This study was aimed at employing response surface methodology (RSM) for optimization of process variables and identifying optimal conditions for the adsorption of bromate (BrO3-) from contaminated water using multi-walled carbon nanotubes, based on iron hydr(oxide), Fe-CNTs nanocomposite. Fifteen experimental runs were conducted in batch mode to study the effect of individual as well as interactive process variables, i.e., pH, BrO3- initial concentration, and adsorbent dose, on the removal of BrO3- using Box-Behnken design (BBD) of RSM. The coefficient of determination (R²) at 98.34% indicated a good agreement between actual and predicted values. The main effect and contour plot were drawn to obtain the independent and interactive effect of operational variables on BrO3- uptake. A process optimization curve was drawn to determine the optimum operating conditions that lead to a desirable response. The optimum conditions for BrO3- adsorption using Fe-CNTs nanocomposite were found to be pH 2.0, initial BrO3- concentration of 10.0 mg/L, and adsorbent dose of 0.010 g per 50 mL solution.

Resumen: Presentamos la primera experiencia en Uruguay de una biopsia endobiliar con pinza por acceso percutáneo que realizáramos en una paciente con estenosis biliar hiliar de probable causa neoplásica. Hasta nuestro conocimiento, no existen reportes de esta técnica en Uruguay. La difusión de la disponibilidad de esta técnica en nuestro medio es de gran importancia, ya que permite al equipo médico tratante disponer de una nueva herramienta para el manejo diagnóstico de las estenosis biliares.

Abstract: The study presents the first experience in Uruguay of a forceps biopsy of biliary ducts via percutaneous catheterization performed in a patient with hilar biliary strictures probably caused by a tumor. As far as we know, no reports on this technique have been published in our country. It is important to spread the availability of this technique in our country since it provides the medical team with a new tool for the diagnostic handling of biliary strictures.

Resumo: Apresentamos a primeira experiência no Uruguai de uma biópsia endobiliária com pinça de acesso percutânea realizada em um paciente com estenose biliar hilar de provável causa neoplásica. Para nosso conhecimento, não há relatos dessa técnica no Uruguai. A difusão da disponibilidade dessa técnica em nosso ambiente é de grande importância, pois permite à equipe médica responsável o tratamento ter uma nova ferramenta para o manejo diagnóstico da estenose biliar.

Background and Objectives. Radiotherapy is usually associated with skin complications that affect the quality of life of patients and in some cases can also affect the timing of the reconstruction. The plateletrich plasma (PRP) is an emerging therapy; is autologous, safe and economic. Current use of PRP includes: efficacy in decreasing local inflammation, enhance wound healing, treatment of skin ulcers caused by radiotherapy and its use extends to the field of aesthetic plastic surgery improving the quality of the skin.The authors made an experimental trial to analyze the use of PRP as a prophylaxis method for skin damage after radiotherapy. We analyze the benefits of PRP as a prophylaxis method for skin damage after radiotherapy using an experimental model. Methods. We conduct a double blind trial with rats. Twelve Wistar rats were used, 2 for obtaining the PRP and 10 for clinical and histological analysis. Results. Data collected from the clinical analysis showed that those areas without PRP: 8 rats presented alopecia and 7 hypopigmentation. Total alopecia was present in 60%, partial alopecia in 20%, and 20% did not present alopecia. In those areas with PRP before radiotherapy: 4 presented alopecia and 3 hypopigmentation. There were no cases of total alopecia, 60% did not present alopecia and 40% presented partial alopecia. Data collected from the histological analysis showed 100% of mild-moderate atrophy in those areas with PRP. On the other hand, 80% of moderate-severe atrophy and 20% of mildmoderate atrophy was present on those areas without PRP. Conclusions. The authors showed the benefit of PRP as a prophylaxis method for alopecia (p < 0.05) and hypopigmentation (p < 0,1) produced after radiotherapy in this experimental model.

Introducción y Objetivos. La radioterapia conlleva la aparición de complicaciones cutáneas que afectan a la calidad de vida del paciente y en algunos casos condicionan la reconstrucción. El plasma rico en plaquetas (PRP) es una terapia emergente; se trata de una sustancia autóloga, biocompatible, segura y económica. Está descrito su uso en disminución de la inflamación local, de los tiempos de curación de las heridas, en el tratamiento de lesiones por radioterapia y últimamente en el campo de la Medicina Estética mejorando la calidad de la piel. Nuestro estudio analiza el uso del PRP en la profilaxis de las lesiones cutáneas inducidas por radioterapia evaluando un modelo experimental. Material y Método. Realizamos un ensayo clínico controlado, doble ciego, en animales: 12 ratas Wistar, 2 para la obtención del PRP y 10 para el análisis clínico e histológico. Resultados. Del análisis clínico destacamos que de los sectores sin PRP previo a la radioterapia: 8 ratas presentaron alopecia y 7 hipopigmentación. La alopecia fue total en un 60%, parcial en 20% y un 20% no presentó alopecia. En los sectores con PRP: 4 presentaron alopecia y 3 hipopigmentación. La alopecia fue parcial en un 40%, un 60% no presentó alopecia y no hubo casos de alopecia total. Los resultados del análisis histológico demostraron un 100% de atrofia leve-moderada para los sectores con PRP. Por contrapartida, los sectores sin PRP presentaron 80% de atrofia moderada-severa y un 20% de atrofia leve-moderada. Conclusiones. Existe un beneficio en el uso del PRP como profilaxis de la alopecia (p < 0.05) e hipopigmentación (p < 0.1) inducido por radioterapia en un modelo experimental.

Being mercury one of the most toxic heavy metals present in the environment, it is of major concern to develop cleanup technologies to remove it from wastewater and recover mercury polluted ecosystems. In this context, we study the potential of some microporous titanosilicates and zirconosilicates for taking up Hg2+ from aqueous solutions. These materials have unique chemical and physical properties, and here we are able to confirm that they readily remove Hg2+ from aqueous solutions. Moreover, the presence of the competitive Mg2+ and Na+, which are some of the dominant cations in natural waters, does not reduce the uptake capacity of some of these materials. Thus, several inorganic materials reported here may have important environmental applications, efficiently removing Hg2+ from aqueous solutions.

Apresentamos os dois primeiros doentes de Botriomicose tegumentar no Uruguai. Ambos doentes eram adultos do sexo masculino. Um tinha lesão isolada abscedida. No outro as lesões eram múltiplas e algumas fistulizadas. Em ambos doentes o agente etiológico isolado foi Staphylococcus aureus. No primeiro doente, além disso, foi isolado Pseudomonas aeruginosa na recidiva. Comentários gerais são feitos sobre o diagnóstico e patogenia da doença.

The first two Uruguayan cases of botryomycosis were diagnosed in white adult male patients with cutaneous lesions. Staphylococcus aureus was the etiologic agent in both cases. In one of them, however, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was also identified during relapse. General comments on diagnosis and pathogenesis of the disease are made.