Abstract Biosensors based on nanomaterial composites have been investigated for their potential to function as high sensitivity signal response devices. In the present study, we report the fabrication of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on a graphite epoxy composite electrode (GEC) and mixed with the polyaniline (a conductive emeraldine salt form polymer) composite electrode (AgNPs/PANI/GEC), in order to compare the performance of the generated electrochemical response signals. Cyclic voltammetry tests were conducted to compare the quality and intensity of signals from the different prepared electrodes. Tests for the AgNPs/PANI/GEC electrodes were made with and without the enzymes alcohol oxidase and horseradish peroxidase immobilized on the composite surface. The prepared AgNPs/PANI/GEC nanocomposite was evaluated by thermal analysis. Scanning electron microscopy images and EDX were obtained for characterization of the electrode surface morphology. Square wave voltammetry techniques were then employed for ethanol analysis with the AOX/HRP/AgNPs/PANI/GEC biosensor achieving good results in a range of 0.37M to 0.65 M.

Resumo O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar as propriedades biológicas do solo em área de Cerrado sensu stricto preservadas e não preservadas do Parque Nacional de Sete Cidades, Nordeste do Brasil. Os seguintes sites sob Cerrado sensu stricto (Css) foram avaliados: preservado (UND) e não preservado (DIS). O C orgânico total e da biomassa microbiana foram maiores na área preservada do que na não preservada em ambas estações seca e chuvosa. Entretanto, o C da biomassa microbiana foi maior na estação chuvosa do que na seca. A respiração do solo não variou entre as áreas, mas foi maior na estação chuvosa. As densidades de Araneae, Coleoptera e Ortoptera foram maiores na área preservada, enquanto as densidades de Formicidae foram maiores na área não preservada. A analise de escalonamento não-métrico separou a área preservada da não-preservada de acordo com as propriedades biológicas. Os distúrbios no solo pelas atividades agrícolas, como corte-e-queima, resultaram na deterioração das propriedades biológicas do Cerrado nativo no Parque Nacional de Sete Cidades.

Abstract The aim of this study was to measure soil microbial biomass and soil surface fauna in undisturbed and disturbed Cerrado sensu stricto (Css) from Sete Cidades National Park, Northeast Brazil. The following sites were sampled under Cerrado sensu stricto (Css) at the park: undisturbed and disturbed Css (slash-and-burn agricultural practices). Total organic and microbial biomass C were higher in undisturbed than in disturbed sites in both seasons. However, microbial biomass C was higher in the wet than in the dry season. Soil respiration did not vary among sites but was higher in the wet than in the dry season. The densities of Araneae, Coleoptera, and Orthoptera were higher in the undisturbed site, whereas the densities of Formicidae were higher in the disturbed site. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis separated undisturbed from disturbed sites according to soil biological properties. Disturbance by agricultural practices, such as slash-and-burn, probably resulted in the deterioration of the biological properties of soil under native Cerrado sensu stricto in the Sete Cidades National Park.

A 56-year-old woman was admitted with jaundice, and laboratory data were indicative of pancreatitis, which recurred in spite of adequate clinical and nutritional management. The patient was an overweight diabetic using metformin, who had antecedents of cholelithiasis and recent cholecystectomy. Clinical and laboratory features were not conclusive about the cause of this acute pancreatitis. However, imaging data contributed to diagnosis suspicion, and the histopathology study of the transpapillary biopsy confirmed the ampullary adenocarcinoma. Whipple´s surgery was the procedure of choice, associated with radical lymphadenectomy, followed by an uneventful outcome. Recrudescence of signs and symptoms of acute pancreatitis, with elevated serum levels of bilirrubins and of hepatic canalicular enzymes, should enhance the suspicion index about periampullary tumors. High levels of CA 19-9 can constitute a useful marker of this condition. Transpapillary biopsy can characterize the diagnosis of ampullary malignancies.

Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 56 años, que presentaba ictericia y cuyos exámenes de laboratorio fueran indicativos de pancreatitis. Presentó recurrencia a pesar de las medidas clínicas y nutricionales adecuadas. La paciente era diabética, con sobrepeso, tomaba metformina y con antecedentes de colelitiasis y reciente colecistectomía. Los datos clínicos y del laboratorio no fueron concluyentes acerca del origen de esta pancreatitis aguda. Sin embargo, los estudios de imagen contribuyeron a la sospecha del diagnóstico; los estudios de citologia exfoliativa y de biopsia transpapilar confirmaron un adenocarcinoma ampular. La cirugía de Whipple fue el procedimiento de opción, asociado con linfadenectomía radical, con resultado favorable. El recrudecimiento de señales y síntomas de pancreatitis aguda, con niveles séricos elevados de bilirrubina y de enzimas hepáticos debe reforzar el índice de sospecha acerca de tumores ampulares. La elevación de CA 19-9 en el suero puede ser un marcador útil de esta entidad. La realización de biopsia transpapilar suele ayudar a obtener el diagnóstico.

A 72-year-old female with late onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was admitted with chest pain and dyspnoea, and was submitted to investigation by echocardiogram, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and serology panel. Morphological and functional studies of the heart revealed conspicuous inflammatory signs and moderate effusion compatible with myocarditis and pericarditis. Myocarditis is an uncommon manifestation of SLE. The additional burden posed by myocarditis in the management and outcome of elderly patients with SLE is also emphasized.

Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 72 años con lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) de inicio tardío, que presentaba dolor torácico y disnea. Se realizó ecocardiograma y resonancia magnética cardíaca (CMR), y tests serológicos. Los estudios morfológicos y funcionales del corazón revelaron evidentes señales inflamatorios y moderada efusión pericárdica compatibles con miocarditis y pericarditis. La miocarditis es una manifestación poco común en el LES. Se enfatiza el problema adicional representado por la miocarditis en el manejo y el pronóstico de pacientes con LES.

The solitary fibrous tumour is an uncommon neoplasm of mesenchymal origin. It occasionally develops in extra pleural locations, and is very infrequent in the pancreas. A 40-year-old woman had an unsuspected solitary fibrous tumour detected by chance in the body of the pancreas. Detection of the mass occurred with imaging studies. CT and MRI images showed the well-circumscribed benign lesion, with 3 cm on its greatest diameter. Treatment consisted of partial pancreatectomy, and her postoperative recovery was uneventful.

El tumor fibroso solitario es una neoplasia poco común, de origen mesenquimal, que ocasionalmente se desarrolla en sitios extrapleurales, y es muy raro en el páncreas. Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 40 años, que presentó un tumor fibroso solitario descubierto por casualidad en el cuerpo del páncreas. La masa se observó con estudios de imagen. La lesión benigna, bien delimitada, con 3 centímetros de diámetro mayor, se descubrió en imágenes de CT y MRI. El tratamiento consistió en pancreatectomía parcial, y su recupe-ración postoperatoria no tuvo complicaciones.