Optimized conditions for the growth of lanthanoids orthoniobates (LnNbO 4 , Ln = lanthanide elements) single crystal minirods by a floating zone technique were investigated. Adequate atmospheres and pulling to feeding speed ratios to grow these materials were determined. Emphasis is given to the study of LaNbO 4 because of their more favorable growth conditions and crystalline quality. This material can be efficiently doped with rare earth elements such as erbium. It grows with high crystallinity and its preferential growth direction is [1 1 0]. A preliminary evaluation of optical properties of Er 3+ -doped LaNbO 4 single crystal under the JuddOfelt formalism indicates spectral parameters Ω t close and even larger than for Er 3+ ions in YVO 4 .

BackgroundSevere scorpion envenomation can evolve to lung injury and, in some cases, death. The lung injury could be attributed to acute left ventricular failure and increased pulmonary vascular permeability secondary to the release of inflammatory mediators. In clinical practice, corticosteroids have been administered to reduce the early side effects of the anti-venom. We propose to study the effects of Tityus serrulatus venom and dexamethasone on pulmonary expression of sodium and water transporters, as well as on the inflammatory response.MethodsWistar rats were injected intraperitoneally with saline (control group), dexamethasone, and saline (2.0 mg/kg body weight—60 min before saline injection; dexamethasone + saline group), venom (T. serrulatus venom—3.8 mg/kg body weight), or dexamethasone and venom (2.0 mg/kg body weight—60 min before venom injection; dexamethasone + venom group). At 60 min after venom/saline injection, experiments were performed in ventilated and non-ventilated animals. We analyzed sodium transporters, water transporters, and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) by Western blotting, macrophage infiltration by immunohistochemistry, and serum interleukin (IL) by cytokine assay.ResultsIn the lung tissue of non-ventilated envenomed animals, protein expression of the epithelial sodium channel alpha subunit (α-ENaC) and aquaporin 5 (AQP5) were markedly downregulated whereas that of the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter (NKCC1) and TLR4 was elevated although expression of the Na,K-ATPase alpha 1 subunit was unaffected. Dexamethasone protected protein expression of α-ENaC, NKCC1, and TLR4 but not that of AQP5. We found that IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor alpha were elevated in the venom and dexamethasone + venom groups although CD68 expression in lung tissue was elevated only in the venom group. Among the ventilated animals, both envenomed groups presented hypotension at 50 min after injection, and the arterial oxygen tension/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio was lower at 60 min than at baseline.ConclusionsOur results suggest that T. serrulatus venom and dexamethasone both regulate sodium transport in the lung and that T serrulatus venom regulates sodium transport via the TLR4 pathway.

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The Department of Acute Kidney Injury (IRA) of the Brazilian Society of Nephrology prepared this document for the purpose of standardizing AKI terminology and dialysis modalities in the Portuguese language for Brazil. Several terms with similar meanings have been used in AKI and its dialysis modalities, causing confusion and disparities among patients, nephrologists, health institutions, private care companies, insurance companies and government entities. These disparities can impact medical care, hospital organization and care, as well as the funding and reimbursement of AKI-related procedures. Thus, consensual nomenclature and definitions were developed, including the definitions of AKI, acute kidney disease (AKD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Additionally, we addressed all dialysis modalities and extracorporeal procedures related to AKI, currently approved and available in the country. The Brazilian Society of Nephrology hopes that this Consensus can standardize the terminology and provide technical support to all involved in AKI care in Brazil.