Induction Heating of Laminated Composite Structures with Magnetically Responsive Nanocomposite Interlayers for Debonding-on-Demand Applications.

In the present study, the feasibility to achieve localized induction heating and debonding of multi-material composite structures is assessed in testing coupons prepared by Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) and extrusion-based additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. Nano-compounds of Polyether-ketone-ketone (PEKK) with iron oxide nanoparticles acting as electromagnetic susceptors have been processed in a parallel co-rotating twin-screw extruder to produce filament feedstock for extrusion-based AM. The integration of nanocomposite interlayers as discrete debonding zones (DZ) by AFP-AM manufacturing has been investigated for two types of sandwich-structured laminate composites, i.

Serum osteoprotegerin and its gene polymorphisms in patients with Takayasu's arteritis: a bicentric cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) patients are at an elevated risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Currently, there are no well-validated biomarkers to assess this risk in this population. Previous research in different cohorts has linked serum levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and its polymorphisms to accelerated atherosclerosis and a marker of poor prognosis in CVD.

Effects of upper limbs' neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) superimposed to voluntary contraction added to a protocol of intradialytic leg cycle ergometer exercise, in muscle strength, functional capacity and quality of life of adult patients with CKD: a randomized clinical trial protocol.

Objective: To investigate the effects of unilateral upper limbs' (ULM) neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) superimposed on a voluntary contraction added to a protocol of intradialytic leg cycle ergometer exercise on muscle strength, functional capacity and quality of life of adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial will be carried out at a Brazilian University Hospital. The patients will be evaluated and randomly allocated to an intervention group (i.

Prevalence of subclinical systolic dysfunction in Takayasu's arteritis and its association with disease activity: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a vasculitis that affects the aorta and its branches and causes stenosis, occlusion, and aneurysms. Up to 60% of TA patients are associated with cardiac involvement which confers a poor prognosis. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) analysis is an echocardiographic technique that can detect the presence of subclinical systolic dysfunction.

Pregnancy in Takayasu arteritis: a cross-sectional study and review of literature.

Objective: Takayasu arteritis (TA), a form of vasculitis affecting large-and medium-sized vessels; it mainly affects women of reproductive age. Although cardiovascular and hemodynamic changes during pregnancy represent a potential risk for TA, findings regarding risk in maternal and fetal outcomes are inconsistent. This study aimed to describe the prevalence and outcomes of pregnancies in patients with TA, along with a literature review of comparable studies on the subject matter.

Pulmonary sarcoidosis with arterial involvement.

Necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis (NSG) is a rare and under-recognized cause of granulomatous disease, described as a variant of typical nodular sarcoidosis. It can be asymptomatic when the patient has a single pulmonary nodule or may be accompanied by cough, fever, and dyspnea, or even symptoms due to the involvement of other organs such as the eyes, liver, and central nervous system. The histopathological analysis is essential for the differential diagnosis of other infectious and non-infectious causes of granuloma and to determine the appropriate treatment.

A Critical Review of Disinfection Processes to Control SARS-CoV-2 Transmission in the Food Industry.

Industries of the food sector have made a great effort to control SARS-CoV-2 indirect transmission, through objects or surfaces, by updating cleaning and disinfection protocols previously focused on inactivating other pathogens, as well as food spoilage microorganisms. The information, although scarce at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, has started to be sufficiently reliable to avoid over-conservative disinfection procedures. This work reviews the literature to propose a holistic view of the disinfection process where the decision variables, such as type and concentration of active substances, are optimised to guarantee the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 and other usual pathogens and spoilage microorganisms while minimising possible side-effects on the environment and animal and human health.

Videocapillaroscopic Findings in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus With or Without Jaccoud Arthropathy.

Background/objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that can present changes in blood vessels, which can be evaluated by periungual nailfold videocapillaroscopy (VCP). This technique is important for the diagnosis of systemic sclerosis and to identify individuals with Raynaud phenomenon at higher risk of developing systemic sclerosis. This study aims to describe the videocapillaroscopic profile of a series of SLE patients and to investigate if the VCP pattern is different among those with Jaccoud arthropathy (JA) compared with those without.

Biological therapy in rheumatoid vasculitis: a systematic review.

Rheumatoid vasculitis (RV) is one of the most severe extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis, with significant morbidity and mortality, requiring aggressive treatment with corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressants. Recently, biological drugs were included in its therapeutic armamentarium. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review on the use of biological drugs in the treatment of RV.

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Associated With Coronavirus Disease in Children: A Multi-centered Study in Belém, Pará, Brazil.

We described the characteristics of 11 children with pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome-temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2. The main clinical indications for hospital admission were vasogenic toxic shock (n = 2), Kawasaki disease (n = 4), and Kawasaki disease shock syndrome (n = 5). The echocardiography findings were abnormal in 63% of cases.

Epidemiologic Features of Systemic Vasculitides in the Southeast Region of Brazil: Hospital-Based Survey.

Background/objective: The epidemiology of vasculitis is variable in different geographic areas, and this issue has not been approached in Brazil yet. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of vasculitis in specialized centers in Brazil.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in 9 vasculitis outpatient clinics from 6 different states mainly from the Southeast and the Northeast regions of Brazil between 2015 and 2017.

Association between Takayasu arteritis and latent or active Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection: a systematic review.

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a granulomatous vasculitis of large vessels with unknown aetiopathogenesis. An association between TA and tuberculosis (TB) has been suggested by several authors. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review of the literature on the association of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT) infection in patients with TA.

Association of CXCL13 serum level and ultrasonographic findings of joints in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and Jaccoud's arthropathy.

Objectives The objective of this paper is to perform an ultrasonography (US) analysis of hands and wrists in two groups of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with and without Jaccoud's arthropathy, matched by age and disease duration and to correlate them with levels of CXCL13 clinical features, laboratory tests and disease activity score. Methods Sixty-four patients with SLE were enrolled, 32 with and 32 without Jaccoud's arthropathy. Each patient underwent physical examination, laboratory tests (including CXCL13 by ELISA) and bilateral US.

Sonographic Findings of Hands and Wrists in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients With Jaccoud Arthropathy.

Introduction: Jaccoud arthropathy (JA) is a deforming nonerosive arthropathy, characterized by the presence of "reversible" joint deformity. The study aims at describing the main musculoskeletal ultrasound (US) findings of a series of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with JA.

Methods: Consecutive patients diagnosed as having JA and SLE were included in the study.

Interaction of levofloxacin with lung surfactant at the air-water interface.

The molecular-level interaction of levofloxacin with lung surfactant was investigated using Langmuir monolayers and atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. In the simulation, the DPPC/POPC mixed monolayer was used as a lung surfactant model and the molecules of levofloxacin were placed at the air-lipid interface to mimic the adsorption process on the lung surfactant model. The simulation results indicate that amphoteric levofloxacin expands the lung surfactant, also stabilizing the film for levofloxacin fractions until 10% w/w at least.

Ultrasound Findings on Hands and Wrists of Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Relationship with Physical Examination.

Diagnosis of synovitis/tenosynovitis by physical examination can be difficult. Ultrasound (US) can be an effective tool for the evaluation of joint involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study will describe musculoskeletal findings by US in SLE patients and the evaluation of their correlation with physical examination.

Thermographic and clinical evaluation of 808-nm laser photobiomodulation effects after third molar extraction.

Background: A randomized, blind, controlled clinical study was conducted with a convenience sample of 24 patients to evaluate the effectiveness of an aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs) infrared laser 808 nm after third molar extraction by the use of infrared thermography technique.

Methods: Patients were divided into four groups: erupted third molars were extracted from the patients in Group I and Group II, and impacted third molars were extracted from the patients in Group III and Group IV. Group I and Group III received mock laser therapy in which the device was powered off, and Group II and Group IV were exposed to laser light.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Children Treated With Peginterferon and Ribavirin for Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to describe the 5-year follow-up of children who received peginterferon and ribavirin in a global, open-label study.

Methods: A 5-year follow-up study of 107 children and adolescents ages 3 to 17 years with chronic hepatitis C virus infection who received peginterferon and ribavirin for 24 or 48 weeks. No drugs were administered during follow-up.

Effect of 2% chlorhexidine digluconate on bond strength of a glass-fibre post to root dentine.

Aim: To assess the immediate influence of dentine bonding systems (DBS) associated with 2% chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) on glass-fibre post-bond strength to root dentine, in terms of coronal, middle and apical thirds.

Methodology: Sixty bovine roots were root filled and randomly assigned to 1 of 6 groups (n = 10): SBMP (3-step etch-and-rinse system, Scotchbond Multi-Purpose), SB (2-step etch-and-rinse system, Single Bond 2), SE (2-step self-etching system, Clearfil SE Bond) and SBMP-CHX, SB-CHX and SE-CHX, respectively, associated with CHX. For all groups, a glass-fibre post was luted with a dual-cure resin cement, RelyX ARC.