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BACKGROUND: Work is a determinant of employee health, and the same conditions that contribute to an illness do not favour return to work; consequently, they hinder job retention, other employees can become ill and new leaves are generated. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the nursing technicians work in intensive and semi-intensive care units (ICUs and SICUs) and discuss the influence of organisational and relational factors on return to work and job retention. This study also discusses the contributions of activity ergonomics to these processes. METHOD: Qualitative case study based on ergonomic work analysis (EWA). Data were collected using documentary analyses, and global, systematic, and participant observations involving nursing technicians working in ICUs and SICUs. RESULTS: Task planning and the staff size adjustment to respond to the work demands of these units were ineffective in real-world situations and were aggravated by cases of absenteeism, medical leave, and employees returning to work. CONCLUSIONS: Work structure limits return to work and job retention. An EWA based on the activities developed by professionals is a valid tool for understanding working processes by applying transforming actions to real-world work situations.

Este estudo teve como objetivo compreender as barreiras e facilitadores para a participação das pessoas com deficiência auditiva em viagens aéreas. Fundamentou-se na abordagem da ergonomia da atividade. Os dados foram coletados por meio de questionário, observações diretas durante as viagens e entrevistas de autoconfrontação com passageiros com deficiência auditiva. Constatou-se a existência de barreiras relacionadas a fatores sociais, como comunicação, e ambientais, como sinalização nos aeroportos. Entre os facilitadores das viagens destacaram-se a comunicação com trabalhadores que têm conhecimento da língua de sinais e legendas nos conteúdos de entretenimento a bordo. Este estudo espera dar visibilidade às experiências de viagens de passageiros com deficiência auditiva e, a partir disso, contribuir para a melhoria das condições e procedimentos do transporte aéreo e orientar a formação de pessoal visando prestar serviços adequados aos diversos passageiros.

Introduction: This study reported the experience of the reconfiguration of the waiting room of a Workers’ Health Care public service linked to a University Hospital. Objective: The actions taken had the objective of transforming the waiting time for the development of health educational interventions, fostering the reflection on the work and the health-illness process by favoring users interactions. The intention was also to enhance their protagonism towards their health and to transcend the assistance actions offering a more diverse set of courses of action in the service. Method: The waiting-room project was structured in two phases: literature review on the worker´s health and the waiting room and development and implementation of the reconfiguration proposal. Results: In this phase, the starting point was the collecting of opinions about the waiting room that was held by structured interviews with users, companions, employees, and interns of the service. In 52 people interviewed, 71.2% answered that they would positively change something in the waiting room. The final elaborated proposal considered the possibilities of the environment and the service and the suggestions of the interviewees and the purposes of the waiting room reconfiguration. There has been a change in the layout of the chairs and discussion groups with users were held. Conclusion: This process is expected to highlight the potential of the waiting room and encourage the use of this space for the development of actions in other workers´ health services.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a 12-week calorie-restricted diet and recreational sports training on gene expressions IL-15, ATROGIN-1 and MURF-1 in skeletal muscle of T2D patients.Older adults with T2D (n = 39, 60 ± 6.0 years, BMI 33.5 ± 0.6 kg/mTotal body weight was reduced in ~4 kg representing body fat mass in all groups after 12-weeks (P 0.05). HbA1c values decreased in all groups post-intervention. Lipids profile improved in the training groups (P 0.05) after 12-weeks. ATROGIN-1 and MURF-1 mRNA reduced in the DS (1.084 ± 0.14 vs. 0.754 ± 1.14 and 1.175 ± 0.34 vs. 0.693 ± 0.12, respectively; P 0.05), while IL-15 mRNA increased in the DR (1.056 ± 0.12 vs. 1.308 ± 0.13; P 0.05) after 12-weeks intervention.Recreational training with a moderate calorie-restricted diet can downregulates the expression of atrophy-associated myokines and increases the expression of anti-inflammatory gene IL-15.

Many people are infected with dengue fever annually throughout the world, mainly in countries with tropical climate. However, to treat this and other disease, there has been an indiscriminate use of chemical insecticides in public disease control programs. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to assess an alternative method to reduce the infestation indices of the vector Aedes aegypti and the quantity of insecticides used in its chemical control, by validating a species with high larvae-eating potential. Thus, the larvae-eating potential was compared in the fish species Xiphophorus maculatus and Poecilia reticulata as biological controllers of the larvae of the dengue fever vector in different conditions and environments. It was observed that the species X. maculatus had a greater predatory capacity on the larvae, which was not related to the difference in size or weight among species. Furthermore, it was characterized that the species consumed a larger quantity of larvae in groups and X. maculatus consumed larvae very regularly in a short time interval.

The aim is to evaluate the effects of IGB in overweight or class I obese patients, by analyzing body composition and quality of life (QOL). Prospective study including patients with BMI 27–34.9 kg/m2.body composition analysis (BCA) was performed before IGB implantation and its removal, after 6 months of treatment. QOL was assessed by the Short Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey at baseline and after treatment. Forty patients were included in this study, but four were excluded. The total weight decreased by 12.29 kg after 6 months of use of IGB, which corresponds to loss of 13.69% of the total weight. There was a significant reduction in body fat mass and fat area. QOL improved in all eight sections analyzed (p

There has been significant growth in air transport worldwide, as well as in Brazil. However, studies have emphasized that disabled, obese, and elderly passengers face difficulties when using this means of transport. Among these difficulties, issues related to passengers’ own assistive devices, including damage, loss, or the impossibility of using during the entire flight, stand out. Therefore, the present study aims to understand the trends in assistive technology focusing on cabin design. This research is based upon literature review, interviews with manufacturers and research centers, visits to specialized trade fairs, and patent search. The results revealed a great diversity of assistive products, its trends, and an increase in their use, which affect aircraft cabin design, especially in terms of space, access, and stowage of these devices.

A functional variant in the promoter region of the gene encoding tumor necrosis factor (TNF; rs1800629, -308GA) showed to confer susceptibility to T1D. However, TNF rs1800629 was found, in several populations, to be in linkage disequilibrium with HLA susceptibility haplotypes to T1D. We evaluated the association of TNF rs1800629 with T1D in a cohort of Brazilian subjects, and assessed the impact of HLA susceptibility haplotypes in this association.659 subjects with T1D and 539 control subjects were genotyped for TNF-308GA variant. HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 genes were genotyped in a subset of 313 subjects with T1D and 139 control subjects.Associations with T1D were observed for the A-allele of rs1800629 (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.33-2.15, p0.0001, in a codominant model) and for 3 HLA haplotypes: DRB1*03:01-DQB1*02:01 (OR 5.37, 95% CI 3.23-8.59, p0.0001), DRB1*04:01-DQB1*03:02 (OR 2.95, 95% CI 1.21-7.21, p=0.01) and DRB1*04:02-DQB1*03:02 (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.02-4.50, p=0.04). Linkage disequilibrium was observed between TNF rs1800629 and HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles. In a stepwise regression analysis HLA haplotypes, but not TNF rs1800629, remained independently associated with T1D.Our results do not support an independent effect of allelic variations of TNF in the genetic susceptibility to T1D.

We evaluated the effects of carbohydrate (CHO) supplementation on markers of bone turnover in elite runners.Twenty-four male runners were randomly assigned to two groups--a CHO and a control (CON) group--using a double-blind design. The participants were submitted to an overload training program (days 1-8), followed by a high-intensity intermittent running protocol (10×800 m) on day 9. They received a maltodextrin solution (CHO group) or a placebo solution as the CON equivalent, before, during, and after these protocols.After 8 days of intensive training, baseline levels of osteocalcin (OC) decreased in both CHO and CON groups (before: 28.8±3.6 and 26.6±2.4 ng/ml, after: 24.8±3.0 and 21.9±1.6 ng/ml, respectively, p0.01). On day 9, at 80 min of the recovery period, carboxy-terminal of telopeptide type I collagen (CTX) serum concentration was suppressed in the CHO group (0.3±0.1 ng/ml) vs. 0.6±0.0 ng/ml for the CON group (p0.01). CHO supplementation was effective in decreasing CTX levels from baseline to recovery (0.5±0.1 ng/mL to 0.3±0.1 ng/mL, p0.001), while an increase from 0.4±0.0 ng/mL to 0.6±0.0 ng/mL (p0.001) was observed in the CON group.CHO beverage ingestion attenuated the exercise-induced increase in CTX concentration, suggesting that CHO supplementation is a potential strategy to prevent bone damage in athletes.

Summary Interleukin (IL)-21 and protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor 22 (PTPN22) regulate lymphocyte function and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diabetes. We sequenced the proximal promoter of the IL-21 gene for the first time and analysed the PTPN22 1858T polymorphism in type 1A diabetes (T1AD) patients and healthy controls (HC). We correlated the frequencies of islet and extra-pancreatic autoantibodies with genotypes from both loci. The case series comprised 612 T1AD patients and 792 HC. Genotyping of PTPN22 C1858T was performed on 434 T1AD patients and 689 HC. The −448 to +83 base pairs (bp) region of the IL-21 gene was sequenced in 309 Brazilian T1AD and 189 HC subjects. We also evaluated human leucocyte antigen (HLA) DR3/DR4 alleles. The frequencies of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65), tyrosine phosphatase-like protein (IA)-2, anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), thyroid peroxidase (TPO), thyroglobulin (TG), thyrotrophin receptor autoantibody (TRAb), anti-smooth muscle (ASM) and 21-hydroxylase (21-OH) autoantibodies were higher in T1AD patients than in HC. The PTPN22 1858T allele was associated with an increased risk for developing T1AD [odds ratio (OR) = 1·94; P A) was found in only one patient. In conclusion, only PTPN22 C1858T polymorphism and HLA-DR3 and/or DR4 alleles, but not allelic variants in the 5′-proximal region of the IL-21 gene were associated with T1AD risk. Patients with T1AD had increased frequencies of anti-islet-cell, anti-thyroid, anti-nuclear, anti-smooth muscle and anti-21-OH autoantibodies. The C1858T PTPN22 polymorphism was also associated with a higher frequency of GAD65 and TG autoantibodies.

Introduction Type 1A diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease resulting from the selective destruction of pancreatic beta cells by T cells most likely due to interaction of environmental and genetic factors. The CD4 (+) T cells, largely implicated in this disease, comprise different subsets; based on the cytokines they produce. These subsets include Th1, Th2, regulatory T cells and another population of recently described T cells called Th17 cells. Increased expression of interleukin 17 (IL-17) has been detected in sera and in target tissues of patients with various autoimmune diseases. The differentiation of Th17 cells from naive T cells appears to involve signals from TGF-beta, IL-6, IL-21, IL-1beta and IL-23. IL-23, a member of the IL-12 family, which activate the effector function of Th17 cells to promote inflammatory responses. In animal models, IL-23 is involved in the development of autoimmune diabetes. In humans, it seems to cause multi-organ inflammation, contributing to rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease manifestations. Conclusions The discovery that certain autoimmune disorders might be largely mediated by an unregulated IL-23/IL-17 response has important implications for the development of novel therapies for these diseases.

Foram avaliadas 240 ninhadas de coelhos, da desmama ao abate, em três ordens de parto (OP), oriundas de matrizes submetidas a diferentes níveis de energia na dieta e idade de desmama dos láparos. Os tratamentos, em esquema fatorial 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 (2.600 e 2.800 kcal EDkg-1 até desmama versus desmama aos 28 e 35 dias versus dietas com alto ou baixo nível de amido (21 ou 16%) da desmama ao abate versus três ordens de parto), com dez repetições (ninhada). O nível de2.600 kcal kg-1 de ração até a desmama elevou o ganho de peso, melhorou a conversão alimentar e reduziu o custo da ração no período da desmama aos 50 dias. A desmama aos 28 dias reduziu o consumo médio diário de ração da desmama ao abate. O nível mais elevado de amido nas dietas pós-desmama reduziu o consumo médio até 50 dias de idade e reduziu os custos. A sequência da ordem de parto elevou o peso vivo à desmama, aos 50 e aos 70 dias, o ganho de peso diário, o consumode ração e o peso das vísceras comestíveis. Os dados sugerem o uso de ração com 2.600 kcal ED kg-1 até o desmame, desmame aos 28 dias e 21% de amido na ração dos coelhos da desmama ao abate.240 litters of rabbits were used, from weaning to slaughter, in three parturition sequences, descended from rabbit does which were feed with different levels of digestible energy on diet and weaning age ofyoung rabbits. The litters were allocated in a 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 factorial design (diets with 2600 and 2800 kcal DE kg-1 until weaning versus weaning at 28 and 35 days old versus diets with 21 or 16% of starch from weaning to slaughter versus three parturition sequences), with 10 replications (litters). The 2600 kcal DE kg-1 level improved weight gain, feed:gain ratio and reduced the diet cost from weaning to 50 days of age. Weaning at 28 days reduced the average feeding intake from weaning to slaughter. The higher level of starch reduced average feeding intake until 50 days of age and also reduced the cost. The parturition sequence increased the live weight at 70 days, daily weight gain and feeding intake during the experiment period, as well as heart, liver and kidney weight. The results suggest the use of feed with 2600 kcal DE kg-1, weaning at 28 days old and 21% of starch on diet for rabbits from weaning to slaughter.

Foram avaliadas 240 ninhadas de coelhos, da desmama ao abate, em três ordens de parto (OP), oriundas de matrizes submetidas a diferentes níveis de energia na dieta e idade de desmama dos láparos. Os tratamentos, em esquema fatorial 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 (2.600 e 2.800 kcal ED kg-1 até desmama versus desmama aos 28 e 35 dias versus dietas com alto ou baixo nível de amido (21 ou 16%) da desmama ao abate versus três ordens de parto), com dez repetições (ninhada). O nível de 2.600 kcal kg-1 de ração até a desmama elevou o ganho de peso, melhorou a conversão alimentar e reduziu o custo da ração no período da desmama aos 50 dias. A desmama aos 28 dias reduziu o consumo médio diário de ração da desmama ao abate. O nível mais elevado de amido nas dietas pós-desmama reduziu o consumo médio até 50 dias de idade e reduziu os custos. A sequência da ordem de parto elevou o peso vivo à desmama, aos 50 e aos 70 dias, o ganho de peso diário, o consumo de ração e o peso das vísceras comestíveis. Os dados sugerem o uso de ração com 2.600 kcal ED kg-1 até o desmame, desmame aos 28 dias e 21% de amido na ração dos coelhos da desmama ao abate.240 litters of rabbits were used, from weaning to slaughter, in three parturition sequences, descended from rabbit does which were feed with different levels of digestible energy on diet and weaning age of young rabbits. The litters were allocated in a 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 factorial design (diets with 2600 and 2800 kcal DE kg-1 until weaning versus weaning at 28 and 35 days old versus diets with 21 or 16% of starch from weaning to slaughter versus three parturition sequences), with 10 replications (litters). The 2600 kcal DE kg-1 level improved weight gain, feed:gain ratio and reduced the diet cost from weaning to 50 days of age. Weaning at 28 days reduced the average feeding intake from weaning to slaughter. The higher level of starch reduced average feeding intake until 50 days of age and also reduced the cost. The parturition sequence increased the live weight at 70 days, daily weight gain and feeding intake during the experiment period, as well as heart, liver and kidney weight. The results suggest the use of feed with 2600 kcal DE kg-1, weaning at 28 days old and 21% of starch on diet for rabbits from weaning to slaughter.

Para se avaliar o perfil de ácidos graxos da carne de coelhos desmamados em diferentes idades, recebendo dietas com ou sem óleo de soja e oriundos de matrizes alimentadas com dois níveis de energia, foram abatidos 80 animais aos 70 dias de idade. O delineamento experimental foi em esquema fatorial 2 x 2 x 2 (dietas com 2600 e 2800 kcal ED até a desmama “versus” desmama com 28 e 35 dias versus dietas com ou sem inclusão de óleo de soja da desmama ao abate), com oito tratamentos e dez repetições. Após o abate, a carne da coxa direita dos animais foi coletada e, dentro de cada grupo, foi submetida às análises químicas. Os teores de ácidos graxos na carne da coxa dos coelhos não foram influenciados pelos diferentes níveis de ED das dietas fornecidas até a desmama e pela idade à desmama. A adição de óleo de soja às dietas, após a desmama, reduziu os teores de ácidos graxos saturados, elevou os teores de ácidos graxos insaturados, diminuiu a relação de ω6:ω3 e elevou a relação de ácidos graxos polinsaturados: saturados. Esses resultados permitem concluir que a composição em ácidos graxos da dieta após a desmama modula a composição da carcaça com a obtenção de um produto mais saudável para o consumo humano.In order to evaluate the fatty acid profile of the carcasses of rabbits weaned at different ages receiving diets with or without soybean oil from rabbit does submitted to different levels of digestible energy on diet, 80 animals were slaughtered at 70 days of age. The experimental design was a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial scheme (diets with 2600 and 2800 kcal DE until weaning versus weaning with at 28 and 35 days old versus diets with or without soybean oil addition from weaning to 70 days old), with eight treatments and ten replications. After slaughter, the right hind leg meat was collected and submitted to chemical analyses. No differences were observed in the fatty acid profile of hind leg meat of rabbits submitted to different DE levels until weaning and weaning ages. Therefore, the addition of soybean oil in the diets after weaning reduced the values of saturated fatty acids, increased the unsaturated acids, reduced the ω6:ω3 fatty acids ratio, and increased the polyunsaturated:unsaturated fatty acids ratio. These results showed that the diet fatty acid composition after weaning modulates the carcass fatty acid profile and provides a product that is healthy for human consumption.

Foram utilizadas 240 ninhadas oriundas de 80 matrizes NZB, nulíparas, durante três ciclos reprodutivos, submetidas a um ritmo de reprodução de 42 dias, distribuídas em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2 x 2 x 3 (2.600 e 2.800 kcal ED kg-1 de ração versus desmama aos 28 e 35 dias versus três ciclos reprodutivos). O nível de ED nas rações não afetou o peso das matrizes na desmama de seus láparos e as taxas de fertilidade, independente do ciclo reprodutivo. A melhor condição corporal nos três ciclos das matrizes que desmamaram seus láparos aos 28 dias, permitiu taxas de fertilidade mais altas durante todo o período experimental. À exceção do tamanho da ninhada ao nascer, que foi menor no primeiro parto, o tamanho da ninhada aos 21 dias e na desmama, não foram influenciados por qualquer dos fatores estudados. O peso vivo dos láparos do primeiro parto foram mais leves comparados aos do segundo e do terceiro partos. A menor concentração energética na ração prejudicou o peso vivo da ninhada aos 21 dias e na desmama somente quando as matrizes desmamaram seus láparos mais precocemente (28 dias). Os resultados sugerem o uso de 2.800 kcal ED kg-1 de ração somente quando as matrizes desmamam suas ninhadas com 28 dias de idade. A desmama dos láparos aos 28 dias de idade permite melhor recuperação das matrizes e, consequentemente, melhor taxa de fertilidadeWere evaluated 240 litters from 80 first-birth WNZ rabbit does, submitted to a reproductive rhythm of 42d during three reproductive cycles. The rabbit does were allocated in a completely randomized design in a 2 x 2 x 3 factorial scheme (diets with 2600 and 2800 kcal DE kg-1 versus young rabbits weaned at 28 and 35 days old versus three reproductive cycles). No effect of digestible energy levels was observed on live weight of females in the moment of litter weaning and fertility rate for the three reproductive cycles. The best body conditions of the females who weaned the litters at 28 days old enhanced the fertility rate during the experimental period. Except for litter size at parturition, which was smaller in the first cycle, litter size at 21 day olds and at weaning were not influenced by any of the studied factors. The litter live birth weight was lower than for the second and third reproductive cycles. The lower energetic level in the diet (2,600 kcal DE kg-1) reduced the litter weight at 21 day olds and at weaning only for the rabbit does weaning the litters at 28 days olds. The results suggest the use of diet with 2,800 kcal DE kg-1 only when the rabbit does wean the litters at 28 days old. Weaning at 28 days old allows the best body conditions for the rabbit does and higher rate fertility

Para se avaliar o perfil de ácidos graxos da carne de coelhos desmamados em diferentes idades, recebendo dietas com ou sem óleo de soja e oriundos de matrizes alimentadas com dois níveis de energia, foram abatidos 80 animais aos 70 dias de idade. O delineamento experimental foi em esquema fatorial 2 x 2 x 2 (dietas com 2600 e 2800 kcal ED até a desmama “versus” desmama com 28 e 35 dias “versus” dietas com ou sem inclusão de óleo de soja da desmama ao abate), com oito tratamentos e dez repetições. Após o abate, a carne da coxa direita dos animais foi coletada e, dentro de cada grupo, foi submetida às análises químicas. Os teores de ácidos graxos na carne da coxa dos coelhos não foram influenciados pelos diferentes níveis de ED das dietas fornecidas até a desmama e pela idade à desmama. A adição de óleo de soja às dietas, após a desmama, reduziu os teores de ácidos graxos saturados, elevou os teores de ácidos graxos insaturados, diminuiu a relação de ω6:ω3 e elevou a relação de ácidos graxos polinsaturados: saturados. Esses resultados permitem concluir que a composição em ácidos graxos da dieta após a desmama modula a composição da carcaça com a obtenção de um produto mais saudável para o consumo humano.In order to evaluate the fatty acid profile of the carcasses of rabbits weaned at different ages receiving diets with or without soybean oil from rabbit does submitted to different levels of digestible energy on diet, 80 animals were slaughtered at 70 days of age. The experimental design was a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial scheme (diets with 2600 and 2800 kcal DE until weaning versus weaning with at 28 and 35 days old versus diets with or without soybean oil addition from weaning to 70 days old), with eight treatments and ten replications. After slaughter, the right hind leg meat was collected and submitted to chemical analyses. No differences were observed in the fatty acid profile of hind leg meat of rabbits submitted to different DE levels until weaning and weaning ages. Therefore, the addition of soybean oil in the diets after weaning reduced the values of saturated fatty acids, increased the unsaturated acids, reduced the ω6:ω3 fatty acids ratio, and increased the polyunsaturated: unsaturated fatty acids ratio. These results showed that the diet fatty acid composition after weaning modulates the carcass fatty acidprofile and provides a product that is healthy for human consumption.

Foram utilizadas 240 ninhadas oriundas de 80 matrizes NZB, nulíparas, durante três ciclos reprodutivos, submetidas a um ritmo de reprodução de 42 dias, distribuídas em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2 x 2 x 3 (2.600 e 2.800 kcal ED kg-1 de ração versus desmama aos 28 e 35 dias versus três ciclos reprodutivos). O nível de ED nas rações não afetou o peso das matrizes na desmama de seus láparos e as taxas de fertilidade, independente do ciclo reprodutivo. A melhor condição corporal nos três ciclos das matrizes que desmamaram seus láparos aos 28 dias, permitiu taxas de fertilidade mais altas durante todo o período experimental. À exceção do tamanho da ninhada ao nascer, que foi menor no primeiro parto, otamanho da ninhada aos 21 dias e na desmama, não foram influenciados por qualquer dos fatores estudados. O peso vivo dos láparos do primeiro parto foram mais leves comparados aos do segundo e do terceiro partos. A menor concentração energética na ração prejudicou o peso vivo da ninhada aos 21 dias e na desmama somente quando as matrizes desmamaram seus láparos mais precocemente (28 dias). Os resultados sugerem o uso de 2.800 kcal ED kg-1 de raçãosomente quando as matrizes desmamam suas ninhadas com 28 dias de idade. A desmama dos láparos aos 28 dias de idade permite melhor recuperação das matrizes e, consequentemente, melhor taxa de fertilidade.Were evaluated 240 litters from 80 first-birth WNZ rabbit does, submitted to a reproductive rhythm of 42d during three reproductive cycles. The rabbit does were allocated in a completely randomized design in a 2 x 2 x 3 factorial scheme (diets with 2600 and 2800 kcal DE kg-1 versus young rabbits weaned at 28 and 35 days old versus three reproductive cycles). No effect of digestible energy levels wasobserved on live weight of females in the moment of litter weaning and fertility rate for the three reproductive cycles. The best body conditions of the females who weaned the litters at 28 daysold enhanced the fertility rate during the experimental period. Except for litter size at parturition, which was smaller in the first cycle, litter size at 21 day olds and at weaning were not influencedby any of the studied factors. The litter live birth weight was lower than for the second and third reproductive cycles. The lower energetic level in the diet (2,600 kcal DE kg-1) reduced the litterweight at 21 day olds and at weaning only for the rabbit does weaning the litters at 28 days olds. The results suggest the use of diet with 2,800 kcal DE kg-1 only when the rabbit does wean the litters at 28 days old. Weaning at 28 days old allows the best body conditions for the rabbit does and higher rate fertility.

The effects of isolated estrogen therapy on the hemostatic system and arterial distensibility were determined in postmenopausal females with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This was a prospective nonrandomized study of 19 subjects (age, 56.2 +/- 4.7 years; body mass index, 27.8 +/- 2.4 kg/m(2) [mean +/- SD]). Inclusion was done after 2 months of glycemic and blood pressure control. The study consisted of 4 months of placebo treatment immediately followed by an equal period of oral conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) 0.625 mg/d. Measures included anthropometrics, a metabolic profile (oral glucose tolerance test and fasting glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol and fractions, and triglyceride levels), and coagulation and fibrinolytic factors at the end of the placebo period and after 4 months of oral CEE. Conjugated equine estrogen therapy decreased plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (placebo x CEE: 16.33 +/- 9.11 x 13.08 +/- 8.87 UI/mL, P.03) and increased factor VIII activity (134.11% +/- 46.18% x 145.33% +/- 42.04%, P.04). An increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (placebo x CEE: 42.47 +/- 6.80 x 53.32 +/- 11.89 mg/dL, P.01), and a decrease in glycated hemoglobin (8.45% +/- 1.30% vs 7.58% +/- 1.06%, P.02) and in fasting glucose levels (121.51 +/- 21.05 x 111.21 +/- 20.74 mg/dL, P = .02) followed CEE therapy. Pulse wave velocity and augmentation index were performed by applanation tonometry and were obtained at the end of the placebo period (placebo), again after an intravenous load of 1.25 mg of CEE (short-term), and after 4 months of oral CEE (long-term). A significant decrease in central (carotid-femoral) pulse wave velocity was seen both after short- and long-term CEE (placebo vs short-term vs long-term: 9.36 +/- 2.58 vs 8.26 +/- 2.20 vs 7.98 +/- 1.90 m/s, respectively [analysis of variance, P.03]; placebo vs short-term, P.05; placebo vs long-term, P.01), whereas augmentation index decreased only after long-term CEE (placebo vs short-term vs long-term: 39.14% +/- 6.94% vs 37.48% +/- 8.67% vs 34.3.3% +/- 8.11% [analysis of variance, P.05], respectively; placebo vs long-term, P.05). Long-term administration of CEE leads to an improvement in fibrinolysis and arterial distensibility, associated with an increase of the intrinsic coagulation pathway in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Ramires, P. R., C. L. M. Forjaz, C. M. C. Strunz, M. E. R. Silva, J. Diament, W. Nicolau, B. Liberman, and C. E. Negrão.Oral glucose ingestion increases endurance capacity in normal and diabetic (type I) humans. J. Appl. Physiol. 83(2): 608–614, 1997.—The effects of an oral glucose administration (1 g/kg) 30 min before exercise on endurance capacity and metabolic responses were studied in 21 type I diabetic patients [insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)] and 23 normal controls (Con). Cycle ergometer exercise (55–60% of maximal O2uptake) was performed until exhaustion. Glucose administration significantly increased endurance capacity in Con (112 ± 7 vs. 125 ± 6 min, P < 0.05) but only in IDDM patients whose blood glucose decreased during exercise (70.8 ± 8.2 vs. 82.8 ± 9.4 min, P < 0.05). Hyperglycemia was normalized at 15 min of exercise in Con (7.4 ± 0.2 vs. 4.8 ± 0.2 mM) but not in IDDM patients (12.4 ± 0.7 vs. 15.6 ± 0.9 mM). In Con, insulin and C-peptide levels were normalized during exercise. Glucose administration decreased growth hormone levels in both groups. In conclusion, oral glucose ingestion 30 min before exercise increases endurance capacity in Con and in some IDDM patients. In IDDM patients, in contrast with Con, exercise to exhaustion attenuates hyperglycemia but does not bring blood glucose levels to preglucose levels.

Two boys are described with precocious puberty (PP) due to pineal immature teratoma associated with choriocarcinoma. Patient 1 was a 7 year-old boy with a 2-year history of PP. He had elevated CSF and plasma beta-hCG levels. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a 3.0 cm pineal mass. He was initially submitted to a trial with radiotherapy, followed by radical surgical resection, stereotactic radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Long-term follow up included the appearance of acute hydrocephalus requiring CSF shunting, local hemorrhage and extensive radionecrosis. Death occurred 1.5 years after diagnosis. Patient 2 was a 7 year-old boy with an 8-month history of PP. He had elevated CSF and plasma beta-hCG and alpha-fetoprotein levels. MRI showed a 1.0 cm pineal mass. He was submitted to radical surgical resection (which caused normalization of levels of markers) and prophylactic chemotherapy. The boy is doing well 1.5 years after diagnosis. An extensive review of the literature corroborates the idea that this last treatment paradigm (surgery and chemotherapy) probably represents the best treatment regimen for these patients.