Sodium butyrate in post-hatch feed for broiler chicks / [Uso de butirato de sódio em rações pós-eclosão para pintos de corte]

This study was designed to determine adequate levels for sodium butyrate inclusion in pre-hatching and pre-starter feed in order to minimize the negative effects of post-hatch delayed placement on broiler chicks. Newly-hatched chicks were allotted in a completely randomized design, with five treatments, each comprising five replicates of ten birds each. Five dietetic levels of sodium butyrate (control, 0.050, 0.075, 0.100 and 0.200%) were used in the pre-starter feed offered to the chicks in the transporting box and during the pre-starter phase. Performance, yolk sac retraction, plasma glucose concentration, weight and histomorphometry of the small intestine were evaluated after 24 hours of feed access and at 7 days of age. A metabolic trial was performed when the chicks were seven to ten days of age. Supplementation of 0.1% sodium butyrate increased the development of broiler chicks' intestinal villi at seven days of age but was not able to improve performance in the pre-starter phase. Supplementation with sodium butyrate in a diet offered in the transportation box does not improve broiler performance in the pre-starter phase. Supplementation of up to 0.16% is recommended, in order to improve the metabolizability of the ether extract for broilers at seven days of age.(AU)

Objetivou-se, com este estudo, encontrar níveis adequados de inclusão de butirato de sódio em ração pós-eclosão e pré-inicial, buscando minimizar os efeitos negativos do jejum de pintos de corte. Os animais foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições de 10 aves cada. Foram utilizadas cinco suplementações de butirato de sódio (controle; 0,05; 0,075; 0,100 e 0,200%) na ração pré-inicial, fornecidas aos pintos na caixa de transporte e durante a fase pré-inicial. Após 24 horas de acesso ao alimento e aos sete dias de idade, foram avaliados desempenho, retração do saco vitelino, concentração de glicose plasmática, peso e histomorfometria do intestino delgado. De sete a 10 dias de idade, realizou-se ensaio de metabolizabilidade. A suplementação de 0,10% de butirato de sódio aumentou o desenvolvimento das vilosidades intestinais dos pintos de corte aos sete dias de idade, mas não foi capaz de melhorar o desempenho na fase pré-inicial. A suplementação com butirato de sódio em dieta oferecida na caixa de transporte não melhora o desempenho dos frangos na fase pré-inicial. Recomenda-se suplementação de até 0,16%, a fim de melhorar a metabolizabilidade do extrato etéreo para frangos de corte aos sete dias de idade.(AU)

Reciprocal interactions between sodium appetite and need-free sugar intake.

Behavioral sensitization occurs during sodium appetite (expressed as sodium intake to compensate for depleted sodium) and need-free sodium intake (expressed as daily overnight sodium intake in excess of dietary sodium need). Previously, we found that a slow-onset sodium appetite protocol cross-sensitized need-free sucrose intake in sucrose-naïve adult rats. That is, a history of sodium depletion elevated later sucrose intake. The objective of the present work was, first, to investigate whether a protocol that evokes a rapid-onset (within 2 h) sodium appetite using furosemide along with a low dose captopril (Furo/Cap), also cross-sensitizes sucrose intake. Then, we investigated whether 1) sensitization of need-free 0.3 M NaCl intake interacts with need-free sucrose intake, and 2) MK-801, a glutamate NMDA receptor antagonist, inhibits cross-sensitization of sucrose intake. Groups received 3-4 Furo/Cap or vehicle treatments with 48/72-h intervals. We investigated sucrose intake in hydrated and fed conditions for 2 h/day for 5 days, starting 6-10 days after the last Furo/Cap treatment. Episodes of Furo/Cap sensitized need-free sodium intake, as expected. Similar to our prior work, the rapid-onset Furo/Cap protocol cross-sensitized sucrose intake in sucrose-naïve rats and had no persistent effect on blood biochemistry. MK-801 treatment along with Furo/Cap injections appeared to prevent cross-sensitization of sucrose consumption. Sucrose intake tests unexpectedly reduced sensitized need-free sodium intake. However, MK-801 treatment allowed a rebound in need-free sodium intake subsequent to the last sucrose intake test. The results suggest that plasticity in glutamatergic mechanisms mediate inverse and reciprocal interactions between the production of sodium appetite and sucrose intake.

Utilization of corn-based diets supplemented with an exogenous α-amylase for broilers.

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a supplemental α-amylase on energy and nutrient utilization of broiler chickens fed diets with variable amounts of corn. A total of 480 slow feathering Cobb × Cobb 500 male broilers were randomly distributed into 10 treatments with 8 replicates of 6 birds each. Birds were fed a common starter to 14 D post-hatch. The experimental diets were provided subsequently until 25 D, which were a conventional corn-soy basal diet (CS) and a corn-soy diet displaced with 40% of corn (CN). These were fed as-is or supplemented with 40, 80, 120, or 160 kilo-Novo α-amylase units (KNU)/kg. Dietary treatments were distributed factorially as a 2 × 5 arrangement (diet type vs. amylase). Samples of feed, excreta, and ileal digesta were analyzed for determination of ileal digestible energy (IDE), ME, total tract retention, and digestibility of dry matter, protein, and fat. No interactions between diet type and amylase were observed. The CN diet had lower (P < 0.05) energy utilization and nutrient digestibility when compared to the CS diet. AMEn and IDE increased (P < 0.05) by 110 and 207 kcal/kg, respectively, when CS and CN diets were supplemented with 80 KNU/kg. The amylase added to the CS diet led to quadratic increases (P < 0.05) on growth performance, IDE, AME, and AMEn, as well as in dry matter, protein, and fat digestibility. Energy utilization and crude protein digestibility were linearly increased (P < 0.05) when amylase was added to the CN diet or the extrapolated 100% of corn. In conclusion, energy utilization, digestibility of crude protein, fat, and dry matter increased with amylase supplementation in corn-soy-based diets. When amylase was tested in a complete diet having 53.6% corn, 100 and 105 KNU/kg maximized AMEn and IDE, respectively; however, the maximum energy response in the CN diet or 100% of corn was not achieved until 160 KNU/kg, suggesting an association between amylase dose optimization and dietary starch concentration.

A possible relationship of human leucocyte antigens with psoriasis vulgaris and geographic tongue.

BACKGROUND: Geographic tongue (GT) is the most frequent oral lesion in psoriatic patients (PP), and genetic involvement in these conditions has been described. The association of psoriasis with GT is still not clear, and the study of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) may help clarify this relation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of HLA alleles with psoriasis vulgaris and GT. METHODS: Fifty-eight Brazilian PP, 29 GT patients and 125 healthy controls individuals were selected. Information on demographic and clinical characteristics was collected. All patients underwent an oral examination and blood collection for HLA typing. RESULTS: HLA-A did not show significant differences in frequencies among the groups. HLA-B*57 allele was more frequently found in PP and was not found in GT. HLA-B*58 allele was more frequently found in GT. HLA-C*06 and -C*18 alleles were associated with psoriasis. No significant differences in HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 were observed. CONCLUSION: HLA-B*58 was associated with GT and HLA-B*57 was possibly associated with psoriasis. This suggested that some GT cases may represent true oral psoriasis and some may represent only GT. Therefore, it is necessary to make this distinction and increase our sample size to improve the correct diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.

Occurrence of Aviadenovirus in chickens from the poultry industry of Minas Gerais / Ocorrência de Aviadenovirus em aves da industria avícola de Minas Gerais

The occurrence of Aviadenovirus (FAdV) was investigated in chickens from the poultry industry of Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The investigation was conducted due to the scarcity of recent data in the country and its description in neighboring countries. For this purpose, livers were collected from layer chicks (n=25), older layers (n=25), broilers (n=300), and livers (n=25) and stool (n=25) samples from broiler breeders, representing the major poultry regions of the state. FAdV DNA was demonstrated using a previously described PCR protocol for amplifying part of the hexon gene encoding sequence. FAdV was found in layer chicks (36 percent), widespread (100 percent) in older layers, and with regional differences in broilers (24-86 percent). Although all broiler breeder stools were negative, FAdV DNA was detected in livers (16 percent, 4/25) of stool-negative birds. In order to obtain additional information on the circulation of the infection, livers of subsistence chickens collected from one poultry intensive region, were evaluated (n = 12), with FAdV being detected in all samples. FAdV was found in young and old layers, broilers, broiler breeders and free-range chickens, and results suggest the circulation of FAdV among different types of chickens. The detection in older layer chickens may indicate an extended risk of horizontal transmission in regions of Minas Gerais with mixed activity of egg and meat type chickens and poor biosecurity strategies. The infection in breeders may indicate vertical transmission and the continuous production of infected progenies. The hexon-gene-targeted PCR amplicon sequences aligned with FAdV of species D of Aviadenovirus. Results indicate the necessity for biosecurity, especially for breeders, separating flocks according to origin, age and health status, which will be an advantage regarding any pathogen...

Descreve-se a ocorrência de Aviadenovirus (FAdV) na avicultura mineira. Foram amostrados fígados de poedeiras jovens (n=25) e velhas (n=25) e de frangos de corte (n=300). Em matrizes pesadas foram amostrados fígados (n=25) e fezes (n=25). O estudo envolveu as principais regiões avícolas do Estado de Minas Gerais. O DNA de FAdV foi pesquisado por PCR universal, descrito para a amplificação do gene que codifica o hexon de Aviadenovirus, usando FAdV Phelps como referência. Foi demonstrada a presença do DNA de FAdV em 100 por cento (25/25) das poedeiras velhas (78 semanas de idade) e em 36 por cento (9/25) das jovens (18 dias). Em frangos de corte, a detecção variou entre 24 e 86 por cento. Embora as fezes das matrizes tenham sido negativas, foi obtido o amplicon específico em 4/25 dos fígados dessas mesmas aves, indicando menor sensibilidade para detecção nas fezes. Em amostras da avicultura familiar (fígado), colhidas de uma das regiões de avicultura intensificada, foi detectado o genoma de FAdV em 100 por cento das galinhas (n=12). A constatação de alta disseminação de FAdV em aves da avicultura industrial e familiar de Minas Gerais contribui para o entendimento da epidemiologia de Aviadenovirus. As sequências nucleotídicas dos produtos de PCR alinharam com FAdV da espécie D de Aviadenovirus. A demonstração de FAdV em reprodutores indica risco de transmissão vertical e reforça a necessidade de biosseguridade estrita nesses plantéis. A presença de FAdV em diversos setores avícolas, incluindo poedeiras comerciais, frangos de corte, reprodutores e galinhas da avicultura familiar, recomenda a biosseguridade estrita entre as criações de mesmo tipo e de tipos diferentes de aves. A detecção em matrizes pode indicar a continuada geração de progênies infectadas...

Molecular characterization of contaminating infectious anemia virus of chickens in live commercial vaccines produced in the 1990s.

The presence of infectious chicken anemia virus (CAV) was detected in a previous study by nested-PCR as a contaminant in seven commercial vaccines, produced in the 1990s by three different manufacturers, prepared against the most relevant virus etiologies. In order to phylogenetically characterize the genome and compare it to CAV isolates from Brazil and other parts of the world, sequences of approximately 675 bp of the gene encoding the hypervariable region of VP1 protein of three CAV vaccine contaminant strains were studied. The CAV genome in contaminated vaccines showed high similarity (> 98.9%) with the Brazilian BR91/99 and Argentinian ArgA001028 (> 99%) strains. However, the comparison with the Cuxhaven-1 vaccine strain showed a lower identity of between 96.8% and 97.7%, and comparing it with the CAV26P4 vaccine strain showed an identity between 97.2% and 98.2%; both are available in Brazil. Such differences might be relevant for the highly conserved CAV genome. CAV contaminants were positioned in the same genetic group (clusters) with the Brazilian strain BR91/99 and Argentinian strain ArgA001028. Results indicated that the contamination of live vaccines by CAV may have influenced CAV epidemiology in the Brazilian and Argentinian poultry industry.

Pontos críticos de controle de Salmonella spp. no abate de frangos / Critical control points for Salmonella spp. in poultry slaughter

Avaliou-se a presença de Salmonella spp. em esfregaços superficiais em 135 carcaças de frangos, coletadas em cinco diferentes fases do abate, utilizando os métodos de microbiologia convencional, reação em cadeia de polimerase (PCR) e imunoanálise. Os três métodos resultaram em tendência semelhante de detecção de Salmonella spp. nas carcaças de frango, ao longo da linha de abate. A maior frequência de Salmonella spp. foi determinada após o chuveiro de lavagem das carcaças, localizado entre a evisceração e o pré-resfriamento. Vinte (14,8 por cento) esfregaços foram determinados pela metodologia convencional, 52 (38,5 por cento) pela PCR e 66 (48,8 por cento) pela imunoanálise. A menor contaminação foi encontrada na saída do pré-resfriamento, com frequências de 3,7 por cento, 0 por cento e 16,7 por cento, respectivamente. Salmonella spp. foi encontrada em todas as fases de abate, mostrando a importância do monitoramento de diferentes pontos críticos de controle eventualmente identificados no abate de frangos.

The presence of Salmonella spp. in superficial swabs collected from 135 chicken carcasses in five different slaugther steps using the conventional microbiology, PCR, and immunoanalysis methods was evaluated. The three methods presented similar tendency to detect Salmonella spp. in the chicken carcasses along the slaugther line. The highest frequency of Salmonella spp. was found after the shower, located between the evisceration and the chiller. Twenty (14.8 percent) swabes were determined by the conventional methodology, 52 (38.9 percent) by the PCR, and 66 (48.9 percent) by the immunoanalysis. The lowest contamination was found after chiller tank, where the frequencies were 5 (3.7 percent), 0 (0 percent), and 24 (16.7 percent), respectively. Salmonella spp. was found in all the slaugther steps. This shows the importance for monitoring different CCP (Control Critical Point) in the poultry slaughterhouses.

Suporte social para idosos portadores de insuficiência cardíaca / Social support for elderly people suffering from cardiac insufficiency

O objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar a existência de suporte social em 20 idosos portadores de Insuficiência Cardíaca (IC) internados em um hospital especializado de cidade do interior paulista. Os dados foram obtidos através de entrevista individual utilizando o modelo Canadian Social Support Inventory for People who are Positive or Have Aids, validado no Brasil em 2001 e adaptado para o foco do estudo. O referido instrumento é constituído de duas dimensões de suporte social, instrumental e emocional, com seus respectivos itens e subitens. A análise dos dados foi realizada por meio da estatística descritiva e análise de correlação cruzada (cross correlation). A correlação das variáveis foi dada pelo coeficiente de correlação de Pearson e o nível de significância adotado foi p 0,05. Os resultados permitiram a caracterização dos idosos e a manifestação de que ainda que recebam pouco suporte social, tanto na dimensão instrumental, como na emocional, manifestaram-se satisfeitos ou muito satisfeitos com o pouco apoio recebido. O referido suporte é oferecido por familiares, amigos e até vizinhos, com pouca expressividade por parte dos profissionais de saúde e praticamente inexistente por parte de chefes e/ou colegas de trabalho.

The aim of this study was to identify the existing social support for 20 elderly people suffering from Cardiac Insufficiency (CI), confined to a specialized hospital in upstate Sao Paulo, Brazil. The data were obtained by means of individual interviews, using the Canadian Social Support Inventory for People who are HIV-Positive or Have Aids form, validated in Brazil in 2001 and adapted to the group focused in this study. The aforementioned inventory was designed to assess two aspects of social support, instrumental and emotional, each with their respective items on the availability and sources of support and patient attitudes to it. The data was analyzed by means of descriptive statistics and cross-correlation analysis. The correlation of the variables was given by the Pearson correlation coefficient and significance wasdeclared when p 0.05. The results permitted a characterization of the elderly CI patients, revealing that even though they received little social support, either instrumental or emotional, they professed themselves satisfied or very satisfied with the little aid received. The support referred to was provided largely by family members, friends and even neighbors, with little help on the part of health professionals and virtually none from employers and/or workmates.

T-lymphocyte function from peripheral blood stem-cell donors is inhibited by activated granulocytes.

BACKGROUND: PBSC transplant provides 10 times more T cells than BMT However, the incidence and severity of acute GvHD is similar among recipients of both types of transplants. Studies in mouse models suggest that the similar clinical outcome in BMT and PBSCT is due to differences in the lymphokine profiles. METHODS: PBMC, PBMC from G-CSF mobilized donors (G-PBMC)and BM mononuclear cells (BM-MC) were analyzed by flow cytometry and ELISA to detect gamma-IFN and IL-4 production. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to identify morphology and annexin/propidium-iodide was used for apoptosis assays. RESULTS: We show decreased production of gamma-interferon (85%) and IL-4 (60%) in G-PBMC when compared with either PBMC or BM-MCT cells on ex vivo assays. Surprisingly, 85% of fresh G-PBMC is composed of low-density granulocytes (LDG), which undergo apoptosis after 48 h in culture. At this same time, gamma-IFN production from G-PBMC T cell was reverted. In vitro, G-CSF converts granulocytes into LDGs, able to inhibit T-cell function by H2O2 production, and not through immune-deviation towards a Th2-type phenotype. DISCUSSION: We show that the estimated numbers of Th1 and Th2 cells infused in BMT and PBSCT do not differ significantly. These findings are discussed with reference to the relatively low incidence of acute GvHD in PBSCT shown in the literature. We suggest that these results might depend on the high number of granulocytes and progenitors infused. The potential use of granulocytes as immunosupressive short-term therapy is now being investigated by our group using a mouse experimental model.

Influência do estresse nos níveis sangüíneos de lipídios, de ácido ascórbico, de zinco e de outros parâmetros bioquímicos / Stress' influence on blood levels of lipid, ascorbic acid, zinc and other biochemical parameters

Muitos estudos apontam quanto à possibilidade de que o estresse afete a concentração de lipídeos, de ácido ascórbico, de zinco e de outros parâmetros bioquímicos e que estes elementos devem provocar alterações hormonais e bioquímicas, prejudicando o sistema cardiovascular. Assim, esta pesquisa teve como objetivo verificar o estresse em suas diferentes modalidades: tolerância, tensão, fontes, estado e vulnerabilidade e depois correlacionar as respostas de tais questionários com as alterações bioquímicas propostas em análise. A população examinada foi de 29 pacientes trabalhadores ou estudantes da Universidade federal de Santa Catarina - Brasil. Observou-se que a maioria das pessoas, da comunidade universitária analisada, convive com problemas de estresse e que os indivíduos mais tolerantes ao estresse são os menos vulneráveis. Da mesma forma, foi possível observar que os indivíduos mais tensos foram aqueles com estado de sofrimento ou sofrimento severo. Para correlação das análises bioquímicas o questionário sobre estado de estresse foi o que mais apresentou alterações significativas com os diversos parâmetros bioquímicos analisados. Nesta pesquisa pode-se notar que os problemas de estresse provocam um aumento de colesterol total e LDL-colesterol e uma pequena diminuição da fração HDL-colesterol, cálcio, magnésio, ácido ascórbico e zinco. Contudo, em nenhum dos questionários utilizados observou-se qualquer correlação entre os problemas de estresse e as análises bioquímicas como o fósforo, sódio, potássio e vitamina B12. Conclui-se que os parâmetros bioquímicos são ferramentas importantes na análise do estresse e que este deve acelerar o curso da aterosclerose coronariana.

Kidney function after left renal vein ligation in the dog.

The ligature of the left renal vein is an alternative whenever this vessel is injured. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the capacity of the affluents of the left renal vein, proximal to the ligature, to maintain tissue vitality and function of the left kidney. Fifteen mongrel male dogs were divided in 3 groups of 5 dogs: Group I (control) - a laparotomy was performed, and the abdominal structures were only identified; Group II - the left renal vein was tied, close to vena cava; Group III - the same procedure as for Group II and a right nephrectomy. Blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels were measured before the procedure, and every 3 days during 4 weeks in the postoperative period. Renal arteriography and an excretory urogram were performed on the animals that survived 60 days. Thereafter, or immediately after precocious death, the kidneys were removed for histological examination. All the animals of Group III died before two months (mean = 10.5 +-3.2 days), while the animals of Group II survived during that period. There was a complete exclusion of the left kidney in all dogs that underwent renal vein ligature. In the animals of Group II, the renal cortico-medullary limits could not be identified. At microscopy, the aspect was suggestive of nephrosclerosis. In the animals of Group III, the left kidney was enlarged, and a great amount of intravascular and intrapelvic blood clots were observed. At microscopy, extensive areas of necrosis, inflammatory infiltration, and hemorrhage were identified. In conclusion, the tributaries of the renal vein were not sufficient to maintain the tissue vitality and function of the left kidney after ligature of its main vein.

[Monitoring of Staphylococcus aureus colonization in students of a course for nurses aides during their professional education]. / Monitoramento da colonização pelo Staphylococcus aureus em alunos de um curso de auxiliar de enfermagem durante a formação profissional.

Considering our goal of understanding the colonization by Staphylococcus aureus in students from a nursing auxiliary program, during their professional formation, we collected material from the nasal cavity (N), right (Md) and left (Me) hands from 42 students on different moments of their formation relating the levels of colonization to the activities developed during the program. Results showed an oscillation in the colonization rate in different moments and the possibility of agent reciprocal transmission between the students and the taken care receptors, considering the type of contact.

[Changes in the gastric mucosa after iso- and anisoperistaltic gastrojejunostomy in rats]. / Alterações da mucosa gástrica na gastrojejunostomia isoperistáltica e anisoperistáltica em rato.

Gastrojejunostomies are frequently associated to postoperative manifestations, provoked by biliopancreatic reflux to the stomach. Not only the symptoms can be severe, but also regenerative and reactional transformations of the gastric epithelium, dysplastic alterations and perianastomotic ulcers may be formed. Changes of gastric mucosa and their relation to surgical iso and anisoperistaltic gastrojejunal anastomosis were carried out. Gastrojejunostomies non associated with gastrectomy were performed in two groups (n = 7) of Holtzman rats. In the 30th postoperative day, the stomach and the jejunum close to the anastomosis were removed for pathohistological study. The group with anisoperistaltic anastomosis had a greater extension of histological alterations compatible with the histological picture of reflux gastropathy than the isoperistaltic group (P < 0.05). Three anastomotic ulcers were identified in the anisoperistaltic group and only one in the isoperistaltic, but these results were not statistically significant. Among the gastric surgeries, the gastrojejunostomies are the ones which cause greater biliopancreatic reflux. This reflux may induce changes in the gastric mucosa close to the anastomosis and even lead to cancer. According to other papers, the amount of reflux to the stomach can be directly related to the histological alterations on its mucosa. In conclusion, the anisoperistaltic gastrojejunostomy causes more changes in the gastric mucosa than the isoperistaltic, in this experimental model.

[A longitudinal study of healthy Staphylococcus aureus carriers among the students of a nursing aide course]. / Estudo longitudinal sobre portador são de Staphylococcus aureus em alunos de um curso de auxiliar de enfermagem.

The objective of the present study was to determine the extent of colonization by Staphylococcus aureus and the evolution of carrier status among students of a technical nursing course during their professional training. Forty students participated in the study, samples were collected from their nasal cavity and right and left hands at six different times during the technical nursing course. Nineteen students (45.2%) were found to be occasional carriers, 12 (28.6%) were intermittent carriers, 6 (14.3%) were persistent carriers, and 5 (11.9%) were non-carriers, showing that colonization did not increase during the course. Twenty-four of them (57.1%) did not perform activities related to nursing before or during the course, whereas 18 (42.9%) performed them.

C cells in normal thyroid aspirates.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify C cells in normal thyroid aspirates. STUDY DESIGN: Smears of 18 glands from patients with no thyroid disease, 8 women and 10 men aged on average 52.8 years, were analyzed. Five samples were aspirated from the upper, middle and lower thirds of each lateral lobe and from the isthmus. Smears were stained with anticalcitonin monoclonal antibody. RESULTS: C cells were detected in all specimens, ranging in number from 3 to 19 per gland, with 53.4% of the cells in the right lobe, 42.8% in the left lobe and 3.7% in the isthmus. The aspirates from the right lobe had 0-13 cells in the upper third, 0-9 in the middle third and 0-3 in the lower third. In the left lobe aspirates there were 0-7 cells in the upper third, 0-6 in the middle third and 0-2 in the lower third. One to two C cells were observed in the isthmus in only four cases. CONCLUSION: It is possible to determine the presence of C cells in normal thyroids and confirm studies conducted on histologic material; the cells were more frequently detected in the middle and upper third and mainly on the right side. They were rare in the isthmus. The search for C cells in thyroid aspirates is of great importance because it permits one to confirm rapidly, precisely and minimally invasively cases suspected of C cell hyperplasia, a preneoplastic condition that precedes the development of medullary carcinoma. In addition, the method shows numerical changes in these cells in such conditions as Hashimoto's thyroiditis and colloid goiter, in which the present results could serve as a control.

Influence of physical exercise and sodium intake on arterial pressure and cardiac hypertrophy in rats.

Evidence shows that cardiac hypertrophy (CH) is a risk factor for many cardiovascular diseases. Several stimuli may cause CH-like manifestations and promote volume or pressure overload. Exercise-induced cardiac hypertrophy is an expected adaptation to regular exercise training. Salt intake has been shown to be the most important determinant of blood pressure in different populations. The purpose of the present work was to verify the influence of physical exercise and sodium intake on the blood pressure and myocardium. The study was performed on 36 rats divided into six groups: Group I (diet without salt overload), Group II (diet without salt overload and swimming), Group III (diet with 2.5% NaCl solution and swimming), Group IV (diet with 5% NaCl solution and swimming), Group V (diet with 2.5% NaCl solution without exercise), Group VI (diet with 5% NaCl solution without exercise). The arterial pressure was significantly lower in Group I when compared with Group IV. The ratio of cardiac mass/body mass was increased in Groups III and IV. In conclusion, there was evidence that exercise training and NaCl intake promotes arterial hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy.

[Evaluation of procedures used for disinfecting patients' units in hospitals of the state of Sao Paulo]. / Avaliação da limpeza de unidade do paciente em hospitals do interior do estado de São Paulo.

The objective of this investigation is to evaluate the procedure used for disinfecting patients' rooms, as well as to detect and indicate possible mistakes in this process. The results obtained through interviews with nursing professionals responsible for the Nursing Services reveal that the procedures used in the studied hospitals are not following the principles required by the literature. As a consequence there is little reliability concerning disinfecting procedures in those hospitals.

Quantitative analysis of C cells in Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

The objective of the present investigation was to study quantitatively C cells in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) by analyzing 22 thyroids obtained at autopsy or thyroidectomy from 16 patients with thyroiditis and from 6 normal subjects. Six different areas were sampled on average and labeled with a monoclonal anticalcitonin antibody by immunohistochemistry using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex. Normal thyroids from adult patients with no thyroid disease were used as control. C cells were counted in 1 cm2 fields and the mean number of cells per field was calculated. Data were analyzed statistically by the Mann-Whitney test. The inflammatory process detected in cases of HT was usually moderate (50%) and the number of C cells ranged from 0 to 12.2 per 1 cm2 field. The number of C cells in normal thyroids ranged from 20 to 148 per 1 cm2 field, with a median of 35.2 cells per field. The results demonstrate a significant decrease in C cell number in HT compared with normal thyroids, indicating that the inflammatory process causes destruction of both follicular and C cells, which are replaced by fibrosis.

Criptosporidiose fatal em aves de criaçäo caipira / Fatal cryptosporidiosis in rural poultry

Five outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis in adult poultry (guinea's fowl, turkey and chickens) are reported in the rural area of Santo Antônio do Amparo, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Clinical signs consisting of sudden death, enteritis, incoordination and paralysis were observed. The presence Cryptosporidium sp was confirmed in intestine by histological examination

[The disinfection of nebulizers in a basic health unit in Ribeirão Preto]. / A desinfecção de nebulizadores em uma unidade básica de saúde de Ribeirão Preto.

Considering the widely divergent views of the nursing staff with respect to nebulizer disinfection in Basic Health Units (BHU) and to the lack of standardization of the use of chemical products and of the disinfection process as a whole, the author undertook an investigation with the following objectives: to observe systematically the routine procedure of nebulizer disinfection in the aerosol room of a BHU, and to detect, point out and warn about possible faults in the disinfection process. The disinfection process was observed directly and systematically and a questionnaire with open questions was applied to the nurse responsible for the service. The results showed that the process of disinfection performed is not consistent with recommendations by the Health Department and/or State Health Secretariat, and that the personnel involved in this activity has incomplete knowledge of the standardization of the use of the chemical products utilized and of the conditions that interfere with their action during the disinfection process. The results obtained indicate the need for a standardization of the disinfection process as whole, according to current sanitary norms and for continual in-service education in order to improve the quality of nursing care provided to the users of health services.