Nutritional Composition and Environmental Impact of Meals Selected in Workplace Canteens before and after an Intervention Promoting the Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet.

Enhancing healthy and sustainable food systems is one of the key goals of the current European Commission policy. In this light, the creation of a food environment where people are properly informed about the healthiness and sustainability of food choices is essential. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional profile and the environmental impact of meals consumed in a workplace canteen in Italy in the presence of a nudge (i.e., the Double Pyramid logo) combined with a web-based application promoting the Mediterranean Diet. Energy and nutrient contents and the carbon, water, and ecological footprints of 29,776 meals were compared across three subsequent periods (from June to April) through one-way ANOVA. Although the choice of dishes labelled with the Double Pyramid logo was comparable across periods, the selection of fish- and plant-based dishes increased from +2% (fish, vegetables) up to +17% (whole-grain cereals), with a concurrent reduction of meat-based options (−2%). Although the consumption of healthy items increased (p < 0.001), they were not added as a replacement for alternative options, leading to a higher content in energy (p < 0.001) and nutrients (p < 0.001) and worse environmental footprints, contrarily to what was observed when data were adjusted for energy. The intervention significantly improved food choices; however, as the higher selection of desired dishes was not adequately compensated for, it was not fully effective.

Mental health impacts of nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 in Peru: Fear of contagion, generalized anxiety, and physical-cognitive fatigue.

The health crisis caused by COVID-19 has resulted in the physical and emotional deterioration of health personnel, especially nurses, whose emotional state is affected by the high risk of contagion, the high demands of health services, and the exhausting working hours. The objective of this research was to determine the relationship between fear, anxiety, and fatigue of nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 in a second level public hospital in Peru. This study presents a quantitative approach and correlational level, cross-sectional, and non-experimental design. The sample consisted of 145 nurses who attended patients with COVID-19 in health care areas. The results show a significant relationship between fear of contagion and physical-cognitive fatigue (p < 0.001; r = 317) and a significant relationship between generalized anxiety and physical-cognitive fatigue (p < 0.001; r = 480). It is concluded that in this context, both fear of contagion and generalized anxiety are related to physical-cognitive fatigue.

Mental Health Projects for University Students: A Systematic Review of the Scientific Literature Available in Portuguese, English, and Spanish.

The mental health of college students has been the source of research, projects, and public policies involving education, health, and psychology professionals. Having as its axis the study of mental health and the phenomenon of psychological illness, this systematic review aims to characterize mental health programs directed to college students, as well as the forms of interventions offered to reduce the incidence of psychological disorders. From the proposal, a survey was conducted in the databases Scopus, Lilacs, and the repository Alicia, in the period between 2010 and 2021, choosing the search phrase "Programas de saúde mental para universitários" in Portuguese, "Mental health projects for university students" in English, and "Proyectos en salud mental para estudiantes universitarios" in Spanish. The research areas spanned humanities and social sciences, with peer-reviewed and open access articles. The questions that instigated the study were as follows: What are the mental health problems affecting college students? What type of strategy has been adopted to map the demands of university students in relation to mental illness? How can the university space reorganize itself to work on interventional-preventive aspects, according to the studies? Initially, 740 203 articles were obtained, and after sifting through 13 productions, using the PRISMA systematization. Despite several research interrelating mental health and university space, most were dedicated to data collection, using questionnaires, inventories, and scales, standardized and non-standardized. Only three studies described intervention projects and programs to reduce the problems of psychological distress in college students. Unanimously, the investigations emphasize the need for monitoring the higher education population regarding mental health and, in parallel, the implementation of institutional public policies to meet the students' demands and reduce the rates of problems in the educational field.

Experiencia docente en la aplicación de metodologías activas de aprendizaje en la educación superior enfermera / Teaching experience in the application of active learning methodologies in nursing higher education

Objetivo: Determinar la experiencia de los docentes sobre la aplicación de metodologías activas de aprendizaje en la formación académica del futuro profesional. Metodología: investigación cualitativa de tipo fenomenológico, descriptiva. Participaron 20 docentes cuyo muestreo fue por conveniencia y saturación de categorías, se utilizó la entrevista semiestructurada y grupo focal para obtener los datos. Resultados: emergieron seis categorías: docentes aplican metodologías activas de aprendizaje, estrategias para la sostenibilidad de las metodologías activas que aplican los docentes, elementos que fortalecen el desarrollo de las metodologías activas de aprendizaje, elementos que limitan el desarrollo de las metodologías activas de aprendizaje, estrategias metodológicas que muestran el areté en la formación del profesional de enfermería y aplicando deficientemente las metodologías activas en la formación profesional. Conclusión: La aplicación de las metodologías activas contribuyen al desarrollo de competencias integrales, favoreciendo la autonomía, confianza y el aprendizaje significativo crítico para su formación profesional.(AU)

Objective: To determine the experience of teachers on the application of active learning methodologies in the academic training of future professionals. Methodology: It was qualitative research of phenomenological, descriptive type. Twenty teachers participated, with a non-probabilistic sampling by convenience and saturation of categories; a semi-structured interview and focus group were used to obtain the data. Results: six categories emerged: teachers apply active learning methodologies, strategies for the sustainability of active methodologies applied by teachers, elements that strengthen the development of active learning methodologies, elements that limit the development of active learning methodologies, methodological strategies that show the areté in the training of the nursing professional and deficient application of active methodologies in professional training. Conclusion: The application of active methodologies contributes to the development of integral competences; favoring autonomy, confidence and critical significant learning for their professional training.(AU)

Factores mecánicos y químicos presentes en pacientes oncológicos hospitalizados con flebitis

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar los factores mecánicos y químicos presentes en pacientes oncológicos con flebitis, hospitalizados en un establecimiento público de alta complejidad, Lima-Perú; describir las técnicas invasivas más frecuentes practicadas en los procesos de hospitalización y las tendencias de los últimos 5 años. Material y Método: Enfoque cuantitativo, observacional, retrospectivo, con una población total de 295.151 (del 2016-2020), de los que 298 pacientes oncológicos tuvieron flebitis, pero solo 282 contaron con registros completos valorados por las enfermeras oncólogas según Escala de Maddox que consta de 16 ítems que miden factores mecánicos y químicos. El instrumento fue validado por expertos obteniéndose una validez binomial de 0,7 y una confiabilidad KR20 de 0,8. El análisis de datos se realizó mediante estadística descriptiva, prueba binomial y Chi cuadrado. Resultados: Estos muestran la mayor incidencia en los grados de flebitis II, III y I. Respecto al factor mecánico, se evidencia que el material no estéril, el lugar de inserción del catéter en zona Cubital, Radial y Cefálica y el tiempo de permanencia menor de 72 h se presentan con mayor frecuencia. El factor químico está asociado al uso de antibióticos como Vancomicina y la combinación del Meropenem/ Vancomicina, al uso de agentes citostáticos vesicantes-no vesicantes, así también el analgésico Ketoprofeno seguido con la combinación del Ketoprofeno con Tramadol y al uso de la Ranitidina como protector antiulceroso. Conclusión: Tanto los factores mecánicos y químicos afectan la zona de punción. Enfermería debe continuar capacitando en acciones preventivas para reducir o mitigar las complicaciones en el ámbito asistencial, siendo necesario promover buenas prácticas en la administración terapéutica en este tipo de paciente.

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the mechanical and chemical factors present in oncological patients with phlebitis hospitalized in a high-complexity public facility, in Lima-Peru; describe the most frequent invasive techniques practiced in hospitalization processes and the trends of the last 5 years. Material and Method: Quantitative, observational, retrospective approach, with a total population of 295,151 (from 2016-2020), of which 298 cancer patients had phlebitis, but only 282 had complete records assessed by oncology nurses according to Maddox scale, which consists of 16 items containing mechanical and chemical factors. The instrument was validated by experts and had a binomial validity of 0.7 and a KR-20 reliability of 0.8. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, binomial test and Chi-square. Results: Show the highest incidence in degrees of phlebitis II, III and I. Regarding the mechanical factor, non-sterile material, the place of insertion of the catheter in the ulnar, radial and cephalic areas and the permanence time of less than 72 h occur more frequently. The chemical factor is associated with the use of antibiotics such as Vancomycin and the combination of Meropenem/Vancomycin, the use of vesicant and non-vesicant cytostatic agents, as well as the analgesic Ketoprofen followed by the combination of Ketoprofen and Tramadol and the use of Ranitidine and an antiulcer protector. Conclusions: Both mechanical and chemical factors affect the insertion site. Nurses should receive training in preventive actions to reduce or mitigate complications in the healthcare setting. It is also necessary to promote good practices in the therapeutic administration with this type of patients.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar os fatores mecânicos e químicos presentes em pacientes oncológicos com flebite internados em um serviço público de alta complexidade na cidade de Lima, Peru; descrever as técnicas invasivas mais frequentes praticadas nos processos de hospitalização e as tendências dos últimos 5 anos. Material e Método: Abordagem quantitativa, observacional e retrospectiva, com uma população total de 295.151 (de 2016 2020), dos quais 298 pacientes com câncer apresentaram flebite, mas apenas 282 tiveram registros completos avaliados por enfermeiras oncológicas segundo a escala de Maddox entre 2016-2020. O cadastro é composto por 16 itens que contêm fatores mecânicos e químicos. O instrumento foi validado por especialistas, obtendo validade binomial de 0,7 e confiabilidade KR-20 de 0,8. A análise dos dados foi realizada por meio de estatística descritiva, teste binomial e Qui-quadrado. Resultados: Mostran a mayor incidência nos graus de flebite II, III e I. Em relação ao fator mecânico, fica evidente que o material não estéril, o local de inserção do cateter nas áreas ulnar, radial e cefálica e o tempo de permanencia inferior a 72 h ocorrem com mais freqüéncia. O fator químico está associado ao uso de antibióticos como a Vancomicina e a combinação de Meropenem/Vancomicina, ao uso de citostáticos vesicantes e não vesicantes, bem como ao analgésico Cetoprofeno seguido da combinação de Cetoprofeno com tramadol e uso de Ranitidina como protetor antiúlcera. Conclusão: Tanto fatores mecânicos como químicos afetam o local da inserção. O pessoal de enfermagem deve receber treinamento em ações preventivas para reduzir ou mitigar as complicações no ambiente de saúde, sendo necessário promover boas práticas de administração terapêutica com este tipo de paciente.

Humanized Care From the Nurse-Patient Perspective in a Hospital Setting: A Systematic Review of Experiences Disclosed in Spanish and Portuguese Scientific Articles.

Nowadays, humanized care is an essential component in the field of health because the professional work of nursing seeks to provide quality services to patients who are suffering and fear illness or the dying process. Nurses recognize the need to incorporate humanized care into their daily work, as supported by Jean Watson, who states that caring entails establishing an adequate nurse-patient therapeutic relationship, where health education is a tool that promotes self-care in the patient, family, and community. The main objective of this work was to find scientific evidence on humanized care from the perspectives of nurses and hospitalized patients. To meet those research objectives, an exploratory systematic review of articles published in high-quality scientific journals from 2016 to 2020 using the PRISMA methodology in the Scopus and Scielo databases was conducted, yielding 26 studies that were analyzed. The findings show that nurses and patients perceive the need to remove the barriers that limit the advancement of humanized care in hospital institutions because they urgently demand that health professionals in all settings, especially critical ones, strengthen their humanizing role by sharing cordial, empathetic health experiences, and respecting their customs and beliefs during the hospitalization process. As a conclusion of the findings, the nurse-patient professionals agree that health personnel training is critical to providing humanized attention with quality in the hospital context, emphasizing that professional training should develop in practice soft skills, communication, safety environment, and human values.

[A cross-sectional study on the environmental culture and occupational health of informal waste pickers in Lima, Peru]. / Estudio transversal de la cultura ambiental y la salud ocupacional de recicladores informales de Lima, Perú.

PURPOSE: To determine the level of environmental culture of the informal sector waste pickers and compliance with occupational health standards of informal waste pickers. Specific objectives: to explore the relationship between the level of environmental culture and compliance with occupational health standards: exposure to physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic agents in informal waste pickers in 2019. METHODS: Quantitative, correlational, cross-sectional, and non-experimental study. A sample of 400 informal waste pickers participated. Two questionnaires were applied: environmental culture and occupational health standards. RESULTS: There is a medium positive and weak positive relationship between the environmental culture variable and the different agents (physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic). There is a significant positive correlation between environmental culture and occupational health. Likewise, there is a weak positive significant correlation between environmental culture and agents (physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic), and a significant positive correlation between environmental culture and the social responsibility agent. CONCLUSIONS: Informal waste pickers do not have their basic needs and rights met. A lack of occupational health safety characterizes informal recycling, so it is necessary to create formal and safe work environments with health promotion and prevention practices.

OBJETIVOS: Determinar el nivel de cultura ambiental de los recicladores del sector informal y el cumplimiento de los estándares de salud ocupacional de los recicladores informales. Objetivos específicos: conocer la relación entre el nivel de cultura ambiental y cumplimiento de los estándares de salud ocupacional: exposición a los agentes físicos, químicos, biológicos y ergonómicos en los recicladores informales en 2019. METODOLOGÍA: Estudio cuantitativo, correlacional, corte transversal y no experimental. Participó una muestra de 400 recicladores informales. Se aplicaron dos cuestionarios: cultura ambiental y estándares de salud ocupacional. RESULTADOS: Existe relación entre positiva media y positiva débil entre la variable cultura ambiental y los diferentes agentes (físico, químico, biológico y ergonómico). Existe correlación significativa positiva media, entre la cultura ambiental y la salud ocupacional. Igualmente, existe correlación significativa positiva débil entre la cultura ambiental y los agentes (físico, químico, biológico y ergonómico), y correlación significativa positiva entre cultura ambiental y el agente responsabilidad social. CONCLUSIONES: Los recicladores informales no satisfacen sus necesidades básicas y derechos. El reciclaje informal se caracteriza por inseguridad en su salud ocupacional, por lo que es necesario crear entornos laborales formales y seguros, con prácticas de promoción y prevención sanitaria.

Estudio transversal de la cultura ambiental y la salud ocupacional de recicladores informales de Lima, Perú / A cross-sectional study on the environmental culture and occupational health of informal waste pickers in Lima, Peru

OBJETIVOS: Determinar el nivel de cultura ambiental de los recicladores del sector informal y el cumplimiento de los estándares de salud ocupacional de los recicladores informales. OBJETIVOS ESPECÍFICOS: conocer la relación entre el nivel de cultura ambiental y cumplimiento de los estándares de salud ocupacional: exposición a los agentes físicos, químicos, biológicos y ergonómicos en los recicladores informales en 2019. METODOLOGÍA: Estudio cuantitativo, correlacional, corte transversal y no experimental. Participó una muestra de 400 recicladores informales. Se aplicaron dos cuestionarios: cultura ambiental y estándares de salud ocupacional. RESULTADOS: Existe relación entre positiva media y positiva débil entre la variable cultura ambiental y los diferentes agentes (físico, químico, biológico y ergonómico). Existe correlación significativa positiva media, entre la cultura ambiental y la salud ocupacional. Igualmente, existe correlación significativa positiva débil entre la cultura ambiental y los agentes (físico, químico, biológico y ergonómico), y correlación significativa positiva entre cultura ambiental y el agente responsabilidad social. CONCLUSIONES: Los recicladores informales no satisfacen sus necesidades básicas y derechos. El reciclaje informal se caracteriza por inseguridad en su salud ocupacional, por lo que es necesario crear entornos laborales formales y seguros, con prácticas de promoción y prevención sanitaria.

PURPOSE: To determine the level of environmental culture of the informal sector waste pickers and compliance with occupational health standards of informal waste pickers. SPECIFIC OBJETIVES: to explore the relationship between the level of environmental culture and compliance with occupational health standards: exposure to physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic agents in informal waste pickers in 2019. METHODS: Quantitative, correlational, cross-sectional, and non-experimental study. A sample of 400 informal waste pickers participated. Two questionnaires were applied: environmental culture and occupational health standards. RESULTS: There is a medium positive and weak positive relationship between the environmental culture variable and the different agents (physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic). There is a significant positive correlation between environmental culture and occupational health. Likewise, there is a weak positive significant correlation between environmental culture and agents (physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic), and a significant positive correlation between environmental culture and the social responsibility agent. CONCLUSIONS: Informal waste pickers do not have their basic needs and rights met. A lack of occupational health safety characterizes informal recycling, so it is necessary to create formal and safe work environments with health promotion and prevention practices.

Cuidado humanizado de enfermería según la teor¡a de Jean Watson, servicio de medicina del Hospital Daniel Alcides Carrión. Lima - Callao 2015 / Humanized care of nursing according to the theory of Jean Watson, medical service of the hospital Daniel Alcides Carrión. Lima - Callao, 2015

El Cuidado Humanizado es una necesidad que urge en la práctica profesional y esto se evidencia en las políticas, disposiciones normativas establecidas por las entidades de salud que velan por el derecho de los pacientes y garantizan la calidad del servicio que se brinda. Objetivo: determinar el Cuidado Humanizado que brinda el profesional de Enfermería según la Teoría de Jean Watson, Servicio de Medicina del Hospital Daniel Alcides Carrión. Material y métodos: la población total estuvo conformada 46 profesionales de Enfermería que laboran en los Servicios de Medicina. Resultados: que el Cuidado Humano que ofrece los enfermeros es regular en un 52%, mientras que el 26%, es alto. Según las dimensiones: Satisfacción de necesidades: el cuidado humano e 59% ofrece regular, mientras que el 30% es alto; Habilidades, técnicas de enfermería el cuidado humano de regular 91%, y el nivel bajo 9%. Autocuidado de la profesional es el cuidado humano de regular un 57%, mientras 24% bajo. Aspectos éticos del cuidado el 65% en cuidado humano de regular y el 13% bajo. Relación enfermera- paciente el 65% en cuidado humano de regular, y el 20% Alto. Aspectos espirituales en un 87% en cuidado humano de regular, un 4% bajo. Conclusión: el cuidado humanizado es dado en forma regular y es necesario implementar estrategias, planes de mejoras y capacitación continua con la finalidad de generar la sensibilización del personal de enfermería para aplicar buen trato al paciente desde un abordaje basado en valores humanos.

Humanized care is an urgent need in professional practice and this is evidenced in policies, regulatory provisions established by health institutions that ensure the right of patients and guarantee the quality of service provided. Objectives: to determine the humanized care provided by the nursing professional according to the Theory of Jean Watson, Department of Medicine Daniel Alcides Carrion Hospital. Material and methods: total population consisted of 46 nursing professionals working in Medical Services. The results were that the human care offers regular nurses is 52%, while 26% is high. Depending on the dimensions: satisfaction of needs: human care and 59% with regular, while 30% is high; Skills, nursing techniques regular human care 91% and 9% low level. Self-care professional is the regular human care 57%, while 24% low. Ethical aspects of care 65% in regular human care and 13% low. Nurse patient ratio 65% in regular human care, and 20% is high. Spiritual aspects by 87% in regular human care, 4% lower. Conclusions: the humanized care is given regulary and is necessary to implement strategies, improvement plans and ongoing training in order to generate awareness of nurses to apply good treatment to the patient from a human values-based approach.

Influência das condições do habitat sobre a estrutura de herbáceas aquáticas na região do Lago Catalão, Manaus, AM / Influence of the habitat conditions on the structure of aquatic herbaceous in the Catalão Lake region, Manaus, AM

In the Amazon, aquatic herbaceous are found in all types of water, but its abundance can be influenced by the limnological conditions of each environment. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of habitat conditions on the structure of aquatic herbaceous in the Catalão Lake region, Manaus, AM. We evaluated seven transects in white water environments (AB), nine in decanted water (AD), and seven in mixed water (AM). In each transect, aquatic herbaceous were identified, relative coverage and frequency of occurrence were measured, and turbidity, conductivity, pH and depth variables were evaluated. Variation in depth indicated that the environments of AD and AM were deeper than AB, yet lower conductivity and more acidic waters were recorded in AM. We recorded 32 taxa of aquatic herbaceous, being the most frequent Paspalum repens, Salvinia auriculata, Pistia stratiotes and Lemna valdiviana. Among the species recorded, 50% were common to all three environments. On the other hand, some species occurred exclusively in AB, in AD or AM environments. In AB, floating forms were more frequent, and this environment had the highest coverage; in AD and AM environments, emerged forms showed higher frequency and coverage. AM had greater richness of aquatic herbaceous compared to other environments. Variations recorded indicate that limnological conditions of white and black water rivers can determine the structure of aquatic herbaceous community, even at small spatial scales.

Na Amazônia, as herbáceas aquáticas são encontradas em todas as tipologias de água, mas sua abundância pode ser influenciada pelas condições limnológicas de cada ambiente. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a influência das condições do habitat sobre a estrutura de herbáceas aquáticas na região do Lago Catalão, Manaus, AM. Foram avaliadas sete transecções em ambientes de água branca (AB), nove em água decantada (AD) e sete em água mista (AM). Em cada transecção foram identificadas as herbáceas aquáticas, estimada a área de cobertura relativa, calculada a frequência de ocorrência e avaliadas as variáveis turbidez, condutividade elétrica, pH e profundidade. A variação na profundidade indicou que os ambientes de AD e AM eram mais profundos do que AB, já águas mais ácidas e com menor condutividade foram registradas na AM. Foram registrados 32 táxons de herbáceas aquáticas sendo as espécies mais frequentes Paspalum repens, Salvinia auriculata, Pistia stratiotes e Lemna valdiviana. Entre as espécies levantadas, 50% foram comuns aos três ambientes. Por outro lado, algumas espécies ocorreram exclusivamente em ambientes de AB, em AD e em AM. Na AB foram mais frequentes as formas flutuantes, que também apresentaram a maior cobertura neste ambiente; na AD e na AM as emersas apresentaram maior frequência e cobertura. A AM apresentou maior riqueza de herbáceas aquáticas em relação aos demais ambientes. As variações registradas indicam que as condições limnológicas dos rios de água branca e preta podem determinar a estrutura da comunidade de herbáceas aquáticas, mesmo em pequenas escalas espaciais.

Receptor to glutamate NMDA-type: the functional diversity of the nr1 isoforms and pharmacological properties.

Glutamic acid (Glu) is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, and interacts with two classes of receptor: metabotropic and ionotropic receptors. Ionotropic receptors are divided according to the affinity of their specific agonists: Nmethyl- D-aspartate (NMDA), amino acid-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole acid (AMPA) and kainic acid (KA). NMDA receptors (NMDA-R) are macromolecular structures that are formed by different combinations of subunits: NMDAR1 (NR1), NMDAR2 (NR2) and NMDAR3 (NR3). The study of this receptor has aroused great interest, partly due to its role in synaptic plasticity but mainly because of its permeability to the Ca(2+) ion. This review examines the molecular composition of NMDA-R and the variants of NR1 subunit editing in association with NR2 subunit dimers, which form the main components of this receptor. Their composition, structure, function and distinct temporal and spatial expression patterns demonstrate the versatility and diversity of functionally different isoforms of NR1 subunits and the various pharmacological properties of the NR2 subunit. Finally, the involvement of NMDA-R in the excitotoxicity phenomenon, as well as, its expression changes under these conditions as neuronal response are also discussed.

Patent application in biotechnology at subclass C12N in Brazil at the period of 2001 to 2005

An analysis of Instituto Nacional de Propriedade Industrial (INPI) patent database from 2001 to 2005 showed that less than 5% of the total patent deposited in the subclass C12N, which referred to "Microorganisms or Enzymes, Compositions thereof, Propagating, Preserving or Maintaining Microorganisms, Mutation or Genetic Engineering, Culture Media", were from national depositors. In contrast, more than 34% of all these deposits came from the United States of America during the same period. Among the national depositors, public universities and government research institutions contributed with 83% over all the deposits, demonstrating that research and development in the field of Biotechnology in Brazil has been concentrated within Brazilian public institutions during this period.

Monosodium glutamate neonatal treatment as a seizure and excitotoxic model.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) subcutaneously administrated to neonatal rats induces several neurochemical alterations in the brain, which have been associated with an excitotoxic process triggered by an over activation of glutamate receptors; however there are few systematic studies about initial changes in intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) Glu levels produced by MSG in the brain. Thus, to characterize these changes, rat pups were injected with a MSG solution at 1, 3, 5 and 7 postnatal days (PD), and i.c.v. Glu levels and hippocampal total content of related amino acids (Asp, Glu, Gln, Gly, Tau, Ala and GABA) were estimated before, immediately and after each injection. Behavioral and EEG responses were also monitored after MSG administrations. Significant rise in i.c.v. Glu levels were found, mainly in response to the first and second injection. Moreover, the total content of all amino acids evaluated also increased during the first hour after the first MSG administration but only Glu and GABA remained elevated after 24 h. These biochemical modifications were accompanied with behavioral alterations characterized by: screeching, tail stiffness, head nodding, emprosthotonic flexion episodes and generalized tonic-clonic convulsions, which were associated with electroencephalographic pattern alterations. Altered behavior found in animals treated with MSG suggests an initial seizure situation. Although four MSG administrations were used, the most relevant findings were observed after the first and second administrations at PD1 and PD3, suggesting that only two MSG injections could be sufficient to resemble a seizure and/or excitotoxic model.

Limnological patterns in northern pantanal lagoons

The aim of this work was to correlate the limnological patterns recorded among ten lagoons in the northern part of the Pantanal of Mato Grosso with some aspects of the lagoons related to their physical and biological characteristics. Some lagoon characteristics, such as connection with the river and the presence of floating macrophytes were important to group similar lagoons into categories. Attempts were also made to determine which kind of the nutrients could be limiting phytoplankton productivity in the lagoons of the northern Pantanal. Data was collected in nine lagoons during the flooding stage in January 2004, and nutrient and chlorophyll a was followed in a tenth lagoon from June 2004 to October 2004. The phytoplankton biomass was significantly associated with the nitrogen concentration during the flooding and drought periods. All the studied lagoons were potentially limited by the nitrogen concentration with a strong negative relationship between the chlorophyll a biomass and ammonium concentration during the drought season. The drought season also had nearly three times more chlorophyll a biomass when compared to the flooding period.

Nós correlacionamos padrões limnológicos com alguns aspectos físicos e biológicos encontrados em dez lagoas do Norte do Pantanal de Mato Grosso. A conectividade com o rio Cuiabá e a existência de macrófitas flutuantes foram determinantes para o agrupamento dessas lagoas em categorias. Nós também tentamos determinar o tipo de nutriente limitante na produção fitoplantônica dessas lagoas. Os dados foram obtidos pela amostragem de nove lagoas durante a estação chuvosa em janeiro de 2004 e a dinâmica de nutrientes e da clorofila a presentes na água foi acompanhada numa décima lagoa durante a estação seca de junho a outubro de 2004. A biomassa fitoplantônica foi significativamente associada com a concentração de nitrogênio durante as estações chuvosa e seca. Todas as lagoas amostradas são potencialmente limitadas por nitrogênio, com uma forte relação negativa entre a biomassa de clorofila a e a concentração de amônia durante a estação seca. O período de seca também apresentou aproximadamente 3 vezes mais biomassa de clorofila a do que o período das chuvas.

Produção de serrapilheira no Cerrado e Floresta de Transição Amazônia-Cerrado do Centro-Oeste Brasileiro / Litterfall production in the Brazilian mid-western Amazonia-Cerrado transition forest

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a variação da produção de serrapilheira de diferentes biomas: Cerrado (com as fitofisionomias Cerrado sensu stricto e Cerradão) e Floresta de Transição Amazônia-Cerrado, em clima tropical. Para a determinação da produção de serrapilheira foram utilizados coletores de tela em náilon. Dados micrometereológicos foram coletados nas áreas de estudo. A produção de serrapilheira nos dois biomas mostrou acentuada sazonalidade, com as maiores produções ocorrendo durante a estação seca e menor durante a estação chuvosa. A maior produção de serrapilheira ocorreu na Floresta de Transição, seguida do bioma Cerrado. A fração de folhas foi mais representativa do que as frações de galhos, flores, frutos em ambas as áreas estudadas.

The objective of the present work was to verify the variation of litterfall production of different biomass: a cerrado ("savanna") with vegetation types Cerrado sensu stricto ("orchard-like vegetation") and Cerradão ("woodland-like vegetation") and Amazonia-Cerrado transition forest in a tropical climate. To determine the litterfall production, we used nylon screen traps. Micrometereologic data was collected in both areas of study. The litterfall in two biomass revealed themselves as seasonal, with the highest productions occurring during the dry season and the lowest during the wet. The biggest litterfall occurred in the Transition Forest, followed by the Cerrado biome. Leaf fraction was more representative than twigs, flowers, fruits in both areas studied.

Neonatal monosodium glutamate treatment modifies glutamic acid decarboxylase activity during rat brain postnatal development.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) produces neurodegeneration in several brain regions when it is administered to neonatal rats. From an early embryonic age to adulthood, GABA neurons appear to have functional glutamatergic receptors, which could convert them in an important target for excitotoxic neurodegeneration. Changes in the activity of the GABA synthesizing enzyme, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), have been shown after different neuronal insults. Therefore, this work evaluates the effect of neonatal MSG treatment on GAD activity and kinetics in the cerebral cortex, striatum, hippocampus and cerebellum of the rat brain during postnatal development. Neonatal MSG treatment decreased GAD activity in the cerebral cortex at 21 and 60 postnatal days (PD), mainly due to a reduction in the enzyme affinity (K(m)). In striatum, the GAD activity and the enzyme maximum velocity (V(max)) were increased at PD 60 after neonatal MSG treatment. Finally, in the hippocampus and cerebellum, the GAD activity and V(max) were increased, but the K(m) was found to be lower in the experimental group. The results could be related to compensatory mechanisms from the surviving GABAergic neurons, and suggest a putative adjustment in the GAD isoform expression throughout the development of the postnatal brain, since this enzyme is regulated by the synaptic activity under physiological and/or pathophysiological conditions.

Avaliaçäo da resistência bacteriana às quinolonas da terapêutica da infecçäo urinária / Bacterial resistence evaluation to quinolones in urinary infection treatment

Pela análise de 385 uroculturas, os autores constataram quais os agentes bacterianos mais encontrados em infecçoes urinárias e observaram o índice de resistência ou sensibilidade apresentada pelos mesmos com relaçao às quinolonas, utilizando o norfloxacin como protótipo do grupo. O índice de resistência aos diversos patógenos encontrados foi de 35,5 por cento, ou seja, 137 culturas apresentaram germes resistentes ao norfloxacin, alguns com resistências de 100 por cento. Após analisar estes resultados, os autores inferem sobre as possíveis causas da alta resistência microbiana ao grupo e concluem, entre outros aspectos, que as quinolonas devem ter seu uso restrito às infecçoes urinárias complicadas.

Alcoolismo e benzodiazepínicos / Alcoholism and benzodiazepine

Com o intuito de estudar a açao e os efeitos dos benzodiazepínicos no tratamento do alcoolismo, foi realizado um levantamento bibliográfico sobre o assunto, com destaque para a açao do álcool e dos benzodiazepínicos no SNC, mais especificamente no sistema gabaérgico. Fazendo-se uma correlaçao farmaco-clínica, constatou-se que as síndromes de abstinência, que variam de leves a severas, como delirium tremens, sao tratadas com diversas dosagens de benzodiazepínicos obtendo-se bons resultados. Nao foi necessária, na maioria dos pacientes, a associaçao com outras drogas depressoras e sedativas.