Selecting elephant grass families and progenies to produce bioenergy through mixed models (REML/BLUP).

Brazil has great potential to produce bioenergy since it is located in a tropical region that receives high incidence of solar energy and presents favorable climatic conditions for such purpose. However, the use of bioenergy in the country is below its productivity potential. The aim of the current study was to select full-sib progenies and families of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum S.) to optimize phenotypes relevant to bioenergy production through mixed models (REML/BLUP). The circulating diallel-based crossing of ten elephant grass genotypes was performed. An experimental design using the randomized block methodology, with three repetitions, was set to assess both the hybrids and the parents. Each plot comprised 14-m rows, 1.40 m spacing between rows, and 1.40 m spacing between plants. The number of tillers, plant height, culm diameter, fresh biomass production, dry biomass rate, and the dry biomass production were assessed. Genetic-statistical analyses were performed through mixed models (REML/BLUP). The genetic variance in the assessed families was explained through additive genetic effects and dominance genetic effects; the dominance variance was prevalent. Families such as Capim Cana D'África x Guaçu/I.Z.2, Cameroon x Cuba-115, CPAC x Cuba-115, Cameroon x Guaçu/I.Z.2, and IAC-Campinas x CPAC showed the highest dry biomass production. The family derived from the crossing between Cana D'África and Guaçu/I.Z.2 showed the largest number of potential individuals for traits such as plant height, culm diameter, fresh biomass production, dry biomass production, and dry biomass rate. The individual 5 in the family Cana D'África x Guaçu/I.Z.2, planted in blocks 1 and 2, showed the highest dry biomass production.

[Acute nephrotoxicity caused by amphotericin B in the dog]. / Nefrotoxicidade aguda da anfotericina-B no cão.

Amphotericin-B is the drug of choice for the treatment of serious systemic fungal infections. The major limitation for the use of this drug is its potential nephrotoxicity. The chronic and acute administration causes both a reduction of renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate, determining a fall of renal concentrating ability. Our study was designed to determine the acute effects of Amphotericin-B on dogs renal function, during hydropenia and water diuresis. In addition a hemodynamic study, with the measurement of intrarenal blood flow by the microsphere method was performed. The hydropenic dogs received the drug directly into the left renal artery. There was a significant decrease in creatinine clearance, urinary osmolality, and urinary solute excretion, in the left kidney only. Amphotericin-B was infused into the aorta above the renal arteries in the group in which the water diuresis was induced. This acute infusion produced intense fall in creatinine clearance and in the free water formation, as well as in absolute excretion of sodium. The hemodynamic study showed that the reduction of creatinine clearance may be due to the decrease in renal blood flow, and the alterations in the urinary excretion of water and sodium could not be correlated with the distribution of cortical blood flow to the deep nephrons. These findings suggest that the effects of Amphotericin-B may be attributed, at least in part, to its ischemic action.

Evaluation of human kidney viability during cold storage.

Na-K-ATPase activity and "in vitro" PAH uptake were used to determine the possible presence of ischemic injuries in cadaver kidneys after different periods of cold storage, and the data were compared with those obtained for an experimental rabbit group. In rabbit kidneys, Na-K-ATPase activity remained stable up to 168 h of cold storage in the outer medulla and superficial cortex, and PAH uptake decreased significantly after 72 h. In human kidneys, Na-K-ATPase activity in the outer medulla was low during the first phase of the study (cold storage less than 20 h), suggesting early injury to the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop. In the superficial cortex, no apparent progression of injury was observed between PAH uptake and Na-K-ATPase activity. In conclusion, our results suggest the presence of early signs of injury in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop and preservation of proximal tubule function in cadaver kidneys for up to 70 h of cold storage.

[Effect of 9-alpha-fluorhydrocortisone (Florinef) in extrarenal regulation of potassium]. / Efeito da 9-alfa-fluoridrocortisona (Florinef) na regulação extra-renal do potássio.

There are evidences that adrenal hormones regulate extrarenal potassium homeostasis. The present study evaluated the effect of Florinef modulation on extrarenal mechanisms in potassium adaptation of adrenalectomized rats. The results demonstrated that the rats treated with Florinef had serum potassium levels at normal range probably due to an increase in cellular potassium uptake consequently to en enhanced activity of Na-K-ATPase.

[Acute lethal intoxication caused by mercury vapor]. / Intoxicação aguda letal por vapor de mercúrio.

Nowadays mercury poisoning usually results from the oral ingestion of methylmercury or from inhalation of mercury vapor. Mercury intoxication in a gold prospector after inhalation of mercury vapor is described. The patient presented a history of fever, tachypnea and headache. Despite the treatment with dimercaprol, penicillamine and intensive supportive care the patient died with symptoms of acute respiratory distress.

[Mononuclear magnesium in elderly hypertensive patients treated with thiazide]. / Magnésio mononuclear em hipertensos idosos tratados com tiazídico.

PURPOSE: To study mononuclear magnesium and serum cations (Na, K and Mg) in elderly hypertensive patients treated with hydrochlorothiazide during 90 days. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 15 elderly hypertensive patients treated with hydrochlorothiazide, 25 mg/day or placebo. A method of freezing produced total lysis of the cells; Mg was measured by atomic spectrophotometry. RESULTS: No differences were noted in mononuclear or serum magnesium in the thiazide or placebo treated patients, and the diuretic produced significant decreases in supine systolic and diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Magnesium supplementation does not seem essential in most patients in this conditions.

[Renal regulation of sodium excretion in experimental heart failure: study of hemodynamics and renal tubular function]. / Regulação renal da excreção de sódio na insuficiência cardíaca experimental: estudo da hemodinâmica e da função tubular renal.

This study was designed to evaluate the role of the kidney on sodium retention in congestive heart failure by clearance and hemodynamic studies. Twenty seven dogs were studied during hydropenia and aqueous diuresis 96 hours after the construction of a bilateral femoral A-V fistula, in 3 periods: 1) with open fistulae; 2) with closed fistulae and 3) with reopened fistulae. The animals retained sodium and water and developed edema during the first period when the fistulae were opened. Closure of the AV fistulae produced an enhanced diuresis and natriuresis associated with an increase in phosphaturia and distal sodium delivery, suggesting a diminished proximal sodium reabsorption. However, when the fistulae were reopened, sodium retention was observed in the presence of an increase in free-water clearance corrected by distal sodium delivery, indicating an increase in sodium reabsorption by distal segments. These findings were not associated with alterations in cortical distribution of renal blood flow. In conclusion, the sodium and water retention in congestive heart failure produced by A-V fistula is due to an increase in sodium reabsorption by the distal nephron segments, and it is not associated to a redistribution of the cortical renal blood flow.

[Inhibitory effect of serum from rats with acute and chronic renal insufficiency on phagocytic activity in vitro]. / Efeito inibidor do soro de ratos com insuficiência renal aguda e crônica sobre a atividade fagocitária "in vitro".

The effect of serum obtained from rats with acute and chronic renal failure on phagocytosis was evaluated in macrophages cultured "in vitro". The erythrophagocytosis of these cells was lower after incubation with serum from rats with acute and chronic renal failure when compared to normal plasma. This inhibitory process persisted when the serum was previously filtered through a Millipore filter PM-30, but it was abolished when the serum was filtered through a Millipore filter PM-10. These data suggest that uremic plasma displays a inhibitory factor of phagocytic cells of a molecular weight between 10.000 and 30.000 daltons.

[Lethal mercury poisoning due to ingestion of merthiolate]. / Intoxicação letal por mercúrio através da ingestão de "merthiolate".

A case of mercurial poisoning caused by ingestion of an organic mercurial compound, thimerosal, found in local antiseptic solutions. The clinical picture consisted of grave neurological symptoms which were not reversed by penicillamine and resin administration despite rapid plasma level reduction of mercury. We call attention to this case because of the widespread availability of antiseptic solutions containing mercurial compounds and alcohol.

[Lethal pulmonary involvement in neurofibromatosis]. / Comprometimento pulmonar letal na neurofibromatose.

A unusual case of a 61-year-old man who presented dyspnea and cough associated to skin and subcutaneous lesions typical of neurofibromatosis type 1 is reported. Chest roentgenograms and CT-scan showed emphysematous bullae. The patient underwent drainage of the greatest bulla, but death eventually ensured as a consequence of upper digestive bleeding. It can be expected that with the longer survival of neurofibromatosis patients with respiratory troubles, that are generally considered unusual will be recognized more frequently.

[Esophageal perforation caused by tracheal intubation]. / Perfuração esofagina causada pela intubaçao traqueal.

Esophageal perforation is an unusual complication of tracheal intubation caused by technical error. Its diagnosis is easily made which is very important since it requires prompt treatment. A case observed in the emergency room of our training hospital is reported. The patient recovered with adequate measures.

[Accidental hypothermia: glycemic, hematologic and blood amylase changes]. / Hipotermia acidental: alterações glicêmicas, hematológicas e da amilasemia.

In twenty patients with accidental hypothermia the plasma levels of amylase and glucose, hematologic aspects, and the response to the treatment were studied. The treatment was made at the Intensive Care Unit of the Medical Division of the Hospital of the University of São Paulo. The data showed that high levels of serum amylase without clinical manifestations may be observed in accidental hypothermia. Hyperglycemia was more frequently observed than hypoglycemia. Patients with body temperature lower than 30 degrees C may show leukopenia which returns to normal values when the temperature is corrected. The pneumonia and sepsis were the causes of death in accidental hypothermia.

[Lymphocytic and serum magnesium in older healthy and hypertensive subjects]. / Magnésio linfocitário e sérico em idosos sadios e hipertensos.

PURPOSE: To study the lymphocyte and serum magnesium in older patients with and without arterial hypertension. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied the lymphocyte and serum Mg in 22 older patients, with diastolic blood pressure between 95 and 120 mmHg, not receiving drug treatment. A method of freezing produced total lysis of the cells. RESULTS: The mean lymphocyte Mg concentration in the older patients was 1.15 +/- 0.74 picomoles per 100 cells, significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than in the control group, that was 0.77 +/- 0.32 picomoles per 100 cells (lymphocyte Mg in older hypertensive patients/control = 1.49); there were no significant differences between groups with regard to serum Mg. Twelve older normotensive men studied also had lymphocyte Mg significantly higher than in the respective control group (lymphocyte Mg in older normotensive men/control = 1.70) and the serum Mg was also significantly higher than in the control group (1.63 +/- 0.12 versus 1.44 +/- 0.22 mEq/l. CONCLUSION: Since the high intracellular Mg concentration in the elderly patients may more accurately reflect the total body Mg status. We suggest to use Mg and Mg sparing diuretics in these patients, both hypertensive and normotensive, cautiously.

[Legionella pneumophila associated with acute respiratory insufficiency. 1st isolation in Brazil]. / Legionella pneumophila associada a insuficiência respiratória aguda. Primeiro isolamento no Brasil (1).

Isolation of Legionella pneumophila sero-group 1 with serological evidence of present infection is reported from a 40 year-old male with serious respiratory infection which developed into acute respiratory failure. It was characterized by severe hypoxemia resistant to high inspired oxygen concentrations and radiographically by diffuse infiltrates in both lungs suggesting the clinical aspect of ARDS. Following the introduction of clindamycin, amikacin, ceftriaxone, volume-cycled ventilator and positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 14 cm H2O, stabilization of clinical conditions and gradual recovery were achieved. Suspecting of legionellosis, blood and tracheal secretions specimens were collected for specific laboratory research. From tracheal secretion cultivated in BCYE medium, gran-negative bacilli were isolated and identified as Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 through cultural and biochemical characteristics and direct immunofluorescence and slide agglutination tests. Serology (IFA) with blood samples collecting during the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 6th weeks of illness demonstrated antibody titers to the isolated microorganism of 128, 1024, 4096 and 8192, respectively. Definitive results were obtained during the patient's recovery. The authors emphasize: a) the demonstration of the presence of Legionella sp. as a pathogenic agent in Brazil; b) the importance of supportive care in the clinical outcome; c) the need of remembering this pathogen while making differential diagnosis of pneumonias and of continuing to pursue this etiology with specific laboratory methodology.