Psychological distress and mother-child relationship: influence of life context on a population sample (BRISA) through the use of directed acyclic graphs (DAG)

This study aimed to investigate the association between maternal psychological distress and impairment in mother-child relationship in a sample from a Northeast capital city in Brazil with a low Human Development Index, using directed acyclic graphs (DAG). A total of 3,215 women were evaluated for the presence of psychological distress through the Self Reporting Questionnaire instrument and for the mother-child relationship by the first factor of Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire, considered the most appropriate in the literature. Demographic and socioeconomic variables were used to construct a theoretical model and, after this, multivariate logistic regression was performed using variables suggested by Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAG). Psychological distress was present in 22.7% of the women and 12.6% of them presented impaired mother-child relationships. After adjustment, the variable 'maternal mental distress' remained associated with impaired mother-child relationship (RR=3.03), and among the explanatory variables only 'primary school level' (RR=1.48) was associated as a risk factor to this outcome. The results indicated that, in this population, women with psychological distress and lower schooling are more likely to present impaired mother-child relationships.

Relative validity of a food frequency questionnaire for adolescents from a capital in the Northeastern region of Brazil

The present study was conducted to evaluate the validity of the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) used in the RPS Birth Cohort Consortium (Ribeirão Preto, Pelotas, and São Luís) to assess dietary intake of adolescents from São Luís, Maranhão. The research was developed with 152 adolescents aged 18 and 19 years. For the validation of the FFQ, the average of three 24-hour recalls (24HRs) was used as the reference method. The mean and standard deviation of energy and nutrient intake extracted from the surveys were estimated. The paired Student's t-test was used to verify the differences between the instruments. Pearson correlation coefficient, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), weighted Kappa, and the Bland-Altman plot were calculated in order to measure the agreement. The study adopted a level of significance <5%. Compared with the three 24HRs, the FFQ overestimated the consumption of most nutrients. Energy-adjusted and de-attenuated concordance Pearson correlation coefficients ranged from 0.06 to 0.43, and correlations were significant for iron, calcium, riboflavin, sodium, saturated fat, niacin, and vitamin C. The energy-adjusted and de-attenuated ICCs ranged from 0.01 to 0.31, and the weighted Kappa ranged from 0.01 to 0.46. The analyses of agreement were significant for vitamin C, fiber, calcium, riboflavin, niacin, sodium, lipids, and iron. In conclusion, the FFQ presented acceptable relative validity for lipids, saturated fatty acids, fiber, calcium, iron, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C, and sodium. This instrument will be useful in studies about food consumption of adolescents in São Luís, Maranhão.

Canine cutaneous leishmaniasis by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in an agricultural settlement, endemic area for leishmaniasis / Leishmaniose tegumentar canina por Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis em um assentamento agrícola, área endêmica para leishmanioses

Cutaneous leishmaniasis has several species of Leishmania as agents, and a wide variety of wild and domestic animals as hosts and different species of phlebotomines as vectors. A case of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a dog coming from an agricultural settlement is described. This is the first report of parasitism in a dog by Le. (Viannia) braziliensis in Mato Grosso do Sul State. Attention is called to the importance of including this protozoonosis in the differential diagnosis of dermopathies in dogs as also the need to assess the importance of the domestic dog as a possible reservoir of Le. braziliensis.(AU)

As leishmanioses tegumentares são antropozoonoses metaxênicas de importância em saúde pública. Possuem como agentes etiológicos várias espécies de Leishmania, com ampla variedade de hospedeiros, como animais selvagens e domésticos, e diferentes espécies de flebotomíneos como vetores. Um caso de leishmaniose tegumentar em um cão procedente de um assentamento agrícola em Mato Grosso do Sul é descrito, sendo este o primeiro relato de parasitismo em cão doméstico nesse estado por Le. (Viannia) braziliensis. Alerta-se para a importância de se incluir essa protozoonose no diagnóstico diferencial de dermopatias em cães e para a necessidade de se avaliar o papel do cão doméstico como reservatório de Le. (Vi.) braziliensis.(AU)

Cana-de-açúcar em substituição ao feno de capim-tifton 85 em rações para cabras Saanen / Sugar cane replacing grass hay tifton 85 in rations for Saanen goats

Avaliou-se o consumo e digestibilidade dos nutrientes em dietas para cabras da raça Saanen arranjadas em um quadrado latino 5x5, alimentadas com cana-de-açúcar em substituição (0, 25, 50, 75 e 100%) ao feno de capim-tifton 85. O experimento foi constituído de cinco períodos de 15 dias (10 dias para adaptação dos animais às dietas experimentais e 5 dias para coleta de dados e amostras). O consumo voluntário foi calculado pela diferença entre o ofertado e as sobras. Utilizou-se o óxido crômico para estimativa da produção de matéria seca fecal. A digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca, matéria orgânica, extrato etéreo e fibra em detergente neutro foi influenciada negativamente com a substituição, enquanto a digestibilidade da proteína e dos carboidratos não fibrosos não sofreu influência. O baixo consumo de matéria seca de rações com cana-de-açúcar torna-se um fator limitante para cabras de média a alta produção de leite.

The intake and digestibility of nutrients in the diets of Saanen goats arranged in a 5x5 Latin square design, fed with sugar cane replacement (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) hay Tifton 85 were evaluated. The experiment consisted of 5 periods of 15 days (10 days for animal adaptation to experimental diets and 5 days for data collection). The voluntary intake was calculated as the difference between the offered and leftovers. Digestibility chromic oxide was used to estimate the fecal dry matter production. The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, ether extract and neutral detergent fiber was negatively influenced, whereas the digestibility of protein and non-fiber carbohydrates were not affected. The low dry matter intake of diets with sugar cane becomes a limiting factor for goats medium for high milk production.

Bromatological composition and dry matter digestibility of millet cultivars subjected to nitrogen doses / Composição bromatológica e digestibilidade da massa seca de cultivares de milheto submetidos à doses de nitrogênio

The bromatological composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility of millet cultivars were assessed for different nitrogen doses and two sowing seasons in the Ceres municipality of Goiás state, Brazil. The treatments consisted of three millet cultivars (ADR-7010, ADR-500 and BRS-1501), four nitrogen (N) doses (0, 50, 100 and 200kg ha-1 of N) and two sowing seasons. Three replicates and a randomised block design with a 3 x 4 x 2 factorial scheme were used. Two cuttings were performed in each season when plants reached an average height of 0.70 cm. No significant interactions were observed between or among cultivars for N doses and dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) contents. The DM, CP, NDF and ADF contents were significantly different between N doses. The DM and CP contents increased as the N dose increased to 100kg ha-1. The maximum DM and CP contents were 11.14 and 22.53 percent, respectively. The NDF and ADF contents were higher in the control treatment (60.11 and 30.01 percent, respectively). In addition, the lowest ADF and NDF concentrations occurred at an N dose of 50kg ha-1 (56.33 and 30.23 percent, respectively). The DM contents were higher for the February sowing, with an average of 10.59 percent. The highest CP and ADF contents were found for the December sowing (22.46 and 31.58 percent, respectively). No significant differences were found for millet cultivars, N doses or sowing seasons. A significant interaction was found between sowing season and millet cultivar. The BRS-1501 cultivar had a higher in vitro dry matter digestibility in the December/2010 sowing (73.88 percent)...

Foram avaliadas a composição bromatológica e a digestibilidade in vitro da massa seca de cultivares de milheto, sob doses de nitrogênio, em duas épocas de semeadura, no município de Ceres, Goiás. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por três cultivares de milheto: (ADR-7010, ADR-500 e BRS-1501) e quatro doses de N (0, 50, 100 e 200kg ha-1 de N) e duas épocas de semeadura, com três repetições. Utilizou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso em esquema fatorial 3x4x2. O fatorial foi avaliado em duas épocas de semeadura (dezembro/2010 e fevereiro/2011). Foram realizados dois cortes em cada época, quando as plantas atingiram, em média, 0,70m de altura. Não foi observada interação significativa entre as cultivares e dose de N e para os teores de MS, PB, FDN, FDA. Entre as cultivares de milheto, não houve diferença significativa para as mesmas variáveis. Ocorreu diferença significativa para os teores de MS, PB, FDN e FDA, entre as doses de N. Os teores de MS e PB aumentaram até a dose de 100kg ha-1 de N. Os teores máximos de MS e PB foram de 11,14 por cento e 22,53 por cento, respectivamente. Os teores de FDN (60,11 por cento) e FDA (30,01 por cento) foram maiores no tratamento controle, enquanto as menores concentração foram determinadas com a aplicação da dose equivalente a 50kg ha-1 de N, em que o FDN foi de 56,33 por cento e o FDA de 30,23 por cento. Os teores de MS foram maiores na semeadura de fevereiro, com média de 10,59 por cento. Os maiores teores de PB (22,46 por cento) e FDA (31,58 por cento) foram determinados na semeadura de dezembro. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas para as cultivares de milheto, as doses de N e as épocas de semeadura. Ocorreu efeito significativo para a interação entre épocas de semeadura e cultivares de milheto. A cultivar BRS-1501 apresentou maior DIVMS na semeadura de dezembro/2010 (73,88 por cento)...

Efeito do composto "mais vida" na ativação de macrófagos de ratos diabéticos / Effects of "mais vida", a commercial natural mix, on the activation of macrophages from diabetic rats

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a atividade funcional de macrófagos de ratos diabéticos, através da liberação do ânion superóxido, na presença do composto "mais vida". Os animais foram divididos em dois grupos, controle (N=20) e diabético (N=20). Avaliou-se a glicemia, massa corpórea e a liberação de superóxido pelos macrófagos de baço de ratos. O composto "mais vida" foi obtido através da mistura de extratos de sete plantas, sendo Orbignia martiana Rodr., Tabebuia avellanedae L.G., Arctium lappa L., Rosa centifolia L., Maytenus ilicifolia Mart., Vernonia condensata Baker e Thuja occidentalis L. Observou-se que glicemia foi maior no grupo diabético. A liberação espontânea do ânion superóxido pelos macrófagos foi menor no grupo diabético. O composto "mais vida", independente dos níveis glicêmicos, aumentou a liberação de superóxido dos macrófagos. Quando as células foram estimuladas pelos extratos vegetais isolados, também houve aumento na liberação do ânion superóxido pelos macrófagos em ambos os grupos. As maiores liberações de superóxido ocorreram quando os macrófagos foram estimulados pela Thuja occidentalis L., Rosa centifolia L., Tabebuia avellanedae L.G. e Maytenus ilicifolia Mart. Estes dados sugerem que a ativação de macrófagos pelo composto "mais vida" pode representar um mecanismo alternativo de defesa para infecções em indivíduos diabéticos.

This study investigated the effects of "mais vida", a commercial natural mix, on macrophages functional activity as evaluated by the superoxide release in diabetic rats. The animals were divided into two groups, control (N = 20) and diabetic (N = 20). This was achieved by determining blood glucose weight and the superoxide released by spleen macrophages. The "mais vida" mix was obtained by the combination of extracts from seven medicinal species, which were: Orbignia martiana Rodr., Tabebuia avellanedae L.G., Arctium lappa L., Rosa centifolia L., Maytenus ilicifolia Mart., Vernonia condensata Baker and Thuja occidentalis L. Blood glucose levels were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the diabetic group, as compared to blood glucose levels in the control group. Superoxide levels in macrophages isolated from normoglycemic rats were higher than those obtained from diabetic animals. The "mais vida" mix, independently of glycemic status, increased significantly the superoxide release in the macrophages. Each extract by itself also increased the superoxide release by phagocytes in the macrophages in both groups. The largest superoxide release occurred when the phagocytes were stimulated by Thuja occidentalis L., Rosa centifolia L., Tabebuia avellanedae L.G. and Maytenus ilicifolia Mart. In addition, the activation of macrophages by the "mais vida" mix may represent an additional protection mechanism for diabetic individuals against infections.

Monitoring renal function: measured and estimated glomerular filtration rates: a review

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a wrld-wide public health problem, with adverse outcomes of kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, and premature death. This finding has led to the hypothesis that earlier recognition of kidney disease and successful intervention may improve outcome. The National Kidney Foundation, through its Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI), and other National institutions recommend glomerular filtration rate (GFR) for the definition, classification, screening, and monitoring of CKD. Blood creatinine clearance, the most widely used clinical marker of kidney function, is now recognized as an unreliable measure of GFR because serum creatinine is affected by age, weight, muscle mass, race, various medications, and extra-glomerular elimination. Cystatin C concentration is a new and promising marker for kidney dysfunction in both native and transplanted kidneys. Because of its low molecular weight, cystatin C is freely filtered at the glomerulus and is almost completely reabsorbed and catabolized, but not secreted, by tubular cells. Given these characteristics, cystatin C concentration may be superior to creatinine concentration in detecting chronic kidney disease. This review aims to evaluate from recent literature the clinical efficiency and relevance of these GFR markers in terms of screening CKD.

Digestão de carboidratos em equinos alimentados com dietas compostas de volumoso ou de volumoso suplementado com concentrado e/ou óleo de soja / Carbohydrate digestion in horses fed diets composed by roughages or roughages supplemented with concentrate and/or soybean oil

Determinaram-se as frações dos carboidratos não fibrosos, hidrolisáveis e rapidamente fermentáveis em diferentes dietas e estimou-se a digestibilidade aparente desses nutrientes em dois ensaios com equinos. No ensaio I, utilizaram-se quatro equinos em delineamento quadrado latino 4x4, que consumiram dietas compostas por: feno de tifton-85; feno de tifton-85 e feno de alfafa; feno de tifton-85, feno de alfafa e concentrado; feno de tifton-85 e concentrado. No ensaio II, utilizaram-se 15 equinos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, que consumiram dietas com 5, 13 e 21 por cento de extrato etéreo, obtidos com a inclusão de diferentes proporções de óleo de soja. A inclusão de concentrado nas dietas aumentou a digestibilidade dos carboidratos não fibrosos e de suas frações, sem afetar a digestibilidade da fibra, enquanto, em dietas com 13 por cento de extrato etéreo, a digestibilidade das frações dos carboidratos fibrosos e a dos não fibrosos não foram afetadas. Nas dietas com 21 por cento de extrato etéreo, houve redução na digestibilidade da celulose e dos carboidratos não fibrosos e suas frações hidrolisáveis e rapidamente fermentáveis. A análise dos carboidratos não fibrosos é uma boa estimativa do valor nutricional dos alimentos, podendo ser incluída na avaliação da qualidade dos alimentos e dietas dos equinos.

The fractions of nonfiber carbohydrates, hydrolyzable carbohydrates, and rapidly fermentable carbohydrates of diets and the apparent digestibility of these nutrients were evaluated in horses in two digestion assays. In assay I, four horses in 4x4 latin square diets: tifton-85 hay; tifton-85 hay and alfafa hay; tifton-85 hay, alfafa hay, and concentrate; and tifton-85 hay and concentrate. In assay II, fifteen horses were used in a completely randomized design, diets with 5, 13, and 21 percent ether obtained with the inclusion of different proportions of soybean oil. Results showed that inclusion of concentrate in diets increased digestibility of nonfiber carbohydrates, hydrolyzable carbohydrates, rapidly fermentable carbohydrates, and total carbohydrates, without affecting digestibility of fiber. In diets with 13 percent of ether extract in function of soybean oil inclusion, digestibility of fiber and nonfiber carbohydrates fractions was not affected; however, in diets with 21 percent of ether extract, the digestibility of cellulose, nonfiber carbohydrates, hydrolyzable carbohydrates and rapidly fermentable carbohydrates were reduced. Analysis of nonfiber carbohydrates fractions is a good estimate of feeds nutritional value, and could be included in quality evaluation of feeds and diets given to horses.

Frações proteicas do capim-mombaça submetido a doses de nitrogênio em duas alturas de corte / Proteins fractions of mombaça grass submitted to nitrogen doses at two cutting heights

Foram caracterizadas e identificadas as frações proteicas constituintes do capim-mombaça submetido a quatro doses de nitrogênio (0, 100, 300 e 500kg.ha-1) em duas alturas de corte no período chuvoso e no seco. Utilizou-se delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 4 x 2, com quatro repetições. Os teores de proteína bruta (PB) e das frações A, B1, B2, B3 e C da proteína do capim-mombaça, cortado a 0,20 e 0,40m da superfície do solo foram avaliados pelo Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System. Em relação ao teor de PB, ocorreu diferença significativa (P<0,05) quanto às doses aplicadas. Observou-se aumento de PB em função da elevação das doses de N, principalmente no período chuvoso apresentando valores médios em torno de 10 por cento. Ocorreu diferença nas frações de PB em função da estação e da altura de corte. As frações B1 e C não diferiram quanto à dose de N e altura de corte. As frações A + B1 foram maiores no período seco, nas duas alturas residuais (P<0,05). A dose de nitrogênio e a altura do corte influenciaram na composição das frações proteicas.

The protein fractions of mombaça grass submitted to four nitrogen doses (0, 100, 300, and 500kg.ha-1) at two cutting heights in dry and rainy periods were characterized and identified. A completely randomized block design, in 2x4 factorial scheme with four repetitions, was used. The crude protein (CP) and A, B1, B2, B3, and C protein fractions of mombaça grass cut at 0.20 and 0.40m were evaluated by the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System. There was significant difference (P<0.05) for CP according to the nitrogen (N) dose. The CP percentage increased as the N dose increased, in rainy period, averaging around 10 percent. There was difference for CP in function of season and cutting heights. The B1 and C fractions did not significantly differ concerning N dose and cutting heights. The A + B1 fractions were higher in the dry period in both heights (P<0.05). The N dose and cutting heights influenced in protein fractions composition.

Statistical analysis of event-related potential elicited by verb-complement merge in Brazilian Portuguese

An interesting fact about language cognition is that stimulation involving incongruence in the merge operation between verb and complement has often been related to a negative event-related potential (ERP) of augmented amplitude and latency of ca. 400 ms - the N400. Using an automatic ERP latency and amplitude estimator to facilitate the recognition of waves with a low signal-to-noise ratio, the objective of the present study was to study the N400 statistically in 24 volunteers. Stimulation consisted of 80 experimental sentences (40 congruous and 40 incongruous), generated in Brazilian Portuguese, involving two distinct local verb-argument combinations (nominal object and pronominal object series). For each volunteer, the EEG was simultaneously acquired at 20 derivations, topographically localized according to the 10-20 International System. A computerized routine for automatic N400-peak marking (based on the ascendant zero-cross of the first waveform derivative) was applied to the estimated individual ERP waveform for congruous and incongruous sentences in both series for all ERP topographic derivations. Peak-to-peak N400 amplitude was significantly augmented (P < 0.05; one-sided Wilcoxon signed-rank test) due to incongruence in derivations F3, T3, C3, Cz, T5, P3, Pz, and P4 for nominal object series and in P3, Pz and P4 for pronominal object series. The results also indicated high inter-individual variability in ERP waveforms, suggesting that the usual procedure of grand averaging might not be considered a generally adequate approach. Hence, signal processing statistical techniques should be applied in neurolinguistic ERP studies allowing waveform analysis with low signal-to-noise ratio.

Diagnosis, staging and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinomas are aggressive tumors with a high dissemination power. An early diagnosis of these tumors is of great importance in order to offer the possibility of curative treatment. For an early diagnosis, abdominal ultrasound and serum alpha-fetoprotein determinations at 6-month intervals are suggested for all patients with cirrhosis of the liver, since this disease is considered to be the main risk factor for the development of the neoplasia. Helicoidal computed tomography, magnetic resonance and/or hepatic arteriography are suggested for diagnostic confirmation and tumor staging. The need to obtain a fragment of the focal lesion for cytology and/or histology for a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma depends on the inability of imaging methods to diagnose the lesion. Several classifications are currently available for tumor staging in order to determine patient prognosis. All take into consideration not only the stage of the tumor but also the degree of hepatocellular dysfunction, which is known to be the main factor related to patient survival. Classifications, however, fail to correlate treatment with prognosis and cannot suggest the ideal treatment for each tumor stage. The Barcelona Classification (BCLC) attempts to correlate tumor stage with treatment but requires prospective studies for validation. For single tumors smaller than 5 cm or up to three nodules smaller than 3 cm, surgical resection, liver transplantation and percutaneous treatment may offer good anti-tumoral results, as well as improved patient survival. Embolization or chemoembolization are therapeutic alternatives for patients who do not benefit from curative therapies.

Effects of mercury on the arterial blood pressure of anesthetized rats

The available data suggests that hypotension caused by Hg2+ administration may be produced by a reduction of cardiac contractility or by cholinergic mechanisms. The hemodynamic effects of an intravenous injection of HgCl2 (5 mg/kg) were studied in anesthetized rats (N = 12) by monitoring left and right ventricular (LV and RV) systolic and diastolic pressures for 120 min. After HgCl2 administration the LV systolic pressure decreased only after 40 min (99 +or - 3.3 to 85 + or - 8.8 mmHg at 80 min). However, RV systolic pressure increased, initially slowly but faster after 30 min (25 + or - 1.8 to 42 + or - 1.6 mmHg at 80 min). Both right and left diastolic pressures increased after HgCl2 treatment, suggesting the development of diastolic ventricular dysfunction. Since HgCl2 could be increasing pulmonary vascular resistance, isolated lungs (N = 10) were perfused for 80 min with Krebs solution (continuous flow of 10 ml/min) containing or not 5 µM HgCl2. A continuous increase in pulmonary vascular resistance was observed, suggesting the direct effect of Hg2+ on the pulmonary vessels (12 + or - 0.4 to 29 + or - 3.2 mmHg at 30 min). To examine the interactions of Hg2+ and changes in cholinergic activity we analyzed the effects of acetylcholine (Ach) on mean arterial blood pressure (ABP) in anesthetized rats (N = 9) before and after Hg2+ treatment (5 mg/kg). Using the same amount and route used to study the hemodynamic effects we also examined the effects of Hg2+ administration on heart and plasma cholinesterase activity (N = 10). The in vivo hypotensive response to Ach (0.035 to 10.5 µg) was reduced after Hg2+ treatment. Cholinesterase activity (µM h-1 mg protein-1) increased in heart and plasma (32 and 65 percent, respectively) after Hg2+ treatment. In conclusion, the reduction in ABP produced by Hg2+ is not dependent on a putative increase in cholinergic activity. HgCl2 mainly affects cardiac function. The increased pulmonary vascular resistance and cardiac failure due to diastolic dysfunction of both ventricles are factors that might contribute to the reduction of cardiac output and the fall in arterial pressure

Milheto-gräo (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) como substituto do milho em raçöes para poedeiras comerciais / Pearl millet grain as corn substitute in laying hen rations

Avaliaram-se o desempenho produtivo e a qualidade dos ovos de poedeiras comerciais alimentadas com milheto como substituto do milho em raçöes de postura. Duzentas poedeiras comerciais, da linhagem LSL Lohmann branca, com 30 semanas de idade, receberam raçöes com níveis crescentes de substituiçäo da energia metabolizável fornecida pelo milho por milheto. As aves foram distribuídas em um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso com cinco tratamentos, cinco repetiçöes e 10 aves por repetiçäo. Foram avaliados a porcentagem de postura, o consumo de raçäo, a conversäo alimentar em termos de dúzias e de massa de ovos, o peso médio de ovos, a porcentagem de casca e de gema, e a porcentagem de clara. Näo se observou diferença estatística significativa em todas as características. O índice de coloraçäo de gema, pelo leque colorimétrico Roche, apresentou pior coloraçäo à medida que os níveis de milheto foram crescentes nas raçöes. Os resultados indicam que o milheto näo afetou o desempenho produtivo das aves, devendo-se recomendar o seu uso com pigmentantes sintéticos ou naturais

Milheto (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) como substituto do milho em raçöes para codornas-japonesas em postura (Coturnix coturnix japonica) / Pearl millet grain as corn substitute in laying japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) rations

Avaliou-se o desempenho de codornas-japonesas em postura alimentadas com níveis crescentes de milheto-gräo na raçäo. Duzentas codornas com 70 dias de idade submetidas a um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetiçöes de 10 aves, receberam níveis de milheto de 0, 25, 50, 75 e 100 por cento em substituiçäo ao milho em raçöes na fase de postura. Foram medidos a produçäo e o peso dos ovos, o consumo de raçäo, a mortalidade, a coloraçäo da gema pelo leque colorímetrico, e calculada a conversäo alimentar em termos de massa e de dúzia de ovos. Os índices de produtividade das codornas näo foram afetados pelos diferentes níveis de substituiçäo estudados e o milheto-gräo se constitui em uma fonte de substituiçäo do milho para codornas-japonesas, devendo-se, porém, incluir na raçäo uma fonte de pigmentaçäo para a gema dos ovos

Milheto-grão (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) como substituto do milho em rações para poedeiras comerciais

The production performance and egg quality of laying hens receiving increasing levels of pearl millet grain in rations were studied. Two hundred 30-week-old LSL Lohmann white hens, allotted in a completely randomized design with five treatments, five replicates with 10 hens, were fed with 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of pearl millet grain in rations as corn substitute. The performance was evaluated by egg production, feed intake, feed conversion in terms of dozen eggs and egg mass, and egg quality measured as egg weight, shell, albumen and yolk porcentages. No differences among treatments were observed for all characteristics, but the yolk color index measured by the Roche fan indicated decreasing in yolk colour as the level of pearl millet increased. Pearl millet did not affect the production performance, and a synthetic or natural pigment should be included in rations.

Avaliaram-se o desempenho produtivo e a qualidade dos ovos de poedeiras comerciais alimentadas com milheto como substituto do milho em rações de postura. Duzentas poedeiras comerciais, da linhagem LSL Lohmann branca, com 30 semanas de idade, receberam rações com níveis crescentes de substituição da energia metabolizável fornecida pelo milho por milheto. As aves foram distribuídas em um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso com cinco tratamentos, cinco repetições e 10 aves por repetição. Foram avaliados a porcentagem de postura, o consumo de ração, a conversão alimentar em termos de dúzias e de massa de ovos, o peso médio de ovos, a porcentagem de casca e de gema, e a porcentagem de clara. Não se observou diferença estatística significativa em todas as características. O índice de coloração de gema, pelo leque colorimétrico Roche, apresentou pior coloração à medida que os níveis de milheto foram crescentes nas rações. Os resultados indicam que o milheto não afetou o desempenho produtivo das aves, devendo-se recomendar o seu uso com pigmentantes sintéticos ou naturais.

Reactivity of the isolated perfused rat tail vascular bed

Isolated segments of the perfused rat tail artery display a high basal tone when compared to other isolated arteries such as the mesenteric and are suitable for the assay of vasopressor agents. However, the perfusion of this artery in the entire tail has not yet been used for functional studies. The main purpose of the present study was to identify some aspects of the vascular reactivity of the rat tail vascular bed and validate this method to measure vascular reactivity. The tail severed from the body was perfused with Krebs solution containing different Ca2+ concentrations at different flow rates. Rats were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (65 mg/kg) and heparinized (500 U). The tail artery was dissected near the tail insertion, cannulated and perfused with Krebs solution plus 30 muM EDTA at 36 degrees Celsius and 2.5 ml/min and the procedures were started after equilibration of the perfusion pressure. In the first group a dose-response curve to phenylephrine (PE) (0.5, 1,2 and 5 mug, bolus injection) was obtained at different flow rates (1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 ml/min). The mean perfusion pressure increased with flow as well as PE vasopressor responses. In a second group the flow was changed (1.5,2,2.5,3 and 3.5 ml/min) at different Ca2+ concentrations (0.62, 1.25, 2.5 and 3.75 mM) in the Krebs solution. Increasing Ca2+ concentrations did not alter the flow-pressure relationship. In the third group a similar protocol was performed but the rat tail vascular bed was perfused with Krebs solution containing PE (0.1 mug/ml). There was an enhancement of the effects of PE with increasing external Ca2+ and flow. PE vasopressor responses increased after endothelial damage with air and CHAPS, suggesting an endothelial modulation of the tone of the rat tail vascular bed. These experiments validate the perfusion of the rat tail vascular bed as a method to investigate vascular reactivity.

Urticária crônica como manifestaçäo inicial de mieloma múltiplo / Chronic urticaria as initial manifestation of myeloma multiple

A urticária Ú uma enfermidade comum e multifatorial. Estima-se que 10 por cento a 20 por cento da populaçäo apresente um episódio de urticária em alguma fase de sua vida. As neoplasias estÒo entre as causas mais raras. Apresentamos um caso de urticária crônica cujo diagnóstico final foi de mieloma múltiplo (MM), alertando para a necessidade de uma investigaçäo sistemática e criteriosa destes pacientes.

Polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis: preliminary report

Nesse relato preliminar säo registrados os resultados da pesquisa de PCR para detecçäo de sequências de DNA (antígeno 65 KDa) do Mycobacteruium tuberculosis no LCR. Foram estudadas amostras de LCR de 20 pacientes: em 10 havia suspeita clínica e laboratorial de neurotuberculose (grupo de teste); nos outros 10 havia suspeita diagnóstica de meningite ou menigoencefalite de outras etiologias ( grupo controle). Em 7 dos 10 pacientes do primeiro grupo a pesquisa de sequências antigênicas de DNA do Mycobacterium tuberculosis por PCR foi positiva; em nenhum dos pacientes do grupo controle a pesquisa foi positiva

Histoplasmose do sistema nervoso central: estudo do líquido cefalorraqueano em 8 pacientes / Histoplasmosis of the central nervous system: study of cerebrospinal fluid in 8 patients

Foram estudads 113 amostras de LCR de 8 pacientes no período compreendido entre setembro-1980 e agosto-1992. Todos os pacientes apresentavam quadro clínico e do LCR compatível a processo meningoencefálico de evoluçäo protraída. Nenhum deles apresentava a síndrome de imunodeficiência adquirida. Em todos foi feito o diagnóstico de histoplasmose do SNC: em todos foram detectados anticorpos a Histoplasma capsulatum no LCR; em um foi isolada a levedura por cultura em meio de Sabouraud. As principais características do LCR por ocasiäo do diagnóstico foram: pleocitose moderada com presomínio de células linfomononucleadas porém com presença de neutrófilos e por vezes eosinófilos; hiperproteinorraquia moderada, hipoglicorraquia; aumento moderado do teor de globulinas gama. Os pacientes foram acompanhados durante períodos que variaram de 7 a 102 meses e submetidos a exames periódicos de LCR, em funçäo da sintomatologia clínica. O número de células do LCR e a concentraçäo de proteinas totais apresentaram evoluçäocaracterizada pela ocorrência de episódios de exacerbaçäo com perfil parcialmente dissociado, favorecendo as proteínas. As concentraçöes de glicose eram moderadamente baixas sendo os menores valores coincidentes aos períodos de exarcebaçäo do número de células. Os teores de globulinas gama apresentaram também oscilaçöes, porém menos evidentes. Submetidos os pacientes a tratamento eficaz, ocorreu no LCR: rápida diminuiçäo do número de células; aumento da taxa de glicose; lento decréscimo dos aumentos de proteínas e de globulinas gama

Histoplasmose do sistema nervoso central. Aspectos clínicos em oito pacientes / Histoplasmosis of the central nervous system. Clinical aspects in 8 patients]

Clinical approach has been made in eight patients with histoplasmosis of the central nervous system. All patients had no evidence of immunodepression. Time disease at diagnosis ranged from 6 to 108 months (median 36 months). Main signs and symptoms were: intracranial hypertension in 6 patients; impairment of memory in 4; confusion in 4; seizures in 2; urinary incontinence in 2; sexual impotency in 1. Meningo-encephalitic form was present in 6 patients, while the granulomatous form was found in 2. Diagnostic confirmation was based on: biopsy, in 1 case; necropsy, in 2 cases; cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sediment culture, in 1; detection of antibodies against Histoplasma capsulatum in the CSF, in 5 cases. There was, in all patients, an expressive difference between CSF alterations (intense, merging acute and chronic phase elements) and clinical symptomatology (patients in general oligosymptomatic).