bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atendimento odontológico domiciliar aos idosos: uma necessidade na prática multidisciplinar em saúde: revisão de literatura
Authors: Rocha Danielle Aline , Miranda Alexandre Franco
Published: May 2013

O atendimento odontológico domiciliar direcionado aos idosos semi e dependentes é conjunto de ações preventivas e de mínima intervenção que visam promover a saúde bucal e orientar familiares e cuidadores. É considerada uma estratégia educativa e assistencial de saúde cuja finalidade é intervir, de maneira multidisciplinar, no processo saúde-doença de idosos vulneráveis. Este estudo tem como objetivo abordar a prática odontológica domiciliar, enfatizando as principais alterações sistêmicas e possíveis repercussões na cavidade bucal, a necessidade de participação efetiva do cirurgião-dentista e orientações de promoção de saúde bucal que possam auxiliar nas condutas dos familiares, cuidadores e profissionais envolvidos com esse tipo de atendimento. Foram realizadas busca e análise de artigos científicos e bases de dados bibliográficos sobre a prática odontológica domiciliar em idosos. Na estratégia de busca foram empregados os termos: assistência domiciliar, odontogeriatria, odontologia domiciliar, idoso fragilizado e saúde bucal. Adotaram-se como critérios de inclusão: artigos publicados em português; artigos indexados nas bases de dados LILACS e SciELO; artigos publicados no período de 2000 a 2011 e legislação federal sobre o assunto, totalizando 36 referências. Concluiu-se que existe grande necessidade dessa atividade odontológica em domicílio a ser executada de maneira capacitada por odontogeriatras com formação gerontológica que possam contribuir na humanização do atendimento e promoção do bem-estar e qualidade de vida desses idosos.
Modelos de paisagem e susceptibilidade magnética na identificação e caracterização do solo
Authors: Matias Sammy Sidney Rocha , Marques Júnior José , Siqueira Diego Silva , Pereira Gener Tadeu
Published: May 2013

O conhecimento detalhado do solo e de seus atributos, ao longo da paisagem, é uma demanda permanente dos sistemas urbanos e agroindustriais, para o planejamento sustentável de uso e ocupação. O presente trabalho objetivou estudar o potencial de modelos de paisagem e susceptibilidade magnética na identificação e caracterização de latossolos, em Guariba (SP). Foram coletadas 514 amostras de solo, em 110,0 ha, às profundidades de 0,0-0,20 m e 0,60-0,80 m. Foram identificados diferentes compartimentos de paisagem, com base no modelo de superfície geomórfica e segmento de vertente. Em cada compartimento de paisagem, foram abertas trincheiras, para classificação do solo. As amostras foram analisadas quanto à granulometria e atributos químicos, pH (água, CaCl2 e KCl), matéria orgânica, P extraível, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ e H+ + Al3+. Também foram determinados os teores de SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3 e óxidos de Fe livres (Fe d) e pouco cristalizados (Fe o), nas amostras das trincheiras, além da susceptibilidade magnética (SM). Solos taxonomicamente iguais, porém em diferentes compartimentos da paisagem, apresentaram valores distintos, para os atributos estudados, indicando que os modelos de paisagem e a susceptibilidade magnética podem ser viáveis, como técnica de campo, para auxiliar no detalhamento da variação dos atributos do solo. A susceptibilidade magnética demonstrou ter potencial para delimitação das superfícies geomórficas mapeadas no campo, o que indica o seu potencial de uso, na identificação e caracterização de áreas mais homogêneas.
Perfil de ácidos graxos e fatores antinutricionais de amêndoas de pequi crua e torrada
Authors: Damiani Clarissa , Almeida Thatyana Lacerda de , Costa Naiane Vieira , Medeiros Nadielly Xavier de , Silva Aline Gomes de Moura e , Silva Flávio Alves da , Lage Moacir Evandro , Becker Fernanda Salamoni
Published: May 2013

O pequi é um dos frutos mais abundantes no Cerrado, sendo sua polpa muito apreciada na culinária regional, porém, sua amêndoa (também comestível) é pouco aproveitada. O consumo da amêndoa crua pode acarretar em problemas digestivos, devido à possível presença de fatores antinutricionais, assim como a torra pode alterar, nutricionalmente, a amêndoa. Este trabalho objetivou verificar a composição centesimal, o perfil de ácidos graxos e os fatores antinutricionais, em amêndoas de pequi crua e torrada (a 270ºC, por 15 minutos), oriundas do Estado de Goiás e submetidas às análises de composição centesimal (umidade, proteínas, lipídeos, cinzas, carboidratos e valor energético), perfil de ácidos graxos e fatores antinutricionais (inibidores de tripsina, tanino e fitatos). A composição centesimal e os fatores antinutricionais, respectivamente para as amêndoas crua e torrada, apresentaram os seguintes teores: umidade: 25,40% e 1,70%; cinzas: 3,90% e 4,60%; proteínas: 13,40% e 14,70%; lipídeos: 24,70% e 25,70%; carboidratos: 32,50% e 53,30%; e valor energético: 406,20 kcal/100 g e 503,00 kcal/100 g, com ausência de inibidores de tripsina e taninos com 1,21% e 1,17% e fitatos com 2,64% e 1,86%. No perfil de ácidos graxos, respectivamente para as amêndoas crua e torrada, foram obtidos 86,90% e 84,61% de ácidos saturados e 10,57% e 10,40% de insaturados. A torra das amêndoas não influenciou, significativamente (p > 0,05), somente a variável proteína, interferindo, assim, nas características nutricionais e antinutricionais.
Propriedades termodinâmicas de grãos de milho para diferentes teores de água de equilíbrio
Authors: Oliveira Daniel Emanuel Cabral de , Resende Osvaldo , Smaniotto Thaís Adriana de Souza , Sousa Kelly Aparecida de , Campos Rafael Cândido
Published: May 2013

O estudo das propriedades termodinâmicas propor-ciona o conhecimento da afinidade do sorvente pela água e da espontaneidade do processo de sorção, sendo importante para projetar equipamentos de secagem. Este trabalho visou a determinar e avaliar as propriedades termodinâmicas, para diferentes teores de água de equilíbrio em grãos de milho, utilizando-se o método estático indireto. O experimento foi desenvolvido em Rio Verde (GO), utilizando-se grãos de milho da cultivar AG 7088, com teor inicial de água de 23,3% (base seca - b.s.), os quais foram submetidos a secagem (40ºC), até atingirem teor de água de 14,4% (b.s.). Concluiu-se que as propriedades termodinâmicas foram influenciadas pelo teor de água, o calor isostérico integral de dessorção aumentou com o decréscimo do teor de água de equilíbrio, o processo de dessorção do milho da cultivar AG 7088 foi controlado pela entalpia e a energia livre de Gibbs foi positiva para as temperaturas estudadas, com aumento ao longo do processo de dessorção, demonstrando ser um processo não espontâneo.
Características produtivas do trigo em função de fontes e doses de nitrogênio
Authors: Prando Andre Mateus , Zucareli Claudemir , Fronza Vanoli , Oliveira Fábio Álvares de , Oliveira Júnior Adilson
Published: May 2013

A adubação nitrogenada é uma importante prática de manejo em gramíneas e bastante complexa, em função dos diversos fatores que a influenciam, como condições climáticas, sistemas de cultivo, doses e fontes disponíveis. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o efeito de fontes e doses de nitrogênio (N) em cobertura sobre as características produtivas do trigo (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivado em sistema de semeadura direta, em sucessão à cultura da soja. O experimento foi realizado utilizando-se Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico, em Londrina (PR). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 3x4, com quatro repetições. Como fontes de N na adubação de cobertura, foram avaliados a ureia, ureia + inibidor de urease (NBPT) e ureia revestida com polímeros, em 2008, e ureia, ureia + inibidor de urease (NBPT) e sulfato de amônio, em 2009, em quatro doses (0,0 kg ha-1, 40,0 kg ha-1, 80,0 kg ha-1 e 120,0 kg ha-1 de N) aplicadas 20 dias após a emergência das plantas. Foram avaliados a altura de plantas, percentagem de acamamento, massa de 1.000 grãos, rendimento de grãos e massa do hectolitro, e os resultados mostraram que o incremento nas doses de N em cobertura favoreceu o acamamento de plantas, proporcionando redução na massa de 1.000 grãos, na produtividade e na massa do hectolitro. As fontes de N não afetaram o desempenho produtivo da cultivar BRS Pardela, cultivada após a soja.
A polinização cruzada determina a formação de sementes em frutos de clementina Nules
Authors: Azevedo Fernando Alves de , Borges Rogério de Sá , Fávero Marco Aurélio Bonin , Giorgi Neto Ronald Otto , Schinor Evandro Henrique , Bastianel Marinês
Published: May 2013

Nos países que abastecem o mercado internacional de frutas cítricas frescas, há uma grande preocupação em se estudar os efeitos de possíveis cruzamentos entre variedades, para que as características desejáveis, como o baixo número de sementes, ou mesmo a ausência delas, não sejam alteradas. Desta forma, o presente trabalho objetivou avaliar a influência da polinização por outras variedades de citros na formação de sementes, em frutos da variedade apirênica clementina Nules. Foram realizadas polinizações controladas em 2007 e 2008, com pólen das variedades de laranja Pêra, Valência e Natal; tangores Ortanique e Murcott; tangelo Nova; e tangerina Ponkan. Também foi avaliada a formação de sementes a partir da autopolinização, em flores de clementina Nules. Os frutos colhidos foram avaliados quanto ao número de sementes, massa de fruto (g), diâmetros transversal e longitudinal (cm). Verificou-se compatibilidade com todas as variedades avaliadas e que a polinização cruzada promoveu a formação de sementes. Frutos de clementina Nules oriundos de polinização cruzada apresentaram maior tamanho e massa que os oriundos da autopolinização. Flores isoladas de clementina Nules (autopolinizadas) produziram frutos sem sementes, evidenciando a necessidade de isolamento, desta cultivar, para a obtenção de frutos apirênicos.
Primeiro registro de ocorrência de Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) no Brasil
Authors: Czepak Cecília , Albernaz Karina Cordeiro , Vivan Lúcia Madalena , Guimarães Humberto Oliveira , Carvalhais Tiago
Published: May 2013

Neste trabalho, é relatada a primeira ocorrência de Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) no Brasil, que era considerada, até o momento, uma praga quarentenária. A notificação ocorreu nos Estados de Goiás, na cultura da soja; Bahia, em tiguera de soja; e Mato Grosso, na cultura do algodoeiro.
Multicenter Italian Experience in Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in HIV-Infected Patients
Authors: Di Benedetto Fabrizio , Tarantino Giuseppe , Ercolani Giorgio , Baccarani Umberto , Montalti Roberto , De Ruvo Nicola , Berretta Massimiliano , Adani Gian Luigi , Zanello Matteo , Tavio Marcello , Cautero Nicola , Tirelli Umberto , Pinna Antonio D. , Gerunda Giorgio E. , Guaraldi Giovanni
Published: May 2013

Learning Objectives

Compare clinical outcomes following liver transplant for heptaocellular carcinoma in patients with and without HIV infection. Identify predictors of mortality following liver transplant for heptaocellular carcinoma in patients with and without HIV infection.
Active earth pressure from c–φ soil backfill
Authors: Tu Bing-Xiong , Jia Jin-Qing
Published: May 2013

An analytical expression is proposed in this paper for the active earth pressure from c–φ soil backfill on a retaining wall undergoing horizontal translation. It takes into account the arching effects that occur in the backfill. The derived expression is based on the Coulomb failure plane, taking into account wall friction angle, wall adhesion, cohesion, and the internal friction angle of the backfill. It is found to be very important that the active earth pressure coefficient relates not only to the internal friction angle but also to the wall friction angle, the cohesion of soil, the depth below the ground surface and the unit weight of soil, which is consistent with the Richards and Shi solution for static active condition. Special cases of the derived active earth pressure result in the expressions presented by earlier researchers for different field conditions of soil backfill.
A review of methods for modelling drystone retaining walls
Authors: Le Hong Hanh , Morel Jean-Claude , Garnier Denis , McCombie Paul Francis
Published: May 2013

Drystone walls are durable structures, owing to their intrinsic ductility, permeability, and the strength of the materials used. Nevertheless, they can be subject to slow deterioration, caused by weathering of the materials, by the application of loads for which they were not designed, by impact, or by inappropriate repair methods. It is then necessary to assess the condition of the structure, and to repair or to replace the construction. This paper aims to bring together advances on drystone retaining walls made by researchers in France and the UK over the last two decades. Three methods that are used to evaluate the stability of drystone retaining walls are summarised and compared: the distinct element method, limit equilibrium analysis and yield design analysis. The first proves to be most suited to back-analysis, while the second and third methods may also be used for design. The paper describes the use of design charts, an example of which is presented. These charts were based on the understanding obtained from these models, which has now been confirmed by full-scale testing.
Cyclic behaviour of loose anisotropically consolidated Ottawa sand under undrained torsional loading
Authors: KONSTADINOU M. , GEORGIANNOU V.N.
Published: May 2013

The behaviour of loose, anisotropically consolidated Ottawa sand was examined under undrained cyclic loading in the hollow cylinder apparatus. The stress level, the cyclic stress level and the consolidation stress ratio were varied. The instability line of anisotropically consolidated loose Ottawa sand, defined under monotonic loading, is shown to form a boundary in the vicinity of which a sudden increase in the rate of excess pore water pressure and strain accumulation is observed, and the sand strain-softens. However, this unstable response is arrested at phase transformation, and the sand specimens show a stable or temporarily stable effective stress cycle at low and high consolidation stress ratios respectively. Similar behaviour is observed for isotropically consolidated sand, which exhibits initial liquefaction after strain-softening. The terminal excess pore water pressure associated with this final stage is described as a function of consolidation stress ratio, while the development of excess pore water pressure during cyclic loading is uniquely defined for all tests as a function of normalised shear work. The cyclic resistance of the sand decreases with decreasing consolidation stress ratio. Anisotropic consolidation significantly affects the stiffness and damping ratio values of loose Ottawa sand.
Sol-gel-processed porous water-repellent silica microbowls
Authors: Gurav Annaso B. , Latthe Sanjay S. , Vhatkar Rajiv S.
Published: May 2013

Surface wettability, as one of the most crucial properties of solid surface, is a very common interface phenomenon in our daily life and nature. The authors obtained water-repellent porous silica microbowl-like structure by controlled sol-gel method with tetraethaoxysilane (TEOS) as a precursor and 3,3,3-trifluropropyltrimethoxysilane (TFPTMOS) as a coprecursor. The water-repellent properties of the coatings were raised with increasing molar ratio (M) of TFPTMOS/TEOS. The prepared silica coatings showed water-repellent behavior with water contact angle of 136 ± 3° and sliding angle of 18 ± 1° without any posthydrophobization. In conclusion, the wetting properties were dependent on the micro-/nano-structure and the chemical composition of the coatings.
Determining the quality of highway service caused by rainfall
Authors: Mashros Nordiana , Ben-Edigbe Johnnie
Published: May 2013

Previous studies on the impact of rainfall on highways have focused on quantitative appraisal and vehicle speed reduction. This study is based on the quality of highway service during rainfall. It presents a novel approach to qualitative assessment of highway service using criteria based on road provider and user perceptions. It describes a method to evaluate speed/flow curves using direct empirical data and the concept of the fundamental relationship of flow, speed and density. On-site studies for volume and speed were observed for roadways, during daylight dry weather and rainfall conditions. Results show a slight reduction in qualitative service during light and moderate rainfall, and significant reduction during heavy rainfall in all cases. The paper concludes that heavy rainfall has a significant impact on the quality of highway service and that this may lead to traffic shockwave velocity propagations.
Efficiency of European metros: the Portuguese case
Authors: Santos Joana , Simões Pedro , Costa Álvaro , Marques Rui Cunha
Published: May 2013

This research analyses the performance of Portuguese metros in the European context. By means of two non-parametric benchmarking techniques, respectively performance indicators and data envelopment analysis, the efficiency of 37 European metros is computed. In order to provide statistical inference and robustness to the results, the recent technique of bootstrapping is applied. Also the partial frontiers (order-m) is used to identify outliers and the double-bootstrap procedure in a second stage methodology to take into account the influence of the operational environment. The results show important levels of inefficiency both in Portuguese metros and in other European metros.
Transfusion-Associated Necrotizing Enterocolitis: Translating Knowledge Into Nursing Practice
Authors: Luton Alexandra
Published: May 2013

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a leading cause of prolonged hospitalizations for premature infants in the United States. In a recent large retrospective study, a significant proportion of NEC cases were shown to occur within 48 hours of packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion, especially in growing preterm neonates of older postnatal age. A small body of evidence consistently demonstrates that 25–35 percent of NEC cases are temporally associated with PRBC transfusion and that cases of NEC associated with transfusion are generally more severe with a higher rate of surgical intervention and mortality. Awareness of this association is vital for potential prevention and early recognition of NEC. The neonatal nurse has a primary role in care strategies that may affect NEC. This review of literature was compiled to educate neonatal nurses about the existence of transfusion-associated necrotizing enterocolitis and guide the translation of knowledge into nursing practice at the bedside.
Job Characteristics, Core Self-Evaluations, and Job Satisfaction: What's Age Got to Do with It?
Authors: Besen Elyssa , Matz-Costa Christina , Brown Melissa , Smyer Michael A. , Pitt-Catsouphes Martha
Published: May 2013

There is a well-established relationship between age and job satisfaction. To date, there is little research about how many well-known predictors of job satisfaction, specifically job characteristics and core self-evaluations, may vary with age. Using a multi-worksite sample of 1,873 employed adults aged 17 to 81, this study evaluated the extent to which several job characteristics and core self-evaluations varied in their relationships with job satisfaction for workers of different ages. Findings suggest that the positive relationships between job satisfaction and skill variety, autonomy, and friendship weaken as employee age increases, while the positive relationships between job satisfaction and dealing with others, task identity, task significance, feedback, and core self-evaluations did not vary with age. The findings extend previous research by examining how the factors important for job satisfaction vary for employees of different ages.
Older Men's Lay Definitions of Successful Aging over Time: The Manitoba Follow-up Study
Authors: Tate Robert B. , Swift Audrey U. , Bayomi Dennis J.
Published: May 2013

The concept of “successful aging” has become widely accepted in gerontology, yet continues to have no common underlying definition. Researchers have increasingly looked to older individuals for their lay definitions of successful aging. The present analysis is based on responses to five questionnaires administered to surviving participants of the male Manitoba Follow-up Study cohort ( www.mfus.ca ) in 1996, 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006 ( n = 2,043 men were alive at a mean age of 78 years in 1996). One question on each survey asked: “What is YOUR definition of successful aging?” Applying content analysis to the 5,898 narratives received over the 11 years, we developed a coding system encompassing 21 main themes and 86 sub-themes defining successful aging. We quantitatively analyzed trends in prevalence of themes of successful aging prospectively over time. Our findings empirically support colleagues' past suggestions to shift from defining successful aging in primarily biomedical terms, by taking lay views into account.
The Relationships between Postpartum Adaptation and Postpartum Depression Symptoms of First Pregnancy Mothers in Taiwan
Authors: Ho Ciao-Lin , Chang Lu-I , Wan Kong-Sang
Published: May 2013

Background:

Motherhood is a critical situation characterized by role conflicts. These conflicts between the roles of mother, worker, and wife are the norm in the postpartum period and may jeopardize a mother's well-being. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between postpartum adaptation and depression among new mothers who live in northern Taiwan.

Material and Methods:

A total of 186 first pregnancy mothers were recruited via convenience sampling methods and they completed mailed questionnaires between 1 week and 2 months after giving birth. Structured questionnaires including Demographic Inventory Scale, Postpartum Self-Evaluation Questionnaire, and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale were used.

Results:

Ninety-four (50.5%) women exhibited depressive symptoms (EPDS > 10) and 73 (39.2%) women needed to consult the doctor (EPDS > 12). The risk factors for postpartum depression symptoms included unplanned birth, low socioeconomic status, and part-time employment. The correlation between women's different aspects of postpartum adaptation and depression ranged was from low to medium. The best predictors of postpartum depression were confidence in their own competence of motherhood tasks, satisfaction with life circumstances, and partner participating in child care. These three subsets explained 44.8% of the total variance.

Conclusion:

This study shows that healthcare providers who work with primiparas during the first 2 months after giving birth should pay more attention to postpartum depression, keeping in mind associated risk factors. A new mother's confidence in her own abilities as a new mother may be particularly important in determining the likelihood of postpartum depression.
Association of CD8 T Cells with Depression and Anxiety in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Ko Fang-Yuan , Tsai Shih-Jen , Yang Albert C. , Zhou Yang , Xu Lie-Ming
Published: May 2013

Objective:

Depression and anxiety frequently co-occur in patients with cirrhosis, but their underlying biological substrates are unclear. There is now evidence to suggest that depression is accompanied by signs of an immune response. This study investigated the correlation between depression/anxiety and T-lymphocyte subsets in liver cirrhosis patients.

Methods:

A total of 59 patients (37 males and 22 females; aged between 26–81 years) with cirrhosis were enrolled in the study. Severity of depression and anxiety were assessed through the Hamilton depressive scale (HAMD, the 24-item version) and the Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA). T-lymphocyte subsets (CD3, CD4, and CD8) in peripheral blood were determined by flow cytometry. The relationship between lymphocyte subsets and depression/anxiety scores was studied by correlation analysis.

Results:

The mean total HAMD and HAMA scores for the 59 subjects were 12.8 ± 10.4 (range = 0−46) and 7.0 ± 5.7 (range = 0−26), respectively. Fourteen of 59 subjects (23.7%) had HAMD scores equal to or above 20, indicative of depression. The percentage of CD8, but not CD3 or CD4, in T-lymphocyte subsets was positively correlated with depression (HAMD) ( r = 0.268, P = 0.043) and anxiety severity (HAMA) ( r = 0.321, P = 0.013). After controlling for age and Child-Pugh scores, the correlations were still significant.

Conclusion:

Around one-fourth of cirrhosis patients may have depression, although depression is not related to cirrhosis severity. Our findings are the first to show that depression and anxiety may be associated with increased levels of CD8 in T-lymphocyte subsets in cirrhosis patients, suggesting that an imbalance of T-lymphocyte subsets may be a factor facilitating depression and anxiety in cirrhotic patients. Examination of CD8 T-lymphocytes may prove useful in assessing the potential relationship between depression, anxiety, immunity, and liver cirrhosis.
Comparison of Consecutive Periods of 1-, 2-, and 3-Year Mortality of Geriatric Inpatients with Delirium, Dementia, and Depression in a Consultation-Liaison Service
Authors: Tsai Meng-Chang , Chou Shih-Yong , Tsai Ching-Shu , Hung Tai-Hsin , Su Jian-An
Published: May 2013

Objectives:

Dementia, depression, and delirium are the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in elderly medical inpatients and are all associated with higher mortality. The purpose of this study was to assess and compare consecutive periods of 1-, 2-, and 3-year mortality among elderly patients with dementia, depression, and delirium seen by a psychiatry consultation-liaison service in a general hospital.

Methods:

We consecutively enrolled inpatients 65 years of age and older that were referred for psychiatric consultation ( N = 614) from 2002 to 2006: 172 were diagnosed with delirium, 92 with dementia, and 165 with depression. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year mortality rates for the three groups of patients were compared by log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to identify any possible factors associated with mortality during the study period.

Results:

Only 1-year mortality in the delirium group was significantly higher than that in the depression group ( p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference among the three groups in 2- and 3-year mortality. In terms of gender, higher mortality was identified only in depressed male patients. Furthermore, male, older age, and longer length of hospital stay, but not multiple physical comorbidities, were associated with higher mortality.

Conclusion:

Clinical physicians should give special attention to delirious patients within the first year after referral. Patients at risk for mortality should be closely followed and early intervention provided in an effort to decrease or delay mortality.
The Suicide Rates in the Yunnan Province, a Multi-Ethnic Province in Southwestern China
Authors: Lu Jin , Xiao Yize , Xu Xiufeng , Shi Qingping , Yang YunJuan
Published: May 2013

Objective:

Previous research has shown a high rate and a unique pattern of suicide in China. We aim to present the current suicide rates and patterns in the Yunnan province, a multi-ethnic region in Southwestern China.

Methods:

This is a descriptive study based on the 3rd Chinese national mortality survey. We reported the suicide rates by sex, 5-year age group, region (urban or rural), and minority group from 2004 to 2005 in the Yunnan province.

Results:

We estimated a mean annual suicide rate of 19.82 per 100,000 and a total of 8751 suicide deaths per year. Sex-specific rate estimates were 21.09 per 100,000 and 18.46 per 100,000 for males and females, respectively. The male/female ratio was 1.14. Region-specific rate estimates were 20.60 per 100,000 and 19.18 per 100,000 for rural and urban regions, respectively. The rural-to-urban ratio was 1.07. Suicide accounted for 4.83% of all deaths in the Yunnan province and represented the fifth leading cause of death. In minority groups, the highest suicide rates were found in the Li su minority (50.75 per 100,000), the Jing po minority (36.38 per 100,000), the Meng gu minority (32.65 per 100,000) and the Miao minority (30.75 per 100,000). The lowest rates were found in the Hui minority (0.96 per 100,000) and the Ha ni minority (1.64 per 100,000).

Conclusions:

The suicide characteristics of this multi-ethnic region of China are different from those of the rest of China and the world, which indicates that the development of a special intervention strategy in multi-ethnic areas for suicide prevention is needed.
Increased bacterial putrescine has no impact on gut morphology and physiology in gnotobiotic adolescent mice
Authors: Slezak K. , Hanske L. , Loh G. , Blaut M.
Published: May 2013

Gut bacteria influence host anatomy and physiology. It has been proposed that bacterial metabolites including polyamines are responsible for intestinal maturation and mucosal growth. We have hypothesised that bacterially produced polyamines act as trophic factors and thereby influence large intestinal crypt depth and thickness of the different gut layers. For that purpose, germ-free mice were associated with two different microbial consortia. One group was colonised with a simplified human microbiota (SIHUMI). The second group was associated with SIHUMI + Fusobacterium varium (SIHUMI + Fv), which is known to produce high amounts of polyamines. Polyamine concentrations were measured by HPLC and morphological parameters were determined microscopically. Germ-free and conventional mice served as controls. The caecal putrescine concentration of the SIHUMI + Fv was 61.8 μM (47.6-75.5 μM), whereas that of conventional and SIHUMI mice was 28.8 μM (1.3-41.7 μM) and 24.5 μM (16.8-29.1 μM), respectively. The caecal putrescine concentration of germ-free mice was only 0.6 μM (0-1.0 μM). Caecal crypt depth and thickness of the different caecal layers revealed no significant differences between SIHUMI and SIHUMI + Fv mice. However, the crypt depth in the caeca of conventional, SIHUMI and SIHUMI + Fv mice was increased by 48.6% (P<0.001), 39.7% (P<0.001) and 28.5% (P<0.05), respectively, compared to germ-free mice. These findings indicate that increased intestinal putrescine concentrations do not influence gut morphology in our gnotobiotic adolescent mice.
L’articulation morale de la petite corruption à la grande dans les discours populaires grecs
Authors: Thomi Ivan
Published: May 2013

En Grèce, comme dans d’autres pays où la corruption est dite endémique, différents facteurs culturels et historiques peuvent expliquer la relative indulgence dont bénéficient en pratique certains échanges « corruptionnels ». Les personnes interrogées lors d’une enquête ethnographique en 2006 ont souvent atténué leur part de responsabilité morale dans la petite corruption en présentant leur participation comme contrainte par les circonstances ou comme justifiée par certaines valeurs morales prioritaires, et en la contrastant par rapport à des transgressions bien plus graves, relevant de la grande corruption et de valeurs bien plus discutables. Pour distinguer leurs propres transgressions, pardonnables, de celles des autres, impardonnables, les informateurs usent de critères qui dessinent indirectement les contours d’une image populaire de la grande corruption, et qui postulent parfois une grande différence de nature entre les motivations respectives des acteurs de la grande et de la petite corruption. Cependant, le rejet mutuel des responsabilités entre certains acteurs et le caractère relatif de certains critères peuvent faire douter d’une différence qualitative de motivations. Ces discours nous disent beaucoup sur les représentations collectives de la corruption, mais une ethnographie des transgressions de haut niveau reste nécessaire pour rendre compte de leurs véritables moteurs.
MicroRNA let-7c Regulates Macrophage Polarization
Authors: Banerjee Sami , Xie Na , Cui Huachun , Tan Zheng , Yang Shanzhong , Icyuz Mert , Abraham Edward , Liu Gang
Published: May 2013

Macrophages demonstrate a high level of plasticity, with the ability to undergo dynamic transition between M1 and M2 polarized phenotypes. The role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating macrophage polarization has been largely undefined. In this study, we found that miRNA let-7c is expressed at a higher level in M-BMM (M2 macrophages) than in GM-BMM (M1 macrophages). let-7c levels are also greater in alveolar macrophages from fibrotic lungs as compared with those from normal lungs. let-7c expression was decreased when M-BMM converted to GM-BMM, whereas it increased when GM-BMM converted to M-BMM. LPS stimulation reduced let-7c expression in M-BMM. We found that overexpression of let-7c in GM-BMM diminished M1 phenotype expression while promoting polarization to the M2 phenotype. In contrast, knockdown of let-7c in M-BMM promoted M1 polarization and diminished M2 phenotype expression. We found that let-7c targets C/EBP-δ, a transcriptional factor that plays an important role in inflammatory response. Furthermore, we found that let-7c regulates bactericidal and phagocytic activities of macrophages, two functional phenotypes implicated in macrophage polarization. Our data suggest that the miRNA let-7c plays an important role in regulating macrophage polarization.
CD4+ T Cells Provide Intermolecular Help To Generate Robust Antibody Responses in Vaccinia Virus–Vaccinated Humans
Authors: Yin Liusong , Calvo-Calle J. Mauricio , Cruz John , Newman Frances K. , Frey Sharon E. , Ennis Francis A. , Stern Lawrence J.
Published: May 2013

Immunization with vaccinia virus elicits a protective Ab response that is almost completely CD4+ T cell dependent. A recent study in a rodent model observed a deterministic linkage between Ab and CD4+ T cell responses to particular vaccinia virus proteins suggesting that CD4+ T cell help is preferentially provided to B cells with the same protein specificity (Sette et al. 2008. Immunity 28: 847–858). However, a causal linkage between Ab and CD4+ T cell responses to vaccinia or any other large pathogen in humans has yet to be done. In this study, we measured the Ab and CD4+ T cell responses against four vaccinia viral proteins (A27L, A33R, B5R, and L1R) known to be strongly targeted by humoral and cellular responses induced by vaccinia virus vaccination in 90 recently vaccinated and 7 long-term vaccinia-immunized human donors. Our data indicate that there is no direct linkage between Ab and CD4+ T cell responses against each individual protein in both short-term and long-term immunized donors. Together with the observation that the presence of immune responses to these four proteins is linked together within donors, our data suggest that in vaccinia-immunized humans, individual viral proteins are not the primary recognition unit of CD4+ T cell help for B cells. Therefore, we have for the first time, to our knowledge, shown evidence that CD4+ T cells provide intermolecular (also known as noncognate or heterotypic) help to generate robust Ab responses against four vaccinia viral proteins in humans.
Immunization with Biodegradable Nanoparticles Efficiently Induces Cellular Immunity and Protects against Influenza Virus Infection
Authors: Knuschke Torben , Sokolova Viktoriya , Rotan Olga , Wadwa Munisch , Tenbusch Matthias , Hansen Wiebke , Staeheli Peter , Epple Matthias , Buer Jan , Westendorf Astrid M.
Published: May 2013

The ability of vaccines to induce T cell responses is crucial for preventing diseases caused by viruses or bacteria. Nanoparticles (NPs) are considered an efficient tool for inducing potent immune responses. In this study, we describe a novel vaccination approach with biodegradable calcium phosphate (CaP) NPs that serve as carrier of immunoactive TLR9 ligand (CpG) combined with a viral Ag from the influenza A virus hemagglutinin. Functionalized CaP NPs were efficiently taken up by dendritic cells in vivo and elicited a potent T cell–mediated immune response in immunized mice with high numbers of IFN-γ–producing CD4+ and CD8+ effector T cells. Most importantly, both i.p. and intranasal immunization with these NPs offered protection in a mouse model of influenza virus infection. This study demonstrates the great potential of CaP NPs as a novel vaccination tool that offers substantial flexibility for several infection models.
Separation of Function between Isotype Switching and Affinity Maturation In Vivo during Acute Immune Responses and Circulating Autoantibodies in UNG-Deficient Mice
Authors: Zahn Astrid , Daugan Matthieu , Safavi Shiva , Godin David , Cheong Cheolho , Lamarre Alain , Di Noia Javier M.
Published: May 2013

Activation-induced deaminase converts deoxycytidine to deoxyuridine at the Ig loci. Complementary pathways, initiated by the uracil-DNA glycosylase (UNG) or the mismatch repair factor MSH2/MSH6, must process the deoxyuridine to initiate class-switch recombination (CSR) and somatic hypermutation. UNG deficiency most severely reduces CSR efficiency and only modestly affects the somatic hypermutation spectrum in vitro. This would predict isotype-switching deficiency but normal affinity maturation in Ung−/− mice in vivo, but this has not been tested. Moreover, puzzling differences in the amount of circulating Ig between UNG-deficient humans and mice make it unclear to what extent MSH2/MSH6 can complement for UNG in vivo. We find that Ab affinity maturation is indeed unaffected in Ung−/− mice, even allowing IgM responses with higher than normal affinity. Ung−/− mice display normal to only moderately reduced basal levels of most circulating Ig subclasses and gut-associated IgA, which are elicited in response to chronically available environmental Ag. In contrast, their ability to produce switched Ig in response to immunization or vesicular stomatitis virus infection is strongly impaired. Our results uncover a specific need for UNG in CSR for timely and efficient acute Ab responses in vivo. Furthermore, Ung−/− mice provide a novel model for separating isotype switching and affinity maturation during acute (but not chronic) Ab responses, which could be useful for dissecting their relative contribution to some infections. Interestingly, Ung−/− mice present with circulating autoantibodies, suggesting that UNG may impinge on tolerance.
Role of Macrophage Receptor with Collagenous Structure in Innate Immune Tolerance
Authors: Jing Jian , Yang Ivana V. , Hui Lucy , Patel Jay A. , Evans Christopher M. , Prikeris Rytis , Kobzik Lester , O’Connor Brian P. , Schwartz David A.
Published: May 2013

Macrophages play a key role in host defense against microbes, in part, through phagocytosis. Macrophage receptor with collagenous structure (MARCO) is a scavenger receptor on the cell surface of macrophages that mediates opsonin-independent phagocytosis. The goal of our study is to investigate the role of MARCO in LPS or lipotechoic acid–induced macrophage tolerance. Although it has been established that expression of MARCO and phagocytosis is increased in tolerant macrophages, the transcriptional regulation and biological role of MARCO in tolerant macrophages have not been investigated. In this study, we confirm that tolerized mouse bone marrow–derived macrophages (BMDM) selectively increase expression of MARCO (both transcript and cell surface receptor) and increase phagocytosis. We found that H3K4me3 dynamic modification of a promoter site of MARCO was increased in tolerized BMDM. Blocking methylation by treatment with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine resulted in reduced H3K4me3 binding in the promoter of MARCO, decreased expression of MARCO, and impaired phagocytosis in tolerized BMDM. However, 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine had no effect on the inflammatory component of innate immune tolerance. In aggregate, we found that histone methylation was critical to MARCO expression and phagocytosis in tolerized macrophages, but did not affect the inflammatory component of innate immune tolerance.
Looped Host Defense Peptide CLP-19 Binds to Microtubules and Inhibits Surface Expression of TLR4 on Mouse Macrophages
Authors: Li Di , Liu Yao , Yang Ya , Chen Jian-hong , Yang Jie , Zou Lin-yun , Tian Zhi-qiang , Lv Jun , Xia Pei-yuan
Published: May 2013

The looped host defense peptide CLP-19 is derived from a highly functional core region of the Limulus anti-LPS factor and exerts robust anti-LPS activity by directly interacting with LPS in the extracellular space. We previously showed that prophylactic administration of CLP-19 even 20 h prior to LPS challenge might significantly increase the survival rate in a lethal endotoxin shock mouse model. Such an effect may be associated with immune regulation of CLP-19. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, peptide affinity chromatography, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting procedures were used to identify α- and β-tubulin as direct and specific binding partners of CLP-19 in the mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. Bioinformatic analysis using the AutoDock Vina molecular docking and PyMOL molecular graphics system predicted that CLP-19 would bind to the functional residues of both α- and β-tubulin and would be located within the groove of microtubules. Tubulin polymerization assay revealed that CLP-19 might induce polymerization of microtubules and prevent depolymerization. The immunoregulatory effect of CLP-19 involving microtubules was investigated by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting, which showed that CLP-19 prophylactic treatment of RAW 264.7 cells significantly inhibited LPS-induced surface expression of TLR4. Taken together, these results suggest that CLP-19 binding to microtubules disrupts the dynamic equilibrium of microtubules, reducing the efficacy of microtubule-dependent vesicular transport that would otherwise translocate TLR4 from the endoplasmic reticulum to the cell surface.
Viral Antigen Induces Differentiation of Foxp3+ Natural Regulatory T Cells in Influenza Virus–Infected Mice
Authors: Bedoya Felipe , Cheng Guang-Shing , Leibow Abigail , Zakhary Nardine , Weissler Katherine , Garcia Victoria , Aitken Malinda , Kropf Elizabeth , Garlick David S. , Wherry E. John , Erikson Jan , Caton Andrew J.
Published: May 2013

We examined the formation, participation, and functional specialization of virus-reactive Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in a mouse model of influenza virus infection. “Natural” Tregs generated intrathymically, based on interactions with a self-peptide, proliferated in response to a homologous viral Ag in the lungs and, to a lesser extent, in the lung-draining mediastinal lymph nodes (medLNs) of virus-infected mice. In contrast, conventional CD4+ T cells with identical TCR specificity underwent little or no conversion to become “adaptive” Tregs. The virus-reactive Tregs in the medLNs and the lungs of infected mice upregulated a variety of molecules associated with Treg activation, as well as acquired expression of molecules (T-bet, Blimp-1, and IL-10) that confer functional specialization to Tregs. Notably, however, the phenotypes of the T-bet+ Tregs obtained from these sites were distinct, because Tregs isolated from the lungs expressed significantly higher levels of T-bet, Blimp-1, and IL-10 than did Tregs from the medLNs. Adoptive transfer of Ag-reactive Tregs led to decreased proliferation of antiviral CD4+ and CD8+ effector T cells in the lungs of infected hosts, whereas depletion of Tregs had a reciprocal effect. These studies demonstrate that thymically generated Tregs can become activated by a pathogen-derived peptide and acquire discrete T-bet+ Treg phenotypes while participating in and modulating an antiviral immune response.
Early Inhibition of IL-1β Expression by IFN-γ Is Mediated by Impaired Binding of NF-κB to the IL-1β Promoter but Is Independent of Nitric Oxide
Authors: Eigenbrod Tatjana , Bode Konrad A. , Dalpke Alexander H.
Published: May 2013

The significance of bacterial RNA recognition for initiating innate immune responses against invading pathogens has only recently started to be elucidated. Bacterial RNA is an important trigger of inflammasome activation, resulting in caspase-1–dependent cleavage of pro–IL-1β into the active form. It was reported previously that prolonged treatment with IFN-γ can inhibit IL-1β production at the level of both transcription and Nlrp3 inflammasome activation in an NO-dependent manner. As a result of the delayed kinetics of NO generation after IFN-γ stimulation, these effects were only observed at later time points. We report that IFN-γ suppressed bacterial RNA and LPS induced IL-1β transcription in primary murine macrophages and dendritic cells by an additional, very rapid mechanism that was independent of NO. Costimulation with IFN-γ selectively attenuated binding of NF-κB p65 to the IL-1β promoter, thus representing a novel mechanism of IL-1β inhibition by IFN-γ. Transcriptional silencing was specific for IL-1β because expression of other proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF, IL-6, and IL-12p40, was not affected. Furthermore, by suppressing IL-1β production, IFN-γ impaired differentiation of Th17 cells and production of neutrophil chemotactic factor CXCL1 in vitro. The findings provide evidence for a rapid immune-modulating effect of IFN-γ independent of NO.
Comparative Analysis of Monocyte Subsets in the Pig
Authors: Fairbairn Lynsey , Kapetanovic Ronan , Beraldi Dario , Sester David P. , Tuggle Chris K. , Archibald Alan L. , Hume David A.
Published: May 2013

Human and mouse monocyte can be divided into two different subpopulations based on surface marker expression: CD14/16 and Ly6C/CX3CR1, respectively. Monocyte subpopulations in the pig were identified based on reciprocal expression of CD14 and the scavenger receptor CD163. The two populations, CD14hi-CD163low and CD14low-CD163hi, show approximately equal abundance in the steady-state. Culture of pig PBMCs in CSF1 indicates that the two populations are a maturation series controlled by this growth factor. Gene expression in pig monocyte subpopulations was profiled using the newly developed and annotated pig whole genome snowball microarray. Previous studies have suggested a functional equivalence between human and mouse subsets, but certain genes such as CD36, CLEC4E, or TREM-1 showed human-specific expression. The same genes were expressed selectively in pig monocyte subsets. However, the profiles suggest that the pig CD14low-CD163high cells are actually equivalent to intermediate human monocytes, and there is no CD14− CD16+ “nonclassical” population. The results are discussed in terms of the relevance of the pig as a model for understanding human monocyte function.
Eppur si Muove o el Triunfo de Galileo
Authors: Carías Marcos
Published: May 2013

En la primera parte de este documento se hace un recorrido por la vida de Galileo Galilei y su lucha, a partir de sus primeras observaciones con el telescopio, a favor del sistema copernicano. Esta lucha culmina en su proceso en manos de la Inquisición, la condena de sus ideas y la obligada abjuración de las mismas. En la segunda parte se recogen algunos textos de Galileo Galilei que reflejan su manera de discutir los problemas relacionados con sus descubrimientos y con los debates que suscitaron para la astronomía de su tiempo. 2009 ha sido designado por Naciones Unidas como Año Internacional de la Astronomía, a propuesta de la Unión Astronómica Internacional (IAU) y la UNESCO. En este contexto de celebración de los 400 años desde que Galileo apuntó su telescopio al cielo, se inscribe este trabajo.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/ce.v1i1.605Ciencias Espaciales 1(1) 2009