Teor de pseudocolinesterase no sôro de búfalos da raça murrah

The authors emphasize the importance of knowing the normal values of pseudocholinesterase in serum of buffaloes of the Murrah’s race. They point out the necessity of enlarging the knowledge related with the normal biology of this animal species, that has gained prominence in our environment. The authors used 30 animals, adults, female, pure by origin or by cross-breeding, maintained under clinical observation in the inland of São Paulo’s state. The electrometric method of MICHEL was utilized to determinate the activity of cholinesterase in serum. The results were statistically analyzed, employing a paired “t” test. The mean value of activity that was found for these animals was pH 0,1232, table I. They verify that the bubalis do not integrate the animal classification suggested by CHARY et al. (1). Finally, they concluded that the bubalis of Murrah’s race present pseudocholinesterase activity in serum very similar to the bovine’s.Os autores ressaltam a importância do conhecimento de valores séricos normais de pseudocolinesterase em búfalos da raça Murrah. Destacam a necessidade de ampliar os conhecimentos relacionados com a biologia normal dessa espécie animal, cuja exploração zootécnica vem ganhando destaque em nosso meio. Utilizam 30 animais adultos, sexo feminino, puros de origem ou puros por cruza, mantidos sob vigilância clínica, no interior do Estado de São Paulo. Empregam o método eletrométrico de Michel para as determinações da atividade sérica da pseudocolinesterase. Os resultados são submetidos a análise estatística através deum teste “t” pareado. Encontram como valor médio de atividade para estes animais o valor de delta pH 0,1232 (Tabela I). Constatam que os bubalinos não integram a classificação proposta por Chary e colaboradores (1). Concluem finalmente que os bubalinos de raça Murrah apresentam atividade sérica de pseudocolinesterase bem próxima aos bovinos

Epidemiology and Clinical Forms of Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Review

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a disease caused by overactive parathyroid glands with consequent hypercalcemia. However, its presentation is variable, with patients demonstrating a range from normocalcemia to severe hypercalcemic PHPT. The present study aims to perform a literature review on the epidemiology and the clinical forms of PHPT using information published in the PubMed and Cochrane databases. It describes data about prevalence, etiology, diagnosis, classic and non-classic manifestations, providing updated information on classical hypercalcemic hyperthyroidism, in addition to its normocalcemic variant

Quantum Mechanical Approaches for Piezoelectricity Study in Perovskites

In this chapter, we show the procedures we have been used to theoretically investigate the piezoelectric effects in perovskites. The construction of extended basis sets using the generator coordinate Hartree-Fock (GCHF) method is shown, as well as the strategies used to contract extended basis sets and to evaluate their quality in molecular calculations. Besides, we show adequate procedures to choice polarization and diffuse functions to best represent the studied crystal. In addition, we also discuss conditions under which GCHF basis sets and standard basis sets from literature can be used to theoretical investigation of piezoelectricity in perovskites. We finalize the chapter presenting and discussing the results for investigations of piezoelectricity with standard basis sets for barium and lanthanum titanates. To conclude, we present evidences that BaTiO3 and LaTiO3 may have piezoelectric properties caused by electrostatic interactions

Molecular Electrostatic Potential and Chemometric Techniques as Tools to Design Bioactive Compounds

In this chapter, firstly, we briefly review aspects of the approximation of quantum chemistry, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP), and chemometrics techniques, which are accredited as important tools in the development of chemical science and are frequently used in the study and design of bioactive compounds. Ultimately, we use MEP and pattern recognition (PR) techniques as tools to design nitrofuran compounds with biological activity against Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). PR models (PCA, HCA, KNN, SDA, and SIMCA) were constructed and demonstrated that 23 nitrofurans can be classified into two classes or groups: more active and less active according to their degrees of activity against T. cruzi. Properties such as charge on the N atom of the nitro group (QN1); the difference between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy (GAP energy); molecular representation of structure based on electron diffraction code of signal 5, unweighted (Mor05u); and Moriguchi water–octanol partition coefficient (MlogP) are responsible for the classification into more active and less active studied nitrofurans. It is interesting to notice that these properties represent three distinct classes of interactions between the nitrofurans and the biological receptor: electronic (QN1 and GAP energy), steric (Mor05u), and hydrophobic (MlogP). The results of the application of PR models on the validation set evidenced two nitrofuran compounds (compounds 25 and 30) as more promising for synthesis and biological assays, which in the future can be used to validate our PR models

Social and economic aspects of patients with imported malaria in the metropolitan region of S. Paulo City, S. Paulo State, Brazil: I - Characterization of the population and knowledge of the disease

With a view to discovering the social and economic characteristics of people from endemic malarial areas of Brazil, 566 suspected malaria cases were studied at the S. Paulo City Metropolitan Region Malaria Laboratory. Data were obtained by means of the application of standardized questionnaires over the period from November 1986 to June 1987 to individuals with as history of transit to Brazil's endemic malarial region. Of the population studied, 345 (61.0%) lived in the endemic area; 479 (84.6%) were males, 513 (90.7%) were between 15 and 55 years old and 307 (54.2%) presented positive plasmodium haemoscopia. The analysis by educational level indicated that 486 (85.9%) had primary or secondary education; 109 (19.3%) worked in mineral extraction; 74 (13.2%) were farmers, and 46 (8.1%) were related to terrestrial transportation activities. With respect, to knowledge of the disease, 384 (67.8%) had at least 1 bout of malaria before and 491 (86.8%) associated the disease with the presence of the vector. Of the 221 residents in S. Paulo, 207 (93.7%), as well as 336 (97.4%) of those residing in the endemic area already know of the riscks of infection prior to travelling through the area of transmission. The interval between the first symptoms and the seeking for medical care varied from 0 to 3 days in 386 cases (68.2%). The frequencies of the variables studied analysed according to the haemoscopic result and the place of residence, were statistically significant.Com o objetivo de conhecer o perfil sócio-econômico dos indivíduos que se deslocaram das áreas endêmicas de malária do país, foram estudadas 566 pessoas com suspeita de malária que procuraram a confirmação diagnostica no Laboratório de Malária da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo da Superintendência de Controle de Endemias (SUCEN). As informações foram obtidas através da aplicação de formulário, no período de novembro de 1986 a junho de 1987. Da população estudada, 345 (61,0%) residiam na área endêmica, 479 (84,6%) eram do sexo masculino, 513 (90,7%) estavam na faixa etária de 15 a 55 anos e 307 (54,2%) apresentaram hemoscopia positiva para plasmódio. Com relação à ocupação na área de transmissão, observou-se que 109 (19,3%) estavam ligados a atividade de extração de minerais, 74 (13,2%) à agricultura e 46 (8,1%) à atividade de transporte. A análise da escolaridade mostrou que 486 (85,9%) tinham 1° ou 2° grau. Quanto ao conhecimento sobre a doença, 384 (67,8%) declararam pelo menos 1 malária anterior e 491 (86,8%) associavam à doença a presença do vetor. Dentre os 221 indivíduos residentes em São Paulo, 207 (93,7%) conheciam o risco de contrair malária por ocasião do deslocamento para área de transmissão. Daqueles residentes na área endêmica, 336 (97,4%) tinham conhecimento do risco de contrair a doença naquela região. O intervalo transcorrido entre os primeiros sintomas e a procura de atendimento médico em 386 (68,2%) indivíduos variou de 0 a 3 dias. As freqüências das variáveis estudadas mostraram de acordo com o resultado hemoscópico e o local da residência, diferenças estatísticas relevantes

INTOXICAÇÃO NATURAL DE BOVINOS LEITEIROS POR Cestrum laevigatum (SOLANACEAE) NO AGRESTE DE PERNAMBUCO – BRASIL

The aim of the present study was to report an outbreak of natural poisoning by Cestrum laevigatum in dairy cattle in the “Agreste” region of Pernambuco state, Brazil. Epidemiological and clinical data were collected. Among a lot of 60 cows, eight became ill and four died. Two cows underwent necropsy, during which fragments of the central nervous system, liver, gall bladder, spleen and kidney were collected for histopathlogical analysis. Blood samples were collected for hematological and biochemical tests. The animals exhibited apathy, muscle tremors, reduced appetite, different degrees of dehydration and compromised reticulorumen dynamics as well as a small quantity of dry feces with the presence of mucus and blood. The laboratory exams revealed an increase in serum activity of aspartate aminotransferase and gamma glutamyltransferase as well as hypoalbuminemia. The necropsy revealed an enlarged liver and cutting surface with a nutmeg aspect as well as areas of hemorrhaging in the heart, trachea, abomasum, spleen, intestine and bladder. The microscopic analysis revealed centrilobular hepatic necrosis associated to accentuated hemorrhaging. These findings characterized poisoning by Cestrum laevigatum and led to the adoption of control and prevention measures

Prevention of hypertension in patients with pre-hypertension: protocol for the PREVER-prevention trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Blood pressure (BP) within pre-hypertensive levels confers higher cardiovascular risk and is an intermediate stage for full hypertension, which develops in an annual rate of 7 out of 100 individuals with 40 to 50 years of age. Non-drug interventions to prevent hypertension have had low effectiveness. In individuals with previous cardiovascular disease or diabetes, the use of BP-lowering agents reduces the incidence of major cardiovascular events. In the absence of higher baseline risk, the use of BP agents reduces the incidence of hypertension. The PREVER-prevention trial aims to investigate the efficacy, safety and feasibility of a population-based intervention to prevent the incidence of hypertension and the development of target-organ damage.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, with participants aged 30 to 70 years, with pre-hypertension. The trial arms will be chlorthalidone 12.5 mg plus amiloride 2.5 mg or identical placebo. The primary outcomes will be the incidence of hypertension, adverse events and development or worsening of microalbuminuria and of left ventricular hypertrophy in the EKG. The secondary outcomes will be fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular events: myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, evidence of new sub-clinical atherosclerosis, and sudden death. The study will last 18 months. The sample size was calculated on the basis of an incidence of hypertension of 14% in the control group, a size effect of 40%, power of 85% and P alpha of 5%, resulting in 625 participants per group. The project was approved by the Ethics committee of each participating institution.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The early use of blood pressure-lowering drugs, particularly diuretics, which act on the main mechanism of blood pressure rising with age, may prevent cardiovascular events and the incidence of hypertension in individuals with hypertension. If this intervention shows to be effective and safe in a population-based perspective, it could be the basis for an innovative public health program to prevent hypertension in Brazil.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>Clinical Trials <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00970931">NCT00970931</a>.</p

Eyetracking and Applied Linguistics

Eyetracking has become a powerful tool in scientific research and has finally found its way into disciplines such as applied linguistics and translation studies, paving the way for new insights and challenges in these fields. The aim of the first International Conference on Eyetracking and Applied Linguistics (ICEAL) was to bring together researchers who use eyetracking to empirically answer their research questions. It was intended to bridge the gaps between applied linguistics, translation studies, cognitive science and computational linguistics on the one hand and to further encourage innovative research methodologies and data triangulation on the other hand. These challenges are also addressed in this proceedings volume: While the studies described in the volume deal with a wide range of topics, they all agree on eyetracking as an appropriate methodology in empirical research

Eyetracking and Applied Linguistics

Eyetracking has become a powerful tool in scientific research and has finally found its way into disciplines such as applied linguistics and translation studies, paving the way for new insights and challenges in these fields. The aim of the first International Conference on Eyetracking and Applied Linguistics (ICEAL) was to bring together researchers who use eyetracking to empirically answer their research questions. It was intended to bridge the gaps between applied linguistics, translation studies, cognitive science and computational linguistics on the one hand and to further encourage innovative research methodologies and data triangulation on the other hand. These challenges are also addressed in this proceedings volume: While the studies described in the volume deal with a wide range of topics, they all agree on eyetracking as an appropriate methodology in empirical research