New bicompartmental model: an application for the production of gases using the in vitro technique / Novo modelo bicompartimental: uma aplicação para a produção de gases pela técnica in vitro

The purpose of this study was to propose a bicompartmental nonlinear model and to identify the best-performing model between the proposed model and the bicompartmental logistic (BL) mode regarding the quality of fit to the curve of cumulative gas production (CGP) using corn silage, sunflower, and their mixtures. Gas production was measured 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 19, 24, 30, 36, 48, 72, and 96 h after beginning the in vitro fermentation process. The generated data were used to generate the parameters of each model tested using the stats package of the R computational tool version 4.0.4. The mathematical models were subjected to the following selection criteria: the adjusted coefficient of determination (Raj.), residual mean square (RMS), mean absolute deviation (MAD), and Akaike information criterion (AIC). It was demonstrated that the proposed model had better performance with a high Raj., and lower values of RMS, AIC, and MAD than the bicompartmental logistic model for the prediction of the parameters of cumulative gas production (CGP), per to present a superior fit in the set of criteria according to the methodology and conditions in which the present study was developed.(AU)

No presente trabalho, com silagem de milho, girassol e suas misturas, objetivou-se propor um modelo não linear bicompartimental e identificar entre o modelo proposto e Logístico Bicompartimental (LB), aquele que apresenta maior qualidade de ajuste à curva de cinética de produção cumulativa de gases (PCG). A leitura da produção de gás foi realizada nos tempos 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 19, 24, 30, 36, 48, 72 e 96 horas, após o início do processo de fermentação in vitro. Os dados gerados foram utilizados para geração dos parâmetros de cada modelo testado com auxílio do pacote stats da ferramenta computacional R versão 4.0.4. Os modelos matemáticos foram submetidos aos seguintes critérios de seleção o coeficiente de determinação ajustado (Raj.), quadrado médio do resíduo (QMR), desvio médio absoluto (DMA) e o critério de informação de Akaike (AIC). Foi demonstrado que o modelo proposto teve melhor desempenho com altos Raj., e menores valores de QMR, AIC e DMA, por apresentar um ajustamento superior no conjunto dos critérios em comparação com o modelo logístico bicompartimental para a predição dos parâmetros de produção cumulativa de gases (PCG) de acordo com a metodologia e condições em que foi desenvolvido o presente estudo.(AU)

Proposal of a non-linear model to adjust in vitro gas production at different incubation times

This work aims to propose a new model named Gompertz-Von Bertalanffy bicompartmental (GVB), a combination of the models Gompertz and Von Bertalanffy. The GVB models is applied to fit the kinetic curve of cumulative gas production (CGP) of four foods (SS ­ sunflower silage; CS ­ corn silage; and the mixtures 340SS ­ 660 gkg-1 of corn silage and 340 gkg-1 of sunflower silage; and 660SS ­ 340 gkg-1 of corn silage and 660 gkg-1 of sunflower silage). The GVB fit is compared to models Logistic-Von Bertalanffy bicompartmental (LVB) and bicompartmental logistic (BL). All the process studied employed the semi-automatic "in vitro" technique of producing gases used in ruminant nutrition. The gas production readout was performed at times 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 19, 24, 30, 48, 72, and 96 h. The data generated were used to estimate the models' parameters by the least squared method with the iterative Gauss-Newton process. The data fit quality of the models was verified using the adjusted coefficient of determination criterion (), mean residual square (MRS), Akaike information criterion (AIC), and mean absolute deviation (MAD). Among the analyzed models, the LVB model presented the best quality of fit evaluators for CS. In contrast, the GVB model showed better quality of fit to describe CGP over time for 340SS, 660SS, and SS, presenting the highest values of () and the lowest values of MSR, AIC, and MAD.

Dietary nutrient restrictions in the post-weaning period change Santa Inês ewe lamb nutritional metabolic profile.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the metabolic profile of Santa Inês ewe lambs fed diets for early or late-maturing diets with or without nutrient restrictions. The experiment consisted of a 2 × 2 completely randomized factorial experiment with either early- or late-maturity feed formulation according to "Nutrient Requirements of Small Ruminants" with or without 15% crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) restrictions in diets formulated, five replications, and 20 ewe lambs averaging 15.1±2.6 kg. Lambs on early-maturity diets consumed greater (P<0.05) dietary ether extract (EE), non-fibrous carbohydrates, and TDN than those on late-maturity diets. Lambs on early-maturity diets had 7.11% greater dry matter digestibility (DMD) compared to lambs fed late-maturity diets. Lambs fed late-maturity diets, in general, had greater intake (IN), excreted (EN), and retained (RN) N as well as greater RN/IN and EN/IN ratios. There were no differences in blood total protein or albumin among lambs fed for different finishing maturity targets. Diets designed for late-maturing lambs resulted in greater microbial N and CP as well as rumen and metabolizable, degradable, and undegradable rumen and metabolizable CP. The selection of diets for early or late maturity carcasses depends on the production system goals. Diets without restrictions are recommended for early-maturity carcass finishing while diets with 15% CP and TDN restriction are recommend for late-maturity finishing.

Factores asociados a la calidad de la atención en población adulta afiliada a la Seguridad Social: El caso peruano / Factors associated with the quality of care in the adult population affiliated to Social Security: the Peruvian case

Objetivo: Identificar factores asociados a calidad percibida de atención en la población adulta afiliada al Seguro Social en Salud (EsSalud). Material y métodos: Analizamos la Encuesta Nacional Socioeconómica de Acceso a la Salud de los Asegurados de EsSalud. La calidad percibida fue evaluada en consultorio externo, hospitalización y emergencias. Reportamos razones de medias ajustadas (RMa) estimadas mediante regresión de Poisson múltiple. Resultados: Estar empleado (RMa=0,98; IC95% 0,96-0,99), no conocer los servicios que brinda EsSalud (RMa=0,97; IC95% 0,95-1,00), no recibir información sobre los derechos como usuarios (RMa=0,95; IC95% 0,93-0,98), valorar como bajo el nivel de accesibilidad al EESS (RMa=0,97; IC95% 0,95-0,99) y no sentirse cómodo en el EESS al que acude (RM=0,92; IC95% 0,91-0,94) fueron factores asociados a menor puntaje de calidad percibida en consultorio externo. En hospitalización, tener entre 40-59 años (RMa=0,93; IC95% 0,88-0,97), contar con un índice de riqueza bajo (RMa=0,92; IC95% 0,87-0,97), no haber recibido información sobre los derechos como usuarios (RMa=0,90; IC95% 0,84-0,95) y no sentirse cómodos en el EESS (RMa=0,92; IC95% 0,89-0,96) se asociaron a menor puntuación de calidad. En emergencia, no sentirse cómodo en el EESS (RMa=0,89; IC95% 0,93-1,00) fue el único factor asociado a una menor puntuación de calidad percibida. Conclusiones: Identificamos factores relativos a los usuarios y a la oferta de servicios independientemente asociados a calidad percibida de atención, los cuales pueden ser considerados por los tomadores de decisiones para la mejor gestión de EsSalud.

Objetive: To identify factors associated with perceived quality of care in the adult population affiliated with Social Security Health (EsSalud) Material and methods: We analyzed the National Socioeconomic Survey of Access to Health of the EsSalud Insured. Perceived quality of health care was evaluated in ambulatory care, hospitalization and emergency medical services. We reported adjusted ratios of means (RMa) estimated by multiple Poisson regression. Results: Being employed (RMa=0.98; IC95% 0.96-0.99), not knowing the services provided by EsSalud (RMa=0.97; IC95% 0.95-1.00), not receiving information about right to health (RMa=0.95; IC95% 0.93-0.98), perceiving as low the level of accessibility to the health facility (RMa=0.97; IC95% 0.95-0.99) and not feeling comfortable in the health facility of EsSalud (RM=0.92;IC95% 0.91-0.94) were factors associated with lower scores of perceived quality in ambulatory care. In hospitalization, being between 40-59 years old (RMa=0.93; IC95% 0.88-0.97), having a low wealth index (RMa=0.92; IC95% 0.87-0.97), not having received information about right to health (RMa=0.90; IC95%0.84-0.95) and not feeling comfortable in the health facility of EsSalud (RMa=0.92; IC95% 0.89-0.96) were associated with lower quality score. In emergency, not feeling comfortable in the health facility of EsSalud (RMa=0.89; IC95% 0.93-1.00) was the only factor associated with a lower perceived quality score. Conclusions: We identified factors related to users and service offerings independently associated with perceived quality of care, which can be considered by decision makers for better management of EsSalud.

Priorización para el desarrollo de guías de práctica clínica en el Seguro Social de Salud del Perú (EsSalud): análisis multicriterio / Prioritization for the development of clinical practice guidelines in the Seguro Social de Salud del Peru (EsSalud): multicriteria analysis

Objetivos. Describir el proceso de priorización para el desarrollo de guías de práctica clínica (GPC) en el Seguro Social de Salud del Perú (EsSalud). Métodos. El proceso de priorización se realizó mediante un análisis multicriterio en tres pasos: identificar las variables, obtener información de las mismas y asignarles una ponderación. Finalmente, se obtuvo una lista ordenada que fue puesta a consideración de los decisores de política. Resultados. Las cinco enfermedades con mayor número de AVISA (años de vida saludable perdidos) fueron: artrosis, glaucoma, esquizofrenia, osteoporosis y fracturas patológicas, y diabetes mellitus. Las de mayor gasto en medicamentos fueron: hemofilia, el grupo de nefritis, nefrosis (principalmente insuficiencia renal crónica), artritis reumatoide, cáncer de mama y SIDA. Las enfermedades prioritarias desde el punto de vista de la oferta de servicios fueron aquellas con alta mortalidad y alta discapacidad. Conclusiones. Se realizó el primer proceso de priorización de GPC en el Perú. Las 5 primeras enfermedades priorizadas fueron: artrosis, diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, enfermedad renal crónica y lumbago.

Objectives. To describe the prioritization process for developing the clinical practice guidelines (GPC) in the Seguro Social del Peru (EsSalud). Methods. The prioritization process was carried out through a multicriteria analysis in three steps: identify the variables, obtain information from them and assign them a weighting. Finally, an ordered list was obtained that was put to the consideration of the policy makers. Results. The five diseases with the highest number of DALY (disability adjusted life year) were osteoarthritis, glaucoma, schizophrenia, osteoporosis and pathological fractures, and diabetes mellitus. The most spending for drugs were hemophilia, the nephritis group, nephrosis (mainly chronic renal failure), rheumatoid arthritis, breast cancer and AIDS. Priority diseases from the point of view of the services offered were those with high mortality and high disability. Conclusions. This is the first process of guidelines prioritizing in Peru. The first 5 diseases prioritized were: osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, chronic kidney disease and lumbago.

Guías de práctica clínica: evolución, metodología de elaboración y definiciones actuales / Clinical practice guidelines: evolution, methodology of elaboration and current definitions

Las guías de práctica clínica son una de las principales herramientas utilizadas por los sistemas de salud modernos y por los profesionales de la salud que practican una medicina basada en evidencias. Son instrumentos usados en beneficio del paciente y con un impacto positivo para los sistemas de salud. Su desarrollo ha ido evolucionando hasta convertirse en instrumentos confiables y de uso generalizado, siendo varios los conceptos que se han incorporado en la formulación de recomendaciones en salud: eficacia, seguridad, costo-efectividad, equidad y enfoque centralizado en la persona. Además, el desarrollo de metodologías propuestas para su elaboración y evaluación de calidad: AGREE, ADAPTE, GRADE entre otras. En el presente ensayo se hace una revisión de los aspectos relacionados a su evolución, metodología de elaboración y las definiciones actuales para su uso como herramientas en la práctica de la medicina basada en evidencias

Clinical practice guidelines are one of the main tools used by modern health systems and health professionals who practice evidence-based medicine. They are instruments used to benefit the patient and have a positive impact on health systems. Its development has evolved into reliable and widely used tools, and several concepts have been included in health recommendations: effectiveness, safety, cost-effectiveness, equity and a person-centered approach. Also, development of methodologies proposed for its elaboration and quality evaluation: AGREE, ADAPTE, GRADE among others. This paper reviews the aspects of the evolution of clinical practice guideline, methodology of elaboration and the current definition for its use as tools for the practice of evidence-based medicine

Perfil epidemiológico de pacientes con diagnóstico de candidiasis ingresados en el Hospital Nacional de Niños Benjamín Bloom en el periodo de enero de 2011 a diciembre de 2015 / Epidemiological profile of patients with a diagnosis of candidiasis admitted to the Benjamín Bloom National Children's Hospital in the period from January 2011 to December 2015

La candidiasis es una infección primaria o secundaria ocasionada por hongos del género Cándida. Se considera una infección de tipo oportunista que acontece casi exclusivamente en el paciente inmunodeprimido y en el paciente crítico1. La candidemia constituye la 3a causa de infección del torrente circulatorio en la infección nosocomial (IN). Tiene una prevalencia alta en países del primer mundo así como una causa importante de morbi-mortalidad. Es de importancia señalar factores de riesgo que aumentan la probabilidad de presentar este tipo de infecciones, por lo que es necesario que el personal de salud conozca de dichos factores para así poder detectar de manera oportuna y actuar con rapidez ante la sospecha de infección por cándida. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo de corte transversal con revisión de reportes de laboratorio de todos los cultivos de sangre, líquido cefalorraquídeo y peritoneal positivos a cándida y expedientes clínicos de enero de 2011 a diciembre de 2015. La población tomada en cuenta fueron todos los pacientes con cultivo positivo a Cándida en edades entre 0 y 18 años en el periodo de tiempo sujeto a estudio. Se excluyeron pacientes con cultivos positivos a cándida de orina o secreciones. La recolección de muestra se realizó solicitando a laboratorio clínico todos los cultivos de sangre, líquido cefalorraquídeo, líquido peritoneal positivos a Cándida, dentro de los últimos cinco años. Y se revisaron expedientes para investigar factores de riesgo, comorbilidades y condición de egreso del paciente, para mejorar el estudio se determinaron variables sociodemográficas y clínicas para una mejor clasificación de datos. Se incluyeron un total de 139 pacientes, el tipo de muestra a donde se encontró mayor afección fue en los cultivos de sangre con 124 (89.2%) pacientes y cultivos positivos de líquido peritoneal 15 pacientes (10.8%). Predilección por el sexo masculino con 85(61.1%) pacientes, el grupo de edades más afectado fue de 1 a 5 años de edad que abarco el 34.5%, la zona de procedencia de mayor incidencia fue el área urbana con 77 (55.4%) pacientes, y el departamento fue San Salvador con 41 (29.5%) pacientes. El servicio en el cual se detectó la mayor cantidad de casos fue Oncología con un 18%. Del total de pacientes se aisló en 53 (38.1%) Cándida albicans. Y la mortalidad global fue de 19.4%. Las infecciones por Cándida es una importante causa de morbilidad y mortalidad en el medio hospitalario, relacionada a múltiples factores de riesgo sobre los cuales podremos actuar de manera oportuna para lograr disminuir la morbi-mortalidad

Modelo de roteiro de inspeção sanitária para food trucks no município do Rio de Janeiro / Model sanitary inspection route for food trucks in the city of Rio de Janeiro

Os Food Trucks (FT) marcaram presença no Município do Rio de Janeiro neste último ano como uma atividade gastronômica alternativa. Experiências anteriores em eventos de médio e grande porte foram reveladoras e suscitaram a necessidade da criação de um modelo de roteiro de inspeção sanitária específico para os veículos automotores com manipulação de alimentos. A utilização do roteiro de inspeção sanitária para veículos que transportam alimentos, constante na Resolução SMG "N" nº 604/02, permitiu uma avaliação inicial das condições higienicossanitárias nas Unidades Móveis de Alimentação (UMA). Enfatiza-se a importância da elaboração de um roteiro direcionado para essa atividade diferenciada no ramo alimentício, com o propósito de oferecer alimentos com qualidade sanitária à população. O objetivo deste trabalho foi sugerir um modelo de roteiro de inspeção sanitária específico para os FT, a fim de que seja brevemente regulamentado e utilizado nas inspeções dos FT pela Vigilância Sanitária do Município do Rio de Janeiro.

The Food Trucks (FT) attended in the city of Rio de Janeiro in this last year as an alternative gastronomic activity. Previous experiences in medium and large events were revealing and raised the need to create a checklist of Sanitary Inspection specific to motor vehicles with food handling. The use of the sanitary inspection checklist for vehicles transporting food according to SMG Resolution "N" nº 604/02, allowed an initial evaluation of sanitary hygienic conditions in the Mobile Food Units (MFU). It emphasizes the importance of developing a specific checklist for the differentiated activity in the food industry, with thepurpose of offering foods with health quality to the population. The objective of this paper is to suggest a checklist of sanitary inspection specific to the FT, so that it will soon be regulated and used in inspections of the FT by the Health Surveillance of the City of Rio de Janeiro.

Phase I dose-escalation and pharmacokinetic study of ispinesib, a kinesin spindle protein inhibitor, administered on days 1 and 15 of a 28-day schedule in patients with no prior treatment for advanced breast cancer.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and antitumor activity of ispinesib, a kinesin spindle protein inhibitor. Patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who had received only prior neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy were treated with escalating doses of ispinesib administered as a 1-h infusion on days 1 and 15 every 28 days until toxicity or progression of disease. Doses were escalated until dose-limiting toxicity was observed in two out of six patients during cycle 1. A total of 16 patients were treated at three dose levels: 10 mg/m (n=3), 12 mg/m (n=6), and 14 mg/m (n=7). Forty-four percent of the patients had locally advanced disease and 56% had metastatic disease; 50% were estrogen receptor positive, 44% were progesterone receptor positive, 25% human epidermal growth factor 2 were positive, and 31% triple (estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, human epidermal growth factor 2) negative. Sixty-nine percent of patients were chemo-naive. The maximum tolerated dose was 12 mg/m and dose-limiting toxicity was grade 3 increased aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. The most common toxicities included neutropenia (88%; 38% grade 3 and 44% grade 4), increased alanine aminotransferase (56%), anemia (38%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (31%), and diarrhea (31%). No neuropathy, mucositis, or alopecia was reported. Among the 15 patients evaluable for antitumor activity, there were three partial responses, one confirmed by the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (7% response rate). Nine patients (60%) had stable disease lasting at least 42 days, with four (27%) lasting for at least 90 days. Disease stabilization (partial responses+stable disease) was observed in 11 (73.3%) patients. In conclusion, ispinesib was well tolerated when administered on days 1 and 15 every 28 days. Limited activity was observed with this schedule in patients with previously untreated advanced breast cancer.

Insegurança alimentar, condições socioeconômicas e indicadores antropométricos em crianças da Região Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro/Brasi / Inseguridad alimentaria, condiciones socioeconómicas e indicadores antropométricos en niños de la región metropolitana de Río de Janeiro/Brasil / Food insecurity, socioeconomic conditions and anthropometric indicators in children living in the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A utilização da Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar (Ebia) em estudos populacionais no Brasil tem sido estimulada para avaliar a situação de insegurança alimentar (IA), bem como sua associação com indicadores sociais e nutricionais na nossa população. Este estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar a associação de IA e indicadores antropométricos de crianças menores de 30 meses em Campos Elíseos/Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro. Trata-se de estudo transversal de base populacional, com amostra de 1.085 domicílios, sendo 402 famílias com crianças. A coleta de dados foi realizada de maio a dezembro de 2005. Foram estudados indicadores socioeconômicos e utilizados indicadores antropométricos - peso-idade (P/I), estatura-idade (E/I), peso-estatura (P/E) - para avaliar o estado nutricional. A associação entre as variáveis independente e dependente foi estimada aplicando-se o teste qui-quadrado e o modelo de regressão logística multinomial univariado. A associação entre as medidas antropométricas e IA foi avaliada por meio de modelo de regressão linear univariada. Encontrou-se IA em 72 por cento dos domicílios. Cerca de 80 por cento das famílias apresentaram renda familiar mensal per capita inferior a dois terços do salário mínimo. Na análise por regressão logística multinomial, a ausência de saneamento básico e o baixo nível socioeconômico associaram-se a IA moderada e grave, enquanto a presença de aglomerado familiar relacionou-se com IA grave. Renda familiar mensal per capita e escolaridade da pessoa de referência da família associaram-se inversamente com todos os níveis de IA. A insegurança alimentar apresentou associação linear e negativa com escore-z para P/I (p=0,012) e P/E (p=0,05). Este estudo conclui que IA estimada pela Ebia associou-se tanto aos fatores socioeconômicos como à desnutrição infantil. Os resultados sugerem a importância da adoção de políticas públicas com o objetivo de minimizar as diferenças sociais, bem como ...

La utilización de la Escala Brasileña de Inseguridad Alimentaria (Ebia) en estudios poblacionales en Brasil, ha sido estimulada para evaluar la situación de inseguridad alimentaria (IA), así como su asociación con indicadores sociales y nutricionales en nuestra población. Este estudio fue realizado con el objetivo de evaluar la asociación de IA e indicadores antropométricos de niños menores de 30 meses en Campos Elíseos/Duque de Caxias, Río de Janeiro. Se trata de un estudio transversal de base poblacional, con una muestra de 1.085 hogares, siendo 402 las familias con niños. La recolección de datos fue realizada de mayo a diciembre de 2005. Fueron estudiados indicadores socioeconómicos y utilizados indicadores antropométricos - peso-edad (P/I), estatura-edad (E/I), peso-estatura (P/E) - para evaluar el estado nutricional. La asociación entre las variables independiente y dependiente fue estimada aplicándose el test chi-cuadrado y el modelo de regresión logística multinomial univariada. La asociación entre las medidas antropométricas e IA fue evaluada por medio del modelo de regresión lineal univariada. Se encontró IA en el 72 por ciento de los hogares. Cerca del 80 por ciento de las familias presentaron un ingreso familiar mensual per cápita inferior a los dos tercios del salario mínimo. En el análisis por regresión logística multinomial, la ausencia de saneamiento básico y el bajo nivel socioeconómico se asociaron a una IA moderada y grave, mientras que la presencia de aglomerado familiar se relacionó con una IA grave. El ingreso familiar mensual per cápita y la escolaridad de la persona de referencia de la familia se asociaron inversamente con todos los niveles de IA. La inseguridad alimentaria presentó una asociación lineal y negativa con escore-z para P/I (p=0,012) y P/E (p=0,05). Este estudio concluye que la IA estimada por la Ebia se asoció tanto a los factores socioeconómicos como a la desnutrición infantil. Los resultados sugieren ...

The Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale has been valuable in demographic studies in Brazil for evaluating the situation of food insecurity and its association with social and nutritional indicators in the country's population. This present study was carried to evaluate the association of food insecurity with anthropometric indicators of children under 30 months of age in the Campos Eliseos neighborhood of the city of Duque de Caxias, in the greater Rio de Janeiro region. It was a demographically based cross-section study on a sample of 1,085 households, 402 of which consisted of families with children. The data was gathered between May and December of 2005. Socioeconomic indicators were studied and anthropometric indicators (age-weight and age-height) were used to appraise the subjects' nutritional state. The association between the independent and dependent variables was determined by applying the Q-square test and the multinomial-univariate logistics regression model. The association between the anthropometric data and food insecurity was determined by a linear univariate regression model. Food insecurity was found in 72 percent of the households, and approximately 80 percent of the families showed monthly family per capita income lower than two thirds of the already low minimum wage. In the analysis by multinomial logistics regression, the lack of basic water supply and sanitation and the low socioeconomic level were associated with moderate and serious food insecurity, whereas the presence of agglomerated families was related to serious food insecurity. Monthly per capita family income and the educational level of the reference person in the family were inversely associated with all levels of food insecurity. Food insecurity presented a linear and negative association with score-z for age-weight (p = 0.012) and for height-weight (p = 0.05). This study concludes that food insecurity as measured by the Ebia is associated with both socioeconomic ...

White matter abnormalities observed in bipolar disorder: a diffusion tensor imaging study.

OBJECTIVES: An increased incidence in white matter abnormalities is among the most frequently reported brain change in patients with bipolar disorder. The objective of the present study was to examine white matter tract integrity, using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), in bipolar patients and healthy comparison subjects. METHODS: Eleven DSM-IV bipolar I patients and 10 healthy age- and sex-matched controls were studied. DTI data were acquired on a 1.5 Tesla scanner. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and diffusivity (trace) were determined from axial images using region of interest (ROI) analyses. The ROIs were manually placed in the midline and forward projecting arms of the genu (anterior) and the midline of the splenium (posterior) of the corpus callosum. RESULTS: Bipolar patients had significantly higher FA in the midline of the genu compared with healthy controls. Regional white matter differences were also observed, with significantly lower FA in the genu than forward projecting regions in both groups and lower FA in the genu than the splenium in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Diffusion tensor imaging revealed significant microstructural differences in the genu, as measured by elevated FA in bipolar patients compared with healthy controls. These preliminary findings further support the hypothesis that anomalous frontal brain mechanisms may be associated with bipolar disorder.

Sex differences in the relationship between white matter microstructure and impulsivity in adolescents.

Rapid maturational brain changes occur during adolescence--a time associated with risk-taking behaviors and improvements in cognition. The present study examined the relationship between white matter (WM) microstructure, impulsive behavior and response inhibition in female and male adolescents. Twenty-one healthy adolescents underwent diffusion tensor imaging using a 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging system. Impulse control was assessed using the Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory, Youth Version. Response inhibition was assessed using the Stroop Color-Word Interference Test. Fractional anisotropy (FA), a measure of WM coherence, and trace, a measure of overall diffusivity, were determined from voxels manually placed in the midline and in the left and right forward-projecting arms of the genu and the splenium of the corpus callosum. Sex-specific differences were observed for the relationship between FA and impulsive behavior in the right anterior callosum for males and in the splenium for females. Males, compared to females, displayed significantly higher FA in the left WM region. Although trace was not associated with impulse control, trace in the genu (for females) and splenium (males and females) was associated with Stroop performance. Regional differences in trace also were evident, with lower values in the splenium observed than in all other regions. Although the latter significantly improved with age, no sex differences in impulse control or in Stroop performance were detected. The present findings provide supporting evidence for sex-related differences in the development of WM microstructure during adolescence. These data further suggest a neurobiological mechanism underlying some of the emotional and cognitive changes commonly observed in males versus females during the adolescent period.

Thiocyanate degradation by pure and mixed cultures of microorganisms

Uma cultura mixta e uma linhagem bacteriana pura foram isoladas de um bioreator para tratamento de tiocianato. As culturas removeram 5mM de tiocianato do meio em 36 horas. A cultura mixta foi capaz de tolerar concentrações superiores a 60mM. A eficiência da degradação de tiocianato diminuiu quando as células foram imobilizadas.

Trajectories of adolescent emotional and cognitive development: effects of sex and risk for drug use.

Adolescence has been widely accepted as a time for notable alterations in brain functioning. The objective of this longitudinal study was to compare trajectories of emotional and cognitive development in adolescent girls and boys with low- versus high-risk for future drug use. Nineteen healthy adolescents (aged 13.9 +/- 2.0 years; 10 girls), stratified into low- and high-risk groups based on family history of drug abuse, were examined at baseline and after one year. Emotional intelligence was assessed using the Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory, the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children, and the Perceived Stress Scale. The neurocognitive test battery was designed to evaluate academic achievement, executive function, verbal memory and learning, and included the Wide Range Achievement Test, Stroop Color-Word Interference Test, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, and Digit Span and Digit Symbol subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised. Improvements in academic achievement, executive function, and working memory were observed at the one-year follow-up. Notable sex differences also were evident in emotional intelligence, academic achievement, and memory. Interestingly, these sex-related differences interacted with risk status; improvement in cognitive performance in boys and low-risk girls was generally superior to high-risk girls, who tended to show modest, if any, improvement at the one-year follow-up. These preliminary findings provide evidence of sex differences in emotion intelligence and cognitive function. Furthermore, these data also suggest that history of familial drug abuse may have a more pronounced impact on emotional and cognitive development in adolescent girls than boys.

Trehalose accumulation, invertase activity and physiological characteristics of yeasts isolated from 24 h fermentative cycles during the production of artisanal Brazilian cachaça

Trehalose accumulation, invertase activity and physiological characteristics of 86 yeast isolates from short fermentative cycles during the production of cachaça in three artisanal distilleries of the State of Minas Gerais were studied. Among these isolates, 70 percent were able to grow at temperatures between 40 and 42ºC. Only Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolates were able to grow over 40ºC. Lower temperatures (<40ºC) favoured the growth of yeasts such as Candida parapsilosis-like, C. maltosa-like, Kloeckera japonica, S. exiguus and C. bombicola-like. The isolates from all three distilleries were ethanol tolerant, produced invertase, and accumulate trehalose in the presence of glucose. The strains isolated from distillery A presented more resistance to ethanol (around 84.2 percent of the strains were able to grow in the presence of 12 percent ethanol) when compared to the ones from distilleries C and B (9.5 percent and no strain, respectively). The strains of S. cerevisiae isolated from the three distilleries presented a higher capacity to produce invertase and accumulate trehalose in the presence of glucose. Based on the results of thermal and ethanol stress experiments, it was possible to identify strong relationship between intracellular trehalose accumulation and cell viability. The increase in cell viability was even more pronounced when the strains were subjected to a pre-treatment at sublethal temperatures

Uptake of free and complexed silver ions by different strains of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa

Five strains of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa were tested for the ability to accumulate free and complexed silver ions by metabolism-dependent and -independent processes. The ability to take up Ag+ was observed in both live and dead biomass, whereas silver dicyanide [Ag (CN)2-] uptake was strictly glucose dependent. In contrast to Ag (CN)2-, glucose addition inhibited by 16 to 25(per cent) the Ag+ uptake rate of living UFMG - Y02, Y27, and Y35 cells, while strains CBS 316 and UFMG-Y01 showed an improved uptake rate of about 115(per cent) and 13(per cent), respectively. The Langmuir sorption model was used to evaluate the silver sorption capability of the R. mucilaginosa strains. The calculated qmax value suggested that R. mucilaginosa strains UFMG-Y27 had the highest loading capacity. The type strain CBS 316 had the lowest qmax but showed the highest affinity for silver ions. The results provided by the Fourier Transform Infra Red analysis (FTIR) suggest that C=O groups represent the main reactive site for silver uptake by the strain UFMG-Y27.