Effect of resistant starch on the intestinal health of old dogs: fermentation products and histological features of the intestinal mucosa.

The effects of resistant starch (RS) intake on nutrient digestibility, microbial fermentation products, faecal IgA, faecal pH, and histological features of the intestinal mucosa of old dogs were evaluated. The same formulation was extruded in two different conditions: one to obtain elevated starch cooking degree with low RS content (0.21%) and the other lower starch cooking with high RS content (1.46%). Eight geriatric Beagles (11.5 ± 0.38 years old) were fed each diet for 61 days in a crossover design. Food intake, nutrient digestibility, fermentation products, faecal pH, and faecal IgA were examined via variance analysis. Histological results of intestinal biopsies were assessed via Wilcoxon test for paired data. The morphometric characteristics of large intestine crypts were evaluated via paired t tests (p < .05). Protein, fat, and energy digestibilities were higher for the low-RS diet (p < .05). Dogs receiving the high-RS diet had lower faecal pH and higher values for propionate, butyrate, total volatile fatty acids, and lactate (p < .05). No differences between diets were found in the histological parameters of the gut mucosa, and only a tendency for deeper crypts in the descending colon was observed for dogs fed the high-RS diet (p = .083). The intake of a corn-based kibble diet manufactured with coarse ground raw material and low starch gelatinization to obtain 1.4% of RS affected microbial fermentation products and faecal pH and tended to increase crypt depth in the descending colon of old dogs.

New studies of second and fourth digit ratio as a morphogenetic trait in subjects with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVES: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a disease that occurs during fetal development and can lead to virilization in females or death in newborn males if not discovered early in life. Because of this there is a need to seek morphological markers in order to help diagnose the disease. In order to test the hypothesis that prenatal hormones can affect the sexual dimorphic pattern 2D:4D digit ratio in individual with CAH, the aim of this study was to compare the digit ratio in female and male patients with CAH and control subjects. METHODS: The 2D:4D ratios in both hands of 40 patients (31 females-46, XX, and 9 males-46, XY) were compared with the measures of control individuals without CAH (100 males and 100 females). RESULTS: Females with CAH showed 2D:4D ratios typical of male controls (0.950 and 0.947) in both hands (P < 0.001). In CAH males the left hand 2D:4D ratio (0.983) was statistically different from that of male controls (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These finding support the idea that sexual dimorphism in skeletal development in early fetal life is associated with differences between the exposure to androgens in males and females, and significant differences associated with adrenal hyperplasia. Although the effects of prenatal androgens on skeletal developmental are supported by numerous studies, further investigation is yet required to clarify the disease and establish the digit ratio as a biomarker for CAH.

[Characteristics of pregnant adolescents attended to by nursing appointments]. / Perfil das gestantes adolescentes atendidas em consulta de enfermagem.

This article describes the social, obstetric and behavioral characteristics of the pregnant adolescents attended by nursing appointments. It is a quantitative and descriptive research. The data refers to the period between 1989 and 1999. The researcher reviewed 931 files of pregnant adolescents. Results show that the incidence of pregnancy is higher on the period between the ages of 15 and 19 years old; the majority of the adolescents can count on an partner; they begin prenatal nursing appointments from the twentieth week of pregnancy on; and they have three or more appointments.

[The many faces of contact in caring]. / As várias faces do contato no cuidar.

This paper emerged from a group experience about a theme related to human care: the contact. The experience is described, unveiling feelings and memories perceived while constructing the activity, building a concept of contact, here seen as one of the fundaments of human care. Human care was studied on an anthropological approach, lived in a group technique. Our meanings of contact were expressed with the words: senses, sensibility, representation, confidence, relationship. Each significance was worked and detailed since our concept of contact arose from the interrelation of them. Some theoretical reflection about the theme was done and constructs of this kind of care were elaborated, since it is considered one of the fundaments of human care.

[Expectations, feelings, and experiences of the father during labor and the birth of his child]. / Expectativas, sentimentos e vivências do pai durante o parto e nascimento de seu filho.

This is a qualitative study, of the exploratory kind, that seeks knowledge about expectations, feelings and experiences of the father during the delivery and the birth of his child. The thematic content analysis according Bardin (1977) revealed the themes: "I expected I could be with her through the whole thing" and "A lot of emotions, you have to hold yourself...". The conclusion reached was that the father have the wish to be present in every moment related to delivery and birth of his baby.

Miocardite como manifestação inicial da síndrome de imunodeficiência adquirida / Myocarditis as the first manifestation of the acquired imunodeficiency syndrome

O envolvimento cardíaco ocorre em 25 'por cento' a 50 'por cento' dos pacientes com S.I.D.A., quando analisados por ecocardiografia, biópsia miocárdica ou necrópsia. As manifestaçöes clínicas afetam 10 'por cento' dos pacientes, sendo a insuficiência cardíaca a mais frequente. Descrevemos a evolução de um paciente que tinha teste positivo para H.I.V. e miocardite como a primeira manifestação clínica da doença - a miocardite estava associada com arritmias complexas e bloqueio atrioventricular, havendo necessidade de implante de um marcapasso definitivo.

Release of lactate dehydrogenase activity by rabbit renal cortex slices during storage in solutions used for kidney transplantation.

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was evaluated after incubation of rabbit renal cortical slices in several preservation solutions. Experimental solutions commonly used for kidney transplantation decreased LDH activity up to 72 h of storage at 4 degrees C compared to a control plasma-like solution. Low temperature (4 degrees C) storage led to a smaller release of LDH than slices preserved at 25 degrees C in control solutions. The addition of organic substrates to the control solution diminished enzyme release only of those slices incubated at 25 degrees C. After 72 h of incubation, the rate of LDH release was constant for all solutions except Collins glucose 330 mOsm solution for which the rate increased still further up to 96 h. The lower rate of LDH release exhibited by experimental solutions for up to 72 h indicates the maintenance of cellular integrity and hence of tissue viability. On the other hand, the continued increase of the rate of LDH release shown by Collins glucose 300 mOsm solution up to 96 h may suggest an even higher survival of viable cells and the stabilization of the rate of LDH release observed in the latter period of storage may indicate the onset of necrosis.