Hereditary angioedema is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by recurrent angioedema attacks with the involvement of multiple organs. The disease is unknown to many health professionals and is therefore underdiagnosed. Patients who are not adequately diagnosed and treated have an estimated mortality rate ranging from 25% to 40% due to asphyxiation by laryngeal angioedema. Intestinal angioedema is another important and incapacitating presentation that may be the main or only manifestation during an attack. In this article, a group of experts from the “Associação Brasileira de Alergia e Imunologia (ASBAI)” and the “Grupo de Estudos Brasileiro em Angioedema Hereditário (GEBRAEH)” has updated the Brazilian guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hereditary angioedema.

Resumo Objetivo Comparar por meio de ultrassom tridimensional (US-3D) a posição e o ângulo entre os braços da faixa, em diferentes técnicas de inserção de sling de uretra média, para tratamento de incontinência urinária de esforço, 3 anos após a cirurgia, correlacionando os achados ultrassonográficos aos resultados clínicos pós-operatórios. Métodos Este é umestudo de coorte transversal prospectivo de 170 pacientes que se submeteram a um procedimento de sling entremaio de 2009 e dezembro de 2011. Foi possível avaliar as imagens de US em 105 pacientes: 26 com tension-free vaginal tape (TVT), 42 com tension-free vaginal tape-obturator (TVT-O) e 37 com tension-free vaginal tape-Secur (TVT-S). As imagens (em repouso, em manobra de Valsalva e em contração perineal) foram analisadas por dois observadores diferentes, que desconheciam o tipo de sling utilizado na cirurgia, assimcomo as queixas da paciente. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio dos testes t de Student, qui-quadrado, Kruskal-Wallis, e análise de variância com comparações múltiplas de Tukey. Resultados As médias dos ângulos entre os braços da faixa foram: TVT = 119,94°, TVT-O = 141,93°, TVT-S = 121,06° (p < 0,001). As médias das distâncias entre o colo vesical e a faixa, em repouso, foram: TVT = 1,65 cm, TVT-O = 1,93 cm, TVTS = 1,95 cm (p = 0,010). A taxa de cura objetiva dos slings foi de 87,8% (TVT = 88,5%, TVT-O = 90,5% e TVT-S = 83,8%; p = 0,701). A taxa de cura subjetiva foi de 83,8% (TVT = 88,5%, TVT-O = 88,5% e TVT-S = 78,4%; p = 0,514). Os slings estavam na uretra média em 85,7% (TVT = 100%, TVT-O = 73,8% e TVT-S = 89,2%; p = 0,001) dos pacientes, e a localização mais distal foi associada a obesidade (distal: 66,7% obesas; uretra média: 34% obesas; p = 0.003). Os sintomas de urgência foram observados em 23,8% das pacientes (TVT = 30,8%, TVT-O = 21,4%, TVT-S = 21,6%; p = 0,630). Não houve diferenças significativas quando se comparam os achados ultrassonográficos e os grupos de pacientes com sintomas de urgência, cura subjetiva e objetiva. Conclusão O ângulo formado pelos braços da faixa foi mais obtuso noTVT-Oquando comparado com o TVT ou o TVT-S. Os TVTs foram localizados mais frequentemente na uretra média quando comparados com os outros dois grupos, mesmo em pacientes obesas. Entretanto, as medidas ultrassonográficas não tiveram correlação com os sintomas urinários três anos após a cirurgia.

Abstract Objective Using three-dimensional ultrasound (3D-US), we aimed to compare the tape position and the angle formed by the sling arms in different techniques of midurethral sling insertion for the surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence, three years after surgery. In addition, we examined the correlations between the US findings and the clinical late postoperative results. Methods A prospective cross-sectional cohort study of 170 patients who underwent a sling procedure between May 2009 and December 2011 was performed. The final sample, with US images of sufficient quality, included 26 retropubic slings (tension-free vaginal tape, TVT), 42 transobturator slings (tension-free vaginal tape-obturator, TVTO), and 37 single-incision slings (tension-free vaginal tape-Secur, TVT-S). The images (at rest, during the Valsalva maneuver, and during pelvic floor contraction) were analyzed offline by 2 different observers blinded against the surgical and urinary continence status. Group comparisons were performed using the Student t-test, the chi-squared and the Kruskal-Wallis tests, and analyses of variance with Tukey multiple comparisons. Results Differences among the groups were found in themean angle of the tape arms (TVT = 119.94°, TVT-O = 141.93°, TVT-S = 121.06°; p < 0.001) and in the distance between the bladder neck and the tape at rest (TVT = 1.65 cm, TVT-O = 1.93 cm, TVTS = 1.95 cm; p = 0.010). The global objective cure rate was of 87.8% (TVT = 88.5%, TVT-O = 90.5%, TVT-S = 83.8%; p = 0.701). The overall subjective cure rate was of 83.8% (TVT = 88.5%, TVT-O = 88.5% and TVT-S = 78.4%; p = 0.514). The slings were located in the mid-urethra in 85.7% of the patients (TVT = 100%, TVT-O = 73.8%, TVTS = 89.2%; p = 0.001), with a more distal location associated with obesity (distal: 66.7% obese; mid-urethra: 34% obese; p = 0.003). Urgency-related symptoms were observed in 23.8% of the patients (TVT = 30.8%, TVT-O = 21.4%, TVT-S = 21.6%; p = 0.630). Conclusions The angle formed by the arms of the sling tape was more obtuse for the transobturator slings compared with the angles for the retropubic or single-incision slings. Retropubic slings were more frequently located in the mid-urethra compared with the other slings, regardless of obesity. However, the analyzed sonographic measures did not correlate with the urinary symptoms three years after the surgery.

As misturas ou blendas poliméricas continuam, apesar de seu longo estudo, a ser foco de pesquisas em diferentes áreas. A mistura de polipropileno e poliestireno é uma das mais estudadas principalmente pelo baixo custo e relevância tecnológica destes materiais. Neste trabalho, os alunos da disciplina Processamento de Polímeros I (PG24) no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência dos Materiais (PGCIMAT-UFRGS), realizaram em aula todo o processamento dos polímeros (polipropileno e poliestireno) e a produção das misturas poliméricas. A seguir, cada aluno ficou responsável por realizar um tipo de caracterização, que incluía a preparação das amostras, a análise em si e a discussão dos resultados da referida análise. Subsequentemente, os resultados foram confrontados em aula, onde se buscou as correlações existentes. E por fim, todos os alunos fizeram a revisão deste artigo, incluindo sugestões e críticas. Como esperado, a mistura de polipropileno e poliestireno forma uma blenda imiscível. Além disso, o processamento afetou as características dos polímeros, induzindo redução de massa molar e, como reflexo, redução de suas propriedades físicas. Na mistura PP/PS a separação de fase produziu domínios de PS da ordem de micra, com fraca adesão à matriz, o que explica essa perda de propriedades mecânicas.

Polymer blends remain an important research topic in different areas, in spite of innumerous studies over the years. In particular, mixtures of polypropylene and polystyrene are among the most studied, mainly owing to their low cost and technological relevance. In this work, the students enrolled in the discipline Polymer Processing I (PG24) in the Materials Science Graduate Program (PGCIMAT-UFRGS) produced blends of polypropylene and polystyrene, where all polymer processing steps were performed during lab classes. Then, each student undertook a characterization procedure with a specific technique, which included samples preparation, the analysis itself and discussion of the results. Subsequently, the results were confronted in the classroom, where we sought the correlations. Finally, all students reviewed this article, including suggestions and criticisms. As expected, the mixture of polystyrene and polypropylene formed an immiscible blend. Furthermore, the processing affected the characteristics of the polymers, leading to a reduction in molecular weight, and as a result a drop in its physical properties. In the PP/PS mixtures, phase separation produced PS domains with micrometers in size, and low adhesion to the PP matrix, which explains the loss of mechanical properties.

Nos processos de retificação, a utilização de fluidos de corte é uma maneira de implementar a qualidade final do processo, pois os fluidos têm como finalidade a lubrificação na área de contato entre a peça e ferramenta e a refrigeração das superfícies, assim evitando danificações na superfície da peça. Com isso, a utilização de fluidos de corte tem sido constantemente estudada, visando diminuir a utilização deste, pois a utilização de fluidos de corte tem seus problemas. O custo do produto final aumenta consideravelmente com o uso de fluidos de corte no processo de retificação, além de que os fluidos de corte são substâncias tóxicas e nocivas tanto às pessoas quanto ao meio ambiente. Portanto, indústrias, universidades e centros de pesquisas são levados a pesquisar métodos alternativos menos prejudiciais ao meio ambiente. Dentre as alternativas surge a técnica da mínima quantidade de lubrificante (MQL), que também tem suas desvantagens, como por exemplo, a formação de um borra de óleo na superfície de corte do rebolo, o que gera uma rugosidade maior na peça. Porém, visando minimizar o problema da formação da borra de óleo podem ser usados jatos de ar comprimido incidindo na superfície de corte do rebolo, com o objetivo de limpar a mesma. Este estudo será feito através da análise da avaliação das variáveis de saída do processo de retificação externa, como o comportamento da rugosidade superficial e dos desvios de circularidade. Através dos resultados obtidos pretende-se estudar a técnica do MQL, visando melhorá-la através da limpeza da superfície de corte do rebolo com jatos de ar comprimido.

In grinding, the use of cutting fluids aims to improve the final quality of the process, because their purpose is to lubricate the contact area between workpiece and tool and the surface cooling, thus avoiding damages on the machined part. Therefore, this subject has been constantly studied, in order to diminish the amounts applied, due to some problems it may cause. The cost of the final product enhances considerably with the application of cutting fluids; they are environmentally hazardous substances, and the cause of many illnesses to the people involved. In this case, industries, universities and research centers are prompted to research alternative methods which are less harmful to the environment. Between these arises the minimum quantity lubricant (MQL) technique, however having also its disadvantages, like the formation of a grout on wheel surface, which generates higher surface roughness on the workpiece. Aiming to minimize the problems concerning this grout, compressed air jets can be applied in order to clean the abrasive tool, which is the subject of the present work. This study aims to analyze some output variables of the external plunge grinding as surface roughness and roundness errors. Using the obtained results, it is intended to study MQL technique, aiming its improvement through the surface cleaning of the grinding wheel by compressed air jets.

Objective: knowledge regarding prognostic factors in gastric cancer is essential to decide on single patient management. We aim to establish the value of large lymph node size in order to improve perioperative approach. Material and methods: charts of one hundred and twenty-eight consecutive patients undergoing gastrectomy for resectable gastric cancer were reviewed between January 1996 and December 2005. Patients were split in two groups according to large lymph node size harvested, group I, lymph node size ≤ 10 mm and group II, lymph node size > 10 mm. Overall five-year survival related to cancer were analyzed as a main endpoint. Prognostic factors as TNM classification and degree of differentiation have been considered. Results: there were no differences regarding age and gender (67.4 vs. 64; p = 0.34 and 66,1 vs. 68,1%; p = 0.27, respectively). Nevertheless, a significant difference has been found according to T1-T2 of TNM stage (78.1 vs. 39.1% p = < 0.001), for N grade staging, has statistical signification for grade N0 (62.7 vs. 30.5%; p < 0.001), and for Ia and Ib stages (57.6 vs. 17.4%). Five years overall survival has a great statistical signification (p log-rank = 0.0003), however, overall survival between groups with positive lymph nodes according to lymph node size was close to signification, (p log-rank = 0.0636). Conclusions: our data indicates that large lymph node size could be a powerful predictor for overall survival in gastric cancer, when it could be evaluated in preoperative period. In our opinion lymph node size should be considered for perioperative chemotherapy schemas. Detection and staging techniques for lymph node affection acquire much more importance.

Objetivo: valorar el interés del diámetro del ganglio mayor extirpado como factor pronóstico en los pacientes intervenidos por cáncer gástrico, para determinar si su detección puede ser un factor de interés en el periodo preoperatorio, para indicar tratamiento neoadyuvante. Material y métodos: se analiza un registro de 128 casos consecutivos de pacientes afectos de adenocarcinoma gástrico resecable, durante un periodo de 10 años en los que en el estudio anatomopatológico se determinó el diámetro del ganglio mayor aislado. Se estudia la relación del mismo con factores pronósticos universalmente aceptados, el grado de penetración, la presencia y extensión de metástasis ganglionares y el estadio TNM, y con la supervivencia a 5 años, estudiándose dos grupos, el grupo I compuesto por aquellos enfermos con diámetro menor o igual a 10 mm, y el grupo II con diámetros superiores a 10 mm. Resultados: no se han detectado diferencias estadísticas respecto a edad y sexo (67,4 vs. 64; p = 0,34 y 66,1 vs. 68,1%; p = 0,27, respectivamente). Existen diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos en el grado de penetración tumoral, T1-T2, (78,1% por 39,1%, p < 0,001), en el porcentaje de pacientes sin metástasis ganglionares (62,7 vs. 30,5%; p < 0,001), así como en el porcentaje de estadios precoces (Ia y Ib, 57,6% por 17,4, p < 0,001). La supervivencia global acumulada a los 60 meses fue significativa entre ambos grupos (p log-rank = 0,0003), aunque sin alcanzar significación estadística en los pacientes N+ (p < 0,006). Conclusiones: la relación del diámetro ganglionar mayor puede ser un factor pronóstico útil y junto con otros factores pronósticos facilitaría la valoración de quimioterapia neoadyuvante. Su detección mediante exploraciones complementarias adquiriría por consiguiente un mayor interés.

This paper focuses on the behaviour of variable structure systems with dynamic control, particularly during the reaching mode of operation. It is shown that stability problems may arise during this reaching phase. The causes of these problems are closely related with the problems of windup commonly found in conventional control systems with actuator constraints. Methods for stabilization of the reaching mode are proposed which are based on the concepts of 'realizable reference' and observers. Well-known algorithms that have been previously proposed from empiric ideas, can now be rigorously derived using these concepts. The theoretical framework developed by Kothare and co-workers in the context of windup is generalized to study and design control algorithms for the reaching mode.

Complex conductance, sigma*(f) = <FONT FACE=Symbol>s¢</FONT>(f)+isigma"(f), measurements of polyaniline/carnauba wax composites were carried out at room temperature in samples containing different amounts of PAni. While sigma"(f) ever grows as a function of the frequency f; <FONT FACE=Symbol>s¢</FONT>(f) was observed to vary as f n(n <FONT FACE=Symbol>»</FONT> 1) in the high frequency domain, and to be frequency-independent for lower frequencies. This is the quasi-universal behavior characteristic of conduction in a disordered medium. Superposed on this, another signal was observed to occur, and the whole impedance response was then analysed in an Argand Diagram, disclosing an electrode process in series with the bulk one. An equivalent conductance expression was used to explain such electrical behavior, in which the bulk properties of the composite were represented through the Random Free Energy Barrier model, while the composite-electrode interface by a simple parallel combination of a capacitor and a resistor. From the theoretical fittings it was concluded that the increase of PAni concentration acts in the sense of increasing not only the sample conductance, but also the bulk capacitance. The separation of the bulk and the interface contributions was then achieved.

Em razão da curta duração de seu ciclo estral, ratas constituem bom modelo para o estudo das alterações que ocorrem durante o ciclo reprodutivo. O ciclo estral de ratas tem duração média de quatro ou cinco dias e é caracterizado por quatro fases, proestro, estro, metaestro e diestro, as quais podem ser determinadas pelos tipos celulares observados no esfregaço vaginal. Como a coleta da secreção vaginal e o uso de material corado geralmente são demorados, o objetivo deste trabalho foi fornecer aos pesquisadores algumas considerações úteis para a determinação das fases do ciclo estral de maneira rápida e prática. A secreção vaginal de trinta ratas foi coletada diariamente pela manhã, durante um mês, e o lavado vaginal não corado foi observado a fresco, em microscópio ótico, sem a utilização das lentes do condensador. O uso das objetivas de aumento de 10 vezes facilita a análise da proporção entre os três tipos celulares presentes no material. O uso das objetivas de aumento de 40 vezes permite o reconhecimento de cada um dos tipos celulares. Descrevemos o método utilizado, no qual a coleta do lavado vaginal, a observação do material e a identificação das fases do ciclo estral de 30 ratas podem ser realizados em 15-20 minutos.

The short length of the estrous cycle of rats makes them ideal for investigation of changes occurring during the reproductive cycle. The estrous cycle lasts four days and is characterized as: proestrus, estrus, metestrus and diestrus, which may be determined according to the cell types observed in the vaginal smear. Since the collection of vaginal secretion and the use of stained material generally takes some time, the aim of the present work was to provide researchers with some helpful considerations about the determination of the rat estrous cycle phases in a fast and practical way. Vaginal secretion of thirty female rats was collected every morning during a month and unstained native material was observed using the microscope without the aid of the condenser lens. Using the 10 x objective lens, it was easier to analyze the proportion among the three cellular types, which are present in the vaginal smear. Using the 40 x objective lens, it is easier to recognize each one of these cellular types. The collection of vaginal lavage from the animals, the observation of the material, in the microscope, and the determination of the estrous cycle phase of all the thirty female rats took 15-20 minutes.