Sensibilidade da cinética do zinco e avaliação nutricional em crianças submetidas ao teste venoso de tolerância ao zinco

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinetics of this micronutrient in schoolchildren between the ages of 6 and 9 years, of both sexes, and to verify its sensitivity in detecting alterations in body zinc status. Methods: Nutritional assessment was performed by body mass index. Food intake, venous zinc tolerance test and zinc kinetics were carried out before and after 3-month oral zinc supplementation. Results: Of the 42 children studied, 76.2% had healthy weight. Only energy, calcium and fiber intake were suboptimal before and after oral zinc supplementation. Serum zinc and total-body zinc clearance, although at normal levels, increased significantly after zinc supplementation. Conclusion: We concluded, therefore, that kinetics is a sensitive tool for detecting changes in body zinc status, even in children without a deficiency of this mineral. Furthermore, kinetics showed a positive response to supplementation and may be a sensitive parameter to evaluate the efficacy of this therapy

Dinâmica populacional e alimentar de Stegastes fuscus, (Osteichthyes:pomacentridae) em arrecifes da praia de Búzius, no Rio Grande do Norte

The damselfish, Stegastes fuscus Cuvier, 1830 (Osteichthyes: Perciformes: Pomacentridae), is abundant in the coastal reefs of Búzios Beach, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil and they play an important role in the reef community ecology. The present study investigated the feeding strategy of this species considering the food habits and morfo-histology of the digestive tract. Influence of the environmental correlates such as temperature, rainfall and luminosity in the tidal rock pools were studied. The fish were captured on a monthly basis from September 2004 to August 2005, during which period 842 individuals of S. fuscus were captured, 125 males, 437 females and 280 individuals without sex identification. The sex ratio observed was 1 M : 3,5 F. The total body length of males varied from 3.6 to 11.3 cm, with a mean of 7.77 cm; that of females varied from 2.9 to 11.4 cm, with a mean of 7.85 cm, and that of sex grouped individuals varied from 2.9 to 11.4 cm, with a mean of 7.83. However, there was no difference between males and females in total body length. This species presented a positive alometric growth and the equations obtained for the relation between body mass and total body length were: Wt =0,0174Lt 3,1123 for males; Wt =0,0137Lt 3,2294 for females and Wt = 0,0148Lt 3.1928 for sex grouped individuals. The relation between total body length and standard length was L t = 1 ,3223Ls + 0,1527 for sex grouped individual s. February to August was associated to a long period of gonadal resting. The fish spawned during January and in September -October. The frequency of fish with empty stomachs occurred during August to December, whereas frequency of fish with food contents i n stomachs occurred during January to July. This species is considered as a preferential herbivore based on the volume of macroalgae in its diet composition. The morfo -histological aspects of S. fuscus confirm herbivory. Among the environmental factors con sidered only rainfall showed a correlation with the feeding habits of this species

Ocorrência e Interações de Recém-nascidos e Filhotes de golfinho-rotador Stenella longirostris na Baía dos Golfinhos, Fernando de Noronha

Studies indicate that spinner dolphins use the Baía dos Golfinhos, in Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, for resting, reproduction, parental care and protection against shark attacks. The present study had the purpose of verifying the seasonality of spinner dolphin newborns and calves in relation to the months of the year and the pluviometric seasons (dry and rainy), as well as their interaction with the number and gender of accompanying adults and their positioning in relation to the adults (vertical, horizontal, and depth) in the above mentioned bay. The analysis were made out of photo records of dolphins collected between 2000 and 2006 (seasonality) and between 1995 and 2006 (interaction) both using ad libitum sampling method during free dives. To determine the age category, the reason between the smaller dolphin s total body length and the bigger dolphin s total body length was calculated. The dolphins were then divided into three age groups: adults, newborns and calves. Those with total body length ≥ 170cm were considered adults, newborns up to 105cm, and calves from 106cm to 128cm. In addition, the secondary characters described in literature were used to identify newborns and calves. The adults had dimensions of total lenght ≥170cm , the newborns until 105cm and calves between 106cm and 128cm. I addition, secondary characteristics described in the literature were used to indentify newborns and calves. The number of spinner dolphin newborns was greater in the month of April and higher during the rainy season. Throughout the months and pluviometric seasons (pluviometer/pluvial metric), the number of calves did not have a significant difference. Concerning to the presence of newborns and calves age groups at Baía dos Golfinhos, there was not a significant difference. It was possible to identify the gender of the escorting adults as (42), 95.24% being females and 4.76% males. Newborns were more frequently seen in the company of two adults, whereas calves were more often accompanied by more than two adults However, there was not a significant difference for the newborns, whereas for the calves there was a significant difference for those classified as loners and those accompanied by more than two adults. When in vertical positioning, the newborns and calves were more frequently observed in inferior position with some difference demonstrated between some of that. While in horizontal positioning both age groups were more often seen in posterior position, also with differences between them. In the depth perspective newborns and calves were positioned anterior, however with significant difference for the calves. The occurrence of a peak of newborns in the months of April may indicate the existence of a birth seasonality pattern for the beginning of the rainy season, with births scattered throughout the year. The results for the positions and escorting of newborns and calves are related to protection and suckling. These conditions reinforce the importance of the area when it comes to the care for offspring, which calls for the creation of conservation rules to the area, especially during those months with greater occurrence of newborns