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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[The prevention of hypoxemia during endotracheal suctioning]. / Prevenção da hipoxemia durante a aspiração endotraqueal.

This work shows a literature review on the methods of prevention of postsuctioning hypoxemia in critically ill patients under artificial ventilation. Such methods have been proposed and published in the last twenty years. After being organized, these data made it possible to identify the most common methods to prevent postsuctioning hypoxemia. These methods are hyperoxygenation, hyperinflation, hyperoxygenation with hyperinflation and the closed method of tracheal suctioning, which allows for a suction without the interruption of the patient's artificial ventilation. A critical analysis of these methods and techniques, emphasizing the conflicting and concordant aspects presented by the several authors studied, made it possible to identify the superiority of the hyperoxygenation with hyperinflation method through the ventilator and the closed method of tracheal suctioning in the prevention of hypoxemia.

[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.

[Introducing the human existential dimension into a course on nursing fundamentals]. / Introduzindo a dimensão existencial do homem na disciplina de fundamentos de enfermagem.

The study consisted of one historical retrospect of how the course Fundamental of Nursing is being oriented in man focus and the of assistance of nursing given to him. It describes and analyses an experience which has been realized by teachers of course Fundamental of Nursing in the Nursing School of Ribeirão Preto at University of São Paulo. It consists of the philosophical approach about the man who we assist. Consolidate with the Heidegger's ideas, we introduce the man's notions of being-in-the-world-with-the-others, of hospital and disease world and the facets, enabling to see the man as sick, in his-being-sick, as the new perspective of comprehension of human existence.

[An alternative proposal for the scientific productivity of nurse practitioners]. / Proposta alternativa para a produção científica de enfermeiros assistenciais.

We report our experience with University extension courses on research methodology offered to nurse practitioners in order to provide them with some fundaments about the topic. These courses, which were given in 1984, 1986 and 1988 by the Nursing School of Ribeirão Preto-USP, were proposed by the coordinators who felt it is necessary to stimulate the scientific production of nurse practitioners; thus, the basic proposal of the courses was to promote this stimulation, thus, in addition to presenting the content of different research methodologies, the courses discussed nursing research that appeared to be relevant for practice. Some time after the courses were given, the nurses who had taken them were approached in order to obtain information to be used for the elaboration of future courses and to evaluate the contribution made by the initial courses in terms of stimulation of research by nurse practitioners.

[The indicators for a restructuring of the nursing degree curriculum: the expectations of professionals and a curriculum assessment by former students]. / Indicadores para reestruturação do currículo de graduação em enfermagem: expectativas dos profissionais e apreciação do currículo por ex-alunos.

Two kinds of evidence were used to guide curriculum changes in the Nursing School of Ribeirão Preto (University of São Paulo): 1) a survey of nurses' expectations on their profession, their functions, the other members of the team and on the Nursing School teachers; 2) graduates' (ex-students) curriculum evaluation. We inquired 115 nurses working in 5 general hospitals of Ribeirão Preto, and had a return of 49 questionnaires (42.6%). This questionnary was delivered by the authors personally to the nurses, along with guidances on answering and date for return, and had 9 opened questions. The classification of answers makes possible to assert: the assistance function is the most emphasized by nurses; the student's expectations change during the professional practice; 60% of the informants considered the content of the curriculum disciplines adequate; 69.4% considered the habilitations dispensable.

[Determination of air volume in the entotracheals tube cuff]. / Determinação do volume de ar no "cuff" de sondas endotraqueais.

The aim of this study is to determine the best regulation of air volume to be inflated into cuffs of different endotracheal canula diameters of high residual volume and low pressure. Maintaining the pressure exercised by a balloon in the trachea mucous membrane between preconized limits of 20 to 30 mmHg (less than the trachea capillary pressure). Therefore, 10 ml of air have been inflated into the canular cuff of intubed patients with different internal diameters (7.0-7.5- 8.0-8.5-9.0) one by one, measuring each millilitre of inflated air, the corresponding to pressure of the cuff in the trachea mucous membrane. The monitoring of the pressure has been made by a previously calibrated manometer. The procedure has been performed in 25 adult patients of both sexes, grouped in numbers of 5 for each internal tube diameter. The results have been analysed through linear regression analysis which has shown a close relationship between ml of inflated air and pressure in the cuff by tube diameter. After analysing the results, the author indicated, by means of graphic representation, the quantity of air to be inflated in the cuff and respective exercised pressure on the trachea mucous membrane, by tube meter, in a way to offer a contribution to the staff who provides assistance to intubed patients, in the sense of minimising the possible injuries and complications and assure a better respiratory ventilation.

[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.

[Surgical wound infection--a complication of mastectomy]. / Infecção da ferida cirúrgica-uma complicação da mastectomia.

The present study contains a retrospective analysis of thirty medical reports of patients that were submitted to mastectomy at a school hospital, and has the objective of knowing the frequency of surgical injury infection, relating it to predisposed factors to infection. The frequency founded was 40%, a percentage above the level pointed in the literature, suggesting that can be included in it cases of seroma, due the indicators utilized to define infection and the absence of laboratory exams registers in the consulted medical reports.