No abstract

Rigid polyurethane foams were synthesized using a renewable polyol from the simple physical mixture of castor oil and crude glycerol. The effect of the catalyst (DBTDL) content and blowing agents in the foams’ properties were evaluated. The use of physical blowing agents (cyclopentane and n-pentane) allowed foams with smaller cells to be obtained in comparison with the foams produced with a chemical blowing agent (water). The increase of the water content caused a decrease in density, thermal conductivity, compressive strength, and Young’s modulus, which indicates that the increment of CO2 production contributes to the formation of larger cells. Higher amounts of catalyst in the foam formulations caused a slight density decrease and a small increase of thermal conductivity, compressive strength, and Young’s modulus values. These green foams presented properties that indicate a great potential to be used as thermal insulation: density (23–41 kg·m−3), thermal conductivity (0.0128–0.0207 W·m−1·K−1), compressive strength (45–188 kPa), and Young’s modulus (3–28 kPa). These biofoams are also environmentally friendly polymers and can aggregate revenue to the biodiesel industry, contributing to a reduction in fuel prices.

ABSTRACT. Toxins and venoms produced by living organisms have exhibited a variety of biological activities against microorganisms. In this study, we tested seven snake venoms from the family Viperidae for antibacterial activity and the activities of reversal of antibiotic resistance and inhibition of biofilm formation against 22 clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. Bothrops moojeni venom exhibited anti staphylococcal activity with the lowest mean value of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Moreover, reversal of antibiotic resistance was observed for combinations of B. moojeni venom (½ x MIC) and norfloxacin or ampicillin (both ½ x MIC) for 86.4% and 50% of the isolates, respectively. B. moojeni venom alone at ½ MIC inhibited 90% of biofilm formation, whereas in combination with ciprofloxacin, both at ½ MIC, a reduction on the NorA efflux pump activity was observed. The detection of in vitro mutants colonies of S. aureus resistant to B. moojeni venom was low and they did not survive. A phospholipase A2 was purified from the venom of B. moojeni and displayed anti-staphylococcal activity when tested alone or in combination with ciprofloxacin. The results presented here will contribute to the search for new antimicrobial agents against resistant S. aureus.

Rigid polyurethane foams were synthesized using a renewable polyol from the simple physical mixture of castor oil and crude glycerol. The effect of the catalyst and blowing agent in the foams properties was evaluated. The use of physical blowing agent (cyclopentane and n-pentane) allowed obtaining foams with smaller cells in comparison with the foams produced with a chemical blowing agent (water). The increase of water content caused a decrease of density, thermal conductivity, compressive strength and Young's modulus, which indicates that the increment of CO2 production contributes to the formation of larger cells. Higher amount of catalyst in the foam formulations caused a slight density decrease and an increase small significance of thermal conductivity, compressive strength and Young's modulus values. These green foams presented properties that indicate a great potential to be used as thermal insulation, as density (23 -41 kg m -3 ), thermal conductivity (0.0128 -0.0207 W m -1 K -1 ), compressive strength (45 -188 kPa) and Young's modulus (3 -28 kPa). These biofoams are also environmental friendly alternatives and can aggregate revenue to biodiesel industry, contributing for reduction of this fuel prices.

INTRODUÇÃO:A avaliação de pacientes com choque de causa desconhecida pode ser desafiadora devido à necessidade de rápida avaliação clínica para adoção de conduta adequada. Com a necessidade de sistematizar a avaliação ultrassonográfica o protocolo RUSH (Rapid Ultrassound for Shock and Hypothension) foi criado com objetivo de detecção de choque e sua etiologia. Este método consiste em três passos -Tank, Pipes e Pump, com avaliação cardíaca, pulmonar, veia cava inferior e peritoneal, obtendo alta acurácia no correto diagnóstico etiológico do choque hemodinâmico. OBJETIVO: Evidenciar o correto diagnóstico etiológico e direcionamento terapêutico empregando-se avaliação beira leito com aparelho de ultrassom realizando protocolo RUSH. RELATO DE CASO: M.L.S.P., feminina, 93 anos, deu entrada no pronto socorro referindo quadro de vômitos e dor abdominal em quadrante inferior direito há um mês, associado à icterícia com colúria há uma semana. Apesar do tratamento para colecistite aguda litiásica evidenciada pelos exames de imagem, a paciente evoluiu para choque hemodinâmico. Iniciado tratamento para sepse e realizada colecistostomia percutânea. Em piora clínica, a paciente apresentou um episódio de melena volumosa e, a avaliação por ultrassonografia beira leito realizada pelos residentes de clínica médica evidenciou sinais ultrassonográficos de hipovolemia severa, confirmado foco de sangramento via endoscopia digestiva alta. Nos próximos dias, a paciente evoluiu progressivamente com disfunção renal e ausência de resposta às condutas adotadas. Em reunião familiar, acordou-se evitar condutas que levassem a distanásia. Paciente evoluiu a óbito após 10 dias da admissão hospitalar. DISCUSSÃO: A realização de ultrassom point-of-care (POCUS) pelos residentes foi fator determinante para o direcionamento do tratamento. O uso do protocolo RUSH evidenciou alta acurácia para distinção de choque indiferenciado na emergência, com maior sensibilidade para choques hipovolêmicos. Desta forma, a avaliação beira-leito com aparelho ultrassonográfico conseguiu identificar componente hipovolêmico do choque levando ao rápido reconhecimento do provável componente misto de hipotensão (sepse e hipovolemia) permitindo direcionamento adequado para tratamento de causa base. CONCLUSÃO: O protocolo RUSH permite ao médico, exposto a situações críticas de choque indiferenciado, dispor de um método que exige apenas um equipamento amplamente disponível. Com esse relato, é possível evidenciar importância do treinamento em POCUS nos departamentos de emergência.