Evaluation of respiratory parameters in minimally processed lettuce grown under organic or conventional system

The increased preference for minimally processed vegetables has been attributed to the health benefits associated with fresh produce and the demand for ready-to-eat salads. In this paper, lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was evaluated for the effects of different cropping systems on the respiratory properties. Lettuce was packaged in low density polyethylene bags and stored in a refrigerator at 4 ºC. The concentration of carbon dioxide and oxygen inside the package was monitored during the storage at zero, three, six, eight, ten and twelve days by gas chromatography. Dry matter variation was measured gravimetrically up to day fourteen of storage. Values of respiratory rate for conventional lettuce increased from day 1 to 3 and remained low, while respiratory rate of the organic lettuce increased three-fold up to day 8, stabilizing at a high level. Variation in dry matter during storage also resulted from differences between the two cultivation systems. The highest content of dry matter was achieved by organic lettuce.

Prevalence of periodontal disease in dogs and owners' level of awareness - a prospective clinical trial

Periodontal disease (PD) is widely known among veterinarians for its high prevalence and serious consequences to the dogs. The objective of this study was to assess the occurrence of PD in dogs that live in the micro-region of Viçosa, treated at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Viçosa (HVT - Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal de Viçosa), as well as to assess how aware of this disease dog owners are. In order to do so, all dogs treated at the HVT from March 10th, 2009 to November 30th, 2009, on alternate days, had their oral cavities examined. Medical history data, such as age, type of food, main complaint and owner consent, halitosis, presence of dental calculus, inflammation and gingival recession and tooth loss, were collected. A prevalence of 88.67% was found for PD in dogs referred to the HVT, and 2.67% were referred due to this disease. Of all the owners who participated in the study, 43.83% knew about periodontal disease and of these 17.46% made use of some type of prevention or treatment. Therefore, periodontal disease is highly prevalent and the owners are not aware of the disease. Thus, a dog owner clarification program on periodontal disease is needed in the area where HVT-UFV operates.

Parameters of electrostatic spraying and its influence on the application efficiency

When the electrostatic spraying is used correctly, it provides advantages over conventional systems, however many factors can affect the system efficiency. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the charge/mass ratio (Q/M) at different spraying distances (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 m), and the liquid deposition efficiency on the target. Evaluating the Q/M ratio the Faraday cage method was used and to evaluate the liquid deposition efficiency the artificial targets were positioned longitudinally and transversely to the spray jet. It was found that the spraying distance affects the Q/M ratio, consequently, the liquid deposition efficiency. For the closest distance to the target the Q/M ratio was 4.11 mC kg-1, and at distances of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 m, the ratio decreased to 1.38, 0.64, 0.31, 0.17 and 0.005 mC kg-1, respectively. For the liquid deposition, the electrostatic system was affected by the target orientation and spraying distance. The target transversely to the jet of liquid did not improve the liquid deposition, but longitudinally increased the deposition up to 3 meters of distance.

Effects of age on histological parameters of the sweat glands of Nellore cattle

The sweat glands are important in thermoregulation of cattle in a warm environment as they help dissipate heat through evaporation. Studies on gland histology are important to define its secretion potential and the capacity of perspiration and heat removal. The objective of this study was to determine, by histomorphometry, glandular epithelium height, the depth of the gland, length of the glandular portion and number of glands per cm2 of the sweat glands of the three age groups of Nellore cattle. Thirty females were used in this study. They were equally divided into calves, heifers and cows. Histological sections were obtained and analyzed by digital images in Trinocular BX40 Olympus microscope coupled to an Oly - 200 camera, connected to a computer. The images were obtained with microscope with 2x, 4x, 10x and 40x magnification objectives. The measurements were performed using HL Image 97 program. The height of glandular epithelium, depth of the glands, length and density of the glandular portion per cm2 , were all analyzed. The calves showed greater height of the glandular epithelium than heifers (P = 0.0024), and cows (P = 0.0191). The depth of the gland was not influenced by age. Cows had higher length of secretory portion than heifers (P = 0.0379) and calves (P = 0.0077). Heifers had a greater number of sweat glands per cm2 of skin than cows (P = 0.023). In cattle, the height of glandular epithelium and the density decreases as animals get older. On the other hand, the length of the secretor portion increases but with no changes in the depth of the sweat glands

Registro periodontal simplificado em gestantes

OBJETIVO: Avaliar através do PSR (Registro Periodontal Simplificado) a prevalência, severidade e necessidades básicas de tratamento da doença periodontal em gestantes que freqüentaram a Clínica de Prevenção da Faculdade de Odontologia de Araraquara ­ UNESP. MÉTODOS: Foram examinadas 41 gestantes com idades que variaram de 16 a 37 anos. O PSR foi aplicado com auxílio de uma sonda especialmente recomendada para este exame (sonda Trinity - tipo 621 OMS), indicando os códigos 0 a 4 cujos critérios identificam de saúde gengival, sangramento, cálculo, bolsa periodontal rasa e profunda. Estes foram atribuídos a cada sextante, podendo ou não estarem associados a um asterisco (*) diante da presença de recessão gengival, invasão de furca, mobilidade ou alterações muco-gengivais. RESULTADOS: Demonstraram que 100% das gestantes apresentaram alguma alteração gengival, sendo os códigos 2 (56,1%) e o * (19,5%) os mais prevalentes. Os grupos etários de 15-19 e 20-24 anos, apresentaram o código 2 como maior escore e ausência de sextante excluído (X). A partir do grupo de 25-29 anos, além da maior prevalência ainda ser do código 2 (54,5%), ocorreram os códigos 3 e 4 (bolsa periodontal). Os códigos * e sextante excluído (X) tenderam a aumentar com a idade no grupo de 30-37 anos. De modo geral, os códigos 1 e 2, prevaleceram em relação ao percentual de sextantes afetados, correspondendo a 41,6% e 39,8%, respectivamente e afetando 2,49 e 2,39 sextantes, em média, por gestante. Em relação às necessidades de tratamento, 90,2% das gestantes necessitaram tratamentos adicionais aos preventivos, ou seja, 61,0% das gestantes necessitaram de raspagem e alisamento radicular e/ou eliminar margens de restaurações defeituosas e 29,2% de tratamento complexo. CONCLUSÃO: O atendimento às necessidades de tratamento na gravidez deve receber especial atenção com o intuito de se promover saúde bucal e motivação, e conseqüentemente, contribuir para minimizar a provável transmissibilidade de microrganismos bucais patogênicos para a criança, obtendo assim uma prevenção primária das principais doenças bucais.

Malaria transmission model for different levels of acquired immunity and temperature-dependent parameters (vector)

OBJECTIVE: Describe the overall transmission of malaria through a compartmental model, considering the human host and mosquito vector. METHODS: A mathematical model was developed based on the following parameters: human host immunity, assuming the existence of acquired immunity and immunological memory, which boosts the protective response upon reinfection; mosquito vector, taking into account that the average period of development from egg to adult mosquito and the extrinsic incubation period of parasites (transformation of infected but non-infectious mosquitoes into infectious mosquitoes) are dependent on the ambient temperature. RESULTS: The steady state equilibrium values obtained with the model allowed the calculation of the basic reproduction ratio in terms of the model's parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The model allowed the calculation of the basic reproduction ratio, one of the most important epidemiological variables.

Clinical and laboratory parameters in dapsone acute intoxication

OBJECTIVE: To determine the severity of dapsone (DDS) acute intoxication – an uncommon medical event – using clinical and laboratory parameters. METHODS: Two hundred and seventy four patients with acute DDS intoxication, aged 1 month to 50 years old, were studied and classified into four age groups. Clinical evaluation was assessed through a protocol and correlated with laboratory parameters. Spectrophotometric methods were used to analyze methemoglobinemia (MHbp) and dapsonemia (DDSp). RESULTS: The most prevalent clinical sign of intoxication was cyanosis, seen in 65.7% of the patients and in 100% of children less than 5 years of age. According to laboratory criteria, MHbp-related severe clinical intoxication was seen in 56.2% and DDSp-related occurred in 58% of the patients. Regarding DDSp, intoxication was considered severe when 20 tablets (100 mg each) were ingested, a median of 29 mug/ml. Regarding MHbp, intoxication was severe when 7.5 tablets were ingested, a median of 38% of the total Hb. The correlation between MHbp and DDSp was statistically significant (n=144, r=0.32, p<0.05). Negative correlation was observed between MHbp and the time elapsed since DDS intake (n=124, r=-0.34, p<0.001). There was also a negative correlation between DDSp and the time elapsed since DDS intake (n=63, r=-0.35, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Longitudinal analysis showed a significant association between methemoglobinemia and the time elapsed after the intake (t), according to the equation: Dapsonemia = 12.9256 - 0.0682t + 0.234 methemoglobinemia

Detection of pathogens from periodontal lesions

OBJECTIVE: To comparatively detect A. actinomycetemcomitans and F. nucleatum from periodontal and healthy sites. METHODS: Subgingival clinical samples from 50 periodontitis adult patients and 50 healthy subjects were analyzed. Both organisms were isolated using a trypticase soy agar-bacitracin-vancomycin (TSBV) medium and detected by PCR. Conventional biochemical tests were used for bacteria identification. RESULTS: A. actinomycetemcomitans and F. nucleatum were isolated in 18% and 20% of the patients, respectively, and in 2% and 24% of healthy subjects. Among A. actinomycetemcomitans isolates, biotype II was the most prevalent. Primer pair AA was 100% sensitive in the detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans from both subject groups. Primers ASH and FU were also 100% sensitive to detect this organism in healthy subject samples. Primer pair FN5047 was more sensitive to detect F. nucleatum in patients or in healthy samples than primer 5059S. Primers ASH and 5059S were more specific in the detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans and F. nucleatum, respectively, in patients and in healthy subject samples. CONCLUSIONS: PCR is an effective tool for detecting periodontal pathogens in subgingival samples, providing a faster and safer diagnostic tool of periodontal diseases. The method's sensitivity and specificity is conditioned by the choice of the set of primers used.

Doença periodontal materna como fator associado ao baixo peso ao nascer

OBJETIVO: Estudos recentes têm apresentado evidências de que a doença periodontal em gestantes pode ser um dos determinantes do baixo peso ao nascer. Realizou-se estudo para verificar a existência de associação entre doença periodontal materna e baixo peso ao nascer. MÉTODOS: Estudo do tipo caso-controle com 302 mulheres, sendo 102 mães de nascidos vivos de baixo peso (grupo caso) e 200 mães de nascidos vivos com peso normal (grupo controle). A existência de associação entre doença periodontal e baixo peso ao nascer foi avaliada mediante modelo multivariado de regressão logística, considerando outros fatores de risco para o baixo peso. RESULTADOS: Ambos os grupos de mães eram comparáveis no que se refere a idade, altura, peso pré-gestacional, tabagismo, alcoolismo, doenças prévias, estado civil, situação socioeconômica, número de escovações e uso de fio dental, número de refeições diárias, e visitas ao dentista. A doença periodontal foi diagnosticada em 57,8% das mães do grupo caso e 39,0% do grupo controle. A análise de regressão logística indicou associação positiva entre doença periodontal e baixo peso ao nascer (ORbruto=2,15; IC 95%: 1,32-3,48), especialmente entre as mães com escolaridade menor ou igual a quatro anos (ORajustada=3,98; IC 95%: 1,58-10,10). CONCLUSÕES: A doença periodontal é um possível fator de risco para o baixo peso ao nascer.

Desigualdades sociais e doença periodontal no estudo SBBrasil 2010: abordagem multinível

OBJETIVO: Estimar a prevalência e a distribuição geográfica da doença periodontal na população adulta brasileira e sua associação com desigualdades sociais contextuais e individuais. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados dados dos adultos de 35 a 44 anos de idade da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde Bucal – SBBrasil 2010 (n = 9.564). O Índice Periodontal Comunitário (CPI) e o Índice de Perda Periodontal (PIP) foram usados para definir a doença periodontal em “moderada a grave” (CPI > 2 e PIP > 0) e “grave” (CPI > 2 e PIP > 1). As desigualdades sociais contextuais incluíram o índice de desenvolvimento humano e a desigualdade de renda (Índice de Gini). Outras variáveis contextuais foram a cobertura de equipes de saúde bucal da Estratégia de Saúde da Família e o percentual de adultos fumantes. Modelos de regressão logística multinível para os participantes com dados completos (n = 4.594) foram usados para estimar odds ratios (OR) e intervalos de 95% de confiança (IC95%) entre desigualdades sociais e doença periodontal. RESULTADOS: A prevalência da doença periodontal “moderada a grave” em brasileiros adultos foi de 15,3% e 5,8% para a condição “grave”, com variações consideráveis entre os municípios. Dentre as variáveis contextuais, a desigualdade de renda foi independentemente associada com a doença periodontal “grave” (OR = 3,0; IC95% 1,5;5,9). A menor cobertura de equipes de saúde bucal foi associada com as duas formas de doença periodontal, enquanto o percentual de fumantes manteve-se associado com a doença periodontal “moderada a grave”. Adultos com idade mais avançada, de cor de pele parda, sexo masculino, menor renda familiar e menor escolaridade apresentaram maiores chances para ambas as condições periodontais investigadas. CONCLUSÕES: No Brasil, a prevalência da doença periodontal variou conforme o município e a definição de doença empregada. A desigualdade de renda teve um papel importante na ocorrência da doença periodontal “grave”. Características individuais de posição social foram associadas com as duas formas de doença periodontal.

Weather parameters and nosocomial bloodstream infection: a case-referent study

OBJECTIVE To evaluate if temperature and humidity influenced the etiology of bloodstream infections in a hospital from 2005 to 2010.METHODS The study had a case-referent design. Individual cases of bloodstream infections caused by specific groups or pathogens were compared with several references. In the first analysis, average temperature and humidity values for the seven days preceding collection of blood cultures were compared with an overall “seven-days moving average” for the study period. The second analysis included only patients with bloodstream infections. Several logistic regression models were used to compare different pathogens and groups with respect to the immediate weather parameters, adjusting for demographics, time, and unit of admission.RESULTS Higher temperatures and humidity were related to the recovery of bacteria as a whole (versus fungi) and of gram-negative bacilli. In the multivariable models, temperature was positively associated with the recovery of gram-negative bacilli (OR = 1.14; 95%CI 1.10;1.19) or Acinetobacter baumannii (OR = 1.26; 95%CI 1.16;1.37), even after adjustment for demographic and admission data. An inverse association was identified for humidity.CONCLUSIONS The study documented the impact of temperature and humidity on the incidence and etiology of bloodstream infections. The results correspond with those from ecological studies, indicating a higher incidence of gram-negative bacilli during warm seasons. These findings should guide policies directed at preventing and controlling healthcare-associated infections.

Virulence parameters in the characterization of strains of Entamoeba histolytica

Differences in virulence of strains of Entamoeba histolytica have long been detected by various experimental assays, both in vivo and in vitro. Discrepancies in the strains characterization have been arisen when different biological assays are compared. In order to evaluate different parameters of virulence in the strains characterization, five strains of E. histolytica, kept under axenic culture, were characterized in respect to their, capability to induce hamster liver abscess, erythrophagocytosis rate and cytopathic effect upon VERO cells. It was found significant correlation between in vitro biological assays, but not between in vivo and in vitro assays. Good correlation was found between cytopathic effect and the mean number of uptaken erythrocytes, but not with percentage of phagocytic amoebae, showing that great variability can be observed in the same assay, according to the variable chosen. It was not possible to correlate isoenzyme and restriction fragment pattern with virulence indexes since all studied strains presented pathogenic patterns. The discordant results observed in different virulence assays suggests that virulence itself may not the directly assessed. What is in fact assessed are different biological characteristics or functions of the parasite more than virulence itself. These characteristics or functions may be related or not with pathogenic mechanisms occurring in the development of invasive amoebic disease

Periodontal aspects of the juvenile form of paracoccidioidomycosis

Three cases of the juvenile form of paracoccidioidomycosis are reported. Emphasis has been given to the oral manifestations, particularly the periodontal involvement. The main periodontal findings were: generalized and progressive alveolar bone destruction leading to gingival recession with exposure of the tooth roots, and spontaneous tooth losses. The gingival mucosa was predominantly smooth, erithematous and slightly swollen. These aspects, although rare, may be the earliest signs of the disease and sometimes its only manifestation.