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BACKGROUND: Throughout a three-year study period, 1,577 bovine clinical mastitis samples and 302 bulk tank samples were analyzed from ten Brazilian dairy herds. Enterococcus spp. was isolated and identified in 93 (5.9%) clinical mastitis samples. In addition, 258 Enterococcus spp. were isolated from the bulk tank samples of the same herds. The identification of Enterococcus spp. isolated from bulk tanks and milk samples of clinical mastitis were accomplished by phenotypic characteristics and confirmed by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry (MS). Fisher test was performed to verify the difference between bulk tanks and mastitis samples. RESULTS: The following species were identified from clinical mastitis: E. saccharolyticus (62.4%), E. faecalis (19.4%), E. faecium (15.1%), E. hirae (1.1%), E. mundtii (1.1%), E. durans (1.1%). Furthermore, from 258 bulk tank milk samples, eight enterococci species were isolated: E. faecalis (67.8%), E. hirae (15.1%), E. faecium (4.6%), E. saccharolyticus (4.6%), E. mundtii (3.1%), E. caseliflavus ( 2.7%), E. durans (1.2%), E. galinarum (0.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The difference in species predominance in bulk tank samples (67.8% of E. faecalis) and clinical mastitis (62.4% of E. saccharolyticus) was unexpected and caught our attention. Although Enterococcus spp. are traditionally classified as an environmental mastitis agent, in the present study, E. saccharolyticus behaved as a contagious agent of mastitis, which consequently changed the control patterns to be implemented.

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Resumen Los tumores cerebrales son una causa importante de las epilepsias de difícil manejo, corresponden a un 20-30 % de los casos de cirugía de epilepsia refractaria. En este grupo de pacientes los tumores neuroepiteliales de bajo grado asociados a epilepsia (LEAT) son la principal causa, siendo los más frecuentes los tumores neuroepiteliales disembrioplásticos (DNT) y ganglioglioma (GG). En el presente artículo revisamos los cambios en la definición de epilepsia refractaria, avances en el diagnóstico por imágenes y el diagnóstico histopatológico con los nuevos marcadores moleculares, que han permitido un diagnóstico cada vez más precoz y certero. Se revisa también la cirugía resectiva que permite en estos casos una libertad de crisis cercana un 70-90% de los pacientes. Los mejores resultados en términos de control de crisis, se pueden alcanzar cuando la cirugía es precoz.

Brain tumors are an important cause of epilepsy that is difficult to manage, accounting for 20-30% of cases of refractory epilepsy surgery. In this group of patients, low-grade epilepsy-associated neuroepithelial tumors (LEAT) are the main cause and the most frequent being dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNT) and ganglioglioma (GG). In this article, we review the changes in the definition of refractory epilepsy, advances in diagnostic imaging, and histopathological diagnosis with new molecular markers, which have allowed for an increasingly early and accurate diagnosis. Resective surgery is also reviewed, allowing in these cases a seizure freedom close to 70-90% of patients. The best outcome in terms of seizure control can be achieved when early surgery is performed.

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Cell osmoporation is a simple and straightforward procedure of creating food-grade biocapsules. This study proposes a new protocol of sequential cell osmoporation stages and evaluates its impact on the efficiency of curcumin and fisetin internalization into Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature regarding the subject. To assess how multiple osmoporation stages influence the encapsulation efficiency (% EE), encapsulated amount of curcumin (IC) and fisetin (IF) into S. cerevisiae cells and cell viability, the residual supernatant was used for the subsequent encapsulation stages and viability was assessed by the CFU method. Quantification was carried through direct extraction, using an ultrasonic bath and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Experimental data demonstrated that the addition of a second osmoporation stage increases both the EE (% EE) and the amount of encapsulated curcumin and fisetin (IC and IF). As a result, the EE was considerably improved and the obtained microcapsules contained a higher amount of the targeted bioactive compounds in its internal structure. However, adding a third osmoporation stage proved to less beneficial to the process efficiency due to its lower yield and the significant negative impact to cell viability. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: For the first time in the literature, a protocol of serial osmoporation stages to enhance the encapsulation efficiency of hydrophobic low molecular weight molecules (curcumin and fisetin) into Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells was determined. By increasing overall efficiency, this protocol empowers the encapsulation process and creates a rational way to reduce waste for future industrial osmoporation applications.

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Transgenic maize expressing the insecticidal protein Vip3Aa20 is increasingly being adopted in Brazil. In this study, we determined the baseline susceptibility of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to Vip3Aa20, as part of an Insect Resistance Management (IRM) program. Diet-overlay bioassays were conducted with neonates exposed to Vip3Aa20 for 7 d. The baseline susceptibility data were obtained for seven field populations of H. armigera and six of H. zea collected from major soybean-, cotton-, and maize-producing areas in Brazil. To validate the diagnostic concentration, 11 field populations of H. zea were tested from 2014 to 2015. The LC50 for H. armigera populations ranged from 2.97 to 8.41 µg Vip3Aa20/cm2 (threefold variation), and for H. zea populations from 0.04 to 0.21 µg Vip3Aa20/cm2 (fivefold variation). The EC50 for H. armigera ranged from 0.099 to 0.455 µg Vip3Aa20/cm2 (fivefold variation), and for H. zea from 0.004 to 0.020 µg Vip3Aa20/cm2 (fivefold variation). H. armigera was more tolerant to Vip3Aa20 protein than was H. zea (≈40- to 75-fold, based on LC50). Based on the LC99 value, the concentration of 6.4 µg Vip3Aa20/cm2 was defined as a diagnostic concentration for susceptibility monitoring in H. zea, and >44 µg Vip3Aa20/cm2 for H. armigera. Our baseline susceptibility data for Vip3Aa20 in H. armigera and H. zea populations will be useful in IRM programs in Brazil.

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There is currently no consensus regarding the survival rate of osseointegrated implants in patients with osteoporosis. A systematic review with meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the survival rate of implants in such patients. The PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and SciELO databases were used to identify articles published up to September 2016. The systematic review was performed in accordance with PRISMA/PICO requirements and the risk of bias was assessed (Australian National Health and Medical Research Council scale). The relative risk (RR) of implant failure and mean marginal bone loss were analyzed within a 95% confidence interval (CI). Fifteen studies involving 8859 patients and 29,798 implants were included. The main outcome of the meta-analysis indicated that there was no difference in implant survival rate between patients with and without osteoporosis, either at the implant level (RR 1.39, 95% CI 0.93-2.08; P=0.11) or at the patient level (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.50-1.89; P=0.94). However, the meta-analysis for the secondary outcome revealed a significant difference in marginal bone loss around implants between patients with and without osteoporosis (0.18mm, 95% CI 0.05-0.30, P=0.005). Data heterogeneity was low. An increase in peri-implant bone loss was observed in the osteoporosis group. Randomized and controlled clinical studies should be conducted to analyze possible biases.

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In spite of the possibility of triggering thromboembolic events, many professionals indicate the suspension of antiplatelet agents before dental surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to perform a quantitative assessment of intraoperative bleeding in patients on dual antiplatelet therapy. A case-control study was conducted in patients on dual antiplatelet therapy (APT group) and in patients who did not use these medications (control group). The following examinations were requested: complete blood cell count, blood coagulation tests, and platelet aggregation. The quantity of bleeding was measured intraoperatively by collection of aspirated blood. The mean volume of blood lost during the surgical procedure was 6.10ml in the control group and 16.07ml in the APT group (P=0.002). The mean volume of blood lost per minute was 0.60ml/min in the control group and 1ml/min in the APT group (P=0.001), with local haemostatic methods being sufficient to control the bleeding. There was no postoperative bleeding complication in any case. Patients on dual antiplatelet therapy presented a larger volume of bleeding, but this could be controlled by means of local haemostatic measures. Therefore, there is no need to stop either of the two dual antiplatelet therapy medications before dental extractions.

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In spite of the possibility of triggering thromboembolic events, many professionals indicate the suspension of antiplatelet agents before dental surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to perform a quantitative assessment of intraoperative bleeding in patients on dual antiplatelet therapy. A case-control study was conducted in patients on dual antiplatelet therapy (APT group) and in patients who did not use these medications (control group). The following examinations were requested: complete blood cell count, blood coagulation tests, and platelet aggregation. The quantity of bleeding was measured intraoperatively by collection of aspirated blood. The mean volume of blood lost during the surgical procedure was 6.10ml in the control group and 16.07ml in the APT group (P=0.002). The mean volume of blood lost per minute was 0.60ml/min in the control group and 1ml/min in the APT group (P=0.001)...

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Objetivou-se avaliar a degradação e a produção de gás de diferentes fontes proteicas geradas na cadeia produtiva do biodiesel em substituição à silagem de milho. Os tratamentos foram: coprodutos de Gossyypium hirsutum, Ricinus communis, Moringa oleifera, Jatropha curcas, Helianthus annus. Os produtos foram analisados mediante a técnica semiautomática de produção de gases in vitro. O coproduto da moringa apresentou maior taxa de degradação, quando comparado aos demais alimentos, porém apresentou baixa produção de gás e se tornou mais eficiente, sendo, portanto, indicado como o melhor nível (27,06%) de substituição à silagem de milho. O coproduto da mamona e o do algodão produziram a maior quantidade de gás em 48h de incubação. Todos os coprodutos estudados podem ser utilizados na dieta de ruminantes como alimento proteico até 30% de substituição à silagem de milho.(AU)

This study aimed to assess the degradation and gas production of different protein sources generated in the biodiesel production chain replacing corn silage. The treatments were byproducts Gossyypium hirsutum, Ricinus communis, Moringa oleifeira, Jatrophacurcas, and Helianthusannus. The products were analyzed by semi-automated technique of gas production in vitro. The coproduct moringa showed higher degradation rate compared to other foods, but showed low gas production, making it more efficient, being nominated as the best level of 27.06% by replacing corn silage. The byproducts of castor oil and cottonseed produced the largest amount of gas in 48 h of incubation. All studied byproducts can be used in the diet of ruminants as a protein food up to 30% by substitution of corn silage.(AU)

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Objetivou-se avaliar a degradação e a produção de gás de diferentes fontes proteicas geradas na cadeia produtiva do biodiesel em substituição à silagem de milho. Os tratamentos foram: coprodutos de Gossyypium hirsutum, Ricinus communis, Moringa oleifera, Jatropha curcas, Helianthus annus. Os produtos foram analisados mediante a técnica semiautomática de produção de gases in vitro. O coproduto da moringa apresentou maior taxa de degradação, quando comparado aos demais alimentos, porém apresentou baixa produção de gás e se tornou mais eficiente, sendo, portanto, indicado como o melhor nível (27,06%) de substituição à silagem de milho. O coproduto da mamona e o do algodão produziram a maior quantidade de gás em 48h de incubação. Todos os coprodutos estudados podem ser utilizados na dieta de ruminantes como alimento proteico até 30% de substituição à silagem de milho.(AU)

This study aimed to assess the degradation and gas production of different protein sources generated in the biodiesel production chain replacing corn silage. The treatments were byproducts Gossyypium hirsutum, Ricinus communis, Moringa oleifeira, Jatrophacurcas, and Helianthusannus. The products were analyzed by semi-automated technique of gas production in vitro. The coproduct moringa showed higher degradation rate compared to other foods, but showed low gas production, making it more efficient, being nominated as the best level of 27.06% by replacing corn silage. The byproducts of castor oil and cottonseed produced the largest amount of gas in 48 h of incubation. All studied byproducts can be used in the diet of ruminants as a protein food up to 30% by substitution of corn silage.(AU)

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Thirty Aberdeen Angus crossbred steers (281 ± 16 kg) were used to test the effect of finishing feeding system on growth performance, meat quality and fatty acid (FA) profile in intramuscular fat. Steers were fed in confinement (forage:concentrate ratio of 50 : 50; DM basis) or with different levels of energy supplementation (0, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2% BW) at pasture (Avena strigosa Schreb and Lolium multiflorum L.). There were no differences between treatments for ADG (average=1.60 kg/day), hot carcass weight (HCW) (average=229 kg) and subcutaneous fat depth (average=3 mm). Dressing % (P=0.06; tendency) and carcass ADG (P=0.02) linearly increased with level of supplementation for pasture steers. No differences were observed between treatments for tenderness, marbling, pH, color b*, or cooking loss and drip loss in samples of Longissimus dorsi. However L* increased linearly (P=0.05) with level of supplementation. The concentrations of myristic, palmitic, estearic and linoleic FA did not differ among treatments. The concentration of n-3 FA increased (P<0.001) in steers at pasture compared with confinement, but n-6 FA concentrations did not differ between feeding system. Supplementation up to 0.4% BW increase (P<0.001) conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and linolenic FA concentrations in intramuscular fat when compared with confinement. The level of supplementation on pasture linearly decreased (P<0.001) n-3 and CLA and linearly increased (P=0.001) the n-6 : n-3 ratio. Finishing of steers grazing winter pasture with energy supplementation or in confinement fed a medium-concentrate diet did not affect meat quality (tenderness, marbling, parameter b* on the CIE L*a*b* scale, cooking and drip losses) except for a* and L*. However, intramuscular fat of animals finished at pasture with moderate level of supplementation compared to animals fed in confinement had greater concentration of CLA, linolenic, and n-3, and lower n-6 : n-3 in intramuscular fat.

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Senna alexandrina MILL é um arbusto alto, originário da Arábia, amplamente cultivado na Índia e largamente utilizado como laxativo na constipação aguda e em casos em que a defecação é aconselhável, como após intervenção cirúrgica antes ou depois de operação abdominal, sendo empregado na forma de pós, xaropes, comprimidos e cápsulas. Como estas formulações geralmente são preparadas à partir de derivados do extrato líquido, torna-se fundamental para a qualidade e eficácia que este tenha seu processo de extração otimizado. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo determinar as melhores condições de extração, por soluções hidroetanólicas, das folhas de Senna alexandrina, empregando planejamento fatorial completo com ponto central 23 (três fatores e dois níveis) onde os níveis dos fatores foram codificados como -1 (baixo), 0 (ponto central) e 1 (alto), e metodologia de superfícies de respostas, para avaliar a influência do solvente, da quantidade de planta e do método de extração sobre o teor de derivados hidroxiantracênicos expressos em senosídeo B (SB) e sobre o resíduo seco (RS) nos extratos líquidos preparados. Foram realizados planejamentos experimentais completos, sendo um realizado pelo deslocamento dos níveis, após a análise do primeiro planejamento. Após a análise da superfície de resposta do planejamento com os níveis deslocados encontrou-se a faixa de melhor extração dos derivados hidroxiantracênicos expressos em senosídeo B com a melhor relação SB/RS, utilizando o solvente etanol/água a 60% V/V, 15 gramas da planta, e extração com aquecimento e agitação.

Senna alexandrina Mill is an erect shrub, native toArabia but widely cultivated in India, that is widely employed as a purgative for acute constipation and when defecation is advisable, such as before or after abdominal surgery. It is used in the form of powder, syrup, tablets and capsules. As these formulations are typically prepared from derivatives of the liquid extract, it is crucial for both quality and efficiency that the extraction process is optimized. The aim of this study was to establish optimal conditions for hydroethanolic extraction of Senna alexandrina leaves, by employing a 23 full factorial experimental design with a central point (three factors and two levels), where the factor levels were coded as -1 (low), 0 (central point) and 1 (high), and response surface methodology, to assess the influence of the solvent, the amount of plant and the extraction method on the yield of hydroxyanthracene derivatives, expressed as sennoside B (SB), and on the dry matter (DM) in the prepared liquid extracts. Full factorial runs were conducted, one being carried out with the levels adjusted following the analysis of the first design. Upon the assessment of the response surface with adjusted levels, the optimum range for extraction of hydroxyanthracene derivatives, expressed as SB, was determined. The best SB/DM ratio was achieved byusing 60% (v/v) ethanol/water solvent, 15 g of the plantand extraction with heating and stirring.

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OBJETIVO: Fornecer valores de referência e avaliar os fatores que influenciam a mobilidade torácica de crianças entre sete e 11 anos. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliadas 166 crianças de escolas públicas e privadas (90 meninas e 76 meninos) da cidade de Natal, no estado do Rio Grande do Norte. Foram coletados dados pessoais, antropométricos e perímetros torácicos por cirtometria. O teste t de Student não pareado e a análise de variância compararam o coeficiente respiratório xifoidiano entre os sexos e as idades, respectivamente. Diferenças no coeficiente respiratório axilar entre os sexos e as idades foram verificadas com os testes de Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis, respectivamente, com diferenças localizadas pelo teste post-hoc de Duncan. Coeficientes de correlação de Spearman e Pearson relacionaram variáveis independentes com os coeficientes avaliados. RESULTADOS: As médias das perimetrias axilar e xifoidiana foram 5,00±1,59 e 4,75±1,56cm, respectivamente. Observou-se baixa correlação, sem significância estatística, entre o coeficiente respiratório xifoidiano e as variáveis idade, sexo, peso, altura e índice de massa corpórea. O coeficiente respiratório axilar correlacionou-se com peso e altura. Foram encontradas diferenças no coeficiente respiratório axilar nas faixas etárias entre oito e dez anos (p=0,03) e 10 e 11 anos (p=0,02). CONCLUSÕES: Foram disponibilizados valores de referência de cirtometria torácica para crianças entre sete e 11 anos. Sexo, idade, peso, altura e índice de massa corpórea não influenciaram o coeficiente respiratório xifoidiano. O coeficiente respiratório axilar diferiu-se entre idades, a partir dos oito anos, sendo influenciado pelo peso e pela altura, independentemente do sexo.

OBJECTIVE: To provide reference values and to evaluate the factors influencing thoracic mobility in children aged 7 to 11 years old. METHODS: A total of 166 children were assessed from public and private schools (90 girls and 76 boys) in the city of Natal (Northeast Brazil). Demographic and anthropometric data were collected, and the thoracic perimeter was assessed by cirtometry. Non-paired Student's t-test and variance analysis compared xiphoid respiratory coefficient between sex and ages, respectively. Axillary respiratory coefficient differences between sex and ages were tested by Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, respectively, with differences located by Duncan post-hoc test. Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to verify the association between independent variables with the assessed coefficients. RESULTS: Xiphoid and axillary perimetry means were 5.00±1.59 and 4.75±1.56cm, respectively. There was a low correlation, without statistical significance, between xiphoid respiratory coefficient and age, sex, weight, height, and body mass index. The axillary respiratory coefficient was correlated with weight and height. Differences were found in the axillary respiratory coefficient in the age groups between 8-10 (p=0.03) and 10-11 years old (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Reference values for thoracic cirtometry were provided for children aged between seven and 11 years old. Sex, age, weight, height, and body mass index did not influence xiphoid respiratory coefficient. The axillary respiratory coefficient was different between ages, from eight years onwards, being significantly influenced by height and weight regardless of sex.

OBJETIVO: Suministrar valores de referencia y evaluar los factores que influencian la movilidad torácica de niños de 7 a 11 años. MÉTODOS: Se evaluaron 166 niños de escuelas públicas y privadas (90 muchachas y 76 muchachos) de la ciudad de Natal (Rio Grande do Norte). Se recogieron datos personales, antropométricos y los perímetros torácicos por cirtometría. Las pruebas t de Student no pareada y ANOVA compararon el coeficiente respiratorio xifoideo entre los sexos y edades, respectivamente. Diferencias en el Coeficiente respiratorio axilar entre los sexos y edades fueron probadas con Mann-Shitney y Kruskal-Wallis, respectivamente, con diferencias localizadas por la prueba post-hoc de Ducan. Coeficientes de Correlación de Spearman y Pearson correlacionaron variables independientes con los coeficientes evaluados. RESULTADOS: Los promedios de la perimetría axilar y xifoidea fueron 5,00±1,59 y 4,75±1,56cm, respectivamente. Se observó baja correlación, sin significancia estadística, entre el coeficiente respiratorio xifoideo y las variables edad, sexo, peso, altura e índice de masa corporal. El Coeficiente Respiratorio Axilar se correlacionó con el peso y la altura. Se encontraron diferencias en el coeficiente respiratorio axilar en las franjas de edad entre 8 y 10 años (p=0,03) y 10 y 11 años (p=0,02). CONCLUSIONES: Se pusieron a disposición varios factores de referencia de cirtometría torácica para niños entre 7 y 11 años. El sexo, la edad, el peso, la altura y el índice de masa corporal no influenciaron el Coeficiente Respiratorio Xifoideo. El Coeficiente Respiratorio Axilar difirió entre edades, a partir de los ocho años, siendo influenciado por el peso y la altura, independientemente del sexo.

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OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito do treinamento muscular inspiratório em crianças com leucemia aguda. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo quase experimental com grupo controle. Quatorze pacientes com diagnóstico de leucemia aguda e idade entre cinco e 14 anos foram submetidos à avaliação da mobilidade torácica e da força muscular respiratória e divididos em dois grupos (A e B). Os pacientes do grupo A realizaram treinamento muscular inspiratório domiciliar por 15 minutos, duas vezes por dia, durante dez semanas, através do aparelho Threshold®, com carga de 30 por cento da pressão inspiratória máxima, reajustada após reavaliações semanais. O grupo B (controle) realizou uma avaliação das pressões respiratórias máximas inicialmente e após dez semanas. Os dados foram analisados com o SPSS 15.0. Aplicou-se o teste t para analisar as diferenças entre as pressões inspiratória máxima e expiratória máxima entre os dois grupos e o teste de correlação de Pearson para analisar associações das medidas de pressão inspiratória e pressão expiratória com as diferentes cargas utilizadas. RESULTADOS: Constatou-se ganho significativo de 35 por cento nas pressões inspiratória máxima e expiratória máxima no grupo A ao término do treinamento. Houve correlação positiva entre os níveis de carga utilizada e a pressão inspiratória máxima (p<0,0001) e a pressão expiratória máxima (p=0,0001). CONCLUSÕES: O treinamento muscular inspiratório pode ser eficaz no ganho de força muscular em crianças em tratamento de leucemia aguda.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of inspiratory muscle training in children with acute leukemia. METHODS: This is a quasi-experimental study with a control group. Fourteen patients with 5-14 years old and a diagnosis of acute leukemia were evaluated regarding their thoracic mobility and respiratory muscle strength. They were divided in two groups (A and B). Group A received domiciliary inspiratory muscle training during 15 minutes, twice a day, for ten weeks, with a Threshold® device using a load of 30 percent of the maximal inspiratory pressure, readjusted after weekly evaluations. Group B patients were tested regarding their maximum respiratory pressures in their first evaluation and after ten weeks. Student t-test was used to evaluate maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures between groups Pearson's correlation test examined the association of inspiratory and expiratory pressures with the different loads, using SPSS 15.0 software. RESULTS: A significant improvement of 35 percent was observed in the maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures in group A at the end of the training. There was a strong positive correlation between the used load levels and maximal inspiratory (p<0.0001) and expiratory (p=0.0001) pressures. CONCLUSIONS: Inspiratory muscle training can be effective for improving inspiratory muscle strength in children beeing treated for acute leukemia.

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This paper introduces a morphological image segmentation method by applying watershed transform with markers to scale-space smoothed images and furthermore provides images for clinical monitoring and analysis of patients. The database comprises sagittal plane images taken from a digital camera of patients submitted to Global Postural Reeducation (GPR) physiotherapy treatment. Orthopaedic specialists can use these segmented images to diagnose posture problems, assess physiotherapy treatment evolution and thus reduce diagnostic errors due to subjective analysis.

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OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to compare the diagnosis, obtained through different methods and indicators, of nutritional risk in patients with cancer. METHODS: It was assessed nutritional risk in of 144 oncology patients was assessed, making use of Subjective Global Assessment (SGA, Detsky 1987), Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST, 2003), Body Mass Index (BMI) and Serum Albumin. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Kappa, chi-square and McNemar tests. RESULTS: It was found a high prevalence of malnutrition (MUST, 78.32%; SGA, 77.08%; serum albumin level< 3.5 g/dL, 45.60%; BMI < 20.0 kg/m(2), 36.11%) in patients with cancer. In general, there was a higher prevalence in patients with Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer (72.22%), with the stomach cancer being the most common one (29.17%). Tumors of the digestive tract presented with higher nutritional risk according to SGA (p < 0.0001), MUST (p < 0.01), BMI (p < 0,05) and serum albumin level < 3,0 g/dL (p < 0.05); these patients have twenty three times more chances of nutritional risk than patients with cancer in other organs. The patients that have also metastasis presented greater nutritional impairment, according to MUST (p < 0.05) and serum albumin level< 3,0 g/dl (p < 0,01). According to this study, we demonstrate that there is no difference between the Diagnosis of Nutritional Risk, according to MUST and SGA. However, these values are different when confronted with the ones of serum albumin level and BMI. CONCLUSION: The MUST and the Serum Albumin proved to be sensitive methods for the identification of nutritional risk in patients with metastatic cancer. The SGA and MUST tests are good diagnostic tests which presented convergence of results.

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INTRODUCTION: Sexual dysfunction among renal failure and kidney transplant patients remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate sexual functions of men on hemodialysis compared with patients undergoing kidney transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study was based on 36 end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing hemodialysis versus 32 kidney transplanted patients. A control group was composed of 23 healthy patients. The patients underwent an anamnesis, a physical examination, and the International Index of Erectile Function about sexual performance. Statistical analysis was performed by Student's t-test or the chi-square test with the level of significance set at P < .05. Data are reported as mean values +/- standard error of the means. RESULTS: The mean scores of the control, ESRD, and transplanted group were, respectively: for erectile function, 27.4 +/- 0.5, 22.4 +/- 1.3, 23.4 +/- 1.3; for orgasmic function, 9.5 +/- 0.1, 7.6 +/- 0.5, 8.9 +/- 0.5; for sexual desire function 9.4 +/- 0.1, 7.1 +/- 0.3, 9.0 +/- 0.5; for intercourse satisfaction 12.8 +/- 0.3, 9.4 +/- 0.7, 11.0 +/- 0.7; and for satisfaction related to sexual life 9.2 +/- 0.2, 7.7 +/- 0.3, 8.6 +/- 0.6, proving that there were significant differences regarding orgasmic function, sexual desire, and intercourse satisfaction. CONCLUSION: It was possible to conclude from our study that kidney transplants do improve sexual function of patients with ESRD on hemodialysis.

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AIMS: To compare retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) measurements were carried out with two different versions of an optical coherence tomography device in patients with band atrophy (BA) of the optic nerve and in normal controls. METHODS: The RNFL of 36 eyes (18 with BA and 18 normals) was measured using an earlier version of an optical coherence tomography device (OCT-1). The measurements were repeated using a later version of the same equipment (OCT-3), and the two sets of measurements were compared. RESULTS: Using OCT-1, the peripapillary RNFL thickness (mean+/-SD, in microm) in eyes with BA measured 80.42+/-6.94, 99.81+/-14.00, 61.69+/-13.02, 101.70+/-12.54, and 57.36+/-16.52 corresponding to the total RNFL average, superior, temporal, inferior, and nasal quadrants, respectively. Using OCT-3, the corresponding measurements were 63.11+/-6.76, 81.22+/-13.34, 39.50+/-8.27, 86.72+/-15.16, and 45.05+/-8.03. Each of these measurements was significantly smaller with OCT-3 than with OCT-1. In normal eyes, RNFL average and temporal quadrant OCT-3 values were significantly smaller than OCT-1 values, but there was no significant difference in measurements from the superior, inferior, and nasal quadrant. CONCLUSIONS: RNFL measurements were smaller with OCT-3 than with OCT-1 for almost all parameters in eyes with BA and in the global average and temporal quadrant measurements in normal eyes. Investigators should be aware of this fact when comparing old RNFL measurement with values obtained with later versions of the equipment.

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A osteoporose é definida pela Organização Mundial de Saúde como uma doença metabólica óssea sistêmica, caracterizada por diminuição da massa óssea e deterioração da microarquitetura do tecido ósseo, com consequente aumento da fragilidade do osso e da suscetibilidade a fraturas. A suplementação de cálcio pode ser realizada utilizando-se diferentes sais de cálcio. O mais recomendado é o carbonato de cálcio, que apresenta a maior quantidade de cálcio elementar (40%). Atualmente, quando todos os caminhos levam à busca da qualidade total, torna-se indispensável conhecer perfeitamente cada fase de um processo produtivo. Neste caso, a validação é uma ferramenta da qualidade adequada para garantir a confiabilidade e reprodutibilidade de um método analítico, pois é um ato documentado que atesta que o mesmo conduz a resultados esperados. A escolha de uma metodologia é de fundamental importância para o procedimento do controle de qualidade da substância ativa ou da forma farmacêutica. Desta forma, o presente estudo teve por objetivo desenvolver e validar o método de doseamento da matéria-prima carbonato de cálcio por titulometria. As características de desempenho investigadas no processo de validação foram: exatidão, precisão, limitede detecção, limite de quantificação, linearidade e robustez. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que o método é robusto, exato e preciso, apresentando resultados reprodutíveis e confiáveis.

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This work analyzes the influence of the most abundant natural gamma emitters in soil (226Ra, 232Th, and 40K) on the total outdoor gamma dose rate in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. A new method is introduced to determine gamma dose rates due to soil 1 m above the ground through measurements performed deep in the soil. This allows evaluation of the soil component even in places where the measurement at 1 m height is influenced by other sources (mainly the presence of buildings). The methodology was tested in non-urbanized areas by comparing direct dose rate measurements in air with those deep in soil. In addition, high-resolution gamma ray spectrometry of soil samples collected throughout the city was used to determine the natural radionuclide concentrations, allowing the comparison with the in-situ dose rate results. Measurements deep in soil followed a log-normal distribution. The fitted geometric mean (median) and geometric standard deviation of the soil contribution to the ambient dose equivalent rate at 1 m height were, respectively, 80.9(6) and 0.642(4) nSv h(-1). Compared to previous data, these values show that buildings enhance about 35% the outdoor gamma dose rate expected only from soil. The specific activities of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in dry soil, given by their medians, were, respectively, 41, 75, and 176 Bq k(-1). These results reveal that the terrestrial gamma dose rates in São Paulo are higher than the world average, a fact that can be attributed to high thorium concentration. Direct measurements of dose rates were compared to the corresponding values determined from radionuclide concentrations in soil. Good agreement between methods was found.

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