OBJECTIVES: Bacterial and aseptic meningitis after neurosurgery can present similar clinical signs and symptoms. The aims of this study were to develop and test a molecular method to diagnose bacterial meningitis (BM) after neurosurgery. METHODS: A 16S ribosomal RNA gene PCR-based strategy was developed using artificially inoculated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) followed by sequencing. The method was tested using CSF samples from 43 patients who had undergone neurosurgery and were suspected to suffer from meningitis, and from 8 patients without neurosurgery or meningitis. Patients were classified into five groups, confirmed BM, probable BM, possible BM, unlikely BM, and no meningitis. RESULTS: Among the samples from the 51 patients, 21 samples (41%) were culture-negative and PCR-positive. Of these, 3 (14%) were probable BM, 4 (19%) were possible BM, 13 (62%) were unlikely BM, and 1 (5%) was meningitis negative. Enterobacterales, non-fermenters (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii), Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Granulicatella, Variovorax, and Enterococcus cecorum could be identified. In the group of patients with meningitis, a good agreement (3 of 4) was observed with the results of cultures, including the identification of species. CONCLUSION: Molecular methods may complement the diagnosis, guide treatment, and identify non-cultivable microorganisms. We suggest the association of methods for suspected cases of BM after neurosurgery, especially for instances in which the culture is negative.

ABSTRACT: Sodium reduction and the substitution of sodium chloride by other salts have been extensively studied in order to produce healthier foods. Coppa is a pork cured product that receives high levels of sodium through the salting process. The objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of reductions in Sodium Chloride (NaCl), substitution by Potassium Chloride (KCl) and reductions in the re-salting time on the physicochemical, microbiological and sensorial characteristics in pork coppa. Four treatments were applied: T1 with 2 days of salting, 2 days of re-salting and 35 % reduction of NaCl; T2 with 2 days of salting and 3 days of re-salting and 35 % reduction of NaCl; T3 with 2 days of salting and 2 days of re-salting and replacing 35 % of NaCl by KCl; T4 with 2 days of salting and 3 days of re-salting and 35 % replacing NaCl by KCl. Control: standard treatment was applied with 100 % of NaCL and salting time was 2 days and then 5 days to re-salting. The reduction in sodium content in processed pork Coppa produced no microbiological nor physicochemical changes. The reduction in salting together with salting and re-salting time and the partial replacement of NaCl by KCl resulted in reductions from 2,000 mg to 1,600 mg of sodium. Sensory evaluation demonstrated that the reduction in re-salting time was efficient using the ideal profile method which showed that treatments T1 and T2 were efficient in creating a product that meets consumer expectations.

ABSTRACT. In Brazil, the cultivation of Crassostrea tulipa (= C. gasar) is gaining in importance. However, little is known about the best conditions for farming. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of oyster density (50, 100, 200, and 400 mL of seeds/0.15 m2; 100, 200, 300, and 400 ind/0.10 m2 (basket area) and 30, 60, 120, and 180 ind/0.13 m2 (lantern floor area) in nursey, juvenile and adult phase, respectively) on the growth and survival of C. tulipa in farm cultivation. In the nursery phase, the 50 mL density resulted in smaller oyster size, as expressed in height and height/length (H/L) ratio (1.31 ± 0.03 mm), compared to other densities, while the length and width was equal among densities. The animals' individual average weight and H/L ratio were negatively influenced by a density of 100 ind/0.10 m2 or bigger. However, animals grown at the density of 200 ind/0.10 m2 did not differ statistically in length or width from those grown with 100 ind/0.10 m2. A high survival rate (≥98%) was found in the nursery and juvenile phases.

Este estudo avaliou o efeito de agentes clareadores na resistência de união da interface dentina/resina e resistência à flexão da dentina. Quarenta caninos superiores foram selecionados para o estudo. No teste de cisalhamento, 40 fragmentos de dentina intracoronária (5 x 5 mm) obtidos a partir de superfícies vestibulares das coroas foram incluídos em resina acrílica. No teste de flexão, 40 barras de dentina (8 x 2 x 2 mm) foram obtidas a partir das raízes. As 40 hemi-seções da superfície lingual foram preparadas para microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Os espécimes foram divididos em 4 grupos de acordo com o protocolo de clareamento (n=10): Não clareados (controle), perborato de sódio + peróxido de hidrogênio 20% (PS + PH 20%), peróxido de carbamida 37% (PC37%) e peróxido de hidrogênio 38% (PH 38%). Após 7 dias, as amostras destinadas à resistência de união foram restauradas e submetidas ao teste. As barras de dentina foram clareadas e submetidas ao teste de flexão de 3 pontos. Os dados (MPa) foram analisados por ANOVA e teste de Tukey (α=0,05). No teste de cisalhamento, o controle foi superior (p<0,05) aos grupos clareados, que foram semelhantes entre si (p>0,05). Na resistência à flexão, o grupo controle também exibiu os maiores valores, diferente dos demais (p<0,05). SEM revelou camada de smear em todos os grupos, com fissuras nos espécimes clareados. PS + 20% PH e PH 38% apresentaram interfaces de descontínuas com poucos tags. A resistência de união do material restaurador à dentina e a resistência à flexão da dentina foram reduzidas após o uso de agentes clareadores de alta concentração

This study evaluated the effect of bleaching agents on bond strength at the dentin/resin interface and the flexural strength of dentin. Forty maxillary canines were selected for the study. In the shear strength test, 40 slabs of intracoronary dentin (5 x 5 mm) obtained from buccal surfaces of the crowns were included in acrylic resin. In the flexural strength test, 40 dentin bars (8 x 2 x 2 mm) were obtained from the roots. The 40 hemi-sections of the lingual surface were prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The specimens were divided into 4 groups according to the bleaching protocol (n=10): Unbleached (control), Sodium perborate + 20% hydrogen peroxide (SP + 20% HP), 37% carbamide peroxide (37% CP) and 38% hydrogen peroxide (38% HP). After 7 days, the bond strength specimens were restored and tested. Dentin bars were bleached and subjected to a three-point bending test. Data (MPa) were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). In the shear test, the control group was superior (p<0.05) to the bleached groups, which, in turn, were statistically similar (p>0.05). In the flexural strength test, the control group also had the highest values and differed significantly from the other groups (p<0.05). SEM revealed smear layer in all groups, with fissures in the bleached specimens. SP + 20% HP and 38% HP showed discontinuous interfaces with few tags. In conclusion, bond strength of restorative material to dentin and flexural strength of dentin were reduced after the use of high-concentration bleaching agents.

The changes happened during the first periods from birth and postpartum period can interfere significantly in the family dynamics. The formation of a support net for the family group can be extremely beneficial, so much for the puerperal as for the other members that live in a closer way the child's birth. This study aimed to identify the effective participation of the family members in the puerperal cares and to the baby after hospital rise and to analyze the dynamics of the family during this period. Qualitative research, made among April and May in 2004, with mothers on postpartum period and her family, taken care by the Health of the Family Program on the East Region of the city of Goiânia-GO. During the analysis three thematic categories were identified: The familiar dynamics; the assistance support to the woman; the experience of the birth. It was verified that the assistance to puerperal and to the baby is shared by the members of the familiar clan. The grandmothers are significant people in the care, domestic work and financial support. The small participation or paternal absence is associated with their work. The professional support was important for the families, in leading to a reflexive posture how much to the necessity of developing actions integrated in the assistance to the health of the woman in the prenatal and puerperal period.

Los cambios durante los periodos del nacimiento y puerperio pueden interferir significativamente en la dinámica familiar. La formación de una red de apoyo por el grupo puede ser sumamente beneficiosa, tanta para la puérpera cuanto a los otros miembros que viven de una manera más íntima el nacimiento del niño. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar la participación efectiva de la familia en los cuidados a la puérpera y al bebé posteriormente al alta del hospital y analizar la dinámica de la familia, durante este periodo. Pesquisa cualitativa, realizada entre abril e mayo de 2004, junto a madres en el periodo de puerperio y sus familias, atendidas por el Programa de Salud de la Familia, en la Región Este de la ciudad de Goiânia-GO. Durante el análisis han sido identificados tres categorías temáticas: La dinámica familiar; La ayuda asistencial a la mujer; La experiencia del nacimiento. He sido verificado que la ayuda al puérpera y al bebé es compartida por los miembros del clan familiar. Las abuelas son personas significativas en el cuidado, trabajo doméstico y ayuda financiera. La pequeña participación o la ausencia paternal se asocian a su trabajo. La ayuda profesional he sido importante para las familias, nos conduciendo a una postura reflexiva cuánto a la necesidad de desarrollar acciones integradas en la asistencia a la salud de la mujer en el período prenatal y puerperal.

As mudanças ocorridas durante os períodos de nascimento e puerpério podem interferir significativamente na dinâmica familiar. A formação de uma rede de apoio pelo grupo familiar pode ser extremamente benéfica, tanto para a puérpera quanto para os demais membros que vivenciam de forma mais próxima o nascimento da criança. Este estudo objetivou identificar a participação efetiva dos membros da família nos cuidados a puérpera e ao recém-nascido após alta hospitalar e analisar a dinâmica da família durante esse período. Pesquisa qualitativa, realizada entre abril e maio de 2004, junto a mães no período puerperal e suas famílias, assistidas pela Estratégia Saúde da Família, na Região Leste de Goiânia-GO. Durante a análise, identificaram-se três categorias temáticas: A dinâmica familiar; O suporte assistencial à mulher; A experiência do nascimento. Verificou-se que a assistência a puérpera e ao recém-nascido é compartilhada pelos membros do clã familiar. As avós são pessoas significativas no cuidado, labor doméstico e suporte financeiro. A pequena participação ou ausência paterna está associada ao seu trabalho. O suporte profissional foi importante para as famílias, nos levando a uma postura reflexiva quanto à necessidade de se desenvolver ações integradas na assistência à saúde da mulher no período pré-natal e puerperal.

Os autores descrevem o tratamento cirúrgico de um caso de pentalogia de Cantrell, rara anomalia congênita, caracterizada por defeitos da parede abdominal, terço inferior do esterno, diafragma, pericárdio e coração.

The authors describe the surgical cure of a case of Pentalogy of Cantrell, a rare anomaly characterized by congenital lesions involving the abdominal wall, the inferior third of the sternum, the ventral diaphragm, the pericardium and the heart.