This paper aims to explore the production of porous Nb2O5 pellets by pressing and adding anaerobic biomass (sludge) in order to evaluate the microstructure porosity. The thermal treatment temperature of the pellets varied between 300 ºC and 900 ºC. Their structural, morphological, and physical properties were measured, and the adsorption potential of Mn2+ and their reuse were evaluated. All samples had a monoclinic phase. Density average values of samples pressed using sludge ranged between 2.45 and 2.52 g.cm-3, while the one obtained without sludge pressing achieved higher values of around 2.72 g.cm-3. All samples presented high porosity values after the heat treatment (above 40%), which confirms the efficiency of sludge as a means to enhance porosity. These pellets were used for Mn2+ ions adsorption in aqueous medium. The Langmuir isotherm model was the one that achieved the best goodness-of-fit. In kinetic studies, the adsorption reaction was in accordance with second-order kinetics. Adsorbents in the form of pellets are environmentally friendly on account of their significant reuse and recycling potential. However, the particulate matter might become an environmental liability and incur high treatment costs. The samples proved to be reusable, promoting the adsorption of 67% of the Mn2+ after the fifth reuse cycle.

O objetivo deste artigo é destacar alguns dos primeiros e mais importantes livros-texto interessados em difundir o ensino do exame neurológico e seus autores. Durante o século XIX, Alexander Hammond, William Gowers e Charles Mills foram pioneiros na literatura neurológica, seguidos por Aloysio de Castro, Monrad-Krohn, Derek Denny-Brown, Robert Wartenberg, Gordon Holmes e Russel DeJong no século XX. Com determinação, grande senso de observação e pesquisa, eles competentemente disseminaram a técnica e a arte de se realizar o exame neurológico.

The objective of this article is to highlight some of the most important pioneering books specifically focused on the neurological examination and their authors. During the XIX Century, Alexander Hammond, William Gowers and Charles Mills pioneered the neurological literature, followed in the XX Century by Aloysio de Castro, Monrad-Krohn, Derek Denny-Brown, Robert Wartenberg, Gordon Holmes, and Russel DeJong. With determination and a marked sense of observation and research, they competently developed and spread the technique and art of the neurological exam.

Os autores propõem que o exame neurológico tradicional seja reavaliado no que diz respeito ao exame do equilíbrio dinâmico (marcha). Testes validados tais como: velocidade da marcha - preferencial e máxima; índice dinâmico da marcha, teste senta-levanta cinco vezes e o tempo levanta-e-anda cognitivo e manual, deveriam fazer parte do exame neurológico de rotina. Na avaliação neurológica dos pacientes idosos, esses mesmos testes à beira do leito trazem benefício adicional ao aferir o risco de queda ocasional.

The authors propose that the neurological exam needs reevaluation with respect to the dynamic balance test (walking). Validated tests such as: preferred and maximum gait speed, dynamic gait index, five-times-sit-to-stand test, timed up & go cognitive and manual, should be part of the neurological examination routine. In the neurological exam of older patients, these same bedside tests bring the plus of evaluation the risk of occasional falling.

Os autores advogam a modernização do exame neurológico no que diz respeito à pesquisa do equilíbrio estático, por meio da aplicação de algumas manobras de beira-de-leito fáceis de serem executadas e interpretadas, tais como o Teste Clínico de Integração Sensorial e Equilíbrio-modificado e o Teste do Alcance Funcional. Os autores também acreditam que estes e outros testes visando avaliação de risco de queda em pacientes idosos devem fazer parte do exame neurológico de rotina.

The authors advocate a modernization of the neurologic exam with regard to the evaluation of static equilibrium through the application of some easily performed and interpreted bedside maneuvers like the Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Balance - modified and the Functional Reach Test. The authors also believe that these and other assessments, such as that of the risk of falling for elderly patients, should be incorporated into the routine neurological examination.

Estudamos a influência de dados demográficos, fatores predisponentes, aspectos clínicos, variáveis operatórias sobre a evolução em 39 pacientes operados por endocardite infecciosa (EI). Utilizamos os testes t de Student, X²ou exato de Fisher em análises univariadas, regressão logística para determinação de fatores adversos independentes. O impacto do número destes fatores sobre a evolução foi estudado pelo teste exato de Fisher. Valvas mais afetadas: aórtica (20) e mitral (16); germes mais comuns: Staphylococcus aureus (12) e Streptococcus sp (10). Cirurgia de emergência e a presença de coma seis horas após a operação elevaram a letalidade (p=0,001 e p=0,0015), bem como infecção pelo S.aureus (p=0,023) e presença de complicações neurológicas (p=0,097). A concomitância de dois ou três destes fatores elevou particularmente a letalidade (>76,9%). Pacientes com EI devem receber cuidadosa avaliação quanto a indicação cirúrgica nas fases iniciais da doença, já que a concomitância de variáveis adversas e cirurgias em caráter de emergência elevam fortemente a letalidade por EI.

The factors leading to high postoperative mortality in active infectious endocarditis (IE) are poorly defined. We studied patients operated at an University Hospital between March 1978 and April 1992. We hipothesized that the summation of potential adverse factors would strongly increase mortality after surgery. We studied 39 patients (28 men), age range 13-70 years (mean±SD =32±16) operated during active IE (time from onset 52+48 days). Predisposing factor: rheumatic valvar disease in 14 cases, intravenous drug use in 5. Affected valves: aortic in 14, mitral in 10, tricuspid in 8, multiple structures in 7. In most cases, S aureus (12) or Streptoccocus sp (10) was isolated in blood cultures. Surgery was indicated in most patients because of heart failure (30), multiple embolic complications (17) or treatment failure (14). The possible adverse influence of specific demographic characteristics, clinical features and surgical variables was assessed by the Student t test or the %² test. Also, multple regression analysis was performed in order to identify independent adverse factors for increased mortality. Positive correlations were further investigated with the X² test to assess whether an increasing number of adverse factors could identify a special subset of patients with markedly elevated death risk. Fourteen patients (36%) died after surgery. Emergency surgery (p = 0.001), the presence of coma 6 hours after surgery (p = 0.0015) and S. aureus infection (p = 0.023) were all associated with increased mortality. The presence of neurological complications was correlated with a high mortality (54% vs. 27%). However this increase was of dubious statistical significance (p = 0.097). Multiple regression analysis confirmed S. aureus and emergency surgery as independent adverse factors for increased mortality. When put together, an increasing number of adverse factors was highly predictive of a fatal outcome, even after exclusion of that evaluated after surgery (level of consciousness). Patients with two or three adverse factors had a very high mortality rate (>76.9%). Mortality following surgery for active IE is increased in patients operated on an emergency basis especially if the infection is caused by S. aureus. The presence of neurological complications may also be associated with worse outcome. Early consideration of surgery should reduce the high mortality in patients with active IE.