Terapêutica com doses profiláticas de sulfato ferroso como medida de intervenção no combate à carência de ferro em crianças atendidas em unidades básicas de saúde

Objetivou-se testar a terapêutica com doses profiláticas de sulfato ferroso no combate à anemia carencial ferropriva, em 620 crianças de 4 a 36 meses de idade, atendidas em duas unidades de saúde do Município de São Paulo, Brasil. As crianças foram submetidas a coleta de sangue para dosagem de hemoglobina. em seguida, foi prescrito dosagem de 12 mg/dia de ferro elementar, por 30 dias. Observou-se que 25% dos menores de 6 meses apresentaram níveis de hemoglobina inferiores a 11,0 g/dl. As maiores ocorrências de anemia foram detectadas entre os 9 e 23 meses de idade (50,0%). Decorrido o prazo, apenas 37,4% das crianças com anemia e 52,4% das não anêmicas retornaram para reavaliação. Das 299 que foram reavaliadas, somente 157 (52,5%) receberam a medicação corretamente. A freqüência de hemoglobinas inferiores a 9,5 g/dl caiu de 17,1% no início, para 8,1% ao final da intervenção. Por outro lado, o percentual de crianças com hemoglobinas superiores a 12,0 g/dl subiu de 13,4%, para 33,4%. As que receberam a suplementação férrica de forma correta registraram queda nos índices de anemia sensivelmente maior que a observada naquelas suplementadas de forma incorreta. Concluiu-se que a terapêutica com doses profiláticas de sulfato ferroso, apesar de se mostrar eficiente na recuperação dos níveis de hemoglobina, apresenta sérios entraves do ponto de vista operacional.

Evaluation of different immunization protocols with P. brasiliensis antigens in Guinea pigs

O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver protocolo eficiente e reprodutível de imunização em cobaias com antígenos de P. brasiliensis, visando a obtenção de modelo experimental para futuros estudos de mecanismos de proteção imunológica. Testaram-se três diferentes antígenos (particulado, solúvel e composto) e seis protocolos nos quais foram avaliadas as influências dos seguintes fatores: presença ou ausência de adjuvante completo de Freund, número de doses imunizantes e intervalo de tempo entre a última dose imunizante e o desafio. A eficiência do protocolo de imunização foi estudada pela avaliação da resposta imune celular e humoral anti-P. brasiliensis, utilizando teste cutâneo e teste de inibição da migração do macrófago, e imunodifusão, respectivamente. Observou-se que: 1. Três doses imunizantes de antígeno induziram melhor resposta do que duas doses; 2. Maior resposta imune foi conseguida com a utilização de adjuvante completo de Freund; 3. Animais desafiados depois de longo tempo (6 semanas) da última dose imunizante mostraram melhor resposta imune anti-P. brasiliensis; 4. Os antígenos solúvel e composto foram igualmente eficientes induzindo maior resposta imune humoral e celular anti-P. brasiliensis enquanto que o antígeno particulado provocou menor reatividade

Evaluation of whole toasted and extruded soybean on the performance of broilers

This experiment was conducted to compare the performance of 1260 chicks fed diets containing soybean meal plus soybean oil (SBM + oil), whole extruded soybean (ESB) and whole steam toasted soybean (TSB), with two protein levels. A complete randomized design was used, with six treatments and 3 replicates of each sex. The treatments consisted of a factorial arrangement 2 x 3 x 2 to test three soybean types (SBM + oil, ESB and TSB), two protein levels (optimum and suboptimum) and two sexes. From 1 to 49 days of age, the tested soybean types did not affect the diet intake. However, ESB provided higher weight gain in relation to SBM + oil, but it did not differ from TSB. The feed:gain ratio obtained with ESB and TSB was better in relation to SBM + oil. There was no difference between the nutritional value of TSB and ESB, because they provided similar performance to the birds.

The Pediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organization American-College-of-Rheumatology provisional criteria for the evaluation of response to therapy in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus: Prospective validation of the definition of improvement

Objective. To use the Pediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organization (PRINTO) core set of outcome measures to develop a validated definition of improvement for the evaluation of response to therapy in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods. Thirty-seven experienced pediatric rheumatologists from 27 countries, each of whom had specific experience in the assessment of juvenile SLE patients, achieved consensus on 128 patient profiles as being clinically improved or not improved. Using the physicians' consensus ratings as the gold standard measure, the chi-square, sensitivity, specificity, false-positive and false-negative rates, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, and kappa level of agreement for 597 candidate definitions of improvement were calculated. Only definitions with a kappa value greater than 0.7 were retained. The top definitions were selected based on the product of the content validity score multiplied by its kappa statistic.Results. The definition of improvement with the highest final score was at least 50% improvement from baseline in any 2 of the 5 core set measures, with no more than 1 of the remaining worsening by more than 30%.Conclusion. PRINTO proposes a valid and reproducible definition of improvement that reflects well the consensus rating of experienced clinicians and that incorporates clinically meaningful change in core set measures in a composite end point for the evaluation of global response to therapy in patients with juvenile SLE. The definition is now proposed for use in juvenile SLE clinical trials and may help physicians to decide whether a child with SLE responded adequately to therapy.

Study of alternative schemes for the parameterization step of the continuation power flow method based on physical parameters, part II: Performance evaluation

New parameterization schemes have been proposed by the authors in Part I of this paper. In this part these new options for the parameterization of power flow equations are tested, namely, the total power losses (real and reactive), the power at the slack bus (real or reactive), the reactive power at generation buses, and the transmission line power losses (real and reactive). These different parameterization schemes can be used to obtain the maximum loading point without ill-conditioning problems, once the singularity of Jacobian matrix is avoided. The results obtained with the new approach for the IEEE test systems (14, 30, 57, and 118 buses) show that the characteristics of the conventional method are not only preserved but also improved. In addition, it is shown that the proposed method and the conventional one can be switched during the tracing of PV curves to determine, with few iterations, all points of the PV curve. Several tests were also carried out to compare the performance of the proposed parameterization schemes for the continuation power flow method with the use of both the secant and tangent predictors.

Evaluation of shear bond strength at the interface of two porcelains and pure titanium injected into the casting mold at three different temperatures

Statement of problem. Titanium has physical and mechanical properties, which have led to its increased use in dental prostheses despite casting difficulties due to high melting point and formation of oxide layers which affect the metal-ceramic bond strength.Purpose. This in vitro study evaluated the shear bond strength of the interface of 2 dental porcelains and pure titanium injected into a mold at 3 different temperatures.Material and methods. Using commercially pure (cp) titanium bars (Titanium, Grade I) melted at 1668degreesC and cast at mold temperatures of 430degreesC, 700degreesC or 900degreesC, 60 specimens were machined to 4 x 4 mm, with a base of 5 x 1 mm. The 4-mm surfaces were airborne-particle abraded with 100 mum aluminum oxide before applying and firing the bonding agent and evaluating the 2 porcelains (Triceram/Triline ti and Vita Titankeramik). Ten specimens were prepared for each temperature and porcelain combination Shear bond testing was performed in a universal testing machine, with a 500-kg load cell and crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The specimens were loaded until failure. The interfaces of representative fractured specimens of each temperature were examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). Data for shear bond strength (MPa) were statistically analyzed by 2-way ANOVA and the Tukey test (alpha = .05).Results. The results showed significant differences for the metal/porcelain interaction effect (P = .0464). There were no significant differences for the 2 porcelains (P = .4250). The Tukey test showed a significant difference between the pair cp Ti 430degreesC Triceram and cp Ti 900degreesC Triceram, with respective mean values and SDs of 59.74 +/- 11.62 and 34.03 +/- 10.35 MPa.Conclusion. Triceram porcelain showed a bond strength decrease with an increase in the mold temperature for casting titanium. The highest bond strength for Vita porcelain and the best metal-ceramic interface observed with the SEM were found with the mold temperature of 700degreesC.

Development of a pressure nociceptive threshold testing device for evaluation of analgesics in cats

A pressure analgesiometric device was developed for unrestrained cats. Eleven cats were studied. Stimulation was via three rounded pins within a bracelet on the forearm. The pins were advanced by manual bladder inflation. Bladder pressure was measured using a strain gauge pressure transducer. The threshold was recorded at the behavioural end point. Thresholds were measured at 5 and 15 min intervals for 2-4 h, after removal/replacement of the cuff, for 120 min after SC butorphanol (0.4 mg/kg), and with mild skin inflammation at the testing site. Data were analysed using ANOVA. Pressure thresholds in untreated cats were around 150 mmHg. The minimum interval for testing was established as 15 min. Data were reproducible over 4 h and beyond 24 h. Thresholds in 5 cats increased (P < 0.05) above baseline for 45 min after butorphanol with a maximum increase of 270 +/- 182 mmHg at 10 min. Thresholds decreased with inflammation. The method appears suitable for feline analgesia investigations. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Performance evaluation of a novel hybrid multipulse rectifier for utility interface of power electronic converters

This paper presents an improved analysis of a novel Programmable Power-factor-corrected-Based Hybrid Multipulse Power Rectifier (PFC-HMPR) for utility interface of power electronic converters. The proposed hybrid multipulse rectifier is composed of an ordinary three-phase six-pulse diode-bridge rectifier (Graetz bridge) with a parallel connection of single-phase switched converters in each three-phase rectifier leg. In this paper, the authors present a complete discussion about the controlled rectifiers' power contribution and also a complete analysis concerning the total harmonic distortion of current that can be achieved when the proposed converter operates as a conventional 12-pulse rectifier. The mathematical analysis presented in this paper corroborate, with detailed equations, the experimental results of two 6-kW prototypes implemented in a laboratory.

Cytogenetical characterization of six orb-weaver species and review of cytogenetical data for Araneidae

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Cauda equina syndrome after spinal tetracaine: Electromyographic evaluation-20 years follow-up

CAUDA equina syndrome (CES) has long been recognized as a rare complication of spinal anesthesia.(1) CES has been described after administration of spinal anesthetics with lidocaine(2) and bupivacaine.(3) In 1991,(4) CES was reported after continuous spinal anesthesia with 1% tetracaine. In 1980, at our university hospital, six adult female patients underwent perineal gynecologic surgery using a spinal anesthetic of 2 ml tetracaine, 1.2%, in 10% glucose. The concentration of the injected tetracaine was unknown by the anesthetists. In all cases, lumbar puncture was performed at the L3-L4 interspace with a disposable spinal needle while the patients were in the sitting position. CES was first diagnosed 72 h or later postoperatively; previous diagnosis was not possible because patients had an indwelling urethral catheter. The diagnosis of CES was confirmed in all patients. During the past year, after institutional approval and informed consent, clinical, magnetic resonance imaging, electromyographic examinations, and conduction studies were performed in three of the above patients. Examinations were not possible on the other three patients because one had recently died, another could not be located, and the third refused to participate. T1 and T2 magnetic resonance image readings were obtained with Gadolinium contrast from a 0.5 Tesla General Electric apparatus (General Electric, Tokyo, Japan). Bilateral sensory and motor conduction studies of the sciatic nerve branches were obtained using a two-channel Nihon-Kohden Neuropack 2 (Nihom-Kohden Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). Electromyography was performed in accordance with conventional techniques.(5,6)

Histochemical and SEM evaluation of the neuromuscular junctions from alcoholic rats

In the present study morphological changes occurring in the neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) of the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles from albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) submitted to experimental chronic alcoholism were evaluated. Seventy two male animals aged 4 months and weighing on average 400 g were divided into three groups: control, alcoholic and isocaloric. Six rats from each group were anesthetized and sacrificed after 5, 10, 15 and 18 months. The NMJ did not show detectable morphological changes in either muscle after treatment when examined by light microscopy. With respect to the dimensions, statistical analysis demonstrated a tendency to a statistically significant treatment x time interaction for the length of soleus muscle NMJ. The ultrastructural study, however, revealed that the NMJ of the soleus muscle of animals submitted to 18 months of experimental alcoholism presented important morphological alterations. Characteristically, the NMJ of these muscles is located on an elevation on the surface of the muscle fiber, presenting a regular round, oval or elliptical shape and continuous and not very deep synaptic grooves. Approximately 30% of the NMJ of alcoholic rats are irregular in shape, with the sarcolemmal elevations typical of the synapse region being flattened on at least one side, with discontinuous synaptic grooves, and deep and punctiform contacts of the synaptic buds. These data suggest that, although skeletal muscle has a greater natural resistance against the direct or indirect effects of alcohol, some submicroscopic morphological alterations are detectable in the NMJ, especially in muscles with oxidative metabolism (soleus) following long periods of ingestion of alcohol. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of cardiorespiratory effects of combinations of dexmedetomidine and atropine in cats

The cardiovascular effects of dexmedetomidine alone or in combination with atropine were studied in six cats. Cats underwent four treatments in a randomized crossover design as follows: DEX15, saline + dexmedetomidine 15 mu g/kg; DEX30, saline + dexmedetomidine 30 mu g/kg; ADEX15, atropine + dexmedetomidine 15 mu g/kg; ADEX30, atropine + dexmedetomidine 30 mu g/kg. Pulse rate (PR) and systolic arterial pressure (SAP) decreased in DEX15 and DEX30. Premedication with atropine was effective in preventing bradycardia (PR < 100 beats/min) and resulted in a biphasic effect in blood pressure. Hypertension was followed by a gradual decrease in SAP. Rate pressure product decreased in DEX15 and DEX30 whereas in ADEX15 and ADEX30 it remained within baseline values for at least 60 min. Although premedication with atropine in cats sedated with dexmedetomidine prevents bradycardia, it induces hypertension and increases myocardial oxygen consumption. The magnitude of cardiovascular effects produced by dexmedetomidine in cats does not seem to be dose-related. (C) 2009 ESFM and AAFP. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of the Possibility of Removing Staining by Repolishing Composite Resins Submitted to Artificial Aging

This in vitro research verified the possibility of eliminating staining caused by coffee and red wine in five composite resins, after being submitted to thermal cycling. Thirty-six specimens were prepared and immersed in water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours. After polishing, specimen color was measured in a spectrophotometer Cintra 10 UV (Visible Spectrometer, GBC, Braeside, VIC, Australia). All specimens were submitted to thermal cycling at temperatures of 5 and 55 degrees C with a dwell time of 1 minute, for 1,000 cycles in a 75% ethanol/water solution. After thermal cycling, the specimens were immersed in water at 37 degrees C until 7 days had elapsed from the time the specimens were prepared. All specimens were then taken to the spectrophotometer for color measurement. The specimens were divided into three groups (N = 12): distilled water (control), coffee, and red wine. For the staining process to occur on only one surface, all the sides, except one, of the surfaces were isolated with white wax. The specimens were immersed in one of the solutions at 37 degrees C for 14 days. The specimens were dried and taken to the spectrophotometer for color measurement. After this, the specimens were submitted to 20 mu m wear three times, and the color was measured after each one of the wear procedures. Calculation of the color difference was made using CIEDE2000 formula. According to the methodology used in this research, it was concluded that the staining caused by coffee and red wine was superficial and one wear of 20 mu m was sufficient to remove the discoloration.

In Vitro Evaluation of ICDAS and Radiographic Examination of Occlusal Surfaces and Their Association With Treatment Decisions

This in vitro study evaluated the performance of visual (International Caries Detection and Assessment System [ICDAS]) and radiographic (bitewing [BW]) examinations for occlusal caries detection and their associations with treatment decision (TD). Permanent teeth (n=104) with occlusal surfaces varying from sound to cavitated were selected. Sites were identified from 10x occlusal surface photographs. Standardized bitewing (BW) radiographs were taken. Four dentists with at least five years of experience scored all teeth twice (one-week interval) for ICDAS (0-6), BW (0=sound, 1=caries restricted to enamel, 2=caries in outer third dentin, 3=caries in inner third dentin), and TD (0=no treatment, 1=sealant, 2=microabrasion and sealant, 3=round bur sealant, 4a=resin, 4b=amalgam). Histological validation was performed by observation under a light microscope, with lesions classified on a five-point scale. Intraexaminer and inter-examiner repeatability were assessed using two-way tables and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Comparisons between percentage correct, specificity, sensitivity, and area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve were performed using bootstrap analyses. ICCs for intraexaminer and interexaminer repeatability indicated good repeatability for each examiner, ranging from 0.78 to 0.88, and among examiners, ranging from 0.74 to 0.81. Correlation between ICDAS and TD was 0.85 and between BW and TD was 0.78. Correlation between the methods and histological scores was moderate (0.63 for ICDAS and 0.61 for BW). The area under the ROC curve was significantly greater for ICDAS than for BW (p<0.0001). ICDAS had significantly lower specificity than BW did (p=0.0269, 79% vs 94%); however, sensitivity was much higher for ICDAS than for BW (p<0.0001, 83% vs 44%). Data from this investigation suggested that the visual examination (ICDAS) showed better performance than radiographic examination for occlusal caries detection. The ICDAS was strongly associated with TD. Although the correlation between the ICDAS and BW was lower, it is still valuable in the clinical decision-making process.

An evaluation of ocean color model estimates of marine primary productivity in coastal and pelagic regions across the globe

Nearly half of the earth's photosynthetically fixed carbon derives from the oceans. To determine global and region specific rates, we rely on models that estimate marine net primary productivity (NPP) thus it is essential that these models are evaluated to determine their accuracy. Here we assessed the skill of 21 ocean color models by comparing their estimates of depth-integrated NPP to 1156 in situ C-14 measurements encompassing ten marine regions including the Sargasso Sea, pelagic North Atlantic, coastal Northeast Atlantic, Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Arabian Sea, subtropical North Pacific, Ross Sea, West Antarctic Peninsula, and the Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone. Average model skill, as determined by root-mean square difference calculations, was lowest in the Black and Mediterranean Seas, highest in the pelagic North Atlantic and the Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone, and intermediate in the other six regions. The maximum fraction of model skill that may be attributable to uncertainties in both the input variables and in situ NPP measurements was nearly 72%. on average, the simplest depth/wavelength integrated models performed no worse than the more complex depth/wavelength resolved models. Ocean color models were not highly challenged in extreme conditions of surface chlorophyll-a and sea surface temperature, nor in high-nitrate low-chlorophyll waters. Water column depth was the primary influence on ocean color model performance such that average skill was significantly higher at depths greater than 250 m, suggesting that ocean color models are more challenged in Case-2 waters (coastal) than in Case-1 (pelagic) waters. Given that in situ chlorophyll-a data was used as input data, algorithm improvement is required to eliminate the poor performance of ocean color NPP models in Case-2 waters that are close to coastlines. Finally, ocean color chlorophyll-a algorithms are challenged by optically complex Case-2 waters, thus using satellite-derived chlorophyll-a to estimate NPP in coastal areas would likely further reduce the skill of ocean color models.