Efeitos renais e cardiovasculares da infusão de dopamina e da solução de cloreto de sódio a 7,5%: estudo experimental em cães com restrição hídrica

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: É controvertido o uso da infusão de dopamina na proteção renal. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi estudar o efeito da dopamina, da solução hipertônica e da associação de ambas em cães com restrição hídrica, simulando o jejum pré-operatório. MÉTODO: Foram estudados, em 32 cães anestesiados com tiopental sódico e fentanil, os seguintes parâmetros da função renal: fluxo plasmático efetivo renal (depuração de para-aminohipurato de sódio), ritmo de filtração glomerular (depuração de creatinina) e as depurações de sódio, de potássio e osmolar, excreção fracionária de sódio e potássio, excreção de sódio e potássio e a resistência vascular renal. Os parâmetros cardiovasculares foram: pressão arterial média, freqüência cardíaca, pressão da veia cava inferior, índice cardíaco, hematócrito e índice de resistência vascular periférica. Os animais foram subdivididos, através de sorteio, em 4 grupos experimentais: Grupo 1 - G1 (n = 8) - grupo controle; Grupo 2 - G2 (n = 8) infusão de dopamina (2 µg.kg-1.min-1), Grupo 3 - G3 (n = 8) solução de cloreto de sódio a 7,5% (2 ml.kg-1) e Grupo 4 - G4 (n = 8) - associação de dopamina (2 µg.kg-1.min-1) e cloreto de sódio a 7,5% (2 ml.kg-1). Os grupos tiveram quatro fases experimentais e cada momento com duração de 30 minutos, compreendendo os momentos M1, M2, M3 e M4. RESULTADOS: O grupo da dopamina (G2) apresentou diminuição da pressão arterial média, da resistência vascular renal e da excreção de potássio. O grupo da solução hipertônica de cloreto de sódio (G3) apresentou aumento do índice cardíaco, do volume urinário, da depuração de sódio e de potássio, da excreção urinária de sódio e potássio e da excreção fracionária de sódio. No grupo da solução hipertônica de cloreto de sódio associada à dopamina (G4), ocorreu elevação da freqüência cardíaca, do índice cardíaco, do fluxo plasmático efetivo renal e da excreção urinária de sódio; ocorreu também diminuição do índice de resistência vascular sistêmica e do potássio plasmático. CONCLUSÕES: Deste estudo conclui-se que a solução hipertônica de cloreto de sódio foi capaz de melhorar as condições hemodinâmicas e, conseqüentemente, a função renal de cães sob restrição hídrica de 12 horas. O mesmo não aconteceu com a infusão de 2 µg.kg-1.min-1 de dopamina que, em situação similar, não causou aumento da diurese e da excreção de sódio.

Energy and amino acid content in phase 1 nursery diet: piglet performance and body chemical composition

Avaliaram-se os efeitos da densidade de energia metabolizável (EM) e lisina digestível (LIS) sobre o desempenho e a composição corporal de leitões após o desmame. Utilizaram-se 114 animais desmamados aos 7,4 ± 0,80 kg; desses animais, 108 foram alojados na unidade de creche e 6 foram abatidos no dia do desmame para determinação dos dados comparativos da composição química corporal. Seis densidades de nutrientes foram estipuladas a partir de estudo anterior, com base na maior retenção de nitrogênio, mantendo-se as seguintes relações EM:LIS nas dietas experimentais: 3.390:1,291; 3.450:1,409; 3.650:1,411; 3.780:1,461; 3.940:1,507; e 4.109 kcal/kg EM:1,564% LIS. As dietas experimentais foram oferecidas durante 13 dias, quando os leitões atingiram o peso de 12,986 ± 1,449 kg. Avaliaram-se os prováveis efeitos residuais da densidade nutricional no desempenho subseqüente dos leitões. Ao término da fase inicial-1, seis leitões de cada densidade foram abatidos para determinação da composição química nas frações corporais e no corpo vazio. Não houve influência significativa dos níveis nutricionais no desempenho dos leitões ao término da avaliação. Os resultados de conversão alimentar e composição corporal ratificam o nível indicado em estudo anterior, de 4 g LIS/Mcal. O aumento da densidade de energia e lisina confirma a necessidade da correta relação entre ambos para assegurar o melhor desempenho dos leitões na fase inicial de crescimento.

Influence of moderate physical training on the GH/IGF-1 axis in diabetic rats

The influence of moderate physical training on serum growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor -1 (IGF-1) and binding protein ( IGFBP-3) in experimental diabetic rats was investigated. Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups, sedentary control (SC), trained control (TC), sedentary diabetic (SD) and trained diabetic (TD). Experimental diabetes was induced of Alloxan (35mg/b.w.) the training program consisted by swimming 5 days/week, 1 h/day, supporting a load of 2.5% b.w., during 6 weeks. Then, the rats were sacrificed and blood was collected for determinations of serum glucose, insulin, GH, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3. Samples of liver were used to evaluate glycogen, protein and DNA contents. The results were analyzed by ANOVA, and Bonferroni test and the significance level was set at 2.5%. Diabetes decreased serum GH, IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and liver glycogen stores in SD group. Physical training promoted increase in serum IGF-1 in both TC and TD groups (SC=82 +/- 15; TC= 1 03 +/- 13; SD=77 +/- 16; TD= 112 +/- 29 ng/ml) and liver glycogen store in TD group when compared to SD (SC=5.2 +/- 1.2; TC= 6.2 +/- 1; SD=2 +/- 0.5; TD=5 +/- 1.8 mg/100mg). Therefore, physical training contributes to the increase in liver glycogen content and to rise of insulin-like growth factor level in diabetic rats. It was concluded that moderate physical training promotes important adaptations related to GH-IGF-1 axis in diabetic organisms.

Time-dependent expression of annexin 1 in a model of chronic granulomatous inflammation

Objective and design: To determine the expression pattern and distribution of the glucocorticoid-inducible protein annexin 1 (ANXA1) in a murine model of chronic granulomatous inflammation.Materials or subjects: TO Mouse.Treatment: Chronic granulomatous inflammation was induced by injecting into dorsal sub-cutaneous air-pouches in mice, a mixture of croton oil and Freund's complete adjuvant (CO/FCA).Methods: Western and northern analysis, corticosterone assay, and immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA followed by Tukey's pair-wise comparisons or Dunnett's multiple comparisons.Results: ANXA1 protein levels changed significantly throughout the 4-week time course, with an initial peak at day 7 and a later elevation at 28 days. ANXA1 mRNA levels peaked at days 1 and 3, with a significant decline at day 7 followed by an upward trend to day 28. Plasma corticosterone measurements taken throughout the time course revealed an increase from 14 days onward, suggesting that corticosterone does not influence ANXA1 expression during the initial stages of the model. Immunogold staining revealed that ANXA1 expression in the inflamed tissue was mainly in extravasated neutrophils, with intact protein (37 kDa) being predominantly observed on the cell membrane.Conclusions: the pattern of ANXA1 expression indicates that infiltrated neutrophils are responsible for the majority of ANXA1 present both at early and later stages of this model of granulomatous inflammation.

Quasispecies of hepatitis C virus genotype 1 and treatment outcome with Peginterferon and Ribavirin

The majority of patients with chronic hepatitis C fail to respond to antiviral therapy. The genetic basis of this resistance is unknown. The quasispecies nature of HCV may have an important implication concerning viral persistence and response to therapy. The HCV nonstructural 5A (NS5A) protein has been controversially implicated in the inherent resistance of HCV to interferon (IFN) antiviral therapy. To evaluate whether the NS5A quasispecies pre-treatment composition of HCV 1a/1b is related to responsiveness to combined pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and Ribavirin therapy, detailed analyses of the complete NS5A were performed. Fifteen full-length NS5A clones were sequenced from 11 pretreatment samples of patients infected with genotype 1 HCV (3 virological sustained responders, 4 non-responders, and 4 end-of-treatment responders). Our study could not show a significant correlation between the mean number of mutations in HCV NS5A before treatment and treatment outcome, and the phylogenetic construction of complete NS5A sequences obtained from all patients failed to show any clustering associated with a specific response pattern. No single amino acid position was associated with different responses to therapy in any of the NS5A regions analyzed, and mutations were clustered downstream the ISDR, primarily in the V3 region. We observed that the CRS and NLS regions of the NS5A protein were conflicting for some variables analyzed, although no significant differences were found. If these two regions can have antagonistic functions, it seems viable that they present different mutation profiles when compared with treatment response. The patient sample that presented the lowest genetic distance values also presented the smallest number of variants, and the most heterogeneous pattern was seen in the end-of-treatment patients. These results suggest that a detailed molecular analysis of the NS5A region on a larger sample size may be necessary for understanding its role in the therapy outcome of HCV 1a/1b infection. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

CYCLIC CODES THROUGH B[X], B[X; 1/kp Z(0)] and B[X; 1/p(k) Z(0)]: A COMPARISON

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

Properties of l=1 B-1 and B*(2) Mesons

This Letter presents the first strong evidence for the resolution of the excited B mesons B-1 and B-2(*) as two separate states in fully reconstructed decays to B+(*())pi(-). The mass of B-1 is measured to be 5720.6 +/- 2.4 +/- 1.4 MeV/c(2) and the mass difference Delta M between B-2* and B-1 is 26.2 +/- 3.1 +/- 0: 9 MeV/c(2), giving the mass of the B-2* as 5746.8 +/- 2.4 +/- 1.7 MeV/c(2). The production rate for B-1 and B-2* mesons is determined to be a fraction (13.9 +/- 1.9 +/- 3.2)% of the production rate of the B+ meson.

Observation and properties of the X(3872) decaying to J/psi pi(+)pi(-) in p(p)over-bar collisions at root s=1.96 TeV

We report the observation of the X(3872) in the J/psipi(+)pi(-) channel, with J/psi decaying to mu(+)mu(-), in p (p) over bar collisions at roots=1.96 TeV. Using approximately 230 pb(-1) of data collected with the Run II D0 detector, we observe 522+/-100 X(3872) candidates. The mass difference between the X(3872) state and the J/psi is measured to be 774.9+/-3.1(stat)+/-3.0(syst) MeV/c(2). We have investigated the production and decay characteristics of the X(3872) and find them to be similar to those of the psi(2S) state.

A combined search for the standard model Higgs boson at root S=1.96 TeV

We present new results of the search for WH --> lvb (b) over bar production in p (p) over bar collisions at a center-of-mass energy of root S = 1.96 TeV, based on a dataset with integrated luminosity of 0.44 fb(-1). We combine these new results with previously published searches by the do collaboration, for WH and ZH production analyzed in the E(T)b (b) over bar final state, for ZH (--> l(+)l(-)b (b) over bar) production, for WH (-->. WWW) production, and for H (--> W W) direct production. No signal-like excess is observed either in the W H analysis or in the combination of all D0 Higgs boson analyses. We set 95% C.L. (expected) upper limits on sigma(p (p) over bar --> WH) x B(H --> b (b) over bar) ranging from 1.6 (2.2) ph to 1.9 (3.3) pb for Higgs boson masses between 105 and 145 GeV, to be compared to the theoretical prediction of 0.13 pb for a Standard Model (SM) Higgs boson with mass in m(H) = 115 GeV. After combination with the other do Higgs boson searches, we obtain for in H = 115 GeV an observed (expected) limit 8.5 (12.1) times higher than the SM predicted Higgs boson production cross section. For m(H) = 160 GeV, the corresponding observed (expected) ratio is 10.2 (9.0). (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Search for a narrow t(t)over-bar resonance in p(p)over-bar collisions at root s=1.96 TeV

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Balanço do nitrogênio da uréia (15N) no sistema solo-planta na implantação da semeadura direta na cultura do milho

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

Analgesia pós-operatória para crianças com menos de 1 ano: análise retrospectiva

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A dor pós-operatória continua sendo uma das principais complicações pós-operatórias e motivo de desconforto, principalmente em crianças. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o uso de analgésicos desde o término da cirurgia até a alta da sala de recuperação pós-anestésica (SRPA), como medida terapêutica ou profilática, para crianças com menos de 1 ano de idade. MÉTODO: Utilizando o banco de dados do Departamento de Anestesiologia, foi realizada análise retrospectiva, envolvendo o período de janeiro de 2000 a abril de 2001, das anestesias de crianças menores que 1 ano de idade submetidas a procedimentos cirúrgicos diversos, avaliando aspectos relacionados à analgesia pós-operatória. RESULTADOS: No período do estudo, foram anestesiadas 402 crianças menores que 1 ano, sendo que 194 (48,2%) não receberam analgésicos e 208 (51,8%) receberam. Com relação ao uso ou não de analgésicos, foi observado o que se segue: Sem analgésicos: (1) Idade: até 1 mês, 68/99; entre 1 e 6 meses, 53/126; entre 6 meses e 1 ano, 73/177. (2) Peso: 6,7 ± 3,1 kg (3). Sexo: masculino, 106/240; feminino, 88/162. (4) Estado físico ASA: ASA I, 69/187; ASA II, 56/113; ASA III, 46/79; ASA IV, 23/23. (5) Anestesia peridural sacral: 3/4. (6) Tempo de anestesia: 106 ± 32 minutos. (7) Encaminhamento para unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI): 93/119. Uso de analgésicos: (1) Idade: até 1 mês, 31/99; entre 1 e 6 meses, 73/126; entre 6 meses e 1 ano, 104/177. (2) Peso: 9 ± 2,3 kg. (3) Sexo: masculino, 134/240; feminino, 74/162. (4) Estado físico ASA: ASA I, 118/187; ASA II, 57/113; ASA III, 33/79; ASA IV, 0/23. (5) Anestesia peridural sacral: 1/4. (6) Tempo de anestesia: 130 ± 38 minutos. (7) Encaminhamento para UTI: 26/119. Os fármacos empregados para promover analgesia foram: dipirona (60,6%), dipirona + tramadol (25,5%), dipirona + nalbufina (5,3%), tramadol (3,8%), nalbufina (3,8%), meperidina (0,5%) e fentanil (0,5%). CONCLUSÕES: Utilizar analgésicos em crianças desde o término da cirurgia até a alta da SRPA não foi habitual, principalmente nas crianças menores e mais graves e em procedimentos cirúrgicos mais rápidos. O uso de dipirona, isoladamente, ou a associação dipirona/tramadol, foram as drogas analgésicas mais freqüentemente empregadas.

Alternative saline solutions to float foraminiferal tests

Flotation has been widely used in studies of recent foraminifera in order to concentrate tests and save time during picking. In this paper, four flotation agents with different densities were compared: (1) trichloroethylene, TCE (C2HCl3), with a density of 1.46 g mL(-1); (2) sodium nitrate/sodium thiosulfate solution, SNT (NaNO3 + Na2O3S2 center dot 5H(2)O), with a density of 1.46 g mL(-1); (3) zinc chloride Solution, ZC (ZHCl(2)), with a density of 1.70 g mL(-1); and (4) sodium polytungstate solution, SPT (3Na(2)WO(4) center dot 9WO(3) center dot 5H(2)O), with a density of 2.50 g mL(-1). Comparison was carried out by means of qualitative and quantitative data. Results showed that ZC and SPT were the best flotation agents, recovering 91% and 96% of the total tests, respectively, whereas TCE and SNT recovered 59.1% and 72.8%, respectively. Both quantitative and qualitative results significantly improved with a higher density of the flotation liquid. Therefore, substitution of TCE with ZC or SPT solutions is strongly encouraged, because they are, additionally, less harmful to health and the environment. ZC is the most cost-effective, since its results were not significantly different from those of the SPT treatment. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was not considered in this comparative study, because it has been banned in many countries and it is highly harmful to health and the environment.

Microwave synthesis of YAG : Eu by sol-gel methodology

Yttrium-aluminum oxides are interesting compounds and they have been extensively used as host for lasers and phosphors, due to their stable physical and chemical properties. The fabrication of yttrium-aluminum garnet (YAG) has been investigated thoroughly. Single-crystal YAG is expensive and to produce it a new way has been investigated. This process consists of modifying the methodology of reagents mixture and the process of heating them. The microwave irradiation is used to heat-treat the oxide mixture. The traditional synthesis of YAG powders occurs through the reaction of aluminum and yttrium powders at high temperatures. With this work we investigated the preparation of YAG by non-hydrolytic sol-gel route as an alternative methodology to obtain yttrium-aluminum matrix from inorganic precursors (yttrium and aluminum chloride). The preparation of the gel was carried out in an oven-dried glassware. The AlCl3, YCl3 and ethanol were reacted in reflux under argon atmosphere. Europium III chloride was added as a structural probe. The powder was dried and heat-treated in modified microwaves. The samples were pre-treated at 50 and 800 C during I h and then heated in microwaves for 30 s, 2 and 4 min. The formation process and structure of the powders were studied by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL) and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). XRD presents only picks corresponding to the YAG phase and confirmed by TEM. PL date showed that the YAG phase was formed in 2 min with the samples pre-treated at 50 C. For the samples pretreated at 800 degrees C, the YAG phase appears in 30s. The excitation spectra present a maximum of 394 nm corresponding to the L-5(6) level and emission spectra of Eu III ion present bands characteristic transitions arising from the D-5(0) -> F-7(J) (J= 1, 2, 3, 4) monifolds excited at their maximum. The magnetic dipole D-5(0) -> F-7(1) transition presents more intensity than the electric dipole D-5(0) -> F-7(2) transition. This methodology showed efficiency in obtaining YAG phase. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mixed pseudohalide complexes of copper(II). Crystal and molecular structure of [Cu(N-3)(NCS)(tmen)](n) and of [Cu(N-3)(NCO)(tmen)]2 (tmen = N,N,N ',N '-tetramethylethylenediamine)

The compounds [Cu(N-3)(NSC)(tmen)](n) (1), [Cu(N-3)(NCO)(tmen)](n) (2) and [Cu(N-3)(NCO)(tmen)](2) (3) (tmen = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine) were synthesized and studied by i.r. spectroscopy. Single crystals of compounds (1) and (3) were obtained and characterized by X-ray diffraction. The structure of compound (1) consists of neutral chains of copper(II) ions bridged by a single azido ligand showing the asymmetric end-to-end coordination fashion. Each copper ion is also surrounded by the other three nitrogen atoms: two from one N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine and one from a terminal bonded thiocyanate group. Compound (2) decomposes slowly in acetone and the product formed [Cu(N-3)(NCO)(tmen)](2) (3) crystallizes in the monoclinic system (P2(1)). The structure of (3) consists of dimeric units in which the Cu atoms are penta-coordinated and connected by p(1,3) bridging azido and cyanate ligands. In both cases the five coordinated atoms give rise to a slightly distorted square-based pyramid coordination geometry at each copper ion. The thermal behavior of [Cu(N-3)(NSC)(tmen)](n) (1) and [Cu(N-3)(NCO)(tmen)](n) (2) were investigated and the final decomposition products were identified by X-ray powder diagrams.