BackgroundThe absence of instruments capable of measuring the level of knowledge of hypertensive patients in cardiac rehabilitation programs about their disease reflects the lack of specific recommendations for these patients.ObjectiveTo develop and validate a questionnaire to evaluate the knowledge of hypertensive patients in cardiac rehabilitation programs about their disease.MethodsA total of 184 hypertensive patients (mean age 60.5 ± 10 years, 66.8% men) were evaluated. Reproducibility was assessed by calculation of the intraclass correlation coefficient using the test-retest method. Internal consistency was assessed by the Cronbach’s alpha and the construct validity by the exploratory factorial analysis.ResultsThe final version of the instrument had 17 questions organized in areas considered important for patient education. The instrument proposed showed a clarity index of 8.7 (0.25). The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.804 and the Cronbach’s correlation coefficient was 0.648. Factor analysis revealed five factors associated with knowledge areas. Regarding the criterion validity, patients with higher education level and higher family income showed greater knowledge about hypertension.ConclusionThe instrument has a satisfactory clarity index and adequate validity, and can be used to evaluate the knowledge of hypertensive participants in cardiac rehabilitation programs.

RESUMO Para avaliar a cicatrização de feridas cirúrgicas da parede abdominal de ratos submetidos à celiotomia, utilizou-se a terapia com ultra-som (US) nos modos contínuo e pulsado. Foram utilizadas 45 ratas, separadas em três grupos INTRODUÇÃOOs procedimentos cirúrgicos realizados no interior da cavidade celômica e nas áreas retroperitoniais têm como via de acesso a parede abdominal, considerando-se a celiotomia uma das práticas cirúrgicas mais freqüentes (FRY & OSLER, 1991).Em humanos, a deiscência, caracterizada pela separação dos planos profundos, ocorre entre zero e 6% das celiotomias, com taxas de mortalidade que

Morphological changes in the placenta at periparturition and the involvement of apoptosis controlling cell populations in the placentome were evaluated in Holstein and Nelore cows. Twenty-two Holstein cows at the end of gestation with normal non-induced parturition (group I) and 10 Holstein cows with induced parturition (group II) were used in this study. In addition, groups III and IV were constituted by 10 Nelore cows at the end of gestation with normal non-induced parturition and 21 Nelore cows with induced parturition, respectivelly. Binucleate trophoblastic cells, epithelial caruncular cells and apoptotic bodies were quantified by light microscopy. Apoptosis was further evaluated by transmission electron microscopy, ELISA and DNA electrophoresis in agarose gel. The number of caruncular epithelial cells did not vary between breeds with normal or induced parturition. The number of binucleate cells was significantly different between Holstein and Nelore cows with normal non-induced parturition (groups I vs. III), but their numbers were not significantly different between breeds when parturition was induced. In cows with normal non-induced parturition, the intensity of apoptosis, as assessed by morphometric analysis and ELISA, was significantly higher in group I when compared to group III. However, no difference in the intensity of apoptosis was found between groups II and IV. Characteristic apoptotic ladder pattern of DNA fragmentation was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. Ultra-structural features of apoptosis in maternal and fetal epithelium as well as capillary vascular endothelium were identified by transmission electron microscopy. In conclusion, in Nelore placental maturation occurs precociously when compared to Holstein. In both breeds, apoptosis is an active physiological event that seems to be required for maturation and normal post-partum release of the placenta.Keywords: bovine, placentome, binucleate cell, epithelial cell, apoptosis RESUMO Foram avaliadas as diferenças morfológicas e a participação da apoptose na população de células do placentoma de vacas das raças Holandesa e Nelore no período periparto. Foram utilizadas 22 vacas da raça Holandesa com parto a termo (tratamento I) e 10 com parto induzido (tratamento II). Nos tratamentos III e IV foram utilizadas 10 vacas Nelore com parto a termo e 21 com parto induzido, respectivamente. As células binucleadas trofoblásticas e epiteliais carunculares e os corpos apoptóticos

This research was performed by a multidisciplinary and interagency team and sought to determine the blood profile, total plasma protein and fibrinogen concentrations of clinically healthy adult Campeiro horses. A total of 138 horses (14 stallions, 74 non-pregnant and 50 pregnant mares)

SUMMARYThe effects of gestation and lactation on the dynamics of the thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T 3 ) and thyroxine (T 4 ) were evaluated in Crioula Lanada Serrana ewes from the plateau region in Santa Catarina -Brazil. To evaluate the effects of gestation, twenty four ewes were randomly divided into groups I and II. Group I was composed of 12 pregnant ewes and the control group (II) was composed of 12 non-pregnant ewes. The effects of lactation were evaluated in the same ewes of group I after parturition (LE) and in the control group (NL). Blood samples were taken in the first, second and third periods of gestation, at parturition, and at 30, 60 and 90 days of lactation. T 3 and T 4 concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Pregnant ewes showed lower serum concentrations of T 3 and T 4 than those of non-pregnant ewes. At parturition, there was no significant difference in T 3 concentrations between groups I and II (p>0.05). During lactation, serum T 3 concentrations were lower (p≤0.05) in LE than in NL ewes. Serum T 3 concentrations were greater (p≤0.05) at lambing than during the lactation periods. Serum T 4 concentrations in LE at parturition did not differ (p>0.05) from those of NL ewes. During lactation, T 4 concentrations of LE were lower (p≤0.05) than those of the NL ewes. The results of this study have shown that gestation causes a variation in the T 3 and T 4 serum concentrations, and that lactation results in a decrease of serum concentrations of T 3 and T 4 in Crioula Lanada Serrana ewes. RESUMOOs efeitos da gestação e lactação sobre a dinâmica dos hormônios tireoidianos triiodotironina (T 3 ) e tiroxina (T 4 ) foram avaliados em ovelhas Crioula Lanada Serrana na região do Planalto Serrano Catarinense. Para avaliar os efeitos da gestação, foram utilizadas vinte e quatro ovelhas distribuídas aleatoriamente em dois grupos. O grupo I foi formado por 12 ovelhas gestantes e o grupo controle por 12 ovelhas não gestantes (grupo II). Os efeitos da lactação foram avaliados nas mesmas ovelhas do grupo I após a parição (LE) e no grupo controle (NL). Foram colhidas amostras sanguíneas no primeiro, segundo e terceiro terço da gestação, ao parto e aos 30, 60 e 90 dias de lactação. As concentrações de T 3 e T 4 foram determinadas por radioimunoensaio (RIA). As ovelhas gestantes apresentaram concentrações séricas de T 3 e T 4 inferiores àquelas não gestantes. Ao parto não houve diferença significativa nas concentrações de T 3 entre os grupos I e II (p>0,05). Durante a lactação as concentrações Archivos de zootecnia vol. 59, núm. 228, p. 510