Capacidade materna de cuidar e desnutrição infantil

OBJETIVOS: Identificar e medir a magnitude do risco de desnutrição associada a fatores determinantes da capacidade materna de cuidado infantil: estrutura familiar, escolaridade, trabalho, saúde física e saúde mental maternas. MÉTODOS: Delineou-se um estudo de casos e controles. Foram selecionados 101 casos (crianças com peso/idade abaixo do percentil 5) e 200 controles (crianças com peso/idade acima do percentil 25) mediante inquéritos antropométricos realizados durante três Dias Nacionais de Vacinação, em 1996 e 1997. Os dados foram obtidos em entrevistas realizadas nos domicílios com as mães das crianças. Para detectar o efeito-líquido de cada fator em estudo, realizou-se análise de regressão logística multivariada e hierarquizada. Tais fatores e as possíveis variáveis de controle foram agrupados em blocos, ordenados segundo a precedência com que influiriam sobre o estado nutricional infantil. Adotaram-se p<0,20 para seleção das variáveis de controle (mediante análise univariada) e p<0,05 para identificação de associação estatisticamente significativa entre fatores de estudo e desnutrição infantil. RESULTADOS: Foram identificados como fatores de risco de desnutrição: (a) estrutura familiar adversa indicada pela ausência de companheiro (odds ratio [OR] = 2,2; IC95%, 1,1-4,5); (b) internação materna durante a gravidez (OR=3,5; IC95%, 1,6-7,7); (c) precária saúde mental materna expressa pela presença de três a quatro sintomas de depressão (OR=3,1; IC95%, 0,9-10,3); (d) fatores de estresse familiar, no caso, indícios de alcoolismo em pelo menos um membro da família (OR=2,1; IC95%, 1,2-3,9). A idade da criança no início/retorno da mãe ao trabalho também se associou de modo independente à presença de desnutrição, porém os efeitos variaram: retorno precoce (criança com menos de quatro meses) não significou risco ou proteção; volta da mãe ao trabalho quando a criança tinha entre quatro meses e 12 meses constituiu fator de proteção. CONCLUSÕES: Evidenciou-se que fatores potencialmente definidores da capacidade materna de cuidado exercem efeito independente sobre o estado nutricional infantil.

Farinha de resíduos da filetagem de tilápias na alimentação de tilápia-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) na fase de reversão sexual

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar a inclusão da farinha de resíduos da indústria de filetagem de tilápias (FT) na alimentação da tilápia-do-nilo na fase de reversão sexual. Foram utilizadas 375 larvas com dois a três dias de idade, distribuídas em 25 aquários com capacidade para 30 L, em delineamento inteiramente casualisado, com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições, sendo a unidade experimental constituída por um aquário com 15 larvas. Foram elaboradas cinco rações isoprotéicas e isoenergéticas com 38,6% de proteína digestível e 3.800 kcal de ED/kg, com níveis de 0, 5, 10, 15 e 20% de inclusão de FT. Os valores de temperatura, oxigênio dissolvido, pH e condutividade elétrica da água dos aquários durante o período experimental foram de 24,53 ± 1,60ºC; 4,81 ± 0,68 mg/L; 7,70 ± 0,25; e 175,97 ± 108,46 µS/cm, respectivamente. Ao final do experimento, não foram observadas diferenças no peso e comprimento final, no fator de condição, na sobrevivência e no índice de reversão sexual das larvas alimentadas com a FT. A inclusão de até 20% de FT em rações para tilápia do Nilo na fase de reversão sexual não causa prejuízo ao desempenho dos peixes.

Purification, sequencing and structural characterization of the phospholipase A(1) from the venom of the social wasp Polybia paulista (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

The biochemical and functional characterization of wasp venom toxins is an important prerequisite for the development of new tools both for the therapy of the toxic reactions due to envenomation caused by multiple stinging accidents and also for the diagnosis and therapy of allergic reactions caused by this type of venom. PLA(1) was purified from the venom of the neotropical social wasp Polybia paulista by using molecular exclusion and cation exchange chromatographies; its amino acid sequence was determined by using automated Edman degradation and compared to the sequences of other vespid venom PLA(1)'s. The enzyme exists as a 33,961.40 da protein, which was identified as a lipase of the GX class, liprotein lipase superfamily, pancreatic lipases (ab20.3) homologous family and RP2 sub-group of phospholipase. P. paulista PLA(1) is 53-82% identical to the phospholipases from wasp species from Northern Hemisphere. The use restrained-based modeling permitted to describe the 3-D structure of the enzyme, revealing that its molecule presents 23% alpha-helix, 28% beta-sheet and 49% coil. The protein structure has the alpha/beta fold common to many lipases; the core consists of a tightly packed beta-sheet constituted of six-stranded parallel and one anti-parallel beta-strand, surrounded by four alpha-helices. P. paulista PLA(1) exhibits direct hemolytic action against washed red blood cells with activity similar to the Cobra cardiotoxin from Naja naja atra. In addition to this, PLA(1) was immunoreactive to specific IgE from the sera of P. paulista-sensitive patients. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of two methods of CaCl2 application and concentrations used to maintain passion fruit firmness

This is a report on the influence of the methods of postharvest application of CaCl2 in several concentrations, on the maintenance of the firmness of the sweet passion fruit (Passiflora alata Dryander). The fruits, picked in the pre-climateric stage, were selected desinfection with thiabendazol and submitted to CaCl2 in concentrations of 0% (control), 1%, 2%, 3% or 4% with two methods: immersion (for 2 h) and infiltration under vacuum and pressure (- 25 vacuum kPa, for 1 minute and, + 25 pressure kPa, for 1 min). All fruits were stored under refrigeration (9 degreesC, 85-90% RH), for 30 d. The fruits were evaluated for texture every 3 d. From the results, it is concluded that application of CaCl2 by infiltration favored the maintenance of fruit consistency during the first 18 days of storage. Fruits treated with 1% and 2% of CaCl2 were firmer than the others.

Effects of egg storage time on spread of hatch, chick quality, and chick juvenile growth

A total of 1,800 incubating eggs produced by a commercial flock of Cobb broiler breeders was used to determine the effects of storage duration (3 or 18 d) on spread of hatch and chick quality. Chick relative growth (RG) at the end of 7 d of rearing was also determined as a measure of the chick performance. Chick quality was defined to encompass several qualitative characteristics and scored according to their importance. Eggs stored for 3 d hatched earlier than those stored for 18 d (P < 0.05). Hatching was normally distributed in both categories of eggs, and the spread of hatch was not affected by storage time (P = 0.69). Storage duration of 18 d reduced the percentage of day-old chick with high quality as well as average chick quality score (P < 0.05). RG varied with length of egg storage, quality of day-old chick, and the incubation duration (P < 0.05). Eighteen-day storage of eggs not only resulted in longer incubation duration and lower quality score but also depressed RG. Chick quality as defined in this study was correlated to RG and storage time. It was concluded that day-old chick quality may be a relatively good indicator of broiler performance. The results suggest however that in order to improve performance prediction power of chick quality, it would be better to define it as a combination of several qualitative aspects of the day-old chick and the juvenile growth to 7 d.

Intestinal starch disappearance increased in steers abomasally infused with starch and protein

Steers (379 +/- 10 kg) with ruminal, duodenal, and ileal cannulas were used in a 5 x 5 Latin square digestion trial to quantify and evaluate the relationship between intestinal protein supply and intestinal starch disappearance. Treatments were infusions of 0, 50, 100, 150, or 200 g/d of casein along with 1,042 g/d of raw cornstarch. Abomasal infusions were accomplished by passing tubing and a pliable retaining washer through the reticular-omasal orifice into the abomasum. Steers were fed a 93% corn silage, 7% supplement diet that contained 12% crude protein at 1.65% body weight in 12 equal portions/d. Periods lasted 17 d (12 d for adaptation, 2 d of collections, and 3 d of rest). The quantity and percentage of organic matter and protein disappearance from the small intestine increased linearly (P < 0.03) with infused casein. Greater quantities of starch disappeared with increased casein infusion (P < 0.01). The infusion of 200 g/d of casein increased small intestinal starch disappearance by 226 g/d over the control. Casein infusion did not affect the quantity or percent of organic matter, starch, or protein disappearance in the large intestine. Treatments did not change ruminal ammonia N, ruminal pH, or plasma glucose concentrations. Starch disappearance from the small intestine was increased with greater protein flow to the duodenum of steers.

Protein-energy status and 15N-glycine kinetic study of child a cirrhotic patients fed low- to high-protein energy diets

In five male cirrhotic patients (Child A) and in four age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects, whole-body protein turnover was measured using a single oral dose of N-15-glycine as a tracer and urinary ammonia as end product. Subjects were studied in the fasting and feeding state, with different levels of protein and energy intake. The patients were underweight and presented lower plasma transthyretin and retinol-binding protein levels. When compared with controls, the kinetic studies showed patients to be hypometabolic in the fasting (Do) state and with the control diet [D-1 = (0.85 g of protein/154 kJ). kg(-1). day(-1)]. However, when corrected by body weight, the kinetic differences between groups disappeared, whereas the N-retention in the feeding state showed better results for the patients due mainly to their efficient breakdown decrease. When fed high-level protein or energy diets [D-2 = (0.9 g protein/195 kJ) and D-3 = (1.56 g protein/158 kJ). kg(-1). day(-1)], the patients showed D-0 = D-1 = D-2 < D-3 for N-flux and (D-0 = D-1) < D-3 (D-2 is intermediary) for protein synthesis. Thus, the present data suggest that the remaining mass of the undernourished mild cirrhotic patients has fairly good protein synthesis activity and also that protein, rather than energy intake, would be the limiting factor for increasing their whole-body protein synthesis.

The generator coordinate Hartree-Fock method as strategy for building Gaussian basis sets to ab initio study of the process of adsorption of sulfur on platinum (200) surface

The scheme named generator coordinate Hartree-Fock method (GCHF) is used to build (22s14p) and (33s22p16d9f) gaussian basis sets to S ((3)P) and Pt ((3)D) atoms, respectively. Theses basis sets are contracted to [13s10p] and [19s13p9d5f] through of Dunning's segmented contraction scheme and are enriched with d and g polarization functions, [13s10p1d] and [19s13p9d5flg]. Finally, the [19s13p9d5f1g] basis Set to Pt ((3)D) was supplemented with s and d diffuse functions, [20s13p10d5flg], and used in combination with [13s10p1d] to study the effects of adsorption of S ((3)D) atom on a pt ((3)D) atom belonged to infinite Pt (200) surface. Atom-atom overlap population, bond order, and infrared spectrum of [pt(_)S](2 -) were calculated properties and were carried out at Hartree-Fock-Roothaan level. The results indicate that the process of adsorption of S ((3)P) on pt ((3)D) in the infinite Pt (200) surface is mainly caused by a strong contribution of sigma between the 3p(z) orbital of S ((3)P) and the 6s orbital of pt ((3)D). (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Prolactin and zinc in dialysis patients

The objectives of the present study were to investigate the frequencies of hyperprolactinemia and hypozincemia in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), the associations between blood levels of zinc (Zn2+) and hormones, and dietary zinc intake amount and its relation to zincemia. We studied 28 patients (14 HD and 14 CAPD) who had their blood levels of Zn2+, prolactin (PRL), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and gonadotropins (LH, FSH) evaluated. Thirteen patients had dietary nutrient amounts evaluated from a 3-d nutritional record. Hyperprolactinemia occurred in 29% patients (HD = CAPD), hypozincemia in 62% (20% HD and 42% CAPD), and low dietary Zn2+ intake in 90% of patients. No correlation among blood concentration of Zn2+ and PRL, PTH, LH, and FSH were observed in the two modalities of dialysis or between zincemia and Zn2+ ingestion. We concluded that the occurrence of hyperprolactinemia and hypozincemia were not related to dialysis modality and that zincemia did not reflect the observed low dietary intake of Zn2+.

Effect of chronic treatment with Clomipramine on food intake, macronutrient selection and body weight gain in rats

Long-term treatment with clomipramine (CMI), a tricyclic antidepressant, induces food craving and body weight gain in patients. The present study investigated the effects of chronic treatment with CMI on total food intake, macronutrient selection, and body weight gain in rats. Male Wistar rats were maintained on a dietary self-selection regime with separate sources of protein, fat and carbohydrate. Animals received i.p. injections of CMI (0, 3, 10, 30 mg/kg) during 27 consecutive days. Food consumption and body weight were recorded daily and results were calculated as average of three consecutive days, namely during pre-treatment (3 d before pharmacological treatment), treatment (7th-9th; l6th-l8th and 25th-27th days), and post-treatment (28th-33rd days). Results showed that CMI (30 mg/kg) significantly decreased energy intake during all treatment period, an effect that was related to a decrease in both carbohydrate-rich diet intake and body weight gain. At dose of 3 mg/kg CMI increased the total energy intake in the 16th-18th days, suggesting an apparent biphasic effect of chronic treatment with CMI on caloric intake. Chronic administration with CMI (27 d) did not alter protein-rich or fat-rich diet consumption. The main result of this study indicated that chronic treatment with CMI decreases rather than increase food consumption and body weight gain in rats exposed to a macronutrient self-selection procedure.

Ultrastructural and histochemical examination of alveolar bone at the pressure areas of rat molars submitted to continuous orthodontic force

It is usually believed that repair in alveolar bone during orthodontic movement occurs after decreasing of force. However, we have recently observed signs of repair in previously resorbed cementum from human teeth exposed to continuous forces. In order to test the hypothesis that bone resorption and deposition occur concomitantly at the pressure areas, a continuous 15 cN force was applied in a buccal direction to upper first molars from eight 2.5-month-old male Wistar rats for 3 d (n=4) and 7 d (n=4). As a control, two additional rats did not have their molars moved. Maxillae were fixed in 2% glutaraldehyde + 2.5% formaldehyde, under microwave irradiation, decalcified in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and processed for transmission electron microscopy. Specimens from one rat from each group were processed for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) histochemistry. At both the times studied, the alveolar bone surface at the pressure areas showed numerous TRAP-positive osteoclasts, which were apposed to resorption lacunae. In addition, osteoblasts with numerous synthesis organelles were present in the neighboring areas overlying an organic matrix. Thus, this study provides evidence that the application of continuous forces produces concomitant bone resorption and formation at the pressure areas in rat molars.

EFFECT OF DROUGHT AND DEFOLIATION STRESS IN THE FIELD ON SOYBEAN SEED-GERMINATION AND VIGOR

Although drought and defoliation stress have been shown to reduce soybean [Glycine max (L.). Merr.] yield, little information has been published regarding their effects on soybean seed quality. Field experiments were conducted in 1986, 1987, and 1989 to evaluate the effect of drought and defoliation (1989 only) stress during soybean seed development on seed germination and vigor. Essex (MG [maturity group] V) and Union (MG III) were grown in 1986 and 1987, and Harper (MG III) and McCall (MG 00) in 1989. Moisture treatments were either well watered or drought stressed during seed development (R5 to R7). In 1989, a total defoliation treatment was also imposed at R6 as an additional stress factor. There were significant reductions in yield and yield components following drought stress in all 3 yr and following defoliation in 1989. Leaf conductance and transpiration also decreased in the drought stress treatments. There was no effect of drought stress on seed germination or seed vigor as measured by accelerated aging germination and the cold test across the four cultivars (determinate and indeterminate) and 3 yr. In 1989 slight changes in 3-d germination and conductivity occurred for some drought stress treatments. Most of this response, however, was related to increased occurrence of hard seed, which does not represent an indication of a change in vigor. Seed germination and vigor were significantly reduced for small, flat, shriveled, and underdeveloped seeds that only occurred following defoliation. These seeds represented a small portion of the seed lot that would normally be removed during conditioning. The data suggest that drought stress would have no effect on seed germination or vigor, unless the stress was severe enough to produce shriveled, flat, underdeveloped seeds.

AN IMPROVED ENRICHMENT PROCEDURE FOR THE ISOLATION OF YERSINIA-ENTEROCOLITICA AND RELATED SPECIES FROM MILK

A new enrichment procedure is proposed to improve the isolation of Yersinia enterocolitica and related species from milk. This procedure uses tryptic soy broth plus Polymyxin (5 IU/ml) and Novobiocin (10 mug/ml) - TSPN broth - incubated at 18-degrees-C for 3 d. Using raw milk and pasteurized milk inoculated with Yersinia strains, the efficiency of this procedure was compared to that of SB broth (sorbitol bile salts broth) incubated at 4-degrees-C for up to 21 d. Despite of the presence of antibiotics in TSPN broth, there were difficulties in recovering Yersinia organisms. Nevertheless, TSPN broth incubated at 18-degrees-C for 3 d showed better efficiency than that other method. In pasteurized milk samples, TSPN medium at 18-degrees-C for 3 d gave better results than the SB broth at 4-degrees-C for 7 d, showing that the proposed procedure is the preferable one due to the shorter period of incubation.

Validation of an immunohistochemistry assay to detect turkey coronavirus: A rapid and simple screening tool for limited resource settings

The objective of the present study was to develop and apply the direct immunohistochemistry (D-IHC) assay to search for turkey coronavirus (TCoV) antigens in formalin-fixed embedded-paraffin tissues by the use of biotin-labeled polyclonal antibody. Twenty-eight-day-old embryonated turkey eggs (n = 50) were inoculated with TCoV-purified virus, and 3 d after inoculation, sections from ileum, ileum-cecal junction, and ceca were harvested, fixed in neutral formalin, and embedded in paraffin blocks and used as positive control. In addition, a total of 100 field samples from ileum, ileum-cecal junction, and ceca, collected from 30 to 45-d-old turkeys poults experiencing an outbreak of acute enteritis, were used to search for TCoV by the same D-IHC. All results were compared with those obtained by conventional RT-PCR and indirect fluorescent antibody assay (IFA) for all tested samples. Turkey coronavirus was detected in experimentally infected embryo tissues and also in field samples in 100% of ileum-cecal junction and ceca by the 3 detection procedures. With IFA as a reference assay, sensitivity and specificity of D-IHC were 98 and 58%, whereas sensitivity and specificity of reverse transcription-PCR were 96 and 66%, calculated from the total of tested samples from experimental infection. Each of the examined procedures was highly specific (D-IHC, 93%; RT-PCR, 90%), sensitive (D-IHC, 85%; RT-PCR, 86%), and agreement of both D-IHC and RT-PCR was 99 and 100%, respectively, compared with IFA results obtained from all the field samples. These findings demonstrated the utility of D-IHC for direct detection of TCoV from field samples and considering the sensitivity and specificity found here, can be used as an alternative technique.

Evidence of zinc deficiency in competitive swimmers

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional zinc (Zn) status of elite swimmers during different training periods.Methods: A longitudinal paired study was performed at the University of São Paulo in eight male swimmers 18 to 25 y old who had been swimming competitively at the state and national levels for at least 5 y. The swimmers were evaluated over a total period of 14 wk: before the basic and specific preparatory period (BSPP-baseline), at the end of the basic and specific preparatory period (post-BSPP), and at the end of the polishing period (PP). Levels of Zn were determined in the plasma, erythrocyte, urine, and saliva by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Anthropometric measurements and a 3-d food record were also evaluated.Results: The median plasma Zn concentration was below the reference value in all training periods (BSPP-baseline 59 mu g/dL, post-BSPP 55.9 mu g/dL, after PP 58.8 mu g/dL, P > 0.05), as were threshold values for erythrocytes (BSPP-baseline 36.5 mu g of Zn/g of hemoglobin, post-BSPP 42 mu g of Zn/g of hemoglobin, after PP 40.7 mu g of Zn/g of hemoglobin, P > 0.05), urinary Zn (BSPP-baseline 280 mu g/24 h, post-BSPP 337 mu g/24 h, after PP 284 mu g/24 h, P > 0.05), and salivary Zn (BSPP-baseline 66.1 mu g/L, post-BSPP 54.1 mu g/L, after PP 79.7 mu g/L, > 0.05). Salivary Zn did not correlate with plasma and erythrocyte Zn levels.Conclusion: The results suggest that the elite swimmers studied presented a possible Zn deficiency and that salivary Zn was not adequate to evaluate the Zn nutritional status. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.