Initial height of pasture deferred and utilized in winter and tillering dynamics of signal grass during the following spring

Tillering dynamics during regrowth in the spring (September to December 2009) on signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk) pastures deferred in the beginning of April 2009 is evaluated. Four pasture heights were evaluated at the beginning of deferment (10, 20, 30 and 40 cm). The experimental design consisted of completely randomized blocks with two replications. Rise in pasture height at the beginning of deferment decreased the appearance rate, increased the mortality rate and reduced the survival rate, the balance between appearance and mortality and the stability index of the tiller population at the beginning of the spring. Pastures deferred at initial height of 30 and 40 cm presented relatively stable tiller appearance rate between the beginning and end of spring. However, these pastures presented greater mortality rate, lower survival rate, lower balance between appearance and mortality and lower stability index of the tiller population at the beginning of spring when compared to rates at the end of spring. Pastures managed with shorter initial heights (10 and 20 cm) provided more tissue renewal in the subsequent growth season after their utilization in the winter.

Efeito do betacaroteno sobre o estresse oxidativo e a expressão de conexina 43 cardíaca

BACKGROUND: Intervention studies have shown an increased mortality in patients who received beta-carotene. However, the mechanisms involved in this phenomenon are still unknown. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the influence of beta-carotene on oxidative stress and the expression of connexin 43 in rat hearts. METHODS: Wistar rats, weighing approximately 100 g, were allocated in two groups: Control Group (n=30), that received the diet routinely used in our laboratory, and Beta-Carotene Group (n = 28), which received beta-carotene (in crystal form, added and mixed to the diet) at a dose of 500 mg of beta-carotene/kg of diet. The animals received the treatment until they reached 200-250g, when they were sacrificed. Samples of blood, liver and heart were collected to perform Western blotting and immunohistochemistry for connexin 43; morphometric studies, dosages of beta-carotene by high-performance liquid chromatography as well as reduced glutathione, oxidized glutathione and lipids hydroperoxides were performed by biochemical analysis. RESULTS: Beta-carotene was detected only in the liver of Beta-Carotene Group animals (288 ± 94.7 µg/kg). Levels of reduced/oxidized glutathione were higher in the liver and heart of Beta-Carotene Group animals (liver - Control Group: 42.60 ± 1.62; liver - Beta-Carotene Group: 57.40 ± 5.90; p = 0.04; heart: - Control Group: 117.40 ± 1.01; heart - Beta-Carotene Group: 121.81 ± 1.32 nmol/mg protein; p = 0.03). The content of total connexin 43 was larger in Beta-Carotene Group. CONCLUSION: Beta-carotene demonstrated a positive effect, characterized by the increase of intercellular communication and improvement of anti-oxidizing defense system. In this model, mechanism does not explain the increased mortality rate observed with the beta-carotene supplementation in clinical studies. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2013; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Mortalidade de idosos em município do Sudeste brasileiro de 2006 a 2011

O objetivo foi descrever a mortalidade entre idosos em Araraquara (SP), no período de 2006 a 2011. Estudo epidemiológico descritivo, tendo como fontes de dados o Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade e a Fundação Sistema Estadual de Análise de Dados. Foi calculada razão entre coeficientes de mortalidade por ponto (R) e por intervalo de 95% de confiança (IC95%). Observou-se mais de 60% dos idosos com nível baixo de escolaridade, sendo que 76% faleceram em hospitais. Entre 2006 e 2008, as diferenças foram estatisticamente significantes entre homens e mulheres, predominando as doenças circulatórias com R = 1,41 (IC95%:1,24-1,58), respiratórias com R = 1,49 (IC95%:1,22-1,76) e neoplasias com R = 1,79 (IC95%: 1,40-2,18). Entre 2009 e 2011, obteve-se, para as causas circulatórias R = 1,18 (IC95%:1,03-1,33), sendo significativas as diferenças para as respiratórias com R = 1,33 (IC95%:1,11-1,55) e câncer sendo R = 1,94 (IC95%:1,53-2,35). O diabetes mellitus e as causas externas apareceram, respectivamente, como quarta e quinta causas de mortes mais frequentes na população idosa. O padrão de mortalidade encontrado ressalta a importância de ações voltadas à redução das principais causas de morte, como o incremento da cobertura da vacina contra a influenza e o controle da hipertensão arterial e do diabetes mellitus.

Controle biológico de thaumastocoris peregrinus (Hemiptera: thaumastocoridae) com fungos entomopatogênicos

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Proteção de Plantas) - FCA

Aplicação materna de glicocorticoide nos parâmetros vitais de cordeiros nascidos a termo e prematuros

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of glucocorticoids on vital parameters of full-term and preterm lambs from birth to 48 hours of life. Four experimental groups were formed: NDG (normal delivery group - lambs vaginally delivered, n=15, average of 146-day gestation); NDEXG (normal delivery with dexamethasone group - lambs vaginally delivered whose mothers received 16mg of dexamethasone at 141 days of gestation, n=8, average of 143-day gestation); PRE (premature lambs born by cesarean section at 138 days of gestation, n=10) and PREDEX (premature lambs born by cesarean section at 138 days gestation, whose mothers received 16mg of dexamethasone two days before, n=9). Heart and respiratory rates had variations during the observation period, with the highest mean values in the groups of normal deliveries (NDG and NDEXG). Rectal temperature decreased in all groups in the first 60 minutes of life, with the lowest mean values in premature lambs (PRE and PREDEX) and the Apgar score was higher in animals delivered at normal gestational time. Preterm lambs had lower vitality and chance of survival, however, lower mortality rate was observed in offspring of ewes that received dexamethasone two days before surgery.

Leucoencefalomalácia em equídeos da região Leste de Mato Grosso

Background: Fumonisins produced by Fusarium verticillioides are among the most important medical mycotoxins known. The intake of concentrate based on corn and corn by-products contaminated with fumonisins can cause severe poisoning in horses. The injuries are observed mainly in the white matter of the brain, and the disease is known as Equine Leukoencephalomalacia (ELEM). This study aims to describe and discuss the epidemiological, clinical and diagnostic aspects of an outbreak of ELEM occurred in three farms in the municipalities of Canarana and Agua Boa, in the eastern region of Mato Grosso, Brazil.Materials, Methods & Results: The outbreak occurred between May and August 2010. The disease affected six horses and four mules of different ages and sex. Clinical examination was only possible in animals with chronic evolution of the disease. All the affected animals showed neurological clinical signs such as ataxia and recumbency, which progressed to death or sudden death. Histopathological analysis showed foci of necrosis that predominantly affected the white matter, and the presence of gitter cells. Degenerative lesions were observed in the liver of the animals. Mortality rate ranged from 12.5 to 71%, and lethality reached 100%. The cases were preceded by sudden drops in the weather temperature. Fumonisins levels of 6.6 ppm were detected in the feed of the animals.Discussion: The presumptive diagnosis of leukoencephalomalacia was consistent and based on clinical and epidemiological studies. However, the definitive diagnosis was based upon the histological features of the brain including the presence of extensive areas of malacia. Moreover, the animals were being fed with corn or corn by-products contaminated with fumonisins levels considered to be toxic to equids. The mortality and lethality rates are in agreement with outbreaks described in previous studies. The animals showed neurological signs as the predominant clinical manifestation, with gait ataxia followed by recumbency, prostration and death between 24 h and 29 days. Similarly to other reports, the disease was more frequent in adult animals, which succumbed in 24-48 h. Conversely, the evolution of the disease in young animals was of 10 to 29 days. Sudden death was more prevalent in the mules. Previous studies have shown a predominance of cerebral and brainstem lesions in horses, whereas in mules the clinical signs are related to brainstem lesions. Corn and corn by-products are commonly used as energy supplementation to horses in the southern of Mato Grosso state, but outbreaks of the disease are uncommon. This may be influenced by the prevalence of hot climate conditions, which does not favor the production of toxin by the fungus. The atypical low weather temperatures (9-11 degrees C) observed prior to the outbreak could have contributed to the mycotoxin production by F. verticillioides, which requires temperatures between 8-12 degrees C to produce toxins. However, the disease in the region may be underestimated, considering that the practice of necropsies is not common among field technicians, mainly in the occurrence of sporadic deaths among horses intended for work. Preventive measures include avoiding the use of corn and corn by-products for horses after periods of sudden drops in temperature in the region. Furthermore, clinical and epidemiological surveys and post-mortem and histopathological analyses are undoubtedly important for appropriate differential diagnosis, especially in equids with neurological signs.

Role of Exercise Training on Autonomic Changes and Inflammatory Profile Induced by Myocardial Infarction

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Biology of Triatoma carcavalloi Jurberg, Rocha & Lent, 1998 under laboratory conditions

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

High incidence of preventable deaths during childhood in Porto Velho, Rondonia - Brazil

Background: We aimed to estimate and analyze epidemiological profile of deaths during childhood. Method: We used the databases of deaths provided by Information System of mortality between 2006 and 2010. We selected only those records where the occurrence of deaths corresponded to Porto Velho city and those who were aged between 12 and 48 months old at the moment of death. We examined only deaths from preventable causes and poorly defined. Results: The total number of deaths was estimated to be 103, 48.6% male. High frequencies of deaths occurred (39.8%) in children before reaching two years old. Vast majority of deaths (66.9%) was due to preventable causes, 18.4% by poorly defined causes and nearly one in three by external causes. Approximately one in four were due to traffic accidents, 41.9% by drowning and submersion. Also, there were significant frequencies of deaths associated with respiratory diseases (17.5%) and infectious and parasitic diseases (16.6%). Conclusion: These findings reinforce the importance of studies of infant mortality, drawing attention to the debate on policy design to reduce childhood deaths, especially in acting on preventable causes.

Compatibilidade entre produtos químicos e biológicos à base de Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner no controle de Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Entomologia Agrícola) - FCAV

Comparative study of toxicity of azo dye Procion Red MX-5B following biosorption and biodegradation treatments with the fungi Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus terreus

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems for treatment of oral cancer: a review

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Perfil materno e dos recém-nascidos nascidos vivos na primeira década do século XXI em município do interior paulista com ênfase na prematuridade

The concern with infant mortality has been a priority in public policies, especially for Brazil to achieve the Millennium Development Goal number four: reducing child mortality by 75% by the year 2015. It is known that prematurity has an intimate relationship with mortality of children under one year and therefore it is necessary an effective intervention in risk factors linked to premature births. To evaluate the profile of mothers and newborn babies living in Botucatu-SP, in the period 2001 to 2009, focusing on prematurity. A quantitative study, retrospective, descriptive, epidemiological, from the Information System Newborn Alive. The prevalence of preterm births was 15.1%, and low birth weight 14.7%. Among infants, the Apgar score below 7 at 1 and at 5 minutes was 13.1% and 2.4% respectively. Considering the total of pregnant women studied, 20.3% were adolescents and 10.3% were aged 35 years or more and most (63.2%) had eight or more years of school approval. The profile of mothers of premature infants shows that 23.6% were teenagers, 14.1% had at least 35 years and 60.4% had at least primary education. With regard to premature deliveries, caesarean sections and 58.4% were between the total newborns, this type of delivery was achieved in 46.6% of cases. Prematurity was associated with an Apgar score below seven in the first and fifth minutes of life, presence of malformation and multiple pregnancy. Among maternal variables, prematurity was associated with extremes of maternal age, maternal education, history of stillbirth, primiparas, white and presence of the mother's partner. With regard to delivery was associated with cesarean section and outside the hospital. This study assessed maternal characteristics associated with prematurity and point out how relevant the pregnancies at the extremes of age and those that occur in women with low education level, indicating the interference... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Dinâmica da vegetação de uma floresta paludosa no município de Rio Claro - SP

Swamp forests, are laid down in the lowlands, with almost permanent presence of water on the soil surface and generally occupy portions fairly flat. In 2003 a phytosociological survey was conducted of the tree and shrub component of a swamp forest established on a steep slope in Rio Claro - SP, through the use of 45 permanent plots of 10 mx 10 m (0.45 ha) divided into three blocks: 1, 2 and 3. The present study aimed to review these plots and discuss the dynamics of vegetation in the swamp forest in question period of eight years. Altogether 1529 individuals were found alive, belonging to 29 families and 47 species. It can be observed that there was a decrease of one family (Flacourtiaceae) and two species (Xylosma tweediana, Inga marginata) in relation to 2003. In general there was a loss not only in number of individuals, but basal area and species diversity. The Block 1 was the only one to show a positive balance in terms of numbers of individuals (2.75%); in Block 2, there was little variation (1.72%) which is negative; whereas Block 3 had the largest decrease, 19.18%. The mortality rate (2.74% / year) for the community remained higher than the recruitment (1.81% / year). There was a decrease (3.19%) of total basal area of the sample relative to 2003, with the highest relative dominance by Calophyllum brasiliense. The decline in diversity of species could be evidenced by the Shannon index, which was 2.0 nats.individual-1 and evenness of 0.52. The most important species (IVI) were Euterpe edulis, Calophyllum brasiliense and Magnolia ovata, together accounting for 59% of IVI community. High mortality and low recruitment rates indicate disturbances in the community, some factors such as proximity to roads, the different soil types associated with a high rate of water saturation and the declivity are crucial to the balance within the community

Perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes internados na unidade de tratamento de queimaduras do Hospital Estadual de Bauru

Burns are frequent accidents, and they are among the major causes of morbidity and mortality in our society. In Brazil, statistical data on such lesions are relatively scarce, and they are concentrated in a few treatment centers. Data on such accidents allow for specific care to be timely and properly taken in order to provide patients with a better prognosis, in addition to enabling the development of prevention programs as well as fire-prevention safety laws. To characterize the epidemiological profile of users at the Burn Treatment Unit of Bauru State Hospital. Collection of epidemiological data through the e-pront system and from charts of burned inpatients from April 2005 to April 2010. During the studied period, 906 hospitalizations of burned patients occurred, with an annual average of 181.2 individuals. Their mean age was 28.4 years, with a predominance of males. The mean hospitalization period was of 27.6 days, with a median of 16 days and a maximum of 216 days; 14.7% developed to death, with the highest mortality rate in the first two weeks of hospitalization. Second-degree burns were the most frequent; 36.8% of the patients burned less than 10% of their body surface, and there was a gradual frequency reduction when a larger burned surface was taken into account; the greater the affected areas, the higher the number of deaths; 91% resulted from thermal agents, 6% from electric and 2% from chemical agents; scalding was the major cause among all agents, followed by alcohol associated with fire and direct flame. The major area affected areas were the upper limbs. The study shows the need for educational and preventive measures, particularly for the young adult population, by means of educational programs and prevention campaigns