Showing papers by "Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso published in 2002"

Crianças e adolescentes com doença crônica: convivendo com mudanças

Abstract: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo e exploratorio, com o objetivo de apreender, por meio de entrevista, a experiencia da crianca e do adolescente com doenca cronica, tal como ela e vivenciada por eles. Os resultados revelam que as criancas e os adolescentes tem seu cotidiano modificado pelas frequentes hospitalizacoes, pelos limites ditados pela doenca e tratamento, ocasionando mudancas, especialmente no processo de escolarizacao. Considerando que a crianca e o adolescente vivenciam sentimentos e situacoes complexas, no cotidiano da doenca cronica, e importante que os profissionais de saude conhecam essas demandas e as incorporem ao plano de cuidados, visando a uma intervencao efetiva, para a promocao do crescimento e desenvolvimento.

Pesticides in surface water, sediment, and rainfall of the northeastern Pantanal basin, Brazil.

Abstract: Within the last 25 years an intensive agriculture has developed in the highland regions of Mato Grosso state (Brazil), which involves frequent pesticide use in highly mechanized cash-crop cultures. To provide information on pesticide distribution and dynamics in the northeastern Pantanal basin (located in southern Mato Grosso), we monitored 29 pesticides and 3 metabolites in surface water, sediment, and rainwater of the study area during the main application season. In environmental samples, 19 pesticides and 3 metabolites were detected in measurable quantities, resulting in at least one pesticide detection in 68% of surface water samples (n = 139), 62% of sediment samples (n = 26), and 87% of rainwater samples (n = 91). Surface water samples were most frequently contaminated by endosulfan compounds (alpha-, beta-, -sulfate), ametryn, metolachlor, and metribuzin, although in low (< 0.1 microgram L-1) concentrations. Sediment samples exhibited concentrations up to 4.5 micrograms kg-1 of p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, endosulfan-sulfate, beta-endosulfan, and ametryn. In contrast, rainwater was polluted with substantial amounts of endosulfan, alachlor, metolachlor, trifluralin, monocrotofos, and profenofos (maximum concentrations = 0.3 to 2.3 micrograms L-1) in the highlands. Lowland rainwater samples taken 75 km from the next application area contained 5- to 10-fold lower mean pesticide concentration than in the highlands. Cumulative deposition rates of the pesticide sum within the study period ranged from 423 micrograms m-2 in the highlands to 14 micrograms m-2 in the lowlands. The atmospheric input of pesticides to ecosystems seemed to be of higher relevance in the tropical study area than known from temperate regions.

Seasonal isotopic shifts in fish of the Pantanal wetland, Brazil

Abstract: Seasonal inundations shape the floodplain characteristics of the Pantanal, a large wetland in Central South America. In the first study combining stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis with classical stomach content analysis in this region, we investigated the influence of the annual inundation on diet and isotopic composition of floodplain fish. Apart from potential food items, 33 fish species from the Coqueiro Lake were analyzed, 10 of which were present during both the wet and dry season 1999. A δ13C and δ15N plot of the floodplain ecosystem allowed us to assess a foodchain of 3–4 trophic levels. However, the wide overlap of nitrogen values suggested that the organisms act on trophic continua rather than on distinct levels. The foodweb was based mainly on C3-plant carbon. However, fish species capable of feeding on terrestrial invertebrates (e.g., Brycon microlepis) had δ13C values above –25‰, indicating 13–30% intake of C4-plant based carbon during the flooding period. The novel use of vector coordinates and 2-dimensional ANOVA showed that the seasonal isotopic shifts of δ13C and δ15N were highly significant for some feeding guilds. δ15N values increased from the wet to dry season in most fish species, and these shifts were highly significant for omnivores (Astyanax bimaculatus, Triportheus nematurus, Tetragonopterus argenteus and Moenkhausia dichroura), and significant for invertivores (Gymnogeophagus balzanii and Poptella paraguayensis) and carnivores (Serrasalmus spilopleura). Average carbon isotope ratios decreased at the same time in the herbivores (Methynnis mola: 3.4‰) and detritivores (Psectrogaster curviventris: 5.3‰), but they did not change in the hypostomatic herbivore Sturisoma robustum. We explain these shifts by abundant and variable food sources during the inundation period and increasing carnivory and starvation during the dry season when the lake is confined to its central basin. Isotopic shifts between seasons were more prominent in less specialized species of omnivores, invertivores and some carnivores, whereas more specialized herbivores and detritivores appeared to be more influenced by changes in the carbon isotope ratio of the diet affected by biogeochemical processes such as respiration and methanogenesis. A general model for the interpretation of isotope data of floodplain fish considering different time-scales is given.

Seasonal variations in the evapotranspiration of a transitional tropical forest of Mato Grosso, Brazil

Abstract: [1] The seasonal pattern of evapotranspiration (expressed as latent heat flux Qe) for a 28- to 30-m-tall tropical transitional (ecotonal) forest was quantified over an annual cycle using eddy covariance measurement and micrometeorological estimation techniques. The study was conducted near the city of Sinop, in northern Mato Grosso, Brazil, which is located within the ecotone of tropical rain forest and savanna (cerrado). Although the majority of net radiation (Q*) was consumed by Qe (50–90%), seasonal variations in Qe were large and positively correlated with precipitation. Total daily Qe for the dry season (June–September) was on average 6.0 MJ m−2 d−1, while daily Qe for the transition (October–November and April–May) and wet (December–March) season periods were 7.5 and 10.0 MJ m−2 d−1, respectively. The seasonal variation in midday (0900–1500 LT) surface conductance (gs) was also positively correlated with precipitation. Analysis of the “decoupling factor” (Ω) indicated that the forest was strongly coupled to the atmosphere (Ω = 0.1–0.3) over the dry season and transition periods, suggesting that Qe was under relatively strong stomatal control. Although rainfall during the study period was above the long-term (30-year) average, our results indicate that the seasonal dynamics of Qe for the tropical transitional forest were more comparable to tropical savanna than to rain forest.

Fate of Pesticides in Tropical Soils of Brazil under Field Conditions

Abstract: The potential of pesticides for nonpoint ground water pollution depends on their dissipation and leaching behavior in soils. We investigated the fate of 10 pesticides in two tropical soils of contrasting texture in the Brazilian Cerrado region near Cuiaba during an 80-d period, employing topsoil dissipation studies, soil core analyses, and lysimeter experiments. Dissipation of pesticides was rapid, with field half-lives ranging from 0.8 to 20 d in Ustox and 0.6 to 11.8 d in Psamments soils. Soil core analyses showed progressive leaching of polar pesticides in Psamments, whereas in Ustox pesticides were rapidly transported to 40 cm soil depth regardless of their sorption properties, suggesting that leaching was caused by preferential flow. In lysimeter experiments (35 cm soil depth), cumulative leaching was generally low, with < or = 0.02% and < or = 0.19% of the applied amounts leached in Ustox and Psamments, respectively. In both soils, all pesticides but the pyrethroids were detected in percolate at 35 cm soil depth within the first 6 d after application. Cumulative efflux and mean concentrations of pesticides in percolate were dosely correlated with their Groundwater Ubiquity Score (GUS). The presence of alachlor (2-chloro-2', 6'-diethyl-N-methoxymethylacetanilide), atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine), metolachlor [2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide], simazine [2-chloro-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-1,3,5-triazine], and trifluralin (2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-4-trifluoromethylaniline) throughout the soil profile and in percolate of wick lysimeters at 95 cm soil depth indicated that a nonpoint pollution of ground water resources in tropical Brazil cannot be ruled out for these substances.

Meningoencefalite necrosante em bovinos causada por herpesvírus bovino no estado de mato grosso, brasil

Abstract: The epidemiological, clinical, pathological and microbiological aspects of 13 cases of necrotizing meningo-encephalitis associated to bovine herpesvirus are described. The disease is described in 12 cattle herds from March 1999 to August 2000 at 11 counties of the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The outbreaks were described in cattle raised on farms in which, mostly Zebu breeds were involved. The average age of the cattle affected was 24 months, ranging from two to 72 months old. Neurological manifestations were the main clinical signs noticed. The animals were separated from the herd. The animals showed profuse salivation, serous nasal and ocular discharge, profound depression, incoordination, walking or running in circles, blindness, diminution of tongue tonus, trembling and opistotonus. Most of the cases had no macroscopic alterations. Some cases had diffuse encephalic congestion, multifocal submeningeal hemorragics, flattened cerebral circumvolutions and focal discoloration of the cortex. The main microscopic lesions in the 12 cases were necrotizing meningo-encephalitis with eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies in astrocytes, and cortical malacia. Virus was isolated from three cases submitted from a total of seven examined. One of the cases with virus isolation at the histophatology examination yielded a diagnosis of polioencephalomalacia.

Expression of PDX-1 Is Reduced in Pancreatic Islets from Pups of Rat Dams Fed a Low Protein Diet during Gestation and Lactation

Abstract: Intrauterine and early postnatal malnutrition has profound consequences on fetal and postnatal development in both humans and animals. In addition, low birth weight has been reported to be associated with impaired insulin secretion, insulin resistance and diminished area of pancreatic islets. Because the transcription factor pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX-1) is important for the maintenance of B-cell physiology, PDX-1 expression and islet area were assessed in neonatal rats of dams fed low (6%) or normal (17%) protein diets during pregnancy. PDX-1 protein and mRNA levels, as well as insulin secretion and islet area, were measured after 28 d of life in normal, low protein and recovered rats whose dams consumed a normal protein diet after delivery. Insulin secretion by isolated islets in response to 2.8 and 16.7 mmol glucose/L was reduced in 28-d-old low protein rats compared with the control (P < 0.05). At birth and after 28 d of life, the islet area and PDX-1 protein expression were also reduced (P < 0.05). In contrast, PDX-1 mRNA levels in islets from 28-d-old low protein rats were not different from control rats. PDX-1 protein expression in pancreatic islets, the area of islets and insulin secretion were restored in recovered rats, whereas PDX-1 mRNA levels were higher than in normal rats (P < 0.05). These results suggest a link among diminished PDX-1 protein expression, a reduction in islet area and impaired insulin secretion in low protein rats. The reintroduction of a normal diet early in life restored islet area and cell physiology.

O programa de alimentação escolar no estado de Mato Grosso: da centralização à descentralização (1979 - 1995)

Abstract: Este artigo analisa a constituicao, organizacao institucional e desempenho do programa de alimentacao escolar no Estado de Mato Grosso no periodo de 1979 a 1995. Sao enfatizados os seguintes aspectos: o periodo de transicao do modelo de gestao centralizada a descentralizada; as influencias das agencias federais nas intervencoes estaduais; as prioridades e acoes das gestoes dos governos mato-grossenses. Este estudo reconstitui e analisa o desempenho de uma politica assistencial, valendo-se da coleta e analise de dados secundarios e primarios (20 entrevistas com agentes institucionais). Os resultados mostram a estreita dependencia das intervencoes estaduais das federais e o deslocamento do modelo centralizado para o descentralizado. A dinâmica, intensidade e ritmo desta mudanca foram influenciados, de um lado, pelas estrategias federais e, de outro, pelas prioridades, graus de anuencia e capacidades institucionais dos governos estaduais, desempenhando-se heterogeneamente o programa quanto ao numero de municipios, dias letivos cobertos, clientela atendida, gastos e alimentos consumidos per capita/ano e modalidades de descentralizacao.

Anemia in children under 3 years of age in public day care centers

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of anemia in children aged less than 36 months in public day care centers in the city of Cuiaba, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with all children (n=271) less than 36 months of age who attended public day care centers in mid-1997. Children were evaluated as to their hemoglobin levels (venous blood, analyzed at the Central State Laboratory) and anthropometric indicators (weight/age, height/age, weight/height). RESULTS: A high prevalence (63%) of anemia associated with age, weight and height deficit, and time of admittance at kindergarten was observed. The prevalence of malnutrition was 0.8% according to the weight/height ratio, 5.0% according to weight/age deficit, and showed an inadequacy of 10.3% as to the height/age ratio. Thus, the percentage of anemic children was six times higher than the height deficit and twelve times higher than the weight deficit. Malnutrition was not in fact associated with anemia, but at extreme anthropometric cut-off points of height and weight for age (< -2 z score), there is an association between these conditions. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of anemia is regarded as a severe public health problem among preschool children in the city of Cuiaba.

Benefits of exercise training in the treatment of heart failure: study with a control group.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Exercise training programs have been proposed as adjuncts to treatment of heart failure. The effects of a 3-month-exercise-training-program with 3 exercise sessions per week were assessed in patients with stable systolic chronic heart failure. METHODS: We studied 24 patients with final left ventricle diastolic diameter of 70±10mm and left ventricular ejection fraction of 37±4%. Mean age was 52±16 years. Twelve patients were assigned to an exercise training group (G1), and 12 patients were assigned to a control group (G2). Patients underwent treadmill testing, before and after exercise training, to assess distance walked, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and double product. RESULTS: In G2 group, before and after 3 months, we observed, respectively distance walked, 623±553 and 561± 460m (ns); peak heart rate, 142±23 and 146± 33b/min (ns); systolic blood pressure, 154±36 and 164±26 mmHg (ns); and double product, 22211± 6454 and 24293±7373 (ns). In G1 group, before and after exercise, we observed: distance walked, 615±394 and 970± 537m (p<0.003) peak heart rate, 143±24 and 143±29b/min (ns); systolic blood pressure, 136±33 and 133±24 mmHg (ns); and double product, 19907± 7323 and 19115±5776, respectively. Comparing the groups, a significant difference existed regarding the variation in the double product, and in distance walked. CONCLUSION: Exercise training programs in patients with heart failure can bring about an improvement in physical capacity.

Aspectos clínicos e patológicos da intoxicação por Sida carpinifolia (Malvaceae) em caprinos no Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract: This report includes the clinical and pathological studies of a lysosomal storage disease which spontaneously occurred in three flocs of goats e after consumption of Sida carpinifolia, the predominant plant in the paddocks where the animals were grazing. In the outbreaks a total of 25 out of 51 animals were affected. Post-mortem examination was performed on 11 goats. The disease was experimentally induced by dosing goats with Sida carpinifolia. The plant was administered in natura or dried to 3 animals. No clinical or pathological changes were observed in one goat dosed with Sida rhombifolia ad libidum during 40 days. Clinical signs of the poisoning were ataxia, hypermetria, muscle tremors in the head and neck and disorders of deglutition. The clinical signs were exacerbated by movement. After the surviving animals had been moved to other pastures and stopped eating the plant, clinical signs were still observed during 24 months. At necropsy, no significant gross lesions were observed. Microscopic lesions included various degrees of vacuolization in the cytoplasm of neurons and glial cells. Similar lesions were observed in the acinar pancreatic cells, hepatocytes, proximal convoluted tubular cells, follicular epithelial cells of the thyroid gland and macrophages of lymph nodes. In the surviving animals, mild neuronal cytoplasmic vacuolization was observed, and few cells were eosinophilic and shrunken. In these cases neurons, especially Purkinje cells, had disappeared. Through the histochemical study of the cerebellar sections, the lysosomal storage disease was characterized as an alpha-mannosidosis. The vacuoles within the Purkinje cells strongly reacted with lectins of Concanavalia ensiformis, Triticum vulgaris and succinylated Triticum vulgaris. The pattern observed in this investigation is similar to those seen in other poisonings by swainsonine-containing plants.

Alimentação precoce após anastomoses intestinais: riscos ou benefícios?

Abstract: OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi o de avaliar os resultados imediatos da realimentacao precoce por via oral em pacientes submetidos a anastomoses intestinais. METODOS: Estudo prospectivo envolvendo 43 pacientes submetidos a operacoes eletivas envolvendo anastomoses intestinais. Foram randomizados para dois grupos: grupo precoce (N=23) com a alimentacao recomecada apos 24 horas da operacao; e grupo convencional (N=20) cuja realimentacao obedeceu aos criterios convencionais. Os dois grupos foram estatisticamente semelhantes com relacao ao genero, idade, estado nutricional, porte e duracao da operacao, local e tipo de anastomose, tipo de anestesia e uso de morfina. RESULTADOS: Tres pacientes (13%) do grupo precoce e dois (10%) do grupo convencional apresentaram vomitos, obrigando a passagem de sonda naso-gastrica (P>0.05). Tres pacientes (7,3%) faleceram no pos-operatorio sendo dois (10%) no grupo com realimentacao precoce e um (5%) no grupo convencional (P>0.05). Nao houve diferenca em relacao a morbidade. Ocorreram quatro deiscencias de anastomose sendo duas no grupo precoce (8,7%) e duas (10%) no grupo convencional (P>0.05). Eliminacao de flatos foi relatada mais rapidamente (P=0.01) no grupo precoce (35±13 horas) que no grupo convencional (44±12 horas). A permanencia hospitalar foi semelhante nos dois grupos (convencional = 12 [6-36] dias versus precoce = 10 [5-29] dias; P>0.05). CONCLUSOES: A alimentacao por via oral no primeiro dia de pos-operatorio de pacientes com anastomoses intestinais e segura, nao se relaciona com deiscencia de anastomose e ainda determina um periodo de ileo paralitico menor.

Emergência de Tridax procumbens em função da profundidade de semeadura, do conteúdo de argila no substrato e da incidência de luz na semente

Abstract: Os solos agricolas possuem banco de sementes de plantas daninhas cuja quantidade varia de dezenas a centenas de milhoes de sementes por hectare, as quais sao dotadas de mecanismos para detectar o tempo e o local apropriado para a germinacao. A profundidade no solo em que uma semente e capaz de germinar e produzir plântula e variavel entre as especies e apresenta importância ecologica e agronomica. Com o objetivo de estudar a emergencia de plântulas de erva-de-touro (Tridax procumbens), em funcao da profundidade de semeadura, do conteudo de argila no substrato e do tratamento de sementes com luz, foram realizados dois experimentos no Departamento de Agricultura da Universidade Federal de Lavras. No experimento 1, a emergencia das plântulas foi avaliada em vasos contendo substrato com 60% de argila, com semeadura realizada nas profundidades de 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 e 6 cm, e tambem com aquenios parcialmente enterrados (APE). No experimento 2, foram utilizadas sementes com e sem tratamento para superacao da necessidade de luz (embebicao por 48 horas em GA3 1 mmol L-1 + KNO3 25 mmol L-1 + luz), semeadas em substratos com 30 e 60% de argila, a 1 cm, 2 cm e APE, e tambem em areia a 3 cm. A emergencia das plântulas de erva-de-touro foi maxima quando os aquenios foram parcialmente enterrados no substrato, independentemente do conteudo de argila deste. Em profundidades maiores ou iguais a 1 cm houve drastica reducao na emergencia, que foi nula (experimento 2) ou quase nula (experimento 1) a 3 cm. O tratamento para superacao da necessidade de luz aumentou a emergencia nas semeaduras a 1 e a 2 cm, mas nao teve efeito a 3 cm.

[Early feeding after intestinal anastomoses: risks or benefits?].

Abstract: BACKGROUND Oral intake after intestinal anastomoses has traditionally been prescribed only after the resolution of ileus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immediate results of early oral feeding in postoperative course of intestinal anastomoses. METHODS 43 consecutive patients submitted to operations associated with intestinal anastomoses were randomized to two groups: early group (N=23) allowed to oral intake after 24 h of operation and conventional group (N=20) in which feeding was allowed only after the ileus resolution. Groups were statistically similar for age, gender, nutritional status, duration of operation, local and type of anastomoses, type of anesthesia and use of morphine. RESULTS Three (13%) patients of early group and two (10%) of conventional presented vomiting requiring nasogastric decompression (P.0.05). Three (7.3%) patients, two (10%) in early feeding group and one (5%) in conventional group died (P>0.05). There was no difference between the groups for morbidity. Two anastomotic dehiscences occurred in each group. Passage of flatus was reported earlier (P=0.01) in early feeding group (35 +/- 13 h) when compared with conventional group (44 +/- 12 h). Hospital stay was similar between the two groups (conventional group = 12 [6-36] days versus early feeding group = 10 [5-29] days). CONCLUSIONS The return of oral feeding on the first postoperative day in patients submitted to intestinal anastomoses is safe, not associated with the occurrence of anastomotic dehiscence and moreover, related to a shorter resolution of ileus.

In Vitro Comparison of Activities of Terbinafine and Itraconazole against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Abstract: In vitro, terbinafine is highly active against a broad spectrum of pathogenic fungi. We evaluated the activities of terbinafine and itraconazole against 31 isolates of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. The tests were conducted by using a broth macrodilution procedure. MICs, in micrograms per milliliter, were as follows: terbinafine, 0.015 to 1.0 (geometric mean, 0.1188); itraconazole, 0.007 to 0.5 (geometric mean, 0.03165). The usual therapy for paracoccidioidomycosis is sulfonamides, amphotericin B, and azole derivatives (ketoconazole, itraconazole, and fluconazole). In comparison to amphotericin B, azole derivatives allow shorter treatment courses, can be administered orally, and are equally effective. Itraconazole has as high efficacy as ketoconazole, but with superior tolerance. It is the current drug of choice for treatment of paracoccidioidomycosis. The data obtained in this study indicate that terbinafine is active against P. brasiliensis in vitro and suggest that this allylamine can be considered a new option as drug therapy for paracoccidioidomycosis.

Association between reported annual gold mining extraction and incidence of malaria in Mato Grosso-Brazil, 1985-1996

Abstract: A secondary data analysis was performed using an ecological design to study the association between malaria incidence rates, the reported annual production of gold mining extraction and monetary investments for the control of malaria from 1985 to 1996 in Mato Grosso, Brazil. A positive and statistically significant (p<0.001) association between the amount of gold extracted and MIR was obtained in multivariate regression analysis, even after allowing for financial investments in malaria control activities. This finding contributes to an understanding of the decrease observed in malaria incidence in Mato Grosso during the last decade, in view of the significant decrease in gold mining within the region during this period.

A prescrição semanal de sulfato ferroso pode ser altamente efetiva para reduzir níveis endêmicos de anemia na infância

Abstract: A anemia por deficiencia de ferro em criancas e um dos maiores problemas nutricionais enfrentados pelos paises em desenvolvimento. Estudos controlados indicam que doses intermitentes de sais de ferro podem ter eficacia semelhante a obtida com o esquema tradicional diario. O objetivo desse estudo e avaliar, em uma populacao onde a anemia na infância e endemica, a efetividade da prescricao preventiva de doses semanais de sulfato ferroso a todas as criancas entre seis e 59 meses de idade por um periodo de seis meses. Criancas dos grupos controle e intervencao foram selecionadas a partir de uma amostra aleatoria da populacao de criancas da cidade de Sao Paulo. Os pais das criancas do grupo intervencao receberam orientacao nutricional e frascos de solucao de sulfato ferroso com a instrucao de oferta-la aos filhos uma vez por semana ate a proxima visita da equipe de pesquisa, que ocorreria em aproximadamente seis meses. Os pais das criancas do grupo controle receberam somente orientacao nutricional. O efeito da intervencao foi avaliado por mudancas na concentracao da hemoglobina e na prevalencia de anemia. As comparacoes entre os dois grupos foram baseadas na "intencao-de-tratar" e todas as estimativas foram ajustadas para concentracao inicial de hemoglobina, idade inicial, duracao do seguimento e renda familiar. O ganho medio de hemoglobina devido a intervencao foi de 4,0 g/l e a queda na prevalencia de anemia foi de mais de 50%. A intervencao foi particularmente eficiente em prevenir o declinio da concentracao de hemoglobina durante os dois primeiros anos de vida. Esse estudo demonstra que, em condicoes similares aquelas que poderiam facilmente ser reproduzidas por programas regulares de saude publica, a prescricao universal de doses semanais de sulfato ferroso reduz significativamente o risco de anemia na infância.

The acetone soluble fraction from bark extract of Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville inhibits gastric acid secretion and experimental gastric ulceration in rats

Abstract: The acetone soluble fraction from a crude methanol extract of Stryphnodendron adstringens stem bark (AFSAB) was evaluated in acute (ethanol, indomethacin and hypothermic restraint-stress) and chronic (acetic acid) models of gastric ulceration and on basal and bethanechol-stimulated gastric acid secretion in rats. Rats pretreated orally with AFSAB at doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg showed significant decreases of gastric lesion scores in ethanol (62% and 98%) and hypothermic restraint-stress (89% and 88%) models but exerted no significant influence on indomethacin-induced acute or acetic acid-induced chronic ulceration. In pylorus-ligated rats, AFSAB significantly decreased the basal as well as bethanechol-stimulated gastric secretory volume and the total acidity with an elevated pH value. AFSAB failed to modify the gastric mucus and the gastric wall nonprotein-sulphydryl content. These results point to a possible antisecretory effect of AFSAB which account for the observed antiulcer activity in ethanol and hypothermic restraint-stress induced models of acute gastric ulceration.

Fish stock assessment of piraputanga Brycon microlepis in the Cuiabá River basin, Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil

Abstract: Fork length measurements of individuals of Brycon microlepis landed and commercialized at the Porto Market in Cuiaba, MT, from May-October 1996 to May-October 1997 were used to estimate growth and mortality parameters for this species. The average estimated populational parameters were: L infinity = 705 mm, k = 0.275 year-1, C = 0.775, WP = 0.465, Lc = 164 mm, M = 0.585 year-1, Z = 0.822 year-1, with F = 0.237 year-1. Yield per recruit analysis suggests that the stock is not yet overexploited.

Geostatistics as a tool to improve sampling and statistical analysis in wetlands: a case study on dynamics of organic matter distribution in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Abstract: The Pantanal of Mato Grosso presents distinct landscape units: permanently, occasionally and periodically flooded areas. In the last ones, sampling is especially difficult due to the high heterogeneity occurring inter and intrastratas. This paper presents a comparison of different methodological approaches showing that they can influence decisively the knowledge of distribution organic matter dynamics. In such an area in order to understand the role of the flood pulse in the distribution dynamics of organic matter in a wetland at the Pantanal, we considered that there is spatial dependence between points. This consideration contradicts the classical statistic principle that focuses on the aleatority, and allowed the obtainment of a larger volume of information from a minor sampling effort, which means better performance, with time and money economy.

Heisenberg model in a random field: phase diagram and tricritical behavior

Abstract: By using the differential operator technique and the effective field theory scheme we study the tricritical behavior of Heisenberg classical model of spin- 1 2 in a random field. The phase diagram in the T–h plane on a square and simple cubic lattice for a cluster with two spins is obtained when the random field is bimodal distributed.

Effect of butanolic fraction of Desmodium adscendens on the anococcygeus of the rat

Abstract: A composicao quimica das plantas pode variar em funcao de fatores como solo e epoca da coleta. Desmodium adscendens (Sw.) D.C. variedade adscendens (Papillionaceae) e uma planta empregada no tratamento da asma em Gana, Africa. Estudos indicam que o extrato butanolico inibe as contracoes do ileo e traqueia de cobaio. Em Mato Grosso, essa planta e utilizada somente no tratamento de inflamacao ovariana. O objetivo do trabalho foi verificar se fracao butanolica da planta encontrada em Mato Grosso relaxa o musculo liso e compreender melhor seu mecanismo de acao. A aplicacao acumulativa da fracao butanolica relaxou a contracao mantida do anococcigeo de rato induzida por potassio alto, mas nao a induzida pela fenilefrina. O relaxamento nao foi alterado pelo azul de metileno. Alem disso, reduziu a resposta maxima da curva concentracao-resposta ao calcio. Os resultados sugerem que a fracao butanolica atua, pelo menos em parte, por intermedio do bloqueio de canais de Ca+2 voltagem dependente.

Comparison between resection and primary anastomosis and staged resection in obstructing adenocarcinoma of the left colon

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The surgical option to deal with obstruction of the left side of the large bowel is still controversial. OBJECTIVE: To report the experience of our group in the treatment of malignant left-sided colonic obstruction focusing on the immediate results using either one-stage resection and primary anastomoses or staged resection. PATIENTS/METHODS: Twenty-three patients (median age = 52 (39-84) years; 10 males and 13 females) with potentially resectable obstructed adenocarcinomas of the left colon entered the study. The patients were submitted to different surgical procedure: 14 (60,9%) underwent one stage colonic resection (intra-operative lavage of colon (n = 10) or subtotal colectomy (n = 4); resection and primary anastomoses group) and 9 patients (39,1%) underwent staged resection (Hartmann's operation (n = 4) or loop colostomy (n = 5); staged resection group). RESULTS: Two patients (8,7%) died. All were from the staged resection group. Four patients (44,4%) of staged resection group did not complete the treatment with the closing of the colostomy. The incidence of complications was 28,6% in resection and primary anastomoses group (4/14) and 66,7% in staged resection group (6/9). Hospital stay was 15 (9-45) in staged resection patients and 8 (6-20) in resection and primary anastomoses group. There was one case (7,1%) of anastomotic dehiscence in resection and primary anastomoses group and two cases (22,2%) in staged resection group. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of obstruction of left colon in one stage is safe and may be indicated for the management of the majority of cases.

Saponins from cariniana rubra (lecythidaceae)

Abstract: Tres saponinas triterpenoidales fueron aisladas de la corteza del tallo de Cariniana rubra Gardner & Miers (Lecythidaceae). Las saponinas que se informan son monodesmosidos y un derivado bidesmosidico del triterpeno acido 2a ,3b ,23-trihidroxi-12-oleanen-28-oico (acido arjunolico). Las estructuras propuestas son: acido 28-b -glucopiranosil-23-O-acetil arjunolico 1, acido 3-O-b -glucopiranosil arjunolico 2 y acido 28-O-[ a -Rhamnopiranosil-(1® 2)-b -glucopiranosil] -23-O-acetil arjunolico 3. Los compuestos 1 y 3 se describen por primera vez.

BCG revaccination in school children: evolution of the lesion at the vaccination site between 48 hours and 10 weeks

Abstract: Objective: cutaneous reaction after BCG revaccination has been cause of concerns due its magnitude. Would it be intense enough to discourage its use in school-age children? The objective of this study is to describe the evolution of BCG vaccination site between 48 hours and 10 weeks post-revaccination. Methods: a descriptive cohort study was carried out involving 484 children between six and 11 years. The subjects were vaccinated with 0.1 mL of BCG-Moreau. Erythema, induration, pustule, ulcer, crust and final scar were measured within 48h, 72h and weekly until the tenth week, evaluated between July and December 1987. Epi Info 6.0 software was utilized to analyze frequencies, means, median and standard deviations. Results: induration was present in 99.1% and erythema in 91.6% of 438 children evaluated within 48h. Pustules were observed in the first week in 26.1% of 479 children. The first ulcers were seen during the second week. In the tenth week, 69.8% of 463 children showed crusts but only 29.2% completed the healing process. Conclusions: BCG revaccination in school-age children causes intense and early reaction that can be related to Koch phenomenon, even though it does not present the expected reduction in the healing period. The magnitude of the reaction is not enough to discourage its recommendation for school-age children. On the other hand, it is possible that the rapid inflammatory response is an indication of active immune response from the first vaccination.

Children and adolescents with a chronic disease: living with changes

Abstract: This descriptive and exploratory study aimed at apprehending, by means of interviews, the experiences of children and adolescents with a chronic disease as it is felt by them. The results showed that the lives of children and adolescents are changed by frequent hospitalizations and by the limitations imposed by the disease, which causes alterations particularly in their schooling process. Considering that children and adolescents experience complex feelings and situations in the everyday routine of living with a chronic disease, it is important that health care professionals learn about such needs and incorporate them to care planning, aiming at providing effective intervention in order to promote growth and development.