Qualidade de vida de pessoas com úlcera venosa: associação dos aspectos sociodemográficos, de saúde, assistência e clínicos da lesão

Venous ulcer (VU) is a lower limbs injury resulting from inadequate return of venous blood in feet or legs. Although it is not a deadly disease, it causes chronic wounds, which seriously undermine patients´ quality of life (QOL) and sometimes leads to drastic family, social, economic and psychological changes. In this sense, there are several aspects that may influence the venous ulcers patients´ QOL. The study´s objective aimed on the association of socio-demographic and health, health care and clinical injury on UV patients‟ QOL. Analytical studies, which consider the complexity of factors involved in changes in UV patients‟ QOL has a cross-sectional and quantitative approach. The HUOL Ethics Committee approved this project (n.279/09). The collection of data lasted a period of 3 months in 2010 and it took place at the clinic of Angiology at Hospital Universitário Onofre Lopes (HUOL). The data sample consisted of 60 patients treated by UV angiologists in the HUOL Surgical Clinic. The results were analyzed with SPSS 15.0 by descriptive and inferential statistics. The study was based on UV patients that were predominantly female, average age of 61.4 years, that had low education level and low family income, with occupations requiring long periods of standing or sitting, but mostly retired, unemployed or laid off due to the disease and/or due to chronic diseases associated with the UV. The study took also into consideration patients that used inappropriate products, that were improperly treated by a professional caregiver, that lacked of adequate guidance and compression therapy, that performed no lifting of the lower limbs and regular exercise, that the time of injury were greater than or equal to six months, that were missing specific laboratory tests. The study‟s reference were on recurrent lesions, medium to large lesions area, bed of the lesion (injuries) with fibrin and/or necrosis, with amount of exudate with medium to large, odorless and no signs of infection, with tissue loss between 1st and 2nd degree, without collecting swab or biopsy and with pain. In general, QOL of researched individuals were considered low, the maximum score was 69 points, which the areas that were mostly influenced were the total scores of QOL functional capacity (0.021), emotional (0.000) and social functioning (0.080). Of the 60 individuals, 53.3% had scores between 40 and 69 points in SF-36, and they had the best scores in sociodemographic and health variables (ρ = 0.049). In respect to the assistance and injury characteristics, patients who scored between 40 and 69 points in SF-36 had better scores on these characteristics. By combining the socio-demographic variables, health, and handling characteristics of the injury, we observed a significant difference (ρ = 0.032) when linking them with the QOL total scores. When analyzing separately the domains of the SF-36 scores on the quality of life, we find that the areas that showed statistical significance were functional ability (ρ = 0.035), appearance (ρ = 0.019), emotional (ρ = 0.000), and mental health (ρ = 0.050). Among the socio-demographic characteristics studied, gender and marital status contributed more to the reduction of QOL and among the variables of assistance and the injury, orientation, reference and area of UV contributed the most. By analyzing these five variables all together in accordance with the overall score obtained in the quality of life, we found a significant correlation (ρ = 0.002); with 6.23 times more chances of patients have better QOL in the presence of these five positive factors. By conducting the Mann Whitney U test between all the five demographic variables, health, and clinical care, we found that this combination also proved to be significant (ρ = 0.006). Therefore, patients with these five variables positive tend to have a better QOL. Based on these results, we reject the null hypothesis (H0) and accept the alternative hypothesis (H1) proposed in this study because we noted that the QOL of patients with UV is associated with sociodemographic and health, health care and clinical aspects of the injury

Acurácia dos indicadores clínicos do diagnóstico de enfermagem volume de líquidos excessivo em pacientes submetidos à hemodiálise

Trasnversal study, with the objective of evaluating the accuracy of clinical indicators of nursing diagnosis excessive fluid volume in patients undergoing hemodialysis. The study occurred in two stages, the first consisted of the evaluation of the diagnostic indicators in study; and the second, the diagnostic inference conducted by nurse diagnosticians. The first stage occurred from december 2012 to april 2013, in a University Hospital and a Hemodialysis Clinic in Northeastern of Brazil, with a sample of 100 chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis. The data were selected through an interview form and a physical examination, organized into spreadsheets and analyzed as to the presence or absence of the indicators of diagnosis excessive fluid volume. In the second step, the spreadsheets were sent to three nurses diagnosticians, who judged the presence or absence of diagnosis in the clientele searched. This step was conducted from july to september 2013. For analysis of the data, we used descriptive and inferential statistics. In the descriptive analysis, we used measures of central tendency and dispersion. In inferential analysis, we used the tests Chi- square, Fisher and prevalence ratios. The accuracy of the clinical indicators pertaining to the diagnosis were measured as to the specificity, sensitivity, predictive values, likelihood ratios and Diagnostic Odds Ratio. Also developed a logistic regression. The results were organized in tables and discussed with literature. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee in Research of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, with Presentation Certificate for Ethics Appreciation nº 08696212.7.0000.5537. The results revealed that the diagnosis studied was present in 82% of patients. The characteristics with prevalence above 50 % that stood out were: azotemia, decreased hematocrit, electrolyte imbalance, intake exceeds output, anxiety, edema, decreased hemoglobin, oliguria and blood pressure changes. Eight defining characteristics were presented statistically significant association with the nursing diagnosis investigated: pulmonary congestion, intake exceeds output, electrolytes imbalance, jugular vein distension, edema, weight gain over short period of time, agitation and adventitious breath sounds. Among these, the 10 characteristics which showed higher prevalence ratios were: edema and weight gain over short period of time. The features with the highest sensitivity were edema, electrolytes imbalance and intake exceeds output and the standing out with greater specificity were: anasarca, weight gain over short period of time, change in respiratory pattern, adventitious breath sounds, pulmonary congestion, agitation and jugular vein distension. The indicators jugular vein distension, electrolytes imbalance, intake exceeds output, increased central venous pressure and edema, together, were identified in the logistic regression model as the most significant predictors. It is concluded that the identification of accurate clinical indicators allow a good prediction of the nursing diagnosis of excessive fluid volume in patients undergoing hemodialysis in order to assist the nurse in the inference process, which will contribute to the success of patient care. In addition, nurses will consider for diagnostic inference not only his clinical experience, but also scientific evidence of the occurrence of excessive fluid volume, contributing to the control of volemia in these patients

Sistema híbrido para detecção e diagnóstico de falhas em sistemas dinâmicos

The industries are getting more and more rigorous, when security is in question, no matter is to avoid financial damages due to accidents and low productivity, or when it s related to the environment protection. It was thinking about great world accidents around the world involving aircrafts and industrial process (nuclear, petrochemical and so on) that we decided to invest in systems that could detect fault and diagnosis (FDD) them. The FDD systems can avoid eventual fault helping man on the maintenance and exchange of defective equipments. Nowadays, the issues that involve detection, isolation, diagnose and the controlling of tolerance fault are gathering strength in the academic and industrial environment. It is based on this fact, in this work, we discuss the importance of techniques that can assist in the development of systems for Fault Detection and Diagnosis (FDD) and propose a hybrid method for FDD in dynamic systems. We present a brief history to contextualize the techniques used in working environments. The detection of fault in the proposed system is based on state observers in conjunction with other statistical techniques. The principal idea is to use the observer himself, in addition to serving as an analytical redundancy, in allowing the creation of a residue. This residue is used in FDD. A signature database assists in the identification of system faults, which based on the signatures derived from trend analysis of the residue signal and its difference, performs the classification of the faults based purely on a decision tree. This FDD system is tested and validated in two plants: a simulated plant with coupled tanks and didactic plant with industrial instrumentation. All collected results of those tests will be discussed

Fresamento com ar quente: uma proposta para minimizar a formação de trincas térmicas em ferramentas de metal duro

This work presents the results, analyses and conclusions about a study carried out with objective of minimizing the thermal cracks formation on cemented carbide inserts during face milling. The main focus of investigation was based on the observation that milling process is an interrupted machining process, which imposes cyclic thermal loads to the cutting tool, causing frequent stresses changes in its superficial and sub-superficial layers. These characteristics cause the formation of perpendicular cracks from cutting edge which aid the cutting tool wear, reducing its life. Several works on this subject emphasizing the thermal cyclic behavior imposed by the milling process as the main responsible for thermal cracks formation have been published. In these cases, the phenomenon appears as a consequence of the difference in temperature experienced by the cutting tool with each rotation of the cutter, usually defined as the difference between the temperatures in the cutting tool wedge at the end of the cutting and idle periods (T factor). Thus, a technique to minimize this cyclic behavior with objective of transforming the milling in an almost-continuous process in terms of temperature was proposed. In this case, a hot air stream was applied into the idle period, during the machining process. This procedure aimed to minimize the T factor. This technique was applied using three values of temperature from the hot air stream (100, 350 e 580 oC) with no cutting fluid (dry condition) and with cutting fluid mist (wet condition) using the hot air stream at 580oC. Besides, trials at room temperature were carried out. Afterwards the inserts were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope, where the quantity of thermal cracks generated in each condition, the wear and others damages was analyzed. In a general way, it was found that the heating of the idle period was positive for reducing the number of thermal cracks during face milling with cemented carbide inserts. Further, the cutting fluid mist application was effective in reducing the wear of the cutting tools.

Mecanismos de desgaste de poliuretano em ensaios de microabrasão

Wear mechanisms and thermal history of two non-conforming sliding surfaces was investigated in laboratory. A micro-abrasion testing setup was used but the traditional rotative sphere method was substituted by a cylindrical surface of revolution which included seven sharp angles varying between 15o to 180o. The micro-abrasion tests lead to the investigation on the polyurethane response at different contact pressures. For these turned counterfaces with and without heat treatment. Normal load and sliding speeds were changed. The sliding distance was fixed at 5 km in each test. The room and contact temperatures were measured during the tests. The polyurethane was characterized using tensile testing, hardness Shore A measurement, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermomechanical Analyze (TMA). The Vickers micro-hardness of the steel was measured before and after the heat treatment and the metallographic characterization was also carried out. Worn surface of polyurethane was analysed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and EDS (Electron Diffraction Scanning) microanalyses. Single pass scratch testing in polyurethane using indenters with different contact angles was also carried out. The scar morphology of the wear, the wear mechanism and the thermal response were analyzed in order to correlate the conditions imposed by the pressure-velocity pair to the materials in contact. Eight different wear mechanisms were identified on the polyurethane surface. It was found correlation between the temperature variation and the wear scar morphology.

Estudo da influência de compostos recalcitrantes na remoção de matéria orgânica biodegradável no tratamento de efluente de refinarias de petróleo

Petroleum Refinery wastewaters (PRW) have hart-to-degrade compounds, such as: phenols, ammonia, cyanides, sulfides, oils and greases and the mono and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons: benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX), acenaphthene, nitrobenzene and naphtalene. It is known that the microrganisms activity can be reduced in the presence of certain substances, adversely affecting the biological process of wastewater treatment. This research was instigated due the small number of studies regarding to this specific topic in the avaiable literature. This body of work ims to evaluate the effect of toxic substances on the biodegradability of the organic material found in PRW. Glucose was chosen as the model substrate due to its biodegradable nature. This study was divided into three parts: i) a survey of recalcitants compounds and the removal of phenol by using both biological and photochemical-biological processes; ii) biomass aclimation and iii) evaluation of the inhibitory effect certain compounds have on glucose biodegradation. The phenol degradation experiments were carried out in an activity sludge system and in a photochemical reactor. The results showed the photochemical-biological process to be more effective on phenol degradation, suggesting the superioruty of a combined photochemical-biological treatment when compared with a simple biological process for phenol removal from industry wastewaters. For the acclimation step, was used an activated sludge from industrial wastewaters. A rapid biomass aclimation to a synthetic solution composed of the main inhibitory compouns fpund in a PRW was obtained using the following operation condition: (pH = 7,0; DO ≥ 2,0 mg/L; RS = 20 days e qH = 31,2 and 20,4 hours), The last part was consisted of using respirometry evaluation toxicity effects of selected compounds over oxygen uptake rate to adaptated and non adaptated biomass in the presence of inhibitory compounds. The adaptated sludge showed greater degration capacity, with lower sensibility to toxic effects. The respirometry has proved to be very practical, as the techiniques used were simple and rapid, such as: Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), and Volatile Suspended Solids (VSS). Using the latter it is possible to perform sludge selection to beggingthe process; thus allowing its use for aerobic treatment system`s behacior prediction

Análise da adição de resíduo oriundo do tratamento de esgotos em massa cerâmica utilizada para fabricação de telhas

Sludge of Wastewater Treatment Plants (WTPs) disposal is a problem for any municipality, for this reason the amount of sludge production is now a key issue in selecting treatment methods. It is necessary to investigate new applications for this waste type, due to the restrictions imposed by the environmental organs. The raw materials used in the Red Ceramic, are generally very heterogeneous, for this reason, such materials can tolerate the presence of different types of wastes. In Rio Grande do Norte, the roof tiles production corresponds to 60,61% from the total of ceramic units produced. Due to the importance of the ceramic industry of roof tiles for the state, allied to the environmental problem of the sludge disposal, this work had for objective to verify the possibility of the incorporation of sewage sludge in ceramic body used for production of roof tiles. In the research, sludge originating from drying beds of WTP of the Central Campus from UFRN and clays originating from a ceramic industry from Goianinha/RN were used. The raw materials were characterized by techniques of: analysis of particles distribution by diffraction to laser; real density; consistence limits; chemical analysis by X-ray fluorescence; mineralogical analysis by X-ray diffraction; organic matter; and solids content. Five batches of roof tiles were manufactured in the approximate dosages of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10%. To evaluate the properties of each final product, tests of water absorption, impermeability, bending strength, leachability and solubility were accomplished. The roof tiles manufactured with sludge presented characteristics similar to the roof tiles without sludge in relation to the environmental risk. The results showed that it is possible to use approximately up to 4% of sludge in ceramic bodies for production of roof tiles. However, it is observed that the high amount of organic matter (71%) present in the sludge is shown as factor that limits the sludge incorporation in ceramic bodies, worsening the quality of the roof tiles. It is necessary the use of mixtures of different raw materials under point of view of the granulometry and of the other chemical and mineralogical properties for the obtaining of a satisfactory mass to the production of ceramic roof tiles

Ensaios de tratabilidade aplicados a determinação de parâmetros para dimensionamento de processos de tratamento de água de manancial eutrofizado

Eutrophication is a growing process present in the water sources located in the northeast of Brazil. Among the main consequences of these changes in trophic levels of a water source, stands out adding complexity to the treatment to achieve water standards. By these considerations, this study aimed to define, on a laboratory scale, products and operational conditions to be applied in the processing steps using raw water from Gargalheiras dam, RN, Brazil. The dam mentioned shows a high number of cyanobacteria, with a concentration of cells / ml higher than that established by Decree No. 518/04 MS. The same source was also considered by the state environmental agency in 2009 as hypereutrophic. The static tests developed in this research simulated direct filtration (laboratory filters) and pre-oxidation with chlorine and powdered activated carbon adsorption. The research included the evaluation of the coagulants aluminum hydrochloride (HCA) and alum (SA). The development of the research investigated the conditions for rapid mixing, the dosages of coagulants and pHs of coagulation by the drawing of diagrams. The interference of filtration rate and particle size of filtering means were evaluated as samples and the time of contact were tested with chlorine and activated carbon. By the results of the characterization of the raw water source it was possible to identify the presence of a high pH (7.34). The true color was significant (29 uH) in relation to the apparent color and turbidity (66 uH and 13.60 NTU), reflecting in the measurement of organic matter: MON (8.41 mg.L-1) and Abs254 (0.065 cm-1). The optimization of quick mix set time of 17", the speed gradient of 700 s-1 in the coagulation with HCA and the time of 20" with speed gradient of 800 s-1 for SA. The smaller particle sizes of sand filtering means helped the treatment and the variation in filtration rate did not affect significantly the efficiency of the process. The evaluation of the processing steps found adjustment in standard color and turbidity of the Decree nº 518/04 MS, taking in consideration the average values found in raw water. In the treatment using the HCA for direct filtration the palatable pattern based on the apparent color can be achieved with a dose of 25 mg L-1. With the addition of pre-oxidation step, the standard result was achieved with a reduced dose for 12 mgHCA.L-1. The turbidity standard for water was obtained by direct filtration when the dose exceeds 25 mg L-1 of HCA. With pre-oxidation step there is the possibility of reducing the dose to 20 mg L-1.The addition of CAP adsorption, promoted drinking water for both parameters, with even lower dosage, 13 mg L-1 of HCA. With coagulation using SA removal required for the parameter of apparent color it was achieved with pre-oxidation and 22 mgSA.L-1. Despite the satisfactory results of treatment with the alum, it was not possible to provide water with turbidity less than 1.00 NTU even with the use of all stages of treatment

Desfechos clínicos e mortalidade de sujeitos submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica no Rio Grande do Norte

Introduction: Actually the obesity is a public health problem throughout the world. Bariatric surgery has been an efficient method of weight reduction body in severe obesity, reducing its associated effects and presenting low levels of immediate and late postoperative complications. In Brazil, bariatric surgery asa recent therapeutic that has been growing recently. Being Brazil a country with continental dimensions and with a huge diversity socioeconomic and cultural, it is essential to understand the reality of patients undergoing bariatric surgery in less economically privileged regions of Brazil. Objectives: To evaluate the epidemiological, clinical outcomes and mortality of patients undergoing videolaparoscopic bariatric surgery through the public health system in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norte- Brazil. Methods: Observational descriptive study of a prospective, carried out from February 2009 to February 2011, the Clinic Obesity and Bariatric Surgery at Universitary Hospital Onofre Lopes - Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (HUOL-UFRN). Anthropometric measures, comorbidity and deaths register were made in the postoperative period. Results: Seventy patients (54 women) with low income aged 22 to 63 years completed the study. We recorded the death of three patients during the study period. The results show significant decrease anthropometric parameters, especially in relation to body weight, waist circumference and hipin both sexes. Only Waist / Hip ratio showed no difference after intervention in male patients It had a resolution of comorbidities. No significant differences in reports of daily sleepiness and the snoring male patients. Conclusion: Our findings attest laparoscopic bariatric surgery as an effective method reducing weight and comorbidities in morbidly obese patients

Efeitos do ultrassom terapêutico sobre parâmetros morfométricos e clínicos e método de extração de metaloproteinases em sujeitos com úlceras venosas

Venous wounds cause physical, psychological and financial problems that impact the quality of life of patients. Treatment alternatives are investigated in order to reduce healthcare costs and improve quality of life of people affected by this problem. Physical resources, such as therapeutic ultrasound (US), are being considered in the treatment of ulcers as a potential healing agent. This study aimed to investigate the application of US as a treatment for venous ulcers. Subjects were divided into two groups: US group, where treatment consisted of 5 sessions of pulsed US (3 MHz, 1W/cm²) associated with compression and kinesiotherapy; and sham group, where individuals went through the same procedures, but with sham US therapy. Subjects were evaluated for wound size by planimetry and digital photography, visual analogue scale for pain, quality of life by the questionnaires SF- 36 and VEINES-QoL/Sym and enzymatic activity of metalloproteinases 2 and 9 by zymography. It was observed mean reduction in wound area of 41.58±53.8% for the US group and 63.47±37.2% for the placebo group, maintenance of quality of life scores in the US group and significant improvement (p<0.05) in the placebo group by VEINES questionnaire. It was observed decreased perception of pain in the placebo group. Sample feasibility for analysis of the protein activity of metalloproteinases 2 and 9 by zymography collected by swab method was also confirmed. Our data did not give us evidence to support the theory that the US accelerates healing of venous ulcers in a short-term analysis. However, we observed that standard care associated with compression therapy and kinesiotherapy were able to significantly shorten the progression of chronic venous ulcers

Aspectos clínicos, radiográficos e histológicos da superfície oclusal de molares decíduos com e sem lesão de cárie: estudo in vitro

Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Imunoexpressão de fatores reguladores da osteoclastogênese na doença periodontal em humanos e sua relação com os parâmetros clínicos

Periodontal disease is an infection initiated by oral periodontal pathogens that trigger an immune response culminating in tissue destruction. This destruction is mediated by the host by inducing the production and activation of lytic enzymes, cytokines and the stimulation of osteoclastogenesis. The aim of this study was to compare the immunohistochemical expression of factors involved in bone resorption, RANKL (Ligand Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor kappa B), OPG (Osteoprotegerin) and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor alpha) between the gingival healthy, gingivitis and chronic periodontitis and correlate them with clinical parameters. The sample consisted of 83 cases and 12 clinically healthy gums, 42 gingivitis and 29 periodontitis, from 74 adolescent and adult patients with a mean age of 35 years, without systemic changes and non-smokers, predominantly female and race brown. There was no statistically significant difference for the expression of anti-RANKL (p = 0.581) and RANKL / OPG ratio (p = 0.334) when comparing the three conditions, but the anti-OPG and anti-TNF-α showed statistically significant between the types of injury (p = 0.001 and p <0.001, respectively), showing greatest expression in periodontitis. In cases of periodontitis, the variable clinical attachment loss (PIC) was statistically significant and positive correlation, respectively, with immunostaining of anti-RANKL (p = 0.002, p = 0.001 and r = 0.642), anti-OPG (p = 0.018, p = 0.014 and r = 0.451), anti-TNF-α (p = 0.032, p = 0.014 and r = 0.453) and the percentage ratio of RANKL / OPG (p = 0.018, p = 0.002 and r = 0.544). The tooth mobility (MB) showed a statistically significant difference only with immunohistochemical anti-RANKL (p = 0.026), and probing depth (PD) was positively correlated with anti-RANKL (p = 0.028 and r = 0.409), both in cases of periodontitis. Only in cases of gingivitis TNF-α was positively correlated with RANKL (p = 0.012 and r = 0.384) and the RANKL / OPG ratio (p = 0.027 and r = 0.341). Given these results, we conclude that the greatest expression of TNF-α in periodontitis demonstrates a relationship with the progression and severity of periodontal disease and the correlation between all antibodies and clinical attachment loss demonstrates their involvement in periodontal bone resorption

Horticultura no baixo curso do Rio Doce, zona norte do Natal/RN: avaliação da qualidade da água por meio de ensaios ecotoxicológicos

The research is developed in areas of horticulture in the city of Natal, in the neighborhoods of Lagoa Azul, Pajuçara and Redinha, along the Doce River, border area with Extremoz city, Rio Grande do Norte State. The region of the fluvial plain of Doce River is located in an Environmental Protection Zone (ZPA-9). This is one of the ZPA which is not under the regulatory marks and there are several environmental problems caused by use and land occupation, featuring an evident disregard of environmental laws and whose protection is hindered by the lack of specific legal mechanisms. This study aims to provide an overview of the use of pesticides in the lower course of the Doce River, in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, and to assess environmental degradation in the area through chronic toxicity tests using the microcrustaceous Ceriodaphnia dubia Richard 1894 (Cladocera, Crustacea) as test organism. Visits were made to the area in 2009 and 2010. To obtain information a diagnosis of the local situation was accomplished based on personal observation and non-participatory photographic record, with the aim of assessing the environmental characteristics, population diversity and work processes of horticulturists. During the visits four different points of the Doce River were chosen to collect water for ecotoxicological tests and survey of physico-chemical parameters (dissolved oxygen, pH, chloride, turbidity, conductivity and temperature), which were measured in the field using Multiparameter Probe (TROLL 9500). The adverse effects of pesticide use in the lower course of the Doce River is a major problem for both the environmental and human health, since many of the substances and active principles that enter in the composition of the products are synthesized molecules whose effects can only be evaluated through different studies on their actions and behavior at short, medium or long term

Avaliação dos efeitos da retirada do etanol em curto e longo prazo sobre respostas comportamentais relacionadas à ansiedade e sobre células imunorreativas para a serotonina no núcleo dorsal da Rafe em ratas

Ethanol withdrawn individuals present a wealth of signs and symptoms, some of them related with anxiety. To better understand brain areas involved in anxiety caused by ethanol abstinence, preclinical studies have been employing models of ethanol consumption followed by withdrawal in rodents submitted to behavioral tests of anxiety, such as the elevated plus-maze. The aim of this study was to investigate if short- or long-term ethanol withdrawal could alter both anxiety-related behaviors in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and open field tests and the number of serotonin immunorreactive cels in the dorsal raphe nucleus, a midbrain area associated with anxiety. Female Wistar rats (90 days old) were submitted to increasing concentrations of ethanol (2% for 3 days, 4% for 3 days and 6% for 15 days) as the only source of liquid diet and the control group received water ad libitum. Both groups received food ad libitum. In the behavioral experiments, on 21st day of consumption, ethanol was substituted by water (withdrawal) and 72 h or 21 days after withdrawal animals were submitted to the EPM, where it was evaluated the percentage of time and entries in the open arms and the entries in the enclosed arms during 5 minutes. Twenty and four hours after testing in the EPM, animals were submitted to the open field test for 15 minutes, where the distance traveled by the animals was observed along this period. During the first 5 minutes, the distance traveled, entries and time spent in the center of the test were analyzed. In the immunohistochemistry study, animals were submitted to 21 days of consumption of ethanol followed or not by 72 hours and 21 days of withdrawal previously perfusion, brain tissue preparation and quantification of serotonin dyed cells in the dorsal and caudal portions in the dorsal raphe nucleus. Behavioral data showed that both short- and long-term ethanol withdrawals reduced the open arms exploration in the EPM. In the open field test there were no locomotor activity changes during the total 15 minutes; however, longterm ethanol withdrawal reduced the exploration in the center of the open field during the first 5 minutes. In the immunohistochemistry step, there were no differences, when short- and long-term withdrawn groups were compared with control group; nevertheless, the chronic consumption of ethanol decreased the number of serotonergic immunorreactive cells in the dorsal part of dorsal raphe nucleus. Taken together, results here obtained suggest that both short- and long-term ethanol withdrawals promoted an anxiogenic-like effect that was not related with changes in the serotonin immunorreactivity in the dorsal and caudal parts of the dorsal raphe nucleus.

Atividade toxicológica do extrato das folhas de Kalanchoe brasiliensis em camundongos Swiss

The species of the genus Kalanchoe (Crassulaceae) are widely used in Brazil as a medicinal product to treat cough, boils, gastritis and other diseases. In this scenario stands out K. brasiliensis, popularly known as coirama or saião. This paper aims at the oral exposure of mice to a hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Kalanchoe brasiliensis. The animals (total of 100) were divided into 12 groups (6 males and 6 females) for the acute assessment; and groups of 10 for subchronic evaluation. Test groups were treated with doses of 250 mg / kg, 500 mg / kg, 1000 mg / kg and 2000 mg / kg and the control group received 0.9% saline. The animals were observed for 14 days for acute evaluation and 30 days for subchronic evaluation, and in that period analyzed the appearance of clinical signs, changes in weight and consumption of water and food. After the observation period, histopathological analysis of the organs, biochemical serum and haematological parameters for the assessment of the subchronic groups were processed. Differences and changes in body weight were not observed among the groups, nor consumption of water and food, there were no deaths among the groups in the two types of assays. Histopathological analysis showed some alterations compatible with low acute hepatic toxicity. The results of blood glucose, triglycerides, ALT, urea and creatinine showed differences between the control group and the test concentrations studied (p <0.05), but these differences do not show relevant change in the clinical picture of animals. The results showed that the extract K. brasiliensis has low acute toxicity at the doses used and no toxicity when administered for 30 days. This highlights the importance of this species as future and promising candidate for phytotherapics, so has its pharmacological trials completed.