Isolde Terezinha Santos Previdelli

Tipologia de sistemas de produção baseada nas características do leite

The objective of the study was to propose a methodology of production systems analysis, considering intraannual quantitative flow and the qualitative characteristics of the milk delivered by the farmers to the industry. The data were collected from 1,196 milk producers from 2005 to 2006 using month production variables, fat content, protein, lactose and total solids, counting of somatic cells, and standardized counting in plates. The method of analysis used was the main component analyses and ascending hierarchical classification (typology). The most important variables in the construction of the first principal component (PC1) are fat content, protein and total milk solid contents, which explained 32.5% of the diversity of production systems, and they can be considered as the indicator of milk nutritional quality. In the construction of the second principal component (PC2), the most important variables are lactose content, counting of somatic cells and milk microbial counting, which explained 24.04% of the diversity and represent the hygienic quality of the milk. The intra-annual distribution of the milk production is not important to explain the diversity among milk production units. For the production system typology, it was considered the first three main components whose explanation of the total variability was of 70.52%. The 1,196 milk producing rural properties belong to the 17 groups of milk production systems with their own characteristics of milk quality.

Fish oil provides a sustained antiamnesic effect after acute, transient forebrain ischemia but not after chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in middle-aged rats

We reported that fish oil (FO) abolishes retrograde amnesia consistently following transient global cerebral ischemia (TGCI) in young rats, provided it covered the first days prior to and after ischemia. Here, we further evaluated whether FO given post-ischemia in older rats (15-18 months old) is equally effective in facilitating memory recovery. We also tested whether the antiamnesic effect of FO observed after TGCI can be reproduced after chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH). FO (300 mg/kg docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) was delivered orally 4h after TGCI and continued once per day for 9 days. In the CCH group, FO treatment began soon after the first stage of 4-VO/ICA and continued daily for 43 days. Two weeks after surgery, the animals were tested for retrograde memory performance across 5 weeks. Both TGCI and CCH caused persistent memory impairment and hippocampal and cortical neurodegeneration. TGCI-induced retrograde amnesia was reversed by FO, an effect that was sustained for at least 5 weeks after discontinuing treatment. In contrast, the memory deficit caused by CCH remained unchanged after FO treatment. Both hippocampal and cortical damage was not alleviated by FO. We conclude that the FO-mediated antiamnesic effect following TGCI can be extended to older rats, even when the treatment begins 4h postischemia. Such efficacy was not reproduced after CCH. Therefore, the present results support the notion that FO may have therapeutic utility in treating learning/memory dysfunction after acute/transient cerebral ischemia and suggest that such benefits may not apply when a state of chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency is present.

Spatial and/or olfactory memory in sandflies in an endemic area for American cutaneous leishmaniasis, southern Brazil

The results from an investigation on the possibility that sandflies in an endemic area for American cutaneous leishmaniasis, in the state of Paraná, may have memory are reported. Sandflies were caught in Recanto Marista, Doutor Camargo, State of Paraná, Brazil, using Falcão traps in two chicken sheds (G1 and G2), between November 15 and 26, 2007. A total of 2,080 sandflies were caught (1,000 in G1 and 1,080 in G2) and these were marked and released. Nyssomyia neivai was the most (90.5%) frequent species. Out of the total released, 168 sandflies (8%) were recaptured and the recapture rate in G2 was significant. The results show that it is possible that spatial or olfactory memory and/or host loyalty exists, and that this will guide the sandflies in recognizing the places where sources of blood are available.

Fish Oil Prevents Oxidative Stress and Exerts Sustained Antiamnesic Effect After Global Cerebral Ischemia

Transient, global cerebral ischemia (TGCI) causes hippocampal/cortical damage and the persistent loss of welltrained, long-term memory (retrograde amnesia). Fish oil (FO), a rich source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, abolishes such amnesia in the absence of neurohistological protection. The present study investigated whether FO prevents ischemia-induced oxidative stress and whether such an action contributes to the lasting effect of FO on memory recovery. In a first experiment, FO was administered for 4 days prior to ischemia, and antioxidant status was subsequently measured after 24 h of reperfusion. In another experiment, naive rats were trained in an eight-arm radial maze until they achieved asymptotic performance and then subjected to TGCI. One group of rats received FO as in the first experiment (i.e., 4 days prior to ischemia), whereas another group received FO for 4 days prior to ischemia plus 6 days postischemia. Retrograde memory performance was assessed 2-5 weeks after ischemia. TGCI depleted the level of antioxidant enzymes and increased the amount of protein carbonylation, indicating oxidative damage. Fish oil reversed oxidative damage to control levels. The same treatment that attenuated oxidative stress after 24 h of reperfusion also prevented retrograde amnesia assessed several weeks later. This antiamnesic effect afforded by short preischemia treatment was comparable to 10 days of treatment but not as consistent. These data indicate that an antioxidant action in the hyperacute phase of ischemia/reperfusion may contribute to the long-term, antiamnesic effect of FO.

Diagnóstico precoce do câncer de mama e colo uterino em mulheres do município de Guarapuava, PR, Brasil

The objective of this study is to identify the frequency in which the early diagnosis of breast and cervical cancer takes place in the municipality of Guarapuava, Parana. A cross-sectional study with population basis was carried out including 885 women with the minimum age of 18 years old, in the period from October to December of 2006. The sample calculation considered the trust level of 95% and the error margin of 3%. The software Statistica version 7.1 was used for the data analysis, considering the level of significance of 5%. Breast self-examination was performed by 63% of the interviewees and clinical examination by 49%. The mammography was performed by less than one forth of the sample. The prevention of cervical cancer was practiced by most of the women (80%). The conclusion was that the studied women from the sample perform preventive exams of breast cancer with less frequency, when compared to cervical cancer preventive exams.The objective of this study is to identify the frequency in which the early diagnosis of breast and cervical cancer takes place in the municipality of Guarapuava, Paraná. A cross-sectional study with population basis was carried out including 885 women with the minimum age of 18 years old, in the period from October to December of 2006. The sample calculation considered the trust level of 95% and the error margin of 3%. The software Statistica version 7.1 was used for the data analysis, considering the level of significance of 5%. Breast self-examination was performed by 63% of the interviewees and clinical examination by 49%. The mammography was performed by less than one forth of the sample. The prevention of cervical cancer was practiced by most of the women (80%). The conclusion was that the studied women from the sample perform preventive exams of breast cancer with less frequency, when compared to cervical cancer preventive exams.

Robust and enduring atorvastatin-mediated memory recovery following the 4-vessel occlusion/internal carotid artery model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in middle-aged rats.

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) is a common condition associated with the development and/or worsening of age-related dementia.We previously reported persistent memory loss and neurodegeneration after CCH in middle-aged rats. Statin-mediated neuroprotection has been reported after acute cerebral ischemia. Unknown, however, is whether statins can alleviate the outcome of CCH. The present study investigated whether atorvastatin attenuates the cognitive and neurohistological outcome of CCH. Rats (12–15 months old) were trained in a non-food-rewarded radial maze, and then subjected to CCH. Atorvastatin (10 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered for 42 days or 15 days, beginning 5 h after the first occlusion stage. Retrograde memory performance was assessed at 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days of CCH, and expressed by “latency,” “number of reference memory errors” and “number of working memory errors.” Neurodegeneration was then examined at the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Compared to sham, CCH caused profound and persistent memory loss in the vehicle-treated groups, as indicated by increased latency (91.2% to 107.3%) and number of errors (123.5% to 2508.2%), effects from which the animals did not spontaneously recover across time. This CCH-induced retrograde amnesia was completely prevented by atorvastatin (latency: −4.3% to 3.3%; reference/working errors: −2.5% to 45.7%), regardless of the treatment duration. This effect was sustained during the entire behavioral testing period (5 weeks), even after discontinuing treatment. This robust and sustained memory-protective effect of atorvastatin occurred in the absence of neuronal rescue (39.58% to 56.45% cell loss). We suggest that atorvastatin may be promising for the treatment of cognitive sequelae associated with CCH.

Ethyl-acetate fraction of Trichilia catigua restores long-term retrograde memory and reduces oxidative stress and inflammation after global cerebral ischemia in rats

Graphical abstract Figure. No Caption available. HighlightsTransient global cerebral ischemia (TGCI) induced persistent retrograde memory loss.Protein carbonylation and myeloperoxidase activity increased after TGCI.Trichilia catigua prevented the cognitive and biochemical outcomes of TGCI.The antiamnesic effect of T. catigua occurred in absence of neuronal rescue.T. catigua may represent a source of substances with neuroprotective properties. Abstract We originally reported that an ethyl‐acetate fraction (EAF) of Trichilia catigua prevented the impairment of water maze learning and hippocampal neurodegeneration after transient global cerebral (TGCI) in mice. We extended that previous study by evaluating whether T. catigua (i) prevents the loss of long‐term retrograde memory assessed in the aversive radial maze (AvRM), (ii) confers hippocampal and cortical neuroprotection, and (iii) mitigates oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in rats that are subjected to the four vessel occlusion (4‐VO) model of TGCI. In the first experiment, naive rats were trained in the AvRM and then subjected to TGCI. The EAF was administered orally 30 min before and 1 h after TGCI, and administration continued once per day for 7 days post‐ischemia. In the second experiment, the EAF was administered 30 min before and 1 h after TGCI, and protein carbonylation and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were assayed 24 h and 5 days later, respectively. Retrograde memory performance was assessed 8, 15, and 21 days post‐ischemia. Ischemia caused persistent retrograde amnesia, and this effect was prevented by T. catigua. This memory protection (or preservation) persisted even after the treatment was discontinued, despite the absence of histological neuroprotection. Protein carbonyl group content and MPO activity increased around 43% and 100%, respectively, after TGCI, which were abolished by the EAF of T. catigua. The administration of EAF did not coincide with the days of memory testing. The data indicate that antioxidant and/or antiinflammatory actions in the early phase of ischemia/reperfusion contribute to the long‐term antiamnesic effect of T. catigua.

Postischemic fish oil treatment restores long-term retrograde memory and dendritic density: An analysis of the time window of efficacy.

We reported that fish oil (FO) prevented the loss of spatial memory caused by transient, global cerebral ischemia (TGCI), provided the treatment covered the first days prior to and after ischemia. Continuing these studies, trained rats were subjected to TGCI, and FO was administered for 10days, with a time window of efficacy (TWE) of 4, 8 or 12h post-ischemia. Retrograde memory was assessed up to 43days after TGCI. In another experiment, ischemic rats received FO with a 4- or 12-h TWE, and dendritic density was assessed in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. The brain lipid profile was evaluated in sham-operated and ischemic rats that were treated with FO or vehicle with a 4-h TWE. Ischemia-induced retrograde amnesia was prevented by FO administration that was initiated with either a 4- or 8-h TWE. Fish oil was ineffective after a 12-h TWE. Independent of the TWE, FO did not prevent ischemic neuronal death. In the hippocampus, but not cerebral cortex, TGCI-induced dendritic loss was prevented by FO with a 4-h TWE but not 12-h TWE. The level of docosahexaenoic acid almost doubled in the hippocampus in ischemic, FO-treated rats (4-h TWE). The data indicate that (i) the anti-amnesic effect of FO can be observed with a TWE of up to 8h, (ii) the stimulation of dendritic neuroplasticity may have contributed to this effect, and (iii) DHA in FO may be the main active constituent in FO that mediates the cognitive and neuroplasticity effects on TGCI.

Early diagnosis of breast and cervical cancer in women from the municipality of Guarapuava, PR, Brazil

The objective of this study is to identify the frequency in which the early diagnosis of breast and cervical cancer takes place in the municipality of Guarapuava, Parana. A cross-sectional study with population basis was carried out including 885 women with the minimum age of 18 years old, in the period from October to December of 2006. The sample calculation considered the trust level of 95% and the error margin of 3%. The software Statistica version 7.1 was used for the data analysis, considering the level of significance of 5%. Breast self-examination was performed by 63% of the interviewees and clinical examination by 49%. The mammography was performed by less than one forth of the sample. The prevention of cervical cancer was practiced by most of the women (80%). The conclusion was that the studied women from the sample perform preventive exams of breast cancer with less frequency, when compared to cervical cancer preventive exams.The objective of this study is to identify the frequency in which the early diagnosis of breast and cervical cancer takes place in the municipality of Guarapuava, Paraná. A cross-sectional study with population basis was carried out including 885 women with the minimum age of 18 years old, in the period from October to December of 2006. The sample calculation considered the trust level of 95% and the error margin of 3%. The software Statistica version 7.1 was used for the data analysis, considering the level of significance of 5%. Breast self-examination was performed by 63% of the interviewees and clinical examination by 49%. The mammography was performed by less than one forth of the sample. The prevention of cervical cancer was practiced by most of the women (80%). The conclusion was that the studied women from the sample perform preventive exams of breast cancer with less frequency, when compared to cervical cancer preventive exams.

Limitação do suporte de vida em unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica

El presente estudio es el resultado de una revision de registros de pacientes fallecidos en el periodo de tres anos en la UCI Pediatricos de un Hospital Universitario, se ha analizado variables como tiempo de permanencia en el hospital, diagnostico de la principal falla organica del nino, la toma de decisiones de los medicos con respecto a medidas de soporte de la vida, ordenes de no reanimacion y la calidad de la relacion de los profesionales con las familias de los enfermos. Los resultados muestran que las conductas adoptadas por los medicos reflejen principalmente la preocupacion de ellos en protegerse de posibles demandas judiciales por cargo de omision de socorro. Aunque los casos clinicos estudiados se refieran a pacientes con enfermedades terminales, lo que a su vez enredase en complejos conflictos morales, en ningun momento fue ofrecido a los familiares de los enfermos la oportunidad de participar del proceso de la toma de decisiones medicas y, tampoco hay registro de consultas a la Comision de Etica del Hospital.