre and post-alcohol consumption results show a significant increase concerning the drivers' mean and maximum speed after drinking (p < 3.2x10-8). However, neither alcohol nor texting had significant effects on braking parameters (p > 0.05). Traffic cones were knocked down only in texting experiments. In addition, when using the cell phone drivers tended to reduce the speed, and to accelerate abruptly right after they finish texting. CONCLUSION: Our findings strengthen the hypothesis that even moderate alcohol doses may significantly impair the driving performance. Additionally, alcohol and texting have complementary effects on driving impairment, and their combination represents a significant risk factor for crashes.
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Condução de Veículo , Telefone Celular , Envio de Mensagens de Texto , Acidentes de Trânsito , Adulto , Consumo de Bebidas Alcoólicas , Etanol/farmacologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Adulto JovemRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To describe the differences in clinical presentation and relative disease burden of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS)-associated microcephaly at 2 large hospitals in Salvador, Brazil that serve patients of different socioeconomic status (SES). METHODS: Clinical and serologic data were collected prospectively from pregnant women and their infants, who delivered at 2 study centers during the 2015-2016 Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic in Salvador, Brazil. RESULTS: Pregnant women from Salvador, Brazil delivering in a low SES hospital had 3 times higher ZIKV exposure rate than women at a high SES hospital. However, different SES hospitals had similar prevalence of infants with CZS-associated microcephaly (10% vs 6%, p = 0.16) after controlling for ZIKV exposure in their mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Our study supports the positive association between low SES, high maternal ZIKV exposure, and high rates of CZS-associated microcephaly.
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Microcefalia , Complicações Infecciosas na Gravidez , Infecção por Zika virus , Zika virus , Brasil/epidemiologia , Atenção à Saúde , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Microcefalia/epidemiologia , Microcefalia/etiologia , Gravidez , Complicações Infecciosas na Gravidez/epidemiologia , Infecção por Zika virus/complicações , Infecção por Zika virus/congênito , Infecção por Zika virus/epidemiologiaRESUMO
A double-channel transmission line impedance model was applied to the study of supercapacitors to investigate the charge transport characteristics in the ionic and electronic conductors forming the electrode/solution interface. The macro homogeneous description of two closely mixed phases (Paasch-Micka-Gersdorf model) was applied to study the influence of disordered materials on the charge transport anomalies during the interfacial charge-discharge process. Different ex situ techniques were used to characterize the electrode materials used in electrical double-layer (EDLC) and pseudocapacitor (PC) devices. Two time constants in the impedance model were adequate to represent the charge transport in the different phases. The interfacial impedance considering frequency dispersion and blocked charge transfer conditions adequately described the charge storage at the interface. Deviations from the normal (Fickian) transport involving the ionic and electronic charge carriers were identified by the dispersive parameters (e.g., n and s exponents) used in the impedance model. The ionic and electronic transports were affected when the carbon-based electrical double-layer capacitor was converted into a composite with strong pseudocapacitive characteristics after the decoration process using NiO. The overall capacitance increased from 2.62 F g-1 to 536 F g-1 after the decoration. For the first time, the charge transport anomalies were unequivocally identified in porous materials used in supercapacitors with the impedance technique.
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The stimulating and performance-enhancing properties of caffeine are often explored in one the most consumed types of supplements: the pre-workout supplements (PWS). However, despite the popularity of PWS, previous studies have reported incompatibilities between what is described in their labels and their actual caffeine content. This study aimed to develop, to optimize, and to validate a gas-chromatography coupled to nitrogen-phosphorus detector (GC-NPD) method to quantify caffeine in PWS and to analyze commercial PWS marketed in Brazil to estimate the caffeine daily intake. For this purpose, three different extraction procedures were evaluated: agitation in vortex, shaker, and sonication. Sonication yielded the best extraction results. Next, the parameters' temperature and time were optimized by using central composite rotatable design (CCRD) and response surface methodology, which revealed the optimal values of 70°C and 10 min. The method was validated and applied to quantify caffeine in 52 PWS. From the 36 PWS labels that specified the caffeine amount, seven (19%) presented more than 120% of the declared quantity, whereas 15 (42%) contained less than 80% of the labeled caffeine. Additionally, six products presented undeclared caffeine. Considering the label stated doses, five supplements exceeded the safe caffeine daily intake (400 mg). On the basis of these findings, supplement quality control remains an issue that deserves more attention from consumers, manufacturers, and regulatory agencies. Finally, we suggest that PWS consumers be careful of the habit of ingesting caffeine through other sources and avoid ingesting two or more different PWS products in the same day.
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Cafeína , Suplementos Nutricionais , Brasil , Cafeína/análise , Suplementos Nutricionais/análiseRESUMO
We compared pregnancy rates in beef heifers resynchronized 14 days after the first timed-artificial insemination (TAI) using a P4 intravaginal device associated with either long-acting injectable progesterone (iP4) or estradiol benzoate (EB). Braford and Brangus heifers were submitted to a TAI (D0). On D14, all animals were given a P4 intravaginal device and were randomly divided into two groups, EB (1 mg; n = 339); or iP4 (75 mg; n = 338). On D22, P4 devices were removed, and non-pregnant (NP) heifers were identified by assessing morphological luteolysis with Doppler ultrasonography. The NP heifers had the dominant follicle diameter measured and were submitted to a second TAI on D24. Dominant follicle diameter (mm) on D22 in NP heifers did not differ (P > 0.05) between EB (9.77 ± 0.25) and iP4 (9.92 ± 0.22) groups. No difference was observed between EB and iP4 groups for pregnancy rate on D22 (56.3% vs. 60.1%, respectively), and D40 post-first TAI (49.6% vs. 53.3%, respectively). The rate of potential pregnancy losses from D22 to D40 did not differ between EB (12%, 23/191) and iP4 (11.3%, 23/203) groups. The resynchronization pregnancy rate in the EB group (45.9%, 68/148) was greater (P<0.05) than the iP4 group (31.8%, 43/135). In conclusion, treatment with either 1 mg EB or 75 mg iP4 in combination with P4 device at 14 days after TAI are equally safe for the ongoing pregnancy. The EB treatment can improve the reproductive efficiency, as it resulted in greater resynchronization pregnancy rates than iP4 treatment in beef heifers resynchronized 14 days after TAI.
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Doenças dos Bovinos , Progesterona , Aborto Animal , Animais , Bovinos , Estradiol/análogos & derivados , Sincronização do Estro , Feminino , Inseminação Artificial/veterinária , GravidezRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To describe the neurological and neurodevelopmental outcomes of children with Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) associated microcephaly beyond 2 years of age. METHOD: We followed children with CZS-associated microcephaly in an outpatient clinic in Salvador, Brazil. Neurological and neurodevelopmental assessments were performed using the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) and Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Neurodevelopment (Bayley-III) respectively. RESULTS: Of the 42 children included, 19 were male (45.2%); median (interquartile range) age at neurological evaluation was 28 (25-32) months, and 36 (85.7%) had severe microcephaly. HINE and Bayley-III results were completed for 35/42 (83.3%) and 33/42 (78.5%) children respectively. Bayley-III identified a severe developmental delay in 32/33 (97.0%) children while 1/33 (3.0%) had only a mild delay. In the multivariable analysis, we found that Bayley-III and HINE scores were correlated. Better HINE scores were associated with higher Bayley-III cognitive raw scores (ß = 0.29; CI 95% = 0.02-0.57) and motor raw scores (ß = 0.43; CI 95% = 0.04-0.82) after adjusting for head circumference, prematurity, and age at neurodevelopmental evaluation. Furthermore, we found that greater head circumference at follow up was associated with higher cognitive (ß = 1.27; CI 95% = 0.01-2.53) and motor raw scores (ß = 2.03; CI 95% = 0.25-3.81). CONCLUSION: Children with CZS-associated microcephaly demonstrate severe neurodevelopmental delays and slower growth rates than their peers over time. Still, they have remarkably heterogeneous neurodevelopmental profiles according to neurological exam scores which correlate with their long-term outcomes. We found that HINE scores effectively captured the heterogeneity of neurological capabilities among these children and could be predictive of cognitive and motor development progress.