This study aimed to assess the effects of starting creep feeding at different ages on performance, behaviour, haematological, and biochemical parameters in piglets. A total of 138 piglets (1.34 ± 0.25 kg, n = 13 sows), weaned at 21 d-old, were assigned to treatments using a completely randomized design. The litter was divided into two groups: seven litters (n = 80 piglets) were subjected to creep feeding on the fifth day of age (creep 5) and five litters (n = 58 piglets), on the tenth day of age (creep 10). Piglets were weighed at birth, weaning, and after the first week in the nursery. Piglet behaviour was evaluated daily for 15 min until day 20. Blood was collected on day 13, at weaning, and at the end of the first week in the nursery. There was no difference in body weight in the suckling phase, but piglets fed Creep 5 showed greater body weight gain in the first nursery week. The Creep 5 group had lower feed leftovers during the five days of evaluation of feed intake. There were no differences in haematological parameters and amylase concentration; however, the piglets spent more time lying down, sucking, and massaging the udder. On day 8, the piglets in the Creep 5 group showed a higher frequency of exploratory behaviour. In conclusion, piglets fed Creep 5 had optimal performance after weaning and improved feed intake capacity by displaying more exploratory behaviour than Creep 10. Creep management did not alter haematological and biochemical parameters.

This study aimed to assess the effects of starting creep feeding at different ages on performance, behaviour, haematological, and biochemical parameters in piglets. A total of 138 piglets (1.34 ± 0.25 kg, n = 13 sows), weaned at 21 d-old, were assigned to treatments using a completely randomized design. The litter was divided into two groups: seven litters (n = 80 piglets) were subjected to creep feeding on the fifth day of age (creep 5) and five litters (n = 58 piglets), on the tenth day of age (creep 10). Piglets were weighed at birth, weaning, and after the first week in the nursery. Piglet behaviour was evaluated daily for 15 min until day 20. Blood was collected on day 13, at weaning, and at the end of the first week in the nursery. There was no difference in body weight in the suckling phase, but piglets fed Creep 5 showed greater body weight gain in the first nursery week. The Creep 5 group had lower feed leftovers during the five days of evaluation of feed intake. There were no differences in haematological parameters and amylase concentration; however, the piglets spent more time lying down, sucking, and massaging the udder. On day 8, the piglets in the Creep 5 group showed a higher frequency of exploratory behaviour. In conclusion, piglets fed Creep 5 had optimal performance after weaning and improved feed intake capacity by displaying more exploratory behaviour than Creep 10. Creep management did not alter haematological and biochemical parameters.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of calcitic seaweed (CS), calcitic limestone (CL) and monodicalcium phosphate (DP) fed to piglets in various combinations on their gastrointestinal tract and bones. A total of 128 piglets (21 days old, 5.50 ± 0.49 kg bodyweight (BW) were assigned to treatments in a randomized complete block design and eight replications to one of four diets: D1: with CL + DP, D2: with CL, CS + DP, D3, similar to D2, but with 30% less calcium from CS and DP, and D4: with CS + DP. Treatments affected the metatarsal bones, mineral concentration in the heart and liver, and pH in the cecum and colon. Piglets fed D4 tended to have a greater Enterobacteriaceae count in the jejunum and ileum compared with D1 (4.82 vs 4.79 CFU/g). Piglets fed D1 and D3 had a greater Enterobacteriaceae count in their cecum than D4 (4.79 and 4.80 vs 4.76). The D2 and D1 treatments produced greater crypt depth (CD) in the duodenum and ileum compared with D3 and D4, respectively. Feeding D3 resulted in a greater villus height (VH) to CD ratio in the duodenum compared with D2 and showed a 24.5% increase in heart weight compared with fed D1. In conclusion, CS could be an alternative source of calcium source for piglets. The inconsistent findings of the present study suggest the need for further studies to better understand the interplay of effects of Ca + source and level on its metabolism.

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of a functional oil blend (castor oil plus cashew nutshell oil) on complete blood count, health parameters, and intestinal structure in nursery pigs. A total of 128 crossbreed piglets (6.79 ± 1.76 kg of body weight) were allocated in a randomized complete block design with two dietary treatments: a functional oil-free diet or a diet based on added functional oil (1500 mg functional oil blend/kg of diet). Both diets had 400-500 mg colistin sulphate/kg. Pigs fed functional oil had higher erythrocytes and monocytes on days 11 and 23, respectively. Lymphocyte concentration was reduced, and ileum pH was increased in pigs fed functional oil on day 23. On day 37, lower jejunal pH was observed. However, no treatment effect on diarrhoea occurrence was observed. The lactic acid bacteria count was greater in jejunum and ileum of pigs fed functional oil on day 23. Pigs fed functional oil had more jejunal lesions on day 37. Based on the criteria of this study, dietary supplementation to piglets with functional oil blend changed the concentration of erythrocytes and monocytes as an important role in the defence of the organism; however, it showed a reduced capacity to modify the pH in small intestinal contents, which was reflected in an absence in the incidence of diarrhoea. In addition, piglets fed the functional oil blend had improvements in lactic acid bacterial counts, without the ability to attenuate lesions in the jejunum.

Resumo Relatamos a primeira ocorrência de Panstrongylus megistus (Burmeister, 1835) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil. Em 2018, espécimes adultos foram enviados por residentes e a pesquisa na propriedade constatou a presença de um grande foco associado a um ninho marsupial. Este achado reforça a importância da espécie no estado de São Paulo, serve de alerta para a vigilância epidemiológica e amplia a área de colonização da espécie no estado de São Paulo.

Abstract We report the first known occurrence of Panstrongylus megistus (Burmeister, 1835) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, Brazil. In 2018, adult specimens were sent by residents to the competent authorities and, in the inspection of the property, a large focus associated with a marsupial nest was found. This finding reinforces the importance of the species in the state of São Paulo, serves as an alert for epidemiological surveillance and extends the species colonization area in the state of São Paulo.

RESUMO Xenarthras (Mammalia, Dasypodidae) das espécies Dasypus novemcinctus e Euphractus sexcinctus tiveram sua anatomia científica estudada em relação à topografia dos intestinos delgado e grosso, suas relações peritoniais, morfologia externa e irrigação. Medidas dos diferentes segmentos intestinais e do número de vasos a eles destinados foram tomadas para fins comparativos. O método previu: fixação (formol 7%); injeção de látex; dissecação e fotodocumentação. Espacialmente, embora os intestinos sejam fixados por dupla membrana peritoneal, como em outros vertebrados, nestes a serosa conectou o duodeno, o jejuno, o íleo e os cólons em um único ligamento fixado no dorso do animal. Duodeno e pâncreas, intraperitoniais, como o reto, fixaram-se nas pelves maior e menor, respectivamente e dorsalmente. Vasos derivados do tronco celíaco mesentérico e da aorta percorreram o interior do mesoduodeno, do mesentério comum, do mesocólon e do mesorreto, estando estes, ao longo de seus trajetos, relacionados às cadeias linfonodulares intestinais. O modelo de rotação peritoneal, a morfologia externa, bem como o modelo de vascularização intestinal, foram interpretados como basais, diferindo dos vertebrados recentes, conforme o suporte literário.

ABSTRACT Xenarthras (Mammalia, Dasypodidae) of the species Dasypus novemcinctus and Euphractus sexcinctus had their scientific anatomy studied in relation to the topography of the small and large intestines, their peritoneal relationships, external morphology and irrigation. Measurements of the different intestinal segments and the number of vessels destined for them were taken for comparative purposes. The method predicted: fixation (7% formaldehyde); latex injection; dissection and photo documentation. Spatially, the intestines, although fixed by a double peritoneal membrane, as in other vertebrates, in these, the serosa connected the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and the colon in a single ligament fixed to the animal's back. Duodenum and pancreas, intraperitoneal, like the rectum, were fixed in the major and minor pelvis respectively and dorsally. Vessels derived from the mesenteric celiac trunk and the aorta traveled through the interior of the mesoduodenum, common mesentery, mesocolon and mesoride, being related to the lymph node chains along their pathways. The peritoneal rotation model, the external morphology as well as the model of intestinal vascularization were interpreted as basal, differing from recent vertebrates, according to literary support.

A luxação do astrágalo é uma lesão rara, frequentemente exposta e com fraturas associadas. A luxação isolada do astrágalo é ainda menos frequente. Relatamos o caso de um doente que sofreu uma luxação exposta isolada do astrágalo na sequência de queda de altura. Foi submetido a lavagem, reimplantação do astrágalo e fixação provisória das articulações astrágalonavicular e subastragalina com fios de Kirschner. Aos três anos após a cirurgia, não apresenta sinais de infecção ou necrose do astrágalo, verificando-se limitação ligeira das mobilidades do tornozelo e retropé, sem interferência nas suas atividades de vida diária e profissional. A luxação exposta do astrágalo é uma situação desafiante e de prognóstico incerto, em que a necrose avascular e a infecção são as consequências mais temíveis. A reimplantação com encerramento primário da ferida e fixação provisória pode permitir uma função aceitável a médio prazo, reservando-se a talectomia e/ou artrodese tibiocalcaneana para casos de resgate.

Total talus dislocation is a rare injury, usually open and associated with fractures. Isolated total talar dislocation without associated fractures is a even rarer injury. We present a case report of a patient presenting with an open isolated total talar dislocation after fall from height. We proceeded with cleaning, debridement, open reduction and provisory fixation of the talo-navicular and sub-talar joints with Kirschner wires. On follow-up, 3 years post surgery, there were no signs of infection or talar necrosis, and the patient presents only mild limitation of ankle motion, not interfering with his everyday activities or work. Open isolated total talar dislocation is a challenging situation with an incertain prognosis, with avascular necrosis and infection being the most fearsome consequences. Reimplantation with primary closing of the wound with provisional fixation can allow for an accetable function on the midterm, reserving talectomy and/or tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis as salvage procedures.

This work evaluated different forms of processing of cassava peel for use in sheep feeding and its effects upon composition, meat quality, lipid profile and rumen morphometrics. A total of 20 weaned Santa Ines male sheeps, with initial weight 19.02±0.21 kg, were used. The factorial scheme utilized was a completely randomized design, with 4 treatments (A: supplement with dehydrated cassava peel ground, using a 12 mm sieve; B: supplement with dehydrated cassava peel ground using a 5 mm sieve; C: supplement with ensiled cassava peel; D: supplement with hydrolyzed cassava peel). Each animal was considered a replication, with 5 replications per treatment. The animals were reared in semiextensive system, on Brachiaria decumbens pasture. Treatments were supplied as supplement at proportion of 1.5 % of live weight (ratio roughage: concentrate of 62.5:37.5 %), amounts of food were adjusted, every week, according to the animals' weight. The experiment lasted 84 days, including 14 days for adaptation to the diets. Animals were slaughtered at 30.72±1.46 kg final weight; after slaughter and cooling (24 hours at ±2 ºC), samples of Longissimus lumborum muscle were collected to carry out the physicochemical analyses, and establish lipid profile. There were no significant differences for ashes, moisture and protein. The animals fed supplement with hydrolyzed cassava peel, presented higher values for ether extract. The fatty acid profile was not affected by processing type of cassava peels. The histological evaluation revealed alteration in the rumen epithelium and area of the omasal lamina, with higher values for coarsely ground cassava peel supplement. No influence of the supplements was found for physicochemical composition. The different supplements were not enough to alter the meat quality parameters, however, hydrolyzed cassava peel brought about increased accumulation of lipids in the muscle.

Objetivou-se com este trabalho, avaliar diferentes formas de processamento da casca de mandioca para uso na alimentação de ovinos e seus efeitos sobre a composição centesimal, qualidade de carne, perfil lipídico e morfometria ruminal. Para o experimento foram utilizados um total de 20 ovinos machos da raça Santa Inês desmamados com peso inicial 19,02±0,21 kg. O esquema fatorial utilizado foi um DIC (delineamento inteiramente casualizado), sendo 4 tratamentos (tratamento A: suplemento com casca de mandioca desidratada triturada em moinho com peneira de 12 mm; tratamento B: suplemento com casca de mandioca desidratada triturada em moinho com peneira de 5 mm; tratamento C: suplemento com casca de mandioca ensilada; tratamento D: suplemento com casca de mandioca hidrolisada), cada animal foi considerado uma repetição, totalizando 5 repetições por tratamento. Os animais foram criados em sistema semiextensivo, em pastagem de Brachiaria decumbens e o fornecimento dos tratamentos na forma de suplemento na proporção de 1,5 % do peso vivo (relação volumoso:concen-trado de 62,5:37,5 %), sendo a quantidade corrigida semanalmente em função do peso dos animais. O experimento teve duração de 84 dias, incluindo o período de 14 dias de adaptação às dietas e os animais foram abatidos com peso final de 30,72±1,46 kg, sendo coletado após abate e resfriamiento (24 horas a ±2 ºC), amostras do músculo Longissimus lumborum para realizacao das análises físico-químicas e do perfil lipídico. Os resultados mostraram que não houve diferenca significativa para as cinzas, umidade e proteína. Os animais que receberam suplemento com casca de mandioca hidrolisada apresentaram maiores valores de extrato etéreo. Não foi verificado modificacao do perfil de ácidos graxos em virtude do processamento da casca de mandioca. A avaliacao histológica revelou alteracao no epitélio do rúmen e área da lamina do omaso, com maiores valores no suplemento com uso da casca de mandioca moída grosseiramente. Para as variáveis da composicao físico-químicas não foram verificadas influéncia dos suplementos. Os diferentes suplementos não foram suficientes para alterar os parametros de qualidade de carne, entretanto, a casca de mandioca hidrolisada ocasionou maior acúmulo de lipídeos no músculo.

The macroscopic anatomy and vascularization of the stomach compartments of Bradypus torquatus were examined in five animals from the University of São Paulo College of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechny collection. The method included aqueous perfusion of the arterial network, colored latex injection, fixation in formaldehyde (10%) and preservation in Laskovisk solution. Dissections were performed under mesoscopic light and photo documentations were performed for description and data analysis. In these animals, the largest abdominal organ was the stomach, which internally presented the cardiac, fundic and prepyloric regions, subdivided in six compartments (cardiac right, middle and left; fundic; pre-pyloric I and II). The stomach was irrigated by the left gastric and celiac arteries, which are ventral visceral branches of the abdominal aorta. These arteries emerged in the retroperitoneal region and reached the viscera through the mesogastric region, distributed in the large and small stomach curvatures, in the spleen and the pancreas. The primary collateral branches of the left gastric artery are directed to the large stomach curvature, and the celiac artery irrigated the spleen, the pancreas and the small stomach curvature. The vascular pattern differed in some aspects from that observed in the other multi-cavity stomachs of recent vertebrates.

Fue descrita la anatomía macroscópica y vascularización de los compartimientos del estómago en 5 Bradypus torquatus, animales pertenecientes al acervo de la Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia de la Universidad de São Paulo - Brazil. El método incluyó: perfusión acuosa de la red arterial, inyección de látex coloreado, fijación en formaldehido (10%) y conservación en solución de Laskovisk. Para la descripción y análisis de los datos se realizaron disecciones bajo mesoscopía de luz y archivos fotográficos. Los animales presentaron el estómago como la víscera abdominal más abundante, que posee internamente las regiones: cardiaca, fúndica y pre-pilórica, subdivididas en seis compartimientos (cardiaco, derecho, medio e izquierdo; fúndico; pre-pilórico I y II). Estaba irrigado por las arterias gástricas izquierda y celiaca, que son ramas viscerales ventrales de la parte abdominal de la aorta. Estas arterias emergían en el retroperitoneo y a tráves del mesogastrio alcazaban las vísceras distribuyéndose en la gran y pequeña curvatura del estómago, bazo y páncreas. Las ramas colaterales primarias de la arteria gástrica izquierda estaban destinadas a la gran curvatura del estómago y los de la arteria celíaca irrigaban el bazo, páncreas y pequeña curvatura del estómago. El estándar vascular del Bradypus torquatus más conocido como oso perezoso de tres dedos demostró ser diferente, en algunos aspectos, al de otros estómagos pluricavitarios en vertebrados.

Aims: This study evaluated the agreement of growth charts proposed by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS/1977), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC/2000) and World Health Organization (WHO/2006). Methods: Were assessed children between 0 and 5 years old, hospitalized in the pediatric wards of a Brazilian school hospital. Z-score indexes: stature/age (S/A), weight/age (W/A) and weight/stature (W/S) was evaluated, in each of the three references (NCHS, CDC and WHO). ANOVA and test Bland & Altman and Lin plots were used in the comparison of the 3 charts. The agreement of the nutritional state categories was also evaluated, through kappa coefficient. The study was approved by the Institution's Research Ethics Committee. Results: The study analyzed 337 children, whose median age was 0.52 (IQR: 0.21-1.65) years, 65.3% of them were below 1 year old, 60.2% were male and 50% hospitalized due to acute respiratory disease. Lower Z-scores of W/A and S/A were obtained with the WHO charts and lower W/S with the CDC chart. High correlation and agreement were observed among the criteria, but more patients were classified as presenting shortness through the WHO criteria. CDC and WHO criteria were more rigorous than the NCHS criteria for the diagnosis of underweight (W/A) and malnutrition (W/S). Conclusion: Despite the strong agreement of the 3 charts, the adoption of the WHO charts seems to be more helpful for the children's nutritional screening for admission, as it enables to detect a higher number of malnourished children or at nutritional risk, who will benefit from an early intervention.

Objetivo: Este estudio comparó las curvas de crecimiento para la clasificación de la puntuación Z de talla/edad (T/E), peso/edad (P/E) y peso/talla (P/T) propuesto por el Centro Nacional para Estadísticas Sanitarias (NCHS, 1977), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC/2000) y la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS/2006). Métodos: Niños entre 0 y 5 años de edad hospitalizados en las salas de pediatría de un hospital terciario en Brazil fueron valorados. Se utilizaron ANOVA, Bland & Altman y gráfico de Lin en la comparación de las 3 curvas de crecimiento. Las categorías del estado nutricional se evaluaron por coeficiente kappa. El estudio fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética de la institución. Resultados: El estudio analizó 337 niños, cuya edad fue 0,52 (IQ: 0,21-1,65) años, 65,3% de ellos eran menores de 1 año de edad, 60,2% eran varones y 50% con enfermedades respiratorias agudas. Se obtuvieron puntuaciones Z más bajas de P/E y T/E con la curva de la OMS y más bajo P/T con la tabla del CDC. Fue observada fuerte concordancia entre los 3 criterios, pero más pacientes se clasificaron como "baja estatura" por los criterios de la OMS. Los criterios del CDC y OMS eran más rigurosos que las del NCHS para el diagnóstico de la insuficiencia ponderal (P/E) y la malnutrición (P/T). Conclusión: A pesar de la fuerte concordancia de las 3 curvas, la adopción de los criterios de la OMS parece ser más útil para el diagnóstico nutricional de los niños al ingreso hospitalario. Con esto se hace posible detectar un mayor número de desnutridos o en riesgo nutricional que se beneficiarán de la intervención temprana.

Os materiais de base cimentícia possuem uma microestrutura heterogénea e que se altera ao longo do tempo. A microscopia electrónica de varrimento é uma técnica experimental que permite a observação de materiais numa vasta gama de ampliações e à qual se pode associar análise química local. Neste trabalho descrevem-se as características fundamentais da microestrutura de materiais de base cimentícia e apresentam-se resultados experimentais da análise de argamassas de cimento Portland por microscopia electrónica de varrimento.

Cement-based materials possess a heterogeneous microstructure that changes over time. Scanning electron microscopy is an experimental technique that allows the observation of materials in a wide range of magnifications and can be associated with local chemical analysis. This work describes the fundamental microstructural characteristics of cement-based materials and presents experimental results of Portland cement mortars analysis by scanning electron microscopy

Estudos utilizando ampla escala temporal ainda são escassos na ecologia, mesmo considerando sua importância no estudo de comunidades. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo principal descrever padrões gerais sobre a diversidade de macrófitas aquáticas na planície de inundação do Alto Rio Paraná utilizando uma ampla escala temporal (seis anos de estudo). Mudanças na composição das comunidades ao longo do tempo também foram avaliadas. Dados de presença ou ausência de macrófitas foram obtidos entre Março de 2002 e Março de 2008 em seis lagoas associadas a três rios na planície de inundação. Diferentes técnicas foram utilizadas para avaliar a dinâmica das comunidades de macrófitas aquáticas entre os diferentes ambientes. De maneira geral, a composição das comunidades foi dissimilar entre os diferentes rios, principalmente considerando os diferentes grupos funcionais de macrófitas (flutuante livre, submersa, emergente e enraizada com folha flutuante). A similaridade temporal na composição de espécies e o índice de diversidade beta indicaram que a substituição de espécies ao longo dos meses foi, de maneira geral, menor nas lagoas conectadas ao rio principal. Provavelmente, a flutuação no nível da água representa uma pressão seletiva que ajuda a manter a diversidade de espécies nas lagoas diretamente influenciadas pelo rio. Os resultados desse estudo indicaram a importância das características abióticas e da conectividade das lagoas na composição e estabilidade temporal das comunidades de macrófitas aquáticas na planície de inundação do Alto Rio Paraná.

Although the importance of long-term data has been emphasized by ecologists in recent years, little is known about how communities may change over time. In this study, we describe the general patterns of aquatic macrophyte diversity in the Paraná River floodplain observed during six years of study. Temporal changes in community composition were also evaluated. Data on the presence or absence of aquatic macrophytes were collected between March 2002 and March 2008, in six lakes associated with three rivers. Different analytical strategies were used to evaluate the dynamics of aquatic macrophyte communities between the different systems in the floodplain. The composition of aquatic macrophytes differed among the rivers, mainly with respect to the different vegetation life forms (floating, submersed, emergent and rooted with floating stems). The temporal similarity of species composition during the six years and the beta-diversity index indicated that the month-to-month species turnover was, in general, lower in the connected lakes, which are directly influenced by the river. Probably the water level fluctuation is a selective force that contributes to maintaining diversity or richness. Our findings indicated the importance of abiotic characteristics and connectivity of the lakes in determining macrophyte composition and community stability over a long time frame.

O objetivo desse estudo foi o de construir modelos para predizer as concentrações de clorofila-a e oxigênio dissolvido em lagoas da planície de inundação do Alto Rio Paraná. Para tanto, foram selecionadas 25 lagoas na planície de inundação. O critério de Akaike (AIC) foi utilizado para a seleção dos modelos. Posteriormente, os modelos foram validados utilizando dados independentes obtidos nas mesmas lagoas. As variáveis que explicaram significativamente as concentrações de clorofila-a (52%) foram pH, condutividade elétrica, material em suspensão (relação positiva) e nitrato (relação negativa). As variáveis que melhor explicaram as concentrações de oxigênio dissolvido (54%) foram pH, área das lagoas, nitrato (relação positiva), temperatura da água e condutividade elétrica (relação negativa). A elevada capacidade preditiva desses modelos foi demonstrada através da utilização de dados independentes. Esses resultados demonstraram que a limnologia preditiva continua sendo uma importante área de pesquisa na ecologia aquática.

The need for prediction is widely recognized in limnology. In this study, data from 25 lakes of the Upper Paraná River floodplain were used to build models to predict chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen concentrations. Akaike's information criterion (AIC) was used as a criterion for model selection. Models were validated with independent data obtained in the same lakes in 2001. Predictor variables that significantly explained chlorophyll-a concentration were pH, electrical conductivity, total seston (positive correlation) and nitrate (negative correlation). This model explained 52% of chlorophyll variability. Variables that significantly explained dissolved oxygen concentration were pH, lake area and nitrate (all positive correlations); water temperature and electrical conductivity were negatively correlated with oxygen. This model explained 54% of oxygen variability. Validation with independent data showed that both models had the potential to predict algal biomass and dissolved oxygen concentration in these lakes. These findings suggest that multiple regression models are valuable and practical tools for understanding the dynamics of ecosystems and that predictive limnology may still be considered a powerful approach in aquatic ecology.

Justification and objective: Identify changes in the nutritional status of hospitalized children is fundamental for the early establishment of interventions. This study aims at describing the prevalence of undernutrition at admission and over the weeks of in-hospital stay in pediatric patients and evaluate the association between nutritional status and length of in-hospital stay. Materials and methods: A cohort study was carried out. It followed all the in-patients admitted to the general pediatric unit, composed of 72 beds, in the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), in the south of Brazil, from 20 march to 20 october in 2004. Patients who were between 1 month and 12 years of age and who had been admitted for clinical or/and surgical reasons were included. Those with Down Syndrome or without clinical condition and/or stature for weight measurement were excluded. Anthropometric data were collected up to 48 hours after admission and, weekly, up to hospital discharge (at admission, on 7th, 14th, and 21st day after admission). In children below 5 years of age, the standard defined by the World Heath Organization (WHO/2006) for the classification of the z-score for the stature/age (S/A), weight/age (W/A) and weight/stature (W/S) scores was used. In children from 5 to 10 years of age, the standards of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS, 1977) were used to classify the same rates as reference values. In children above 10 years of age, the classification of the Body Mass Index (BMI) was used (OMS/1995). In order to compare the z-scores over the four evaluation moments, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for repeated measurements, with Bonferroni's Post-Hoc test, and, for the evaluation of the in-hospital stay length, according to the nutritional status, Kaplan-Meier's survival curve, in the SPSS program, version 12.0, was used. Results: 426 patients were included in the study. 57% of them were male and 50.7% were below one year of age. At admission, the prevalence of malnutrition was 10%, 18%, 21% and 14.7%, according to the W/S, W/A, S/A, and BMI criteria, respectively. Improvement of the nutritional status over the in-hospital stay was observed (at admission to 21st day) in children below 5 years (Z-score W/A: from -1.49 ± 2.47 to -0.85 ± 2.36, p = 0.001, and S/A: from -1.69 ± 2.05 to -1.21 ± 1.99, p = 0.007) and also in 5 to 10 years of age (S/A: from -0.43 ± 1.31 to -0.30 ± 1.37, p = 0.024). Undernourished patients, compared to nourished patients (according to the W/S rate for children below 10 years of age and BMI for above 10 years of age), showed a higher probability of remaining hospitalized (HR = 1.41; IC95%: 1.02-1.92). Conclusions: The prevalence of malnutrition by the W/S score was about half the prevalence found by the W/A and W/A indices, possibly reflecting a chronic impairment of the nutritional status. Undernutrition was confirmed as a health problem, once undernourished patients remained hospitalized for longer periods, which is a treatable problem as it was observed an improvement in the nutritional status rates over in-hospital stay.

Justificación y objetivo: Identificar los cambios en el estado nutritivo de niños hospitalizados es fundamental para el establecimiento precoz de las intervenciones. Este estudio pretende describir la prevalencia de la hiponutrición al ingreso y a lo largo de las semanas de estancia hospitalaria de pacientes pediátricos y evaluar la asociación entre el estado nutritivo y la duración de la estancia hospitalaria. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio de cohortes. Se siguió a todos los pacientes ingresados en la Unidad de Pediatría General, compuesta de 72 camas, en el Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), en el sur de Brasil, desde el 20 de marzo hasta el 20 de octubre de 2004. Se incluyeron aquellos pacientes entre 1 mes y 12 años de edad, ingresados por motivos médicos y/o quirúrgicos. Se excluyó a aquellos con síndrome Down o con una situación clínica y/o por peso que impidiesen la medición del peso. Se recogieron los datos antropométricos hasta 48 horas después del ingreso y luego semanalmente hasta el alta hospitalaria (al ingreso, y en los días 7º, 14º y 21º tras la admisión). En niños menores de 5 años, se utilizó el estándar definido por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS/2006) para la clasificación de la puntuación z de las puntuaciones de talla / edad (T/E), peso/edad (P/E) y peso/talla (P/T). En niños de 5 a 10 años, se utilizaron los estándares del Centro Nacional para Estadísticas Sanitarias (NCHS, 1977) para clasificar las mismas tasas como valores de referencia. En niños mayores de 10 años de edad, se empleó la clasificación del Índice de masa corporal (IMC) (OMS/1995). Con el fin de comparar las puntuaciones z a lo largo de los 4 momentos de evaluación, se empleó el análisis de varianza (ANOVA) para mediciones repetidas, con un test Post-Hoc de Bonferroni, y para la evaluación de la duración de la estancia hospitalaria en función del estado nutritivo, se empleó la curva de supervivencia de Kaplan-Meier del programa SPSS, versión 12.0, Resultados: 426 pacientes fueron incluidos en el estudio. 57% eran varones y 50,7% eran menores de 1 año de edad. Al ingreso, la prevalencia de malnutrición fue del 10%,18%, 21% y 14,7%, según los criterios de P/T, P/E, T/E e IMC, respectivamente. Se apreció una mejoría del estado nutritivo a lo largo de la estancia hospitalaria (desde el ingreso hasta el día 21º) en los niños menores de 5 años (puntuación Z P/E: desde -1,49 ± 2,47 a -0,85 ± 2,36, p = 0,001, y T/E: desde -1,69 ± 2,05 a -1,21 ± 1,99, p = 0,007) y también en aquellos entre 5 y 10 años (T/E: desde -0,43 ± 1,31 a -0,30 ± 1,37, p = 0,024). Los pacientes malnutridos, en comparación con los bien nutridos (según la tasa P/T para los niños menores de 10 años y el IMC para los mayores de 10 años de edad), mostraron una mayor probabilidad de permanecer hospitalizados (TH = 1,41; IC 95%: 1,02-1,92). Conclusiones: La prevalencia de malnutrición por la puntuación P/T fue aproximadamente la mitad de la prevalencia hallada mediante los índices T/E y P/E, lo que probablemente refleje el trastorno crónico del estado nutritivo. La hiponutrición se confirmó como un problema sanitario puesto que los pacientes malnutridos permanecieron hospitalizados durante más tiempo, lo cual es un problema tratable puesto que se observó una mejoría del estado nutritivo a lo largo de la estancia hospitalaria.

Given the inherent dangers associated with racemic pharmaceuticals, exhaustive studies of techniques designed to separate enantiomers have been conducted. This paper reports a brief review of the different physical, chemical, and enzymatic methods used for the enantiomeric separation of rac-ibuprofen. The possible contribution of each technique to the preparation of enantiomerically pure drugs is reviewed in the context of competitive approaches that depend on the scale of application, with special emphasis on the recent progress achieved in this particular area.