Promotion of self-efficacy in mothers with infants discharged from neonatal intensive care units.

INTRODUCTION: The mothers of newborns who are discharged from a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) experience stress and anxiety due to the specialized care their child requires at home, affecting their perception of maternal self-efficacy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the nursing intervention called Hospital Discharge Plan (HDP) on the promotion of self-efficacy in mothers of newborns discharged from the NICU. METHOD: Quantitative study, quasi-experimental design with pre-test/post-test in a single group, using the Parental Evaluation Scale applied to a convenience sample of 72 mothers of high-risk newborns from a NICU located in the city of Villavicencio (Colombia). The first measurement was taken between days 3 and 4 before discharge and at 15 days' post-discharge. Data processing was carried out using the statistical program SPSS, version 21. The intervention was based on the four concepts of self-efficacy by Barbara Resnick. RESULTS: The perception of maternal self-efficacy before the intervention showed a median of 8.9 points (RI 7.6-9.5); after the intervention it showed a median of 9.6 points (RI of 10-8.7); a statistically significant p-value<0.001 was obtained before and after the intervention with the Wilcoxon rank test. CONCLUSIONS: Education and follow-up promoted the development of knowledge and skills in mothers for the care of high-risk newborns. This contributed to the experience of mastery and vicarious experience from the teaching-learning process and contact with the experience of other mothers, which contributes to the effective development of motherhood.

Tolerance to ozone might impose restrictions to plant disease management in tomato.

Tropospheric ozone (O3 ) is considered a major air pollutant having negative effects on plant growth and productivity. Background concentrations are expected to rise in several regions of the world in the next 50 years, affecting plant responses to diseases, thus requiring new management strategies for food production. The effects of elevated O3 on the severity of a bacterial disease, and the effectiveness of a chemical defence inducer, were examined in two cultivars of tomato, Roma and Moneymaker, which present different tolerance to this pollutant. The two cultivars differ in their ability to produce and accumulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in leaf tissues. Tomato plants were challenged with a strain of Xanthomonas vesicatoria, Xv9, which is pathogenic on tomato. Ozone consistently increased severity of the disease by over 40% in both cultivars. In the more tolerant cultivar, O3 pollution increased disease intensity, even after applying a commercially available product to enhance resistance (acibenzolar-S-methyl, BTH). In the more susceptible cultivar, level of disease attained depended on the oxidative balance that resulted from other stress factors. The antioxidant capacity of the plant at the time of infection was relevant for controlling development of the disease. Our results suggest that development of O3 tolerance in commercial crops might impose a penalty cost in terms of disease management under projected higher O3 concentrations.

Influence of fish oil in the concentration of conjugated linoleic acid and omega 6 and 3 in buffalo milk / Influência do óleo de peixe na concentração de ácido linoléico conjugado e Omega 6 e 3 no leite de búfalas

The aim of this research work was to investigate the influence of fish oil supplementation on the concentration of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and omega 6 and 3 in samples of buffalo milk. A total of 24 female buffaloes separated at random into three groups were fed for 49 days with: natural pasture (group I), supplemented with 70mL of fish oil (group II) and 140mL of fish oil (group III). In the experiment the concentration of CLA showed differences (P<0.05) among the three groups, with a maximum of 7.14mg/g fat in group II. No significant differences were found in omega-6 among the three groups. The highest value of 3.82mg/g fat corresponded to group I, whicht had not been supplemented with fish oil. Significant differences were observed in omega 3 (P<0.05) in groups II and III with respect to group I. The highest average value of 2.42mg/g fat was obtained in group III. The closest relationship omega 6/3 (1.37:1) was observed in group III. As a result, the diets of groups II and III, which included fish oil, increased significantly the content of CLA and omega 3 with reductions in levels of omega 6.

Estudou-se a influência da suplementação com óleo de peixe sobre a concentração dos ácidos graxos ômega 6 e 3, mostrado no leite de búfala. Foram utilizadas 24 búfalas aleatoriamente selecionadas e distribuídas em três grupos e alimentados com pastagem natural por 49 dias com: nenhum suplemento (grupo I), suplementado com 70mL de óleo de peixe (grupo II) e com 140mL de óleo de peixe (grupo III). A concentração de CLA diferiu (P<0,05) entre os três grupos, com valores máxima de até 7,14mg/g de gordura no grupo II. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas para os ácidos graxos omega 6, sendo o maior valor de 3,82mg/g de gordura no grupo I. Foi observada diferença significativa quanto aos ácidos graxos ômega 3 (P<0,05) nos grupos II e III em relação ao grupo I. O mais elevado valor, 2,42mg/g de gordura foi observado no grupo III. A relação ômega 6/3 mais estreita, 1,37:1, foi observada no grupo III. Os resultados mostram que os animais dos grupos II e III que receberam suplementação de óleo de peixe aumentou significativamente o teor de CLA e de omega 3, com diminuição de omega 6.

Influence of fish oil in the concentration of conjugated linoleic acid and omega 6 and 3 in buffalo milk / Influência do óleo de peixe na concentração de ácido linoléico conjugado e Omega 6 e 3 no leite de búfalas

The aim of this research work was to investigate the influence of fish oil supplementation on the concentration of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and omega 6 and 3 in samples of buffalo milk. A total of 24 female buffaloes separated at random into three groups were fed for 49 days with: natural pasture (group I), supplemented with 70mL of fish oil (group II) and 140mL of fish oil (group III). In the experiment the concentration of CLA showed differences (P<0.05) among the three groups, with a maximum of 7.14mg/g fat in group II. No significant differences were found in omega-6 among the three groups. The highest value of 3.82mg/g fat corresponded to group I, whicht had not been supplemented with fish oil. Significant differences were observed in omega 3 (P<0.05) in groups II and III with respect to group I. The highest average value of 2.42mg/g fat was obtained in group III. The closest relationship omega 6/3 (1.37:1) was observed in group III. As a result, the diets of groups II and III, which included fish oil, increased significantly the content of CLA and omega 3 with reductions in levels of omega 6.(AU)

Estudou-se a influência da suplementação com óleo de peixe sobre a concentração dos ácidos graxos ômega 6 e 3, mostrado no leite de búfala. Foram utilizadas 24 búfalas aleatoriamente selecionadas e distribuídas em três grupos e alimentados com pastagem natural por 49 dias com: nenhum suplemento (grupo I), suplementado com 70mL de óleo de peixe (grupo II) e com 140mL de óleo de peixe (grupo III). A concentração de CLA diferiu (P<0,05) entre os três grupos, com valores máxima de até 7,14mg/g de gordura no grupo II. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas para os ácidos graxos omega 6, sendo o maior valor de 3,82mg/g de gordura no grupo I. Foi observada diferença significativa quanto aos ácidos graxos ômega 3 (P<0,05) nos grupos II e III em relação ao grupo I. O mais elevado valor, 2,42mg/g de gordura foi observado no grupo III. A relação ômega 6/3 mais estreita, 1,37:1, foi observada no grupo III. Os resultados mostram que os animais dos grupos II e III que receberam suplementação de óleo de peixe aumentou significativamente o teor de CLA e de omega 3, com diminuição de omega 6.(AU)

First Report of Black Rot on Arugula Caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris in Argentina.

During the fall of 2005, arugula (Eruca sativa Mill.) plants grown in experimental field plots in Buenos Aires, Argentina presented V-shaped necrotic lesions on leaf margins and blackened veins with broad yellow halos, followed by leaf necrosis. At flowering, 96% of the plants were affected with 27% of the leaves with symptoms. Yellow, round, mucoid, convex, bacterial colonies were isolated from several leaves on yeast dextrose chalk agar. Two strains were further studied. Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris Xcc8004 was used as a control. Strains were gram negative, rod shaped, strictly aerobic, catalase-positive, oxidase and urease-negative, hydrolyzed starch, gelatine and aesculin, and did not reduce nitrate (2). Pathogenicity was tested by spraying 10 3-week-old arugula plants with either a bacterial suspension (107 CFU/ml) or sterile water. Plants were placed in plastic bags for 72 h after inoculation. All inoculated plants showed necrotic lesions enlarging from the margin of the leaves 7 days after inoculation. No lesions were observed on control plants. On the basis of biochemical characterization (2) and genomic fingerprints generated by BOX-PCR (1), the pathogen was identified as X. campestris pv. campestris. To our knowledge, this is the first report of X. campestris pv. campestris causing black rot on arugula in Argentina. References: (1) J. L. Rademaker et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 50:665, 2000. (2) N. W. Schaad et al. Laboratory Guide for Identification of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria. 3rd ed. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 2001.

Tomato genotype and Azospirillum inoculation modulate the changes in bacterial communities associated with roots and leaves.

AIMS: To evaluate the effect of plant variety and Azospirillum brasilense inoculation on the microbial communities colonizing roots and leaves of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seeds of cherry and fresh-market tomato were inoculated with A. brasilense BNM65. Sixty days after planting, plants were harvested and the microbial communities of the rhizoplane and phyllosphere were analysed by community-level physiological profiles (CLPP) using BIOLOG EcoPlates and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA genes. Differences on the rhizoplane and phyllosphere bacterial communities between the two tomato types were detected by principal component analysis of the CLPP; DGGE fingerprints also showed differences at the phyllosphere level. Fresh-market tomato had a more complex phyllosphere bacterial community than cherry tomato, as determined by DGGE profiles. Physiological and genetic changes on phyllosphere and rhizoplane bacterial communities by Azospirillum seed inoculation were evident only on cherry tomato. CONCLUSIONS: Tomato genotype affects the response of native bacterial communities associated with the roots and leaves to A. brasilense seed inoculation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The successful implementation of Azospirillum inoculation requires not only the consideration of the interactions between A. brasilense strains and plant genotypes, but also the plant-associated microflora.

First Report of White Rust of Arugula Caused by Albugo candida in Argentina.

Production of arugula (Eruca sativa) has increased greatly in Argentina. Since 2002, particularly during the fall, a foliar disease has affected commercial crops in Capilla del Señor (northeast of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina). The disease appeared in foci, spreading throughout the whole production field or greenhouse. Severely affected crops were plowed under. Diseased leaves were chlorotic and had white sori that emerged through the abaxial epidermis. Sori corresponded to the white rust agent, Albugo candida (Pers.) Kunze (1). Sporangiophores were hyaline and clavate, and sporangia were globose and hyaline with a mean diameter of 16.2 µm (14.2 to 19.2 µm). Pathogenicity tests were performed by spraying a suspension of 106 zoospores/ml or 5 × 104 sporangia/ml on four healthy 30-day-old arugula plants. Inoculum was prepared by scrapping sporangia from infected leaves. Sporangia were used directly or incubated in sterile distilled water (SDW) for 14 h at 5°C to induce zoospore formation (2). Four additional healthy plants were sprayed with SDW to serve as controls. Plants were kept in plastic bags for 48 h and maintained in the greenhouse thereafter. White rust symptoms, similar to those observed on the original plants from the field, were observed on inoculated plants 10 days after inoculation. To our knowledge, this is the fist report of A. candida on arugula in Argentina. References: (1) K. Mukerji. No. 458 in: Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi and Bacteria. CMI, Kew, Surrey, UK, 1975. (2) H. Scheck and S. Koike. Plant Dis. 83:877, 1999.

First Report of Downy Mildew of Arugula Caused by Peronospora parasitica in Argentina.

Acreage of arugula (Eruca sativa), a crucifer used as a component of green salad mixes, has increased recently in Argentina. During 2004, a foliar disease affected commercial crops in Pilar (northeast of Buenos Aires Province). Arugula plants were affected from the seedling stage to harvest. Severely diseased plants were unmarketable and not harvested. Sunken, round, necrotic lesions (1 to 4 mm in diameter) were observed on the cotyledons. Diseased leaves had irregular, necrotic lesions (2 to 3 mm in diameter) that sometimes became confluent, forming a linear pattern. Necrotic tan patches developed on older leaves. Lesions on the abaxial surface appeared depressed and a gray mold, a typical sign of a downy mildew, was visible. Sporangiophores had dichotomous branches ending in slender curved tips. Sporangia were ovoid with a mean length of 20 µm (17.8 to 22.1 µm) and a mean width of 16 µm (14 to 18.2 µm). Pathogenicity tests were conducted by placing excised diseased leaves onto healthy 30-day-old arugula plants (1). Inoculated plants were placed in plastic bags, previously sprayed with water, for 48 h and maintained in the greenhouse thereafter. Downy mildew symptoms and signs that were similar to those observed in the fields developed 10 days after inoculation. The pathogen was identified as Peronospora parasitica (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. parasitica on arugula in Argentina. References: (1) S. T. Koike. Plant Dis. 82:1063, 1998. (2) W. D. Yerkes and C. G. Shaw. Phytopathology 49:499, 1959.

Effect of Azospirillum-mediated plant growth promotion on the development of bacterial diseases on fresh-market and cherry tomato.

AIMS: Plant growth-promoting (PGP) activity of two Azospirillum strains and their effects on foliar and vascular bacterial diseases were evaluated on fresh market and cherry tomato. METHODS AND RESULTS: Tomato seeds were inoculated with A. brasilense Sp7 or Azospirillum sp. BNM-65. Four-week-old plants were challenge-inoculated with Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (bacterial canker) or with Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria (bacterial spot). Azospirillum-induced PGP was greater on cherry than on fresh-market tomato. Cherry tomato was more resistant to bacterial canker but more susceptible to bacterial spot than the fresh-market tomato. Canker severity was not affected by Azospirillum seed treatments. However, leaf- and plant-death were delayed on Azospirillum-treated plants compared with nontreated controls. Azospirillum increased the bacterial spot severity on cherry but not on fresh-market tomato. CONCLUSIONS: PGP was observed on both tomato genotypes, although growth effects were larger on cherry tomato. Also, Azospirillum treatments may alter tomato susceptibility to bacterial diseases. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The interaction between PGP rhizobacteria like Azospirillum spp., not known to induce systemic resistance, with plant pathogens distantly located is frequently overlooked. This work demonstrates the importance of this kind of evaluation.

Trace metal levels in chironomid larvae and sediments from a Bolivian river: impact of mining activities.

The effect of mining activity on metal accumulation in sediments and Chironomidae in a river in Bolivia was assessed. Surficial sediments and midge larvae (Chironomidae, Diptera) were collected at five sampling sites. Concentrations of the trace metals Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn were measured in organisms and sediments by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Sediments were subjected to two different extraction procedures to identify total trace metals and reducible trace metals. Geochemical characteristics of the sediment were analyzed: total organic carbon (TOC), Fe and Mn oxides, and particle size distribution. To determine the relative importance of the different sediment factors contributing to the variation in metal accumulation by the chironomid larvae, nonlinear regression models were constructed. No increase in metal concentration in sediment could be measured downstream of the mining activity. Larval concentrations, however, increased markedly. Only for zinc and chromium was a significant amount of variation (48 and 73%, respectively) found. The lack of relationship for the other metals probably was due to a unmeasured exposure route, the overlying water.

[Effect of the administration of furosemide on the fluid filtration rate and in pulmonary artery pressure in isolated lungs of rabbits]. / Efecto de la administración de furosemida en la tasa de filtracion de liquido y en la presión de la arteria pulmonar en el pulmón aislado de conejo.

To study the possible effects of Furosemide at the lung level, two groups of isolated rabbit lung preparation were studied. An experimental group underwent a pulmonary hydrostatic oedema when the pressure of the left auricle (PAI) was increased from 0.45 +/- 0.74 t0 11.8 +/- 2.9 cm of H2O, with that increase in PAI we obtained an increase of 0.457 +/- 0.51 g/min in FFR (Fluid Filtration Rate), during this stable and sustained oedema, a 2 mg/Kg dosis of Furosemide was injected every 10 minutes and the possible changes in PAP, PAI, PVA, TFL, PaO2, PaCO2 and pH was observed, but no changes were observed in these parameters during the Furosemide infusion, and the same effect was observed in the control group were the preparations were maintained in basal conditions and without oedema. These results suggests that the Furosemide hat not a direct cardio-pulmonary effects, and the only possible effects could be by increasing diuresis at renal level.

A respeito de um caso de osteomielite cronica da mandibula tratado com perolas de gentamicin-PMMA. / Apropos of a case of chronic osteomyelitis of the jaw treated with gentamicin PMMA-beads

Os autores apresentam o relato de um caso de osteomielite cronica da mandibula, tratado com perolas de gentamicina-PMMA.O bom resultado terapeutico e a tolerabilidade plenamente satisfatoria, aliados a inexistencia de citacao semelhante na literatura medica disponivel, motivam essa comunicacao que julgam podera vir a ser util aos especialistas que, no futuro estejam diante de um caso similar

Uma rara variacao anatomica do tronco celiaco o chamado ramo capsular medio de tronco celiaco. / A rare anatomical variation of the celiac trunk called capsular median artery of celiac trunk

Os autores avaliam as caracteristicas de um achado que constitui um dos mais raros dentre os aspectos anomalos da formacao do tronco celiaco. Alem dos ramos que normalmente participam na configuracao desta estrutura, descrevem a presenca de um quarto elemento representado pela arteria capsular media

Variacao anatomica do sistema azigos.Veia hemiazigos desembocando no tronco venoso braquiocefalico esquerdo. / Anatomic variation of the azygous system. Hemiazygous vein discharging on left venous brachiocephalic truncus

Os autores relatam o achado de uma variacao do sistema venoso toracico (azigos) em um cadaver, numa serie de 202 pecas dissecadas, correspondendo a um indice de 0,5 por cento do material estudado. Compreende esta variedade, alem da juncao em um ramo unico incomum das veias hemiazigos superior e inferior, uma desembocadura anomala deste referido ramo no tronco venoso braquiocefalico esquerdo

A respeito de uma variacao da arteria gastroduodenal. Sua emergencia da arteria mesenterica superior. / Comments on a variation of gastroduodenal artery. Its emergence from the superior mesenteric artery

Um caso de variacao da arteria gastroduodenal, que tem sua origem da arteria mesentrica superior, e analisado pelos autores, os quais fazem correlacao com as referencias pesquisadas, a fim de elucidar e prevenir os cirurgioes e radiologistas,das variacoes anatomicas encontradas quanto a vascularizacao do andar supramesocolico do abdome

Uma variacao anatomica do tronco celiaco. / An anatomic variation of the celiac trunk

Em mais uma serie de 225 disseccoes anatomicas, enfatizaram os autores o andar supramesocolico do abdome, em particular,sua vascularizacao. Observou-se em uma peca, que o tronco celiaco apresentava-se quadrifurcado quanto aos seus ramos terminais possuindo o chamado ramo pancreatico (0,44%), o que o distingue das descricoes dos classicos anatomicos