Abstract This study evaluated the effect of increasing the nutritional plane in finishing diets on meat quality traits of culled adult goats. Forty-one crossbred does were divided into four groups: baseline diet formulated to meet 100% of the nutritional requirements (BD); BD + 30% (BD30); + 60% (BD60); + 90% (BD90) of the nutritional level of BD. The goats received the experimental diets for 28 days. The protein profile of the longissimus lumborum muscle was evaluated using 1D SDS–PAGE and mass spectrometry. Cholesterol and albumin concentrations were highest in the BD group. There were no alterations in loin proximate composition or tissue composition. However, there was a significant reduction in the PUFA content in groups BD60 and BD90 compared with the group fed the baseline diet. Of 37 protein bands identified, 35 showed lower intensities in group BD90 than in BD and 22 bands showed lesser expression in groups BD60 and BD90 than in BD. The multivariate model identified 14 band proteins involved in group-diet segregation. Therefore, increasing the nutrient supply for finishing goats did not have marked positive effects on carcass. A lower expression of these proteins can have a profound impact on the qualitative aspects of the meat product.

RESUMO A maior parte das infraestruturas hídricas foram projetadas para condições climáticas e demandas que estão mudando rapidamente. Neste estudo, foi investigada a magnitude das inundações e a segurança de barragens em cenários de mudanças climáticas, utilizando um conjunto de modelos climáticos do CMIP6, acoplados a um modelo hidrológico. Foram comparadas as condições climáticas históricas e futuras de uma bacia hidrográfica do Ceará, Nordeste do Brasil. Os modelos revelaram uma ampla gama de níveis de risco de inundação e falha hidrológica. Metade dos cenários climáticos indicaram uma redução no período de retorno das cheias. Uma inundação associada a uma chuva de 1000 anos teve sua probabilidade de ocorrência cerca de 12 vezes maior, quando comparado o cenário SSP5 8.5 com as condições históricas. No cenário mais críticos, a lâmina d’água ultrapassou a altura da crista da barragem. Ao considerar a cheia associada a uma chuva decamilenar, o risco de colapso da barragem foi aumentado. As mudanças climáticas podem aumentar o risco de falha da infraestrutura hidráulica, que precisa ser adaptada para garantir a segurança das partes interessadas do sistema hídrico.

ABSTRACT Most water infrastructure was designed for climate conditions and demands that have been rapidly changing. In this study, we investigate flood magnitude and dam safety under climate change, using an ensemble of CMIP6 climate models, coupled to a hydrological model. We compare historical and future climate conditions of a watershed in Ceará, Northeast Brazil. Climate models revealed a wide range of risk levels of flood and hydrological failure. Half of the climate scenarios indicated a reduction in the flood return period. A flood associated with a 1000-year storm had an occurrence probability about 12 times higher when comparing the SSP5 8.5 scenario with historical conditions. In one more critical scenario, the water depth exceeded the height of the dam's crest. When considering a flood associated with a decamillennial storm, dam collapse risk was increased. Climate change might increase the risk of water infrastructure failure, which needs to be adapted to ensure the safety of the water system stakeholders.

Abstract The effect of high dietary lipid on the meat quality parameters of shoulder meat adult goats in raw meat and during curing and smoking was evaluated by classical and multivariate approaches. The animals were divided into two groups of different finishing strategies: without whole full-fat linseed (WFFLG, n = 9) and whole full-fat linseed (FFLG, n = 9), with diets containing an ether extract content of 2.7% and 6.9%, respectively. The physicochemical attributes did not vary according to the experimental diets in raw meat. The colorimetric parameters and pH varied during curing and smoking. Through multivariate analysis the first two principal components (PC), it was possible to identified variables were highly importance the total variation (L*, a*, b*, C*, h*, and fat content) in raw meat and smoking. The fat content and color b* presented the highest scores for importance of the variable in the projection. Lipid supplementation of adult goats did not influence the quality parameters physicochemical of the raw shoulder meat. However, after curing and smoking there was a significant effect of diet on Hue angle (h*).

ABSTRACT We investigated the pollen morphology of eight species of Acalypha occurring in Bahia State, Brazil. Flower buds were collected from specimens deposited in the CEPEC and HUEFS herbaria. Pollen samples were acetolyzed and analyzed using both light and scanning electron microscopy. The pollen grains examined using optical microscopy were found to be small and brevicolporate, with three to six apertures and elevations and fastigium, and had a psilate to scabrate exine. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of supratectal elements and Ubisch bodies, and evidenced three pollen types based mainly on exine ornamentation: microrugulate-scabrate (slightly rugulate-scabrate), areolate-rugulate, and microechinate. This study provides new data and new interpretations of pollen morphology for the genus Acalypha, with comments on the palynological relationships between Acalypha and its sister group Mareya, and the next most closely related genus (Spathiostemon).

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to morphologically characterize the pollen grains of species of Brasiliocroton mamoninha and B. muricatus in order to expand palynological knowledge of the group and provide additional micromorphological information useful for studies of the relationships within Crotoneae. Polleniferous material was acetolysed and described using light, scanning electron and transmission microscopy. The pollen grains of the two species of Brasiliocroton were apolar, spherical, inaperaturate and medium-sized with a Croton ornamentation pattern. The Croton pattern of B. mamoninha is formed by subtriangular pila, >5-plicate with pointed apices, while for B. muricatus it is formed by subcircular to circular pila, <5-plicate with rounded apices. Ultrastructural analysis revealed a stratified sexine in both species, whereas variation in the pattern of deposition of the foot layer allowed the species to be palynologically distinguished from each other. The composition of the Croton pattern of ornamentation, the morphology of the ultrastructure of the wall and the range of variation in the diameter of the pollen grains differed between the studied species, and thus are diagnostic characters. Pollen morphology allowed the two species of Brasiliocroton to be palynologically separated, and provided data that will be useful for taxonomically circumscribing these taxa.

Abstract Charcoal produced from reforested wood can be distinguished from the charcoal derived from the wood of native species. This identification is very important for the trade, control and monitoring of charcoal production in Brazil. This study investigated the potential of texture analysis for classifying the charcoal based on origin (eucalyptus or native) and species. A total of 17 wood species were studied, five of which belonged to genus Eucalyptus and 12 were native to the Zona da Mata Mineira. Texture features based on the gray level co-occurrence matrix were extracted from digital images. The linear discriminant analysis was used to classify the images with these features. Employing 10 features, 96.2% accuracy was achieved for the classification by origin and 90.4% for the categorization by species. Texture analysis was shown to be a favorable and effective method that could facilitate the establishment of semiautomated techniques to classify the charcoal based on origin or species.

Trypanosoma cruzi strains from distinct geographic areas show differences in drug resistance and association between parasites genetic and treatment response has been observed. Considering that benznidazole (BZ) can reduce the parasite burden and tissues damage, even in not cured animals and individuals, the goal is to assess the drug response to BZ of T. cruzi II strains isolated from children of the Jequitinhonha Valley, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, before treatment. Mice infected and treated with BZ in both phases of infection were compared with the untreated and evaluated by fresh blood examination, haemoculture, polymerase chain reaction, conventional (ELISA) and non-conventional (FC-ALTA) serologies. In mice treated in the acute phase, a significant decrease in parasitaemia was observed for all strains. Positive parasitological and/or serological tests in animals treated during the acute and chronic (95.1-100%) phases showed that most of the strains were BZ resistant. However, beneficial effect was demonstrated because significant reduction (p < 0.05%) and/or suppression of parasitaemia was observed in mice infected with all strains (acute phase), associated to reduction/elimination of inflammation and fibrosis for two/eight strains. BZ offered some benefit, even in not cured animals, what suggest that BZ use may be recommended at least for recent chronic infection of the studied region.

OBJETIVOS: Estudos sobre os padrões e mecanismos de coerência temporal de variáveis ecológicas entre lagos têm se tornado um tema importante na limnologia. Até o momento, nenhum estudo testou se e como a oferta de recursos e a configuração da teia trófica afetam os padrões e mecanismos da coerência temporal de variáveis limnológicas. Nós conduzimos um experimento de mesocosmos em campo durante 11 semanas para testar as seguintes hipóteses: (i) a adição de nutrientes reduz a coerência temporal de variáveis ecossistêmicas; (ii) a predação por peixes potencializa a coerência temporal de variáveis ecossistêmicas e (iii) a coerência temporal é mais forte para variáveis físicas (transparência da água), intermediária para variáveis químicas (concentração de oxigênio dissolvido [OD]) e fraca para variáveis biológicas (biomassa zooplanctônica total). MÉTODOS: Nós manipulamos a presença de peixe e a adição de nutrientes inorgânicos (N e P) em um desenho fatorial 2 × 2 em dezesseis mesocosmos instalados em uma lagoa costeira tropical. A coerência foi estimada por correlações de Pearson par-a-par das trajetórias temporais de cada variável resposta entre os mesocosmos de um mesmo tratamento. RESULTADOS: A presença de peixes aumentou significativamente apenas a coerência temporal da biomassa zooplanctônica, e, contrário às nossas expectativas, a adição de nutrientes aumentou a coerência temporal da [OD]. A intensidade dos efeitos da presença de peixe e da adição de nutrientes sobre a coerência temporal foi afetada pela identidade da variável monitorada, mas não em um padrão consistente. No entanto, a interação da presença de peixe e adição de nutrientes não afetaram a coerência temporal de nenhuma variável monitorada. CONCLUSÕES: Nossos resultados indicam que a predação de peixes e a disponibilidade de recursos podem afetar significativamente padrões de coerência temporal, mas tais efeitos dependerão mais de efeitos diretos do fator local sobre a variável do que da identidade da própria variável. Concluímos que a eutrofização e a sobrepesca podem interferir no acoplamento da dinâmica espaço-temporal de algumas variáveis limnológicas.

AIM: The study of the patterns and mechanisms of temporal coherence of ecological variables among lakes has become an important area of limnology. However, no study to date has experimentally tested whether and how resource subsidies and food web configuration affect the patterns and mechanisms of temporal coherence of limnological variables. We conducted a field mesocosm experiment to test the following hypotheses: (i) nutrient enrichment would reduce the temporal coherence of system variables; (ii) fish predation would enhance the temporal coherence of system variables; and (iii) the strength of temporal coherence decreases from physical (water transparency), to chemical (dissolved oxygen concentration [DO]) to biological variables (total zooplankton biomass). METHODS: For 11 weeks, we manipulated fish presence and nutrient (N and P) concentration in a 2 × 2 factorial design in sixteen within-lake enclosures installed in a tropical coastal lagoon. Coherence was estimated by pair-to-pair Pearson's moment correlations of the temporal trajectories of each response variable among enclosures of the same treatment. RESULTS: Fish presence only enhanced the temporal coherence of zooplankton biomass, whereas contrary to our expectations, nutrient addition enhanced the temporal coherence of [DO]. The strength of the individual effects of fish and nutrients on temporal coherence was affected by variable identity, but this variation did not occur in a consistent pattern across variables. However, the interactive effects of fish and nutrients on the temporal coherence of the three variables monitored were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that local factors, such as fish presence and nutrient availability, may affect the temporal coherence of several system variables, but these effects are better predicted by the strength of direct interactions between the local factor and the variable than by the identity of the variable itself. We conclude that eutrophication and overfishing may alter the coupling of spatial and temporal dynamics of some ecosystem variables.

OBJETIVOS: A biodiversidade de invertebrados bioturbadores de sedimentos aquáticos pode ser importante para afetar a magnitude e estabilidade de processos bentônico-pelágicos. Entretanto, nenhum estudo até o momento testou a importância da biodiversidade de invertebrados bioturbadores sobre padrões espaciais da concentração de CH4 ([CH4]) no sedimento. MÉTODOS: Neste estudo, nós conduzimos um experimento de laboratório para testar as seguintes predições: (1) A riqueza de espécies de bioturbadores irá reduzir a [CH4] no sedimento; (2) as espécies de invertebrados bioturbadores (i.e. composição de espécies) terão efeitos distintos sobre a [CH4] no sedimento (3) e os efeitos da riqueza e composição de espécies de bioturbadores sobre a [CH4] no sedimento serão dependentes da profundidade do sedimento. RESULTADOS: A riqueza de espécies de bioturbadores não afetou significativamente a [CH4] no sedimento quando as comparações foram feitas entre os diferentes níveis da riqueza de espécies. Entretanto, a riqueza de espécies de bioturbadores reduziu significativamente a [CH4] no sedimento quando diferentes níveis de riqueza foram comparados ao controle (tratamentos sem fauna), mas estes efeitos só foram significativos na fração mais profunda do sedimento. Além disso, a composição de espécies de bioturbadores teve efeitos significativos, embora distintos, nos padrões de redução da [CH4] no sedimento, dependendo da profundidade do sedimento e da espécie do bioturbador. CONCLUSÕES: Nós concluímos que tanto o número quanto a composição de espécies de bioturbadores são fatores importantes para determinar padrões espaciais da [CH4] no sedimento, mas a força destes efeitos depende de características funcionais das espécies que determinam a força das interações interespecíficas que ocorrem ao longo da dimensão espacial de nicho no sedimento.

AIM: Biodiversity of sediment bioturbators has been shown to be important for to the magnitude and stability of benthic-pelagic processes. However, no study to date has evaluated the importance of the biodiversity of benthic invertebrate bioturbators to the spatial patterns of sediment CH4 concentration ([CH4]). Here we conducted a laboratorial experiment to test the following predictions: (1) Bioturbator species richness will reduce the sediment [CH4]; (2) individual bioturbator species (i.e. species composition) will have different effects on sediment [CH4]; (3) and both the effects of bioturbator species richness and composition on sediment [CH4] will be dependent on sediment depth. METHODS: We manipulated the number and composition of three functional divergent benthic invertebrate bioturbators species that are widespread in South Atlantic coastal lagoons, in laboratorial sediment chambers containing the sediment and water of an urban impacted coastal lagoon RESULTS: Bioturbator species richness had no overall significant effect on sediment [CH4] when comparisons of sediment [CH4] were made among species richness levels. However, bioturbator species richness significantly reduced sediment [CH4] when species richness levels were compared to the control (defaunated treatments), but this effect was significant only at the deepest sediment layer. Furthermore, bioturbator species composition had significant, but distinct effects on the patterns of reduction in sediment [CH4], depending on the sediment depth and the bioturbator species. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that both the number and composition of bioturbator species are important to determine the effects of benthic bioturbators on spatial patterns of sediment [CH4], but the strength of these effects depend on species traits that determine interspecific interactions strength across the sediment vertical niche space.

Objetivou-se desenvolver classificadores com base em diferentes combinações de bandas e índices de vegetação espectrais de imagens originais, segmentadas e reflectâncias, para discriminação de teores de nitrogênio e clorofila foliares do feijoeiro, definindo a melhor época e as melhores variáveis. Foi utilizado um sistema de sensoriamento remoto constituído por um balão a gás hélio e duas câmeras digitais de pequeno formato. Além das bandas isoladamente, foram testados quatro índices de vegetação: da razão simples, da diferença normalizada, da diferença normalizada utilizando a banda do verde e o da absorção de clorofila modificado. Os classificadores demonstraram serem eficientes na discriminação de teores de nitrogênio e clorofila foliares. A melhor época para discriminar teor de nitrogênio foliar foi aos 13 DAE (estádio V4). Os melhores classificadores para esta época utilizaram como entrada dois índices em imagens reflectância segmentada, um índice relacionado com a estrutura do dossel e outro relacionado com a clorofila, com Kappa variando entre 0,26 a 0,31. Para discriminar teor de clorofila foliar, a melhor época foi aos 21 DAE (estádio V4). O melhor classificador utilizou como entrada duas imagens originais, uma da banda vermelha e outra da banda azul, com Kappa de 0,47.

This study aimed to develop classifiers based on different combinations of spectral bands and vegetation indices from original, segmented and reflectance images in order to determine the levels of leaf nitrogen and chlorophyll in the bean, and to define the best time and best variables. A remote-sensing system was used, consisting of a helium balloon and two small-format digital cameras. Besides the individual spectral bands, four vegetation indices were tested: simple ratio, normalized difference, normalized difference in the green band, and modified-chlorophyll absorption. The classifiers proved to be efficient in determining levels of leaf nitrogen and chlorophyll. The best time for determining leaf N content was at 13 DAE (stage V4). The best classifiers for that time used as input variables two indices from segmented reflectance images, one index related to the canopy structure and the other related to chlorophyll, with a Kappa ranging from 0.26 to 0.31. The best time to discriminate leaf chlorophyll content was 21 DAE (stage V4). The best classifier used as input variables two original images, one in the red band and one in the blue with a Kappa of 0.47.

This study was carried out to evaluate the influence of diets supplemented with glycerin as an alternative ingredient to corn on the performance and carcass characteristics of Santa Inês confined lambs. The study involved 27 lambs aged 90 days, having an average initial weight of 26.33 ± 0.15 kg. Lambs were randomly distributed into a control group and groups with diets containing 15 and 30% glycerin in the total feed. Diet was formulated with 40% roughage and 60% concentrate. The experimental design was completely randomized, and the production performance and carcass characteristics were analyzed by analysis of variance, and the subjective carcass characteristics, by general linear models. The daily average gain was 0.21, 0.24 and 0.23 kg/day; feeding conversion was 6.39, 5.73 and 5.92 kg of diet/kg BW for control animals, and those fed with 15 or 30% glycerin, respectively, without treatment differences. Lambs were slaughtered, weighing 34 to 36 kg, and average weight of the cold carcass and commercial carcass yield were evaluated. The results were, respectively, 15.97 kg and 49.18%, for control, 15.96 kg and 48.31% for animals fed with 15% glycerin, and 15.79 kg and 47.87% for those treated with 30% glycerin, with no treatment effects. Meat tenderness and cooking loss averages were not affected by diets, with 5.07 kg and 40.45%, 5.10 kg and 40.81%, and 5.27 kg and 39.04%, respectively, for control, and those fed with 15 or 30% glycerin. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that up to 30% of medium purity glycerin in the dry matter of the diet can be used to replace corn, without any negative effect on lamb performance or carcass characteristics.

In order to evaluate the use of oilseeds in the diet of goat kids, two experiments were performed. Experimental treatments consisted of four different total mixed diets, all containing oat hay, ground corn, soybean meal and mineral supplement, and differing in oilseeds inclusion (dry matter basis), according to the treatments: 1) control (without oilseeds), 2) diet containing 7.87% flaxseed, 3) diet with 7.30% sunflower seed, and 4) diet containing 8.00% canola. In the first experiment (to evaluate the performance), 28 ¾ Boer + ¼ Saanen castrated goat kids (22.66 kg to 30.88 kg BW) were allotted in a randomized design in feedlot. There was no difference between treatments for intake of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and ether extract, total weight gain, average daily gain, feed conversion or days in feedlot (61 days). In the second experiment (to evaluate the digestibility), four goats (47.42 ± 1.83 kg BW) were allotted in a 4 × 4 Latin square. The inclusion of sunflower seeds in the diet increased the intake of neutral detergent fiber. The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, total carbohydrate and total digestible nutrients were not influenced by the addition of oilseeds in the diets. There was higher ether extract digestibility for goats receiving dietary canola. The inclusion of flaxseed (7.30%), sunflower (7.87%) and canola (8.00%) seeds in the diets of ¾ Boer + ¼ Saanen goats does not improve performance, but can be used without changing intake, digestibility and energy value of diets.

A cidade de João Pessoa, na Paraíba, vem sendo submetida, nos últimos anos, a um forte crescimento urbano. Nesse contexto, este trabalho verificou entre as décadas de 1980 e 2000 variações climáticas significativas que possam ser correlacionadas com o crescimento urbano. Para tanto, utilizaram-se imagens de satélite nos anos de 1977 e 2009 para o cálculo da área edificada, bem como foram utilizadas séries de dados das variáveis climáticas: precipitação pluviométrica e temperatura do ar, colhidas em duas estações instaladas na malha urbana, e uma terceira, tomada como estação de referência, fora da malha urbana. Para a caracterização do crescimento da cidade, utilizaram-se dados quantitativos da população residente constantes dos censos demográficos de 1872 a 2009. Para a verificação do ritmo do comportamento da série temporal de temperatura e precipitação foram gerados gráficos da temperatura média e do acumulado mensal dos meses correspondentes aos trimestres mais quentes e menos quentes do período de 1984 a 2008. Dos resultados obtidos do tratamento e análise dos dados pode-se verificar que a temperatura do ar da cidade aumentou nos últimos 26 anos, havendo-se detectado que as temperaturas do ar sofreram elevações mais expressivas nos meses do trimestre mais quente, fato que pode ser correlacionado com a expansão da malha urbana.

The city of João Pessoa, in the state of Paraiba, has experienced a strong horizontal and vertical urban growth in recent years. The aim of this study was to check whether there were significant climate variations that could be linked with the urban growth of the city between the 1980's and 2000's. In order to do that, satellite images from 1977 and 2009 were used to calculate the urban sprawl area. In addition, a series of measurements of climate variables was used: rainfall and air temperature, taken from two weather stations located in the urban area, and another station outside the city. Quantitative data about the population were used to check urban growth, taken from the demographic censuses from 1872 to 2009. To verify the behavioral pace of the rainfall and temperature, charts were drawn containing the average temperatures and the monthly sum of the months in the warmest and least warm quarters from 1984 to 2008. The results of the data processing and analysis indicate that the air temperature in the city has increased over the past 26 years. Air temperature was also found to have increased more significantly in the months in the warmest quarter, which can be correlated with the expansion of urban sprawl.

Estudo retrospectivo, realizado na cidade de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, para avaliar indicadores de dispensação e consumo de substâncias anorexígenas. Ocorreu em duas etapas: na primeira, foram analisadas 2.906 das 168.237 notificações de receitas aviadas por estabelecimentos farmacêuticos da cidade, em 2003. Observou-se uma baixa qualidade nas notificações. O consumo projetado foi de 19,75 DDD/mil habitantes/dia. A substância mais consumida foi o fenproporex (59,8%). Uma farmácia foi responsável por 39,8% das dispensações. Na segunda etapa, foram analisados 14.554 registros do livro de receituário geral da farmácia que mais dispensou tais produtos, no período de abril a agosto de 2005. Os anorexígenos responderam por 9,2% das manipulações e 91,8% deles foram prescritos para uso concomitante com outra substância: 43% com clordiazepóxido, 50,6% com fluoxetina, 7,5% com outro anorexígeno e 28,2% com bromazepam. Os resultados observados sugerem um uso indiscriminado e irracional de anorexígenos neste município, sendo fundamental aprimorar a regulação do mercado de produtos manipulados. Para tanto, é necessário uma melhor compreensão do papel da farmácia nessa regulação e o papel dos prescritores no uso racional dessas substâncias.

This retrospective study in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, aimed to provide indicators on the sale and consumption of anorexigenic substances. During the first stage, 2,906 of 168,237 prescriptions received by pharmacies in 2003 were analyzed, showing low quality of prescriptions. Projected consumption in defined daily doses was 19.75 DDD/1,000 inhabitants/day in 2003. Fenproporex (59.8%) was the most widely consumed drug. One pharmacy was responsible for 39.8% of the pharmaceutical sales. During the second stage, 14,554 sales records from this "blockbuster" pharmacy were analyzed, from April to August 2005; 9.2% of sales were for anorexigenic products, 91.8% of which prescribed in association with another substance. The data suggest irrational use of anorexigenic drugs by these consumers and highlight the need for proper regulation of these products. It is important to understand both the role of pharmacies in this regulation and that of physicians in the rational use of these substances.

Estudo retrospectivo, realizado na cidade de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, para avaliar indicadores de dispensação e consumo de substâncias anorexígenas. Ocorreu em duas etapas: na primeira, foram analisadas 2.906 das 168.237 notificações de receitas aviadas por estabelecimentos farmacêuticos da cidade, em 2003. Observou-se uma baixa qualidade nas notificações. O consumo projetado foi de 19,75 DDD/mil habitantes/dia. A substância mais consumida foi o fenproporex (59,8%). Uma farmácia foi responsável por 39,8% das dispensações. Na segunda etapa, foram analisados 14.554 registros do livro de receituário geral da farmácia que mais dispensou tais produtos, no período de abril a agosto de 2005. Os anorexígenos responderam por 9,2% das manipulações e 91,8% deles foram prescritos para uso concomitante com outra substância: 43% com clordiazepóxido, 50,6% com fluoxetina, 7,5% com outro anorexígeno e 28,2% com bromazepam. Os resultados observados sugerem um uso indiscriminado e irracional de anorexígenos neste município, sendo fundamental aprimorar a regulação do mercado de produtos manipulados. Para tanto, é necessário uma melhor compreensão do papel da farmácia nessa regulação e o papel dos prescritores no uso racional dessas substâncias.

This retrospective study in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, aimed to provide indicators on the sale and consumption of anorexigenic substances. During the first stage, 2,906 of 168,237 prescriptions received by pharmacies in 2003 were analyzed, showing low quality of prescriptions. Projected consumption in defined daily doses was 19.75 DDD/1,000 inhabitants/day in 2003. Fenproporex (59.8%) was the most widely consumed drug. One pharmacy was responsible for 39.8% of the pharmaceutical sales. During the second stage, 14,554 sales records from this "blockbuster" pharmacy were analyzed, from April to August 2005; 9.2% of sales were for anorexigenic products, 91.8% of which prescribed in association with another substance. The data suggest irrational use of anorexigenic drugs by these consumers and highlight the need for proper regulation of these products. It is important to understand both the role of pharmacies in this regulation and that of physicians in the rational use of these substances.