Background & aims: Malnutrition is related with pulmonary disease. The aim was to analyze the association of lung function respectively to nutritional status, identified pulmonary pathogens and socioeconomic condition of patients attending a pediatric CF reference center. Methods: Cross-sectional study performed with CF patients aged 6 to 18 years attending a CF-Center in southern Brazil. Nutritional status, plasma albumin level and pulmonary bacterial colonization were assessed. The outcome studied was forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). Results: Eighty-five patients were included in this study. FEV1 was significantly associated with body mass index (BMI) percentiles, plasma albumin level and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pulmonary colonization. Regression analysis showed that BMI below the 10th percentile was associated with a 25.58% drop in FEV1, and plasma albumin levels equal to or lower than 4.1 mg/dL was associated with 18.6% FEV1 reduction. FEV1 was 14.4% lower in the MRSA infected patients. Plasma albumin of 4.25 mg/dL predicted FEV1 of 60% with 76.9% sensitivity and 72.2% specificity, and 85.7% accuracy. The socioeconomic status was not association with pulmonary function. Conclusion: BMI below the 10th percentile and albumin below 4.1 mg/dL were predictors of low FEV1. Chronic MRSA infection was associated with lower FEV1. Longitudinal studies may better complement these results.

Objetivos: Analizar la asociación entre la función pulmonar y tres factores: el estado nutricional, el estado de patógenos pulmonares y el estado socio-económico de pacientes en un centro de referencia en atención a pacientes pediátricos con fibrosis quística. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio longitudinal en pacientes con fibrosis quística, de 6 a 18 años atendidos en un centro de fibrosis quística del Sur del Brasil. Fueron evaluados: estado nutricional, niveles de albúmina plasmática y colonización bacteriana pulmonar. El principal resultado estudiado fue el volumen espiratorio forzado en el 1 segundo (FEV1). Resultados: Fueron incluidos en este estudio 85 pacientes. El FEV1 se mostró significativamente correlacionado con percentiles del Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC), albúmina plasmática y colonización pulmonar por Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina (SARM). El análisis de regresión mostró que el IMC abajo del percentil 10 estuvo asociado con una disminución del 25,58% en el FEV1, y que niveles de albúmina plasmática iguales o menores a 4,1 mg/dL se correlacionaron on una reducción de 18,6% del FEV1. El FEV1 fue 14,4% menos en los pacientes infectados por SARM. La albúmina plasmática de 4,25 mg/dL predijo un FEV1 de 60% con una sensibilidad de 76,9% una especificidad de 72,2% y precisión de 85,7%. El estado socioeconómico no tuvo asociación con la función pulmonar. Conclusiones: El IMC debajo del percentil 10 y albúmina plasmática menor que 4,1 mg/dL fueron predictivos de un bajo FEV1 . La infección crónica de SARM mostró asociación con un menor FEV1.

The effect of an aversive stimulus represented by contact with a hot plate on the heart rate of Megalobulimus mogianensis was evaluated with electrocardiogram recording in intact snails (N = 8). All stimulated animals showed an increase in heart rate, with mean values ranging from 35.6 ± 1.2 (basal heart rate) to 43.8 ± 0.9 bpm (post-stimulation heart rate). The cardioacceleration was followed by gradual recovery of the basal heart rate, with mean recovery times varying from 4.3 ± 0.3 to 5.8 ± 0.6 min. Repetition of the stimulus did not affect the magnitude of variation nor did it influence the basal heart rate recovery time. To investigate the role of the cardiac nerve in mediating the heart rate alterations induced by the aversive stimulus, denervated (N = 8) and sham-operated (N = 8) animals were also tested. Although the aversive stimulus caused the heart rate to increase significantly in both experimental groups, the mean increase in heart rate in denervated animals (4.4 ± 0.4 bpm) was 57% of the value obtained in sham-operated animals (7.7 ± 1.3 bpm), indicating that the cardiac nerve is responsible for 43% of the cardioacceleration induced by the aversive stimulus. The cardioacceleration observed in denervated snails may be due to an increase in venous return promoted by the intense muscular activity associated with the withdrawal response. Humoral factors may also be involved. A probable delaying inhibitory effect of the cardiac nerve on the recuperation of the basal heart rate is suggested.

Findings by our group have shown that the dorsolateral telencephalon of Gymnotus carapo sends efferents to the mesencephalic torus semicircularis dorsalis (TSd) and that presumably this connection is involved in the changes in electric organ discharge (EOD) and in skeletomotor responses observed following microinjections of GABA A antagonist bicuculline into this telencephalic region. Other studies have implicated the TSd or its mammalian homologue, the inferior colliculus, in defensive responses. In the present study, we explore the possible involvement of the TSd and of the GABA-ergic system in the modulation of the electric and skeletomotor displays. For this purpose, different doses of bicuculline (0.98, 0.49, 0.245, and 0.015 mM) and muscimol (15.35 mM) were microinjected (0.1 µL) in the TSd of the awake G. carapo. Microinjection of bicuculline induced dose-dependent interruptions of EOD and increased skeletomotor activity resembling defense displays. The effects of the two highest doses showed maximum values at 5 min (4.3 ± 2.7 and 3.8 ± 2.0 Hz, P < 0.05) and persisted until 10 min (11 ± 5.7 and 8.7 ± 5.2 Hz, P < 0.05). Microinjections of muscimol were ineffective. During the interruptions of EOD, the novelty response (increased frequency in response to sensory novelties) induced by an electric stimulus delivered by a pair of electrodes placed in the water of the experimental cuvette was reduced or abolished. These data suggest that the GABA-ergic mechanisms of the TSd inhibit the neural substrate of the defense reaction at this midbrain level.

The effects of a brief jet of water delivered to the anterior portion of body-head on the heart rate of Megalobulimus mogianensis were determined in a group of intact snails (N = 8), previously prepared for electrocardiogram recording. The heart rate was significantly increased following stimulation. Nevertheless, with repetition of the stimulus there was a significant decrease in the magnitude of the heart rate variation and in the time for the basal heart rate to recover (first stimulus, 7.4 ± 1.2 bpm and 15.5 ± 1.8 min; second stimulus, 4.8 ± 1.0 bpm and 10.6 ± 1.5 min; third stimulus, 5.0 ± 0.3 bpm and 11.1 ± 1.8 min), indicating that this behavioral response undergoes early habituation. To determine the role of the cardiac nerve in mediating the heart rate alterations induced by the jet of water two other groups were tested: denervated animals (N = 8) and sham-operated control animals (N = 8). Although the innocuous stimulus caused the heart rate to increase significantly in both experimental groups, the mean increase in heart rate in denervated animals (3.2 ± 0.4 bpm) was 41% of the value obtained in sham-operated animals (7.8 ± 1.5 bpm), indicating that the cardiac nerve is responsible for 59% of the cardioacceleration induced by the innocuous stimulus. The increase in heart rate observed in denervated animals may be due to an increase in venous return promoted by the intense muscular activity associated with the retraction-protraction of the anterior part of the body induced by the jet of water.

O objetivo do trabalho foi verificar a qualidade de ameixas 'Reubemier após 30 e 40 dias de armazenagem a 0°C e 90-95% UR e 1, 2 e 3 dias de comercialização simulada em temperatura ambiente (25-26°C). As perdas de peso das frutas até os 30 dias de armazenamento e durante a comercialização foram de 0,57% e 2,0%, respectivamente, enquanto que, até os 40 dias e durante posterior comercialização, as perdas alcançaram 1,87% e 7,0%, respectivamente. As podridões aumentaram durante a comercialização simulada, principalmente após 40 dias de armazenamento. A firmeza de polpa e a acidez total titulável (ATT) tiveram maiores decréscimos após 40 dias de armazenamento refrigerado. Poucas modificações ocorreram no teor de sólidos solúveis totais (SST). Em virtude da alta incidência de podridões, desidratação e sobrematuração após 40 dias de armazenamento, recomenda-se armazenar esta cultivar até 30 dias, com comercialização até 2 dias.

The purpose of this research was to verily the quality of 'Reubennel' plums after two periods of cold storage: 30 and 40 days at 0°C and 90-95% RH and thereafter submitted to 1, 2 and 3 days of simulated marketing, at room temperature (25-26°C). The weight loss at 30 days of cold storage and marketing were 0,57% and 2,0%, respectively. At 40 days the weigth loss reached 1,87% in cold storage and 7,0% in marketing. The decay increased during marketing, principally after 40 days of cold storage. The firmness and total titratable acidity had greater decrease after 40 days and there was no significant variation in total soluble solids during all cold storage and simulated marketing. Because of the high decay, weight loss and fruit overripening verified at 40 days, 30 days of cold storage and 2 days of marketing, are recommended for this cultivar.

Foi realizado um trabalho com o objetivo de estudar diferentes métodos de laboratório e de campo para a estimativa da área foliar de fruteiras silvestres, pertencentes à família Myrtaceae, a saber: uvalheira (Eugenia uvalha Camb.), aracazeiro (Psidium cattleyanum Sabine), goiabeira serrana (Feijoa sellowiana Berg.) e pitangueira (Eugenia uniflora DC). Entre os métodos de laboratório, também utilizados como "padrão", bons resultados foram obtidos utilizando-se um medidor automático de área foliar, planímetro ou através do método gravimétrico (fotocópia ou papel filtro). Dentre os métodos de campo, os melhores resultados foram obtidos por regressão linear. As estimativas das áreas foliares (y) para as quatro espécies estudadas podem ser tomadas a partir das equações: y = 2,658 + 0,554X, para o araçazeiro; y = 0.75X ou y = 0,856X - 2,115, para a goiabeira serrana; y = 0.68X, para a uvalheira e y = 0,69X ou y = 0,503 + 0,643X, para a pitangueira, sendo X = comprimento x largura da folha.

This work was carried out in order to study different laboratory and field methods for estimating leaf area of wild fruit species, belonging to the Myrtaceae: "uvalha" plant (Eugenia uvalha Camb.), cattley guava plant (Psidium cattleyanum Sabine), feijoa plant (Feijoa sellowiana Berg) and Surinam cherry plant (Eugenia uniflora DC). Among the laboratory' methods utilized as "standard methods", good results were obtained with the use of an automatic leaf area meter, planimeter or by the gravimetric method (photocopy or Whatman paper). Among field methods, best results were obtained with linear regression. The estimation of leaf area y for all studied species could be obtained through the equations: y = 2,658 + 0,554 x for cattley guava plant; y = 0,75 x or y = 0,856 x - 2,115 for feijoa plant; y = 0,68 x for "uvalha" plant and y = 0,69 x or y = 0,503 + 0,643 x for Surinam cherry plant, where x = leaf length x leaf width.

Objetivando verificar o efeito de três temperaturas (0°C, 2°C e ambiente) e da embalagem de polietileno perfurado no armazenamento, utilizou-se frutos de goiabeira serrana (Feijoa sellowiana Berg), provenientes de plantas nativas de Vacaria, RS, colhidos em meados de março de 1993 e mantidos em câmaras frias. O tempo de armazenamento foi de 21 e 28 dias, mais 2 dias de comercialização simulada. À temperatura ambiente, a durabilidade dos frutos foi próxima a uma semana, não tendo sido possível sua avaliação. Aos 21 dias, as frutas mantidas a 2°C e embaladas com polietileno tiveram menor teor de SST (Sólidos Solúveis Totais) e menor perda de peso que as dos demais tratamentos; a ATT (Acidez Total Titularei) foi menor na temperatura de 2°C, independente do uso de polietileno; a relação SST/ATT não foi influenciada pelos tratamentos. Aos 28 dias, a perda de peso, SST, ATT e relação SST/ATT foi similar à retirada aos 21 dias. Resultados preliminares permitem concluir que os frutos podem ser conservados até 28 dias nas temperaturas de O e 2°C, permanecendo aptos para o consumo, sem alteração no teor de sólidos solúveis e na acidez dos frutos.

To verify the effect of three temperatures (0°C, 2°C and room temp.) and of polyethilene wrapping in the storage of feijoa (Feijoa sellowiana Berg.), fruits of native plants from Vacaria (RS), were harvested around middle March 1993 and kept in cold rooms. The cold storage periods were 21 and 28 days, with 2 additional days of simulated marketing. At ambient temperature, fruit durability was near one week, their evaluation was not possible. After 21 days, the fruits maintained at 2°C and packed in polyethilene showed lower weight loss and TSS (Total Soluble Solids) than the fruits of (he other treatments; the TTA (Total Titratable Acidity) was lower for the 2°C temperature, with or without polyethilene; the TSS/TTA ratio was not influenced by the treatments. After 28 days, the weight loss, TSS, TTA and TSS/TTA ratio were similar to those of 21 days. Preliminary results permit to conclude that fruits can be stored up to 28 days at 0 and 2°C temperatures for consumption, without TSS and TTA changes.

Foi estudado o efeito da adubação fosfatada no desenvolvimento inicial de mudas de goiabeira serrana (Feijoa sellowiana Berg.) num experimento em vasos, com solo Podzólico Vermelho Amarelo, apresentando 4 ppm de P extraível pelo método de Mehlich. Os níveis de fósforo utilizados foram 0, 50, 100 e 150 ppm de P, aplicados antes da instalação do experimento, juntamente com 150 ppm de K. Em cobertura, foram aplicados 150 ppm de N, em três parcelas iguais aos 7, 27 e 47 dias após a repicagem das mudas. Plântulas oriundas de sementes de plantas nativas, com aproximadamente 30 dias, foram transplantadas para os vasos e cultivadas durante 89 dias. Houve efeito significativo do P sobre todas as variáveis analisadas. A altura das plantas mostrou um comportamento similar à curva clássica do crescimento, mas os incrementos obtidos a cada avaliação aumentaram com os níveis de P. A matéria seca das raízes e da parte aérea, bem como as quantidades extraídas de N, P e K aumentaram linearmente com os níveis de P. O teor de P no tecido aumentou até o nível de 50 ppm de P aplicado, permanecendo estável nos níveis maiores, enquanto os de N e K diminuiram nos níveis acima de 50 ppm de P. Os resultados obtidos permitem verificar a elevada exigência de fósforo desta espécie no período inicial de crescimento.

The effect of phosphate fertilization on the initial development of feijoa (Feyoa sellowiana Berg.) seedlings was studied in a pot experiment with a Red Yellow Podzolk soil having 4 ppm of extractable phosporous by the Mehlich method. Levels of phosphorous of 0, 50, 100 and 150 ppm together with 150 ppm of K were applied as a basal dressing. In three equal portions 150 ppm of N were applied at 7, 27 and 42 days after the transplant of the seedlings. Seedlings of native plants, with 30 days approximately, were transplanted to pots and cultivated during 89 days. There was a significant effect of phosphorous on all analised variables. Plant height showed the behaviour of the classic growth curve, but the increments obtained at each evaluation increased with the levels of P. Root dry matter, aerial parts, as well as the extracted quantities of N, P and K increased linearly with the P levels. The concentration of P in the tissue increased up to the level of 50 ppm, remaining stable for the higher P levels, those of N and P decreased for the levels above 50 ppm of P. Results obtained permit to verify the high requirement of this species in relation to phosphorous, in the initial growth period.