Research progress in structural and nutritional characterization and technologically processing impact on cool-season adapted oat and barley cereal kernels with wet chemistry and advanced vibrational molecular spectroscopy.

This study aims to provide research progress and update on structural, physicochemical, nutritional characteristics and technologically processing impact on cool-season adapted oat and barley cereal kernels. The study focused on cool-season adapted oats grain production and nutrition in ruminant systems and strategies to improve the utilization of the oat grain through processing techniques. The updated evaluation methods and advanced molecular spectroscopy techniques to study molecular structures with attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, synchrotron-based Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy were reviewed. This study summarizes the methods and provides a potential approach on how to use vibrational molecular spectroscopy to study molecular chemistry and molecular structure and molecular nutrition interaction of grain.

Trends of asthma hospitalization and hospital mortality in mainland Portugal.

AIM: To evaluate nationwide asthma hospitalizations and hospital mortality from the year 2000 to 2010. METHODS: Data from the Health Services Central Administration of the Portuguese Ministry of Health on hospital admissions and hospital mortality in the National Health Service in mainland Portugal, from January 1st 2000 to December 31st 2010, were analysed. Cases with bronchial asthma as a main diagnosis were selected. RESULTS: We found a mean frequency of asthma hospitalizations of 2.5 / 1000 hospital admissions, 28.1 / 100,000 inhabitants (66.6/100,000 in < 19 years old). The global frequency of hospital admissions decreased 18.6% from 2000 to 2010 (r = -0.85, p = 0.002), and 47.0% in those aged 0 to 2 years old (r = -0.77, p = 0.008). There were 261 hospital deaths attributed to asthma (68.5% > 65 years old), accounting for an in-hospital mortality of 8.0 / 1000 asthma hospitalizations and 2.4 / 1,000,000 inhabitants, with no change throughout the years. CONCLUSION: Asthma hospitalization rates have decreased, especially in younger children. Mortality remained unchanged, particularly in the elderly; this might be explained by deficient control in this age group.

Physical and rehabilitation medicine intervention in stroke in the acute hospital setting: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke represents the main cause of death and disability in Portugal. Resulting functional deficits are widely recognized. This work aims to evaluate the variation in functionality of stroke patients in the acute hospital setting under a rehabilitation program. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study of patients admitted to the Neurology department, from January to June 2019, with acute stroke. The variation in functionality was assessed using the Barthel index. Statistical analysis used Student's t-test and Spearman's correlation coefficient, with a p-value≤0.05 as significant. RESULTS: 106 patients with mean age of 63.7±14.2 years and a male predominance (60.4%) were included. Patients started rehabilitation program at 1.37±1.19 days after admission. A gain in functionality between admission and discharge was identified (50.18±32.37 versus 68.73±28.94, p<0.001). A significantly greater increase was observed in patients diagnosed under code stroke protocol (CSP) (p=0.021) and undergoing some type of acute phase treatment (p=0.017). From 90.5% of the patients that pursued rehabilitation after discharge, 40.6% were referred to an inpatient unit on average 12.7±7.0 days after admission. DISCUSSION: In this study, Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) provided early rehabilitation care to stroke patients. According to international evidence this is associated with greater functional gains. The variation in functionality verified during hospitalization demonstrates the importance of PRM in the acute hospital, assessing the rehabilitation needs after hospital discharge and maximizing outpatient rehabilitation. Diagnosis under CSP and undergoing acute treatment were determinants of greater functional improvement. CONCLUSION: PRM plays a central role in the early management of functional impairment resulting from stroke and in the post-discharge guidance of patients.

Effects of varying ruminally undegradable protein supplementation on forage digestion, nitrogen metabolism, and urea kinetics in Nellore cattle fed low-quality tropical forage.

Effects of supplemental RDP and RUP on nutrient digestion, N metabolism, urea kinetics, and muscle protein degradation were evaluated in Nellore heifers () consuming low-quality signal grass hay (5% CP and 80% NDF, DM basis). Five ruminally and abomasally cannulated Nellore heifers (248 ± 9 kg) were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square. Treatments were the control (no supplement) and RDP supplementation to meet 100% of the RDP requirement plus RUP provision to supply 0, 50, 100, or 150% of the RUP requirement. Supplemental RDP (casein plus NPN) was ruminally dosed twice daily, and RUP supply (casein) was continuously infused abomasally. Jugular infusion of [NN]-urea with measurement of enrichment in urine was used to evaluate urea kinetics. The ratio of urinary 3-methylhistidine to creatinine was used to estimate skeletal muscle protein degradation. Forage NDF intake (2.48 kg/d) was not affected ( ≥ 0.37) by supplementation, but supplementation did increase ruminal NDF digestion ( < 0.01). Total N intake (by design) and N retention increased ( < 0.001) with supplementation and also linearly increased with RUP provision. Urea entry rate and gastrointestinal entry rate of urea were increased by supplementation ( < 0.001). Supplementation with RUP linearly increased ( = 0.02) urea entry rate and tended ( = 0.07) to linearly increase gastrointestinal entry rate of urea. Urea use for anabolic purposes tended ( = 0.07) to be increased by supplementation, and RUP provision also tended ( = 0.08) to linearly increase the amount of urea used for anabolism. The fraction of recycled urea N incorporated into microbial N was greater ( < 0.001) for control (22%) than for supplemented (9%) heifers. Urinary 3-methylhistidine:creatinine of control heifers was more than double that of supplemented heifers ( < 0.001). Control heifers reabsorbed a greater ( < 0.001) fraction of urea from the renal tubule than did supplemented heifers. Overall, unsupplemented heifers had greater mobilization of AA from myofibrillar protein, which provided N for urea synthesis and subsequent recycling. Supplemental RUP, when RDP was supplied, not only increased N retention but also supported increased urea N recycling and increased ruminal microbial protein synthesis.

Collaborative Brazilian Pediatric Renal Transplant Registry (CoBrazPed-RTx): A Report From 2004 to 2013.

BACKGROUND: The Collaborative Brazilian Pediatric Renal Transplant Registry started in 2004 as a multicenter initiative aiming to analyze, report, and share the results of pediatric kidney transplantation in Brazil. Data from all pediatric kidney transplants performed between January 2004 and December 2013 were recorded electronically and periodically updated. All patients under 18 years old from the participating centers were enrolled. Demographic data, etiology of chronic kidney disease, and patient and graft survival were analyzed. From a total of 2443 pediatric kidney transplants performed in Brazil during the study period, we report data from 1751 pediatric renal transplants performed in 13 centers enrolled in the collaborative study. Median age at transplantation was 12.4 years, and most of recipients were male (56%). The most common underlying renal etiologies were obstructive uropathy (31%) and glomerulopathy (26%). METHODS: According to donor source, 1155 (66%) of transplants were performed with deceased donors (DD). Initial immunosuppression consisted mainly of tacrolimus, mycophenolate, steroids, and induction therapy with anti-IL-2R antibodies. RESULTS: One-year graft survival (death-censored) was 93% and 90% (log rank test, P < .01), respectively, for living donor (LD) and DD. Graft losses (15%) were most frequently caused by vascular thrombosis, chronic allograft nephropathy, death with functioning kidney, acute rejection, and recurrent renal disease. Recipients of DD had 2.02 (95% confidence interval: 1.14-3.59) times the hazard of graft loss compared with those of LD (P = .015). Patient survival rates at 1 and 5 years were 98% and 97% for LD and 97% and 93% for DD, respectively. The mortality rate was 3.8%, mainly as the result of infection and cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this collaborative pediatric transplant study are comparable to international registries. Our effort has been able to maintain an exchange of information, both among the participating centers and with other international registries.

[Paraplegia as initial manifestation of tethered spinal cord. Case report]. / Paraplegia como manifestação inicial de medula presa. Relato de caso.

Tethered spinal cord (TSC) is a rare disorder; it occurs when the conus medularis is anchored to the base of the vertebral canal by thickened filum terminale cysts, lipoma and spinal dysraphia. This disorder may cause paraplegia, sensory and sphincter disturbance. We report a twenty-two months-old girl presenting with paraplegia. TSC diagnostic was confirmed by myelotomography. The patient was submitted to surgical relief of tethered filum terminale.

[Study of higher brain function in first grade students and its relationship with reading and writing acquisition]. / Estudio de las funciones cerebrales superiores en escolares de Enseñanza Primaria y su relación con la alfabetización.

INTRODUCTION: The study of higher cortical functions gives valuable information and new insights in the understanding of the complex functioning of the central nervous system. Developmental neurological examination is an important semiologic tool in the evaluation of cortical functions. OBJECTIVE: The main of this study was to evaluate, using the neurological developmental exam, cortical functions and their association with learning. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was an observational, analytic and transversal study with a random and proportional sample (484 children) of first grade students of Porto Alegre, Brazil. Chi-square and ANOVA tests were used, with a significant p value < 0.05. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Results show that altered neurologic performance disturbs reading and writing acquisition. This study, showed an association between altered neurological developmental examination and WISC subtests (numbers, figure completion and code), with learning disorders.

Compressive Strength of a Glass Ionomer Cement Under the Influence of Varnish Protection and Dietary Fluids / Resistencia a la compresión de un cemento de ionómero de vidrio bajo la influencia de la protección del barniz y diversos productos alimenticios

RESUMEN El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la resistencia a la compresión de un cemento de ionómero de vidrio (GIC) bajo la influencia de la protección del barniz y alimentos. Ochenta muestras cilíndricas de GIC fueron realizadas y se distribuyeron en cuatro grupos (G1, G2, G3, G4) de acuerdo con el alimento. Cada grupo se sub-dividió además en A y B, de acuerdo con la presencia o ausencia de protección de barniz. Las ocho muestras de cada subgrupo se almacenaron en agua destilada durante 30 días y recibieron los siguientes tratamientos durante 14 días: G2A: protección del barniz e inmersión en gaseosas, G2B: sin barniz e inmersión en gaseosas, G3A: protección del barniz e inmersión en jugo de naranja, G3B: sin protección de barniz e inmersión en jugo de naranja, G4A: protección de barniz e inmersión en yogurt, G4B: sin protección de barniz e inmersión en yogur. El procedimiento de inmersión se realizó tres veces al día, durante 15 minutos por 14 días. Las muestras del Subgrupo G1A (con barniz) y G1B (sin barniz) se usaron como controles y se almacenaron en agua destilada. Las muestras se sometieron a una prueba de resistencia a la compresión después del período de inmersión. Los resultados se analizaron usando ANOVA 2, prueba de Tukey (5%) y T de Student (5%). No hubo diferencias significativas entre los subgrupos, a excepción del subgrupo con protección de barniz e inmersión en jugo de naranja, que mostró una resistencia a la compresión GIC reducida.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the compressive strength of a glass ionomer cement (GIC) under the influence of varnish protection and dietary fluids. Eighty cylindrical test specimens were made from GIC and distributed into four groups (G1, G2, G3, G4) according to the dietary fluid. Each group was further divided into subgroups A and B according to the presence or absence of varnish protection. The eight subgroup samples were stored in distilled water for 30 days and received the following treatments for 14 days: G2A: varnish protection and immersion in soft drink, G2B: no varnish protection and immersion in soft drink, G3A: varnish protection and immersion in orange juice, G3B: no varnish protection and immersion in orange juice, G4A: varnish protection and immersion in yogurt, G4B: no varnish protection and immersion in yogurt. The immersion procedure was performed three times a day, for 15 minutes at a time, for a total of 14 days. The samples from subgroups G1A (with varnish) and G1B (without varnish) were used as controls and stored in distilled water only for 30 days. The samples were submitted to a compressive strength test after the immersion period. The results were analyzed using the ANOVA 2, Tukey test (5%) and Student's t-test (5%). There were no significant differences between the subgroups, except for the subgroup with varnish protection and immersion in orange juice, which showed reduced GIC compressive strength.

Physical and rehabilitation medicine intervention in stroke in the acute hospital setting: A cross-sectional study / Intervención de la medicina física y de rehabilitación en el accidente cerebrovascular en el ámbito hospitalario agudo: un estudio transversal

Introduction: Stroke represents the main cause of death and disability in Portugal. Resulting functional deficits are widely recognized. This work aims to evaluate the variation in functionality of stroke patients in the acute hospital setting under a rehabilitation program. Material and methods: Cross-sectional study of patients admitted to the Neurology department, from January to June 2019, with acute stroke. The variation in functionality was assessed using the Barthel index. Statistical analysis used Student's t-test and Spearman's correlation coefficient, with a p-value≤0.05 as significant. Results: 106 patients with mean age of 63.7±14.2 years and a male predominance (60.4%) were included. Patients started rehabilitation program at 1.37±1.19 days after admission. A gain in functionality between admission and discharge was identified (50.18±32.37 versus 68.73±28.94, p<0.001). A significantly greater increase was observed in patients diagnosed under code stroke protocol (CSP) (p=0.021) and undergoing some type of acute phase treatment (p=0.017). From 90.5% of the patients that pursued rehabilitation after discharge, 40.6% were referred to an inpatient unit on average 12.7±7.0 days after admission. Discussion: In this study, Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) provided early rehabilitation care to stroke patients. According to international evidence this is associated with greater functional gains. The variation in functionality verified during hospitalization demonstrates the importance of PRM in the acute hospital, assessing the rehabilitation needs after hospital discharge and maximizing outpatient rehabilitation. Diagnosis under CSP and undergoing acute treatment were determinants of greater functional improvement. Conclusion: PRM plays a central role in the early management of functional impairment resulting from stroke and in the post-discharge guidance of patients.(AU)

Introducción: El accidente cerebrovascular representa la principal causa de muerte y incapacidad en Portugal. Los déficits funcionales resultantes son ampliamente reconocidos. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo evaluar la variación en la funcionalidad de los pacientes con accidente cerebrovascular en el entorno hospitalario agudo bajo un programa de rehabilitación. Material y métodos: Estudio transversal de pacientes ingresados en el servicio de neurología, de enero a junio de 2019, con accidente cerebrovascular agudo. La variación en la funcionalidad se evaluó mediante el índice de Barthel. El análisis estadístico utilizó la prueba «t» de Student y el coeficiente de correlación de Spearman, con un valor p≤0,05 como significativo. Resultados: Se incluyeron 106 pacientes con edad media de 63,7±14,2 años y predominio del sexo masculino (60,4%). Los pacientes iniciaron el programa de rehabilitación a los 1,37±1,19 días después del ingreso. Se identificó una ganancia de funcionalidad entre el ingreso y el alta (50,18±32,37 versus 68,73±28,94, p<0,001). Se observó un aumento significativamente mayor en los pacientes diagnosticados bajo el protocolo de ictus (p=0,021) y sometidos a algún tipo de tratamiento en fase aguda (p=0,017). Del 90,5% de los pacientes que continuaron rehabilitación tras el alta, el 40,6% fueron derivados a una unidad de rehabilitación, en promedio 12,7±7,0 días después del ingreso. Discusión: En este estudio la medicina física y de rehabilitación (MFR) proporcionó atención de rehabilitación temprana a pacientes con accidente cerebrovascular. Según la evidencia internacional esto se asocia con mayores ganancias funcionales. La variación en la funcionalidad verificada durante la hospitalización demuestra la importancia de la MFR en el hospital de agudos, evaluando las necesidades de rehabilitación después del alta hospitalaria y maximizando la rehabilitación ambulatoria.(AU)

Pain syndrome induced by calcineurin inhibitor and resolved by conversion to sirolimus in a child after kidney transplantation: a case report.

Pain induced by calcineurin inhibitors is a rare complication of unknown pathogenesis. We have reported herein a 7-year-old child who presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, and weight loss showing no significant findings after an extensive laboratory and imaging workup. After conversion from tacrolimus to sirolimus, there was complete resolution of the gastrointestinal symptoms and pain; the patient displays excellent renal function. Calcineurin inhibitor-induced pain syndrome is diagnosis of exclusion but must be considered because the withdrawal of this immunosuppressive agent is associated with improvement in symptoms and quality of life.

Asthma hospital admission and mortality in mainland Portugal 2000-2007.

We conducted a review of asthma hospital admissions in mainland Portugal 2000-2007 to evaluate if one of the aims of the National Asthma Control Programme, a 20% reduction in hospital admissions in children and adolescents in 2007, had been achieved. Using the Health Services Central Administration data base we reviewed 24271 admissions and saw that 48.7% of patients admitted were aged under 19 years old and that 61.8% were aged 40 years old or under. Mean global annual asthma hospital admission rate was 30.79 per 100,000 inhabitants. Mean global hospital stay was 5.94 days, range 2.93 - 9.73 days, depending on the age group. We saw a drop in admission in both the northern and the Lisbon and Tagus Valley regions over the 8 year period. 189 patients died, 25 of who were aged 40 years old or under. The mortality rate ranged from 0.162 in 2002 to 0.324 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2005, with a mean patient death of 0.77 patients per 100 admissions. Mean annual costs were in excess of euro3.3 million, meaning an estimated annual financial asthma burden of around euro117.5 million in Portugal. We concluded that many asthma sufferers in Portugal do have sufficient disease controlled. Improved management would equal better quality of life and reduced disease costs.

[Neonatal tetanus] / Tétano neonatal.

OBJECTIVE: Neonatal tetanus is an infection with high mortality, constituting a problem in underdeveloped countries, where there is faulty prenatal attendance. In spite of this and of the decreasing incidence of the disease in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, we report a case of neonatal tetanus identified in 1997. METHOD: We interviewed the infantacute;s mother and verified her vaccination history. We conducted a clinical examination of the newborn, anaerobic culture of umbilical stump and review of medical records. We also reviewed the literature and verified the epidemic profile of neonatal tetanus in Rio Grande do Sul.RESULTS: Healthy mother, with complete outline of tetanus vaccination 4 years ago, prenatal uncomplicated and hospital delivery. Family of good socioeconomic level, differing from the other cases notified in the State, in that most did not have prenatal care nor hospital delivery. The patient is a boy. In the 24th day of life he presented fever, cyanosis, lower and upper limbs muscle hypertonia and opisthotonos episodes. An anaerobic culture of the umbilical stump grew Clostridium tetani. He was treated with penicillin G, gentamicin, sedation and tetanus immunoglobulin. He left hospital in good conditions.CONCLUSIONS: Faulty prenatal care in underdeveloped countries is the largest risk factor for high incidence of this disease in these areas. However, in pregnant women with good socioeconomic level and prenatal care, as in the case described here, this diagnosis should not be excluded if there are suggestive signs of it.

Frequência de parasitos intestinais em cães domiciliados da cidade de Maringá, PR / Frequency of intestinal parasites in domiciled dogs from Maringá city, Brazil

The frequency of eggs and cysts of intestinal parasites in domiciled dogs that lived in the city of Maringá, Brazil, was studied. From November 2006 to November 2007, stools of 81 dogs were examined, of which 44.4% were positive for some kind of enteric parasite. The most frequent was Ancylostoma spp. with 18.5% (15/81) followed by Giardia lamblia with 11.1% (9/81). There was association of parasites in 11.0% of the samples, being the most frequent Ancylostoma spp. and Trichuris vulpis (6.2%) (5/81). There were sources of contamination where the animals lived which were responsible for maintaining the parasite in the environment.