The effect of salinization in maintenance of intermittent catheter

O uso de cateter intermitente representa um procedimento muito utilizado em ambiente hospitalar. Este estudo, de natureza experimental, teve como propósito a análise comparativa entre o cateter intermitente, preenchido com solução de heparina 100 U/ml e o preenchido com soro fisiológico 0,9%. Foi realizado um estudo comparativo, avaliando a formação de coágulos e se estes estivessem presentes seriam quantificados. Para tanto, foram utilizados quatro grupos de 7 coelhos, da linhagem Norfolk, sendo realizado acesso venoso em veia auricular conectado ao dispositivo de infusão múltipla. em dois destes grupos, foi usada solução salina; em um grupo, caso fosse encontrada resistência, esta seria forçada; no outro, esta resistência não seria forçada. Nos dois outros grupos, foi usada solução de heparina; em um grupo, caso fosse encontrada resistência, esta seria forçada; no outro esta resistência não seria forçada. O cateter intermitente foi mantido por 72 horas e, a cada 12 horas foi infundida água destilada, simulando a administração de medicamento. Durante o experimento foram observadas as seguintes variáveis: presença da formação de coágulos, comprimento do coágulo, peso fresco do coágulo, peso seco do coágulo, contagem plaquetária e desconforto. Na análise estatística feita pelo método não paramétrico Kruskal-Wallis, com nível de significância de sigma = 5%, não foi encontrada diferença significativa entre os grupos e momentos. Pôde-se constatar a presença de formação de coágulo em todos os grupos independentemente da solução de preenchimento. Concluímos, principalmente, que há necessidade de elaboração de novas normas e rotinas na utilização de cateter intermitente.

Effect of intermittent feeding on growth in early juveniles of the crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus

Three experiments were conducted with juveniles of the crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus to investigate the effect of intermittent feeding regimes on growth and the ability to tolerate the shortage of food. In experiment 1, stage III juveniles were assigned to one of seven intermittent feeding groups (from FS1: 1 day fed/1 day non-fed to FS7: 7 days fed/7 days non-fed) and two control groups, continuously fed (CF) and continuously starved (CS) animals; this experiment comprised a short-term intermittent feeding period until the first molt, followed by a continuous feeding period. In the experiment 2, stage III juveniles were assigned to one of three intermittent feeding groups (FS2 to FS4) and one control group (CF); it consisted of a prolonged intermittent feeding period, until the end of the experiment In the experiment 3, stage VI and VII juveniles were assigned to one of three intermittent feeding groups (FS2 to FS4) and one control (CF); it also consisted of a prolonged intermittent feeding period. The red claw crayfish juveniles were able to tolerate periods of intermittent feeding and underwent compensatory growth after continuous feed was re-established. The ability of crayfish to tolerate intermittent feeding was influenced by developmental stage and duration of the intermittent feeding period. Stage III juveniles survived, but decreased growth, when subjected to prolonged intermittent feeding. However, they showed full compensatory growth when the intermittent feeding period was short and followed by continuous feeding. on the other hand, stage VI-VII tolerated 60 days of prolonged intermittent feeding without any change in growth and survival. The hepatosomatic index (based on wet weight) values of the treatments and the control were similar, suggesting that intermittent feeding may not be considered a nutritional stress condition. The relative pleon weight (based on wet weight) values of the treatments and control were similar suggesting low use of nutrients from the muscle to increase the chance for survival. The juveniles of C quadricarinatus can tolerate relatively long periods of low food availability and this is an important adaptation for their survival in changing/unpredictable environments and an attribute favorable for the production of the species. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of steeping conditions (sulfur dioxide, lactic acid, and temperature) on starch yield, starch quality, and germ quality from the Intermittent Milling and Dynamic Steeping process (IMDS) for a Brazilian corn hybrid

Effect of lactic acid, SO2, temperature, and their interactions were assessed on the dynamic steeping of a Brazilian dent corn (hybrid XL 606) to determine the ideal relationship among these variables to improve the wet-milling process for starch and corn by-products production. A 2x2x3 factorial experimental design was used with SO2 levels of 0.05 and 0.1% (w/v), lactic acid levels of 0 and 0.5% (v/v), and temperatures of 52, 60, and 68degreesC. Starch yield was used as deciding factor to choose the best treatment. Lactic acid added in the steep solution improved the starch yield by an average of 5.6 percentage points. SO2 was more available to break down the structural protein network at 0.1% than at the 0.05% level. Starch-gluten separation was difficult at 68degreesC. The lactic acid and SO2 concentrations and steeping temperatures for better starch recovery were 0.5, 0.1, and 52degreesC, respectively. The Intermittent Milling and Dynamic Steeping (IMDS) process produced, on average, 1.4% more starch than the conventional 36- hr steeping process. Protein in starch, oil content in germ, and germ damage were used as quality factors. Total steep time can be reduced from 36 hr for conventional wet-milling to 8 hr for the IMDS process.

Long-term facial artery catheter implantation for serial arterial blood sampling and invasive arterial blood pressure measurement in horses

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

The effects of 2 levels of the inspired oxygen fraction on blood gas variables in propofol-anesthetized dogs with high intracranial pressure

The influence of 2 different levels of the inspired oxygen fraction (FiO(2)) on blood gas variables was evaluated in dogs with high intracranial pressure (ICP) during propofol anesthesia (induction followed by a continuous rate infusion [CRI] of 0.6 mg/kg/min) and intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV). Eight adult mongrel dogs were anesthetized on 2 occasions, 21 d apart, and received oxygen at an FiO(2) of 1.0 (G100) or 0.6 (G60) in a randomized crossover fashion. A fiberoptic catheter was implanted on the surface of the right cerebral cortex for assessment of the ICP. An increase in the ICP was induced by temporary ligation of the jugular vein 50 min after induction of anesthesia and immediately after baseline measurement of the ICP. Blood gas measurements were taken 20 min later and then at 15-min intervals for 1 h. Numerical data were submitted to Morrison's multivariate statistical methods. The ICP, the cerebral perfusion pressure and the mean arterial pressure did not differ significantly between FiO(2) levels or measurement times after jugular ligation. The only blood gas values that differed significantly (P < 0.05) were the arterial oxygen partial pressure, which was greater with G100 than with G60 throughout the procedure, and the venous haemoglobin saturation, that was greater with G100 than with G60 at M0. There were no significant differences between FiO(2) levels or measurement times in the following blood gas variables: arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure, arterial hemoglobin saturation, base deficit, bicarbonate concentration, pH, venous oxygen partial pressure, venous carbon dioxide partial pressure and the arterial-to-end-tidal carbon dioxide difference.

Effect of wounds applied to the bases of herbaceous cuttings on the rooting of four Japanese apricot clones (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.) in an intermittent mist system

The Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.) is a fruit tree of the Rosaceae family which produces very acid and bitter fruits, highly appreciated by Orientals. In Brazil, this species has been studied as a rootstock for peach and nectarine trees, its main advantage being the reduction in plant vigour, which can favour the production of compact trees and orchard cultural treatments. This study was conducted in the Vegetable Production Department of FCAV/UNESP, Jaboticabal Campus, São Paulo State, Brazil, and the objective was to examine the effect of wounding the herbaceous cutting bases on the rooting of four Japanese apricot clones. The clones were obtained from plants under cultivation in the Instituto Agronomico de Campinas, Brazil, and were identified as Clones 02, 05, 10 and 15. The stock plants, obtained through herbaceous cuttings, were maintained under lath house conditions (50% of natural light). Cuttings 12 cm long with 3 to 5 leaves were collected from these clones and prepared. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomised design with 4 repetitions of 20 cuttings per replication, in a factorial 4 x 2 design, the clone factor having 4 levels (Clones 02, 05, 10 and 15) and the wounding factor at 2 levels of incisions into the cutting base (with and without). All the cuttings were treated with 2000 mg.L-1 of IBA for five seconds. Differences between the clones were observed concerning the rooting percentage, dead cuttings, number and length of roots. The incision (wound) at the base of the herbaceous cuttings of the Japanese apricot increased the number of roots and improved the distribution of these in the damaged tissue but the results were not considered sufficiently beneficial to make the treatment worthwhile.

Efficiency of intermittent exercise on adiposity and fatty liver in rats fed with high-fat diet

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

Effects of fasting and intermittent fasting on rat hepatocarcinogenesis induced by diethylnitrosamine

The influences of fasting on DEN-initiation and of intermittent fasting (IF) on the rat liver chemical carcinogenesis process were evaluated in a 52-week long assay. Three groups of adult male Wistar rats were used: Groups I to 3 were treated with a single i.p. injection of 200 mg/kg of diethylnitrosamine (DEN). Group 2 was submitted to 48 h fasting prior to DEN treatment. After the 4th week, Group 3 was submitted to IF, established as 48 h weekly fasting during 48 weeks, while Groups I and 2 were fed ad libitum until the 52nd week. All animals were submitted to 70% partial hepatectomy and sacrificed at the 3rd and 52nd weeks, respectively. Fasting prior to DEN-initiation did not influence the development of altered foci of hepatocytes (AFHs) and of hepatic nodules (Group 2 vs. Group G1). IF inhibited the development of preneoplastic lesions, since this dietary regimen decreased the number and the size of glutathione S-transferase (GST-P) positive foci and the number and size of liver nodules (Group G3 vs. Group G1), the inhibitory effect of IF was also reflected in the development of clear and basophilic cell foci. These results indicate that long-term IF regimen exerts an anti-promoting effect on rat hepatocarcinogenesis induced by DEN. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Comparison between qualitative and semiquantitative catheter-tip cultures: laboratory diagnosis of catheter-related infection in newborns

Este estudo prospectivo avaliou os métodos semiquantitativo e qualitativo de cultura de cateter para o diagnóstico de infecção relacionada a cateter (IRC) em recém-nascidos (RN). Foram incluídas pontas de cateteres provenientes de recém-nascidos internados na Unidade Neonatal do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, UNESP. Foram utilizadas as técnicas semiquantitativa e qualitativa de cultura de cateter. Para o diagnóstico de IRC, os microrganismos isolados das culturas de cateteres e de hemoculturas periféricas foram identificados e submetidos ao teste de sensibilidade a antimicrobianos. O padrão ouro correspondeu ao diagnóstico de certeza de IRC, com o isolamento do mesmo microrganismo (espécie e perfil de sensibilidade a antimicrobianos) isolado em hemocultura periférica. Foram estudados 85 cateteres provenientes de 63 RN. A cultura semiquantitativa, embora tenha apresentado menor sensibilidade (90%), apresentou uma maior especificidade (71%) em comparação à sensibilidade de 100% e especificidade de 60% encontradas na cultura qualitativa. Através da identificação dos microrganismos obtidos nas culturas de cateteres, observou-se uma predominância de espécies de Estafilococos coagulase-negativa (ECN). A espécie Staphylococcus epidermidis foi a prevalente (77,5%) nos cateteres com culturas semiquantitativas positivas. Dos 11 episódios de IRC diagnosticados, 8 (72,7%) foram associados a espécies de ECN, dos quais 6 eram da espécie S. epidermidis. Também foram detectados dois casos de IRC por S. aureus e um caso por Candida parapsilosis. O método de cultura semiquantitativo cateter apresentou vantagens para o diagnóstico de IRC em RN quando comparado com o método qualitativo tradicional.

Usefulness of catheter tip culture in the diagnosis of neonatal infections

Objective: To determine the number of colony-forming units (CFU) that best correlates with catheter-related infections (CRI) in newborns.Methods: This was a prospective study of semiquantitative cultures of catheter tips obtained from newborns in the neonatal unit at Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, state of São Paulo, Brazil. The microorganisms isolated from catheter and peripheral blood cultures were identified and submitted to a drug susceptibility test. The optimal cutoff point was determined by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results: A total of 85 catheters obtained from 63 newborns were studied. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the predominant species in the catheters (75%). Eight of 11 (72.7%) CRI episodes were associated with coagulase-negative staphylococci, six of which were of the S. epidermidis type. ROC curve analysis indicated that the optimal cutoff point for the diagnosis of CRI was 122 CFU.Conclusions: The cutoff point of 122 CFU correlated best with the diagnosis of CRI in newborns.

Comparison between intermittent mandatory ventilation and synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation with pressure support in children

Objective: To compare intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) with synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation plus pressure support (SIMV+PS) in terms of time on mechanical ventilation, duration of weaning and length of stay in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial that enrolled children aged 28 days to 4 years who were admitted to a PICU between October of 2005 and June of 2007 and put on mechanical ventilation (MV) for more than 48 hours. These patients were allocated to one of two groups by drawing lots: IMV group (IMVG; n = 35) and SIMV+PS group (SIMVG; n = 35). Children were excluded if they had undergone tracheotomy or had chronic respiratory diseases. Data on oxygenation and ventilation were recorded at admission and at the start of weaning.Results: There were no statistical differences between the groups in terms of age, sex, indication for MV, PRISM score, Comfort scale, use of sedatives or ventilation and oxygenation parameters. The median time on MV was 5 days for both groups (p = 0.120). There were also no statistical differences between the two groups for duration of weaning [IMVG: 1 day (1-6) vs. SIMVG: 1 day (1-6); p = 0.262] or length of hospital stay [IMVG: 8 days (2-22) vs. SIMVG: 6 days (3-20); p = 0.113].Conclusion: Among the children studied here, there was no statistically significant difference between IMV and SIMV+ PS in terms of time on MV, duration of weaning or time spent in the PICU.ClinicalTrials.govID: NCT00549809.

Intermittent Therapy with 1,25 Vitamin D and Calcitonin Prevents Cyclosporin-Induced Alveolar Bone Loss in Rats

Bone loss associated with cyclosporin A (CsA) therapy can result in serious morbidity to patients. Intermittent administration of 1,25 Vitamin D and calcitonin reduces osteopenia in a murine model of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of this therapeutic approach on CsA-induced alveolar bone loss in rats. Forty male Wistar rats were allocated to four experimental groups according to the treatment received during 8 weeks: (1) CsA (10 mg/kg/day, s.c.); (2) 1,25 Vitamin D (2 mu g/kg, p.o.; in weeks 1, 3, 5, and 7) plus calcitonin (2 mu g/kg, i.p.; in weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8); (3) CsA concurrently with intermittent 1,25 Vitamin D and calcitonin administration; and (4) the control treatment group (vehicle). At the end of the 8-week treatment period, serum concentrations of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP-5b), osteocalcin, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured and an analysis of bone volume, bone surface, number of osteoblasts, and osteoclasts was performed. CsA administration resulted in significant alveolar bone resorption, as assessed by a lower bone volume and an increased number of osteoclasts, and increased serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, TRAP-5b, IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha concentrations. The intermittent administration of calcitriol and calcitonin prevented the CsA-induced osteopenic changes and the increased serum concentrations of TRAP-5b and inflammatory cytokines. Intermittent calcitriol/calcitonin therapy prevents CsA-induced alveolar bone loss in rats and normalizes the production of associated inflammatory mediators.

PHYSIOLOGICAL and PERCEIVED EXERTION RESPONSES AT INTERMITTENT CRITICAL POWER and INTERMITTENT MAXIMAL LACTATE STEADY STATE

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

The rating of perceived exertion predicts intermittent vertical jump demand and performance

The aims of this study were (a) to assess the ability of the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) to predict performance (i.e. number of vertical jumps performed to a fixed jump height) of an intermittent vertical jump exercise, and (b) to determine the ability of RPE to describe the physiological demand of such exercise. Eight healthy men performed intermittent vertical jumps with rest periods of 4, 5, and 6s until fatigue. Heart rate and RPE were recorded every five jumps throughout the sessions. The number of vertical jumps performed was also recorded. Random coefficient growth curve analysis identified relationships between the number of vertical jumps and both RPE and heart rate for which there were similar slopes. In addition, there were no differences between individual slopes and the mean slope for either RPE or heart rate. Moreover, RPE and number of jumps were highly correlated throughout all sessions (r=0.97-0.99; P0.001), as were RPE and heart rate (r=0.93-0.97; P0.001). The findings suggest that RPE can both predict the performance of intermittent vertical jump exercise and describe the physiological demands of such exercise.

Evaluation of an Innovative Critical Power Model in Intermittent Vertical Jump

The aim of this study was to test if the critical power model can be used to determine the critical rest interval (CRI) between vertical jumps. Ten males performed intermittent countermovement jumps on a force platform with different resting periods (4.1 +/- 0.3 s, 5.0 +/- 0.4 s, 5.9 +/- 0.6 s). Jump trials were interrupted when participants could no longer maintain 95% of their maximal jump height. After interruption, number of jumps, total exercise duration and total external work were computed. Time to exhaustion (s) and total external work (J) were used to solve the equation Work = a + b . time. The CRI (corresponding to the shortest resting interval that allowed jump height to be maintained for a long time without fatigue) was determined dividing the average external work needed to jump at a fixed height (J) by b parameter (J/s). in the final session, participants jumped at their calculated CRI. A high coefficient of determination (0.995 +/- 0.007) and the CRI (7.5 +/- 1.6 s) were obtained. In addition, the longer the resting period, the greater the number of jumps (44 13, 71 28, 105 30, 169 53 jumps; p<0.0001), time to exhaustion (179 +/- 50, 351 +/- 120, 610 +/- 141, 1,282 +/- 417 s; p<0.0001) and total external work (28.0 +/- 8.3, 45.0 +/- 16.6, 67.6 +/- 17.8, 111.9 +/- 34.6 kJ; p<0.0001). Therefore, the critical power model may be an alternative approach to determine the CRI during intermittent vertical jumps.