Nitrogen and potassium synergism influences the yield and quality of Dioscorea cayennensis.

This study aimed to evaluate yield, quality, nematode incidence, chlorophyll content, and primary foliar macronutrients of yam in response to nitrogen and potassium fertilization. A complete randomized block design was used in a factorial scheme (5 x 5), with five nitrogen (0; 60; 120; 180 and 240 kg ha-1 of N) and five potassium doses (0; 60; 120; 180 and 240 kg ha-1 of K2O), with four replicates. The mass, total and commercial productivity of tubers, starch content, ash, leaf N, P, and K content, chlorophyll, and nematode incidence were evaluated. The average mass of tubers obtained was 1.935 kg with doses of 133 kg ha-1 of N and 105 kg ha-1 of K2O. The dose of 178 kg ha-1 of N promoted maximum total tuber productivity (22.56 t ha-1). The doses of 132 kg ha-1 of N and 118 kg ha-1 of K2O resulted in maximum productivity of commercial tubers with 20.35 t ha-1. Leaf N and K, starch, and ash contents were within the standards for yam. The incidence of Meloidogyne, Scutellonema, and Pratylenchus reduced with the increasing simple effect doses of N and K2O. The maximum chlorophyll content was obtained at the dose of 240 kg ha-1 of N. The nitrogen and potassium interaction, despite the antagonistic effects on the accumulation of foliar P and starch, increased the productivity and average mass of commercial tubers, consequently ensuring the profitability of yam cultivation.

Effect of domperidone on milk production in mothers of premature newborns: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Varying degrees of success have been reported with strategies to increase milk production when lactation is failing. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of domperidone in augmenting milk production in mothers of premature newborns. METHODS: Twenty patients were randomly assigned to receive either domperidone or placebo for 7 days. Milk volume was measured daily. Domperidone levels were measured in randomly selected milk and serum samples on day 5 of the study. Serum prolactin levels were measured before the start of the study, on day 5 and on day 10 (3 days after the last dose of the study medication). RESULTS: Data from 16 patients were available for analysis (7 in the domperidone group and 9 in the placebo group). When compared with baseline values, the mean increase in the volume of milk production from day 2 to 7 was 49.5 (standard deviation [SD] 29.4) mL in the domperidone group and 8.0 (SD 39.5) mL in the placebo group (p < 0.05); proportionally this represented an increase of 44.5% and 16.6% respectively. The serum prolactin levels were similar in the 2 groups at baseline; by day 5 they were significantly higher in the domperidone group than in the placebo group, returning to baseline levels in both groups 3 days after the last dose of the study medication. Very small amounts of domperidone were detected in the breast milk samples. INTERPRETATION: In the short term domperidone increases milk production in women with low milk supply and is detected at low levels in breast milk.

Effects of morphine on the electroencephalograms of neonates: a prospective, observational study.

OBJECTIVES: Although opiates have been reported to profoundly alter the EEG and cause seizures in full-term and premature newborn babies, no prospective study has systematically studied the effects of morphine on the EEG of normal neonates. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted on 20 neurologically and metabolically normal newborn babies of > or =26 weeks post-conceptional age, with EEG recordings performed while on and off morphine infusions. RESULTS: The recordings performed while the babies were on morphine were all abnormal; the principal abnormalities consisted of prolonged periods of electrical quiescence (PPEQs) and excessive interictal epileptiform activity. After the morphine was discontinued, the PPEQs resolved and the EEG background rhythms were normal for age, but 5 continued to have excessive sharp transients. All babies did well clinically and did not require anti-epileptic drug therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Morphine produces a profound, largely reversible alteration of all neonatal EEGs at various post-conceptional ages. The study has implications for caution in formulating conclusions regarding the clinical significance of EEGs of critically ill neonates on morphine infusions.

Nonimmune hydrops fetalis, pulmonary sequestration, and favorable neonatal outcome.

BACKGROUND: The association of pulmonary sequestration and nonimmune fetal hydrops reportedly carries a very poor prognosis for survival. We describe three newborns with good outcomes despite the diagnosis of pulmonary sequestration; two cases were associated with hydrops fetalis and one with isolated fetal ascites. CASES: Two neonates with severe hydrops fetalis had pulmonary sequestration diagnosed postnatally. A third infant presented early in gestation with marked fetal ascites that regressed spontaneously before delivery; this infant also had pulmonary sequestration. Despite severe respiratory insufficiency requiring aggressive management, all three infants survived after surgical resection of the sequestered lung mass. CONCLUSION: These cases demonstrate the difficulties associated with antenatal counseling regarding long-term prognosis for infants with nonimmune hydrops and pulmonary sequestration. With optimal care in a tertiary perinatal center, a less pessimistic outlook than previously described in the literature may be appropriate.

Factors influencing acquired upper airway obstruction in newborn infants receiving assisted ventilation because of respiratory failure: an overview.

A critical review of published English literature was undertaken to identify the risk factors for the development of upper airway obstruction in the neonate after intubation for ventilatory support. An English-language computerized search (MEDLINE database from 1966 forward) was done to identify relevant studies; in addition, the reference list of retrieved articles was reviewed to ensure completeness of the search. Papers that presented original data on the risk factors for the development of postintubation upper airway obstruction were included. The inconsistency in defining the population being studied and the lack of a standard definition and method for reporting severity of subglottic stenosis make it difficult to interpret the risk factors associated with subglottic stenosis, and its incidence among various institutions cannot be compared. Prematurity was the only risk factor that was identified in the published literature that one could reliably and consistently associate with the development of subglottic stenosis.

A agua de coco e o cultivo de cogumelos. / Coconut water and culture of fungi

Cultivou-se diversos cogumelos em agar agua de coco, comparando-se o seu crescimento nesse meio, com aquele observado nos meios de Sabouraud e Sabhi, a fim de testar a sua eficiencia. Os resultados foram promissores

Estudos imunoquimicos na hanseniase. I: Eletro e imunoeletroforese das proteinas sericas. Tentativa de associacao com a reacao de Rubino / Immunochemical studies in hanseniasis. I. Electrophoresis and immunoelectrophoresis of serum proteins. Tentative association to Rubino's reaction

Foi feita uma tentativa para determinar se pacientes de hanseníase, com reação de Rubino positiva, exibem características imunológicas que possa diferenciá-los daqueles com reação negativa. Observou-se, pele eletroforese, que os pacientes Rubino negativos (virchovianos e tuberculóides) apresentavam níveis de alfa globulina maiores que os pacientes Rubino positivos(virchovianos) e os indivíduos normais. Os níveis de beta globulina estavam diminuídos nos Rubino positivos e aumentados nos virchovianos Rubino negativos. Pela imunoeletroforese houve resultados semelhantes para os dois grupos virchovianos: aumento constante de IgC e IgM e eventual de IgA.

Estudos imunoquimicos na hanseniase. III: Pesquisa de alto-anticorpos sericos. Tentativa de associacao com a reacao de Rubino / Imunoquímicos studies in leprosy. III. Research of séricos auto-antibodies. Attempt of association with the reaction of Rubino

Pesquisou-se, em soros de pacientes de hanseníase, classificados em Rubino positivos e negativos, a presença de auto-anticorpos (anti-tireoglobulina) foram detectados apenas no grupo virchoviano Rubino positivo, com positividade de 43 por cento. O fator reumatóide foi detectado nos dois grupos virchovianos, em 30 por cento e 17 por cento, respectivamente, nos grupos virchovianos Rubino positivo e Rubino negativo, sem que, contudo, a diferença fosse significante.