bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MTA1 promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma growth in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Song Qingcui , Zhang Hong , Wang Min , Song Wen , Ying Min , Fang Yuan , Li Yiyi , Chao Yilan , Zhu Xiaoxia
Published: August 2013

Background

The prognostic value of metastasis-associated gene 1 (MTA1) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has been suggested. However, there is still no direct evidence that MTA1 promotes NPC growth in vivo. In this study, we aimed to investigate the function of MTA1 in the regulation of NPC cell proliferation and tumorigenesisin vitroandin vivo.

Methods

Stable MTA1 knockdown or overexpression NPC cell lines were employed. The effects of MTA1 depletion or overexpression on cell proliferation, colony formation, cell cycle progression were examined by MTT, colony formation and flow cytometry assay. The effects of MTA1 depletion on tumor growth in vivo were examined in mouse xenograft model.

Results

MTA1knockdown or overexpression drastically changed the proliferation, colony formation and cell cycle of NPC cellsin vitro. MTA1depletion significantly suppressed NPC tumorigenesisin vivo.

Conclusion

MTA1 promotes NPC cell proliferation via enhancing G1 to S phase transition, leading to increased tumor growth. Targeting MTA1 is a promising approach to reduce tumor burden of NPC.
Risk factors for acute kidney injury in critically ill patients receiving high intravenous doses of colistin methanesulfonate and/or other nephrotoxic antibiotics: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Rocco Monica , Montini Luca , Alessandri Elisa , Venditti Mario , Laderchi Amalia , De Gennaro Pascale , Raponi Giammarco , Vitale Michela , Pietropaoli Paolo , Antonelli Massimo
Published: August 2013

Introduction

Use of colistin methanesulfonate (CMS) was abandoned in the 1970s because of excessive nephrotoxicity, but it has been reintroduced as a last-resort treatment for extensively drug-resistant infections caused by gram-negative bacteria (Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia). We conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate risk factors for new-onset acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill patients receiving high intravenous doses of colistin methanesulfonate and/or other nephrotoxic antibiotics.

Methods

The cohort consisted of 279 adults admitted to two general ICUs in teaching hospitals between 1 April 2009 and 30 June 2011 with 1) no evidence on admission of acute or chronic kidney disease; and 2) treatment for more than seven days with CMS and/or other nephrotoxic antimicrobials (NAs, that is, aminoglycosides, glycopeptides). Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors associated with this outcome.

Results

The 279 cases that met the inclusion criteria included 147 patients treated with CMS, alone (n = 90) or with NAs (n = 57), and 132 treated with NAs alone. The 111 (40%) who developed AKI were significantly older and had significantly higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II) scores than those who did not develop AKI, but rates of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and congestive heart failure were similar in the two groups. The final logistic regression model showed that in the 147 patients who received CMS alone or with NAs, onset of AKI during the ICU stay was associated with septic shock and with SAPS II scores ≥43. Similar results were obtained in the 222 patients treated with CMS alone or NAs alone.

Conclusions

In severely ill ICU patients without pre-existing renal disease who receive CMS high-dose for more than seven days, CMS therapy does not appear to be a risk factor for this outcome. Instead, the development of AKI was strongly correlated with the presence of septic shock and with the severity of the patients as reflected by the SAPS II score.
Computational Fluid Dynamic Analysis of Intracranial Aneurysmal Bleb Formation
Authors: Russell Jeremy H. , Kelson Neil , Barry Mark , Pearcy Mark , Fletcher David F. , Winter Craig D.
Published: August 2013

BACKGROUND:

The management of unruptured aneurysms is controversial, with the decision to treat influenced by aneurysm characteristics including size and morphology. Aneurysmal bleb formation is thought to be associated with an increased risk of rupture.

OBJECTIVE:

To correlate computational fluid dynamic (CFD) indices with bleb formation.

METHODS:

Anatomic models were constructed from 3-dimensional rotational angiography data in 27 patients with cerebral aneurysms harboring a single bleb. Additional models representing the aneurysm before bleb formation were constructed by digitally removing the bleb. We characterized hemodynamic features of models both with and without the blebs using CFDs. Flow structure, wall shear stress (WSS), pressure, and oscillatory shear index (OSI) were analyzed.

RESULTS:

There was a statistically significant association between bleb location at or adjacent to the point of maximal WSS (74%, P = .019), irrespective of rupture status. Aneurysmal blebs were related to the inflow or outflow jet in 89% of cases (P < .001), whereas 11% were unrelated. Maximal wall pressure and OSI were not significantly related to bleb location. The bleb region attained a lower WSS after its formation in 96% of cases (P < .001) and was also lower than the average aneurysm WSS in 86% of cases (P < .001).

CONCLUSION:

Cerebral aneurysm blebs generally form at or adjacent to the point of maximal WSS and are aligned with major flow structures. Wall pressure and OSI do not contribute to determining bleb location. The measurement of WSS using CFD models may potentially predict bleb formation and thus improve the assessment of rupture risk in unruptured aneurysms.
Combined Direct and Indirect Bypass for Moyamoya
Authors: Amin-Hanjani Sepideh , Singh Amritha , Rifai Hashem , Thulborn Keith R. , Alaraj Ali , Aletich Victor , Charbel Fady T.
Published: August 2013

BACKGROUND:

The optimal revascularization strategy for symptomatic adult moyamoya remains controversial. Whereas direct bypass offers immediate revascularization, indirect bypass can effectively induce collaterals over time.

OBJECTIVE:

Using angiography and quantitative magnetic resonance angiography, we examined the relative contributions of direct and indirect bypass in moyamoya patients after combined direct superficial temporal artery-to-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass and indirect encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis (EDAS).

METHODS:

A retrospective review of moyamoya patients undergoing combined STA-MCA bypass and EDAS was conducted, excluding pediatric patients and hemorrhagic presentation. Patients with quantitative magnetic resonance angiography measurements of the direct bypass immediately and > 6 months postoperatively were included. Angiographic follow-up, when available, was used to assess EDAS collaterals at similar time intervals.

RESULTS:

Of 16 hemispheres in 13 patients, 11 (69%) demonstrated a significant (> 50%) decline in direct bypass flow at > 6 months compared with baseline, averaging a drop from 99 ± 35 to12 ± 7 mL/min. Conversely, angiography in these hemispheres demonstrated prominent indirect collaterals, in concert with shrinkage of the STA graft. Decline in flow was apparent at a median of 9 months but was evident as early as 2 to 3 months.

CONCLUSION:

In this small cohort, a reciprocal relationship between direct STA bypass flow and indirect EDAS collaterals frequently occurred. This substantiates the notion that combined direct/indirect bypass can provide temporally complementary revascularization.
Oncogenic K-Ras segregates at spatially distinct plasma membrane signaling platforms according to its phosphorylation status
Authors: Barceló Carles , Paco Noelia , Beckett Alison J. , Alvarez-Moya Blanca , Garrido Eduard , Gelabert Mariona , Tebar Francesc , Jaumot Montserrat , Prior Ian , Agell Neus
Published: August 2013

Activating mutations in the K-Ras small GTPase are extensively found in human tumors. Although these mutations induced the generation of a constitutively GTP-loaded, active form of K-Ras, phosphorylation at Ser181 within the C-terminal hypervariable region is able to modulate oncogenic K-Ras function without affecting the in vitro affinity for its effector Raf-1. In striking contrast, K-Ras phosphorylated at Ser181 showed an increased interaction with active form of Raf-1 and for PI3K (p110α) in cells. As most phosphorylated K-Ras is located at the plasma membrane, differential localization within this membrane according to the phosphorylation status was explored. Plasma membrane density gradient fractionation in the absence of detergents showed segregation of phosphomimetic and non-phosphorylatable K-Ras mutants (Ser181D and Ser181A, respectively). Moreover, immuno-electron-microscopy-statistics analysis showed that both phosphorylation mutants form distinct non-overlapping nanoclusters. Finally, promotion or inhibition of oncogenic K-Ras phosphorylation by PKC increased its co-clustering with the phosphomimetic or the non-phosphorylatable mutant, respectively. Most interestingly, PI3K (p110α) was found in phosphorylated and excluded in non-phosphorylated K-Ras nanoclusters. In conclusion, our data provide for the first time evidences that phosphorylation of oncogenic K-Ras by PKC induces segregation of K-Ras in spatially distinct nanoclusters at the plasma membrane which in turn would favor Raf-1 and PI3K activation.
Phosphorylation of the Smo tail is controlled by membrane localization and is dispensable for clustering
Authors: Kupinski Adam P. , Raabe Isabel , Michel Marcus , Ail Divya , Brusch Lutz , Weidemann Thomas , Bökel Christian
Published: August 2013

The Hedgehog (Hh) signalling cascade is highly conserved and involved in development and disease throughout evolution. Nevertheless, in comparison with other pathways our mechanistic understanding of Hh signal transduction is remarkably incomplete. In the absence of ligand, the Hh receptor Patched (Ptc) represses the key signal transducer Smoothened (Smo) through an unknown mechanism. Hh binding to Ptc alleviates this repression, causing Smo redistribution to the plasma membrane, phosphorylation and opening of the Smo cytoplasmic tail, and Smo oligomerization. However, the order and interdependence of these events is as yet poorly understood. We have mathematically modelled and simulated Smo activation for two alternative modes of pathway activation, with Ptc primarily affecting either Smo localization or phosphorylation. Visualizing Smo activation through a novel, fluorescence based reporter allowed us to test these competing models. Here we show that Smo localization to the plasma membrane is sufficient for phosphorylation of the cytoplasmic tail in the presence of Ptc. Using fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS) we furthermore demonstrate that inactivation of Ptc by Hh induces Smo clustering irrespective of Smo phosphorylation. Our observations therefore support a model of Hh signal transduction whereby Smo subcellular localization and not phosphorylation is the primary target of Ptc function.
Evaluation of selective extraction methods for recovery of polyphenols from pine
Authors: Fang Wenwen , Hemming Jarl , Reunanen Markku , Eklund Patrik , Pineiro Enma Conde , Poljanšek Ida , Oven Primož , Willför Stefan
Published: August 2013

The extraction conditions have been evaluated concerning the recovery of specific polyphenols from Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) knots by means of an accelerated solvent extractor. The composition of the extracts was determined by gas chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and high-performance size-exclusion chromatography. The main phenolic compounds are the stilbenes pinosylvin and its monomethyl ether and the lignan nortrachelogenin (NTG), and their amounts vary a lot from sample to sample. The sequential extraction with a nonpolar solvent as a first step for removing the lipophilic compounds was the most efficient approach for the recovery of both pinosylvins and NTG. For food applications, hot water and 85% aqueous ethanol were good solvents for the production of the substances in focus. An industrial knotwood sample from a pulp mill was sequentially extracted with cyclohexane and ethanol/water (95:5) in a large-scale Soxhlet equipment. The results show that the industrial production of pinosylvins and NTG from knots is feasible.
Implications of estrogen receptor alpha and estrogen receptor beta for adipose tissue functions and cardiometabolic complications
Authors: Gao Hui , Dahlman-Wright Karin
Published: August 2013

There is growing evidence that estrogen signaling regulates energy metabolism and exerts important functions in maintaining adipose tissue metabolism, including controlling the distribution of body fat. Changes in the physiological functions of adipose tissue, particularly the white adipose tissue, have been strongly connected to obesity and the development of related cardiometabolic complications. In this review, we will focus on discussing the role of estrogen signaling in regulating adipocyte differentiation, metabolism and its endocrine function with a focus on the possible underlying molecular mechanisms mediated by estrogen receptor α and estrogen receptor β.
Plastic Modification of Anti-Saccades: Adaptation of Saccadic Eye Movements Aimed at a Virtual Target
Authors: Lévy-Bencheton Delphine , Pisella Laure , Salemme Roméo , Tilikete Caroline , Pélisson Denis
Published: August 2013

Saccades allow us to visually explore our environment. Like other goal-directed movements, their accuracy is permanently controlled by adaptation mechanisms that, in the laboratory, can be induced by systematic displacement of the “real” visual target during the saccade. However, in an anti-saccade (AS) task, the target is “virtual” because gaze has to be shifted away from the “real” visual target toward its mentally defined mirror position. Here, we investigated whether the brain can adapt movements aimed at a virtual target by trying, for the first time, to adapt AS. Healthy human volunteers produced leftward AS during three different exposure phases in which a visual target provided feedback after the AS. In the adaptation condition, the feedback target appeared after completion of the AS response at a location shifted outward from final eye position (immediate non-veridical feedback). In the two control conditions, adaptation was prevented by delaying (800 ms) the shifted feedback target (delayed-shift) or by providing an immediate but veridical feedback at the mirror position of the visual target (no-shift). Results revealed a significant increase of AS gain only in the adaptation condition. Moreover, testing pro-saccades (PS) before and after exposure revealed a significant increase of leftward PS gain in the adaptation condition. This transfer of adaptation supports the hypotheses of a motor level of AS adaptation and of a visual level of AS vector inversion. Together with data from the literature, these results also provide new insights into adaptation and planning mechanisms for AS and for other subtypes of voluntary saccades.
Early Experience Shapes Amygdala Sensitivity to Race: An International Adoption Design
Authors: Telzer Eva H. , Flannery Jessica , Shapiro Mor , Humphreys Kathryn L. , Goff Bonnie , Gabard-Durman Laurel , Gee Dylan D. , Tottenham Nim
Published: August 2013

In the current study, we investigated how complete infant deprivation to out-group race impacts behavioral and neural sensitivity to race. Although monkey models have successfully achieved complete face deprivation in early life, this is typically impossible in human studies. We overcame this barrier by examining youths with exclusively homogenous racial experience in early postnatal development. These were youths raised in orphanage care in either East Asia or Eastern Europe as infants and later adopted by American families. The use of international adoption bolsters confidence of infant exposure to race (e.g., to solely Asian faces or European faces). Participants completed an emotional matching task during functional MRI. Our findings show that deprivation to other-race faces in infancy disrupts recognition of emotion and results in heightened amygdala response to out-group faces. Greater early deprivation (i.e., later age of adoption) is associated with greater biases to race. These data demonstrate how early social deprivation to race shapes amygdala function later in life and provides support that early postnatal development may represent a sensitive period for race perception.
Disintegration of Multisensory Signals from the Real Hand Reduces Default Limb Self-Attribution: An fMRI Study
Authors: Gentile Giovanni , Guterstam Arvid , Brozzoli Claudio , Ehrsson H. Henrik
Published: August 2013

The perception of our limbs in space is built upon the integration of visual, tactile, and proprioceptive signals. Accumulating evidence suggests that these signals are combined in areas of premotor, parietal, and cerebellar cortices. However, it remains to be determined whether neuronal populations in these areas integrate hand signals according to basic temporal and spatial congruence principles of multisensory integration. Here, we developed a setup based on advanced 3D video technology that allowed us to manipulate the spatiotemporal relationships of visuotactile (VT) stimuli delivered on a healthy human participant's real hand during fMRI and investigate the ensuing neural and perceptual correlates. Our experiments revealed two novel findings. First, we found responses in premotor, parietal, and cerebellar regions that were dependent upon the spatial and temporal congruence ofVTstimuli. This multisensory integration effect required a simultaneous match between the seen and felt postures of the hand, which suggests that congruent visuoproprioceptive signals from the upper limb are essential for successfulVTintegration. Second, we observed that multisensory conflicts significantly disrupted the default feeling of ownership of the seen real limb, as indexed by complementary subjective, psychophysiological, and BOLD measures. The degree to which self-attribution was impaired could be predicted from the attenuation of neural responses in key multisensory areas. These results elucidate the neural bases of the integration of multisensory hand signals according to basic spatiotemporal principles and demonstrate that thedisintegration of these signals leads to “disownership” of the seen real hand.
Lateral Entorhinal Modulation of Piriform Cortical Activity and Fine Odor Discrimination
Authors: Chapuis Julie , Cohen Yaniv , He Xiaobin , Zhang Zhijan , Jin Sen , Xu Fuqiang , Wilson Donald A.
Published: August 2013

The lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) receives direct input from olfactory bulb mitral cells and piriform cortical pyramidal cells and is the gateway for olfactory input to the hippocampus. However, the LEC also projects back to the piriform cortex and olfactory bulb. Activity in the LEC is shaped by input from the perirhinal cortices, hippocampus, and amygdala, and thus could provide a rich contextual modulation of cortical odor processing. The present study further explored LEC feedback to anterior piriform cortex by examining how LEC top-down input modulates anterior piriform cortex odor evoked activity in rats. Retrograde viral tracing confirmed rich LEC projections to both the olfactory bulb and piriform cortices. In anesthetized rats, reversible lesions of the ipsilateral LEC increased anterior piriform cortical single-unit spontaneous activity. In awake animals performing an odor discrimination task, unilateral LEC reversible lesions enhanced ipsilateral piriform cortical local field potential oscillations during odor sampling, with minimal impact on contralateral activity. Bilateral LEC reversible lesions impaired discrimination performance on a well learned, difficult odor discrimination task, but had no impact on a well learned simple odor discrimination task. The simple discrimination task was impaired by bilateral reversible lesions of the anterior piriform cortex. Given the known function of LEC in working memory and multisensory integration, these results suggest it may serve as a powerful top-down modulator of olfactory cortical function and odor perception. Furthermore, the results provide potential insight into how neuropathology in the entorhinal cortex could contribute to early olfactory deficits seen in Alzheimer's disease.
Copper Block of Extrasynaptic GABAAReceptors in the Mature Cerebellum and Striatum
Authors: McGee Thomas P. , Houston Catriona M. , Brickley Stephen G.
Published: August 2013

Inhibition of GABAAreceptors by Cu2+has been appreciated for some time, but differences between synaptic and extrasynaptic GABAAreceptors have not been explored. We show that Cu2+potently blocks steady-state GABA currents mediated by extrasynaptic δ subunit-containing GABAAreceptors (δ-GABAARs) with an IC50of 65 nm. This compares with an IC50of 85 μmfor synaptic γ subunit-containing GABAARs (γ-GABAARs). To test the significance of this subunit selectivity, we examined the blocking action of Cu2+on neurons of the mouse cerebellum and striatum, brain regions that are known to express both types of receptor. Cu2+was shown to significantly reduce tonic inhibition mediated by extrasynaptic δ-GABAARs with little action on phasic inhibition mediated by conventional synaptic γ-GABAARs. We speculate on the implications of these observations for conditions, such as Wilson's disease, that can involve raised Cu2+levels in the brain.
Protein Kinase Cϵ Is Required for Spinal Analgesic Synergy between Delta Opioid and Alpha-2A Adrenergic Receptor Agonist Pairs
Authors: Schuster Daniel J. , Kitto Kelley F. , Overland Aaron C. , Messing Robert O. , Stone Laura S. , Fairbanks Carolyn A. , Wilcox George L.
Published: August 2013

We recently showed that spinal synergistic interactions between δ opioid receptors (δORs) and α2Aadrenergic receptors (α2AARs) require protein kinase C (PKC). To identify which PKC isoforms contribute to analgesic synergy, we evaluated the effects of various PKC-isoform-specific peptide inhibitors on synergy between δORs and α2AARs using the tail flick assay of thermal nociception in mice. Only a PKCϵ inhibitor abolished synergy between a δOR agonist and an α2AAR agonist. We tested a panel of combinations of opioid and adrenergic agonists in PKCϵ knock-out mice and found that all four combinations of a δOR agonist and an α2AAR agonist required PKCϵ for antinociceptive synergy. None of the combinations of a μOR agonist with an α2AR agonist required PKCϵ. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that PKCϵ could be found in the population of peptidergic primary afferent nociceptors where δORs and α2AARs have been found to extensively colocalize. Immunoreactivity for PKCϵ was found in the majority of dorsal root ganglion neurons and intensely labeled laminae I and II of the spinal cord dorsal horn. PKCϵ is widespread in the spinal nociceptive system and in peptidergic primary afferents it appears to be specifically involved in mediating the synergistic interaction between δORs and α2AARs.
Muscle biopsy in Pompe disease
Authors: Werneck Lineu Cesar , Lorenzoni Paulo José , Kay Cláudia Suemi Kamoi , Scola Rosana Herminia
Published: August 2013

Pompe disease (PD) can be diagnosed by measuring alpha-glucosidase levels or by identifying mutations in the gene enzyme. Muscle biopsies can aid diagnosis in doubtful cases.Methods:A review of muscle biopsy from 19 cases of PD (infantile, 6 cases; childhood, 4 cases; and juvenile/adult, 9 cases).Results:Vacuoles with or without glycogen storage were found in 18 cases. All cases had increased acid phosphatase activity. The vacuole frequency varied (almost all fibers in the infantile form to only a few in the juvenile/adult form). Atrophy of type 1 and 2 fibers was frequent in all forms. Atrophic angular fibers in the NADH-tetrazolium reductase and nonspecific esterase activity were observed in 4/9 of the juvenile/adult cases.Conclusion:Increased acid phosphatase activity and vacuoles were the primary findings. Most vacuoles were filled with glycogen, and the adult form of the disease had fewer fibers with vacuoles than the infantile or childhood forms.
Clinical and laboratorial characterization and post-surgical follow-up of 87 patients with non-functioning pituitary macroadenomas
Authors: Mello Paulo Andrade de , Naves Luciana Ansaneli , Pereira Neto Aldo , Oliveira Eduardo Henrique , Ferreira Ivan Coelho , Araújo Júnior Antônio Santos de , Onishi Franz Jooji , Casulari Luiz Augusto
Published: August 2013

Objective:It was to assess the main characteristics of patients undergoing pituitary tumor surgery.Method:Eighty-seven patients (44 men; 44.8±13 years old) were included.Results:The main symptoms were visual alterations (87.3%), headache (70.1%), diminished libido (34.4%), galactorrhea (22.9%) and hair loss (19.5%). The axes affected were gonadotropic (72.6%), thyrotropic (48.4%) and corticotropic (38.7%), without significant changes after surgery. The average largest tumor diameter was 3.1 cm before surgery and 1.56 cm after surgery. The most frequent postoperative complications were hydro-electrolyte and acid-base disorders (12%), diabetes insipidus (9%), visual field alterations (9%), liquoric fistula (8%) and nasal obstruction (7%). The patients were affected by more than one complication.Conclusion:Although a decrease in tumor volume was achieved through surgery, hormonal deficiencies persisted in most of the patients and new surgical approaches were necessary for dealing with tumor recurrence or persistence.
Infectious disease is the most common cause of death among stroke patients: two-years of follow-up
Authors: Machado Michel Ferreira , Brucki Sonia Maria Dozzi , Nogueira Catarina Falleiros , Rocha Maria Sheila Guimaraes
Published: August 2013

Stroke represents the second common cause of death in adults. Objective It was to evaluate the incidence and causes of mortality after 30 days in a group of patients with an atherothrombotic ischemic stroke who were followed-up for a period of up to two years. Methods We analyzed retrospectively the medical records of patients with ischemic stroke, who did not undergo thrombolysis, of the Santa Marcelina Hospital. We applied a research protocol to obtain information about risk factors and the etiology of death. Results They were followed 337: mean age was 66.6 years (SD 9.05) and 43.9% were females. The mortality rate was 11.9% with most deaths (37.5%) occurring due to infectious causes. The age was correlated with the risk of death, which was five times higher in patients older than 80. Conclusion The most important cause of death after 30 days was infectious disease, and advanced age was predictor of mortality among patients with an atherothrombotic stroke etiology.
Epilepsy and quality of life: socio-demographic and clinical aspects, and psychiatric co-morbidity
Authors: Tedrus Gloria Maria de Almeida Souza , Fonseca Lineu Correa , Carvalho Rachel Marin
Published: August 2013

Objective To study socio-demographic and clinical aspects, as well as psychiatric co-morbidity that influence the quality of life of adult epileptic patients. Methods One hundred and thirty-two individuals diagnosed with epilepsy were evaluated from neurological/clinical and psychiatric points of view and by the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31). Predictive factors for the QOLIE-31 scores were studied. Results The regression analyses indicated the existence of psychiatric co-morbidity (total score, seizure worry, emotional well-being, energy/fatigue, social function and cognitive function) and a greater seizure frequency (total score, cognitive function and energy/fatigue) as predictive factors for lower scores in the total QOLIE-31 score and in various dimensions. Abnormalities in the neurological exam and poly-therapy with anti-epileptic drugs were negative factors limited to one of the dimensions cognitive function and social function, respectively. Conclusion The presence of psychiatric co-morbidity and a greater seizure frequency were the main factors influencing the quality of life in epileptic patients as evaluated by QOLIE-31.
Codon 129 polymorphism of prion protein gene in is not a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Smid Jerusa , Landemberger Michele Christine , Bahia Valéria Santoro , Martins Vilma Regina , Nitrini Ricardo
Published: August 2013

Interaction of prion protein and amyloid-b oligomers has been demonstrated recently. Homozygosity at prion protein gene (PRNP) codon 129 is associated with higher risk for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. This polymorphism has been addressed as a possible risk factor in Alzheimer disease (AD).ObjectiveTo describe the association between codon 129 polymorphisms and AD.MethodsWe investigated the association of codon 129 polymorphism of PRNP in 99 AD patients and 111 controls, and the association between this polymorphism and cognitive performance. Other polymorphisms of PRNP and additive effect of apolipoprotein E gene (ApoE) were evaluated.ResultsCodon 129 genotype distribution in AD 45.5% methionine (MM), 42.2% methionine valine (MV), 12.1% valine (VV); and 39.6% MM, 50.5% MV, 9.9% VV among controls (p>0.05). There were no differences of cognitive performance concerning codon 129. Stratification according to ApoE genotype did not reveal difference between groups.ConclusionCodon 129 polymorphism is not a risk factor for AD in Brazilian patients.
White matter hyperintensities, executive function and global cognitive performance in vascular mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Sudo Felipe Kenji , Alves Carlos Eduardo Oliveira , Alves Gilberto Sousa , Ericeira-Valente Letice , Tiel Chan , Moreira Denise Madeira , Laks Jerson , Engelhardt Eliasz
Published: August 2013

Vascular mild cognitive impairment (VaMCI) represents an early symptomatic stage of vascular cognitive impairment and might be associated to fronto-executive dysfunction.MethodsTwenty-six individuals (age: 73.11±7.90 years; 65.4% female; schooling: 9.84±3.61 years) were selected through neuropsychological assessment and neuroimaging. Clinical and neuroimaging data of VaMCI individuals (n=15) were compared to normal controls (NC, n=11) and correlated with Fazekas scale.ResultsVaMCI performed significantly worse than NC in Trail-Making Test (TMT) B, errors in TMT B, difference TMT B-A and Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG) final scores. Correlations were found among scores in modified Fazekas scale and performances in TMT B (time to complete and errors), difference TMT B-A and CAMCOG total score.ConclusionExtension of white matter hyperintensities might be correlated to poorer global cognition and impairments in a set of fronto-executive functions, such as cognitive speed, set shifting and inhibitory control in VaMCI.
Chronic unremitting headache associated with Lyme disease-like illness
Authors: Kowacs Pedro André , Martins Rodrigo Tomazini , Piovesan Elcio Juliato , Pinto Maria Cristina Araujo , Yoshinari Natalino Hagime
Published: August 2013

The Brazilian Lyme-disease-like illness (BLDLI) or Baggio-Yoshinari syndrome is a unique zoonosis found in Brazil. It reproduces all the clinical symptoms of Lyme disease except for the high frequencies of relapse and the presence of autoimmune manifestations. Two cases of borreliosis manifesting with unremitting headache, which is a symptom associated with late-stage BLDLI, were presented. Clinical, therapeutic, and prognostic aspects of the BLDLI and its associated headaches were showed and discussed in this article. BLDLI diagnosis requires additional attention by physicians, since the disease has a tendency to progress to the late, recurrent stage or the chronic form, and the associated headache can be confused with chronic primary headache or with analgesic-overuse one. Special attention should be paid to patients with headaches who have traveled to endemic areas.
Latin American consensus on guidelines for chronic migraine treatment
Authors: Giacomozzi Alex Rodrigo Espinoza , Vindas Alexander Parajeles , Junior Ariovaldo Alberto da Silva , Bordini Carlos Alberto , Buonanotte Carlos Federico , Roesler Célia Aparecida de Paula , Brito Cláudio Manoel , Perez Cristina , Carvalho Deusvenir de Souza , Macedo Djacir Dantas Pereira de , Piovesan Elcio Juliato , Sarmento Elder Machado , Melhado Eliana Meire , Éckeli Fabíola Dach , Kowacs Fernando , Sobrino Fidel , Rabello Getúlio Daré , Rada Grisel , Souza Jano Alves de , Casanovas Juana Rosa , Durán Juan Carlos , Calia Leandro Cotoni , Medina Luis Roberto Partida , Queiroz Luiz Paulo de , Ciciarelli Marcelo Cedrinho , Valença Marcelo Moraes , Cusicanqui Maria , Jimenez Maria Karina Velez , Goycochea Maria Tereza , Peres Mário Fernando Prieto , Sandoval Mario Victor Fuentealba , Vincent Maurice Borges , Gomes Michel Volcy , Diez Mónica , Aranaga Nayeska , Barrientos Nelson , Kowacs Pedro André , Filho Pedro Ferreira Moreira
Published: August 2013

Chronic migraine is a condition with significant prevalence all around the world and high socioeconomic impact, and its handling has been challenging neurologists. Developments for understanding its mechanisms and associated conditions, as well as that of new therapies, have been quick and important, a fact which has motivated the Latin American and Brazilian Headache Societies to prepare the present consensus. The treatment of chronic migraine should always be preceded by a careful diagnosis review; the detection of possible worsening factors and associated conditions; the stratification of seriousness/impossibility to treat; and monitoring establishment, with a pain diary. The present consensus deals with pharmacological and nonpharmacological forms of treatment to be used in chronic migraine.
Estudo das tensões residuais de juntas soldadas de aço API 5L X80
Authors: Araújo Bruno Allison , Lima Maria do Socorro Silva Sousa , Maciel Theophilo Moura , Silva Antonio Almeida , Soares Emanuel Pereira
Published: August 2013

Este trabalho teve por objetivo determinar os níveis de tensões residuais decorrentes de processos de soldagem em juntas soldadas de um aço API 5L X80. Inicialmente foram executados os procedimentos de soldagem das juntas utilizando os processos de soldagem eletrodo revestido - Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) e eletrodo de tungstênio com proteção gasosa - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), variando-se os consumíveis utilizados e empregando-se uma temperatura de interpasse de 175ºC, obtendo-se, desta maneira, três juntas soldadas. Foram avaliadas as regiões superiores e inferiores das juntas, determinando-se os níveis de tensões residuais transversais e longitudinais. As medidas de tensão residual foram realizadas por difratometria de raios-x através de um difratômetro portátil e respectivo software para análise dos resultados. Para a região superior das juntas soldadas, foi observado que quanto mais elevado for o aporte térmico mais compressivas foram os níveis de tensões residuais transversais, e mais deslocadas ficaram os picos de tensões trativas. Na região inferior das juntas soldadas, foi verificado que para maiores aportes térmicos, maiores foram os níveis de tensões residuais trativas na região do Metal de Solda (MS) e menor foi o nível de tensões residuais trativas na Zona Termicamente Afetada (ZTA).
Avaliação da perfuração na soldagem em operação pelo processo MIG/MAG de dutos de alta resistência e baixa espessura
Authors: Pereira Aldo S. , Buschinelli Augusto J. A. , Kejelin Norton Z.
Published: August 2013

O objetivo deste trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de reparo em dutos com pequena espessura (3,0 e 3,2 mm), fabricados em aços de alta resistência (API 5L X70) e em tubo ASTM 106 Grau B de forma a minimizar o risco de perfuração. Para o experimento, foi construída uma bancada de testes com ajuste variável de vazão e pressão do fluido, a saber, vazões de 20 l/min, 40 l/min e 80 l/min e pressões de 2 bar e 5 bar. Foram realizadas soldagens na direção longitudinal sobre tubos contendo água como fluido interno, utilizando-se o processo semiautomático MIG/MAG (GMAW) com posterior avaliação do aspecto da menor penetração do cordão. Desta forma, foram empregadas duas técnicas de soldagem, puxando e empurrando a poça de fusão, assim como os modos de transferência metálica em curto circuito ou em corrente pulsada. No estudo das condições limites para a ocorrência de perfuração foram pesquisados parâmetros de soldagem em função de condições específicas de vazão e de pressão. A temperatura interna da parede da tubulação foi determinada através de uma solução analítica para a transferência de calor na soldagem. Os resultados mostraram que para o processo MIG/MAG com corrente pulsada e com a técnica empurrando a poça de fusão, mantidas todas as outras variáveis de soldagem fixas, há pequena penetração do cordão de solda. Além disso, os níveis de energia de soldagem para a ocorrência da perfuração revelaram-se superiores aos obtidos na literatura para o processo SMAW, indicando o processo como robusto e apropriado para soldagem de reparo em operação.
Avaliação da soldagem multipasse de chapas espessas de aços inoxidáveis lean duplex UNS S32304 soldadas pelos processos SMAW, GMAW e FCAW -: resistência à corrosão
Authors: Souza Carla Soares , Lins Vanessa de Freitas Cunha , Silveira Dalila Moreira da , Costa Cintia Gonçalves Fonseca , Cardoso Junior Ronaldo , Campos Frederico Rodrigues , Bracarense Alexandre Queiroz
Published: August 2013

Os aços inoxidáveis duplex (AID) vêm se apresentando como uma excelente alternativa para aplicações em que alta resistência à corrosão e alta resistência mecânica são requeridas. Contudo, os AID, incluindo os aços inoxidáveis lean duplex, apresentam soldabilidade inferior em relação aos aços inoxidáveis austeníticos. Esse trabalho tem como objetivo a avaliação da resistência à corrosão de juntas soldadas multipasse de chapas de 22 mm de espessura da liga inoxidável lean duplex UNS S32304, utilizando-se os processos SMAW, GMAW e FCAW e consumíveis com dois tipos de composição química, 22%Cr9%Ni3%Mo e 23%Cr7%Ni, totalizando seis experimentos. As juntas soldadas foram analisadas usando-se a técnica de polarização anódica potenciodinâmica para determinação do potencial de pite do material. O eletrólito estudado foi uma solução salina de cloreto de sódio 3,5% m/v. A junta de aço lean duplex soldada pelo processo GMAW com o consumível 22%Cr9%Ni3%Mo apresentou o melhor comportamento frente à corrosão no meio salino. A região da raiz da solda apresentou o maior potencial de pite em relação ao topo das juntas soldadas. As juntas de aço lean duplex soldadas usando-se o processo FCAW apresentaram um comportamento característico de corrosão generalizada no meio de solução salina, ao contrário das demais amostras.
Análise comparativa dos processos de soldagem GMAW e FCAW com transferência metálica por curto-circuito na posição horizontal
Authors: Souza Claudio Ivanei de , Ferraresi Valtair Antonio
Published: August 2013

Os processos de soldagem com arame maciço (GMAW) e arame tubular (FCAW), que competem entre si em termos de qualidade, produtividade e operacionalidade, requerem do usuário informações seguras de suas principais características e aplicações para determinar as condições mais adequadas de soldagem. Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho é comparar a potencialidade de cada processo na soldagem horizontal de aço carbono ABNT 1020, variando o tipo de gás de proteção, a corrente e tensão de soldagem, mantendo constante a taxa de fusão por unidade de comprimento. Para a realização deste estudo foram utilizados os arames AWS E71T-1 e ER 70S-6 sob as proteções gasosas 100%CO2 e Ar+25%CO2 em dois níveis de corrente e quatro níveis de tensão. As características avaliadas foram a regularidade de transferência metálica no modo curto-circuito, a capacidade produtiva através da taxa e rendimento de deposição e o escorrimento do cordão de solda dentro do chanfro. De maneira geral, os dois processos apresentaram semelhança na capacidade produtiva, mostrando certa dependência do valor da tensão de soldagem. Também se observou que, na mesma faixa de corrente e com a elevação da tensão, houve mudanças nas características de transferência metálica nos dois processos. Em relação ao escorrimento dos cordões de solda, o processo GMAW apresentou melhores cordões em menores tensões. Para o processo FCAW os valores dos escorrimentos não apresentaram grandes variações, tendo uma condição melhor que o GMAW para maiores valores de tensão de soldagem (região de predominância de transferência metálica conduzida pelo fluxo sem curto-circuito). O gás de proteção 100%CO2, para ambos os processos, foi o que proporcionou melhor rendimento de depósito com predominância de transferência metálica por curto-circuito.
A química da formação do cordão na soldagem TIG
Authors: Modenesi Paulo J.
Published: August 2013

A soldagem TIG apresenta elevados níveis de estabilidade e permite um controle mais apurado do que a maioria dos demais processos de soldagem a arco. É bem conhecido, contudo, que pequenas variações de composição química do metal base ou da região de operação do arco podem ter um efeito pronunciado no formato do cordão de solda, o que reduz a capacidade de controlar e a previsibilidade do processo. Este trabalho apresenta uma revisão da variabilidade do cordão de solda obtido no processo TIG com pequenas alterações na composição química do metal base e das soldagens A-TIG e TIG com gás ativo. Aspectos comuns e particulares de cada caso são realçados e discutidos e os mecanismos propostos na literatura em cada caso são apresentados e comparados.
Folga organizacional no processo de gestão do orçamento: um estudo no SENAC de Santa Catarina
Authors: Beuren Ilse Maria , Wienhage Paulo
Published: August 2013

A folga organizacional no processo orçamentário tem recebido atenção de pesquisadores e gestores em vista de possíveis conflitos de interesses entre principal e agente. Neste sentido, o estudo objetiva identificar a propensão de criar folga organizacional no processo de gestão do orçamento pelos Gestores das Unidades de Negócios do SENAC de Santa Catarina. Pesquisa descritiva, com abordagem quantitativa, foi realizada por meio de uma survey. A população da pesquisa compreende os 21 Gestores das Unidades Operativas do SENAC de Santa Catarina. Um questionário foi encaminhado no mês de julho de 2010, sendo que a amostra constitui-se dos 15 respondentes da pesquisa. O instrumento de coleta de dados consistiu de um questionário traduzido da pesquisa de Onsi (1973), composto por 42 questões fechadas, envolvendo escala Likert, com fatores de oito dimensões da prática da gestão do orçamento, focalizando a folga orçamentária. Os dados foram importados para o software estatístico SPSS versão 13, para fins de análise dos elementos de folga por meio de estatística descritiva, do Alfa de Cronbach e da técnica de análise fatorial. Os resultados do estudo indicam que os gestores têm propensão para criar folga em seus orçamentos, apesar do SENAC não remunerar seus gestores com base nos resultados, o que por si só deveria ser um fator que não motiva a criação de folga orçamentária. Diferente da pesquisa realizada por Onsi (1973), no SENAC os motivos para a criação de folga orçamentária decorrem do interesse dos gestores em apresentar desempenho superior em relação ao previsto no orçamento.
Mensuração do comprometimento organizacional em redes de indústrias vitivinícolas brasileiras
Authors: Genari Denise , Faccin Kadígia , Macke Janaína
Published: August 2013

O tema comprometimento está relacionado com o sentimento de identificação do indivíduo com a organização, caracterizada pela convicção e aceitação dos valores e objetivos da mesma, e pelo desejo de permanecer como um membro da organização. Além disso, o comprometimento vincula-se com a criação de vantagens competitivas para as empresas, além de influenciar no comportamento e atitudes dos colaboradores. Neste sentido, este estudo tem como principal objetivo avaliar como o comprometimento se manifesta no ambiente interno de organizações em redes, através da mensuração do mesmo em indústrias vitivinícolas localizadas no Vale dos Vinhedos (RS/Brasil) e associadas às redes APROVALE e APROBELO. Para tanto, desenvolveu-se uma pesquisa descritiva, com caráter quantitativo, utilizando questionários auto-administrados como técnica de coleta de dados. Já para a análise dos resultados, foram utilizadas algumas técnicas estatísticas como análise descritiva, análise fatorial e análise de variância. Os principais resultados evidenciam a predominância da dimensão afetiva do comprometimento, que diz respeito aos sentimentos de orgulho e pertencimento à organização, o que pode ser explicado pelo destaque que a indústria vitivinícola brasileira vem recebendo e, também, pelas características de empresa familiar do contexto em estudo. Além disso, foram observadas diferenças significativas quanto às variáveis relacionadas ao grau de instrução, idade, tempo de empresa e área de atuação na empresa, especialmente em relação ao comprometimento instrumental.
Efeito da crise de 2007/2008 na transmissão internacional de volatilidade no mercado de capitais brasileiro
Authors: Righi Marcelo Brutti , Ceretta Paulo Sérgio
Published: August 2013

Com a crescente globalização, os mercados financeiros do mundo todo passaram a apresentar maior integração. Tal relacionamento entre mercados possui como implicação um termo que vem atraindo a atenção de profissionais e acadêmicos, a transmissão de volatilidade. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho tem como escopo analisar a transmissão internacional de volatilidade no mercado brasileiro. Para tanto, é utilizado um modelo Garch multivariado com parametrização BEKK. Com base nesse modelo, são estimados os relacionamentos bivariados entre o mercado brasileiro, representado pelo índice Ibovespa, e os mercados americano, argentino, mexicano e chinês, utilizando-se de índices representativos de 4 de janeiro de 2000 até 31 de março de 2010, totalizando 2667 cotações. A amostra foi dividida em três partes, representando os períodos anteriores, durante e posteriores à crise do subprime de 2007/2008. Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que, durante a crise de 2008, de forma geral, houve mudança na direção da transmissão de volatilidade entre o mercado brasileiro e os demais estudados, de forma ao Brasil passar a exercer maior influência na volatilidade condicional desses, por ter sofrido menores consequências com a crise financeira. Além disso, após o período de turbulência causado pela crise de 2008, o relacionamento da volatilidade entre o mercado brasileiro com os demais passou a ser menos assimétrico do que no período anterior a crise.
Aspectos de inovação e de redes que afetam a imagem da marca: o caso Harley-Davidson e Buell
Authors: Rimoli Celso Augusto , Noronha Léo Eduardo Pastori , Serralvo Francisco Antonio
Published: August 2013

Entre as diversas tendências que impactam atualmente o mundo dos negócios duas se destacam: a alta taxa de inovação e o fato de a sociedade se organizar cada vez mais em redes. Em complementação, alguns autores ressaltam que, em uma sociedade como essa os aspectos relacionados à marca tendem a ser mais relevantes para a diferenciação competitiva da oferta das empresas do que aqueles ligados à qualidade do produto. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste artigo é analisar como aspectos de inovação e de redes afetam a imagem de duas marcas globais de uma mesma empresa no Brasil. Trata-se de uma das primeiras investigações empíricas das contribuições de um ensaio teórico e por isso o trabalho envolveu a realização de uma pesquisa exploratório-descritiva que empregou a estratégia de pesquisa estudo de casos. Foram analisadas as marcas Harley-Davidson e Buell, de motocicletas fabricadas pela empresa Harley-Davidson Motor Company em função de elas atenderem aos requisitos implícitos no objetivo. As análises realizadas permitiram verificar uma grande convergência e aderência de resultados entre a parte conceitual, as informações secundárias e as informações primárias coletadas, reforçando as conclusões e permitindo a formulação de sugestões para pesquisas futuras.