Análise da presença de agentes mutagênicos nas águas do Rio Pitimbú/RN

The Pitimbu River is located at the oriental portion of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, including three importants cities named Macaíba, Parnamirim e Natal. Although its high importance as a water source, which supplys great part of the South Zone of the Natal city, this river receives a large quantity of domestic and industrial waste water without treatment. The Pitimbu River headhas its river-head located in the city of Macaiba, goes through Parnamirim, then it flowing into at the Jiqui Lake in Natal. The aim of this study was to evaluate, qualitatively and quantitatively, the environmental quality of the Pitimbu River by genotoxicity bio-assays, which are important tools for genetics toxicological evaluation. In this work, five samples sites, distributed along the river, were used to collect water samples. Another point site, located near Jiqui lake, was used to collect drinkable water, which was treated by CAERN, the water treatment entreprise of Rio Grande do Norte. The following assays where used to evaluate the quality of these samples: Allium cepa assay; Comet assay; Micronuclei (MN) assay; and Ames test. For the Allium cepa assay, sixteen specimes where used for each water sample from the sample sites. In this assay both microscopic, like cytogenetic damage, and macroscopic aspects, as morphological variation were evaluated. Red blood cells from periferical blood of the Crenicichla menezesi native specie were used not only for the MN assay, but also for the Comet assay. These fishes were collected at different points on the Pitimbu River and the negative control was developed using fishes of the same species that were bring to the laboratory and maintained for 100 days in the optimal experimental conditions. For the Ames test, TA100, YG1042, TA98 and YG1041 strains were used in the directed method without metabolic activation. The results found by the Allium cepa assay showed that two water sample sites induced increase of mitotic index (IM). Additionally, compared to the control, all the water samples increased the chromossomal aberrations frequency and/or micronucleus. Among the sample sites, two also showed an abnormal growth rate in its root and two samples induced morphological alteration. With the MN test in red blood cells, a high frequence of MN was observed in tree sample. By comparing all the results obtained on the water sample points and with the negative control, a significant variation on the MN frequency was observed. Positive results were also observed for the same sample to water test by the Comet assay. These results allow concluding that the proposed specie Crenicichla menezesi has a good profile as a bio-indicator for the evaluation of environmental water quality and the MN and comet test can be usuful for in situ evaluation. By the Ames test, it was possible to detect the mutagenic activity on the waters from the Pitimbu River in different levels of mutagenicity. This result suggests that this river has several substances that induced changes directly to the DNA. The mechanisms involved to this phenomenon could be by both processes, by changing of the reading frame and by nucleotide substitution. These data set indicate the presence of mutagenic agents, which can represent in risk to biot and human beens

Atividades educativas aos portadores de periodontite crônica: escuta e troca de saberes no autocuidado em saúde bucal

This research aimed at evaluating oral health education activities for Periodontitis carriers, emphasizing the motivation for self-care and understanding the cultural aspects involved. This was a qualitative and quantitative study. Based on the qualitative referential, 20 interviews were done, in which differences between scientific and popular explicative models of the health-illness process were verified, besides the increased knowledge and motivation in relation to the use of preventive measures and also the fails in the understanding of the chronic character of periodontitis, enhancing frustration and guilty feelings in the patients. Two groups were structured: intervention and control. The intervention group was submitted to clinical attendance and education activities, while the control group undergone the traditional clinical attendance only. The sample consisted of 51 participants of intervention group and 47 of control group. Structured interviews were conducted at the beginning and at the end of the treatment in order to evaluate the knowledge and motivation for self-care in both groups. For comparison between the previous and post moments in both groups, there were applied McNemar tests with a probability of p < 0.05. In intervention group there was an increase in knowledge related to the name, the causes and related factors of the disease (p < 0.05). In control group there wasn t a rise in the understanding of the diseases chronic character, unlike in intervention group. However, in what concerns self-care, a greatest frequency in medium and high scores was observed in both groups. By this study, it is conclude that there is a common sense knowledge about the importance of preventive techniques and poor oral health as causing periodontitis; clinical interventions for bearers of chronic Periodontitis do not add values to the patients, regarding the illness, its causes and its chronic character; popular beliefs stay in their imagination, and the patients have a increased motivational capacity for self-care

Farinha de resíduos da indústria de filetagem de tilápias como fonte de proteína e minerais para alevinos de tilápia-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus)

Neste trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar a utilização da farinha de resíduos da indústria de filetagem de tilápias (FR) como fonte de proteína e de minerais em rações práticas na alimentação de alevinos de tilápia do Nilo. Foram utilizados 120 alevinos de tilápias do Nilo com peso e comprimento iniciais de 0,58 ± 0,05 g e 3,49 ± 0,09 cm, respectivamente, distribuídos em 24 aquários com capacidade para 30 L, em um delineamento inteiramente casualisado, com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições. Os peixes foram alimentados com rações contendo 30% de proteína digestível e 3.000 kcal de energia digestível/kg, de acordo com os seguintes tratamentos: CO - ração à base de milho e farelo de soja, sem suplementação de fósforo; FB - ração à base de milho e farelo de soja, com fosfato bicálcico; FB + FR - ração à base de milho e farelo de soja, suplementada com fosfato bicálcico (50%) e farinha de resíduos (50%); FT - ração à base de milho e farelo de soja, suplementada com farinha de resíduos. Ao final do experimento, os melhores resultados de desempenho foram observados nos animais que receberam suplementação de P. Quanto às características de carcaça, os animais que receberam a ração CO apresentaram maior teor de gordura corporal e menores teores de cinzas, Ca e P. A FR pode ser utilizada em rações para alevinos de tilápia do Nilo como fonte de P, sem prejuízos no desempenho e na composição corporal.

Efeito do manejo alimentar no desempenho do matrinxã Brycon amazonicus em tanques de cultivo

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do horário, taxa e freqüência de alimentação no desempenho do matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus) em tanques de cultivo. O trabalho foi realizado no Centro de Aqüicultura da UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, no período de outubro de 1997 a janeiro de 1998 sendo realizados três ensaios, em tanques de 200m² subdivididos em 4 de 50 m². No ensaio I foram medidos em 3 períodos (manhã-m; meio do dia-md e tarde-t) o consumo de ração, índice de ingestão, tempo de saciação e velocidade de ingestão em peixes com peso médio de 232,13 g, alimentados com ração extrusada (32% de PB). Não foi observada diferença significativa nos parâmetros analisados. No ensaio II, em peixes com peso médio de 233,98 g, foi medido o consumo médio de ração, em intervalos de duas horas, das 07 às 19 horas. O maior consumo ocorreu quando o matrinxã foi alimentado às 17 horas. No ensaio III, durante 57 dias, os peixes foram alimentados uma vez ao dia (m); uma vez ao dia (t); duas vezes ao dia(m/t) e três vezes ao dia (m,md,t). Peixes com peso médio inicial de 322,25 g receberam ração com 32% de PB, na quantidade de 2% do PV. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas no ganho de peso diário (3,17; 2,80; 3,04 e 2,81 g) e na conversão alimentar aparente (2,11; 2,48; 2,16 e 2,31:1). Concluiu-se que a freqüência de alimentação de uma vez ao dia, em qualquer horário, mostrou ser suficiente.

Ação da cafeína sobre o rendimento esportivo de ciclistas em condições de calor e umidade

Objetivo: Verificar a ação da cafeína no tempo de rendimento, a taxa de esforço percebido (RPE), os níveis plasmáticos de glicose, sódio e potássio, a temperatura timpânica (Tt), o peso corporal (PC), freqüência cardíaca (FC) e concentração urinária da cafeína com a ingestão de doses de 5 e 9 mg/kg de cafeína e placebo, em provas ciclísticas sob condições de alto risco térmico. Métodos: Foram estudados 8 ciclistas treinados e aclimatizados em 3 provas de 45 km utilizando o modelo experimental e duplo-cego com randomização intra-sujeitos. Resultados: Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre as variáveis avaliadas, entretanto o tempo de rendimento e a RPE foram menores com as doses de 5 e 9 mg/kg de cafeína que com a dose placebo. Conclusões: Estes dados indicam que as condições de calor e umidade podem ser suficientes para mascarar o benefício ergogênico da cafeína, entretanto deve-se considerar que a cafeína pode exercer influencia sobre a percepção subjetiva de esforço podendo levar à redução dos sinais de fadiga durante o exercício e conseqüente melhora do desempenho esportivo

Abordagem dos aspectos psicológicos da mulher infértil :um estudo quali-quantitativo

Purpose: assess the frequency of stress and anxiety levels in infertile women, correlate these aspects with risk factors and qualitatively analyze feelings resultant from the inability to conceive, in order to obtain data for specific psychological guidance. Methods: the case-control study included a total of 302 women, 152 being infertile (case group: 30.3 ± 5.4 years), and 150 non-fertile (control group: 25.7 ± 7.9 years). The quantitative approach involved the application of Lipp s Stress Symptoms Inventory (LSSI) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), whereas the qualitative approach consisted of a semi-structured interview. Response variables considered were: stress frequency and anxiety scores (State and Trait). Statistical analysis compared frequencies and medians between groups, by means of qui-squared and Mann-Whitney tests, respectively, and constructed logistical regression models to test associations between response variables and risk factors considered. Qualitative data were analyzed descriptively and categorized in order to perform correspondence analysis. The level of significance was 5%. Results: in the study sample, stress frequency was higher in the case group than in the control(61.8 and 36.0%, respectively), however, significant differences were not observed between groups in relation to stress phases and predominant symptomology type. With respect to anxiety, there were no significant differences between case and control groups as to median state scores [39.5 (35.0 46.0) and 41.0 (35.7 47.0 ); respectively) and anxiety trait scores [44.0 (34.0 51.0) and 42.0 (36.0 49.2); respectively). Risk factors significantly associated with greater risk for high anxiety scores in the case group were: primary infertility, unawareness of the causal factor, diagnostic phase investigation, religion, lack of children from other marriages and the fact that the woman was previously married. The qualitative approach demonstrated that infertility provokes emotional responses, such as sadness, anxiety, anger, fear and guilt. Conclusions: it can be concluded that infertile women are more vulnerable to stress; however, they are capable of adapting to stressful events without serious physical or psychological compromising

Análise das mutações C282Y e H63D no gene da proteína HFE em pacientes com hiperferritinemia

Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HH) is a genetic disease caused by high iron absorption and deposition in several organs. This accumulation results in clinical disturbances such as cirrhosis, arthritis, cardiopathies, diabetes, sexual disorders and skin darkening. The H63D and C282Y mutations are well defined in the hemochromatosis etiology. The aim of this paper was that of identifying the H63D and C282Y genetical mutations in the hemochromatosis gene and the frequency assessment of these mutations in the HFE protein gene in patients with hyperferritin which are sent to the DNA Center laboratory in Natal, state of Rio Grande do Norte. This paper also evaluates the HH H63D and C282Y gene mutations genotype correlation with the serum ferritin concentration, glucose, alanine aminotransferasis, aspartato aminotransferasis, gama glutamil transferasis and with the clinical complications and also the interrelation with life habits including alcoholism and iron overload. The biochemical dosages and molecule analyses are done respectively by the enzymatic method and PCR with enzymatic restriction. Out of the 183 patients investigated, 51,4% showed no mutation and 48,6% showed some type of mutation: 5,0% were C282Y heterozygous mutation; 1,1%, C282Y homozygous mutation; 31%, H63D heterozygous mutation; 8,7%, H63D homozygous mutation; and 3,3%, heterozygous for the mutation in both genes. As to gender, we observed a greater percentage of cases with molecular alteration in men in relation to women in the two evaluated mutations. The individuals with negative results showed clinical and lab signs which indicate hemochromatosis that other genes could be involved in the iron metabolism. Due to the high prevalence of hemochromatosis and taking into account that hemochromatosis is considered a public health matter, its gravity being preventable and the loss treatment toxicity, the early genetic diagnosis is indicated, especially in patients with high ferritin, and this way it avoids serious clinical manifestations and increases patients' life expectation. Our findings show the importance of doing such genetic studies in individuals suspected of hereditary hemochromatosis due to the high incidence of such a hereditary disease in our region

IgA sérica, secretora, IgE total e estado nutricional em crianças com infecções por enteroparasitas

Infections for intestinal parasites are one of the main morbidade causes in humans and, its relationships with socioeconomic levels and hygiene conditions in countries in development are already very established. Many works, even so, they are being accomplished to elucidate the complex interactions among nutrition, these infections and answer imunológica, because it is seen that malnutrition commits the immunity increasing the susceptibilidade for infectious diseases and these for its time can harm the state human nutricional. It is known that sponge helmínticos they stimulate synthesis of IgE so much policlonal as specific for the same ones and that IgA secretora, main imunoglobulina of defense of the mucous ones, can act against protozoa as the Giardia lamblia and against helmintos as Trichuris tichiura and Strongyloides stercorales. Some studies show that the malnutrition energy protéica influences in the production of these answers, but some authors show results divergentes. In this work it was evaluated the levels of total IgE, IgA sérica and secretora, contagem of sanguine eosinófilos, levels of proteins séricas and state nutricional, in 103 children of low socioeconomic level, to discover a correlation between those and infection for enteroparasitas. They participated in the study children of both sexes, with age of 3 to 6 years, visitors of the same creche and residents in a neighborhood with precarious hygiene conditions and basic saneamento, in the city of Christmas. The obtained results showed that the faulty environmental and socioeconomic conditions favored to a high infection frequency for enteroparasitas, mainly Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides between the helmintos and Endolimax sleep and Giárdia lamblia among the protozoa. Light malnutrition without deficit protéico was observed in 30% of the children, which didn't also present significant deficiencies of IgA sérica and secretora. The sponged children

Estudo dos fatores associados à infecção chagásica em área endêmica do Rio Grande do Norte

The Chagas disease is a infectious and parasite disease that has as the causative agent a Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite that can be transmitted to humans by the faeces of triatomines ( barbeiros ) in the blood-sucking. To understand the relationship between factors associated with chagasic infection and the risk of transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi, this work aimed to make a correlation between the results of serology, obtained by different immunological techniques, used for diagnosis of Chagas disease and risk factors to which the population of the city of Apodi-RN is exposed, to be considered a endemic area. The case-control study was conducted with 199 individuals, which initially was applied a questionary about socio-economic questions and some risk factors which they were exposed and also favor the spread of disease. Then was given the diagnosis by immunological techniques of serology by indirect hemagglutination, ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence. From the diagnosis, the subjects were divided into case group (presence of infection) and control group (no infection). Regarding the descriptive characteristics of the sample, were found a higher frequency of female individuals (59.3%), between 36 and 50 years of age (36.7%), with low education level (91%) and income monthly up to 1 minimum wage (67.8%). The serology, performed by three techniques of different principles, had a reactivity of 38.9% by Indirect Hemagglutination, 39.7% by ELISA and 38.7% by Indirect Immunofluorescence. As the result of the serology, 71 of samples showed reactivity in 2 or more techniques. On some risk variables, was found a significant relationship between individuals who had been bitten by the triatomines and had positive serology for Chagas disease (93.3%). Other variables of risk revealed individuals who had positive serology and had domestic animal (80.3%), lived in poorly maintained homes (97.2%) and near the forest (84.5%). A better understanding of the dynamics of transmission of T. cruzi and the risk factors that contribute to its occurrence in a region are needed to develop effective strategies for control of Chagas disease in these áreas

Osteopenia diabética e pós-menopausa: efeito metabólico do zinco na recuperação do volume ósseo trabecular

Diabetes mellitus has been associated with bone metabolism alterations, such as osteopenia and osteporosis. So, the search of new anabolic agents promote bone mass gain can be important to prevent osteoporosis. The aim of this study was evaluate zinc anabolic effect over bone in diabetic and post-menopausal osteopenic models. Diabetes was induced by STZ (45mg/Kg of body weight) administration and post-menopausal by bilateral ovariectomy. Adults female Wistar rats (n=65) were divided in 5 groups: control group (n=15), ovariectomized without (n=15) and with zinc supplementation (n=10) groups, diabetic and ovarioctomized without (n=15) and with zinc supplementation (n=10) groups. Studied periods had been untill 90 days. Diabetic condition was confirmed hiperglicemic state and alterations of state with polyuria, polyphagia, polydipsia and glucosuria. Histomorphometric analysis showed that zinc supplementation increased trabecular thickness and reduced trabecular distance significantly in diabetic groups with similar values to those showed in control group. Correlation analysis of histomorphometric parameters with serum glucose concentration showed that more time in hyperglycemia more bone damage, as well as, zinc supplementation contributed to prevent this damage. Elevated serum glucose caused hyperzincuria, phosphaturia and calciuria. Zinc supplementation promoted increased levels of calcium and phosphorous ions in 90th days diabetic group. No alteration was observed by ovariectomy in mineral (Ca, P and Zn) serum and urine concentrations. Total serum Alkaline Phosphatase activity increased in diabetic groups, supplemented or not, compared with control group. However, Tartarate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase, magnesium and serum zinc did not altered in studied groups. Serum albumin was reduced only in diabetic groups. Serum creatinine was unaltered. These results support the hypotesis that zinc can be used to prevent and treat diabetic and post-menopausal osteopenia

Entomofauna visitante de Stenolobium stans (Juss.) Seem (Bignoniaceae), durante seu período de floração

Realizaram-se estudos sobre as formas de reprodução de Stenolobium stans (Juss.) Seem e determinou-se a diversidade, freqüência e constância dos insetos visitantes nas flores em diferentes horas, durante quatro anos. As flores de S. stans começam a se abrir nas primeiras horas do dia entre 5 e 6h, com duração de 3 a 8h. Quando o estigma está receptivo, o pólen tem 90% de viabilidade. Além do pólen, a flor possui outros atrativos para os insetos visitantes, ou seja, os osmóforos responsáveis pelo odor adocicado, luz ultravioleta refletida e néctar com 25% de açúcar. A planta é autocompatível, reproduzindo-se por autogamia, geitonogamia ou xenogamia o que determina a necessidade de polinizadores externos e justifica ser a espécie vegetal em estudo uma séria invasora de campos e pastagens. Grande diversidade de insetos foi verificada visitando as flores, com predominância das abelhas. Os polinizadores foram Centris collaris Lepeletier, Bombus morio (Swederus), Eulaema nigrita Lepeletier e Epicharis sp. No meio rural houve menor incidência das espécies nativas do que no ambiente urbano, com predominância da abelha introduzida Apis mellifera L. Fatores ambientais, principalmente a temperatura, luminosidade, umidade relativa do ar e velocidade do vento, influenciaram a atividade forrageadora dos insetos.

Entomofauna visitante das flores de Cassia spectabilis (L.) D C. (Leguminosae)

Realizaram-se estudos sobre sistemas de reprodução de Cassia spectabilis (L.) D C. (Leguminosae) observando-se a diversidade, freqüência e constância dos insetos visitantes em diferentes horários. Também testou-se a influência dos fatores ambientais em relação às visitas. Os resultados de polinização manual sugerem que C. spectabilis é autocompatível, porém, a xenogamia é o sistema de reprodução predominante. As inflorescências foram visitadas por uma grande quantidade de insetos, havendo predominância de abelhas. O horário de maior ocorrência dos insetos nas flores de C. spectabilis foi das 8 às 14 h e de menor ocorrência entre 7 e 8 h e das 17 às 18 h. Quanto ao comportamento dos insetos em relação à flor de C. spectabilis, observou-se que Xylocopa frontalis Olivier, X. suspecta Camargo & Moure, Bombus morio Swederus e Centris scopipes Friese possuem comportamento e morfologia adequados aos polinizadores legítimos; C. similis F., Oxaea flavescens Klug e Epicharis rustica flava Cockerell foram considerados polinizadores ocasionais. Pseudaugochloropsis graminea (F.), Tetragonisca angustula Latreille e A. mellifera L. foram considerados pilhadores. A polinização por vibração é o método usado pelas abelhas para coleta de pólen.

Crescimento e esporulação de Bipolaris euphorbiae cultivado sob diferentes condições nutricionais

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Respostas fisiológicas de diferentes clones de eucalipto sob diferentes regimes de irrigação

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

Desempenho de Lecanicillium lecanii em meios de cultura contendo vitaminas e concentrações de extrato de levedura

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