Selenium and vitamin A and E in the nutrition of very low-birth weight preterm infants

Deficient antioxidant defenses in preterm infants have been implicated in diseases such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, periventricular leukomalacia, and intraventricular hemorrhage. The antioxidant properties of selenium, vitamin A, and vitamin E make these elements important in the nutrition of Very Low-Birth Weight (VLBW) infants. Selenium is a component of glutathione peroxidase, an enzyme that prevents the production of free radicals. The decrease in plasma selenium in VLBW infants in the first month after birth makes evident that preterm infants have low selenium store and require supplementation by parenteral and enteral nutrition. A meta-analysis, with only three trials, showed that selenium supplementation did not affect mortality, and the incidence of neonatal chronic lung disease or retinopathy of prematurity, but was associated with a reduction in lateonset sepsis. Most VLBW infants and extremely Low-Birth Weight Infants (ELBW) are born with low vitamin A stores and need vitamin A supplementation by intramuscular or enteral route. Low plasma retinol concentrations increase the risk of chronic lung disease/bronchopulmonary dysplasia and long-term respiratory disabilities in preterm infants. There is evidence that vitamin A supplementation decreases the mortality or oxygen requirement at one month of age, and oxygen requirement at 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age. Vitamin E blocks natural peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids from lipid layers of cell membranes. VLBW infants have a decrease in plasma concentrations in the first month after birth suggesting the need of vitamin E supplementation. A meta-analysis on vitamin E supplementation concluded that vitamin E did not affect mortality, risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and necrotizing enterocolitis but reduced the risk of intraventricular hemorrhage and increased the risk of sepsis. Serum vitamin E concentrations higher than 3.5 mg/dL are associated with a decrease in the risk of severe retinopathy of prematurity, and blindness, but also with an increase in neonatal sepsis. Caution is recommended with the supplementation of high doses of parenteral vitamin E and supplementation that increases serum levels above 3.5 mg/dL. In conclusion: although it is known that preterm infants are deficient in selenium, vitamin A and E, more studies are required to determine the best way to supplement and the impact of supplementation on neonatal outcome.

EFFECTS of MINERAL NUTRITION on INTER- and INTRASPECIFIC INTERFERENCE of PEANUT (Arachis hypogaea L.) and HAIRY BEGGARTICKS (Bidens pilosa L.)

The present work was carried out to study the effects of mineral nutrition on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L) cv. IAC Runner-886 and hairy beggarticks (Bidens pilosa L) growth, when submitted to inter- and intraspecific competition. The treatments consisted of two peanut plants per pot, two hairy beggarticks per pot and one plant of each species per pot. The plants were nourished with Hoagland and Arnon (1950) complete solution, or without potassium, or without phosphorus or without nitrogen. Sixty days after planting, no inter- or intraspecific competition effect on growth characteristics of peanut was verified and nutrition was not a limiting factor to the culture. No interaction between competition and nutrition effects was observed for both species. The weed suffered more negative effects from intraspecific competition and nutrition. The absence of N had a pronounced effect compared to the other elements, resulting in a reduction in all the evaluated characteristics. The deficiency of nutrients and competition affected the weed more than the crop, showing that peanut was more competitive than hairy beggarticks.

Growth and mineral nutrition of Solanum americanum

Um experimento em casa de vegetação foi conduzido entre novembro de 1995 e abril de 1996 na FCAV/UNESP, Brasil, objetivando estudar a produção de matéria seca, a distribuição e o acúmulo de macronutrientes por Solanum americanum - uma importante planta infestante de culturas anuais e perenes no Brasil. As plantas foram cultivadas em vasos de 7 L com substrato de areia, os quais foram irrigados diariamente com solução nutritiva de Hoagland & Arnon. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos corresponderam às épocas de avaliação, em intervalos de 14 dias, iniciando-se 21 dias após a emergência (DAE). em cada avaliação, as plantas de quatro vasos foram analisadas quanto à produção de matéria seca e ao conteúdo de macronutrientes. S. americanum apresentou pequeno acúmulo de matéria seca e de macronutrientes no início da fase experimental. Esses acúmulos intensificaram-se após 77 DAE, atingindo o máximo valor teórico aos 142, 142, 164, 149, 140, 149 e 152 DAE, para matéria seca, N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S, respectivamente. K e N foram os macronutrientes acumulados em maior quantidade por plantas de S. americanum.

Growth and mineral nutrition of Ipomoea quamoclit

Um experimento em casa de vegetação foi conduzido entre novembro de 2006 e abril de 2007, na FCAV/UNESP, Brasil, objetivando estudar a produção de massa seca, a distribuição e o acúmulo de macronutrientes por Ipomoea quamoclit, uma importante planta infestante de culturas anuais e perenes no Brasil. As plantas foram cultivadas em vasos de 7 L com substrato de areia, que foram irrigados diariamente com solução nutritiva de Hoagland & Arnon. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos corresponderam às épocas de avaliação, em intervalos de 14 dias, iniciando-se 21 dias após a emergência (DAE). em cada avaliação, as plantas de quatro vasos foram analisadas quanto à produção de massa seca e ao conteúdo de macronutrientes. I. quamoclit apresentou pequeno acúmulo de massa seca e de macronutrientes no início da fase experimental. Esses acúmulos intensificaram-se após 77 DAE, atingindo o máximo valor teórico aos 146, 143, 140, 149, 142, 153 e 124 DAE, para massa seca, N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S, respectivamente. K e N foram os macronutrientes acumulados em maior quantidade por plantas de I. quamoclit.

Balancing guava nutrition with liming and fertilization

A resposta da goiabeira à calagem e à adubação pode ser monitorada por análises de tecido vegetal. O perfil nutricional é definido em relação a padrões de teores de nutrientes. No entanto, os teores de nutrientes-padrão são constantemente criticados por não considerarem as interações que ocorrem entre nutrientes e por gerarem tendências numéricas, decorrentes da redundância dos dados, da dependência de escala e da distribuição não normal. As técnicas de análise composicional de dados podem controlar esses dados tendenciosos, equilibrando os grupos de nutrientes, tais como os envolvidos na calagem e na adubação. A utilização das relações log isométricas (ilr) ortonormais, sequencialmente dispostas, evita tendências numéricas inerentes aos dados de composição. Os objetivos do trabalho foram relacionar o balanço de nutrientes dos tecidos vegetais com a produção de goiabeiras em pomares de 'Paluma' diferentemente corrigidos e adubados, e ajustar os atuais padrões de nutrientes com a faixa de equilíbrio das goiabeiras mais produtivas. Um experimento de calagem de sete anos e três, experimentos de três anos com doses de N, P2O5 e K2O, foram conduzidos em pomares de goiabeiras 'Paluma' em um Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo. Os teores de N, P, K, Ca e Mg na planta foram monitorados anualmente. Selecionaram-se os balanços [N, P, K | Ca, Mg], [N, P | K], [N | P] e [Ca | Mg] para separar os efeitos da calagem (Ca-Mg) e dos fertilizantes (N-K) nos balanços de macronutrientes. Os balanços foram mais influenciados pela calagem do que pela fertilização. A produtividade das goiabeiras e seu balanço nutricional permitiram a definição de faixas de equilíbrio de nutrientes e sua validação com as faixas de concentrações críticas atualmente utilizadas no Brasil e combinadas em coordenadas ilr.

Effect of liming on the mineral nutrition and yield of growing guava trees in a typic hapludox soil

High soil acidity influences the availability of mineral nutrients and increases that of toxic aluminium (Al), which has a jeopardizing effect on plant growth. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of soil liming on the development of guava (Psidium guajava L.) plants, on soil chemical characteristics, and on fruit yield. The experiment was carried out at the Bebedouro Citrus Experimental Station, state of São Paulo, Brazil, in a Typic Hapludox soil, from August 1999 to March 2003. The treatments consisted of limestone dose: D0 = zero; D1 = half dose; D2 = total dose; D3 = 1.5 times the dose, and D4 = 2 times the dose to raise the V value to 70%. The doses corresponded to zero, 1.85, 3.71, 5.56, and 7.41tha(-1) applied to the upper soil layer (0-30cm deep) before planting. The results showed that liming caused an improvement in the evaluated soil chemical characteristics up to a depth of 60cm in soil samples both in the line and between lines. The highest fruit yields were obtained when the base saturation reached a value of 55% in the line and 62% between the lines. Foliar levels of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) were 8.8 and 2.5gkg-1, respectively. The highest limestone dose maintained the soil base saturation (at the layer of 0-20cm) in the line close to 55% during at least 40 months after the incorporation of limestone.

PHOSPHORUS EFFECTS IN THE NUTRITION and GROWTH of DEVELOPING MANGO PLANTS

The objective was to study the effects of phosphorous (P) fertilization on nutritional and developmental aspects of growing mango plants. The mango plants were evaluated by soil chemical analyses, leaf chemical analyses, biological examination of plant growth, and the starting point of fruit production. Having this in view, an experiment was set up on 2 January 2003, at Flora, a farm in Uberlandia, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The soil was a clayish Oxisol. The doses at planting were: D0 = zero, D1 = 40, D2 = 100, D3 = 200, and D4 = 300 g of P2O5 plant-1. These doses at the beginning of the second year were multiplied by 1.5 and at the beginning of the third year by 2.0 and applied to the plants. The fertilizer used in this experiment was triple superphosphate (44% of P2O5.). During August of 2004, 2005, and 2006, soil samples were taken at a depth of 20 cm in between the plant rows. Leaf samples were taken during August of 2004 and 2005 to determine macro- and micronutrient contents in the leaves. Plant stem diameter was measured during January of 2004 and 2005. Plant height and crown radius were measured during January of 2005 and fruit production in 2005 and 2006. Fertilizer applications increased the level of P in the soil but significantly influenced plant performance only after the second year. The effects of phosphorus on mango plants take place slowly leading to increments in plant stem diameter only at the third year. Fruit set was not influenced by phosphorous fertilization.

Nutrition, dry matter accumulation and partitioning and phosphorus use efficiency of potato grown at different phosphorus levels in nutrient solution

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Dolomite and phosphogypsum surface application effects on annual crops nutrition and yield

Brazil has extensive area with acid soils. Using phosphogypsum and soil acidity tolerant cultivars are alternatives to crop establishment in no-till system without previous limestone incorporation in many agricultural soils of Brazil. However, it remains unknown how phosphogypsum and limestone surface application affects rice (Oryza sativa L.) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) nutrition and yield under a no-till system. A field experiment was conducted in a sandy clay loam, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Haplorthox, previously cultivated under conventional tillage, in Botucatu, Sao, Paulo State, Brazil. Treatments included four dolomitic limestone rates (0, 1100, 2700, and 4300 kg ha(-1)), two phosphogypsum rates (0 and 2100 kg ha(-1)), and two upland rice cultivars (Caiapo and IAC 202). in 2002-2003, and two bean cultivars (Perola and Carioca), in 2003-2004. Both amendments were applied on the surface, without soil incorporation. The content of Ca, Mg, and Mn in flag leaves and rice yield increased with limestone surface application. Liming increased the shoot dry matter of IAC 202 rice. Phosphogypsum increased S contents in leaves of both rice cultivars, and resulted in higher grain yield in the Caiapo rice. Liming increased K contents in leaves of both bean cultivars. In the absence of phosphogypsum, liming increased S contents and grain yield of bean. Content of Mg in leaves was reduced by phosphogypsum in lower limestone rates. In phosphogypsum presence, liming reduced Zn contents in leaves and increased bean shoot dry matter. Phosphogypsum increased Ca and S, and reduced Mg contents in bean leaves. Using soil acidity tolerant cultivars promoted higher crop yields in no-till systems establishment, even when the effective soil amelioration had not yet been achieved.

MONITORING NITROGEN NUTRITION IN COTTON

Both N excess and deficiency may affect cotton yield and quality. It would therefore be useful to base the N management fertilization on the monitoring of the nutritional status. This study investigated the correlations among the following determination methods of the N nutritional status of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L., var. Latifolia): chlorophyll readings (SPAD-502 (R), Minolta), specific-ion nitrate meter (Nitrate Meter C-141, Horiba-Cardy (R)), and laboratory analysis (conventional foliar diagnosis). Samples were taken weekly from two weeks before flowering to the fifth week after the first flower. The experiment was conducted on the Fazenda Santa Tereza, Itapeva, State of São Paulo, Brazil. The crop was fertilized with 40 kg ha(-1) N at planting and 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg ha(-1) of side-dressed N. The range of leaf N contents reported as adequate for samples taken 80-90 days after plant emergence (traditional foliar diagnosis) may be used as reference from the beginning of flowering when the plant is not stressed. Specific-ion nitrate meter readings can be used as a nutritional indicator of cotton nutrition from one week after pinhead until the third week of flowering. In this case, plants are well-nourished when readings exceed 8,000 mg L(-1) NO(3)(-). The chlorophyll meter can also be used to estimate the nutritional status of cotton from the third week of flowering. In this case the readings should be above 48 in well-nourished plants.

Sewage sludge levels on the development and nutrition of sunflower plants

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of substituting chemical nitrogen (N) fertilization for equivalent N levels from sewage sludge of Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP) on sunflower plant development. Nutrient levels in physiologically mature leaves and seeds, besides nutrient exportation during a 130-day assay, were also assessed. The experiment was carried out in 100 m(2) permanent plots at Sao Manuel Farm, which belongs to School of Agronomical Sciences, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botncatu, São Paulo State, Brazil. The farm is located in the municipality of Sao Manuel, São Paulo State. Experimental design was in randomized blocks including 5 treatments and 5 replicates. Treatments were: T1 - chemical N fertilization according to the recommendation for the culture; T2 - 50% N from sewage sludge and 50% N from chemical fertilization; T3 - 100% N from sewage sludge; T4 - 150% N from sewage sludge; T5 - 200% N from sewage sludge. For all treatments, equal amounts of P and K fertilization were applied. Treatments differed for plant height from 21 to 64 days, stern diameter from 28 to 57 days, and leaf number from 21 to 38 days. Seed nutrient levels slightly varied; however, the quantities of exported N, P, Mg, Fe and Zn varied as sewage sludge levels increased.

Nutrition-related habits and associated factors of Brazilian adolescents

To investigate the nutrition-related habits (NRH) of Brazilian adolescents and evaluate the associations with risk factors.Cross-sectional school-based was carried out among high school adolescents aged 14-18 years (n = 1,759) from public and private schools from two cities. The NRH were investigated by the weekly consumption of vegetables, fruit, sweet food and fried food. Risk factors investigated were: city, sex, age, socioeconomic status and nutritional status. In statistics, Poisson regression was used with robust variance adjustment.Data indicated low consumption of fruits and vegetables, 70.0 and 71.0%, respectively, and high consumption of sweets and fried food, 66.7 and 63%, respectively. Boys showed risk of inadequate intake of vegetables [prevalence ratios (PR) 1.10, 95% CI 1.01-1.16] and fruit (PR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01-1.16). Furthermore, adolescents who live in Maringa had greater likelihood of consuming vegetables and fruit (20 and 25%, respectively). However, they presented risk of inadequate consumption of sweets (PR 1.19, 95% CI 1.11-1.28) for adolescents who live in Presidente Prudente.We concluded that inadequate NRH show high prevalence among adolescents and indicate the need to employ educational strategies that promote the adoption of more healthy habits and behaviors.

Paracoccidioidomicose subaguda progressiva: tratamento de um doente com anfotericina B e nutrição parenteral

Os Autores descrevem um caso de paracoccidioidomicose subaguda progressiva, com quadro clínico sugestivo de síndrome de má absorção, em que o doente não se beneficiara apenas com o tratamento antifúngico convencional. Ao se introduzir como medida auxiliar a nutrição parenteral houve evidente melhora clínica e laboratorial. Desta maneira os Autores propõe o uso associado da nutrição parenteral no tratamento de doentes com esta forma clínica de paracoccidioidomicose.

Factors predictive of inappropriateness in requests for parenteral antimicrobials for therapeutic purposes: A study in a small teaching hospital in Brazil

Background: The identification of patterns of inappropriate antimicrobial prescriptions in hospitals contributes to the improvement of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to identify predictors of inappropriateness in requests for parenteral antimicrobials (RPAs) in a teaching hospital with 285 beds. We reviewed 25% of RPAs for therapeutic purposes from y 2005. Appropriateness was evaluated according to current guidelines for antimicrobial therapy. We assessed predictors of inappropriateness through univariate and multivariate models. RPAs classified as 'appropriate' or 'probably appropriate' were selected as controls. Case groups comprised inappropriate RPAs, either in general or for specific errors. Results: Nine hundred and sixty-three RPAs were evaluated, 34.6% of which were considered inappropriate. In the multivariate analysis, general predictors of inappropriateness were: prescription on week-ends/holidays (odds ratio (OR) 1.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20-2.28, p = 0.002), patient in the intensive care unit (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.11-2.23, p = 0.01), peritoneal infection (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.27-3.65, p = 0.004), urinary tract infection (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.25 -2.87, p = 0.01), combination therapy with 2 or more antimicrobials (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.15-2.57, p = 0.008) and prescriptions including penicillins (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.39-3.25, p = 0.001) or 1(st) generation cephalosporins (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.01-3.00, p = 0.048). Previous consultation with an infectious diseases (ID) specialist had a protective effect against inappropriate prescription (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.24-0.50, p < 0.001). Factors independently associated with specific prescription errors varied. However, consultation with an ID specialist was protective against both unnecessary antimicrobial use (OR 0.04, 95% CI 0.01-0.26, p = 0.001) and requests for agents with an insufficient antimicrobial spectrum (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.03-0.30, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the importance of previous consultation with an ID specialist in assuring the quality of prescriptions. Also, they highlight prescription patterns that should be approached by ASP policies.

The importance of endogenous nutrition of chicks from divergent strains for growing tested by deutectomy

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