ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to assess the effects of two levels of soybean hulls (0 and 400.1 g/kg) and whole or ground corn in the diet of newborn crossbred dairy male calves on intake, performance, blood indicators, and feeding cost. Twenty-eight calves with an average weight of 33.0±6.2 kg and four days of age were distributed into four treatment groups in a completely randomized design (n = 7) for 56 days. Weekly samples of feed, diets, and leftovers were collected to determine dry matter and nutrient intakes. To evaluate apparent digestibility, samples were taken using titanium dioxide as a maker. Blood samples were also collected to evaluate blood indicators. The inclusion of soybean hulls resulted in greater neutral detergent fiber intake by the calves, but reduced their non-fibrous carbohydrates intake, which was also reduced by the use of whole corn in the diet. Although the total digestible nutrients content of diets decreased with the use of whole corn and inclusion of soybean hulls, its intake did not vary (0.75 kg/d), regardless of the factors analyzed. The apparent digestibilities of dry matter (0.87 kg/kg) and crude protein (0.89 kg/kg) were similar, resulting in similar performance between the animals, regardless of the factors analyzed. In the quantities evaluated, the use of soybean hulls or whole corn did not affect blood indicators and was insufficient to reduce feed costs; the cost of daily feed was $2.06, while the cost per kilogram of gain was $3.74. The inclusion of up to 400.1 g/kg of soybean hulls or the replacement of ground corn with whole corn does not affect the performance of crossbred dairy calves during the preweaning period, demonstrating that both can be used in animal feed during this phase of production.

Resumo Em São Luís, Maranhão, região Nordeste do Brasil, a notificação de casos de Leishmaniose Visceral (LV) intensificou-se em 1982, com padrão epidêmico e endêmico. Nessa cidade, o Centro de Controle de Zoonoses (CCZ) era uma entidade que realizava ações de controle e prevenção da doença, mas, nos últimos anos, a periodicidade de suas atividades reduziram-se significativamente, devido a diversos fatores técnico-políticos. Portanto, neste estudo avaliou-se o cenário epidemiológico da leishmaniose visceral humana (LVH) e a prevalência da doença em cães, após a descontinuidade das atividades do CCZ, no período de 2007-2016. A soroprevalência canina foi determinada de acordo com o perfil clínico e a sorologia. Os casos notificados de LVH foram realizados a partir de dados da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de São Luís. Observou-se frequência de 45,8% (p = 0,0001) de cães soropositivos, dos quais 54% (p = 0,374) eram assintomáticos. Em relação aos casos humanos, ocorreram 415 notificações, com aumento na incidência das zoonoses observada no período. Assim, pode-se inferir que, com a interrupção das atividades de controle e vigilância, houve um grande número de animais circulantes positivos, atuando como fonte de infecção tanto para cães quanto para humanos.

Abstract In São Luís, Maranhão, northeastern Brazil, the notification of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) cases intensified in 1982, showing endemic and epidemic patterns. In this city, the Center for Zoonoses Control (CZC) was an organization in charge of the control and prevention of the disease. However, technical and political reasons have led to a significant decline in the periodicity of its activities. Therefore, in this study we evaluated the epidemiological scenario of human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) and the prevalence of the disease in dogs after the cessation of the CZC activities, covering the period of 2007 to 2016. The seroprevalence of canine leishmaniasis was determined based on clinical and serological profiles. HVL cases were notified using data provided by the Municipal Health Department of São Luís. A seropositivity rate of 45.8% (p = 0.0001) was found among dogs, 54% (p = 0.374) of which were asymptomatic. As for human cases, there were 415 notifications, with an increase in the incidence of the zoonosis observed during the aforementioned period. Thus, it can be inferred that after the control and surveillance activities were curtailed, there was an increase in the number of seropositive animals in circulation, acting as reservoirs of infection for dogs and humans.

Resumo A esquistossomose é uma doença negligenciada que afeta milhões de pessoas em todo o mundo, sendo comum no estado do Maranhão. Um total de 225 roedores da espécie Holochilus sciureus da Planície Ocidental do Maranhão foram estudados, dos quais 144 animais (64%) apresentaram ovos de Schistosoma em suas fezes. Lesões macroscópicas caracterizadas como áreas esbranquiçadas bem definidas nas superfícies do fígado e baço foram observadas. O exame histopatológico revelou granulomas multifocais no esôfago, fígado, baço, pâncreas e duodeno, com estruturas compatíveis com ovos de Schistosoma mansoni, degeneração micro-vacuolar hepática grave, multifocal e coalescente, com proliferação de ductos biliares aleatórios e hiperplasia epitelial associada a áreas de fibrose. Formas adultas do parasito foram observadas nos vasos sanguíneos do espaço portal. Os pulmões exibiram pneumonia intersticial moderada e difusa com ovos de S. mansoni intralesionais. Nos rins, foram observados cilindros hialinos na pelve e hemorragia difusa. Em conclusão, H. sciureus apresenta um quadro patológico semelhante ao ser humano. Este roedor desempenha um papel de sentinela na Baixada Maranhense.

Abstract Schistosomiasis is a neglected disease that affects millions of people around the world, being common in the state of Maranhão. A total of 225 rodents of the Holochilus sciureus species from the Western Lowland Maranhão were studied, of which 144 animals (64%) exhibited Schistosoma eggs in their feces samples. Macroscopic lesions characterized as well-defined whitish areas on the liver and spleen surfaces were observed. Histopathological examination revealed multifocal granulomas in the esophagus, liver, spleen, pancreas and duodenum, with structures compatible with Schistosoma mansoni eggs, as well as severe hepatic micro-vacuolar degeneration, multifocal and coalescent, with proliferation of random bile ducts and associated epithelial hyperplasia to areas of fibrosis. Adult forms of the parasite were observed in the blood vessels of the portal space. The lungs exhibited moderate and diffuse interstitial pneumonia with intralesional S. mansoni eggs. In the kidneys, hyaline cylinders were observed in the pelvis and diffuse hemorrhage. In conclusion, H. sciureus displays a pathological picture similar to human being. This rodent plays a role as sentinel in Baixada Maranhense.

Background: There is considerable evidence that abnormal zinc homeostasis is related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathogenesis, and malnutrition is an independent prognostic factor for worsened survival of ALS patients. Objective: To evaluate the dietary intake and zinc status in patients with ALS, treated in a specialized outpatient facility in Natal, Brazil. Methods: Twenty patients with ALS (case group) and 37 healthy subjects (control group) were included. Clinical and anthropometric assessments were carried out and dietary intake was obtained from two 24-hour recalls. Plasma and urinary zinc concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results: Most of the participants were eutrophic. Mean energy, protein, carbohydrate and fat intake was significantly lower for the case group. There was greater prevalence of inadequate zinc intake in the case group (35%) compared to controls (27%). Mean plasma zinc was significantly lower in the case group than in controls (77.13 ± 22.21 vs 87.84 ± 17.44 µgZn/dl). Urinary zinc did not differ significantly between cases and controls. In the case group, plasma and urinary zinc concentrations were below reference values in 50.0% and 52.6% of patients, respectively. Conclusion: A large portion of patients with ALS exhibited poor dietary intake and changes in body zinc status. The zinc deficiency found in half of the ALS patients may contribute to a worsened prognosis and should be the target of nutritional intervention that aims to correct this deficiency.

Introducción: hay pruebas considerables de que los cambios en la homeostasis del zinc están relacionados con la patogénesis de la esclerosis lateral amiotrófica (ELA) y que la malnutrición es un factor pronóstico capaz de reducir la supervivencia de los pacientes con ELA. Objetivo: evaluar la ingesta dietética y el estado de zinc en pacientes con ELA, tratados en un centro de atención ambulatoria especializado en Natal, Brasil. Métodos: se incluyeron 20 pacientes con ELA (grupo de casos) y 37 sujetos sanos (grupo control). Se realizaron evaluaciones clínicas y antropométricas y se obtuvo la ingesta dietética en dos recordatorios de 24 horas. Las concentraciones plasmáticas y urinarias de zinc se determinaron por espectrofotometría de absorción atómica. Resultados: la mayoría de los participantes fueron eutróficos. El consumo medio de energía, proteínas, carbohidratos y grasas fue significativamente menor en el grupo de casos. Hubo una mayor prevalencia de ingesta inadecuada de zinc en el grupo de casos (35%) en comparación con los controles (27%). El zinc plasmático medio fue significativamente menor en el grupo de casos que en los controles (77,13 ± 22,21 frente a 87,84 ± 17,44 μgZn/dl). El zinc urinario no difirió significativamente entre los casos y los controles. En el grupo de casos, las concentraciones de zinc plasmático y urinario fueron inferiores a los valores de referencia en el 50,0% y 52,6% de los pacientes, respectivamente. Conclusión: gran parte de los pacientes con ELA exhibieron una ingesta dietética pobre y modificación en el estatus de zinc corporal. La deficiencia de zinc encontrada en la mitad de los pacientes con ELA puede contribuir a un empeoramiento del pronóstico y debe ser el objetivo de la intervención nutricional que apunta a corregir esta deficiencia.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a correlação entre a percepção da dispneia durante uma crise de asma leve a moderada, por meio da escala modificada de Borg, com a medida do pico de fluxo expiratório (PFE). MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal de crianças e adolescentes que procuraram a emergência pediátrica devido a crise asmática, com dados coletados de julho de 2005 a junho de 2006. Foram registrados dados demográficos. Pacientes e seus responsáveis foram solicitados a graduar, individualmente, a dispneia do paciente por meio da escala modificada de Borg e, posteriormente, foi avaliada a medida do PFE. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 181 pacientes asmáticos, com idade média de 7,2 (±2,4) anos (4-12). A mãe procurou atendimento médico em 83,4% (151/181). Os sintomas incluíram tosse, em 68,5% (124/181), dispneia, em 47,0% (85/181), e sibilância, em 12,7% (23/181). Trinta e seis por cento (65/181) apresentavam crise leve, e 64,1% (116/181), moderada. Correlação negativa significativa foi evidenciada entre a percepção dos responsáveis e dos pacientes com dispneia e a medida do PFE dos pacientes (percentual previsto; r s = -0,240 e r s = -0,385, respectivamente). CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes e responsáveis demonstraram percepção limitada da gravidade da dispneia do paciente, evidenciando a necessidade de monitorar medidas objetivas, como a medida do PFE e o desenvolvimento de melhores meios de avaliação da dispneia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between perception of dyspnea during a mild to moderate asthma attack using the Modified Borg Scale (MBS) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with children and adolescents who sought a pediatric emergency service due to an asthma attack. Data were collected from July 2005 to June 2006. Demographic data were recorded. Patients and those in charge of them were requested to grade, individually, the patient's dyspnea using the MBS; afterwards, the peak expiratory flow rate was measured. RESULTS: 181 asthmatic patients were evaluated, with a mean age of 7.2 (± 2.4) years (range, 4-12). The mother sought medical aid in 83.4% of the cases (151/181). Patient symptoms included coughing in 68.5% (124/181), dyspnea in 47.0% (85/181), and wheezing in 12.7% (23/181). Thirty-six percent (65/181) had a mild attack, and 64.1% (116/181) a moderate one. A significant negative correlation was found between the patients' and accompanying adults' perceptions of patient's dyspnea and the PEFR (% predicted; r s = -0.240 and r s = -0.385, respectively). CONCLUSION: Both the patients and those looking after them had a poor perception of the severity of the patient's dyspnea. This emphasizes the need to monitor objective measures such as the PEFR and to develop better ways of evaluating dyspnea.