Robust, fast and sensitive near-infrared continuous-filtering Vernier spectrometer.

We present a new design of a robust cavity-enhanced frequency comb-based spectrometer operating under the continuous-filtering Vernier principle. The spectrometer is based on a compact femtosecond Er-doped fiber laser, a medium finesse cavity, a diffraction grating, a custom-made moving aperture, and two photodetectors. The new design removes the requirement for high-bandwidth active stabilization present in the previous implementations of the technique, and allows scan rates up to 100 Hz.

Rare and intractable fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva shows different PBMC phenotype possibly modulated by ascorbic acid and propranolol treatment.

Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) is a rare congenital intractable disease associated with a mutation in gene, characterized by skeleton malformations. Ascorbic acid (AA) and propranolol (PP) in combination is reported to minimize flare-ups in patients. FOP leukocyte phenotype may possibly be modulated by AA and PP treatment.

Easiness, usefulness and intention to use a MOOC in nursing.

Background: The growing ageing population and the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases call for innovation and healthcare mastered professional skills. Emerging digital learning contents envisioning to complement education, lifelong learning and in-service training. The use of digital platforms allows nurses to access contents in several formats, enabling the required pedagogical autonomy and personal time management.

An ex vivo multiparametric flow cytometry assay using human whole blood to simultaneously measure cytotoxicity and leishmanicidal activities.

Therapeutic options for the treatment of leishmaniasis are insufficient and need improvements owing to their low efficiency and high toxicity as well as the emergence of resistant strains. The limited number of new drugs for neglected diseases and lack of innovation in your development are still challenges. In this context, the process of discovery and development of biological assays play a pivotal role for the identification of bioactive compounds.

Time-resolved continuous-filtering Vernier spectroscopy of HO and OH radical in a flame.

We use broadband near-infrared continuous-filtering Vernier spectroscopy (CF-VS) for time-resolved detection of HO and OH radical in a premixed CH/air flat flame. The CF-VS spectrometer is based on a femtosecond Er:fiber laser, an external cavity that contains the flame, and a detection system comprising a rotating diffraction grating and photodetectors. Spectra of HO and OH radical around 1570 nm are continuously recorded with 6.

Occupational accidents with biological material in a school hospital.

Objective: to analyze occupational accidents with exposure of nursing technicians to biological material in a school hospital.

Method: nursing technicians were invited to answer a questionnaire related to occupational accidents with biological material.

Results: 275 professionals from 9 hospital units participated.

Multivariate quantification of mebendazole polymorphs by terahertz time domain spectroscopy (THZ-TDS).

This work presents an analytical method based on terahertz-time domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) and partial least squares (PLS) regression models to quantify mebendazole (MBZ) polymorphs (forms A, B and C) in pharmaceutical raw material. Mebendazole polymorphs A, B and C were quantified with RMSEP values of 1.5% w/w, 1.

Prolyl Oligopeptidase Induces Secretion of Proinflammatory Cytokines by Peritoneal Macrophages.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that leads to death over 1 million people per year worldwide and the biological mediators of this pathology are poorly established, preventing the implementation of effective therapies to improve outcomes in TB. Host-bacterium interaction is a key step to TB establishment and the proteases produced by these microorganisms seem to facilitate bacteria invasion, migration and host immune response evasion. We presented, for the first time, the identification, biochemical characterization, molecular dynamics (MDs) and immunomodulatory properties of a prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) from (POPMt).

Ultrasound-Guided Needle Biopsy for Diagnosis of Advanced-Stage Malignancies of the Upper Aerodigestive Tract.

Objective: Traditionally, direct laryngoscopy confirms stage and tissue diagnosis prior to treatment planning. Patients who are frail or have tenuous airway anatomy may incur risks while undergoing anesthesia. Further, direct laryngoscopy is scheduled after initial examination, introducing diagnosis delay.

Tunable resolution terahertz dual frequency comb spectrometer.

Terahertz dual frequency comb spectroscopy (THz-DFCS) yields high spectral resolution without compromising bandwidth. Nonetheless, the resolution of THz-DFCS is usually limited by the laser repetition rate, which is typically between 80 MHz and 1 GHz. In this paper, we demonstrate a new method to achieve sub-repetition rate resolution in THz-DFCS by adaptively modifying the effective laser repetition rate using integrated Mach-Zehnder electro-optic modulators (MZ-EOMs).

Allergen Microarray Indicates Pooideae Sensitization in Brazilian Grass Pollen Allergic Patients.

Background: Grass pollen, in particular from Lolium multiflorum is a major allergen source in temperate climate zones of Southern Brazil. The IgE sensitization profile of Brazilian grass pollen allergic patients to individual allergen molecules has not been analyzed yet.

Objective: To analyze the IgE sensitization profile of a Brazilian grass pollen allergic population using individual allergen molecules.

Determination of cellulose crystallinity by terahertz-time domain spectroscopy.

Terahertz-time domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) has the ability to probe the crystallinity of several materials, due to the interaction of THz radiation with optical phonons in crystal lattices. In this work, THz-TDS has been used to quantify the degree of crystallinity of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) samples. The THz spectra of cellulose present absorption features which could be directly correlated with the crystallinity index (CI) obtained by means of the well-established powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) technique.

Laser Doppler anemometry measurements of steady flow through two bi-leaflet prosthetic heart valves.

Introduction: In vitro hydrodynamic characterization of prosthetic heart valves provides important information regarding their operation, especially if performed by noninvasive techniques of anemometry. Once velocity profiles for each valve are provided, it is possible to compare them in terms of hydrodynamic performance. In this first experimental study using laser doppler anemometry with mechanical valves, the simulations were performed at a steady flow workbench.

Morphofunctional changes of female germinal epithelium to support spermatozoa along the annual reproductive cycle in an inseminating catfish (Trachelyopterus galeatus, Auchenipteridae).

The reproductive system of some fish species presents elaborate mechanisms by which the females store spermatozoa inside their ovaries, keeping them viable for fertilization for an extended period of time. However, as intriguing as this sperm storage is, it is not yet understood how the sperm can remain viable in the ovary. Aiming to understand this phenomenon, the epithelium covering the ovarian lamellae, that is, the germinal epithelium, of the Cangati (Trachelyopterus galeatus), an inseminating catfish, was evaluated taking into account the different stages of the annual reproductive cycle.

Near infrared emission photometer for measuring the oxidative stability of edible oils.

Near infrared emission spectroscopy (NIRES) allows the determination of the induction time (IT) of edible oils in accelerated oxidation experiments by monitoring the emissivity of a band at 2900 nm, which corresponds to the formation of hydroperoxides. In this work, a new near infrared emission photometer dedicated to the determination of oxidative stability is described. The photometer presents several advantages compared to the previously reported NIRES instrument, such as lower cost and extreme simplicity of design and maintenance.

Anti-inflammatory effect of a sulphated polysaccharide fraction extracted from the red algae Hypnea musciformis via the suppression of neutrophil migration by the nitric oxide signalling pathway.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of a sulphated polysaccharide fraction (PLS) extracted from the alga Hypnea musciformis and investigate the possible involvement of the nitric oxide (NO) pathway in this effect.

Methods: The anti-inflammatory activity of PLS was evaluated using inflammatory agents (carrageenan and dextran) to induce paw oedema and peritonitis in Swiss mice. Samples of paw tissue and peritoneal fluid were removed to determine myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, NO3 /NO2 levels, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) level.

Interference energy in C-H and C-C bonds of saturated hydrocarbons: dependence on the type of chain and relationship to bond dissociation energy.

Interference energy for C-H and C-C bonds of a set of saturated hydrocarbons is calculated by the generalized product function energy partitioning (GPF-EP) method in order to investigate its sensitivity to the type of chain and also its contribution to the bond dissociation energy. All GPF groups corresponding to chemical bonds are calculated by use of GVB-PP wave functions to ensure the correct description of bond dissociation. The results show that the interference energies are practically the same for all the C-H bonds, presenting only small variations (0.

Is obesity truly a risk factor for mortality after tracheotomy?

Objectives: We sought to determine the short-term and long-term overall mortality rates in obese and non-obese patients after tracheotomy and to evaluate which factors, including the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), predict mortality rates among obese patients.

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent open tracheotomy in the operating room at a single hospital from 2005 to 2010.

Results: Of 200 patients reviewed, 146 were non-obese and 54 were obese.

Efficacy of super-selective neck dissection following chemoradiation for advanced head and neck cancer.

Background: Hypothesizing that neck-level specific locations of residual lymph node metastases following chemoradiation for head and neck cancer are highly predictable, the efficacy of the more targeted lymphadenectomy procedure called super-selective neck dissection (SSND) was evaluated.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of the databases from 2 institutions indicated that 35 SSND's were performed on 30 patients following chemoradiation as either a planned or early salvage intervention.

Results: Over a median follow-up of 33 (range: 8-72) months, 8 patients developed recurrent disease (3 primary, 5 distant) but there were no isolated recurrences in the neck.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis using adalimumab.

Leishmaniasis is an anthropozoonosis caused by species of Leishmania and can have different clinical presentations, depending on the parasite-host relationship. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a cytokine essential to infection control, especially against intracellular parasites such as Leishmania. Anti-TNF-α strategies have had a marked impact on the treatment of rheumatic diseases, but the clinical use of those antagonists has been accompanied by an increased report of infections.

Efficacy of selective neck dissection for nodal metastasis with involvement of nonlymphatic structures.

Background: Our aim in carrying out this study was to determine the efficacy of selective neck dissection (SND) for cervical metastases with clinical involvement of adjacent nonlymphatic structures.

Methods: In all, 39 patients were retrospectively analyzed with respect to 43 extended selective neck dissection (ESND) procedures.

Results: Eighteen procedures were performed as part of the primary treatment and 25 for salvage following (chemo)radiation.

Selective neck dissection as an early salvage intervention for clinically persistent nodal disease following chemoradiation.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of selective neck dissection (SND) performed for persistent nodal disease after chemoradiation.

Methods: Patients treated with definitive chemoradiation for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck who subsequently underwent SND for early salvage of clinically persistent nodal disease were evaluated. The primary outcome measure was regional disease control.

The effect on hemolysis of the raceway profile of roller pumps used in cardiopulmonary bypass.

This study aims at the influence on hemolysis of the differences between the maximum and minimum amplitudes of pressure in the outlet of three roller pump models adjusted by dynamic calibration method. Tests were performed with silicone tubes (½ × (3)/(16) inches) in fluid analogous to blood and fresh bovine blood from slaughterhouse. Tests with analogous solution to blood were performed varying the dynamic calibration pressure between 78 and 500 mm Hg.

Use of the abatacept in a patient with psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis (PA) is an inflammatory seronegative arthritis of unknown origin. Classically, PA has five clinical forms, and asymmetric oligoarthritis is the most common type. We describe the case of a patient with PA refractory to disease-modifying drugs, who developed drug-induced hepatitis after chemoprophylaxis with isoniazid, administered prior to the treatment with an anti-TNFα agent.

The influence of the residual stress in silicone tubes in the calibration methods of roller pumps used in cardiopulmonary bypass.

The rotation of rollers in cardiopulmonary bypass pumps propels the blood through various devices to reach the patient. Very occlusive settings may squeeze red blood cells, whereas a nonocclusive setting may result in retrograde flow. Occlusion of roller pumps may be regulated either by measuring the drop rate or by dynamic calibration.