Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of conception weight and gestational weight gain on performance and productive efficiency in beef cows and their calves. Eighty-eight primiparous, three-year old Braford females were used, divided according to weight at conception and gestational performance (High and Low): cows with a low conception weight and low gestational weight gain (LL), cows with low conception weight and high gestational weight gain (LH), cows with high conception weight and low gestational weight gain (HL), and cows with high conception weight and high gestational weight gain (HH). At calving, HH cows were heavier than LH and HL and these were heavier than LL cows. Male calves born to HH cows were superior in body weight to those born to LL cows at 150, 210 and 365 days. Female calves born to HH, HL or LH cows were superior to those born to LL cows in pregnancy at 14 months of age. The LL and HL cows were more efficient in calf production. Actual fertility was influenced by the nutritional level of the herd, where HH cows were superior than LL cows. Better cow herd nutrition increases the development and performance of the progeny.

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum activity of PON1 in women according to SNPs L55M and T-107C and diet composition. Materials and methods: Blood and serum samples from 26 women were used. DNA extraction, PCR and digestion with restriction enzymes of the PCR fragment were performed for genotyping the PON1 SNPs T-107C and L55M. Serum PON1 activity was measured in a single time point. Patients completed the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and diet composition was estimated. Results: Genotypic distribution for L55M SNP was 56% for the LL genotype, 32% for LM and 12% for MM; for the PON1 C(-107)T SNP it was 28% for the TT genotype, 41% for CT and 31% for CC. Individuals with C and L alleles had higher serum PON1 activity. Combining the two SNPs, we observed that individuals carrying the LL and CC genotypes had twice the activity of carriers of the TT and MM genotypes. Considering food intake, no significant difference was observed between genotypes and intake levels. Conclusion: PON1 T(-107)C and L55M SNPs exert a strong effect on serum PON1 activity in an additive manner and are more important than diet to predict serum PON1 activity.

RESUMO: O objetivo desse estudo foi investigar a influência do tipo muscular na oxidação proteica, perfil de textura (dureza, elasticidade, coesividade e mastigabilidade) e composição centesimal da carne de bovinos Bos indicus (Nelore) terminados com grãos no Brasil. Os músculos longissimus lumborum (LL) e psoas major (PM) foram obtidos 24 horas post mortem de oito (n=8) carcaças de touros Nelore, cortados em cinco bifes (1,5 cm), e dispostos em condições aeróbicas por nove dias a 4 °C. Composição centesimal e perfil de textura foram analisados no dia 0, enquanto que a oxidação proteica foi analisada durante 9 dias de estocagem. Os bifes LL demonstraram maior (P<0.05) concentração de proteína em relação aos bifes PM, enquanto que PM apresentou maior (P<0.05) conteúdo de lipídeos e cinzas que LL. Além disso, os bifes LL exibiram maior (P<0,05) dureza, elasticidade, coesividade e mastigabilidade em relação aos bifes PM. Em contraste, a oxidação proteica foi maior (P<0,05) nos bifes PM do que nos bifes LL em todos os dias de estocagem. Os resultados sugerem que as diferenças no metabolismo e na composição muscular contribuíram para a variação nos atributos bioquímicos e perfil de textura entre os bifes LL e PM. Estratégias músculo-específicas são indicadas a fim de promover a estabilidade de cor nos bifes PM oriundos de bovinos Bos indicus terminados com grãos.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this research was to investigate the influence of muscle type on protein oxidation, texture profile (hardness, springiness, cohesiveness and chewiness) and proximate composition of beef from grain-finished Bos indicus (Nellore) cattle in Brazil. The muscles longissimus lumborum (LL) and psoas major (PM) were collected 24 h post mortem from eight (n=8) Nellore bull carcasses, fabricated into five steaks (1.5-cm) and displayed under aerobic conditions for nine days at 4 °C. Proximate composition and texture profile were analyzed on day 0, whereas protein oxidation was analyzed during 9 days of storage. LL exhibited greater (P<0.05) protein concentration than PM steaks, whereas PM demonstrated greater (P<0.05) lipid and ash content than their correlative LL. In addition, LL steaks exhibited greater (P<0.05) hardness, springiness, cohesiveness and chewiness than PM steaks. In contrast, protein oxidation was greater (P<0.05) in PM than in LL steaks throughout the storage. The results suggest that the differences of muscle metabolism and composition contributed to the variation on biochemical attributes and texture profile of LL and PM steaks. Muscle-specific strategies are indicated to improve the color stability of PM steaks from grain-finished Bos indicus cattle.

RESUMO O uso do percolado de aterro sanitário (PATS) na produção de biomassa para fins energético e biocombustível é uma alternativa que minimiza a degradação ambiental. Neste contexto, objetivou-se neste trabalho, analisar o efeito da aplicação de distintas proporções de percolado de aterros sanitários no cultivo de girassol (Helianthus annuus L.). O experimento foi conduzido com delineamento em blocos casualizados, com cinco tratamentos T1 - 100 % de água da rede de abastecimento - AA (Testemunha); T2 - 80 % de AA e 20 % de PATS; T3 - 60 % de AA e 40 % de PATS; T4 - 40 % de AA e 60 % de PATS; e, T5 - 20 % de AA e 80 % de PATS, e quatro repetições, totalizando 20 parcelas experimentais. O girassol foi cultivado em ARGISSOLO Vermelho - Amarelo eutrófico, durante 81 dias em Mossoró/RN. Durante o ciclo do girassol foram determinadas as características vegetativas altura de planta (AP), número de folhas (NF), diâmetro do caule (DCaule) e do capítulo (DCapítulo). Comprovou-se que para todas as variáveis estudadas houve diferença estatística entre os tratamentos. Em geral, o tratamento 60 % de AA e 40 % de PATS apresentou melhor desempenho com relação às características vegetativas do girassol.

ABSTRACT The use of landfill leachate (LL) to produce biomass for energy and biofuel purposes is an alternative that minimizes environmental degradation. In this context, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of using different rates of LL in the fertigation of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) crops. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with five treatments and four replications-20 experimental plots. The treatments consisted of control with 100% water from the water supply (WWS) (T1); 80% WWS + 20% LL (T2); 60% WWS + 40% LL (T3); 40% WWS + 60% LL (T4); and 20% WWS + 80% LL (T5). The sunflower crops were grown in a eutrophic Red-Yellow Argisol for 81 days, in Mossoró RN, Brazil. The plant characteristics evaluated-plant height, number of leaves, steam diameter and capitulum diameter-was determined. All variables evaluated presented statistical differences between treatments. In general, plants in the treatment 60% WWS + 40% LL presented better performance regarding the characteristics evaluated.

Resumo Contexto As veias perfurantes dos membros inferiores (MMII) apresentam válvulas que permitem o direcionamento do fluxo sanguíneo do sistema venoso superficial para o profundo e podem estar conectadas ou não ao sistema das veias safenas. Objetivo Identificar, pela ultrassonografia vascular (USV), a frequência, localização, calibre e o papel hemodinâmico das veias perfurantes independentes das veias safenas no mapeamento pré-operatório das varizes dos MMII. Métodos Foi realizado estudo transversal utilizando a USV em mulheres com o intuito de estudar a frequência, a localização, a altura em relação à base do pé e o papel hemodinâmico das veias perfurantes. Resultados A frequência de veias perfurantes independentes das veias safenas foi de 92,6%, 5,1% e 2,3%, na perna, coxa e joelho, respectivamente, sendo 25,2% incompetentes e 72,3% de drenagem. O diâmetro médio das veias perfurantes foi de 2,9 mm, 3,5 mm e 3,7 mm, na perna, coxa e joelho, respectivamente. As veias perfurantes localizaram-se em média 23,8 cm, 43,6 cm e 59,4 cm acima da base do pé na perna, joelho e coxa, respectivamente. As veias perfurantes com refluxo apresentaram calibre médio de 3,5 mm, independentemente da localização. Conclusões As veias perfurantes independentes das veias safenas são mais frequentes na perna, drenando refluxo de veias tributárias. Independentemente da localização, as veias perfurantes com refluxo apresentam calibre médio de 3,5 mm.

Abstract Background The perforating veins of the lower limbs (LL) have valves that enable the blood flow to be directed from the superficial vein system to the deep vein system and they may or may not be connected to the saphenous vein system. Objectives To use vascular ultrasonography (VUS) to identify the frequency, location, caliber, and hemodynamic role of perforating veins that do not connect to saphenous veins, during preoperative mapping of LL varicose veins. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using VUS in women to study the frequency, location, distance from the sole of the foot, and hemodynamic role of perforating veins. Results The frequencies of perforating veins independent of the saphenous veins were 92.6%, 5.1%, and 2.3%, in the leg, thigh, and knee, respectively, and 25.2% of them were incompetent while 72.3% were drainage veins. The mean diameters of perforating veins were 2.9 mm, 3.5 mm, and 3.7 mm, in the leg, thigh, and knee, respectively. Perforating veins were located at mean distances of 23.8 cm, 43.6 cm, and 59.4 cm above the sole of the foot in the leg, knee, and thigh, respectively. Perforating veins with reflux had a mean caliber of 3.5 mm, irrespective of location. Conclusions Perforating veins independent of the saphenous veins are most frequent in the leg, draining reflux from tributary veins. Irrespective of location, perforating veins with reflux had mean caliber of 3.5 mm.

The aim of this report is to present a case of dens invaginatus asymptomatic discovered after exam cone beam computed tomography. A 20-year-old patient attended the clinic Radiology to perform tomography to fracture research at the root of the tooth 15. However, the examination was observed the presence of a conoid supernumerary tooth between the tooth located roots 11 and 12, which had a hyperdense line to the apex of the root, representing the invagination of the enamel, dens invaginatus feature. It was also observed extensive hypodense image in the periapical region, with areas of external resorption both in supernumerary tooth as we ll as the roots of teeth 11 and 12. The treatment consisted of surgery for dens invaginatus extraction. The dentists should be aware of the imaginological characteristics of the anomalies that can affect the teeth/jaws, which can be discovered in tests for routine imaging and proper conduct for the treatment of patients.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue presentar un caso dedens invaginatusasintomático descubierto en una tomografía computarizada de haz cónico. Un paciente de 20 años de edad acudió a la clínica radiológica para realizarse una tomografía producto una fractura radicular del diente 15. Sin embargo, en el exámen se observó la presencia de un diente supernumerario cónico localizado entre las raíces de los dientes 11 y 12, observando además una línea hiperdensa hacia el ápice de la raíz, que representa la invaginación del esmalte, característica propia de undens invaginatus.También se observó un área hipodensa en la región periapical, con áreas de reabsorción externa tanto en el diente supernumerario como en las raíces de los dientes 11 y 12. El tratamiento consistió en cirugía de extracción deldens invaginatus. Los dentistas deben conocer las características imagenológicas de las anomalías que pueden afectar a los dientes, las cuales pueden ser descubiertas en exámenes de rutina y también el protocolo adecuado de tratamiento de éstas.

Objetivou-se avaliar as características morfogênicas e estruturais do capim-Xaraés submetido a cinco alturas de cortes (10; 20; 30; 40 e 50cm) com intervalo de corte baseado na interceptação luminosa (IL) pelo dossel durante a rebrotação (95% de IL). Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, num fatorial 5 x 2, com cinco repetições. As avaliações foram realizadas de março a novembro de 2011, nas variáveis: taxa de aparecimento foliar (TApF), taxa de alongamento foliar (TALF), taxa de alongamento do colmo (TALC), comprimento final da folha (CF), taxa de senescência foliar (TSF), duração de vida das folhas (DVF), número de folhas vivas por perfilho (NFV) e número vivo de perfilhos (NVP). Observou-se que as alturas de cortes de 30 a 50 cm, resultaram em maior TALC, TALF, TApF, TSF, DVF, NFV e CF. As características TALC, TALF, TApF, TSF, NFV e CF apresentou valores mais elevados durante o período chuvoso. Enquanto, o filocrono e, a DVF em 40 cm apresentou valores mais elevados no período da seca. O NVP não foi afetado pelas alturas de cortes ou época do ano. A altura de corte do capim-Xaraés recomendada para essas condições edafoclimáticas situa-se entre 30 e 50cm.

Aimed to evaluate the morphogenetic and structural characteristics of grass Xaraés subjected to five heights of sections (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50cm) with cutting interval based on (LI) by the canopy during regrowth (95% IL). We used a completely randomized design in a factorial 2x5 with five replications. The evaluations were conducted from March to November 2011, the following variables: leaf appearance rate (LAR), leaf elongation rate (LER), stem elongation rate (SER), final leaf length (LL), senescence rate leaf (SRL), life span of leaves (LSL), number of green leaves per tiller (NLL) and live tiller number (LNT). It was observed that the heights of cuts by 30 to 50 cm resulted in higher SER, LER, LAR, SRL, LLS, NLL and LL. The SER, LER, LAR, SRL, NLT and LL characteristics showed higher values during the rainy season. While the phyllochron and LLS at 40 cm showed higher values in the dry season. The LNT was not affected by the heights of cuts or time of year. The cutting height of the grass Xaraés recommended for these environmental conditions is between 30 and 50cm.

A reação do tipo 1 ou reação reversa expressa-se clinicamente por uma exacerbação inflamatória das lesões de pele e de troncos nervosos, levando a alterações sensitivas e motoras. Ocorre nas formas não-polares da hanseníase, embora possa ocorrer numa pequena percentagem de pacientes LL tratados. As incapacidades físicas, deformidades e morbidade, ainda presentes na hanseníase, são causadas principalmente por esses episódios agudos. O reconhecimento dos estados reacionais é imperativo para uma abordagem precoce e manejo adequado, evitando a instalação de incapacidades que tanto estigmatizam a doença. Esta revisão tem como objetivo descrever aspectos clínicos, imunopatogênese, epidemiologia, características histopatológicas e terapêutica do estado reacional do tipo 1.

A type 1 reaction or reversal reaction is expressed clinically by inflammatory exacerbation of the skin lesions and nerve trunks, consequently leading to sensory and motor alterations. It occurs in non-polar forms of leprosy, although it can occur in a small percentage of sub-polar LL treated patients. Disabilities, deformities and morbidity, still present in leprosy, are mainly caused by these acute episodes. The recognition of reactional states is imperative for an early approach and efficient management, to avoid the emergence of disabilities that stigmatize the disease. This review aims to describe the clinical aspects, immunopathogenesis, epidemiology, histopathological features and therapeutics of type 1 reactions.

Se presenta el desarrollo de una prueba de dictado de palabras (TEO-D) para la evaluación del nivel ortográfico de escolares de segundo a sexto grado de primaria, con el objetivo de contribuir a las prácticas educativas y a la valoración neuropsicológica y psicopedagógica de las dificultades en lenguaje escrito. La prueba se construyó a partir de la revisión y análisis de palabras frecuentes de nuestro medio, que contienen la alternancia del grafema b y v para representar el fonema /b/, los grafemas j y g para la representación del sonido /j/, las palabras, que pueden escribirse con ll o y, las que contienen el grafema h para el que no hay fonema y los grafemas c y s, que representan el sonido /s/. Se examina la estructura factorial, la fiabilidad y la validez de la prueba, que fue aplicada a una muestra de 488 alumnos de Montevideo, seleccionados mediante muestreo por conveniencia, entre dos colegios de educación privada de nivel socioeconómico medio bajo y medio alto. El análisis factorial confirmatorio, utilizando el programa NOHARM de un modelo de factor único, indica un ajuste adecuado a una estructura unidimensional, obteniendo una muy buena fiabilidad de consistencia interna en la muestra total y por curso

A word dictation test (TEO-D) to assess the spelling level of school children in grade 2 to 6, is presented, to contribute to educational practice, as well as neuropsychological and educational psychology assessment of written language difficulties. The test is constructed considering the review and analysis of frequent words in our environment, containing the alternation of the grapheme b and v, to represent the phoneme /b/, the graphemes j and g to represent the sound /j/, words, that can be written with ll or y, those containing the grapheme, that corresponds to no phoneme: h, and the graphemes c and s, that represent the sound /s/. The factor structure, reliability and validity of the test was examined, after being applied to a sample of 488 students from Montevideo, selected by convenience sampling, between two private schools from medium low and medium high socioeconomic status. The confirmatory factor analysis, using the program NOHARM for a one-factor model, indicates an adequate fit to a one-dimensional structure, achieving very good internal consistency reliability for the total sample and per course

INTRODUÇÃO: Embora os stents farmacológicos tenham reduzido de forma inconteste o crescimento neointimal e sua consequência clínica direta, a reestenose, questionamentos acerca de sua segurança a longo prazo têm motivado o desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias. A aplicação sistêmica de fármacos antiproliferativos teria o potencial de solucionar o problema da reestenose e ao mesmo tempo amenizar a questão da segurança tardia inerente aos polímeros sintéticos. Recentemente, estudo investigando a administração intravenosa de uma solução de paclitaxel ligado à albumina (ABI-007) produziu efeito discreto na redução da formação de tecido neointimal. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar, por meio da angiografia e do ultrassom intracoronário (USIC) seriados, a efetividade da aplicação intracoronária do ABI-007 na supressão da hiperplasia neointimal após implante de stents não-farmacológicos MÉTODO: Entre novembro de 2006 e maio de 2007, pacientes portadores de lesões coronárias de novo, com extensão < 18 mm, em vasos nativos de 2,5 mm a 3,5 mm de diâmetro, foram submetidos a intervenção coronária percutânea com implante de stents não-farmacológicos, seguida de injeção intracoronária de 70 mg/m² de ABI-007. Avaliação com angiografia e USIC foi programada para todos os pacientes imediatamente após o procedimento e aos seis meses de seguimento. Desfecho primário era a perda luminal tardia (QCA) e o porcentual de obstrução volumétrica gerado pela hiperplasia neointimal (USIC) aos seis meses RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 11 pacientes, com média de idade de 58,4 ± 7,3 anos, 54% do sexo feminino e 18,2% de diabéticos. A artéria descendente anterior foi o vaso mais frequentemente tratado (45,5%) e a maioria das lesões era do tipo A/B1 (63,7%). A administração de ABI-007 foi bem tolerada por todos os pacientes. Aos seis meses, a perda luminal tardia foi de 0,84 ± 0,46 mm, tendo sido identificados três casos (27,3%) de reestenose binária. Ao USIC, o porcentual de obstrução volumétrica foi de 38,4 ± 16,2%. Não houve casos de remodelamento vascular significativo, nem de má-aposição tardia dos stents. Ao final de dois anos, não houve ocorrência de eventos cardíacos maiores CONCLUSÃO: Embora a administração intracoronária de ABI-007 tenha sido bem tolerada, sem efeitos tóxicos adversos reportados, essa modalidade terapêutica apresentou baixa capacidade de suprimir a formação de tecido neointimal após implante de stents nãofarmacológicos, com perda tardia e porcentual de obstrução volumétrica semelhantes aos observados após implante de stents não-farmacológicos isolados.

BACKGROUND: Although drug-eluting stents have proven to be highly effective in decreasing neointimal hyperplasia and its direct clinical consequence, restenosis, concerns regarding their long-term safety have led to the development of new technologies. The systemic use of antiproliferative drugs may resolve restenosis while minimizing the longterm safety issues inherent to synthetic polymers. Recently, a study investigating the intravenous administration of albumin-bound paclitaxel (ABI-007) showed that it produced a mild effect on the reduction of neointimal tissue formation. The present study was aimed at investigating, by means of serial angiography and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), the efficacy of intracoronary ABI-007 administration in the suppression of neointimal hyperplasia after bare-metal stent implantation METHOD: From November 2006 and May 2007, patients with de novo coronary lesions < 18 mm were submitted to percutaneous coronary intervention using bare-metal stents, followed by a 70 mg/m² intracoronary injection of ABI-007. Angiography and IVUS assessment was planned for all of the patients immediately after the procedure and at the six-month follow-up. The primary end-point was late lumen loss (LL) and percent neointimal volume obstruction caused by neointimal hyperplasia (IVUS) at 6 months RESULTS: 11 patients were included, with mean age of 58.4 ± 7.3 years, 54% were female and 18.2% diabetics. Left anterior descending artery was the most frequent vessel treated (45.5%) and most of the lesions were type A/B1 (63.7%). ABI-007 administration was well tolerated by all patients. At the 6-month follow-up, LL was 0.84 ± 0.46 mm and three cases (27.3%) of binary restenosis were identified. IVUS percent volumetric obstruction was 38.4 ± 16.2%. No cases of significant vascular remodeling or late acquired stent malapposition were observed. After two years, there were no cases of major adverse cardiac events CONCLUSION: Although the intracoronary ABI-007 administration was well tolerated, with no adverse toxic events reported, this treatment modality demonstrated a low capacity of suppressing neointimal tissue formation after bare-metal stent implantation, with late loss and percent of volumetric obstruction percentages similar to those observed after bare-metal stent implantation alone.

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (Mg) infection of wild native Brazilian psittacines (Psittaciformes) which died of any cause during sorting, rehabilitation, or conservation, was investigated by PCR. Two previously described PCR methodologies using Mg specific primers were employed for the analyses of 140 swab samples (cloaca, trachea, or palatine cleft). Average positive Mg detection in cloacal swabs was 51.9%, with 80.0% (n=5) of Blue-and-yellow Macaws (Ara ararauna), 60.0% (n=3) Dusky Parrots (Pionus fuscus), 52.5% (n=59) Amazon Parrots (Amazona aestiva), 50.0% (n=2) Orange-winged Parrots (Amazona amazonica), 50.0% (n=2) Jandaya Parakeetsor Jandaya Conures (Aratinga jandaya), 0% (n=2) Golden Conures or Golden Parakeets (Guarouba guarouba), and 0% (n=2) Hyacinth Macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus). Palatine cleft swab sampling was more sensitive to detect Mg, with 85.4% (n=17) detection rate, as compared to 67.4% (n=46) obtained with tracheal samples, and 53.5% (n=77) with cloacal swabs. The surprisingly high Mg incidence in psittacines kept in conservation or triage environments is possibly due to the proximity or cohabitation with several bird species during confinement and housing psittacines of different origins together. The implementation of biosecurity measures and species-specific facilities is recommended.

Este trabalho teve por objetivo verificar o efeito do manejo da irrigação e da população de plantas sobre o rendimento de grãos em soja semeada após a época recomenda. O experimento foi conduzido de janeiro a maio de 2005 na Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi blocos ao acaso com parcelas subdivididas e quatro repetições. Nas parcelas principais foram distribuídos três manejos de irrigação: 1) não-irrigado; 2) irrigado todo o ciclo; e 3) irrigado nos períodos críticos. Nas subparcelas foram distribuídas duas populações de plantas (250.000 e 400.000 plantas ha-1). Para as plantas irrigadas todo o ciclo ou somente nos períodos críticos, o rendimento de grãos não diferiu entre as populações testadas. O rendimento de grãos das plantas não-irrigadas teve um incremento de 21% com o aumento da população de plantas para 400.000 plantas ha-1.

The objective of these experiments was to verify the effect of irrigation management and plant population on grain yield of soybean sown after recommends period. The experiment was conducted from January to May 2005 at Federal University of Santa Maria. The experiment design was randomized blocks with subdivided bits in fourth repetitions. In the main bits were distributed three irrigation management: 1) no irrigated; 2) irrigated all cycle; and 3) irrigated in critical periods. In subplot were distributed both plants populations (250.000 and 400.000 plants ha-1). For the irrigated plants ll cycle or only in critical periods, the grain yield did not differ between tried populations. The grain yield of no irrigated plants had an increment of 21% with the increase of plant population to 400.000 plants ha-1.

Introduction. The interactive exercises of self-assessment are a very useful tool to foster the autonomous learning of the student. The suite Hot Potatoes allows the design of interactive activities for the formative evaluation, incorporating a system of feedback that reinforce the not assimilated contents when the answer is not correct. The aim of study is to find out the students opinion about the utilization of the suite Hot Potatoes. Materials and methods. Cross-sectional descriptive study in Barcelona University students from Maternity Nursing. Data were gathered through a questionnaire designed ad hoc. Results. The exercises better appraised and the considerate of less difi culty ones were those of multiple-choice; the most dificult, the matching texts and gap-fi ll exercises. All students considered that the method had motivated their interest in the subject and it had facilitated their learning. 71% considers that the method has been useful to acquiring knowledge and has been very useful as a study tool. The aspects that the students consider more interesting include that: they are a method of review and study, it facilitates the learning in a pleasant way, and it allows to know the level of knowledge and to correct the errors during the learning. Among the aspects that would improve they would include more exercises and questions. Conclusions. The method has had a good acceptance and has fostered the autonomous learning. We consider that it is a self-assessment tool suitable for the adaptation of the new European Credit Transfer System.

Introducción. Los ejercicios interactivos de autoevaluación son una herramienta muy útil para fomentar el aprendizaje autónomo del estudiante. El programa Hot Potatoes permite el diseño de actividades interactivas para la evaluación formativa, con la incorporación de un sistema de retroacción que refuerza los contenidos no asimilados cuando la respuesta no es correcta. El objetivo de estudio es averiguar la opinión de los estudiantes sobre la utilización del programa Hot Potatoes. Materiales y métodos. Estudio descriptivo transversal en la promoción 2006-2007 de la asignatura Enfermería Maternal II. Los datos se recogieron a través de un cuestionario diseñado ad hoc. Resultados. Los ejercicios mejor valorados y considerados de menor dificultad fueron los de opción múltiple; los más difíciles fueron los textos desordenados y los ejercicios de rellenar huecos. Todos los estudiantes consideraron que el método motivó su interés por la asignatura y facilitó su aprendizaje. El 71% considera que el método le ha servido para adquirir conocimientos y ha sido muy útil como herramienta de estudio. Los aspectos que consideran más interesantes incluyen que: son un método de repaso y estudio, facilitan el aprendizaje de una forma amena y permiten conocer el nivel de conocimientos y corregir los errores durante el aprendizaje. Entre los aspectos que mejorarían destacan que incluirían más ejercicios y un número de preguntas más elevado. Conclusiones. El método ha tenido una buena aceptación y ha fomentado el aprendizaje autónomo. Consideramos que se trata de una estrategia de autoevaluación adecuada para la adaptación a los nuevos créditos europeos (ECTS).

Este estudo avaliou a concordância entre o diagnóstico clínico e o diagnóstico laboratorial da hanseníase, utilizando os resultados de biópsias dos laboratórios A e B e o teste ML-Flow. A concordância diagnóstica clínico-histopatológica foi de 67,6%. Os laboratórios apresentaram um índice de concordância de 73,7% em relação ao índice baciloscópico, e o laboratório B detectou 25,4% a mais de casos positivos. A maior concordância foi obtida para a forma V, e a menor para a forma I. A maior discrepância diagnóstica ocorreu para a forma DD. A concordância clínico-laboratorial foi de 41,3% para o laboratório A e 54% para o B. O teste ML-Flow reclassificou 10,7% dos pacientes. A classificação espectral é importante para o melhor entendimento da doença e para seu tratamento adequado, mas não é utilizada em centros de saúde, que adotam os critérios simplificados da OMS, que poderiam ser complementados pelo teste ML-Flow. Tal simplificação é inaceitável para os Centros de Referência em assistência, ensino e pesquisa em hanseníase, de modo que é recomendada a padronização pela classificação de Ridley-Jopling.

This study examined the correlation between the clinical and laboratory diagnosis of leprosy, using biopsy results from laboratories "A" and "B" and the ML Flow test. Clinical and histopathological diagnoses presented 67.6% agreement. The laboratories showed 73.7% agreement in the bacterial index and laboratory 'B' detected 25.4% more positives. The highest agreement was in the LL form and lowest, in the I form. The highest diagnostic discrepancy was for the BB form. Clinical diagnosis agreement was 41.3% for laboratory 'A' and 54% for 'B'. The ML Flow test reclassified 10.7% of the patients. The spectrum of leprosy classification is important for a clearer understanding of the disease and its proper treatment, but is not used in health services, which use the simplified WHO criteria. This could be complemented by ML Flow testing. Such simplification is unacceptable for Leprosy Reference Centers regarding patient attendance, teaching and research, for which the standardization of the Ridley-Jopling classification is recommended.

The main viruses involved in acute respiratory diseases among children are: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenzavirus (FLU), parainfluenzavirus (PIV), adenovirus (AdV), human rhinovirus (HRV), and the human metapneumovirus (hMPV). The purpose of the present study was to identify respiratory viruses that affected children younger than five years old in Uberlândia, Midwestern Brazil. Nasopharyngeal aspirates from 379 children attended at Hospital de Clínicas (HC/UFU), from 2001 to 2004, with acute respiratory disease, were collected and tested by immunofluorescence assay (IFA) to detect RSV, FLU A and B, PIV 1, 2, and 3 and AdV, and RT-PCR to detect HRV. RSV was detected in 26.4% (100/379) of samples, FLU A and B in 9.5% (36/379), PIV 1, 2 and 3 in 6.3% (24/379) and AdV in 3.7% (14/379). HRV were detected in 29.6% (112/379) of the negative and indeterminate samples tested by IFI. RSV, particularly among children less than six months of life, and HRV cases showed highest incidence. Negative samples by both IFA and RT-PCR might reflect the presence of other pathogens, such as hMPV, coronavirus, and bacteria. Laboratorial diagnosis constituted an essential instrument to determine the incidence of the most common viruses in respiratory infections among children in this region.