SUMMARY: Peripheral nerve regeneration is a serious clinical problem. The goal of this work was to evaluate comparatively a biopolymer tube of sugarcane with an expanded polyethylene tube as a tube guide in peripheral nerve regeneration. Fourteen male albino Wistar rats were used, separated into three different groups: control (CG), lesion + polyethylene tube (PG) and lesion + sugarcane biopolymer (SBG). At 60 days old, animals from the PG and SBG underwent surgery for tubulization of the sciatic nerve, and 60 days after the injury they were sacrificed for collection of the nerve. In the analysis of the number of nerve fibers, a smaller number was seen in the PG and SBG groups compared to the CG, no difference was seen between the PG and SBG groups (p<0.05). With regard to the number of blood vessels, the SBG group had a larger number than the CG and PG groups (p<0.05). The SBG also presented increase on axonal diameter and G -ratio compared to PG (p<0.05). Taken together these data revealed that biopolymer tube favors a suitable environment for peripheral nerve regeneration.

RESUMEN: La regeneración nerviosa periférica es un problema clínico grave. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar comparativamente un tubo de biopolímero de caña de azúcar con un tubo de polietileno expandido, como guía de tubo en la regeneración de nervios periféricos. Se utilizaron dieciocho ratas Wistar albinas macho, separadas en tres grupos: control (CG), lesión + tubo de polietileno (PG) y lesión + biopolímero de caña de azúcar (SBG). A los 60 días de edad, los animales del PG y SBG fueron sometidos a una cirugía para la tubulización del nervio ciático, y 60 días después de la lesión fueron sacrificados para la recolección del nervio. En el análisis del número de fibras nerviosas, se observó un número menor en los grupos PG y SBG en comparación con el CG; no se observaron diferencias entre los grupos PG y SBG (p <0,05). Con respecto al número de vasos sanguíneos, el grupo SBG tuvo un número mayor que los grupos CG y PG (p <0,05). El SBG también presentó un aumento en el diámetro axonal y la proporción G en comparación con PG (p <0,05). En conjunto, estos datos revelaron que el tubo de biopolímero favorece un entorno adecuado para la regeneración de nervios periféricos.

Abstract Background: fat-soluble vitamin deficiency may be a health problem not recognized in children and adolescents. Objective: to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with the deficiency of vitamins A, D and E among adolescent students from Northeastern Brazil. Methods: transversal study with adolescents aged 12 to 19 of both genders. A questionnaire to collect socioeconomic and lifestyle data and food intake was applied to adolescents. Then, an anthropometric evaluation and a blood sampling were performed to analyze serum concentrations of retinol, β-carotene, α -tocopherol and 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25[OH]D). Results: the intake of vitamins A (50.3%), E (94.0%) and D (99.8%), as well as α-tocopherol (88.1%), α-carotene (74.1%), 25(OH)D (50.9%) and retinol (46.6%) serum levels were mostly deficient/insufficient. An increased risk of α-tocopherol deficiency was observed in girls (PR = 1.11) and an increased risk of 25(OH)D deficiency was observed in boys (PR = 1.41). An increased likelihood of β-carotene (PR = 1.14) and 25(OH)D (PR = 1.38) insufficiency was observed in overweight individuals. Conclusions: the adolescents had a deficit in the intake and in serum levels of fat-soluble vitamins. The greatest risk of inadequacy was associated with gender and weight excess. However, the behavior of fat-soluble vitamins in adolescents needs further research.

Resumen Introducción: la deficiencia de vitaminas liposolubles puede ser un problema de salud no reconocido en niños y adolescentes. Objetivo: estimar la prevalencia y los factores asociados a la deficiencia de las vitaminas A, D y E entre adolescentes escolares del nordeste de Brasil. Métodos: estudio transversal con adolescentes de 12 a 19 años de ambos sexos. Se utilizó un cuestionario para la recolección de datos socioeconómicos, de estilo de vida y de consumo alimentario de los adolescentes. A continuación, se realizó la evaluación antropométrica y la recolección de sangre para el análisis de las concentraciones séricas de retinol, β-caroteno, α-tocoferol y 25-hidroxivitamina D (25[OH]D). Resultados: la ingesta de vitaminas A (50,3%), E (94,0%) y D (99,8%), así como los niveles séricos del α -tocoferol (88,1%), β-caroteno (74,1%), 25(OH)D (50,9%) y retinol (46,6%) se presentaron en su mayoría deficientes/insuficientes. Se observó un mayor riesgo de deficiencia del α-tocoferol en las niñas (RP = 1,11), y mayor riesgo de insuficiencia de 25(OH)D en los niños (RP = 1,41), así como mayor probabilidad de insuficiencia del β -caroteno (RP = 1,14) y 25(OH)D (RP = 1,38) en el exceso de peso. Conclusiones: los adolescentes presentaron déficit en el consumo y en los niveles séricos de las vitaminas liposolubles. El mayor riesgo de inadecuación estuvo asociado al sexo y el exceso de peso, sin embargo el comportamiento de las vitaminas liposolubles en los adolescentes necesita una mayor investigación.

El objetivo del estudio fue comparar el sistema inmune innato de niños con malnutrición grave ingresados en el Instituto de Medicina Integral Professor Fernando Figueira, tratados de acuerdo con el protocolo de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), al ingreso y al alta hospitalaria. Se llevó a cabo un estudio experimental con 20 niños menores de dos años de edad, 10 con malnutrición grave y 10 niños del grupo de control. El grupo de malnutridos se compuso de lactantes hospitalizados y sometidos al protocolo de la OMS. Se excluyeron los niños afectados por el HIV y los readmitidos durante el período del estudio. Se recogió una muestra de sangre al ingreso y otra al alta, y posterioriormente se realizó el análisis del perfil leucocitario, y el índice de adherencia, la capacidad fagocítica y la producción de los radicales libres superóxido y óxido nítrico. Los pacientes con malnutrición grave en el alta hospitalaria mostraron mejoría de la función fagocítica, la liberación de radicales oxidantes y la reducción del número de linfocitos en comparación con el ingreso hospitalario. En comparación con el grupo de control, los pacientes en el alta hospitalario presentaron valores más bajos de linfocitos y de producción de radicales libres. Por lo tanto, se puede concluir que el tiempo de hospitalización fue insuficiente para restablecer la inmunidad mediada por células, así como para restaurar la actividad microbicida.

The aim of the study was to compare the innate immune system of severely malnourished children admitted to the Instituto de Medicina Integral Professor Fernando Figueira and treated according to the protocol of the World Health Organization (WHO) at admission and discharge. An experimental study was conducted with 20 children under two years of age. Ten of them had severe malnutrition and ten were a control group. The malnourished group consisted of hospitalized infants and it was submitted to WHO's protocol. Children with HIV and re-admitted during the study period were excluded. A blood sample was taken at admission and at discharge. Later, an analysis of blood leukocytes, adherence index, phagocytic capacity, production of free radicals superoxide and nitric oxide was performed. Patients with severe malnutrition at hospital discharge showed improved phagocytic function, release of oxygen radicals and reduction of the number of lymphocytes when compared to the time of admission. When compared to the control group, patients at hospital discharge had lower lymphocyte values and lower production of free radicals. Thus, it can be concluded that the duration of hospitalization was insufficient to restore cell-mediated immunity and microbicide activity.

Introdução: A asma é uma doença inflamatória crónica de alta prevalência, considerada um problema de saúde pública e constitui-se como uma das causas de baixo peso e atraso do crescimento. Objectivo: O objectivo do presente artigo foi rever na literatura os efeitos da asma no estado nutricional em crianças. Material e métodos: Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática com busca de artigos nas bases PubMed, SciELO e LILACS. Foram excluídos os artigos de revisão, estudos com adultos ou pesquisas que não avaliassem os efeitos da asma em crianças. Foram incluídos artigos originais em humanos. Resultados: Na revisão sistemática da literatura foram encontrados 839 na base MEDLINE (1997-2008), 62 artigos na base MEDLINE (1966-1996), 47 no LILACS e 16 no SciELO - Brasil, totalizando 964 artigos. Destes, foram seleccionados 17 artigos. Conclusão: Conclui-se que a evidência de que a asma interfere no estado nutricional não pode ser comprovada neste estudo.

Introduction: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of high prevalence, considered a public health problem and is thought to be one cause of low birth weight and growth retardation. Purpose: The purpose of this article was to review in literature the effects of asthma on the nutritional status in children. Material and methods: A systematic review was made by searching for articles in PubMed, SciELO and LILACS databases. Review articles, studies with adults or research that did not evaluate the effects of asthma in children were excluded. Hence original articles in humans were included. Results: In the systematic review we found 901 articles in MEDLINE (1966-1996), 47 in LILACS and SciELO in the 16 - Brazil, totaling 964 articles. Of these, 17 articles were selected. Conclusion: Evidence that asthma interferes in nutritional status can not be proven in this study.

A cirurgia nas crianças portadoras de esquistossomose mansônica inclui esplenectomia, ligadura da veia gástrica esquerda e o auto-implante de tecido esplênico no omento maior. A eficácia desse procedimento pode ser responsável pelo desaparecimento da sepse fulminante pós-esplenectomia (SFPE) neste tipo de paciente. Esta condição é atribuída à diminuição de IgM, de linfócitos circulantes, de properdina e ausência de tuftsina, o que conduz a deficiência da atividade das células macrófágicas, que são responsáveis pela aderência à bactéria, fagocitose e destruição das mesmas. OBJETIVO: Analisar os aspectos funcionais dos monócitos destes pacientes, operados quando crianças, no Serviço de Cirurgia Geral da Criança do Hospital das Clínicas da UFPE, entre 1991 a 2000. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados os índices de aderência in vitro dos monócitos e a geração do ânion superóxido (O2-), em três grupos. O 1º, auto-implante (AI), constituído por 18 portadores de esquistossomose mansônica na forma hepatoesplênica, submetidos a esplenectomia, ligadura da veia gástrica esquerda e auto-implante de tecido esplênico no omento maior; o 2º, (ESP), formado por nove pacientes similares, submetidos a esplenectomia e desconexão ázigo-portal, e o 3º,(CT), constituído por 12 adolescentes sadios, oriundos da mesma condição sócio-econômica-geográfica. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença no índice de aderência entre os três grupos. Os monócitos dos pacientes do grupo AI tiveram a geração de O2- semelhante à dos indivíduos do grupo CT, e significantemente maior do que os pacientes do grupo ESP. CONCLUSÕES: Os monócitos dos portadores de esquistossomose hepatoesplênica submetidos a esplenectomia, ligadura da veia gástrica esquerda e auto-implante de tecido esplênico no omento maior se mostram funcionalmente similares aos de indivíduos normais da mesma condição sócio-econômica-geográfica.

Surgical treatment in children suffering from schistosomissis mansoni includes splenectomy; ligature of left gastric vein and auto-implantation of spleen morsels into the greater omentum. The efficacy of this procedure may be responsible for the disappearance of overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI), in this kind of patients. This condition may be assigned to the lowering of IgM, circulating lymphocytes, properdin and to the absence of tutfsin, which may lead to the deficiency of mono-macrophage activity cells, responsible for bacteria adherence, phagocytosis and its destruction. PURPOSE: To analyze the functional features of the monocytes from young patients, who underwent splenectomy, ligature of left gastric vein and auto-implantation of morsels of spleen tissue on the major omentum. These patients were cared for at - University Hospital - "Serviço de Cirurgia Geral da Criança, Hospital das Clínicas, UFPE", from 1991 to 2000. METHODS: It was analyzed the rates of monocytes in vitro adherence to the solid surface and the generation of O2- radical by the monocytes, stimulated with acetate miristate of phorbol (PMA) and PMA + tuftsin, in 3 groups. The 1st group (AI), constituted by 18 patients with schistosomiasis mansoni in the hepatosplenic form and treated with splenectomy, ligature of left gastric vein and auto-implantation of fragments of spleen tissue on the major omentum; the 2nd group (ESP), formed by 09 patients with schistosomiasis mansoni in the hepatosplenic form who underwent azigo-portal disconnection with splenectomy and the 3rd one (CT) constituted by 12 voluntary teenagers from the same geographic area and with the same socio-economical conditions. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the monocyte adherence rate among the 3 groups. With regard to the generation of O2- release, the monocytes of patients from AI group had a super oxide generation similar to that of individuals from CT group, and higher than the patients from ESP group. The monocyte treatment with tuftsin did not change the kinetic of the superoxide generation on the 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: The monocytes of the surgical hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni bearers who underwent splenectomy, ligature of the left gastric vein and auto-implantation of spleen tissue into the major omentum showed functional similar features as comparared to normal people from the same social-economical-geographical conditions.

Autotransplantation of spleen tissue has been done, in the past ten years, in children with schistosomiasis mansoni with bleeding varices. The purposes of this investigation were: (1) to study the morphology and function of the remnant spleen tissue; (2) to quantify the production of tuftsin; and (3) to assess the immune response to pneomococcal vaccine of these patients. Twenty three children, who underwent splenectomy and autologous implantation of spleen tissue into the greater omentum were included in this investigation. The average postoperative follow-up is five years. Splenosis was proved by colloid liver-spleen scans. Search for Howell-Jolly bodies assessed the filtration function. Tuftsin and the titer of pneumococcal antibodies were quantified by ELISA. Splenosis was evident in all children; however, it was insufficient in two. Howell-Jolly bodies were found only in these two patients. The mean tuftsin serum concentration (335.0 ± 29.8 ng/ml) was inside the normal range. The immune response to pneumococcal vaccination was adequate in 15 patients; intermediate in four; and inadequate in four. From the results the following conclusions can be drawn: splenosis was efficient in maintaining the filtration splenic function in more than 90% and produced tuftsin inside the range of normality. It also provided the immunologic splenic response to pneumococcal vaccination in 65% of the patients of this series.