77 research outputs found
IN VITRO EVALUATION OF SIX DIFFERENT HEAT MOISTURE EXCHANGERS FOR SPONTANEOUSLY BREATHING TRACHEOSTOMIZED PATIENTS
No full textIL15 induces a potent antitumor activity in NK cells isolated from malignant pleural effusions and overcomes the inhibitory effect of pleural fluid
No full textNatural Killer (NK) cells are capable of recognizing and killing cancer cells and play an important role in tumor immunosurveillance. However, tumor-infiltrating NK cells are frequently impaired in their functional capability. A remarkable exception is represented by NK cells isolated from malignant pleural effusions (PE) that are not anergic and, upon IL2-induced activation, efficiently kill tumor cells. Although IL2 is used in various clinical trials, severe side effects may occur in treated patients. In this study, we investigated whether also other clinical-grade cytokines could induce strong cytotoxicity in NK cells isolated from pleural fluid of patients with primary or metastatic tumors of different origins. We show that PE-NK cells, cultured for short-time intervals with IL15, maintain the CD56brightphenotype, a high expression of the main activating receptors, produce cytokines and kill tumor cells in vitro similarly to those treated with IL2. Moreover, IL15-activated PE-NK cells could greatly reduce the growth of established tumors in mice. This in vivo antitumor effect correlated with the ability of IL15-activated PE-NK cells to traffic from periphery to the tumor site. Finally, we show that IL15 can counteract the inhibitory effect of the tumor pleural microenvironment. Our study suggests that IL15-activated NK cells isolated from pleural fluid (otherwise discarded after thoracentesis) may represent a suitable source of effector cells to be used in adoptive immunotherapy of cancer
In vitro evaluation of heat and moisture exchangers designed for spontaneously breathing tracheostomized patients
No full textBackground: Heat and moisture exchangers (HMEs) are commonly used in chronically tracheostomized spontaneously breathing patients, to condition inhaled air, maintain lower airway function, and minimize the viscosity of secretions. Supplemental oxygen (O2) can be added to most HMEs designed for spontaneously breathing tracheostomized patients. We tested the efficiency of 7 HMEs designed for spontaneously breathing tracheostomized patients, in a normothermic model, at different minute ventilations (VE) and supplemental O2 flows. Methods: HME efficiency was evaluated using an in vitro lung model at 2 VE (5 and 15 L/min) and 4 supplemental O2 flows (0, 3, 6, and 12 L/min). Wet and dry temperatures of the inspiratory flow were measured, and absolute humidity was calculated. In addition, HME efficiency at 0, 12, and 24 h use was evaluated, as well as resistance to flow at 0 and 24 h. Results: The progressive increase in O2 flow from 0 to 12 L/min was associated with a reduction in temperature and absolute humidity. Under the same conditions, this effect was greater at lower VE. The HME with the best performance provided an absolute humidity of 26 mg H2O/L and a temperature of 27.8°C. No significant changes in efficiency or resistance were detected during the 24 h evaluation. Conclusions: The efficiency of HMEs in terms of temperature and absolute humidity is significantly affected by O2 supplementation and VE
EMPRESAS ESTATAIS E CONSERVADORISMO CONTÁBIL: UMA ANÁLISE DAS EMPRESAS DA BM&F BOVESPA
No full textRESUMO O conservadorismo contábil tem influenciado nas decisões das empresas. No contexto internacional, a intervenção dos governos na atividade das empresas é fortemente observada, conforme afirmam alguns autores. No contexto brasileiro, além da influência do conservadorismo contábil as empresas são influenciadas pela estrutura jurídica-cultural code law. Nessa perspectiva, o presente estudo, busca analisar se as empresas estatais brasileiras seriam mais conservadoras do que as empresas não estatais no mercado brasileiro, sob a ótica do Modelo de Basu (1997) que define o conservadorismo como o grau de reconhecimento assimétrico do mercado para boas e más notícias. Essa hipótese decorre de evidências internacionais de que empresas estatais possuem incentivos de apresentar resultados maiores como forma de demonstrar uma boa imagem do governo. Como estratégia metodológica esta pesquisa adotou o Modelo de Basu (1997), adaptado às empresas brasileiras no período de 2010 a 2013, com adoção de estatística descritiva e método quantitativo, sendo os dados coletados da base de dados do software Economática®. Os principais resultados foram: foi possível aceitar a hipótese de que as empresas estatais são menos conservadoras do que as demais empresas da BM&F Bovespa, enquanto queempresas com ações negociadas na BM&F Bovespa, não reconhecem as boas notícias mais rapidamente do que as más notícias; observou-se conservadorismo contábil nas empresas que publicaram informações em conformidade normas contábeis exigidas a partir da Lei 11.638/08, entre o período de 2010 a 2013, sendo estatisticamente significante a 10%; entre outros resultados.</jats:p
EMPRESAS ESTATAIS E CONSERVADORISMO CONTÁBIL: UMA ANÁLISE DAS EMPRESAS DA BM&F BOVESPA
No full textO conservadorismo contábil tem influenciado nas decisões das empresas. No contexto internacional, a intervenção dos governos na atividade das empresas é fortemente observada, conforme afirmam alguns autores. No contexto brasileiro, além da influência do conservadorismo contábil as empresas são influenciadas pela estrutura jurídica-cultural code law. Nessa perspectiva, o presente estudo, busca analisar se as empresas estatais brasileiras seriam mais conservadoras do que as empresas não estatais no mercado brasileiro, sob a ótica do Modelo de Basu (1997) que define o conservadorismo como o grau de reconhecimento assimétrico do mercado para boas e más notícias. Essa hipótese decorre de evidências internacionais de que empresas estatais possuem incentivos de apresentar resultados maiores como forma de demonstrar uma boa imagem do governo. Como estratégia metodológica esta pesquisa adotou o Modelo de Basu (1997), adaptado às empresas brasileiras no período de 2010 a 2013, com adoção de estatística descritiva e método quantitativo, sendo os dados coletados da base de dados do software Economática®. Os principais resultados foram: foi possível aceitar a hipótese de que as empresas estatais são menos conservadoras do que as demais empresas da BM&F Bovespa, enquanto que empresas com ações negociadas na BM&F Bovespa, não reconhecem as boas notícias mais rapidamente do que as más notícias; observou-se conservadorismo contábil nas empresas que publicaram informações em conformidade normas contábeis exigidas a partir da Lei 11.638/08, entre o período de 2010 a 2013, sendo estatisticamente significante a 10%; entre outros resultados
Ultra-low-dose sequential computed tomography for quantitative lung aeration assessment—a translational study
No full textBackground: Quantitative lung computed tomography (CT) provides fundamental information about lung aeration in critically ill patients. We tested a scanning protocol combining reduced number of CT slices and tube current, comparing quantitative analysis and radiation exposure to conventional CT. Methods: In pigs, CT scans were performed during breath hold in a model of lung injury with three different protocols: standard spiral with 180 mAs tube current-time product (Spiral180), sequential with 20-mm distance between slices and either 180 mAs (Sequential180) or 50 mAs (Sequential50). Spiral scans of critically ill patients were collected retrospectively, and subsets of equally spaced slices were extracted. The agreement between CT protocols was assessed with Bland–Altman analysis. Results: In 12 pigs, there was good concordance between the sequential protocols and the spiral scan (all biases ≤1.9%, agreements ≤±6.5%). In Spiral180, Sequential180 and Sequential50, estimated dose exposure was 2.3 (2.1–2.8), 0.21 (0.19–0.26), and 0.09 (0.07–0.10) mSv, respectively (p < 0.001 compared to Spiral180); number of acquired slices was 244 (227–252), 12 (11–13) and 12 (11–13); acquisition time was 7 (6–7), 23 (21–25) and 24 (22–26) s. In 32 critically ill patients, quantitative analysis extrapolated from 1-mm slices interleaved by 20 mm had a good concordance with the analysis performed on the entire spiral scan (all biases <1%, agreements ≤2.2%). Conclusions: In animal CT data, combining sequential scan and low tube current did not affect significantly the quantitative analysis, with a radiation exposure reduction of 97%, reaching a dose comparable to chest X-ray, but with longer acquisition time. In human CT data, lung aeration analysis could be extrapolated from a subset of thin equally spaced slices
Impact of Unsteady Wakes on the Secondary Flows of a High-Speed Low-Pressure Turbine Cascade
No full texteditorial reviewedThe aerodynamics of a high-speed low-pressure turbine (LPT) cascade were investigated under steady and unsteady inlet flows. The tests were performed at outlet Mach (M) and Reynolds numbers (Re) of 0.90 and 70k, respectively. Unsteady wakes were simulated by means of a wake generator equipped with bars. A bar reduced frequency (f+) of ∼0.95 was used for the unsteady case. The inlet flow field was characterized in terms of the total pressure profile and incidence. The blade aerodynamics at midspan and the secondary flow region were investigated by means of pneumatic taps and hot-film sensors. The latter provided a novel view into the impact of the secondary flows on the heat transfer topology on the blade suction side (SS). The cascade performance was quantified in terms of the outlet flow angle and losses by means of a directional multi-hole probe. The results report the phase-averaged impact of unsteady wakes on the secondary flow structures in an open test case high-speed LPT geometry
Clinical Features and Treatment Outcome of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
No full textBackground: Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a problematic condition due to poor prognosis and difficulties in management. We evaluated the treatment and outcome of 378 mesothelioma patients referred to 6 Italian Oncology Departments. Methods: Demographic and clinical data were collected. Treatment was assessed in terms of chemotherapy (line of treatment, pemetrexed-based regimen, other therapies), surgery, and radiotherapy. Response to therapy, progression-free survival, and overall survival were evaluated. Results: 36 and 342 patients received best supportive care and active treatment, respectively; 86 patients underwent surgery, and 26 received trimodal therapy. Disease control after first-line chemotherapy was achieved in 74.2% of patients (75.7% in patients treated with pemetrexed combined with other drugs and 69% with pemetrexed as monotherapy). The disease control rate was 82.6% in pemetrexed re-challenged individuals. Median survival time was 11.6 months with supportive care, 16.2 months with chemotherapy only, 32.4 months with surgery plus chemotherapy, and 47.2 months with trimodal therapy. A more favorable prognosis was observed in responders to first-line therapy who were then actively treated with second-line (24.8 vs. 11.8 months in non-responders, p < 0.001) and third-line chemotherapy (28.9 vs. 17.8 months in non-responders, p = 0.005). Conclusion: Mesothelioma patients benefited from chemotherapy alone only when retreated in the second line after response to first-line therapy
Estudo dos problemas gerenciais, estruturais e conjunturais da Previdência Social do Brasil: 1985 a 1998
No full textDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Produção.A Previdência Social é tema de fundamental importância nas economias modernas. Estudar a Previdência Social do Brasil, constitui-se num desafio permanentemente renovado. Assim, o presente estudo tem como objetivo geral analisar o processo de gestão da Previdência Social no Brasil, visando identificar os principais problemas gerenciais, estruturais e conjunturais vivenciados por esta - especialmente no período de 1985 a 1998 - e que contribuíram, para sua falta de eficácia e conseqüente descrédito junto à população brasileira. A Previdência Social Pública tem por finalidade assegurar meios indispensáveis de manutenção a seus segurados e aos dependentes destes, em virtude da incapacidade, reclusão, morte, idade avançada e tempo de serviço. Todavia, ela freqüentemente se vê envolta em déficits estruturais. Constatou-se ao longo do estudo que a crise iminente do sistema previdenciário brasileiro, tem sua origem, em grande parte, em problemas conceituais, devido às funções que lhe acabam sendo atribuídas, incompatíveis com a sua forma de financiamento. Dentre os maiores problemas que assolam o sistema de Previdência Social do Brasil, está o declínio da proporção de ativo/inativo que vem ocorrendo nas últimas décadas, bem como, a má gestão administrativa
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