RESUMO No Nordeste do Brasil é bastante comum e variado o uso da coroa-de-frade (Melocactus spp.). Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi realizar diversas análises em cladódios de coroa-de-frade [Melocactus zehntneri (Britton & Rose) Luetzelburg], para que possamos compreender as razões estes usos. Os cladódios foram coletados na cidade de Campina Grande e levados ao Laboratório de Engenharia de Alimentos da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, onde foram feitas as seguintes análises: peso, altura, diâmetro, cor, umidade, acidez, pH, ácido ascórbico, carotenoides, flavonoides e compostos fenólicos, tanto na epiderme quanto no parênquima aquífero. Os resultados mostraram que a epiderme tem uma acidez elevada e mais ácido ascórbico, e um pH mais baixo em comparação com o parênquima aquífero. O conteúdo de carotenoides, flavonoides e compostos fenólicos, foram diferentes nas partes estudadas. A epiderme apresentou sempre maiores quantidades de carotenoides, flavonoides e compostos fenólicos em relação ao parênquima aquífero, nas três plantas estudadas, indicando que a maior parte da defesa da planta acontece neste tecido. Mais estudos são necessários com técnicas mais precisas, para identificar os componentes bioativos desta espécie.

ABSTRACT In Northeast Brazil, the use of melon cactus (Melocactus spp.) is quite common and varied. Thus, the present study aimed to perform various analyzes in cladodes of melon cactus [Melocactus zehntneri (Britton & Rose) Luetzelburg], to understand the reasons for the use of this species. The cladodes were collected in the city of Campina Grande and taken to the Food Engineering Laboratory of the Federal University of Campina Grande, where we performed the following analyses: mass, height, diameter, color, moisture, acidity, pH, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, flavonoids and phenolic compounds, both in the epidermis and in the aquifer parenchyma. The results showed that the epidermis has a higher acidity, ascorbic acid content and lower pH compared to the aquifer parenchyma. The contents of carotenoids, flavonoids and phenolic compounds, were different from the both parts analyzed. The epidermis always had greater quantities of carotenoids, flavonoids and phenolic compounds than the aquifer parenchyma for the three plants, showing that most of the plant defense takes place in this tissue. Further studies, with more accurate techniques, are needed to identify the bioactive components of this species.

Objective: To describe the indications, diagnostic performance and safety of fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) performed in a respiratory intensive care unit (RICU). Design: A prospective, observational study was carried out. Setting: A 6-bed RICU in a tertiary university hospital. Patients: Patients admitted to RICU who required FOB. Interventions: None. Main measurements: FOB indications and complications, endoscopic procedures, time required to perform FOB. Results: Sixty-nine out (23%) of the 297 patients admitted to the RICU underwent a total of 107 FOB. Sixty-eight percent of FOB were performed in patients on mechanical ventilation. FOB was performed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in 88 (82%) and 19 cases (18%), respectively. The study of pulmonary infiltrates was the main indication for diagnostic FOB (44 cases; 50%), particularly in immunocompromised patients (24 cases; 27%). In immunocompromised patients the diagnostic performance of FOB was significantly higher than in immunocompetent subjects (48% vs 30%; p<0.01). No major complications were recorded. Only a significant drop in PaO2/FiO2 ratio was observed (182±74 vs 163±79; p<0.005) in patients undergoing bronchoalveolar lavage. Overall mortality in patients in the RICU was 14%. In patients requiring a single FOB procedure, mortality was 25%, versus 45% among those requiring more than one FOB procedure. Conclusions: These results show that FOB is used commonly in the RICU. It is a safe and fast procedure that contributes significantly to clinical management. Patients requiring additional FOB during admission to the RICU show high mortality.

Objetivo: Describir las indicaciones, rentabilidad diagnóstica y complicaciones de la fibrobroncoscopia (FBS) en una unidad de vigilancia intensiva respiratoria (UVIR). Diseño: Estudio prospectivo observacional. Ámbito: UVIR de 6 camas en un hospital universitario de tercer nivel. Pacientes: Pacientes admitidos en una UVIR a los que se les realizó una FBS. Intervenciones: Ninguna. Variables de interés: Indicaciones y complicaciones de la FBS, técnicas endoscópicas realizadas y tiempo empleado en la FBS. Resultados: Se realizaron 107 (23%) FBS a 69 de los 297 pacientes admitidos en la UVIR. El 68% de las FBS se practicaron a pacientes con ventilación mecánica. La FBS se realizó con fines diagnósticos en 88 ocasiones (82%) y terapéuticos en 19 (18%). La indicación más frecuente para la FBS diagnóstica fue el estudio de infiltrados pulmonares (44 casos; 50%), particularmente en pacientes inmunodeprimidos (24 casos; 27%). Para esta indicación, la rentabilidad diagnóstica de la FBS fue significativamente mejor en los pacientes inmunodeprimidos, respecto a los inmunocompetentes (48% vs 30%; p<0,01). La FBS no causó complicaciones mayores; únicamente se observó un descenso significativo en la PaO2/FiO2 (182±74 vs 163±79; p<0,005) cuando se realizó un lavado broncoalveolar. La mortalidad global en la UVIR fue del 14%; del 25% en los pacientes que precisaron FBS y del 45% en aquellos que precisaron FBS adicionales. Conclusiones: La FBS es un procedimiento seguro y rápido que se utiliza con frecuencia en la UVIR y que contribuye significativamente al manejo clínico. Los pacientes de la UVIR que requieren FBS adicionales tienen una elevada mortalidad.