Resumo Justificativa e objetivo: Este foi um estudo clínico prospectivo e randômico para comparar a taxa de sucesso da inserção de sonda nasogástrica (NG) com as técnicas de visibilização guiada pelo laringoscópio GlideScope® versus guiada pelo laringoscópio MacIntosh em pacientes anestesiados e intubados. Métodos: Foram recrutados 96, ASA I ou II, entre 18-70 anos, e divididos randomicamente em dois grupos, com uma ou outra técnica. Foi calculado o tempo transcorrido desde a inserção da sonda NG, da narina até a inserção do comprimento calculado da sonda. A taxa de sucesso de inserção da sonda NG foi avaliada quanto à inserção bem-sucedida na primeira tentativa. As complicações associadas às técnicas de inserção foram registradas. Resultados: Os resultados mostraram taxas de sucesso de 74,5% para o grupo GlideScope® em comparação com 58,3% para o grupo MacIntosh (p = 0,10). Para as tentativas que falharam, a sonda NG foi inserida com sucesso em todos os casos, com as técnicas de resgate. A duração da primeira tentativa para ambas as técnicas não foi estatisticamente significativa: 17,2 ± 9,3 segundos no Grupo A e 18,9 ± 13,0 segundos no Grupo B (p = 0,57). No total, 33 pacientes desenvolveram complicações durante a inserção da sonda NG: 39,4% no Grupo A e 60,6% no Grupo B (p = 0,15). As complicações mais comuns ocorridas foram enrolamento, seguido de sangramento e dobradura. Conclusão: Este estudo mostrou que o uso do GlideScope® para facilitar a inserção de sonda nasogástrica foi comparável ao uso do laringoscópio MacIntosh quanto à taxa de sucesso de inserção e às complicações.

Abstract Background and objective: This was a prospective, randomized clinical study to compare the success rate of nasogastric tube insertion by using GlideScopeTM visualization versus direct MacIntosh laryngoscope assistance in anesthetized and intubated patients. Methods: Ninety-six ASA I or II patients, aged 18-70 years were recruited and randomized into two groups using either technique. The time taken from insertion of the nasogastric tube from the nostril until the calculated length of tube had been inserted was recorded. The success rate of nasogastric tube insertion was evaluated in terms of successful insertion in the first attempt. Complications associated with the insertion techniques were recorded. Results: The results showed success rates of 74.5% in the GlideScopeTM Group as compared to 58.3% in the MacIntosh Group (p = 0.10). For the failed attempts, the nasogastric tube was successfully inserted in all cases using rescue techniques. The duration taken in the first attempt for both techniques was not statistically significant; Group A was 17.2 ± 9.3 s as compared to Group B, with a duration of 18.9 ± 13.0 s (p = 0.57). A total of 33 patients developed complications during insertion of the nasogastric tube, 39.4% in Group A and 60.6% in Group B (p = 0.15). The most common complications, which occurred, were coiling, followed by bleeding and kinking. Conclusion: This study showed that using the GlideScopeTM to facilitate nasogastric tube insertion was comparable to the use of the MacIntosh laryngoscope in terms of successful rate of insertion and complications.

Keratin, as one of the most abundant proteins, has been widely used for bio-related applications due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this study, keratin was extracted from human hair by sulphitolysis extraction method and then blended with poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) at different proportions. The keratin/PEO mixture was dissolved in distilled water, and finally electrospun into composite nanofibers. The viscosity of keratin/PEO solution reduced with the increase of keratin mixture ratio. The viscosities of the solutions at mixture ratios of 30/70 and 40/60 keratin/PEO showed flow curves comparable with that of 6 and 4wt% pure PEO solutions, respectively. The morphology, structure, and thermal property of the composite nanofibers were evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), respectively. SEM analysis revealed that the morphologies of nanofibers were determined by the keratin content of keratin/PEO blend. Bead-free nanofibers could be found when the mixture ratio of keratin was below 70 wt% in the blend. FTIR analysis indicated that electrospinning process induced structural modifications in both the crystalline microstructure of pure PEO and keratin chains with a planar conformation with respect to the helical conformation. Thermal behavior of the keratin/PEO composite nanofibers showed that a high draw occurred in the electrospinning process causing the protein chains a less complex super-molecular reorganization that denatured at lower temperatures. The keratin/PEO composite nanofibers has potential for biomaterials such as cell culture substrate.

Two new dimeric dioxovanadium complexes, [VO2L¹]2 (1) and [VO2L²]2 (2), where L¹ and L² are the deprotonated forms of the tridentate Schiff bases 2-[(2-isopropylaminoethylimino)methyl]-4-nitrophenol (HL¹) and 4-bromo-2-[(2-isopropylaminoethylimino)methyl]phenol (HL²), respectively, have been synthesized and characterized by i.r., UV-Vis spectra and single crystal X-ray diffraction. There form two N-H-O hydrogen bonds between two [VO2L] moieties in each complex. The V atom in each complex is coordinated by the three donor atoms of the tridentate Schiff base ligand, and three oxo O atoms, forming an octahedral coordination.