BACKGROUND: Data on iron and vitamin A deficiency are scarce in school-aged children living with HIV (HIV+) compared with children without HIV (HIV-). Both deficiencies can contribute to anaemia OBJECTIVE: To assess anaemia, iron and vitamin A status in a sample of HIV+ and HIV- school-aged children in South Africa METHODS: In this comparative cross-sectional study, biomarkers for anaemia (haemoglobin), iron (plasma ferritin (PF), soluble transferrin receptor), vitamin A (retinol-binding protein (RBP)) and inflammatory status (C-reactive protein, a-1-acid glycoprotein) were measured in 8 - 13-year-old children from Cape Town living with (n=143) and without HIV (n=148). Measurements of PF and RBP were adjusted for inflammation using a regression-correction approach RESULTS: HIV+ children had higher prevalences of anaemia (29% v. 14%; odds ratio (OR) = 2.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4 - 4.9; p=0.002), iron-deficient erythropoiesis (20% v. 9%; OR=2.5; 95% CI 1.2 - 5.0; p=0.013) and iron deficiency anaemia (11% v. 4%; OR=2.9; 95% CI 1.1 - 7.7; p=0.035) than HIV- children. Marginal vitamin A deficiency was noted in 52% of HIV+ and 57% of HIV- children (p=0.711). Subclinical inflammation was more prevalent in HIV+ than HIV- children (p=0.012 CONCLUSION: Anaemia, iron-deficient erythropoiesis and iron deficiency anaemia were more prevalent in HIV+ than HIV- children. Prevalence of marginal vitamin A deficiency was high in both groups. Efforts to improve micronutrient status and mitigate nutritional determinants of anaemia in HIV+ children from resource-limited settings should be prioritised

RESUMO Feridas cutâneas em bovinos são um constante desafio clínico cirúrgico por desencadearem perdas econômicas bastante significativas. O látex proveniente da seiva da seringueira (Hevea brasiliensis) apresenta potencial terapêutico para incrementar o processo de reparação tecidual. Portanto, pretendeu-se com esse estudo avaliar o tipo de reação tecidual e os possíveis mecanismos de angiogênese desencadeados pelo implante de uma membrana de látex natural em bovinos. Para tal, foram utilizados seis bovinos da raça Nelore, submetidos ao implante subcutâneo experimental de três fragmentos de membranas de látex natural. Foram coletadas amostras de tecido e da membrana aos 15, 30 e 45 dias após a implantação, para avaliações histológicas, ultraestruturais por microscopia eletrônica de varredura e imunoistoquímicas com anticorpos antimarcador de macrófagos (MAC), CYR 61 e VEGF. O implante de látex proporcionou aumento da angiogênese e reparação tecidual em bovinos, não mediada pela expressão do VEGF e CYR 61.

ABSTRACT Cattle wounds are a constant surgical and clinical challenge, leading to important economical losses. The latex from the sap of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) has therapeutic potential to enhance tissue repair process. Therefore, we evaluated the type of tissue reaction and possible mechanisms of angiogenesis triggered by implanting natural latex rubber in bovine species. Six Nelore bovines were subjected to subcutaneous experimental implant of three fragments of natural rubber latex membranes. Tissue and rubber membrane samples were harvested at 15, 30 and 45 days implantation for histology, scanning electron microscopy and immunohistochemical evaluation with anti macrophage marker (MAC), anti CYR 61, anti VEGF antibodies. The latex membrane estimulates tissue reaction and repair and significant angiogenesis stimuli without activating CYR 61 and VEGF pathways.

The study of thermal resistant mould, including Byssochlamys nivea, is of extreme importance since it has been associated with fruit and fruit products. The aim of this work is to analyze the influence of water activity (a w) and ascospore age (I) on the growth of Byssochlamys nivea in pineapple juice. Mold growth was carried out under different conditions of water activity (a w) (0.99, 0.96, 0.95, 0.93, 0.90) and ascospore age (I) (30, 51, 60, 69, 90 days). Growth parameters as length of adaptation phase (λ), maximum specific growth rate (µmax) and maximum diameter reached by the colony (λ) were obtained through the fit of the Modified Gompertz model to experimental data (measuring radial colony diameter). Statistica 6.0 was used for statistical analyses (significance level α = 0.05). The results obtained clearly showed that water activity is statistically significant and that it influences all growth parameters, while ascospore age does not have any statistically significant influence on growth parameters. Also, these data showed that by increasing a w from 0.90 to 0.99, the λ value substantially decreased, while µmax and λ values rose. The data contributed for the understanding of the behavior of B. nivea in pineapple juice. Therefore, it provided mathematical models that can well predict growth parameters, also helping on microbiological control and products' shelf life determination.

Utilizaram-se membranas de látex para o reparo de defeitos diafragmáticos em 12 cães, distribuídos em três grupos: no G1 utilizou-se membrana comercial e no G2, membrana experimental. O G3 foi usado como controle. Foi feito um defeito retangular no músculo diafragma, com 4cm de comprimento por 3cm de largura, que nos grupos G1 e G2 foi substituído pelo implante da membrana de látex correspondente. Os animais foram avaliados por estudo radiográfico, hemograma, videocirurgia e análise histológica. Os resultados mostraram que a membrana de látex do grupo 2 foi eficiente na correção de defeito no diafragma, promovendo a reparação e neovascularização tecidual local, sem causar rejeição durante o período de avaliação.

Latex membranes were experimentally used to repair diaphragmatic defects in 12 dogs, distributed in 3 groups. In group 1, a commercial membrane was used, and in group 2, an experimental membrane. Group 3, animals were used as control. A rectangular defect (4cm in length and 3cm in width) was surgically performed in the diaphragm muscle, which was substituted, in group 1 and 2, by the implantation of corresponding latex membrane. The animals were evaluated by radiography, blood count, video-surgery, and histologic study. Results showed that the latex membrane of group 2, were efficient in the correction of the defect in the diaphragm, promoting the repairing and local neovascularization, without causing rejection during the evaluated period.

Estudaram-se os efeitos da infusão contínua da associação propofol e cetamina sobre variáveis fisiológicas e eletrocardiográficas e sua possível analgesia em 12 cadelas. Após indução com propofol, os animais receberam 0,4mg/kg/min de propofol + 0,2mg/kg/min de cetamina racêmica (n = 6, grupo PC) ou 0,4mg/kg/min de propofol + 0,1mg/kg/min de cetamina S+ (n = 6, grupo PCS). Avaliaram-se: teste álgico, freqüência cardíaca (FC), parâmetros eletrocardiográficos, freqüência respiratória (FR), pressão arterial sistólica, média e diastólica (PAS, PAM, PAD), saturação da oxiemoglobina (SpO2) e temperatura retal (TR). Houve elevação da FC sem alterações eletrocardiográficas, com exceção de aumento na amplitude da onda T em um animal de cada grupo. A FR diminuiu, e os valores de SpO2 ficaram abaixo de 90% em alguns momentos nos dois grupos. PAS, PAM e PAD diminuíram, mas não houve diferença entre os protocolos. Não se observou analgesia em sete animais, três cadelas apresentaram analgesia discreta, e apenas duas demonstraram analgesia favorável. Conclui-se que os protocolos são seguros em cadelas, contudo não há analgesia suficiente para procedimento cirúrgico. As alterações eletrocardiográficas foram relacionadas à FC e à amplitude de onda T, sendo esta sugestiva de hipóxia do miocárdio.

The effects of propofol and ketamine on physiological parameters, electrocardiography, and analgesia were evaluated in twelve dogs that received propofol-ketamine (0.4mg/kg/min + 0.2mg/kg/min, n=6, PK group) or propofol-S+ketamine (0.4mg/kg/min + 0.1mg/kg/min, n=6, PKS group) after induction of anesthesia with propofol (8.0mg/kg). Assessments of pain; heart rate (HR); electrocardiography (ECG); respiratory rate (RR); systolic, medium, and diastolic arterial pressures (SAP, MAP, DAP); saturation of hemoglobin (SpO2); and rectal temperature (RT) were conducted. There was a rise in HR with no electrocardiographically changes, but an increase in amplitude of T wave in one animal of each group. RR decreased and SpO2 were lower than 90% in two moments of both groups. SAP, MAP, and DAP were reduced during the experimental period, but with no statistical difference between the protocols. There was no analgesia in seven bitches, mild analgesia was observed in three, and satisfactory analgesia in only two animals tested. It was concluded that the protocols are safe for dogs, but there is no analgesia for surgical procedures. The changes in ECG are related to HR and amplitude of T wave, which may be due to myocardial hypoxia.

Anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion (ACDF) is a widely accepted surgical technique in the treatment of cervical disc disease. Tantalum cages have been recently introduced in spine surgery for interbody fusion because of the advantages of their mechanical properties. We present the results of a prospective clinical and radiological study on 24 consecutive patients who underwent an ACDF with tantalum cages. Clinical evaluation was assessed preoperatively and after surgery by a questionnaire that included a Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) of neck and arm pain, the Oswestry Dissability Index and the Zung Depression Scale. Results were classified by Odom's criteria. Radiological evaluation included flexion-extension X-rays, and changes in distance between spinous processes and Cobb angle were measured. Postoperatively patients were reviewed 3 and 12 months after surgery. A statisitical significative improvement in all clinical data was reported. According to Odom's criteria in 75% of patients the results were considered like excellent or good. Only one case of radiological and clinical pseudoarthrosis was confirmed. No significative differences were reported 3 and 12 months after surgery. Tantalum cages are a very promising and usefull alternative among implants available for ACDF. Compatibility with MRI postoperative studies and the unnecessariness of autograft are some of their advantages.

La discectomía cervical anterior con artrodesis intersomática (DCAA) es una técnica quirúrgica ampliamente aceptada en el tratamiento de la enfermedad discal cervical. Recientemente se han introducido con esta indicación las cajas de tantalio debido a sus excelentes propiedades mecánicas y biológicas. Presentamos los resultados iniciales clínicos y radiológicos de un estudio prospectivo de 24 pacientes intervenidos en nuestro servicio tras el empleo de cajas de tantalio en la DCAA. La evaluación clínica pre y postoperatoria se realizó mediante cuestionario que incluía una Escala Visual Analógica de dolor, el Índice de Oswestry, y la Escala de Zung. Los resultados fueron clasificados mediante los criterios de Odom. La evaluación radiológica incluyó radiografías dinámicas en las que se midieron las variaciones del ángulo de Cobb y la distancia interespinosa. Postoperatoriamente los pacientes fueron revisados en el tercer mes y al año de la intervención. Todos los parámetros clínicos mejoraron de forma estadísticamente significativa. Según con los criterios de Odom, el 75% de los casos fueron considerados como excelentes o buenos. Sólo se confirmó clínica y radiológicamente un caso de pseudoartrosis. No se observaron diferencias significativas en las revisiones al año y a los 3 meses. Conclusión: Las cajas de tantalio constituyen un implante prometedor y pensamos que útil entre las diversas opciones quirúrgicas para la DCAA, por sus buenos resultados clínicos, por la no necesidad de autoinjerto, y por su excelente compatibilidad con la resonancia nuclear magnética.