RESUMO O uso da irrigação desempenha papel fundamental no avanço das fronteiras agrícolas e no aumento da produtividade nas áreas de cultivo, principalmente em ambientes semiáridos que apresentam alta variação espaço-temporal de chuvas. Essa prática é sugerida até mesmo para cultivos adaptados como palma forrageira (Opuntia sp.) e sorgo (Sorghum bicolor). Assim, objetivou-se avaliar a rentabilidade do uso da irrigação no sistema solteiro e sistema consorciado palma-sorgo no semiárido. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 5 × 3: cinco lâminas de irrigação por gotejamento (0, 25, 50, 75 e 100% da evapotranspiração de referência - ET0) e três sistemas de cultivo (palma forrageira solteira, sorgo solteiro e consórcio palma-sorgo), com quatro repetições. O tratamento 0% ET0 correspondeu à condição de sequeiro com uma lâmina de 355 mm. Foi conduzido um ciclo de palma e dois de sorgo (planta e rebrota) compreendidos de novembro 2014 a novembro de 2015. Verificou-se que os maiores custos para implantação dos sistemas de cultivo em condições irrigadas se devem à aquisição do sistema de irrigação e insumos, representando 85,3% do custo operacional efetivo. O sistema sorgo solteiro e o sistema palma forrageira-sorgo proporcionaram as maiores produtividades de matéria fresca (62.013,05 e 60.075,36 kg ha-1), respectivamente. Com base em indicadores econômicos, a adoção de lâminas de irrigação (25, 50, 75 e 100% ET0) promoveu lucros para os sistemas (solteiro e consorciado) a partir do segundo ano de implantação.

ABSTRACT Irrigation plays a fundamental role in advancing agricultural frontiers and increasing crop productivity, especially in semi-arid environments, because they exhibit high spatiotemporal rainfall variation. This practice is suggested even for adapted crops, such as forage cactus (Opuntia sp.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and single or intercropping systems. In this study, aimed to evaluate the profitability of using irrigation in a single and intercropping forage cactus-sorghum system in a semi-arid region. The experimental design was in randomized blocks in a 5 × 3 factorial arrangement: five drip irrigation depths (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of the reference evapotranspiration - ET0) and three cropping systems (single forage cactus, single sorghum, and intercropping forage cactus-sorghum), with four replicates. The 0% ET0 treatment corresponded to rainfed conditions at a depth of 355 mm. A cycle of forage cactus and two sorghum cultivars (plant and regrowth) was conducted between November 2014 and November 2015. It was verified that the highest costs for implantation of the crop systems in irrigated conditions are due to the acquisition of irrigation and input systems, representing 85.3% of the effective operational cost. The single sorghum and forage cactus-sorghum systems provided the highest fresh matter productivity (62,013.05 and 60,075.36 kg ha-1, respectively). Based on economic indicators, the adoption of irrigation depths (25, 50, 75, and 100% ET0) promoted profits for the systems (single and intercropping) from the second year of implementation.

RESUMO Os efeitos da configuração palma-sorgo e de diferentes lâminas de irrigação sobre o crescimento, consumo de água e eficiência do sistema de produção da palma foram investigados neste estudo. O experimento foi conduzido em Serra Talhada, PE, entre os anos de 2012 e 2013, com a palma disposta em blocos ao acaso, quatro repetições, em parcelas subdivididas (5 x 2) de cinco lâminas (0, 8,75, 17,5, 26,25 e 35% da evapotranspiração de referência) e dois sistemas de cultivo (palma exclusiva e consórcio palma-sorgo). A evapotranspiração real da cultura foi calculada por meio do balanço de água no solo. Estimou-se a razão evapotranspiração real e de referência, além das eficiências do uso da água e da terra. As lâminas de irrigação e a adoção do consórcio afetaram apenas a largura do dossel e a biomassa dos cladódios da palma forrageira. A razão evapotranspiração real e de referência aumentou com o incremento da lâmina de irrigação, enquanto as maiores eficiências do uso da água com base na massa seca ocorreram nas lâminas de água superiores a 1.096 mm ano-1 no consórcio (21,8 ± 6,8 kg ha-1 mm-1). As lâminas de irrigação não afetaram a eficiência do uso da terra (0,83). No sistema palma-sorgo, recomendam-se lâminas de água entre 1.096 e 1.202 mm ano-1.

ABSTRACT The effects of the forage cactus sorghum configuration and different irrigation depths on the growth, water use and efficiency of the forage cactus production system were investigated in this study. The experiment was conducted in the municipality of Serra Talhada, Pernambuco State, Brazil, between the years 2012 and 2013. Forage cactus was distributed in randomized blocks with factorial scheme and four replicates, in split plots (5 x 2), with five irrigation depths (0, 8.75, 17.5, 26.25 and 35% of the reference evapotranspiration, ET0) and two cropping systems (forage cactus monocropping and forage cactus sorghum intercropping). Crop evapotranspiration was calculated through soil water balance. The ratio between crop and reference evapotranspiration, and land use and water use efficiencies, were estimated. Irrigation depths and the intercropping affected only forage cactus canopy width and cladode biomass. The ratio between crop and reference evapotranspiration increased with the increase of irrigation depths, while the highest water use efficiency based on dry matter occurred at irrigation depths higher than 1,096 mm year-1 in the intercropping (21.8 ± 6.8 kg ha-1 mm-1). Irrigation depths did not affect land use efficiency (0.83). Water depths from 1,096 to 1,202 mm year-1 are recommended in the forage cactus sorghum system.

AbstractIn this study, the spray drying technique was used to prepare L-ascorbic acid (AA) microparticles encapsulated with galactomannan-an extract from the seeds of the Delonix regia species. The physico-chemical characteristics, antioxidant activity, and encapsulation efficiency of the AA microparticles were evaluated and characterized using thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The free-radical scavenging activity of the AA microparticles was determined at different environmental conditions using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl). X-ray diffraction measurements demonstrated a loss of crystallinity in AA after the encapsulation process, and a DSC scan also showed the loss of the compound's melting peak. Thermogravimetric analysis showed small differences in the thermal stability of galactomannan before and after the incorporation of AA. The mean diameters of the obtained spherical microspheres were in the range of 1.39 ± 0.77 µm. The encapsulation efficiency of AA microparticles in different environmental conditions varied from 95.40 to 97.92, and the antioxidant activity showed values ranging from 0.487 to 0.550 mg mL-1.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated retrospectively, the long-term outcome of patients with post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence (PPUI) after placement of the Periurethral Constrictor (PUC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-six men with severe PPUI were studied, with a mean age of 68.5 years old. Fifty-one men had PPUI due to radical surgery having the device placed around the bulbous urethra, and five individuals with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) had placement around the bladder neck. The mean follow-up was 82.2 months. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (39.28%) became continent (0 to 1 pad a day) and 34 (60.72%) were incontinent. Complications were as follows: urethral erosion in 15 (26.78%); mechanical malfunction in 2 (3.5%); infection in 2 (3.5%); urinary fistula in 1 (1.7%); Urinary tract infection1 (1.7%). Twenty-three patients needed to have the device removed (41.07%). Success rate (continent me) was 30.35%. CONCLUSION: In the present series the PUC was not effective for the treatment of severe PPUI in the long-term follow-up.

A morte por suicídio em pacientes portadores de insuficiência renal crônica (IRC) em diálise tem sido reportada há décadas. No Brasil, raros são os estudos que têm mensurado sua prevalência, evolução e mortalidade. OBJETIVO: Identificar a presença de risco de suicídio, em duas unidades de diálise e analisar a evolução e a mortalidade por três anos. MÉTODO: O MINI foi utilizado em três etapas. Foram obtidas as freqüências do transtorno e sua evolução foi acompanhada. A curva de Kaplan-Meier e a regressão de Cox foram aplicadas para estudar a mortalidade. RESULTADOS: Participaram 244 pacientes na primeira etapa, 200, na segunda etapa e 110, na terceira etapa. O risco de suicídio foi diagnosticado em 40 pacientes na primeira etapa, 49, na segunda etapa e sete na terceira etapa. Da primeira para a segunda etapa, nove pacientes morreram, 29 continuaram e 20 outros pacientes passaram a apresentar a condição. Da segunda para a terceira etapa, 13 deles morreram, sete continuaram a apresentar e 29 evoluíram para outro transtorno. A incidência de óbitos naqueles sem o transtorno foi de 3,35 e naqueles com risco de suicídio, 9,91 (RR = 2,87; IC 95% [1,69-4,87]). CONCLUSÕES: O risco de suicídio teve alta prevalência, e a mortalidade associada a esta condição é elevada.

Risk of suicide is associated with high rates of death in chronic hemodialysis patients. In Brazil only few studies have measured your prevalence, evolution and mortality. OBJECTIVE: Study the prevalence, evolution and mortality of risk of suicide in two nephrology units for three years. METHODS: The Mini was used in three moments. Frequency and evolution of Risk of Suicide was analyzed. Kaplan-Meier Curve and Cox Regression was used to study the mortality. RESULTS: 244 patients in 1st step, 200 in 2nd and 110 in 3rd. Risk of suicide was diagnosticated in 40 in 1st, 49 in 2nd and seven in 3rd period. Between the 1st and 2nd period, nine patients death, 29 followed with the condition and 20 others patients presented risk of suicide. Between the 2nd and 3rd period thirteen death, seven followed with the condition and 29 changed the disorder. The death incidence in patients without disorder was 3.35 and in patients with risk was, 9.91 (RR = 2.87; IC de 95% [1.69-4.87]). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of risk of suicide was high, and this condition was associated with high rates of mortality.

INTRODUCTION: Much evidence indicates the importance of the endothelium and hypercholesterolemia in atherosclerosis, as well as the decline in endothelial function with aging. However, it is unclear if treating dyslipidemia in elderly patients improves endothelial function and reduces C-reactive protein levels. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate vasomotor function, lipids and C-reactive protein in mildly hypertensive and hypercholesterolemic elderly patients treated with atorvastatin. METHODS: Forty-seven elderly Brazilian subjects (> 65 years old) with LDL cholesterol (LDL-c) > 130 mg/dL were randomly assigned, in a double-blinded manner, to receive either placebo (n = 23) or 20 mg/day of atorvastatin (n = 24) for 4 weeks. Exclusion criteria included diabetes, serious hypertension, obesity, steroid use, hormone replacement, and statin use within the previous six months. All patients underwent clinical examinations, laboratory tests (glucose, lipids, liver enzymes, creatine phosphokinase and high sensitivity C-reactive protein) and assessment of vasomotor function by high-resolution ultrasound examination of the brachial artery (flow-mediated dilation and sublingual nitrate), both before and after treatment. RESULTS: The patients were 65 to 91 years old; there was no significant difference between basal flow-mediated dilation of placebo (7.3 ± 6.1%) and atorvastatin (4.5 ± 5.1%; p = 0.20). The same was observed after treatment (6.6 ± 6.2 vs. 5.0 ± 5.6; p = 0.55). The initial nitrate dilatation (8.1 ± 5.4% vs. 10.8 ± 7.5%; p = 0.24) and that after 4 week treatment (7.1 ± 4.7% vs. 8.6 ± 5.0%; p = 0.37) were similar. Atorvastatin produced a reduction of 20% of the C-reactive protein and 42% in the LDL-c; however, there were no changes in the flow-mediated dilation. CONCLUSIONS: Atorvastatin produced a significant change of lipids and C-reactive protein; however, there were no changes in vasomotor function, suggesting the existence of intrinsic age-related vessel alterations.

INRODUÇÃO: Limitações da qualidade de vida dos pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica (IRC) em programa de hemodiálise estão associadas a maior prevalência de transtornos psiquiátricos. O diagnóstico precoce e preciso pode contribuir na elaboração de estratégias de tratamento. OBJETIVO: Estudar a prevalência e o padrão dos transtornos psiquiátricos em pacientes hemodialisados, identificando variáveis relacionadas com sua ocorrência. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 244 pacientes e analisadas as variáveis associadas à ocorrência de transtornos psiquiátricos. Os pacientes foram avaliados através do Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). RESULTADOS: Pelo menos um diagnóstico psiquiátrico foi apresentado por 91 pacientes (37,3%). Os de ocorrência mais freqüente foram distimia (17,6%), risco de suicídio (16,4%) e episódio depressivo maior (8,6%). O sexo feminino apresentou maior risco de transtornos psiquiátricos (razão de chance [RC] = 2,77; intervalo de confiança [IC] 95%: 1,42-5,41). Os pacientes viúvos, separados e solteiros apresentaram maior risco de transtornos psiquiátricos do que os casados (RC= 5,507;IC95%:1,348-22,551). Aqueles com menos de dois anos em diálise apresentaram risco maior (RC = 2,075; IC 95%: 1,026-4,197). Os pacientes com clearance fracional de uréia (Kt/V) abaixo de 0,9 tiveram maior chance de apresentar transtornos psiquiátricos (RC = 3,955; IC 95%: 1,069-11,012). CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência de transtornos psiquiátricos foi alta. Os transtornos afetivos foram os mais freqüentes. Nas mulheres e naqueles com Kt/V baixo, o risco foi maior. Nos pacientes casados e naqueles com mais de dois anos em tratamento o risco foi menor.

INTRODUCTION: Limiting factors of dialysis patients' quality of life are associated with high rates of psychiatric disease. Since effective treatment of psychiatric diseases can positively affect dialysis patients' prognosis and survival, there is a need for an early diagnosis. In Brazil only few studies have measured the prevalence of these disorders. OBJECTIVE: Study the prevalence and pattern of psychiatric disorders in chronic hemodialysis patients and assess the association between these diseases and some variables. METHODS: Two hundred forty-four patients were enrolled in two nephrology units at the state of Bahia, Brazil. The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was used in all patients. RESULTS: Ninety-one patients (37.3%) presented at least one psychiatric diagnosis. The most common disorders included dysthymia (17.6%), risk of suicide (16.4%), and major depressive episode (8.6%). Women had higher risk of mental disorders than men (RC = 2.77; confidence interval [CI] 95%: 1.42-5.41). Widowed, divorced and single patients had higher risk than married patients (RC = 5.507; CI 95%: 1.348-22.551). Patients on treatment for less than two years had higher risk (RC = 2.075; CI 95%: 1.026-4.197). Those with Kt/V below 0.9 were at higher risk than those with a higher Kt/V (RC = 3.955; CI 95%: 1.069-11.012). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in patients on dialysis was high (37.3%). Affective disorders were the most common ones. Women and patients with Kt/V below 0.9 were at increased risk. The risk was lower in patients at dialysis program for longer than two years and in married patients.