RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as razões do desvio de qualidade de um concentrado de um padrão predefinido. Foram estabelecidos cinco tratamentos: T1 - controle, concentrado com formulação padrão (CFP); T2 - PXMais5, CFP com 5% a mais de vitaminas e minerais da pré-mistura (PVM); T3 - PXMenos5, CFP com 5% a menos de PVM. Todos esses três tratamentos utilizaram lotes de 400kg em um misturador INTECNIAL; T4 - FeedMixer, CFP usando um lote de 4.000kg em um misturador IMOTO; T5 - PremixMixer, CFP usando um lote de 1.200kg em um misturador MUYANG. Para cada tratamento, sacos de 20kg foram armazenados em três ambientes distintos por quatro meses. A atividade de água do concentrado foi afetada pela temperatura e umidade relativa do ar em diferentes locais de armazenamento. Em relação ao tipo de misturador, a maior variação na concentração de proteína bruta, resíduo mineral, cobre, zinco e selênio foi devido ao PremixMixer. Ajustes são imperativos nos procedimentos de manuseio e uso desse tipo de misturador para atender aos requisitos de qualidade exigidos na produção de concentrado. Ao se analisar o efeito do nível da pré-mistura de vitaminas e minerais, nenhuma diferença pôde ser definida com os parâmetros avaliados.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the reasons of quality deviation of a concentrate from a predefined standard. Five treatments were established: T1 - Control, standard concentrate formulation (SCF); T2 - PXMore5, SCF with more 5% vitamin-mineral premix (VMP); T3 - PXLess5, SCF with less 5% VMP. All three treatments used a 400kg batches in an INTECNIAL mixer; T4 - FeedMixer, SCF using a 4,000kg batch in an IMOTO mixer; T5 - PremixMixer, SCF using a 1,200kg batch in an MUYANG mixer. For each treatment, bags of 20 kg were stored in three storage places for four months. Water activity of concentrate was affected by temperature and air relative humidity in different storage places. Regarding the kind of mixer, the greatest variation in concentration of crude protein, mineral residue, copper, zinc, and selenium was observed in the PremixMixer. Adjustments are imperative in the handling and use procedures of this kind of mixer to meet the quality requirements required in the concentrate production. Analyzing the effect of the mineral-vitamin premix level, no difference could be defined with the evaluated parameters.

Resumo: Objetivo: Avaliar o nível de concordância a respeito da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde entre crianças com bronquiolite obliterante pós-infecciosa e seus pais (responsáveis). Métodos: Os participantes entre 8-17 anos, anteriormente diagnosticados com bronquiolite obliterante pós-infecciosa, foram acompanhados regularmente no ambulatório de pneumologia pediátrica. Os pais ou responsáveis legais (cuidadores) desses pacientes também foram convidados a participar do estudo. Uma versão validada e adequada para a idade do Inventário Pediátrico de Qualidade de Vida, versão 4.0, foi utilizada para a avaliação da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde. Os cuidadores concluíram as versões do questionário correspondentes aos responsáveis. A correlação entre os autorrelatos e os relatos dos responsáveis da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde foi determinada pelo coeficiente de correlação intraclasse e pelos testes t dependentes. Resultados: A maior parte dos participantes era do sexo masculino (79,4%) e a idade média foi 11,8 anos. As correlações intraclasse entre cada um dos domínios do Inventário Pediátrico de Qualidade de Vida e o escore total foram todas inferiores a 0,6, com intervalo entre 0,267 (baixo) e 0,530 (justo). Quando as médias de cada domínio e o escore total dos questionários foram comparados, observamos que os cuidadores apresentaram qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde significativamente menor em comparação com as crianças, com exceção do domínio social, no qual a diferença não foi significativa. Contudo, as diferenças no escore ultrapassaram o limite de diferença essencial de 4 pontos em todos os outros domínios. Conclusão: Os responsáveis pelas crianças e adolescentes com bronquiolite obliterante pós-infecciosa parecem perceber de forma consistente que suas crianças possuem qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde menor que os próprios pacientes.

Abstract Objective: To assess the level of agreement in health-related quality of life between children with Post-infectious Bronchiolitis Obliterans and their parent (so-called proxy). Methods: Participants aged between 8and 17 years who had been previously diagnosed with Post-infectious Bronchiolitis Obliterans were regularly followed up at a pediatric pulmonology outpatient clinic. Parents or legal guardians (caregivers) of these patients were also recruited for the study. A validated and age-appropriate version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 was used for the assessment of health-related quality of life. Caregivers completed the corresponding proxy versions of the questionnaire. The correlation between self and proxy reports of health-related quality of life was determined by intra-class correlation coefficient and dependent t-tests. Results: The majority of participants were males (79.4%), and the average age was 11.8 years. Intra-class correlations between each of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 domains and the total score were all lower than 0.6, with a range between 0.267 (poor) and 0.530 (fair). When the means of each domain and the total score of the questionnaires were compared, caregivers were observed to have a significantly lower health-related quality of life score than children, with the exception of the social domain in which the difference was not significant. However, the differences in score exceeded the critical threshold difference of four points in all other domains. Conclusion: Proxies of children and adolescents with Post-infectious Bronchiolitis Obliterans appear to consistently perceive their children as having lower health-related quality of life than how the patients perceive themselves.

This study aimed to evaluate the use of silage of forage cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) in diets for finishing pigs. Two experiments were conducted: the first for digestibility and the second for performance. In the performance trial, the quantitative levels of feed restriction (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) were evaluated, which were associated with the supply of forage cactus silage. Forage cactus silage presented 2463.59 and 2456 kcal/kg of digestible and metabolizable energy, respectively. The feed restriction levels associated with the supply of forage cactus silage influenced feed intake, weight gain and final weight negatively, but did not affect feed conversion. Carcass absolute weight was influenced negatively. However, the yield of carcass and cuts and the amount of meat in the carcass were not influenced. With the increase in feed restriction, there was a decrease in duodenal mucosa thickness, intestinal glands, liver glycogen storage and the occurrence of inflammation in the submucosa and intestinal mucosa. Forage cactus silage is not accepted well by animals. The restriction up to 30% of balanced feed did not affect feed conversion, yield of carcass and cuts and economic viability. However, levels over 10% affected intestinal health.

ABSTRACT This paper reports the first study of the variation of the chemical composition and abundance of the essential oil of Croton heliotropiifolius, in four seasons, and the evaluation of its antibacterial activity. Essential oil obtained from leaves of C. heliotropiifolius were analyzed by GC/MS and evaluated against eight bacteria strains by broth microdilution method. The chemical constituents identified were the same in all samples, but with different proportions. The total percentages identified were 96.58% in summer, 92.08% in autumn, 98.44% in winter and 90.78% in spring. The majors constituents are β-caryophyllene, bicyclogermacrene, germacrene-D, limonene and 1,8-cineole. β-Caryophyllene was the major compound in all samples. The results of the antibacterial evaluations showed weak to moderate activity against the analyzed strains. In all analyzes was observed that essential oil sample collected in summer stands out from the others, displaying stronger activity against Gram-positive as Gram-negative bacteria.

Modifications in life-style and/or pharmacotherapies contribute to weight loss and ameliorate the metabolic profile of diet-induced obese humans and rodents. Since these strategies fail to treat hypothalamic obesity, we have assessed the possible mechanisms by which duodenal-jejunal bypass (DJB) surgery regulates hepatic lipid metabolism and the morphophysiology of pancreatic islets, in hypothalamic obese (HyO) rats. During the first 5 days of life, male Wistar rats received subcutaneous injections of monosodium glutamate (4 g/kg body weight, HyO group), or saline (CTL). At 90 days of age, HyO rats were randomly subjected to DJB (HyO DJB group) or sham surgery (HyO Sham group). HyO Sham rats were morbidly obese, insulin resistant, hypertriglyceridemic and displayed higher serum concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and hepatic triglyceride (TG). These effects were associated with higher expressions of the lipogenic genes and fatty acid synthase (FASN) protein content in the liver. Furthermore, hepatic genes involved in β-oxidation and TG export were down-regulated in HyO rats. In addition, these rats exhibited hyperinsulinemia, β-cell hypersecretion, a higher percentage of islets and β-cell area/pancreas section, and enhanced nuclear content of Ki67 protein in islet-cells. At 2 months after DJB surgery, serum concentrations of TG and NEFA, but not hepatic TG accumulation and gene and protein expressions, were normalized in HyO rats. Insulin release and Ki67 positive cells were also normalized in HyO DJB islets. In conclusion, DJB decreased islet-cell proliferation, normalized insulinemia, and ameliorated insulin sensitivity and plasma lipid profile, independently of changes in hepatic metabolism.

RESUMO Neste estudo foram analisadas as propriedades físico-químicas e fotofísicas do óleo essencial de Curcuma longa, bem como seu potencial angiogênico. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a curcumina é o principal componente fluorescente, mas está presente em pequena quantidade no óleo essencial. O método experimental da membrana corioalantóide foi empregado para avaliar a atividade angiogênica do óleo e foi observado um aumento significativo na rede vascular nos grupos submetidos ao óleo de Curcuma longa e controle positivo, quando comparado com os grupos controle negativo e inibidor (P <0,05), mas não houve diferenças significativas entre o grupo tratado com óleo de Curcuma longa e o controle positivo (P >0,05). A análise histológica mostrou maior neovascularização, hiperemia e elementos inflamatórios nos grupos controle positivo e Curcuma longa quando comparado aos demais grupos controles (P <0,05), fatores característicos do processo de angiogênese. Em conclusão, o óleo de Curcuma longa mostrou uma considerável atividade pró-angiogênica e pode ser um composto com potencial aplicações médicas.

ABSTRACT This study analyzed the physicochemical and photophysical properties of essential oil of Curcuma longa and its angiogenic potential. The results showed that curcumin is the main fluorescent component present in the oil, although the amount is relatively small. The experimental chorioallantoic membrane model was used to evaluate angiogenic activity, showing a significant increase in the vascular network of Curcuma longa and positive control groups when compared to the neutral and inhibitor controls (P <0.05), but no significant difference was found between Curcuma longa essential oil and the positive control (P >0.05). Histological analysis showed extensive neovascularization, hyperemia and inflammation in the positive control group and Curcuma longa when compared to other controls (P <0.05), characteristic factors of the angiogenesis process. In conclusion, Curcuma longa oil showed considerable proangiogenic activity and could be a potential compound in medical applications.

Embora métodos tradicionais sejam utilizados na avaliação microbiológica de produtos UAT, metodologias rápidas, baseadas em ATP-Bioluminescência, têm sido desenvolvidas. Os resultados da aplicação dessa técnica em 54 amostras de bebida láctea UAT achocolatada e 12 de creme de leite UAT foram comparados com os resultados de métodos microbiológicos, utilizando-se diferentes meios de cultura e tempos de incubação das referidas amostras. A técnica de ATP-Bioluminescência foi aplicada por meio do sistema MLS, e os resultados foram expressos em unidades relativas de luz (RLU). Em todos os tempos de incubação - 48, 72 e 168 horas - , as amostras apresentaram contagens baixas de microrganismos mesófilos e psicrotróficos aeróbios quando analisadas em meio PCA, BHI, PetrifilmTM AC e por ATP-Bioluminescência (<150 RLU), demonstrando alta especificidade da técnica. Apenas uma amostra de creme de leite UAT apresentou contagem de mesófilos aeróbios acima do padrão estabelecido pela legislação brasileira (<100 UFC/mL) quando analisada em meio PCA (260 UFC/mL) e PetrifilmTM AC (108 UFC/mL), no tempo de 168 horas. Essa alta contagem de microrganismos mesófilos aeróbios também foi detectada pela técnica de ATP-Bioluminescência (416 RLU). Os resultados da técnica de ATP-Bioluminescência foram iguais aos resultados em meio PCA, BHI e PetrifilmTM AC.

Although traditional methods are used for the microbiological evaluation of UHT products, rapid methodologies based on ATP-Bioluminescence have been developed. The results of applying this technique in 54 samples of chocolate UHT milk drink and 12 of UHT milk cream were compared with the results of microbiological methods, using different culture media and incubation times for the referred samples. The ATP-Bioluminescence technique was applied through the MLS system and the results were expressed as relative light units (RLU). In all incubation times - 48, 72, and 168 hours - , the samples showed lower counts of mesophilic and psychrotrophic aerobic microorganisms when analyzed using PCA, BHI, PetrifilmTM AC and ATP-Bioluminescence (<150RLU), demonstrating the technique's high specificity. Only one sample of UHT milk cream showed a mesophilic aerobic count above the standard established by Brazilian legislation (<100CFU/mL) when analyzed in PCA (260 CFU/mL) and PetrifilmTM AC (108CFU/mL) at 168 hours. This high count of aerobic mesophilic microorganisms was also detected by the ATP-Bioluminescence (416 RLU) technique. The results of the ATP-Bioluminescence technique were equal to the results in PCA, BHI and PetrifilmTM AC.

Avaliou-se a composição química e a resistência óssea do tibiotarso de frangos de corte aos 21 dias de idade. Foram determinados os percentuais ósseos de proteínas colagenosas (PC) e proteínas não colagenosas (PNC) e de cálcio, fósforo, potássio e sódio. Foram utilizados 650 pintinhos machos de marca comercial, alimentados com dietas à base de milho e farelo de soja. Foi utilizado delineamento em blocos ao acaso com cinco repetições e 26 aves por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos consistiram na suplementação da dieta basal com NH4Cl a fim de se obter cinco níveis -50; 0; 50; 100 e 150mEq/kg de balanço eletrolítico (BE). O nível de BE influenciou os teores de fósforo, potássio, sódio, PC e PNC, relação Ca:P e a resistência à quebra. A redução do balanço eletrolítico da dieta em nível inferior a 150mEq/kg influenciará negativamente a mineralização e a resistência óssea. A resistência à quebra do tibiotarso não está correlacionada com as concentrações dos minerais de forma individual, mas correlaciona-se negativamente com as concentrações de proteínas colagenosas e não colagenosas.

This study was carried out in order to evaluate the bone chemical composition and breaking force resistance of tibiotarsus birds at 21 days of age. The bone percentage of colagenous proteins (CP), non colagenous proteins (NCP) and minerals (calcium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium) was analyzed. A total of 650 commercial male broiler chicks were fed corn and soybean diets. A completely randomized block design with five replications of 26 birds per experimental unit was used. The treatments consisted of the basal ration supplemented with NH4Cl in order to obtain five levels (-50; 0; 50; 100 and 150mEq/kg) of electrolyte balance. The EB level affected the percentages of phosphorus, potassium and sodium, PC and PNC, Ca: P relation and breaking force resistance. The reduction of EB diets at levels below 150mEq/kg will affect negatively the mineralization and bone resistance. The breaking force of tibiotarsus is not correlated with the mineral concentration individually, but correlates negatively with the concentration of collagenous and non-collagenous proteins.

Determinaram-se os melhores valores de balanço eletrolítico (BE) para o desempenho de frangos de corte de um a sete, um a 14, um a 21 e um a 42 dias de idade. Utilizaram-se 720 pintos comerciais, machos, criados em galpão de alvenaria, em boxes cobertos com maravalha, alimentados com dieta basal composta por milho e farelo de soja combinada com valores de BE de 200; 250; 300; 350 e 400mEq/kg. Adotou-se o delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com seis repetições de 24 aves para cada uma das 30 unidades experimentais. Avaliaram-se o ganho de peso, o consumo da dieta e a conversão alimentar aos sete, 14, 21 e 42 dias de idade. O melhor BE estimado para o ganho de peso aos 21 e 42 dias foi de 270mEq/kg, estimado pelo modelo quadrático de regressão. Para as demais variáveis, não houve diferenças entre os BE. Recomenda-se um valor de BE entre 270 e 300mEq/kG para frangos de corte para as fases inicial e de crescimento em regiões de clima quente.

A trial was carried out to determine the best electrolyte balance value (EB) for broilers performance from 1 to 7, 1 to 14, 1 to 21 and 1 to 42 days of age. A total of 720 one-day-old chicks, males, were reared in the floor covered with shaving woods and fed corn-soybean base diets combined with 200; 250; 300; 350 e 400mEq/kg of EB. A completely randomized experimental design with six replicates of 24 chicks each and 36 experimental units was used. Weigh gain (WG), feed intake (FC) and feed efficiency (FE) were evaluated at 7, 14, 21 and 42 days of age. The best values of EB estimated for the WG at 21 and 42 days was 70mEq/kg, estimated by a quadratic regression model. No differences among treatments were observed for the other studied traits. The results suggested EB should be around 270 up to 300mEq/kg in high temperature regions, for broiler chicks in inicial and growth phases.

Neste estudo analisamos a estrutura da comunidade de plantas lenhosas em 11 fragmentos de cerrado (sensu stricto) situados no Triângulo Mineiro. Avaliamos se a densidade, diversidade e/ou composição da vegetação estavam relacionadas à área do fragmento ou ao seu grau de perturbação (medida pela cobertura de gramíneas exóticas e pela ocorrência histórica de gado e fogo). Em cada fragmento (com tamanho entre 7 a 509 ha) foram instaladas 50 parcelas de 10 x 10 m para contagem e identificação das árvores com circunferência a altura do peito (CAP) > 15 cm. Arbustos e arvoretas (CAP < 15 cm) foram amostrados em sub-parcelas de 5 x 10 m. Fragmentos maiores apresentaram maior número de indivíduos (de arbustos e arvoretas), de espécies (de árvores, arbustos e arvoretas), e maior diversidade (de árvores) do que os fragmentos menores. O tamanho do fragmento também explicou parte da variação na composição de espécies de arbustos e de arvoretas. Com exceção de uma relação negativa entre a cobertura de gramíneas e a densidade de arbustos e arvoretas, não encontramos qualquer correlação entre o grau de perturbação e a estrutura da vegetação. Entretanto, não foi possível separar os efeitos de área dos efeitos da perturbação, já que fragmentos menores tenderam a apresentar maior grau de perturbação, particularmente uma maior cobertura de gramíneas exóticas. Isto indica que fragmentos menores não apenas estão mais sujeitos aos efeitos decorrentes da fragmentação dos hábitats, mas também aos efeitos da ação do fogo, do gado e da invasão por gramíneas exóticas.

In this study we analyzed the structure of the woody plant community in 11 cerrado (savanna) fragments located in the Triângulo Mineiro region, Brazil. We evaluated whether vegetation density, diversity and/or composition were related to fragment area or its level of disturbance (cover of exotic grasses and the historical occurrence of cattle and fire). In each fragment (7 to 509 ha in size) 50 plots of 10 x 10 m were established in order to survey all trees with a circumference at breast height (CBH) > 15 cm. Tree saplings and shrubs (CBH < 15 cm) were sampled in sub-plots of 5 x 10 m. Larger fragments had more individuals (of saplings and shrubs), more species (of trees, saplings and shrubs), and more diversity (of trees) than the smaller fragments. Fragment area also explained part of the variation in the species composition of saplings and shrubs. With the exception of a negative relationship between the cover of exotic grasses and the density of saplings and shrubs, we did not find any correlation between the level of disturbance and the structure of the vegetation. However, it was not possible to disentangle size effects from the effects of disturbance as the smaller fragments also presented a higher degree of disturbance, particularly a greater cover of exotic grasses. These results indicate that smaller cerrado fragments are not only more vulnerable to effects resulting from habitat fragmentation, but also to the effects of invasive grasses and disturbance by fire and cattle.

In this work we are concerned with the existence and uniqueness of T -periodic weak solutions for an initial-boundary value problem associated with nonlinear telegraph equations typein a domain <img border=0 src="../../../../../../img/revistas/cam/v28n2/a01txt01.gif" align=absmiddle>. Our arguments rely on elliptic regularization technics, tools from classical functional analysis as well as basic results from theory of monotone operators.

OBJECTIVES: The neuroanatomical basis and the neurochemical abnormalities that underlay juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) are not fully defined. While the thalamus plays a central role in synchronization of widespread regions of the cerebral cortex during a seizure, emerging evidence suggests that all cortical neurons may not be homogeneously involved. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cerebral metabolic differences between patients with JME and normal controls. METHODS: All patients had a JME diagnosis based on seizure history and semiology, EEG recording, normal magnetic resonance neuroimaging (MRI) and video-EEG. Forty JME patients (JME-P) were submitted to 1.5 T MRI proton spectroscopy (1H-MRS), multi-voxel with PRESS sequence (TR/TE = 1500/30 ms) over the following locations: prefrontal cortex (PC), frontal cortex (FC), thalamus, basal nuclei, posterior cingulate gyrus (PCG), insular, parietal and occipital cortices. We determined ratios for integral values of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) and glutamine-glutamate (GLX) over creatine-phosphocreatine (Cr). The control group (CTL) consisted of 20 age and sex-matched healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Group analysis demonstrated a tendency for lower NAA/Cr ratio of JME-P compared to CTL predominantly on FC, PC, thalamus and occipital cortex. When compared to CTL, JME-P had a statistically significant difference in GLX/Cr on FC, PC, insula, basal nuclei, PCG and on thalamus. When evaluating the relationship among the various components of this epileptic network among JME-P, the strongest correlation occurred between thalamus and PC. Also, we found a significant negative correlation between NAA/Cr and duration of epilepsy. CONCLUSION: Reductions in NAA may represent loss or injury of neurons and/or axons, as well as metabolic dysfunction while glutamate is considered to be an excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain which is involved in the pathogenesis of epileptogenic seizures.