The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition of meat from three portions of the carcass of kids raised in range conditions and slaughtered at 8-9 or 11-12 months old. The trial was conducted in the region of Alto Camaquã and had 15 animals per group. Chemical composition of the carcass (moisture, protein, ashes, fats, and cholesterol) was determined from the shoulder, loin, and legs. Kids slaughtered younger had higher moisture and ash content in all three portions (p<0.05) when compared to older animals. Fat levels only were higher in kids slaughtered at an older age (p<0.05). Cholesterol content only on the leg, was lesser than the two other portions in younger animals (p<0.05). There were no differences observed between the three portions on the older animals. Older kids at slaughter had higher content of protein and fat but cholesterol remained unchanged. The three portions of the carcass had distinct chemical composition. Our results suggest that in range conditions the slaughter of animals should occur at 11-12 months old, resulting in meat with higher nutritional content in all portions of the carcass.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a composição química da carne de três regiões da carcaça de cabritos naturalizados e abatidos, criados em sistema extensivo na Região do Alto Camaquã. Foram utilizados 15 animais por tratamento, com 8-9 e 11-12 meses de idade. Foi determinada a composição centesimal (umidade, proteína, matéria mineral, lipídios e colesterol) da paleta, lombo e perna. Cabritos abatidos mais jovens apresentam maior concentração de umidade e matéria mineral no lombo, paleta e perna (p<0,05). Já os teores de gordura foram superiores os cabritos abatidos mais velhos (p<0,05). Para o colesterol, somente na perna de cabritos abatidos mais jovens foram inferiores as demais regiões (p<0,05). Não houve diferença em relação o colesterol total para cabritos mais velhos (p>0,05) nas diferentes regiões da carcaça. Com o avanço da idade de abate dos cabritos eleva-se o teor de proteína e de gordura, porém o colesterol não se modifica ao longo do tempo. As regiões da carcaça apresentaram distinta composição química. Desta forma, ressalta-se que em sistema extensivo de criação os animais abatidos com 11 12 meses apresentam teores nutricionais mais elevado na sua carne. Por tanto, nessas condições recomenda-se abater animais com idade entre 11 a 12 meses.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a fitossociologia de plantas daninhas em cafezais sob diferentes períodos de consórcio com leguminosas em dois anos de cultivo. Os tratamentos corresponderam à combinação fatorial entre as leguminosas feijão-de-porco (Canavalia ensiformis) e lablabe (Dolichos lab-lab) e períodos de consorciação com cafeeiros aos 30, 60, 90 e 120 dias após o plantio, mais uma testemunha sem leguminosa. O experimento foi composto por nove tratamentos em delineamento de blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. As leguminosas foram semeadas em dezembro de 2007 e outubro de 2008 e cortadas conforme os períodos de consorciação, sendo removidas da entrelinha, para ficarem sob a copa dos cafeeiros. As plantas daninhas foram amostradas nas entrelinhas e na projeção das copas dos cafeeiros, em outubro de 2008 e em outubro de 2009, refletindo o efeito dos tratamentos após um e dois anos de consorciação, respectivamente. As avaliações constaram da similaridade da comunidade, do índice do valor de importância e da importância relativa das plantas daninhas mais frequentes. Nos dois anos agrícolas foram identificadas 17 espécies de plantas daninhas, distribuídas em dez famílias botânicas, sendo mais frequentes as espécies Cyperus rotundus, Paspalum conjugatum, Amaranthus retroflexus e Oxalis latifolia. No primeiro ano, o feijão-de-porco (2,65 t ha-1) produziu mais massa que a lablabe (1,89 t ha-1), e no segundo ano a lablabe produziu mais massa (4,21 t ha-1) que o feijão-de-porco (2,73 t ha‑1). Nas entrelinhas, a diferença da flora de plantas daninhas em relação à testemunha foi maior do que na projeção da copa dos cafeeiros, no final dos dois anos. Em 2008, quando a lablabe ficou por 90 ou 120 dias nas entrelinhas, houve crescimento da importância da tiririca, enquanto em 2009 a importância relativa desta foi mais elevada na testemunha. As entrelinhas do cafeeiro apresentaram massa de matéria seca de plantas daninhas maior do que a projeção da copa, possivelmente devido ao sombreamento proporcionado pelos cafeeiros. A espécie Cyperus rotundus foi a de maior importância nos dois anos, seguida de Paspalum conjugatum, que teve sua importância aumentada de 2008 para 2009, devido à sua adaptação às condições de baixa luminosidade.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the phytosociology of weeds in a coffee plantation under different periods of legume intercropping, along two years. The experiment consisted of nine treatments in a randomized block design with four replications. Treatments were the factorial combination of Jack beans (Canavalia ensiformis) or Hyacinth beans (Dolichos lab-lab) and four periods of intercropping with coffee (30, 60, 90, and 120 days after planting), plus a control treatment with no legume. The legumes were sown in December 2007 and October 2008, cut according to the periods of intercropping, and placed under the coffee plant canopies. Weeds were sampled on the coffee plant inter-rows and canopies, in October 2008, and October 2009, reflecting the effect of treatments after one and two years of cultivation, respectively. The evaluations consisted of the weed community indices, the species' importance value and the relative importance of the most frequent weed species. In both years, seventeen species of weeds, distributed in ten botanical families, were identified, with the most frequent species being Cyperus rotundus, Paspalum conjugatum, Amaranthus retroflexus and Oxalis latifolia. In the first-year, Jack beans (2.65 t ha-1) accumulated more mass than Hyacinth beans (1.89 t ha-1), but in the second year, the Hyacinth beans accumulated more mass (4.21 t ha-1) than the Jack beans (2.73 t ha-1). At the end of the two years, the weed flora in the control plot was more similar to the flora under the canopy than on the inter-row flora. In 2008, when Hyacinth beans were intercropped for 90 or 120 days, the relative importance of C. rotundus in the inter-row was higher than in the control.On the other hand, in the second year, the relative importance of this weed was higher in the control plots, and in 2009, the relative importance of this weed was higher in the control. The weed mass in the inter-row was higher than under the coffee plant canopy, possibly due to the shading provided by the trees. C. rotundus was the most important species in both years, followed by Paspalum conjugatum, whose importance increased from 2008 to 2009, possibly due to its adaptation to low light conditions.

Objectives: To characterize the profile of mothers with positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV+) and birth conditions of newborns. Method: A retrospective descriptive study, quantitative approach performed in a public maternity in Fortaleza, Ceará-Brazil. All the participants were HIV + seropositive mothers and their newborns admitted in 2009, totaled 27, recorded in the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit (NUVE). Results: the mothers, 37.0% were aged between 21-25 years, 11.1% used drugs, 48.1% had had one to two pregnancies, 40.7% had not carried out at least six prenatal consultations, 96, 3% had a cesarean delivery, 74.0% used Zidovudine (AZT). Concerning the newborn 74.0% were 45-49 cm tall, 63.0%, head circumference 32-34 cm, 63.0%, chest circumference 30-33 cm, 14.8% weighed> 3500 g, 18.5% were born preterm, 3.7% had Apgar in the first minute of 4-7 and 96.3%> 7 and 37.1% had transient tachypnea. Conclusion: Although most women had done less than six prenatal visits, there were a significant number of pregnant women with antiretroviral therapy in pregnancy and childbirth. The number of newborns sent to rooming was quite low. Birth weight, height and head circumference were mostly satisfactory and equivalent to that reported in literature.

Objetivos: caracterizar o perfil de puérperas com vírus humano da imunodeficiência positivo (HIV+) e condições de nascimento dos recém-nascidos. Método: estudo retrospectivo descritivo, abordagem quantitativa, realizado em maternidade pública, em Fortaleza-Ceará-Brasil. Participaram todas puérperas soropositivas HIV+ e seus recém-nascidos admitidos em 2009, totalizando 27 cada, registrados no Núcleo de Vigilância Epidemiológica (NUVE). Resultados: quanto às mães, 37,0%, tinham faixa etária 21- 25 anos, 11,1% usaram droga, 48,1%, tinham uma a duas gestações, 40,7% não realizaram seis consultas pré natal, 96,3% tiveram parto cesárea, 74,0% usaram Zidovudine (AZT). Quanto ao recém-nascido 74,0 %, tinham estatura de 45-49 cm, 63,0%, perímetro cefálico 32-34 cm, 63,0%, perímetro torácico 30-33 cm, 14,8% com peso > 3.500g, 18,5% nasceram pré-termo, 3,7% apresentaram apgar no primeiro minuto de 4-7 e 96,3% >7 e 37,1% apresentaram taquipneia transitória. Conclusão: foi expressivo o número de gestantes com terapia antirretroviral na gestação e parto, apesar de grande parte das mulheres terem realizado menos de seis consultas pré-natal. Um dado a merecer atenção é a baixa quantidade de recém-nascidos encaminhados para o alojamento conjunto. O peso de nascimento, estatura e perímetro cefálico foram na sua maior parte satisfatório, e equivalente ao relatado na literatura pertinente.

Objetivos: Caracterizar el perfil de puérperas con virus humano de imunodeficiência adquirida positivo (VIH+) y condiciones de nacimiento de los recién-nacidos. Método: Estudio retrospectivo descriptivo, enfoque cuantitativo, realizado en maternidad pública, en Fortaleza-Ceará-Brasil. Participaron todas las puérperas seropositivas VIH+ y sus recién nacidos admitidos en 2009, totalizando 27, registrados en el Núcleo de Vigilancia Epidemiológica (NUVE). Resultados: En cuanto a las madres, 37,0%, tenían franja de edad de 21-25 años, 11,1% tomaron droga, 48,1%, tenían de una a dos gestaciones, 40,7% no realizaron seis consultas prenatal, 96,3% tuvieron parto cesárea, 74,0% tomaron Zidovudine (AZT). En cuanto al recién nacido 74,0 %, tenían estatura de 45-49 cm, 63,0%, perímetro cefálico 32-34 cm, 63,0%, perímetro torácico 30-33 cm, 14,8% con peso > 3.500g, 18,5% nacieron pre-término, 3,7% presentaron apgar en el primer minuto de 4-7 y 96,3% >7 y 37,1% presentaron taquipnea transitoria. Conclusión: Fue relevante el número de gestantes con terapia antirretroviral en la gestación y parto, a pesar de que gran parte de las mujeres habían realizado menos de seis consultas prenatal. Un dato a tener en cuenta es el bajo número de recién nacidos dirigidos al nido. El peso de nacimiento, estatura y perímetro cefálico fueron en su mayoría satisfactorios, y equivalente al relatado en la literatura pertinente.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar a frequência de anticorpos contra brucelas lisas em suínos abatidos no semiárido da Paraíba. Para tanto, foram utilizadas 306 amostras de soros de suínos abatidos no matadouro público de Patos, Estado da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil. Para a detecção de anticorpos contra brucelas lisas, o teste do antígeno acidificado tamponado (AAT) foi empregado como teste de triagem, e a prova do 2-mercaptoetanol (2-ME) foi empregada como método confirmatório. Dos 306 suínos testados, três (0,98%; IC 95% = 0,20% - 2,84%) foram positivos para anticorpos contra brucelas lisas no teste de AAT, e dois (0,65%; IC 95% = 0,08% - 2,34%) foram confirmados no 2-ME, sendo um animal com título 200 e um com título 25.

The aim of this research was to determine the frequency of antibodies against smooth Brucella in swine slaughtered in the semiarid region of the state of Paraíba, Brazil. Three hundred and six serum samples from swine slaughtered in the public slaughterhouse of the city of Patos were used. For the detection of antibodies against smooth Brucella, the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) was applied as a screening method and the 2-mercaptoethanol test as a confirmatory method. Of the 306 swine tested, 3 (0.98%; 95% CI = 0.20% - 2.84%) were positive for antibodies against smooth Brucella at RBPT, and 2 (0.65%; 95% CI = 0.08% - 2.34%) were confirmed in the 2-mercaptoethanol; 1 animal presented titer 200 and 1 titer 25.

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the in vivo characteristics, body parts, production costs and calculate regression equations for the main traits of commercial interest the goats. For this study cross Angorá goats, controlled during one year and slaughtered at 11-12 months (lot 1, n=20) were used. From the results of lot 1, a second lot (lot 2, n=14) with animals 8-9 months old, was tested. Both batches were reared under extensive system in the territory of the Alto Camaquã (State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil). The goats slaughtered at the age of 11-12 months had production costs of R$ 0.93 kg live weight and R$ 1.86 kg/carcass and reached slaughter weight as early as 6-7 months of age. The regression equations determined that the thoracic perimeter is the best measure to estimate the fasting weight, since the body compacity is better estimated by fasting weight. The goats slaughtered at 8-9 months had higher values for the main traits when compared to those slaughtered at 11-12 months. Most of the body parts surveyed showed isogonic behavior. The results indicate that kids reared under extensive management at Alto Camaquã territory must be slaughtered before winter period, and the optimum age for slaughter is 8-9 months with body weight around 22 kg.

O principal objetivo do estudo foi avaliar as características in vivo, os componentes corporais, os custos de produção e calcular equações de regressão para as principais características de interesse comercial de caprinos. Para este estudo foram utilizados cabritos cruza Angorá, acompanhados durante um ano e abatidos com 11-12 meses (lote 1, n=20). A partir dos resultados do lote 1, foi abatido um segundo lote (lote 2, n=14) com animais de 8-9 meses de idade. Ambos os lotes foram criados em sistema extensivo no território do Alto Camaquã (Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil). Os cabritos abatidos com idade de 11-12 meses apresentaram custos de produção de R$/US$ 0,93/0,53 kg/peso vivo e R$/US$ 1,86/ 1,06 kg/carcaça e atingiram o peso de abate já aos 6-7 meses de idade. As equações de regressão determinaram que o perímetro torácico é a melhor característica para estimar o peso em jejum, já a compacidade corporal é melhor estimada pelo peso em jejum. Os caprinos abatidos com 8-9 meses tiveram maiores valores para as principais características avaliadas, quando comparados aos abatidos com 11-12 meses. A maior parte dos componentes corporais dos lotes avaliados demonstrou comportamento isogônico. Os resultados indicam que cabritos criados em sistema extensivo no território do Alto Camaquã, devem ser abatidos no período que antecede o inverno e a idade ótima de abate é de 8-9 meses, com peso vivo ao redor de 22 kg para as características avaliadas.

Premature amniorrhexis, risky pregnancy, became a global concern because of the harm to the mother and fetus. Aim to identify the knowledge of women of premature amniorrhexis and get to know their perceptions and their feelings about this pathology. Descriptive study with a qualitative approach, developed in a public maternity ward. 11 women participated while hospitalized with a diagnosis of premature amniorrhexis, in the months of September and October 2007. The collection of semi-structured data was used, from which emerged the categories: Women's knowledge in relation to premature amniorrhexis, requiring information, and their feelings experienced, and reaction before their water broke. The results showed that women know little of the disease, or fear for the life of their children, and do not know what to do before that. Additionally health care professionals should regard women as human beings that need support and understanding.

Amniorrexe prematura, gestação de risco, tornou-se preocupação mundial devido os agravos na gestante e no feto. Objetivamos identificar o conhecimento de gestantes sobre amniorrexe prematura e conhecer suas percepções e seus sentimentos diante desta patologia. Estudo descritivo com abordagem qualitativa, desenvolvido em uma maternidade pública. Participaram 11 gestantes internadas com o diagnóstico de amniorrexe prematura, nos meses de setembro e outubro de 2007. Utilizou-se na coleta de dados entrevista semi-estruturada de onde emergiram as categorias: conhecimento das gestantes em relação à amniorrexe prematura, necessitando de informações, sentimentos vivenciados, reação diante do rompimento da bolsa das águas. Os resultados revelaram que as gestantes pouco conhecem da patologia, temem pela vida dos filhos e não sabem o que fazer diante dessa situação. Consideramos então a necessidade dos profissionais de saúde olhar para as gestantes como seres que necessitam de apoio e compreensão.

Amniorrexe prematuro, embarazo de riesgo, se convirtió en preocupación mundial debido a los agravios en la gestante y en el feto. Objetivamos identificar el conocimiento de las gestantes sobre amniorrexe prematura y conocer sus percepciones y sus sentimientos ante esta patología. Estudio descriptivo con un enfoque cualitativo, desarrollado en una maternidad pública. Participaron 11 gestantes hospitalizadas con diagnóstico de amniorrexe prematura, en los meses de septiembre y octubre de 2007. Se utilizó en la recogida de datos entrevista semi-estructurada a partir de la cual surgieron las categorías: conocimiento de las gestantes en relación con amniorrexe prematura, que requieren la información, los sentimientos experimentados, la reacción ante la ruptura de la bolsa de aguas. Los resultados mostraron que las mujeres saben poco de la enfermedad, el temor por la vida de sus hijos y no saben qué hacer ante esta situación. De ahí la necesidad de los profesionales de la salud de mirar a las gestantes como seres que necesitan de apoyo y comprensión.

RESUMO Com o objetivo de determinar a prevalência de aglutininas anti-Leptospira spp., foi realizado um inquérito sorológico em 131 suínos abatidos no matadouro público de Patos, Estado da Paraíba, Brasil. Para o diagnóstico sorológico de leptospirose, foi utilizada a técnica de soroaglutinação microscópica (SAM), utilizando-se culturas vivas de 22 sorovares patogênicos e dois sorovares saprófitos de Leptospira spp. Para a determinação do sorovar mais provável, foram considerados o título de aglutininas e a freqüência de soros reagentes. Soros que apresentaram títulos iguais para dois ou mais sorovares foram excluídos desta análise. Dos 131 suínos, 44 foram soropositivos para pelo menos um dos sorovares empregados, resultando em uma soroprevalência de 33,6% (IC 95% = 25,5% 42,4%). O sorovar mais provável foi o Pomona, com 38 (29,0%; IC 95% = 21,4% – 37,6%) soros reagentes. Também foram constatadas reações sorológicas para os seguintes sorovares: Pyrogenes (2,3%; IC 95% = 0,5% – 6,5%), Canicola (1,5%; IC 95% = 0,2% – 5,4%) e Shermani (0,8%; IC 95% = 0,02% – 4,2%). Houve diferença significativa na soroprevalência para o sorovar Pomona em relação aos demais sorovares (P < 0,0001).

ABSTRACT A serologic survey was conducted among 131 swine slaughtered in the public slaughterhouse of Patos city, Northeast region of Brazil, to determine the prevalence of anti-Leptospira spp. agglutinins. For serologic diagnosis of leptospirosis, the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was carried out using live cultures of 22 pathogenic and two saprophytic Leptospira spp. serovars. The most frequent serovar was found crossing the results of frequency and titer of agglutinins, and sera presenting equal titers for two or more serovars were not considered for this analysis. Of the 131 swine analyzed, 44 were seropositive for at least one Leptospira spp. serovar, resulting in a seroprevalence of 33.6% (95% CI = 25.5% 42.4%). The most frequent serovar was Pomona, with 38 (29.0%; 95% CI = 21.4% 37.6%) reactant sera. Other reactant serovars and respective prevalence were: Pyrogenes (2.3%; 95% CI = 0.5% 6.5%), Canicola (1.5%; 95% CI = 0.2% 5.4%) and Shermani (0.8%; 95% CI = 0.02% 4.2%). There was statistical difference in seroprevalence to serovar Pomona compared with others reactant serovars (P < 0.0001).

This paper describes the general characteristics of spherical tokamaks, or spherical tori, with a brief overview of work in this area already performed or in progress at several institutions worldwide. The paper presents also the steps in the development of the ETE (Experimento Tokamak Esférico) project, its research program, technical characteristics and operating conditions as of December, 2002 at the Associated Plasma Laboratory (LAP) of the National Space Research Institute (INPE) in Brazil.

A Fast Neutral Lithium Beam Probe (FNLBP) is being developed, in order, to perform measurement of the boundary plasma density in discharges of the Spherical Tokamak ETE, recently built at LAP/INPE. This plasma diagnostic method is adequate for use in fusion devices because it does not perturb the plasma and it provides data with high space and time resolution for the entire discharge lifetime. To obtain reliable measurements, however, FNLB probing depends on high signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) during beam emission spectroscopy of the Li beam injected into the plasma, specially if density uctuation measurements are sought. Hence, our effort is been focused in the achievement of high intensity Li0 output. Recently, probing of a low temperature (T ~ 5eV) and low density target plasma (n ~ 10(10) cm-3) produced in a plasma immersion ion implantation experiment (PIIIE) was performed by a2-5keV FNLBP. The method used for the density determination of this glow discharge plasma was based on the comparison of the fluxes of 6708 Å photons emitted from Li0 beam injected into nitrogen gas that filled the PIIIE chamber and from the same beam injected into the plasma discharge. For this case, the attenuation of the beam was neglected. The plasma density measured was n e = 8.5 × 10(10) cm-3 for pressure of operation of p = 7.0 × 10-4 mbar and n e = 7.2 × 10(10) cm-3 for p = 4.6 × 10-4 mbar. These results are in good agreement with Langmuir probe data. The success of this measurement was only possible after a tenfold increase in the Li+ output and the increase of the lifetime of Li source by vitrification of the beta-eucryptite source, besides the optimization of the optical detection system and the neutralization of the beam. Presently, a new 10keV FNLBP is been developed to probe ETE plasma. For this case, where the Li beam will be strongly attenuated by the high density plasma (n e ~ 10(13) cm-3), the method of density reconstruction from the whole photon flux profile will be used. All the improvements performed during the operation of the old FNLBP device, will be implemented on this new FNLBP.

Hypomagnesemia is the most common electrolyte disturbance seen upon admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Reliable predictors of its occurrence are not described. The objective of this prospective study was to determine factors predictive of hypomagnesemia upon admission to the ICU. In a single tertiary cancer center, 226 patients with different diagnoses upon entering were studied. Hypomagnesemia was defined by serum levels <1.5 mg/dl. Demographic data, type of cancer, cause of admission, previous history of arrhythmia, cardiovascular disease, renal failure, drug administration (particularly diuretics, antiarrhythmics, chemotherapy and platinum compounds), previous nutrition intake and presence of hypovolemia were recorded for each patient. Blood was collected for determination of serum magnesium, potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. Upon admission, 103 (45.6%) patients had hypomagnesemia and 123 (54.4%) had normomagnesemia. A normal dietary habit prior to ICU admission was associated with normal Mg levels (P = 0.007) and higher average levels of serum Mg (P = 0.002). Postoperative patients (N = 182) had lower levels of serum Mg (0.60 ± 0.14 mmol/l compared with 0.66 ± 0.17 mmol/l, P = 0.006). A stepwise multiple linear regression disclosed that only normal dietary habits (OR = 0.45; CI = 0.26-0.79) and the fact of being a postoperative patient (OR = 2.42; CI = 1.17-4.98) were significantly correlated with serum Mg levels (overall model probability = 0.001). These findings should be used to identify patients at risk for such disturbance, even in other critically ill populations.

To assess the clinical relevance of a semi-quantitative measurement of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA in renal transplant recipients within the typical clinical context of a developing country where virtually 100% of both receptors and donors are seropositive for this virus, we have undertaken HCMV DNA quantification using a simple, semi-quantitative, limiting dilution polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We evaluated this assay prospectively in 52 renal transplant patients from whom a total of 495 serial blood samples were collected. The samples scored HCMV positive by qualitative PCR had the levels of HCMV DNA determined by end-point dilution-PCR. All patients were HCMV DNA positive during the monitoring period and a diagnosis of symptomatic infection was made for 4 of 52 patients. In symptomatic patients the geometric mean of the highest level of HCMV DNAemia was 152,000 copies per 106 leukocytes, while for the asymptomatic group this value was 12,050. Symptomatic patients showed high, protracted HCMV DNA levels, whereas asymptomatic patients demonstrated intermittent low or moderate levels. Using a cut-off value of 100,000 copies per 106 leukocytes, the limiting dilution assay had sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 92%, a positive predictive value of 43% and a negative predictive value of 100% for HCMV disease. In this patient group, there was universal HCMV infection but relatively infrequent symptomatic HCMV disease. The two patient groups were readily distinguished by monitoring with the limiting dilution assay, an extremely simple technology immediately applicable in any clinical laboratory with PCR capability.