ESTUDO ECOLÓGICO: PERFIL DA MORBIMORTALIDADE POR HANSENÍASE NO BRASIL ENTRE 2015 E 2019

Leprosy is a chronic, infectious disease transmitted through the inhalation of aerosols containing Mycobacterium leprae. The present study was carried out to investigate the epidemiological profile of leprosy in Brazil between 2015 and 2019, evaluating the prevalence rate of hospital admissions, incidence rate, number of admissions due to recurrence and mortality rates. It is an ecological study conducted from data collected in information systems available at the Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde (DATASUS). In the considered time interval, a slight improvement in the investigated health indicators was evidenced. It is possible to infer that the country carried out an adequate management of leprosy between 2015 and 2019, probably because of good prophylactic actions, good interventions and efficient awareness of those infected.

Some Properties of Concrete Containing Waste Brick As Partial Replacement Of Coarse Aggregate And Addition Of Nano Brick Powder

The accumulation of construction and demolition waste is one of the major problems in modern construction. Hence, this research investigates the use of waste brick in concrete. Seven different concrete mixes were investigated in this study: a control concrete mix, three mixes with volumetric replacement (10, 20, and 30)% of natural aggregate with brick aggregate, and two mixes with the addition of nano brick powder at a percentage level of 5– 10% by weight of cementitious materials. And the last one was mixed with 10% nano brick and 10% coarse brick aggregate. The experimental results for the additive of nano brick powder showed an enhancement in mechanical properties (compressive, flexural, and tensile strength) compared to the control mix for all ages, while the mixes with 10% coarse brick replacement also showed a slight improvement in the mechanical properties up to 5.33%, 2.79%, and 2.38% for compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strength, respectively, at 28 days. The nano particles modified the mechanical properties of the CBA concrete when mixed with 10% nano brick and 10% coarse brick aggregate, up to 11.54%, 8.56%, and 3.3% for compressive, flexural, and tensile strength, respectively, at 150 days.

Conservative Management of Ankyloglossia by Diode Laser: A Case Report

Ankyloglossia or tongue-tie is a congenital condition that results when the inferior lingual frenulum is too short and is attached to the tip of the tongue, limiting its normal movements. Ankyloglossia can lead to different problems such as difficulties in breastfeeding, speech impediments, poor oral hygiene, malocclusion, inability to deglutition, thus being an undesired problem in normal life activity. Among various methods of treatment of ankyloglossia, laser-assisted lingual frenotomy is the simplest, safest, and less traumatic with the most promising results. Here, a case of ankyloglossia and its management by frenotomy with diode laser is reported in a four-year-old female child. After performing partial frenectomy (frenotomy) using a diode laser of 980nm there was an immediate tongue protrusion and slight improvement of phonetics of the patient immediately and altogether improved after six months.

Project "Homeopathy for L'aquila" Classical Homeopathy applied in the case of earthquake as a medical assistance plan

Background: The project “Homeopathy for L’Aquila” was developed in order to provide humanitarian and professional assistance to the people of L’Aquila, who were the victims of a devastating earthquake during the night of April 6th, 2009. This project was promoted by the Federazione Italiana Associazioni Medici Omeopati (FIAMO) and supported by the governmental organization for Emergencies (Protezione Civile). Aim: This paper is the report of that experience in the state of absolute emergency, which lasted 17 months. It aims to be a feasibility study as well as a model for further emergencies. Methodology: A medical office was located in a container of 60 square meters which was open from Monday to Friday, beginning in August 2009 and lasting until December 2010. This was provided by Protezione Civile with all the basic equipment, including a reception with a secretary. There were 16 homeopathic physicians and 2 acupuncturists, coming from all over Italy. Every month they rotated to offer free consultations of Classical Homeopathy, as well as Acupuncture and Neuraltherapy. Only people coming from the earthquake area were admitted: all of them signed an informed consent. An operational protocol was defined for the data collection. Each consultation was reported in a special register. The follow-up period lasted 17 months. The protocol consisted of the first consultation and at least 3 control visits, when possible at 30, 60 and 120 day intervals. As a primary outcome the main complaint of the patient was considered in its relation to the quality of life. This evaluation followed a slightly modified criterion of a qualitative scale: Outcome in Relation to Impact on Daily Living (ORIDL). A statistical analysis with some non parametric tests was carried out (Kolmogorof, ). Even the most frequently prescribed homeopathic medicines were taken into consideration. Results: 674 patients were visited from August 2009 to December 2010. In total 1,542 medical visits and treatments were carried out (1,070 as Homeopathy; 280 as Neuraltherapy; 192 as Acupuncture). 366 patients received Classical Homeopathy. The most frequently treated syndromes were of the “psychiatric” type (162 cases=44%), prevalently due to the consequences of the earthquake, such as sleeping disturbances, phobic states, anxious-depressive syndromes, etc. The drop-outs were 235 out of 366 (=64%). 107 patients presented for a minimum 3 follow-ups. Here are the results: cured (52%), major improvement (33%), moderate and slight improvement (12%), no change (3%), deterioration (0%). The statistical analysis (D = 51 > 1,949; = 48,039 > 10,83) showed a significance higher than 1‰. Within this group, 68 patients suffering from psychiatric syndromes, who came for a 3rd follow up, showed a similar trend: cured (50%), major improvement (24%), moderate and slight improvement (19%), no change (7%), deterioration (0%). Also in this case the statistical analysis indicated a significance higher than 1‰ (D = 30 > 1,949). The most frequently prescribed medicines were Pulsatilla, Sepia, Arsenicum Album, Argentum Nitricum and Lycopodium. Discussion: The numerous inconveniences due to the emergency certainly did not permit the usual control visits. Moreover a strict observance of the protocol was not always possible, which could explain such a high number of drop-outs. Those patients who completed the therapy had an incremental improvement in their health between the 1st and the 3rd follow-up visit. In the final analysis a series of “strengths” and “weaknesses” in the project were noted. This knowledge could be helpful for future emergencies. Conclusions: The project “Homeopathy for L’Aquila” allowed, for the first time in Italy, an official implementation of Homeopathy in an emergency plan of great impact, on the one hand; and, on the other hand, made a precious human and professional experience possible. Moreover the results obtained have demonstrated that Homeopathy can play an important role socially as well as therapeutically. To the present date there have neither been internationally recognized guidelines nor publications with similar data concerning emergencies. Therefore this project could represent an important reference point for similar events.

Effect of Rice Flour Types on the Properties of Nonwoven Pineapple Leaf Fiber and Thermoplastic Rice Starch Composites

Thermoplastic starches and a nonwoven pineapple leaf sheet (NPALF) were prepared. Two types of flours were used to prepare thermoplastic starches (TPSs) which were Rice flour thermoplastic starch (RTPS) and Glutinous rice flour thermoplastic starch (GTPS). Two layers of thermoplastic starches and NPALF layer were sandwiched and pressed by a hot pressing machine at 150°C with 1500 psi for 15 min. All composites were investigated their densities and tensile properties. The density of all composite types had a lower density than each neat TPSs and types of rice flours did not affect their densities. The tensile property results confirmed NPALF could be used as a reinforcing agent both in GTPS and RTPS composites but their tensile improvement effectiveness in both systems are different. NPALF composite with RTPS did not affect the tensile strength but provided a slight improvement in modulus. Remarkably, NPALF composite using GTPS explored the great improvement performance both in strength and modulus which were increased up to 174% and 308% comparing with neat GTPS. SEM micrograph evidence clearly showed good wetting between GTPS and the reinforcement layer in the composite. This is resulting in the NPALF-GTPS composite showed a strong improvement in tensile properties.

The faces of freedom in the concepts of a liberal and non-liberal state

The last decade has exposed the recession of freedom throughout the world. It arises from the latest Freedom in the World 2020 report that civil liberties and political rights have deteriorated in 64 countries, while only 37 have seen a slight improvement in these areas. The principles of liberal democracy (the rule of law, free elections, minority rights and freedom of expression) in Europe, historically the best-performing region in terms of freedom in the world, have come under serious pressure in recent years. In the article, starting from an analysis of the categories of freedom presented in many aspects, followed by a discussion of the assumptions and concepts of liberalism, as well as the political project referred to as non-liberal democracy, which has grown out of their criticism, the author identifies the problem of instrumentalization and relativization of freedom, which leads to the restriction of freedom of speech, freedom of minorities, religious freedom and sexual freedom, replacing the individual freedoms of the citizens with the so-called collective freedom.

Incorporation of Oligomeric Hydrocarbon Resins for Improving the Properties of Aircraft Tire Retreads

This study focuses on the use of oligomeric hydrocarbon resins in order to benefit from their effect on improving the performance of aircraft tire retreads. The aim was to enhance the tackiness for the retreading process and their final performance in terms of superior stress–strain properties and low heat generation in order to decrease treadwear; thus, increasing the tire’s service life, and in terms of traction or skid resistance to improve safety during landing of an aircraft. Two types of resins are investigated: a terpene phenol and an aromatic hydrocarbon C9 resin, added to compounds with different filler systems: Carbon Black (CB), hybrid Carbon Black/Silica (CB/SI), and pure Silica (SI). The rubber compounds and vulcanizates are compared to their controls for each filler system. The use of resins improves processing independent of the filler system, with a slight improvement of tensile strength, Modulus at 300% (M300%) and Elongation at Break (EAB). The incorporation of resins improves the tackiness for the compounds with all filler systems, which is beneficial for the retreading process. A significant improvement in Ice Traction (ICT) and Wet Skid Resistance (WSR) with a trade-off in Heat Build-Up (HBU) is observed in CB- and CB/SI-reinforced compounds when resins are added. Terpene phenol and aromatic hydrocarbon C9 resin show comparable ICT, while the aromatic hydrocarbon C9 resin gives a better WSR performance than the terpene phenol in all compounds. However, a slight improvement in HBU with the use of both resins is only observed in the SI-filled system. The present exploratory study into the addition of resins demonstrates the potential to significantly improve the overall performance of aircraft tire retreads, justifying more in-depth investigations into this possibility in real tires.

Solar homogeneous catalysis to the removal of organic matter from slaughterhouse effluents undergone to a prior biological process

This study shows the effectiveness of the wastewater treatment from a municipal slaughterhouse undergone to a previous biological treatment applying a sequence of stages, reaching a 75% of elimination of the COD using sedimentation in combination of coagulation-flocculation, using 0.5 g/L FeCl3 which is one of the best known inorganic coagulants. Then, the elimination of COD was around 98% adding the Fenton process where 1,000 mg/L H2O2 and FeSO4 are used. In addition to the COD, other water quality parameters were measured to evaluate the level of purification of the test samples, such as solids of different types, pH, DOC and so on. With the above, it can be noted that the Fenton process had a slight improvement in the effluent quality by using a solar concentrator in the now called photo-Fenton process, reaching around 99% of COD removal (0.36 g/L), 91% of total suspended solids (0.32 g/L) and 89% of DOC (0.20 g/L). These results were the best achieved within a proposed treatment train for this type of complex wastewater. Moreover, this last part of the process adds an improvement, by the usage of renewable energy sources such as sunlight.

Ways to increase the effectiveness of treatment of psoriasis patients with dystrophic lesions of the nail plates

Objective — to increase the effectiveness of treatment of psoriasis patients with degenerative changes in the nails, by including in the complex therapy of the topical drug Onychocid® Emtrix, aimed at restoring the integrity of the nail plates. Materials and methods. 38 patients with psoriasis and various forms of onychodystrophy (OD) were examined and treated. The effectiveness of therapy was evaluated based on the results of treatment of patients who were divided into two clinical groups — the main and the comparison ones. Patients in both groups received basic therapy. In addition, patients of the main group were prescribed a combined drug Onychocid® Emtrix, which was applied on the nail plates and under the tips of damaged nails once a day for 3 – 6 months. Results and discussion. Patients with psoriasis are diagnosed with dystrophic changes of nail plates of varying severity. OD of the fingers only was detected in 14 (36.8 %) patients; toes — in 5 (13.2 %); fingers and toes at the same time — in 19 (50.0 %) patients. As a result of complex treatment, in patients of the main group there was an early (already on the 2—4th week of use of the drug Onychocid® Emtrix) improvement of the appearance of deformed nails. After the course of treatment, these patients showed a positive clinical effect, i. e. decrease in thickness, normalization of density, color and structure of nail plates. At the same time, «significant improvement» and «improvement» were noted in 34 (89.5 %), «slight improvement» — in 3 (7.9 %), «no improvement» — in 1 (2.6 %) patients. Conclusions. Treatment of psoriasis patients with dystrophic nail lesions should be complex and focused, including the restoration of the integrity of the nail plates. The inclusion in the complex therapy of patients with psoriatic OD of the combined drug Onychocid® Emtrix increases the effectiveness of treatment, in particular, helps to restore the structure, shape, integrity, thickness and color of the nail plates.

Intracellular activity of antibiotics against Coxiella burnetii in a model of activated human THP-1 cells

We evaluated antibiotic activity against the intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii using an activated THP-1 cell model of infection. At clinically-relevant concentrations, the intracellular bacterial load was reduced 300-fold by levofloxacin and finafloxacin, 40-fold by doxycycline, 4-fold by ciprofloxacin, and was unaffected by azithromycin. Acidification of the culture media reduced antibiotic activity with the exceptions of doxycycline (no change) and finafloxacin (slight improvement). This model may be used to select antibiotics to be evaluated in-vivo .