ABSTRACT Acute gastric volvulus (AGV) is an uncommon condition with high mortality (up to 50%) and its diagnosis is based on high level of suspicion. Conservative management can be attempted in stable patients, but the surgical approach is indicated in unstable cases. We report the case of a patient with AGV and hemodynamic instability who underwent laparotomy with reduction of the volvulus but who died in the immediate postoperative period due to refractory shock.

RESUMEN El vólvulo gástrico agudo (VGA) es una entidad infrecuente, con elevada mortalidad de hasta 50%, y su diagnóstico se basa en un alto nivel de sospecha clínica. En el paciente estable se puede plantear manejo no operatorio, pero en el inestable se impone el tratamiento quirúrgico. Presentamos el caso de un paciente con VGA e inestabilidad hemodinámica, en el cual se realizó laparotomía y devolvulación gástrica, pero falleció en el posoperatorio inmediato por shock refractario.

Supercritical CO2 extraction of essential oil from the leaves of a variety of camphor tree known as Ho-Sho was studied. Experiments were carried out within the following ranges: CO2 flow rate (1 - 4 mL/min); pressure (80 - 100 bar); temperature (40 - 60 ºC) and particle size (0.37 - 1.0 mm). The equipment used was an HP 8670 T extractor module with an extraction cell volume of 7 mL. Two mathematical models of the process were proposed. Model 1 was a modified version of the traditional shrinking core model with effective diffusivity and the external mass transfer coefficient as the fitting parameters. Model 2 used an additional kinetic parameter based on an Arrhenius-like expression. Both models took into account the cell pressurization step. The best fit between the extraction model curves and the experimental data was obtained using model 2.

The production of large quantities of paint sludge is a serious environmental problem. This work evaluates the use of pyrolysis reaction as a process for deactivating paint sludge that generates a combustible gas phase, a solvent liquid phase and an inert solid phase. These wastes were classified into three types: water-based solvent (latex resin) and solvents based on their resins (alkyd and polyurethane). An electrically heated stainless steel batch reactor with a capacity of 579 mL and a maximum pressure of 30 atm was used. Following the reactor, a flash separator, which was operated at atmospheric pressure, partially condensed and separated liquid and gas products. Pressure and temperature were monitored on-line by a control and data acquisition system, which adjusted the heating power supplied to the pyrolysis reactor. Reactions followed an experimental design with two factors (reaction time and temperature) and three levels (10, 50 and 90 minutes; 450, 550 and 650°C). The response variables were liquid and solid masses and net heat of combustion. The optimal operational range for the pyrolysis process was obtained for each response variable. A significant reduction in total mass of solid waste was obtained.