O presente trabalho relata o isolamento de Salmonella enterica em órgãos de um pombo doméstico de vida livre. No exame clínico foi observada a presença de fezes pericloacal na região ventral, caquexia, incoordenação motora e opistótono. Antes de iniciar um protocolo terapêutico, a ave foi a óbito, e, em seguida, foi realizada uma necropsia para remoção do baço, fígado, rim e intestino para exame bacteriológico e teste de sensibilidade a antibióticos. Foi isolado Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica (O:4,5:i-) e Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica sorovar Typhimurium do fígado e intestino, e o teste de sensibilidade demonstrou que essas cepas são sensíveis a vários antimicrobianos.

The present study reports the isolation of Salmonellaenterica in organs of free-living domestic pigeons. In the clinic examination, the presence of feces in the peri-cloacal and abdominal regions were observed, as well as symptoms such as cachexy, incoordination and opisthotonos. Before any therapeutic protocol was applied the bird died and a necropsy was then performed for the removal of spleen, liver, kidney and intestine for bacteriological examination and antibiotic sensitivity test. Salmonella enterica subsp.enterica (O:4,5:i-) and Salmonellaenterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium were isolated from the liver and intestine and the sensitivity test demonstrated that these strains are sensitive to several antibiotics.

Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar o nível de infestação por plantas daninhas em uma plantação consolidada de pinhão-manso em função da espécie cultivada nas entrelinhas da cultura. O experimento foi instalado em 2006 no distrito de Itahum, cidade de Dourados, Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, tendo sido viabilizado por uma parceria entre a Fazenda Paraíso e a Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste. Os tratamentos consistiram do cultivo solteiro (1) ou das seguintes espécies cultivadas nas entrelinhas da cultura: (2) Stylosanthes spp.; (3) Brachiaria ruziziensis; (4) Brachiaria ruziziensis + Stylosanthes spp.; (5) Brachiaria humidicola; (6) Panicum maximum cv. massai; (7) Cajanus cajan cv. anão; (8) Crotalaria spectabilis; (9) sistema de rotação 1 - (milho safrinha - Crambe abyssinica - soja - amendoim); e (10) sistema de rotação 2 - (feijão-caupi - nabo forrageiro - milho - feijão-caupi) conduzidos por dois anos. A caracterização fitossociológica foi realizada em 2011, seguindo a perspectiva ecológica, sendo obtidos a abundância, a frequência, a dominância e o índice de valor de importância. As áreas foram ainda intracaracterizadas pelos coeficientes de diversidade de Simpson e de Shannon-Weiner modificado e, posteriormente,intercaracterizadas por análise de agrupamento. Áreas com cobertura do solo deficiente resultaram nos maiores índices de infestação; a rotação de culturas nas entrelinhas do pinhão-manso propiciou redução na infestação por plantas daninhas, porém a menor infestação foi constatada quando gramíneas foram cultivadas nas entrelinhas da cultura. Menores coeficientes de diversidade foram associados à ocorrência das plantas daninhas de mais difícil controle. Nos primeiros anos do plantio de pinhãomanso, espécies de Brachiaria ou rotações de cultivos envolvendo espécies com grande produção de biomassa com alta relação C:N devem ser estabelecidas nas entrelinhas, a fim de evitar problemas com infestações por plantas daninhas.

This study aimed to evaluate the level of infestation by weed species in a consolidated Jatropha plantation, as a function of the plant species grown in interrows. The experiment was installed in 2006 at the district of Itahum, city of Dourados, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, made possible through a partnership between Embrapa Western Agriculture and Paraiso Farm. Treatments consisted of (1) Jatropha in monocrop, with no plant at the interrrows; or the following plants cultivaded at the interrows of Jatropha: (2) Stylosanthes spp.; (3) Brachiaria ruziziensis; (4) Brachiaria ruziziensis + Stylosanthess pp.; (5) Brachiaria humidicola; (6) Panicum maximum cv. massai; (7) Cajanus cajan cv. anão; (8) Crotalaria spectabilis; (9) Crop rotation system 1 - (maize second crop -Crambe abyssinica - soybean - peanut); and (10) Crop rotation system 2 - (cowpea - radish - maize - cowpea) conducted for two years. Phytosociological characterization of weed species was accomplished in 2011 based on the Ecological Approach. Estimations of relative abundance, frequency, dominance and Importance Value Index were obtained. Areas were also characterized by the diversity coefficients of Simpson and modified Shannon-Weiner, and then grouped by cluster analysis. Areas with low soil coverage resulted in higher infestation levels; crop rotation in the interrows of Jatropha produced a significant reduction in weed infestation, but the lowest infestation levels were observed when grasses were grown intercropped with Jatropha. Lower diversity coefficients were associated with occurrence of the most troublesome weed species. In the first years after planting Jatropha, species of Brachiaria or a crop rotation involving species with high mulching ability and whose biomass exhibit a high C:N ratio, should be established in the interrows to avoid problems with weeds infestation.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in critically ill patients. Diuretics are used without any evidence demonstrating a beneficial effect on renal function. The objective of the present study is to determine the incidence of AKI in an intensive care unit (ICU) and if there is an association between the use of furosemide and the development of AKI. The study involved a hospital cohort in which 344 patients were consecutively enrolled from January 2010 to January 2011. A total of 132 patients (75 females and 57 males, average age 64 years) remained for analysis. Most exclusions were related to ICU discharge in the first 24 h. Laboratory, sociodemographic and clinical data were collected until the development of AKI, medical discharge or patient death. The incidence of AKI was 55% (95%CI = 46-64). The predictors of AKI found by univariate analysis were septic shock: OR = 3.12, 95%CI = 1.36-7.14; use of furosemide: OR = 3.27, 95%CI = 1.57-6.80, and age: OR = 1.02 (95%CI = 1.00-1.04). Analysis of the subgroup of patients with septic shock showed that the odds ratio of furosemide was 5.5 (95%CI = 1.16-26.02) for development of AKI. Age, use of furosemide, and septic shock were predictors of AKI in critically ill patients. Use of furosemide in the subgroup of patients with sepsis/septic shock increased (68.4%) the chance of development of AKI when compared to the sample as a whole (43.9%).

The aim of this work was to evaluate the potentiality of the beekeeping in the Cariri Paraibano, using mathematical models to esteem the growth of the colonies. The data had been taken weekly with the weighing of nests of 20 beehives installed in the Experimental Station (CCA/UFPB) of São João do Cariri. The estimate of the parameters was made by means of nonlinear regressions, for procedure NLIN of Program SAS (Statistical Analysis System), using the modified Gauss-Newton method. For the choice of the best model, the number of interactions, the determination coefficient and the residue distribution graph were used. Among the studied models, better adjustment was achieved with the quadratic logarithmic model.

Buscando avaliar a potencialidade da apicultura no Cariri Paraibano, objetivou-se a utilização de modelos matemáticos adequados para estimar o crescimento das colônias. Os dados foram tomados semanalmente com a pesagem de ninhos de 20 colméias instaladas na Estação Experimental de São João do Cariri (CCA/UFPB). A estimativa dos parâmetros foi feita por meio de regressões não-lineares, pelo procedimento NLIN do programa SAS (Statistical Analysis System), utilizando-se o método modificado de Gauss-Newton. Para a escolha do melhor modelo, utilizou-se número de interações, o coeficiente de determinação ( Ra² ) e o gráfico de distribuição de resíduo. Entre os modelos estudados, o que apresentou melhor ajuste foi a quadrático logarítmico.

A associação entre fatores de risco cardiovascular (FRCV) na pós-menopausa e o antecedente de irregularidade menstrual no menacme foi avaliado em estudo caso-controle envolvendo 414 mulheres na pós-menopausa com idade de 60,4 ± 5,5 anos e IMC de 25,3 ± 4,7 kg/m². As variáveis consideradas foram: caracterização do ciclo menstrual entre 20 e 35 anos (independente) e relato atual sobre ocorrência de hipertensão arterial, dislipidemia, diabetes mellitus e doença arterial coronariana (dependentes). Utilizou-se o teste qui-quadrado e modelos de regressão logística, ajustados para outras variáveis implicadas no risco para doenças CV, com nível de significância 5%. Observou-se que mulheres que relataram irregularidade menstrual prévia estiveram associadas com risco aumentado para ocorrência de algum FRCV [odds ratio ajustado (OR)= 2,14; IC-95%= 1,024,48], quando comparadas àquelas com ciclos regulares. Análise estratificada demonstrou as seguintes associações significativas com o antecedente de irregularidade menstrual: hipertensão arterial (OR= 2,4; 95% IC= 1,395,41), hipercolesterolemia (OR= 2,32; 95% IC= 1,174,59), hipertrigliceridemia (OR= 2,09; 95% IC= 1,104,33) e angioplastia coronariana (OR= 6,82; 95% IC= 1,4432,18). Os dados sugerem que o antecedente de irregularidade menstrual, indicativo da ocorrência da síndrome dos ovários policísticos na idade reprodutiva, pode estar relacionado com aumento do risco para doenças CV na pós-menopausa.

To evaluate the association between cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) during postmenopausal years and previous menstrual irregularity during reproductive years, we performed a case-control study in 414 postmenopausal women (mean age 60.4 ± 5.5 years; BMI 25.3 ± 4.7 kg/m²). The variables assessed were: menstrual cycle characteristics at age 2035y (independent) and records of arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and coronary heart disease (dependent). Statistical analysis used the chi-square test and logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders for cardiovascular risk, with significance set at 5%. Women reporting previous menstrual irregularity were associated with increased risk for some CVRF [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.14; CI-95%= 1.024.48], when compared with those reporting regular menstrual cycles. Stratified analysis demonstrated significant associations of previous menstrual irregularity with: arterial hypertension [OR= 2.74; CI-95%= 1.395.41), hypercholesterolemia (OR= 2.32; CI-95%= 1.174.59), hypertriglyceridemia (OR= 2.09; CI-95%=1.104.33), and coronary angioplasty (OR= 6.82; CI-95%= 1.4432.18). These data suggest that a prior history of menstrual irregularity, as indicative of polycystic ovary syndrome, may be related to increased risk for CVD during postmenopausal years.

The vasorelaxing activity of rotundifolone (ROT), a major constituent (63.5%) of the essential oil of Mentha x villosa, was tested in male Wistar rats (300-350 g). In isolated rat aortic rings, increasing ROT concentrations (0.3, 1, 10, 100, 300, and 500 µg/ml) inhibited the contractile effects of 1 µM phenylephrine and of 80 or 30 mM KCl (IC50 values, reported as means ± SEM = 184 ± 6, 185 ± 3 and 188 ± 19 µg/ml, N = 6, respectively). In aortic rings pre-contracted with 1 µM phenylephrine, the smooth muscle-relaxant activity of ROT was inhibited by removal of the vascular endothelium (IC50 value = 235 ± 7 µg/ml, N = 6). Furthermore, ROT inhibited (pD2 = 6.04, N = 6) the CaCl2-induced contraction in depolarizing medium in a concentration-dependent manner. In Ca2+-free solution, ROT inhibited 1 µM phenylephrine-induced contraction in a concentration-dependent manner and did not modify the phasic contractile response evoked by caffeine (20 mM). In conclusion, in the present study we have shown that ROT produces an endothelium-independent vasorelaxing effect in the rat aorta. The results further indicated that in the rat aorta ROT is able to induce vasorelaxation, at least in part, by inhibiting both: a) voltage-dependent Ca² channels, and b) intracellular Ca2+ release selectively due to inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate activation. Additional studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying ROT-induced relaxation.

The odoriferous species Lippia sidoides Cham. is abundant in the Brazilian Northeast. Its essential oil possesses antiseptic activity due to the presence of thymol. In this work, thermodynamic and kinetic data were experimentally determined for the CO2 + L. sidoides system. Solubility was determined using the dynamic method at pressures of 66.7 and 78.5 bar and temperatures of 283.15, 288.15, 293.15, 295.15, and 298.15 K. SFE kinetic data were obtained at 288.15 K and 66.7 bar. The composition of the multicomponent solute mixture was determined by GC-MS and compared to the composition of both the volatile oil obtained by steam distillation and the oleoresin obtained using ethanol. The SFE process yield was higher than the yield of either the steam distillation or the ethanol extraction. The solubilities were correlated using the Peng-Robinson equation of state with one binary interaction parameter for the attractive term, considering the essential oil as a pseudo-component. Sovová’s model quantitatively described the overall extraction curve.

This work describes two methods of preparation of hydrous tantalum phosphates and their characterization as ion exchangers. The hydrous metallic phosphate compounds were chemically and physically characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffractometry and surface area measurements. By the first method, tantalum phosphate was prepared by alkaline fusion of Ta2O5 with an excess of K2CO3, followed by lixiviation of the tantalate fusion product with hot water, and precipitation with diluted H3PO4. Preparation II was performed using metallic Ta dissolved in concentrated HF/HNO3 acidic mixture followed by hydrolysis of fluortantalic acid intermediary and precipitation with diluted H3PO4. Both freshly prepared materials (I and II) were exaustively refluxed with concentrated H3PO4, in its boiling point temperature, resulting respectively in Ta2O5. 2.1 H2O, (IR) and Ta2O5. 1.3 H2O, (IIR). Characterization of the prepared products have presented the following values: surface area of 108.27 ± 2.80; 220.14 ± 2.67; 117.07 ± 5.25 and 141.61 ± 0.27 m².g-1 respectively for I, IR, II and IIR. All these materials were amorphous. The ion exchange behavior for all four hydrous tantalum phosphates was studied using Na+, K+ and Ba+2 as the exchanged species. The values for typical ion exchange capacity were 1.64; 1.23; 1.47 and 1.01 miliequivalent.g-1, respectively for I, IR, II and IIR products.

Nitric oxide (NO) is an extremely important and versatile messenger in biological systems. It has been identified as a cytotoxic factor in the immune system, presenting anti- or pro-inflammatory properties under different circumstances. In murine monocytes and macrophages, stimuli by cytokines or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are necessary for inducing the immunologic isoform of the enzyme responsible for the high-output production of NO, nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). With respect to human cells, however, LPS seems not to stimulate NO production in the same way. Addressing this issue, we demonstrate here that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from schistosomiasis-infected patients and cultivated with parasite antigens in the in vitro granuloma (IVG) reaction produced more nitrite in the absence of LPS. Thus, LPS-induced nitrite levels are easily detectable, although lower than those detected only with antigenic stimulation. Concomitant addition of LPS and L-N-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) restored the ability to produce detectable levels of nitrite, which had been lost with L-NAME treatment. In addition, LPS caused a mild decrease of the IVG reaction and its association with L-NAME was responsible for reversal of the L-NAME-exacerbating effect on the IVG reaction. These results show that LPS alone is not as good an NO inducer in human cells as it is in rodent cells or cell lines. Moreover, they provide evidence for interactions between LPS and NO inhibitors that require further investigation.