Friction, capacitance and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in dry atopic and normal skin

The biophysical properties of non-eczematous skin at three locations in atopics and non-atopics were characterized using non-invasive physical methods. Skin friction was measured with a newly developed sliding friction instrument, the degree of hydration with a capacitance meter (Corneometer CM 820), and the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was determined using an Evaporimeter EP1. The areas examined (dorsum of the hand, volar forearm and lower back) showed lower values of friction and capacitance in the atopic patients than did corresponding sites in the normal controls. In most areas a significant correlation between friction and capacitance was found. The TEWL was increased in atopic skin, but TEWL seems to correlate neither to friction nor to capacitance.     

Assessment of environmental pollution from lead particles emitted by a battery repair shop in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

In this study, the lead (Pb) levels in the air surrounding a battery repair shop were measured before and after installation of an exhaust system. Samples were collected in six and four points located at approximately 25 m and 500 m, respectively, from the battery repair shop. The limit of 1.5mg Pb.m-3 air was exceeded in 50% of the samples, ranging from 0.07 to 183.3mg Pb.m-3. After changes in the battery repair shop's interior layout and use of the exhaust system, three points were selected, corresponding to the highest concentrations found previously. The new levels ranged from 0.8 to 17.6 mg Pb.m-3, demonstrating a significant decrease in the lead content discharged into the environment after meeting the exhaust requirements.     

Trends in traffic accidents in Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil: the increasing involvement of motorcyclists

In order to describe trends in traffic accidents, mortality, vehicle types, fleet sizes, and victims' characteristics in Campinas, S?o Paulo State, Brazil, from 1995 to 2008, this study analyzed vehicle rates, traffic accident rates per inhabitant and per vehicle, case-fatality rates, proportional mortality, mortality rates, and rates ratios. The motorcycle fleet increased 241%. Although the case-fatality rate of motorcycle users from 2000 to 2008 decreased, in 2008 they accounted for 49.3% of fatal accidents on public byways in Campinas. Motorcycles were responsible for the highest run-over rate (66.7 pedestrians/1,000 accidents) and highest pedestrian fatality rate (4 deaths/1,000 accidents). Men showed much higher mortality rates than women. Pedestrian victims were mainly elderly; most vehicle occupants in traffic accidents were in the 15 to 29-year age bracket. From 2006 to 2008, nearly 80% of vehicle users 15 to 39 years of age were motorcyclists. Motorcycle accident prevention should be a priority, using multi-institutional measures.     

Interpeduncular fossa sign: CT criterion of subarachnoid hemorrhage

A retrospective study of 100 cerebral computed tomography scans interpreted as displaying subarachnoid hemorrhage was undertaken to determine the frequency of blood in the interpeduncular fossa as a useful radiographic sign. The results indicate that the interpeduncular fossa sign is second only to blood in the Sylvian fissure-circular sulcus area as a reliable indicator of subarachnoid hemorrhage on CT scans.     

N-(6,6-二甲基-2-庚烯-4-炔基)-N-甲基-α-取代-1-(4-取代)萘甲胺类的合成及抗真菌活性

根据氮唑类和烯丙胺类抗真菌化合物的构效关系、作用机理。设计合成了30个N-(6,6-二甲基-2-庚烯-4-炔基)-N-甲基-α-取代-1-(4-取代)萘甲胺类化合物。初步体外抑菌试验结果表明,大多数目标化合物对八种试验菌株都有不同程度的抗真菌活性。化合物Ⅰ_1a的真菌活性大致与克霉唑相当,对白念珠菌的活性明显高于naftifine和terbinafine,但对其它七种菌株的活性均不及naftifine和terbinafine;化合物Ⅲ_1a对八种试验菌株的活性均与terbinafine相当。