Unlocking the Potential of Chemically Modified Carbon Gels in Gallic Acid Adsorption.

This study deals with the preparation of adsorbents from a commercial xerogel by chemically modifying its surface with concentrated mineral acids and alkali metal chlorides, their physicochemical characterization, and their use as adsorbents for gallic acid in aqueous solution. Although there are publications on the use of carbon xerogels as adsorbents, we propose and study simple modifications that can change their chemical properties and, therefore, their performance as adsorbents. The adsorbate of choice is gallic acid and, to our knowledge, there is no history of its adsorption with carbon xerogels.

Current Understanding of Human Polymorphism in Selenoprotein Genes: A Review of Its Significance as a Risk Biomarker.

Selenium has been proven to influence several biological functions, showing to be an essential micronutrient. The functional studies demonstrated the benefits of a balanced selenium diet and how its deficiency is associated with diverse diseases, especially cancer and viral diseases. Selenium is an antioxidant, protecting the cells from damage, enhancing the immune system response, preventing cardiovascular diseases, and decreasing inflammation.

Cardiovascular diseases in women: a differentiated view and risk stratification.

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of mortality in men and women worldwide, surpassing mortality from all associated neoplasms. In women, its prevalence and mortality increase at menopause, but complications of reproductive age, such as preeclampsia and eclampsia, lead to increased cardiovascular risk throughout their lives. Coronary ischemic disease is is the leading cause of death in Brazil and worldwide, with atherosclerotic disease being the principal pathophysiological mechanism.

Children's Perceptions of Dentist's Attire and Environment: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Aim: To assess the children's perceptions of the dentist's attire and environment. The protocol is available in the PROSPERO database.

Search Strategies: Systematic searches in the databases were performed in Cochrane, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science from their inception to December 12, 2019, Google Scholar, Open Grey, and ProQuest Dissertations.

Bilateral simultaneous percutaneous nephrolithotomy versus staged approach: a critical analysis of complications and renal function.

Introduction: Patients with bilateral kidney stones and burdened by large stones are challenging cases for endourologists. Simultaneous bilateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy (sbPCNL) is an option; however, it may be accompanied by important morbidity. An alternative is a staged PCNL, operating one side each time.

A carefully designed nanoplatform based on multi walled carbon nanotube wrapped with aptamers.

The interaction between carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and biological molecules of diagnostic and therapeutic interest, as well as the internalization of the CNTs-biomolecules complexes in different types of cell, has been extensively studied due to the potential use of these nanocomplexes as multifunctional nanoplatforms in a great variety of biomedical applications. The effective use of these nanobiotechnologies requires broad multidisciplinary studies of biocompatibility, regarding, for example, the in vitro and in vivo nanotoxicological assays, the capacity to target specific cells and the evaluation of their biomedical potential. However, the first step to be reached is the careful obtainment of the nanoplatform and the understanding of the actual surface composition and structural integrity of the complex system.

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Treatment with Dopamine Agonist and Subsequent Pregnancy with a Satisfactory Outcome.

Pathophysiological mechanisms of peripartum cardiomyopathy are not yet completely defined, although there is a strong association with various factors that are already known, including pre-eclampsia. Peripartum cardiomyopathy treatment follows the same recommendations as heart failure with systolic dysfunction. Clinical and experimental studies suggest that products of prolactin degradation can induce this cardiomyopathy.

Economic crisis and counter-reform of universal health care systems: Spanish case.

The economic crisis that has been affecting Europe in the 21st century has modified social protection systems in the countries that adopted, in the 20th century, universal health care system models, such as Spain. This communication presents some recent transformations, which were caused by changes in Spanish law. Those changes relate to the access to health care services, mainly in regards to the provision of care to foreigners, to financial contribution from users for health care services, and to pharmaceutical assistance.

[Reflections on public-private participation in healthcare].

Health care is one of the major issues in social policy, affected by multiple factors, such as the increase in health costs, crisis, and the degree of private participation in the financing of services. In this essay we reflect on this participation of the private sector in health care, with Brazil as a reference country and taking into account member states of the Union of South American Nations. Based on a qualitative study using data from national and international organizations, we found significant private participation in health care of countries in various continents, with an increase of public and private spending between 2000 and 2010.

Supplemental care from a bioethical perspective.

Objective: To describe and analyze, from the perspective of Intervention Bioethics, the legal, institutional and ethical contexts, the conflicts and regulations of supplemental health care in Brazil, since the approval of the regulatory law in 1998 until 2010.

Methods: Qualitative research, using Intervention Bioethics as the theoretical reference. Bibliographical and documental study of the legislation, regulations and assistential framework, as well as interviews with members of the Supplemental Health Board.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita and geographical distribution of ophthalmologists in Brazil.

Purpose: To assess the number of ophthalmologists in Brazil, their regional distribution, ophthalmologist/habitant ratio, and the relation between ophthalmologist and State Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita to aid public health policies.

Methods: An ecologic study was conducted. Data were obtained from the "Census 2011 Brazilian Ophthalmology Council", from "Demographic Census of Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) 2010 and from "Brazilian Regional Accounts, 2005-2009"- Ministry of Planning, Budget and Management - IBGE.

Validity of recall absent schoolchildren to free eye health projects.

Purpose: To analyze the results of recall absent schoolchildren to eye health projects.

Methods: Cross-sectional study. Visual screening was performed in schoolchildren attending 1(st) to 4(th) grades at public schools, from 7 to 10 years-old, to select and forward to complete ophthalmic evaluation.

Why are there defaulters in eye health projects?

Purpose: To identify barriers to attendance for eye examination of schoolchildren.

Methods: Cross-sectional study. Students in grades 1-4 in elementary school in Guarulhos (Brazil) were screened and referred for ophthalmic examination in 2006.

Short-term germ-killing effect of sugar-sweetened cinnamon chewing gum on salivary anaerobes associated with halitosis.

Objective: The present study investigated the short-term germ-killing effect of sugar-sweetened cinnamon chewing gum on total and H2S-producing salivary anaerobes.

Methods: Fifteen healthy adult subjects were recruited in the double-blind, crossover clinical study. The three test chewing gums included: 1) sugared chewing gum containing cinnamic aldehyde and natural flavors (CinA+); 2) sugared chewing gum without cinnamic aldehyde but with natural flavors (CinA-); and 3) non-sugared chewing gum base (GB) without any flavors and without cinnamic aldehyde.

Post-visit at ophthalmology emergency service: frequency and perception of the doctors on duty and users.

Purpose: To check the occurrence of post-visit, the patient's understanding and the assessments of the doctor on duty about the efficacy of the process, at the ophthalmology emergency sector.

Methods: It was conducted a transversal, analytical research among doctors on duty and patients being seen consecutively in the ophthalmology emergency sector of Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade de São Paulo.

Results: The sample was made of 28 doctors on duty and 561 patients, 51.

Proposal for tuberculosis death surveillance in information systems.

Objective: To propose a tuberculosis-related death surveillance strategy based on the Brazilian Mortality Information System.

Methods: Data on 55 tuberculosis-related deaths, which occurred in two large hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil, between September 2005 and August 2006, were obtained from the SIM. These cases were searched and compared with cases in the National Notification System (Sinan).

Social costs of two cataract surgical techniques in Brazil.

Objective: To compare postoperative social costs of two cataract surgical techniques, phacoemulsification (PHACO) and extracapsular extraction (ECCE).

Methods: Prospective randomized intervention study including 205 patients, of which 101 underwent PHACO and 104 ECCE in the public service, in the city of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, in 2002. The socioeconomic impact of these surgical procedures was assessed based on postoperative costs for patients, employers and social security.

Phacoemulsification versus extracapsular extraction: governmental costs.

Purpose: To evaluate the governmental costs of patients undergoing phacoemulsification and extracapsular cataract extraction at a public hospital in a developing country.

Methods: A prospective study was conduced with 205 patients. The subjects were randomized for cataract surgery using either phacoemulsification or extracapsular cataract extraction techniques.

Self-medication: initial treatments used by patients seen in an ophthalmologic emergency room.

Objective: This study seeks to identify practices of self-medication in the treatment of ocular emergencies. We examine patients' use of both homemade preparations and manufactured products before seeking specialized care.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analytic survey of consecutive patients seen in the ophthalmology emergency room of a teaching hospital.