Remediation of Pb-contaminated soil using biochar-based slow-release P fertilizer and biomonitoring employing bioindicators.

Soil contamination by Pb can result from different anthropogenic sources such as lead-based paints, gasoline, pesticides, coal burning, mining, among others. This work aimed to evaluate the potential of P-loaded biochar (Biochar-based slow-release P fertilizer) to remediate a Pb-contaminated soil. In addition, we aim to propose a biomonitoring alternative after soil remediation.

Hedinger Syndrome with Intraoperative Carcinoid Crisis - Understanding the Pathophysiology for a Successful Management.

Carcinoid tumors can be a cause for right heart valve disease, also known as Hedinger syndrome or carcinoid heart disease. Proper understanding of the pathophysiology is of the uttermost importance for adequate treatment of these patients, especially during heart surgery.

Frequency of anesthetic overdose with mean alveolar concentration-guided anesthesia at high altitude.

This study reported the frequency of anesthetic overdose measured with the bispectral index in a high altitude city (Bogotá-Colombia, 2600 meters above sea level). We assembled a prospective cohort of patients. Preoperative variables were described, and 10 minutes after the surgical incision, bispectral index, mean alveolar concentration, mean arterial pressure, and oxygen saturation were recorded.

Successful Management of Massive Air Embolism During Cardiopulmonary Bypass Using Multimodal Neuroprotection Strategies.

Complications and critical events during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are very challenging, difficult to manage, and in some instances have the potential to lead to fatal outcomes. Massive cerebral air embolism is undoubtedly a feared complication during CPB. If not diagnosed and managed early, its effects are devastating and even fatal.

Dual-source dual-energy CT with additional tin filtration: Dose and image quality evaluation in phantoms and in vivo.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect on radiation dose and image quality of the use of additional spectral filtration for dual-energy CT using dual-source CT (DSCT).

Materials And Methods: A commercial DSCT scanner was modified by adding tin filtration to the high-kV tube, and radiation output and noise were measured in water phantoms. Dose values for equivalent image noise were compared between the dual-energy mode with and without tin filtration and the single-energy mode.

Comparative study of two image space noise reduction methods for computed tomography: bilateral filter and nonlocal means.

Optimal noise control is important for improving image quality and reducing radiation dose in computed tomography. Here we investigated two image space based nonlinear filters for noise reduction: the bilateral filter (BF) and the nonlocal means (NLM) algorithm. Images from both methods were compared against those from a commercially available weighted filtered backprojection (WFBP) method.

Comparison of spinal anesthesia with combined sciatic-femoral nerve block for outpatient knee arthroscopy.

Study Objective: To compare spinal anesthesia and combined sciatic-femoral nerve block for outpatient knee arthroscopy.

Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled study.

Setting: Postoperative recovery area at a university-affiliated medical center.

The vasodilatory effects of levosimendan on the human internal mammary artery.

Background: Levosimendan, an inotropic drug that enhances myocardial contractility through myofilment calcium sensitazion, induces peripheral vasodilation via opening ATP-dependent K(+) channels. It is unknown whether this drug can be used for the treatment of perioperative vasospasm of arterial conduits used for coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods: We investigated the effects of levosimendan on human internal mammary artery (IMA) specimens taken from patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.

Endotracheal intubation with a lightwand or a laryngoscope results in similar hemodynamic variations in patients with coronary artery disease.

Purpose: To asses the cardiovascular changes after either lightwand or conventional laryngoscopic endotracheal intubation (EI) in patients with coronary artery disease.

Methods: Following Institutional approval and informed consent, 80 consecutive patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting were enrolled in this prospective, controlled, single-blinded study. General anesthesia was induced with fentanyl 5 micro x kg(-1) and thiopental 5 mg x kg(-1) followed by pancuronium 0.

Comparison of total intravenous anesthesia and sevoflurane-fentanyl anesthesia for outpatient otorhinolaryngeal surgery.

Study Objective: To compare the recovery characteristics of two widely used anesthetic techniques: remifentanyl-propofol and sevoflurane-fentanyl in a standardized ambulatory population.

Design: Randomized, single-blinded study.

Setting: University-affiliated medical center.