Cellulose Nanofibers Improve the Performance of Retrograded Starch/Pectin Microparticles for Colon-Specific Delivery of 5-ASA.

Cellulose nanofibers (CNF) were employed as the nanoreinforcement of a retrograded starch/pectin (RS/P) excipient to optimize its colon-specific properties. Although starch retrogradation ranged from 32 to 73%, CNF addition discretely disfavored the RS yield. This result agrees with the finding that in situ CNF reduces the presence of the RS crystallinity pattern. A thermal analysis revealed that the contribution of pectin improves the thermal stability of the RS/CNF mixture. Through a complete factorial design, it was possible to optimize the spray-drying conditions to obtain powders with high yield (57%) and low moisture content (1.2%). The powders observed by Field Emission Gum Scanning Electron Microscopy (FEG-SEM) had 1-10 µm and a circular shape. The developed methodology allowed us to obtain 5-aminosalicilic acid-loaded microparticles with high encapsulation efficiency (16-98%) and drug loading (1.97-26.63%). The presence of CNF in RS/P samples was responsible for decreasing the burst effect of release in simulated gastric and duodenal media, allowing the greatest mass of drug to be targeted to the colon. Considering that spray-drying is a scalable process, widely used by the pharmaceutical industry, the results obtained indicate the potential of these microparticles as raw material for obtaining other dosage forms to deliver 5-ASA to the distal parts of gastrointestinal tract, affected by inflammatory bowel disease.

Highlights in poloxamer-based drug delivery systems as strategy at local application for vaginal infections.

Infectious diseases related to the vagina include diseases caused by the imbalance of the vaginal flora and by sexually transmitted infections. Some of these present themselves as a public health problem due to the lack of efficient treatment that leads to their complete cure, and others due to the growing resistance to drugs used in therapy. In this sense, new treatment strategies are desirable, with vaginal administration rout being a great choice since can bypass first-pass metabolism and decrease drug interactions and adverse effects. However, it is worth highlighting limitations related to patient's discomfort at application time. Thereby, the use of poloxamer-based drug delivery systems is desirable due its stimuli-sensitive characteristic. Therefore, the present review reports a brief overview of poloxamer properties, biological behavior and advances in poloxamer applications in controlled drug release systems for infectious diseases related to the vagina treatment and prevention.

Ultra-processed foods and early childhood caries in 0-3-year-olds enrolled at Primary Healthcare Centers in Southern Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between ultra-processed food consumption and early childhood caries. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a cluster randomised controlled study. Outcomes included the prevalence of children with non-cavitated and cavitated caries. The main exposure was the total daily consumption of ultra-processed foods (up to three times and four times or more), assessed through a FFQ. Potential confounders were socio-demographic characteristics of the child and caregiver/family, child breast-feeding, oral hygiene and use of dental services. Poisson regression using robust variance adjustment was used to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) and their respective 95 % CI. SETTING: Primary Healthcare Centers in an urban area of Pelotas, Southern Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Children aged 0-3 years (n 309). RESULTS: Consumption of ultra-processed foods four times or more a day was found in 67·6 % of children; 24·4 and 12·0 % presented non-cavitated and cavitated caries, respectively. After adjustment, children who consumed ultra-processed foods four times or more a day were more likely to present both non-cavitated caries (PR 2·25, 95 % CI 1·19, 4·27, P = 0·013) and cavitated caries (PR 3·48, 95 % CI 1·18, 10·30, P = 0·024) compared with those who have consumed them up to three times a day. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with early childhood caries. Interventions aiming at reducing ultra-processed food consumption should be implemented to improve children's oral health.

Design of Mucoadhesive Nanostructured Polyelectrolyte Complexes Based on Chitosan and Hypromellose Phthalate for Metronidazole Delivery Intended to the Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infections.

Metronidazole (MT) is an important drug available for Helicobacter pylori infection treatment. However, in the past few years, this drug has presented effective reduction for infection control, one of the most important reasons is attributed to the reduction of retention time in the stomach environment. Mucoadhesive nanostructured polyelectrolyte complexes (nano PECs) based on chitosan (CS) and hypromellose phthalate (HP) were rationally developed using a full factorial design (21 × 21 × 31), for the incorporation of MT based on the enhancement of the antimicrobial potential against active Helicobacter pylori, in the stomach. Different mass ratios of CS:HP (w/w) were tested, reaching the most promising ratios of 1:0.1, 1:0.5, and 1:1, and two methods of polymers addition (pouring-I and drip-II) were also evaluated. From method I, the obtained particles presented a diameter in the range of 811-1293 nm (Z-average) and a polydispersity index (PDI) between 0.47 and 0.88. By method II, there was a significant reduction in diameter and PDI to 553-739 nm and 0.23 at 0.34, respectively. The drug incorporation also resulted in a reduction in the diameter and PDI of the nano PECs. All samples showed positive zeta potential, about 20 mV, and a high percentage of MT incorporation (±95%). The method factor presented a greater influence on the nano PECs characteristics. Interactions in the system constituents were indicated by the FTIR data. Nano PECs mucoadhesiveness was observed and the composition and charge density were responsible for this phenomenon. MT dissolution evaluation showed the similarity of the dissolution profiles of free and loaded MT, in which almost 100% of the drug was in the simulated gastric medium in 120 min of testing. The in vitro antimicrobial potential against H. pylori of loaded nano PECs were measured and the minimum inhibitory concentration observed for free MT was >2000 µg/mL, while for the incorporated MT lower values were observed, showing an increase in the encapsulated MT activity.

Separation of praziquantel enantiomers using simulated moving bed chromatographic unit with performance designed for semipreparative applications.

Praziquantel (PZQ) composes a regular medicine available in a tablet form to fight schistosomiasis and just half of its mass is composed by the active principle (L-PZQ), the other half, D-PZQ, is frequently associated to a strong bitter taste. Moreover, optically pure L-PZQ derivatives could be used in studies about adult and juvenile worms' resistance. Nowadays, these studies use racemic PZQ (rac-PZQ) as starting point. The D-PZQ, which would be discarded, could be racemized, coming back as feed concentration in the process. The present work aims to get L-PZQ and D-PZQ with high optical purities (more than 97%) and productivity (more than 253 g kgads -1  day-1 ) towards semipreparative scale for researches involving L-PZQ, L-PZQ derivatives, and D-PZQ racemization. In order to achieve this goal, a built-in-house simulated moving bed chromatographic unit with the cellulose tris (3-chloro-4-methylphenylcarbamate) (Chiralcel OZ) as chiral stationary phase (CSP) was used to investigate different scenarios of separation according to a well-known design method called triangle theory. In all scenarios investigated, at least one of the outlet streams presented high optically purity for one of the enantiomers. Comparison with literature showed superior performance of our unit even at racemic mixture concentrations that were 10 times lower than the racemic concentrations found in literature.

Effect of pH on whitening efficacy of 35% hydrogen peroxide and enamel microhardness.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of 35% hydrogen peroxide at different pH values and the degree of tooth staining on whitening efficacy and enamel microhardness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 90 enamel-dentin specimens were obtained from bovine incisors. They were randomly divided into 2 groups (n = 45), 1 group was immersed in a staining broth for 14 days, and another group was not stained and kept in distilled water at 37°C. Twenty-four hours after the staining procedure, each group was distributed into 3 subgroups that were whitened by 35% hydrogen peroxide with different pH values (5, 7, and 8.4) for 30 minutes. The color was measured at baseline and 7 days after whitening. Microhardness was measured at baseline, immediate, 24 hours, and 1 month after the whitening procedure. Data were submitted to 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Tukey test for multiple comparisons for color analysis. Repeated measures ANOVA and the Tukey test were used to analyze microhardness data. RESULTS: The color change of the stained groups (ΔE00 = 4.6) was significantly higher than that of the nonstained groups (ΔE00 = 3.7). Microhardness value decreased significantly immediately after whitening for all subgroups and did not return to initial values. For each measurement time, microhardness was not significantly different among subgroups with different pH values. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the effectiveness of 35% hydrogen peroxide, changes on gel pH did not affect the whitening efficacy, and the enamel was superficially demineralized, regardless of pH values. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Independently of the pH value of whitening gel, enamel undergoes superficial demineralization and with a reduction in superficial microhardness that does not return to the initial values. However, using hydrogen peroxide with different pH values does not alter the whitening effect.

Comparison among methods of extraction of cadmium, copper and zinc in soils derived of basalt and granite-migmatite in Santa Catarina, Brazil / Comparação entre métodos de extração de cádmio, cobre e zinco de solos catarinenses derivados de basalto e granito-migmatito

The objective of this work was to compare the analytical methodologies USEPA 3050 B, Tedesco (H2SO4 + H2O2) and Aqua Regia in the opening of samples of soils for the determination of the contents of Cd, Cu and Zn in soils collected at places without intentional antropic contamination. Samples of the superficial horizon of three soils of the East Mountain were used (PVA(m), PVA(g) and ADP) and three soils of the West (MT, NV and LB) of the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The quantification of the contents of Cd, Cu and Zn was accomplished through spectrum photometry of atomic absorption with atomization for fire. The methods differed significantly, and, the method USEPA 3050 B was capable to extract the largest amounts of Cd, As and Zn of the derived soils of mafic rocks appraised in this work.

objetivo desse trabalho foi comparar as metodologias analíticas USEPA 3050 B, Tedesco (H2SO4 + H2O2) e Água Régia na abertura de amostras de solos para a determinação dos teores de Cd, Cu e Zn em solos coletados em locais sem contaminação antrópica intencional. Foram utilizados amostras do horizonte superficial de três solos da Serra Leste (PVA(m), PVA(g) e PAd) e três solos do Oeste (MT, NV e LB) do Estado de Santa Catarina. A quantificação dos teores de Cd, Cu e Zn foi realizada por espectrofotometria de absorção atômica com atomização por chama. Os métodos diferiram significativamente, sendo que, o método USEPA 3050 B foi capaz de extrair as maiores quantidades de Cd, Cu e Zn dos solos derivados de rochas máficas, avaliadas neste trabalho.

Comparison among methods of extraction of cadmium, copper and zinc in soils derived of basalt and granite-migmatite in Santa Catarina, Brazil / Comparação entre métodos de extração de cádmio, cobre e zinco de solos catarinenses derivados de basalto e granito-migmatito

The objective of this work was to compare the analytical methodologies USEPA 3050 B, Tedesco (H2SO4 + H2O2) and Aqua Regia in the opening of samples of soils for the determination of the contents of Cd, Cu and Zn in soils collected at places without intentional antropic contamination. Samples of the superficial horizon of three soils of the East Mountain were used (PVA(m), PVA(g) and ADP) and three soils of the West (MT, NV and LB) of the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The quantification of the contents of Cd, Cu and Zn was accomplished through spectrum photometry of atomic absorption with atomization for fire. The methods differed significantly, and, the method USEPA 3050 B was capable to extract the largest amounts of Cd, As and Zn of the derived soils of mafic rocks appraised in this work.

objetivo desse trabalho foi comparar as metodologias analíticas USEPA 3050 B, Tedesco (H2SO4 + H2O2) e Água Régia na abertura de amostras de solos para a determinação dos teores de Cd, Cu e Zn em solos coletados em locais sem contaminação antrópica intencional. Foram utilizados amostras do horizonte superficial de três solos da Serra Leste (PVA(m), PVA(g) e PAd) e três solos do Oeste (MT, NV e LB) do Estado de Santa Catarina. A quantificação dos teores de Cd, Cu e Zn foi realizada por espectrofotometria de absorção atômica com atomização por chama. Os métodos diferiram significativamente, sendo que, o método USEPA 3050 B foi capaz de extrair as maiores quantidades de Cd, Cu e Zn dos solos derivados de rochas máficas, avaliadas neste trabalho.

Zeolite as alternative materials for removal of Zn+2 from aqueous solutions / Zeólitas como materiais alternativos para remoção de Zn+2 de soluções aquosas

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the capacity of zinc (Zn) removal in zeolitic materials available in the region of Planalto Catarinenese, in Southern Brazil (Zeobasalt), comparing its efficiency with a commercial zeolite from Cuba (Zeopure). The studies Zn removal capacity by the zeolites were separated in three stages, as follows: (i) no change in the ionic force and no change in solution pH; (ii) no change in the ionic force of the solution in two pH values of 4.5 and 5.5; and (iii) Zn removal in the presence of Cd and Cu. There was no statistical difference between the two zeolites for the mean percentage of Zn removal (98%), in pH 8.3. The adsorbed percentage of Zn was not influenced by the pH increase from 4.5 to 5.5. The presence of Cd e Cu did not influence the percentage of Zn removed.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a capacidade de remoção de zinco em materiais zeolíticos disponíveis na região do Planalto Catarinense (Zeobasalto), comparando sua eficiência com uma zeólita comercial proveniente de Cuba (Zeopura). Os estudos de capacidade de remoção de Zn pelas zeólitas foram divididos em três etapas: (i) sem alteração da força iônica e sem alteração do valor de pH da solução; (ii) sem alteração da força iônica da solução em dois valores de pH 4,5 e 5,5; e (iii) remoção de Zn na presença de Cd e Cu. Não houve diferença estatística entre as duas zeólitas para porcentagem média de remoção de Zn (98%), em pH 8,3. A porcentagem adsorvida de Zn não foi influenciada pelo aumento do pH de 4,5 para 5,5. A presença de Cd e Cu não influenciou a porcentagem removida de Zn.

Zeolite as alternative materials for removal of Zn+2 from aqueous solutions / Zeólitas como materiais alternativos para remoção de Zn+2 de soluções aquosas

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the capacity of zinc (Zn) removal in zeolitic materials available in the region of Planalto Catarinenese, in Southern Brazil (Zeobasalt), comparing its efficiency with a commercial zeolite from Cuba (Zeopure). The studies Zn removal capacity by the zeolites were separated in three stages, as follows: (i) no change in the ionic force and no change in solution pH; (ii) no change in the ionic force of the solution in two pH values of 4.5 and 5.5; and (iii) Zn removal in the presence of Cd and Cu. There was no statistical difference between the two zeolites for the mean percentage of Zn removal (98%), in pH 8.3. The adsorbed percentage of Zn was not influenced by the pH increase from 4.5 to 5.5. The presence of Cd e Cu did not influence the percentage of Zn removed.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a capacidade de remoção de zinco em materiais zeolíticos disponíveis na região do Planalto Catarinense (Zeobasalto), comparando sua eficiência com uma zeólita comercial proveniente de Cuba (Zeopura). Os estudos de capacidade de remoção de Zn pelas zeólitas foram divididos em três etapas: (i) sem alteração da força iônica e sem alteração do valor de pH da solução; (ii) sem alteração da força iônica da solução em dois valores de pH 4,5 e 5,5; e (iii) remoção de Zn na presença de Cd e Cu. Não houve diferença estatística entre as duas zeólitas para porcentagem média de remoção de Zn (98%), em pH 8,3. A porcentagem adsorvida de Zn não foi influenciada pelo aumento do pH de 4,5 para 5,5. A presença de Cd e Cu não influenciou a porcentagem removida de Zn.

Controle automático de registros de descarga com acionamento pneumático em unidades de armazenagem agrícola

This paper shows the results obtained from tests of a pneumatic positioning system used in the automatic control of the drawer opening in slide gate valves. They are used to control the grain loading by gravity in transport equipments as bucket elevators and belt conveyors in agricultural storage facilities. Experimental tests were carried out to evaluate the performance of drawer positioning in a prototype of slide gate valve that is driven by a pneumatic cylinder with position control carried out by an ON-OFF electronic controller. In the experiments was measured the step response of drawer position, allowing the evaluation of the position error, the overshoot and the velocity. The results show the viability of this solution considering its performance in position control, drive simplicity and low cost. It represents an alternative to automation of agricultural storage facilities.

Este trabalho apresenta os resultados dos testes de um sistema de posicionamento pneumático usado no controle automático da abertura da gaveta dos registros de descarga. Esses registros são empregados para controlar o carregamento dos grãos por gravidade nos equipamentos de transporte nas unidades de beneficiamento e armazenagem de grãos, tais como os elevadores de caçamba e as correias transportadoras. Os experimentos permitiram avaliar o desempenho do posicionamento da gaveta de um protótipo de registro de descarga, acionada por um cilindro pneumático cuja posição é controlada por um controlador eletrônico do tipo ON-OFF. Nos testes mediu-se a resposta transitória da posição da gaveta a uma mudança em degrau no sinal de referência e foram avaliados o erro de posição, o sobrepassado e a velocidade. Os resultados mostraram a viabilidade do sistema no desempenho do controle da posição, na simplicidade do acionamento e no baixo custo, sendo uma alternativa para automação de instalações agroindustriais.

Controle automático de registros de descarga com acionamento pneumático em unidades de armazenagem agrícola

This paper shows the results obtained from tests of a pneumatic positioning system used in the automatic control of the drawer opening in slide gate valves. They are used to control the grain loading by gravity in transport equipments as bucket elevators and belt conveyors in agricultural storage facilities. Experimental tests were carried out to evaluate the performance of drawer positioning in a prototype of slide gate valve that is driven by a pneumatic cylinder with position control carried out by an ON-OFF electronic controller. In the experiments was measured the step response of drawer position, allowing the evaluation of the position error, the overshoot and the velocity. The results show the viability of this solution considering its performance in position control, drive simplicity and low cost. It represents an alternative to automation of agricultural storage facilities.

Este trabalho apresenta os resultados dos testes de um sistema de posicionamento pneumático usado no controle automático da abertura da gaveta dos registros de descarga. Esses registros são empregados para controlar o carregamento dos grãos por gravidade nos equipamentos de transporte nas unidades de beneficiamento e armazenagem de grãos, tais como os elevadores de caçamba e as correias transportadoras. Os experimentos permitiram avaliar o desempenho do posicionamento da gaveta de um protótipo de registro de descarga, acionada por um cilindro pneumático cuja posição é controlada por um controlador eletrônico do tipo ON-OFF. Nos testes mediu-se a resposta transitória da posição da gaveta a uma mudança em degrau no sinal de referência e foram avaliados o erro de posição, o sobrepassado e a velocidade. Os resultados mostraram a viabilidade do sistema no desempenho do controle da posição, na simplicidade do acionamento e no baixo custo, sendo uma alternativa para automação de instalações agroindustriais.

Controle automático de registros de descarga com acionamento pneumático em unidades de armazenagem agrícola

This paper shows the results obtained from tests of a pneumatic positioning system used in the automatic control of the drawer opening in slide gate valves. They are used to control the grain loading by gravity in transport equipments as bucket elevators and belt conveyors in agricultural storage facilities. Experimental tests were carried out to evaluate the performance of drawer positioning in a prototype of slide gate valve that is driven by a pneumatic cylinder with position control carried out by an ON-OFF electronic controller. In the experiments was measured the step response of drawer position, allowing the evaluation of the position error, the overshoot and the velocity. The results show the viability of this solution considering its performance in position control, drive simplicity and low cost. It represents an alternative to automation of agricultural storage facilities.

Este trabalho apresenta os resultados dos testes de um sistema de posicionamento pneumático usado no controle automático da abertura da gaveta dos registros de descarga. Esses registros são empregados para controlar o carregamento dos grãos por gravidade nos equipamentos de transporte nas unidades de beneficiamento e armazenagem de grãos, tais como os elevadores de caçamba e as correias transportadoras. Os experimentos permitiram avaliar o desempenho do posicionamento da gaveta de um protótipo de registro de descarga, acionada por um cilindro pneumático cuja posição é controlada por um controlador eletrônico do tipo ON-OFF. Nos testes mediu-se a resposta transitória da posição da gaveta a uma mudança em degrau no sinal de referência e foram avaliados o erro de posição, o sobrepassado e a velocidade. Os resultados mostraram a viabilidade do sistema no desempenho do controle da posição, na simplicidade do acionamento e no baixo custo, sendo uma alternativa para automação de instalações agroindustriais.

Enzymatic hydrolysis optimization to ethanol production by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation.

There is tremendous interest in using agro-industrial wastes, such as cellulignin, as starting materials for the production of fuels and chemicals. Cellulignin are the solids, which result from the acid hydrolysis of the sugarcane bagasse. The objective of this work was to optimize the enzymatic hydrolysis of the cellulose fraction of cellulignin, and to study its fermentation to ethanol using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Cellulose conversion was optimized using response surface methods with pH, enzyme loading, solid percentage, and temperature as factor variables. The optimum conditions that maximized the conversion of cellulose to glucose, calculated from the initial dried weight of pretreated cellulignin, (43 degrees C, 2%, and 24.4 FPU/g of pretreated cellulignin) such as the glucose concentration (47 degrees C, 10%, and 25.6 FPU/g of pretreated cellulignin) were found. The desirability function was used to find conditions that optimize both, conversion to glucose and glucose concentration (47 degrees C, 10%, and 25.9 FPU/g of pretreated cellulignin). The resulting enzymatic hydrolyzate was fermented yielding a final ethanol concentration of 30.0 g/L, in only 10 h, and reaching a volumetric productivity of 3.0 g/L x h, which is close to the values obtained in the conventional ethanol fermentation of sugar cane juice (5.0-8.0 g/L x h) in Brazil.

Suscetibilidade de três espécies cítricas à Dothiorella gregaria Sacc. em função do estado nutricional

The behavior of the mandarin 'Ponkan', tangor 'Murcot' and orange 'Valência', artificially inoculated with two isolates of the Dothiorella gregaria, was evaluated under different seasons of the year an under nutritional and phenological states. During the period between december and november, in a subsequent phase of harvesting of the fruits, the plants had showed more affected by the isolated fungus. 'Ponkan' revealed to be more affected, followed by 'Murcot' and 'Valência'. The suscetibility of the species showed more severity of the disease under favorable conditions. The plants showing lower contents of Ca and Zn reached the highest rates of lesion, and they were in the subsequent phase of harvesting. The results indicated the effect of the inoculation time in the severity of gomosis caused by D. gregaria and confirm the predisposition of the weakened plants nutritionaly.

O comportamento da tangerineira "Ponkan", da tangoreira "Murcot" e da laranjeira "Valência" inoculadas artificialmente com dois isolados de Dothiorella gregaria foi avaliado sob diferentes épocas do ano, estados nutricionais e fenológicos. No período compreendido entre os meses de novembro a dezembro, em fase posterior à colheita dos frutos, as plantas mostraram-se mais afetadas pelos isolados do fungo. "Ponkan" mostrou-se mais afetada, seguida por "Murcot" e "Valência", observando-se a mesma suscetibilidade das espécies nos diferentes períodos, porém com maior severidade da doença sob condições de elevada precipitação e umidade relativa. As plantas que apresentaram menores teores de Ca e Zn atingiram maiores índices de lesão, ocasião em que se encontravam em fase posterior à colheita. Os resultados indicam o efeito da época de inoculação na severidade da gomose causada por D. gregaria e confirmam a predisposição de plantas mais debilitadas nutricionalmente.

Suscetibilidade de três espécies cítricas à Dothiorella gregaria Sacc. em função do estado nutricional

The behavior of the mandarin 'Ponkan', tangor 'Murcot' and orange 'Valência', artificially inoculated with two isolates of the Dothiorella gregaria, was evaluated under different seasons of the year an under nutritional and phenological states. During the period between december and november, in a subsequent phase of harvesting of the fruits, the plants had showed more affected by the isolated fungus. 'Ponkan' revealed to be more affected, followed by 'Murcot' and 'Valência'. The suscetibility of the species showed more severity of the disease under favorable conditions. The plants showing lower contents of Ca and Zn reached the highest rates of lesion, and they were in the subsequent phase of harvesting. The results indicated the effect of the inoculation time in the severity of gomosis caused by D. gregaria and confirm the predisposition of the weakened plants nutritionaly.

O comportamento da tangerineira "Ponkan", da tangoreira "Murcot" e da laranjeira "Valência" inoculadas artificialmente com dois isolados de Dothiorella gregaria foi avaliado sob diferentes épocas do ano, estados nutricionais e fenológicos. No período compreendido entre os meses de novembro a dezembro, em fase posterior à colheita dos frutos, as plantas mostraram-se mais afetadas pelos isolados do fungo. "Ponkan" mostrou-se mais afetada, seguida por "Murcot" e "Valência", observando-se a mesma suscetibilidade das espécies nos diferentes períodos, porém com maior severidade da doença sob condições de elevada precipitação e umidade relativa. As plantas que apresentaram menores teores de Ca e Zn atingiram maiores índices de lesão, ocasião em que se encontravam em fase posterior à colheita. Os resultados indicam o efeito da época de inoculação na severidade da gomose causada por D. gregaria e confirmam a predisposição de plantas mais debilitadas nutricionalmente.

Avaliação do comprometimento funcional na esquizofrenia / Functioning disability assessment in schizophrenia

CONTEXTO: A necessidade de avaliar o comprometimento de aspectos funcionais em transtornos psiquiátricos tem assumido crescente importância, particularmente no que se refere ao estudo da esquizofrenia. O funcionamento social deficiente é considerado na atualidade um importante sintoma da esquizofrenia. Vários instrumentos de mensuração para o acompanhamento da reabilitação desses pacientes foram desenvolvidos até o momento. OBJETIVO: Este artigo discute a avaliação do comprometimento do funcionamento social na esquizofrenia. MÉTODO: Resultados de recentes revisões da literatura são resumidos e discutidos. RESULTADOS: Vários estudos têm abordado a importância da análise da performance social e pessoal na esquizofrenia. Essa avaliação tem se mostrado uma medida de desfecho confiável em estudos clínicos e programas de reabilitação. CONCLUSÃO: O DSM-III apresentou uma proposta inovadora com a divisão diagnóstica multiaxial, onde foi incluído o eixo V com o objetivo de avaliar o funcionamento global de pacientes com transtorno mental. Atualmente, encontramos esse eixo atualizado no DSM IV com a proposta do uso de escalas mais precisas para a prática clínica. A escala de Performance Social e Pessoal (PSP) desenvolvida por Morosini et al. (2000) é considerada útil e prática e tem servido como instrumento de mensuração no processo de reabilitação e os resultados das intervenções farmacológicas de pacientes com esquizofrenia.

BACKGROUND: The assessment of functioning disability in patients with mental disorders and mainly in schizophrenia has increased in the last years. The social function impairment is nowadays recognized as an important symptom of schizophrenia. Many tools to measure social function impairment have been developed. OBJECTIVE: This article discusses the assessment of functioning disability in schizophrenic patients. METHOD: The results of recently reported reviews of the literature are summarized and commented. RESULTS: Several studies have evaluated the importance of Personal and Social Performance assessments in schizophrenia. These assessments have been shown as a reliable outcome measure in clinical trials and rehabilitation programs. CONCLUSION: Axis V has been inserted to the multiaxial system in DSM-III for assessing global function in mental disorders. DSM-IV has brought axis V up to date with improvements of accurate scales for clinical practice. Personal and Social Performance scale (PSP) was developed by Morosini et al. (2000). PSP is a useful and practical scale for assessing rehabilitation and pharmacology interventions in schizophrenic patients.