Abstract Objective Evaluate autonomic function and low-grade inflammation and characterize the correlation between these variables in schoolchildren with obesity living in the Brazilian northeast region. Methods 84 children with obesity and 41 with normal weight were included in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometry, body composition, blood pressure (BP), inflammatory biomarkers, and heart rate variability (HRV) indexes were analyzed in children aged 7 to 11 years. Results children with obesity had increased systolic (p= 0.0017) and diastolic (p= 0.0131) BP and heart rate (p= 0.0022). The children with obesity displayed significantly lower SDNN, RMSSD, NN50, HF (ms), HF (nu), SD1, SD2, and higher LF (ms), LF (nu), LF/HF, SD1/SD2, DFA-α1, and DFA-α2, compared to normal weight. A lower and higher capacity for producing IL-10 (p= 0.039) and IL-2 (p= 0.009), respectively, were found in children with obesity compared to children with normal weight. Although IL-2, IL-4 and IL17A did not correlate with HRV parameters, IL-6 was positively correlated with SDNN, LF (ms) and SD2, TNF-α was positively correlated with LF/HF and SD1/SD2 ratio, and IFN-γ was positively correlated with SDNN, RMMSSD, NN50, LF (ms), HF (ms), SD1, and SD2. Conclusions The findings suggest that children with obesity have impaired autonomic function and systemic low-grade inflammation compared to children within the normal weight range, the inflammatory biomarkers were correlated with HRV parameters in schoolchildren living in the northeastern region of Brazil.

Resumo O exercício aeróbico (AE) e exercícios resistidos (ER) têm demonstrado benefícios na prevenção e/ou controle da pressão arterial (PA), embora as influências destes dois modelos de exercícios (exercício concorrente) em uma única sessão sobre a PA ainda são desconhecidos. Desta forma, o objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar os efeitos da alternância entre EA e ER em diferentes sessões de exercícios concorrente sobre as respostas da PA. Participaram do estudo 10 jovens atletas do sexo masculino (22,6 ± 3,78 anos, 70,3 ± 5,89 kg, 175,96 ± 5,83 centímetros, 6,8 ± 2,38 % de gordura corporal). Os testes consistiram de quatro protocolos randomizados, sendo a sessão AR composta por EA seguido do ER, a sessão RA por ER seguido do EA (AR), a sessão circuito (CC) (ER e EA alternando de forma intermitente ) e a sessão de controle (CO) (sem exercício) . EA foi realizado em uma esteira a 90% do lactato mínimo indireto e o ER foi realizado em forma de circuito a 90% de 12 RM, alternado por segmento em seis exercícios. A PA foi mensurada em todos os protocolos, durante o momento repouso e no período de recuperação pós-exercício (REP). Observou-se uma redução da pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) aos 45 e 60 minutos de recuperação do protocolo RA em relação aos valores pré-exercício. A PA diastólica e média não apresentaram diferenças significativas. A sessão RA foi mais eficaz em demonstrar respostas hipotensoras em relação aos outros protocolos experimentais.

Abstract Aerobic exercise (AE) and resistance exercise (RE) have shown benefits in preventing and / or controlling blood pressure (BP), although the influences of these two models (concurrent exercise) in a single session of exercise on BP are still unknown to the individual. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to verify the effects of the alternating between AE and RE in different concurrent exercise sessions on BP responses. In order to do so, ten young male athletes (22.6 ± 3.78 years, 70.3 ± 5.89 kg, 175.96 ± 5.83 cm, 6.8 ± 2.38 % body fat) participated in the study. The tests consisted of four randomized protocols, the sessions consisted of AE followed by RE (AR), RE followed by AE (RA), circuit (CC) (ER and EA alternating intermittently) and control session (CO) (without exercise). AE was performed on a treadmill at 90% of indirect minimum lactate and RE was performed on a circuit at 90% of 12 RM, alternating muscle segments in six exercises. BP was measured in all protocols and post-exercise recovery period (PERP) every 15 minutes during one hour. Results showed a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP) at the 45th minute of recovery (R45) and one-hour mean values of the PERP in the RA protocol when compared to its value at rest. Diastolic and mean BP showed no significant differences. Thus, the RA session promoted a more accentuated decrease in SBP when compared to the other sessions.

Introdução As amputações provocam alterações funcionais, musculoesqueléticas e cardiovasculares e, quanto mais proximal o nível da amputação, maiores essas alterações. Objetivos Observar o efeito do uso de próteses de membros inferiores e da velocidade de marcha sobre a frequência cardíaca (FC), pressão arterial (PA), consumo de oxigênio (VO2) e custo energético (CE) durante a marcha de amputados traumáticos de membros inferiores. Materiais e métodos Foram estudados 30 indivíduos do sexo masculino, 20 possuíam amputações unilaterais traumáticas, sendo 10 transfemorais e 10 transtibiais, que foram comparados a 10 indivíduos sem amputações. Todos selecionaram uma velocidade de marcha agradável (VMA) na esteira rolante e foram calculadas e testadas outras duas, 20% acima e 20% abaixo da selecionada. Os indivíduos andaram por 10 minutos em cada velocidade e, nos três minutos finais, foram avaliados o VO2, a FC e a PA. Para comparação das variáveis entre os grupos foi realizada análise de variância (ANOVA), seguida do teste Post Hoc de Sheffé (p < 0,05). Resultados Os amputados selecionaram menores valores de VMA e apresentaram maior FC, PA, VO2 e CE durante a marcha ao serem comparados aos indivíduos não amputados. Os transfemorais apresentaram maior VO2 e CE quando comparados aos transtibiais. Ao analisar o efeito velocidade, observou-se que, apesar do VO2 não ter aumentado com aumento da velocidade, houve aumento da resposta cardiovascular e redução do CE. Conclusões Os amputados traumáticos de membros inferiores apresentam maior gasto energético e resposta cardiovascular durante a marcha e, em maiores velocidades, eles tornam-se mais econômicos, reduzindo o CE.

Introduction Amputations cause functional, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular alterations and, the more proximal the amputation, the larger the alterations. Objectives To observe the effect of using lower limb prosthetics and that of gait speed on heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), oxygen consumption (VO2) and energy cost (EC) during gait in traumatic lower limbs amputees. Materials and methods The sample was composed of 30 men with unilateral amputations, 10 transfemoral and 10 transtibial, compared to 10 people with no amputations. All of them selected a pleasant walking speed (PWS) on the treadmill, and two other speeds were calculated, 20% above and 20% below the original one. The subjects walked for 10 minutes at each of the speeds and, in the last three minutes, the VO2, HR, and BP were assessed. In order to compare variables between groups the variance was performed (ANOVA) followed by the Post Hoc Sheffé test (p < 0.05). Results The amputees selected lower values of PWS and had higher HR, BP, and EC, VO2 during gait when compared to normal individuals. The transfemoral amputees had higher VO2 and EC compared to the transtibial ones. By analyzing the speed effect, it was observed that, although the VO2 did not increase with the increased speed, there was increased cardiovascular response and reduced EC. Conclusions Traumatic lower limb amputees have higher energy expenditure and cardiovascular responses during gait and, at higher speeds, they become more economical, reducing the EC.

OBJETIVO: Comparar diferentes métodos de rastreamento para distúrbios da pressão arterial em crianças e adolescentes. MÉTODO: Foi usado um banco de dados com 17.083 prontuários de pacientes de uma clínica de cardiologia pediátrica. Após análise dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão, 5.650 foram selecionados. Esses foram divididos em duas faixas etárias: entre cinco e 13 anos e entre 13 e 18 anos De acordo com a aferição, a pressão arterial era classificada como normal, pré-hipertensiva ou hipertensiva de acordo com guidelines recentes e os métodos de rastreamento selecionados. Posteriormente, foram calculadas a sensibilidade, especificidade e acurácia de cada um de acordo com o gênero e faixa etária. RESULTADOS: As fórmulas de Somu e a tabela proposta por Ardissino apresentaram baixa sensibilidade na identificação de pré-hipertensão em todas as faixas etárias, enquanto a tabela proposta por Kaelber apresentou os melhores resultados. A razão entre pressão arterial e altura apresentou baixa especificidade na faixa etária menor, mas apresentou bom desempenho em adolescentes. CONCLUSÃO: As ferramentas de rastreamento para distúrbios da pressão arterial em crianças e adolescentes podem ser úteis para diminuir o subdiagnóstico que ocorre atualmente nessa condição. A tabela proposta por Kaelber apresentou os melhores resultados, entretanto a razão entre PA e altura apresenta vantagens específicas, como a não necessidade de tabelas.

OBJECTIVE: To compare different methods of screening for blood pressure disorders in children and adolescents. METHOD: A database with 17,083 medical records of patients from a pediatric cardiology clinic was used. After analyzing the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 5,650 were selected. These were divided into two age groups: between 5 and 13 years and between 13 and 18 years. The blood pressure measurement was classified as normal, pre-hypertensive, or hypertensive, consistent with recent guidelines and the selected screening methods. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were then calculated according to gender and age range. RESULTS: The formulas proposed by Somu and Ardissino's table showed low sensitivity in identifying pre-hypertension in all age groups, whereas the table proposed by Kaelber showed the best results. The ratio between blood pressure and height showed low specificity in the younger age group, but showed good performance in adolescents. CONCLUSION: Screening tools used for the assessment of blood pressure disorders in children and adolescents may be useful to decrease the current rate of underdiagnosis of this condition. The table proposed by Kaelber showed the best results; however, the ratio between BP and height demonstrated specific advantages, as it does not require tables.

In the Americas, areas with a high risk of malaria transmission are mainly located in the Amazon Forest, which extends across nine countries. One keystone step to understanding the Plasmodium life cycle in Anopheles species from the Amazon Region is to obtain experimentally infected mosquito vectors. Several attempts to colonise Ano- pheles species have been conducted, but with only short-lived success or no success at all. In this review, we review the literature on malaria transmission from the perspective of its Amazon vectors. Currently, it is possible to develop experimental Plasmodium vivax infection of the colonised and field-captured vectors in laboratories located close to Amazonian endemic areas. We are also reviewing studies related to the immune response to P. vivax infection of Anopheles aquasalis, a coastal mosquito species. Finally, we discuss the importance of the modulation of Plasmodium infection by the vector microbiota and also consider the anopheline genomes. The establishment of experimental mosquito infections with Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium yoelii and Plasmodium berghei parasites that could provide interesting models for studying malaria in the Amazonian scenario is important. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of the parasites in New World vectors is crucial in order to better determine the interaction process and vectorial competence.

Papaya (Carica papaya) is a fruit crop of great economic and social importance for Brazil and other papaya-producing countries. Brazil is the second largest producer in the world. The papaya sticky disease, caused by Papaya meleira virus (PMeV), has caused great losses in the major Brazilian papaya-producing states. In order to estimate the genetic diversity of PMeV, latex samples were collected from papaya plants in the states of Bahia, Espírito Santo, Pernambuco, Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte, and total RNA was extracted. Specific primer for the replicase region allowed the amplification, by RT-PCR, of a fragment of approximately 560 bp from 31 isolates. The sequence analysis indicated a level of conservation greater than 88% among isolates. Furthermore, comparative analyzes indicated that PMeV has similarity with mycoviruses of the family Totiviridae. This phylogenetic relationship was reinforced by the presence of conserved motifs within in the RdRp regions from mycoviruses.

Mosquitoes are the culprits of some of the most important vector borne diseases. A species’ potential as a vector is directly dependent on their pattern of behaviour, which is known to change according to the female’s physiological status such as whether the female is virgin/mated and unfed/blood-fed. However, the molecular mechanism triggered by and/or responsible for such modulations in behaviour is poorly understood. Clock genes are known to be responsible for the control of circadian behaviour in several species. Here we investigate the impact mating and blood-feeding have upon the expression of these genes in the mosquito Aedes aegypti . We show that blood intake, but not insemination, is responsible for the down-regulation of clock genes. Using RNA interference, we observe a slight reduction in the evening activity peak in the fourth day after dstim injection. These data suggest that, as in Drosophila , clock gene expression, circadian behaviour and environmental light regimens are interconnected in Ae. aegypti .

Leishmania spp are distributed throughout the world and different species are associated with varying degrees of disease severity. However, leishmaniasis is thought to be confined to areas of the world where its insect vectors, sandflies, are present. Phlebotomine sandflies obtain blood meals from a variety of wild and domestic animals and sometimes from humans. These vectors transmit Leishmania spp, the aetiological agent of leishmaniasis. Identification of sandfly blood meals has generally been performed using serological methods, although a few studies have used molecular procedures in artificially fed insects. In this study, cytochrome b gene (cytB) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed in DNA samples isolated from 38 engorged Psychodopygus lloydi and the expected 359 bp fragment was identified from all of the samples. The amplified product was digested using restriction enzymes and analysed for restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). We identified food sources for 23 females; 34.8% yielded a primate-specific banding profile and 26.1% and 39.1% showed banding patterns specific to birds or mixed restriction profiles (rodent/marsupial, human/bird, rodent/marsupial/human), respectively. The food sources of 15 flies could not be identified. Two female P. lloydi were determined to be infected by Leishmania using internal transcribed spacer 1 and heat shock protein 70 kDa PCR-RFLP. The two female sandflies, both of which fed on rodents/marsupials, were further characterised as infected with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. These results constitute an important step towards applying methodologies based on cytB amplification as a tool for identifying the food sources of female sandflies.

O mamão (Carica papaya) é uma fruta de grande importância econômica em todo o Nordeste brasileiro, região responsável por 60% da produção nacional. Mamoeiros nos estados do Ceará e Rio Grande do Norte são afetados pela doença denominada amarelo letal do mamoeiro, causada pelo papaya lethal yellowing virus (PLYV). Trabalhos anteriores indicaram que o PLYV é um possível sobemovírus. A fim de estimar a variabilidade genética do PLYV, amostras foliares de mamoeiro foram coletadas em outubro de 2008 e de 2009 em regiões produtoras do Ceará, e Rio Grande do Norte. Oligonucleotídeos específicos baseados na sequência de um isolado de PLYV previamente caracterizado foram utilizados para a amplificação via RT-PCR de um fragmento com 900 pb, correspondente à região central do genoma viral. Fragmentos de 21 isolados virais foram clonados e sequenciados. A análise das sequências de nucleotídeos indicou >97% de identidade entre os isolados, entre 94-100% com o isolado de PLYV previamente sequenciado, e uma identidade baixa, porém significativa, com sobemovírus (43-48,5%). Estes resultados sugerem um baixo grau de variabilidade genética entre isolados de PLYV, e estão de acordo com a classificação provisória do PLYV como membro do gênero Sobemovirus. Conclusões de ordem taxonômica, no entanto, só podem ser tiradas após a determinação da sequência genômica completa.

The papaya (Carica papaya) is a fruit crop of great economic importance throughout the Brazilian northeast, which is responsible for 60% of the national output. Papayas in the states of Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte are affected by lethal yellowing disease, caused by papaya lethal yellowing virus (PLYV). Previous work suggested that PLYV is a putative sobemovirus. To assess the genetic variability of PLYV, foliar samples were collected in October 2008 and October 2009 in commercial fields from Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte states, and total RNA was extracted. Specific primers based on the sequence of a previously characterized PLYV isolate were used for the RT-PCR-based amplification of a 900 bp fragment corresponding to the central region of the viral genome. Fragments from 21 viral isolates were cloned and sequenced. Sequence analyses indicated >97% nucleotide sequence identity among the isolates, 94-100% identity with the previously sequenced PLYV isolate, and a lower but significant identity with sobemoviruses (43-48.5%). These results suggest a low genetic variability among PLYV isolates, and are in agreement with the provisional placement of PLYV in the genus Sobemovirus. Definitive taxonomic conclusions, however, can only be drawn after the determination of the full-length genomic sequence.

INTRODUÇÃO: A presença de baixo peso ao nascer (BP), assim como a fissura labiopalatina (FLP), acabam por tornar as crianças mais propensas às alterações auditivas. OBJETIVO: verificar e comparar a audição de crianças com fissura labiopalatina com e sem baixo peso ao nascimento na avaliação audiológica convencional. MÉTODO: Foi realizado estudo retrospectivo e comparativo no que se refere ao gênero, peso ao nascimento, presença/ausência de FLP e ao resultado da audiometria e imitanciometria. Três grupos de crianças foram constituídos. G1 com 23 FLP e BP, G2 com 25 FLP e sem BP e G3 com 25 sem FLP e sem BP. RESULTADOS: Não foi encontrada diferença estatística significante entre os grupos na comparação do peso e gênero, bem como quanto, ao gênero e orelhas direita e esquerda, em relação ao tipo da curva timpanométrica, presença de perda auditiva, tipo de perda auditiva e grau da perda auditiva. CONCLUSÃO: Um maior comprometimento da audição, evidenciado pela presença de perda auditiva condutiva de grau leve a moderada foi encontrado nas crianças com fissura labiopalatina (G1 e G2), independente da presença de baixo peso ao nascimento, quando comparada as sem este tipo de malformação craniofacial.

INTRODUCTION: The presence of low weight at birth (LW), as well as cleft lip and palate (CLP), end up making children more prone to auditory alterations. OBJECTIVE: Verify and compare the hearing of children with cleft lip and palate with and without low weight at birth in the conventional audiological evaluation. METHOD: A retrospective and comparative study was made concerning gender, weight at birth, presence/absence of CLP and the result of audiometry and immittance measurements. Three groups of children were formed. G1 with 23 CLP and LW, G2 with 25 CLP but not LW and G3 with 25 children with neither CLP or LW. RESULTS: There wasn't found any statistically significant differences between the groups in none of the following comparisons: the weight and gender, gender and right/left ear, in relation to the kind of tympanometric curve, presence of hearing loss, type of hearing loss and degree of the hearing loss. CONCLUSION: A greater auditory impairment, evidenced by the presence of light to moderate degree of conductive hearing loss, was found in children with cleft lip and palate (G1 and G2), regardless of the presence of low weight at birth, when compared to those without this kind of malformation.

INTRODUÇÃO: A Leucemia Mielóide Crônica (LMC) é uma doença clonal caracterizada pela presença da translocação entre os cromossomos 9 e 22 (cromossomo Philadelphia). O gene resultante BCR-ABL possui atividade de tirosino-quinase, que estimula o crescimento celular. O mesilato de imatinibe é um inibidor potente e específico de todas as quinases relacionadas ao ABL. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Noventa e oito pacientes com LMC foram tratados com mesilato de imatinibe de outubro de 2000 a janeiro de 2003: 28 em fase crônica (FC) resistente ou intolerante ao interferon alfa; 55 em fase acelerada (FA) e 55 em crise blástica (CB). Dose: 400 mg para CP e 600 mg para FA ou CB. OBJETIVOS: Avaliação da eficácia, segurança e sobrevida após tratamento da LMC com mesilato de imatinibe. RESULTADOS: Seguimento mediano: 545 dias (variação: 7-862). Resposta hematológica completa ocorreu em 86% dos pacientes em FC, 47% na FA e 13% na CB. Sessenta e um por cento, 24% e 0% dos pacientes em FC, FA e CB, atingiram resposta citogenética completa, respectivamente. Não foram detectados transcritos BCR-ABL por "nested RT-PCR" em 9% dos pacientes. Toxicidade hematológica grau 3-4: 21% na FC, 74% na FA e em 87% na CB. Toxicidade não hematológica grau 3-4: 11% na FC, 51% na FA e 53% na CB. A sobrevida global em dois anos foi de 64% para todos os pacientes, 96% na FC e 36% na FA. Todos os pacientes em CB faleceram numa mediana de 60 dias. CONCLUSÕES: O mesilato de imatinibe induziu respostas citogenéticas completas em pacientes brasileiros com LMC em fase crônica e acelerada. Os eventos adversos nos nossos pacientes foram semelhantes aos relatados em literatura, exceto pela menor incidência de sintomas gastro-intestinais e câimbras.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is a clonal disease characterized by balanced translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22 (Philadelphia chromosome). The resulting BCR-ABL gene has tyrosine kinase activity which stimulates cellular growth. Imatinib mesylate is a potent and specific inhibitor of all ABL related kinases. Ninety-eight CML patients were treated with imatinib mesylate from October 2000 to January 2003. Disease stage was: late chronic phase resistant or intolerant to alpha-interferon (CP): 28; accelerated phase (AP): 55; blastic phase (BP): 15 patients. Dose: 400 mg for CP and 600 mg for AP or CB. The objectives were to evaluation the efficacy, safety and survival with imatinib mesylate therapy in all phases of CML. The median follow up time was 545 days (range: 7-862), complete hematologic response was 86% in CP, 47% in AP and 13% in BP. Complete cytogenetic response was 61%, 24% and 0% respectively. BCR-ABL was not detected by nested RT-PCR in 9% of patients. Grade 3-4 hematologic toxicity was seen in 21% of CP, 74% of AP and 87% of BP patients. Grade 3-4 non-hematologic toxicity was observed in 11% of CP, 51% of AP and 53% of BP patients. Two-year overall survival was 64% for all patients, 96% for CP and 36% for AP patients. All BP patients died within a median of 60 days. Imatinib mesylate induced cytogenetic responses in Brazilian patients with previously treated CML in chronic and accelerated phase. Adverse events are similar to those reported in the literature, except for lower rates of gastrointestinal symptoms and muscle cramps in our study group.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of stress on teaching medical emergencies in an Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) course and to verify this influence on learning, and the efficiency of emergency care training. METHODS: Seventeen physicians signed up for an ACLS course. Their pulses were taken and blood pressure (BP) verified on the first day, before the beginning of the course, and on the second day, during the theoretical and practical test (TPT). Variations in pulse rates and BP were compared with students' test grades. Then, students answered a questionnaire of variables (QV) about the amount of sleep they had during the course, the quantity of study material and the time spent studying for the course, and a stress scale graphic. RESULTS: Seven students had a pulse variation less than 10% between the 2 periods and 10 had a 10% or more variation. Grades on TPT were, respectively, 91.4±2.4 and 87.3±5.2 (p<0.05). Six students had a BP variation less than 20 mmHg, and in 11 it varied more than 21 mmHg. Grades on the TPT were 92.3±3.3 and 86.2± 8.1, respectively (p<0.05). The QV dates did not significantly influence grades. CONCLUSION: Stress, as an isolated variable, had a negative influence on the learning process and on the efficiency of emergency training in this situation.

Foram submetidos a ração padrão de laboratório 16 ratos e outros 16 receberam nutrição parenteral total (NPT) por via oral, durante 14 dias. Os animais de ambos os grupos ganharam peso, sem diferença estatistica. Na necrópsia retirava-se o segmento intestinal a partir do piloro até a valva ileocecal. Não houve diferença no comprimeto do intestino delgado em ambos os grupos. Porém, o intestino dos animais alimentados com NTP apresentaram diminuiçao significante de peso comparado com o grupo controle, independentemente da presença ou não de conteúdo. A resistência intestinal era menor no grupo NTP comparado ao controle, sendo mais significante no íleo. A altura dos vilos, a profundidade das criptas e a extensão da parede eram significantemente menores no íleo no grupo NTP comparado ao controle. Este achado foi observado também no jejuno, mas sem diferença significante. Conclui-se que nos ratos alimentados com NTP o intestino delgado perde massa e torna-se menos resistente, principalmente no íleo,apesar da manutenção do estado nutricional. A perda de massa aparece não apenas na mucosa mas em toda a parede intestinal.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of an elemental diet (ED) on the strength and on the morphology of the small bowel. Male Wistar rats were randomized to two groups to receive during 14 days either standard laboratory rat chow (N=16) or ED (N=16) containing total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solution. After this period they were killed and necropsied. The small bowel was measured and weighted with and without the contents. Bursting pressure (BP) was taken from the jejunum and ileum and histological sections of these two portions was performed to register the crypt depth (CD), vilus height (VH) and wall width (WW). All animals significantly gain weight. The bowel of animals fed with TPN solution had significantly less weight when compared with the controls either with (9.9 ± 1.9g x 7.8 ± 1.5g, p<0.05) or without (8.3 ± 1.3g x 6.5 ± 0.8g; p<0.05) the luminal contents. BP was lower in animals receiving TPN solution compared with controls in both studied segments but the difference only reached significance at the ileum (287 ± 60 x 234 ± 46 mm of Hg; p<0.05). VH, CD and WW were significantly shorter at the ileum in TPN-fed animals when compared to controls (p<0.05). This contrast was also seen at the jejunum though without significant difference. The small bowel looses mass and become less resistant when rats are fed with elemental diet though the nutritional state is maintained. The loss of mass appeared to be not only at the mucosa layer but through all the bowel wall. This occurs predominantly at the terminal part of the small bowel.