Molecular and epidemiologic evidence for the discontinuous introduction of subtypes B and F into Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

We encountered a case of an unusual structural abnormality in a biplane transesophageal echocardiography transducer. One of the steel wires making up the flexion cable responsible for anterior flexion was ruptured with one end piercing through the sheath, and this defect did not affect the imaging function of the transducer. Measures to detect this defect should be incorporated into the routine care of the transesophageal transducer.     

Inhomogeneous complexation of trace metals in water with organic nano-complexants

The complexation of heavy metals, such as Cd²⁺ and Ni²⁺, with organic complexants such as 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) and 1-(2-thiazolylazo)-2-naphthol (TAN) in water has been investigated. Under such conditions, both the reagents and the products form nano-particulates. These materials are important because their spectrum changes upon exposure to heavy metals and they may be used for design of new optical detectors. The kinetic schemes so far suggested for these complexation reactions are not valid for such experimental conditions, since they assume homogeneous behavior. We provide evidences to the inhomogeneous nature of these reactions. The complexation has been studied using TEM imaging, zeta-potentiometry, time-dependent particulate size analysis and time-dependent spectroscopy. Many of the experimental results are explained in terms of the nature of the nano-particulates of these two complexants. Several processes were identified, including crystal growing of the complexant, its reaction with metal ions in solution and on the surface area, chemical erosion of complexant crystallites and their decomposition, re-crystallization of the formed complexes and long term aggregation of both the complexant and the resulted complex. It was found that the needle-like nano-structures on the surface of the TAN particulates governs its reaction and particulate behavior. The known optimal complexation conditions, such as pH, and delay time are now understood in terms of the zeta-potential minima of the suspensions and in terms of the kinetic parameters. Also the interferences of some ions in the Ni–TAN complexation are now quantified and the kinetic data indicate the best delay time when the interfering effects are minimal.     

Formation Of Aldehydes During Ozonation

This study investigated the formation of aldehydes after ozonation of three real and three model waters reconstituted from hydrophobic organic material. The four main aldehyde species formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, glyoxal, and methyl glyoxal were analyzed. Formaldehyde was the dominant species formed as a result of ozonation. The different waters varied greatly with respect to aldehyde production under similar treatment conditions. Studies conducted with model waters allowed for exploring aldehyde formation as a function of various water quality parameters. Overall, the hydrophobic organic extracts appeared to have greater aldehyde formation potential than the hydrophilic organics. Aldehydes were formed in direct proportion to the total organic carbon (TOC) concentration of the water at a 1:1 ozone-to-TOC ratio. Greater aldehyde formation was observed at lower ozonation pH values. Bromide ion and inorganic carbon added to model waters appeared to have no effect on aldehyde production. Finally, Assimilable Organic Carbon (AOC) measurements exhibited a strong correlation between aldehyde production and AOC production.     

Tumours aneurysms

Ultrastructural and cytochemical studies on the remodelling of the rat tracheal cartilage have been carried out. The thickness of the tracheal cartilage was constant, during the observation periods (1 to 54 days after birth). The external perichondrium of the tracheal cartilage consisted of active fibroblasts and intercellular fibrils. The inner part of this perichondrium was a chondrogenic layer, where appositional growth was taking place. On the other hand, the internal perichondrium contained fibroblast-like cells, which were nearly twice as large as the external perichondrial fibroblasts in size and were arranged in three or four layers. The cells had well developed organella and large vacuoles which contained numerous fragments of fibrils and/or glycosaminoglycan. Many cytoplasmic processes protruded to the cartilage matrix, where the intercellular fibrils were particularly irregular in arrangement. Some vacuoles included collagen fibrils. Based on an intense acid phosphatase activity in these vacuoles and other findings, the fibrils were thought to be phagocytosed collagen of the cartilage matrix. An extensive alkaline phosphatase activity was demonstrated on the plasma membrane of fibroblasts and chondroblasts in the external perichondrium. The present investigation revealed distinct functional difference between the external and internal perichondrium of the tracheal cartilage. It is resorbed at the internal perichondrium, while it appositionally grows at the external perichondrium. The fibroblast-like cells of the internal perichondrium play an essential role in resorption of the matrix in cartilage remodelling.