Influence of salt and temperature in the growth of pathogenic free-living amoebae.

Introduction: Free-living amoebae are an extensive group of protistans that can be found in a wide variety of environments. Among them, the genus and stand out as two of the most pathogenic amoebae and with a higher number of reported cases. is mainly found in warm freshwater water bodies whereas amoebae of the genus are broadly distributed through natural and anthropogenic environments.

Ultraviolet - Chlorine combined treatment efficiency to eliminate in artificial surf lagoons.

. fowleri, a protozoa belonging to the free-living amoeba group, is the causative agent of a central nervous system affecting disease that is fatal in more than the 95% of the reported cases. This parasite can be found in warm water bodies such as lakes, rivers or inadequately disinfected swimming pools.

Model-based methodology for the design of optimal control strategies in MBR plants.

This paper proposes a model-based methodology that allows synthesising the most appropriate strategies for optimising the operation of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The methodology is applied with the aim of maximising the nitrogen removal in membrane bioreactors (MBRs). The proposed procedure is based on a systematic approach composed of four steps.

Brief Biofeedback Intervention on Anxious Freshman University Students.

The increasing number of mental health disorders on university students represents a growing problem with negative impact on this population. Stress and anxiety issues are two of most predominant problems in this population and most campus health services have limited resources to face them. Research has provided evidence about biofeedback effectiveness.

Assessment of the level of sedation in children after cardiac surgery.

Background: There is no reference method for the evaluation of the level of sedation in children after cardiac surgery. The utility of the bispectral index and middle latency auditory evoked potentials has not been evaluated.

Methods: The bispectral index, middle latency auditory evoked potentials, Ramsay scale, and COMFORT scale were used for assessment of the level of sedation in critically ill children after cardiac surgery and other surgical procedures.

Analysis of bispectral index and middle latency auditory-evoked potentials parameters in critically ill children.

To study the parameters of the bispectral index and middle latency auditory-evoked potentials in critically ill children. We performed a prospective, observational study in 81 critically ill children categorized into two levels of sedation (moderate and deep) and three age groups (<1, 1-6, and >6 months). The parameters of the bispectral index and middle latency auditory-evoked potentials studied were the signal quality index, suppression ratio, total power, spectral edge frequency, electromyographic activity, and suppression ratio.

Cardiac output and blood volume parameters using femoral arterial thermodilution.

Background: The pulse-induced continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) system is a less invasive method than pulmonary thermodilution for the measurement of cardiac output and estimating blood volume parameters. The normal values in children have not been defined. The purpose of the present paper was therefore to evaluate cardiac output and parameters of blood volume using femoral arterial thermodilution in critically ill children.

Assessing sedation in critically ill children by bispectral index, auditory-evoked potentials and clinical scales.

Objective: To evaluate the correlation and agreement between the bispectral index (BIS), middle latency auditory-evoked potential index (AEP index), Ramsay scale (RS) and COMFORT scale (CS) for evaluation of the level of sedation in critically ill children.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Pediatric critical care unit.

Bispectral index and middle latency auditory evoked potentials in children younger than two-years-old.

Background: We analyzed the values of the bispectral index (BIS) and midlatency auditory evoked potentials (MLAEP) and their correlation with the modified Ramsay score (RS) during wakefulness and natural sleep in healthy children without pharmacological sedation.

Methods: Fifty-three healthy children younger than 2-yr-old were studied. Children were evaluated simultaneously using the modified RS, the BIS, and MLAEPs.

Is prophylactic cholecystectomy useful in obese patients undergoing gastric bypass?

Background: Obesity constitutes a clear risk factor for cholelithiasis, especially if it is associated with a rapid weight loss, as is the case of patients following bariatric surgery. Prophylactic cholecystectomy is indicated in biliopancreatic diversions due to the high incidence of postoperative cholelithiasis. However, there is no agreement on gastric bypass.

Transpyloric enteral feeding in the postoperative of cardiac surgery in children.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to assess the utility of transpyloric enteral nutrition in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery in children.

Methods: A prospective, observational study was performed on children receiving transpyloric enteral nutrition in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery. The type of nutrition, duration, tolerance, and complications were studied.

Severe ischemia of the lower limb and of the intestine associated with systemic vasoconstrictor therapy and femoral arterial catheterization.

Objective: To report a case of peripheral and intestinal ischemia associated with arterial catheterization and terlipressin treatment in a child.

Design: Case report.

Setting: Pediatric intensive care unit of a university hospital.

Eating attitudes and the use of alcohol, tobacco, and exercise among male and female adolescents.

Objectives: To determine the differences between male and female adolescents in the associations of disturbed eating attitudes with the use of smoking, alcohol, and exercise.

Method: Nonclinical adolescents-174 males and 157 females-completed the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI) and a measure of engagement in the use of smoking, alcohol, and exercise. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the impact of Gender x Use of the behaviour upon eating and related attitudes.