bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nanoparticles Featuring Amino Acid‐functionalized Side Chains as DNA Receptors
Authors: Ghosh Partha S. , Han Gang , Erdogan Belma , Rosado Olga , Krovi Sai Archana , Rotello Vincent M.
Published: June 2007

A family of nanoparticles has been fabricated featuring cationic amino acid‐based side chains. This controlled surface modification provides a tool to investigate the effect of various non‐covalent interactions at the nanoparticle–DNA interface. The binding affinities of these nanoparticles towards DNA were determined using fluorescence, exhibiting more than threefold modulation in binding a 37‐mer DNA strand. The secondary structure of the DNA strand was distorted upon nanoparticle binding, with the extent of distortion dependent on the structure of amino acid side chain.
Embryonic Patterning in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Jenik Pablo D. , Gillmor C. Stewart , Lukowitz Wolfgang
Published: June 2007

Early embryonic development in the flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana follows a predictable sequence of cell divisions. Anatomical hallmarks and the expression of marker genes in dynamic patterns indicate that new cell fates are established with virtually every round of mitosis. Although some of the factors regulating these early patterning events have been identified, the overall process remains relatively poorly understood. Starting at the globular stage, when the embryo has approximately 100 cells, the organization of development appears to be taken over by programs that regulate postembryonic patterning throughout the life cycle.
Calcium Signaling in Neuronal Motility
Authors: Zheng James Q. , Poo Mu-ming
Published: June 2007

Neuronal motility is a fundamental feature that underlies the development, regeneration, and plasticity of the nervous system. Two major developmental events—directed migration of neuronal precursor cells to the proper positions and guided elongation of axons to their target cells—depend on large-scale neuronal motility. At a finer scale, motility is also manifested in many aspects of neuronal structures and functions, ranging from differentiation and refinement of axonal and dendritic morphology during development to synapse remodeling associated with learning and memory in the adult brain. As a primary second messenger that conveys the cytoplasmic actions of electrical activity and many neuroactive ligands, Ca2+ plays a central role in the regulation of neuronal motility. Recent studies have revealed common Ca2+-dependent signaling pathways that are deployed for regulating cytoskeletal dynamics associated with neuronal migration, axon and dendrite development and regeneration, and synaptic plasticity.
Universal Domain Wall Dynamics in Disordered Ferroic Materials
Authors: Kleemann W.
Published: June 2007

The dynamics of driven domain walls (DWs) is studied in disordered uniaxial ferroic materials such as periodically poled ferroelectric KTiOPO4; quantum ferroelectric SrTi18O3; relaxor ferroelectric Sr0.61Ba0.39Nb2O6(SBN); ultrathin ferromagnetic multilayers Pt/Co/Pt; and discontinuous magnetic metal-insulator multilayers [Co80Fe20/Al2O3]10(DMIM) with ac susceptibility, [Formula: see text], and domain imaging. Sideways creep and slide motion, well known from dc excitation, is mapped onto characteristic dynamic modes in the ac spectra or, more significantly, in Cole-Cole presentations, [Formula: see text]. Creep and slide are complemented by switching at high enough field amplitudes and by DW segmental relaxation at high enough frequencies. The dynamic relaxation-to-creep transition is well understood within scaling theory, whereas the crossover between the modes creep, slide, and switching is numerically modeled on the basis of the Edwards-Wilkinson equation of DW motion. Clear signatures of all dynamical modes are even found at fractal DWs in dipolarly controlled DMIMs and in polar nanoregions of random-field-controlled SBN above Tc.
Comparative Genomics of Protists: New Insights into the Evolution of Eukaryotic Signal Transduction and Gene Regulation
Authors: Anantharaman Vivek , Iyer Lakshminarayan M. , Aravind L.
Published: June 2007

Data from protist genomes suggest that eukaryotes show enormous variability in their gene complements, especially of genes coding regulatory proteins. Overall counts of eukaryotic signaling proteins show weak nonlinear scaling with proteome size, but individual superfamilies of signaling domains might show vast expansions in certain protists. Alteration of domain architectural complexity of signaling proteins and repeated lineage-specific reshaping of architectures might have played a major role in the emergence of new signaling interactions in different eukaryotes. Lateral transfer of various signaling domains from bacteria or from hosts, in parasites such as apicomplexans, appears to also have played a major role in the origin of new functional networks. Lineage-specific expansion of regulatory proteins, particularly of transcription factors, has played a critical role in the adaptive radiation of different protist lineages. Comparative genomics allows objective reconstruction of the ancestral conditions and subsequent diversification of several regulatory systems involved in phosphorylation, cyclic nucleotide signaling, Ubiquitin conjugation, chromatin remodeling, and posttranscriptional gene silencing.
Trinucleotide Repeat Disorders
Authors: Orr Harry T. , Zoghbi Huda Y.
Published: June 2007

The discovery that expansion of unstable repeats can cause a variety of neurological disorders has changed the landscape of disease-oriented research for several forms of mental retardation, Huntington disease, inherited ataxias, and muscular dystrophy. The dynamic nature of these mutations provided an explanation for the variable phenotype expressivity within a family. Beyond diagnosis and genetic counseling, the benefits from studying these disorders have been noted in both neurobiology and cell biology. Examples include insight about the role of translational control in synaptic plasticity, the role of RNA processing in the integrity of muscle and neuronal function, the importance of Fe-S-containing enzymes for cellular energy, and the dramatic effects of altering protein conformations on neuronal function and survival. It is exciting that within a span of 15 years, pathogenesis studies of this class of disorders are beginning to reveal pathways that are potential therapeutic targets.
Epigenetic Epidemiology of the Developmental Origins Hypothesis
Authors: Waterland Robert A. , Michels Karin B.
Published: June 2007

Extensive human epidemiologic and animal model data indicate that during critical periods of prenatal and postnatal mammalian development, nutrition and other environmental stimuli influence developmental pathways and thereby induce permanent changes in metabolism and chronic disease susceptibility. The biologic mechanisms underlying this “developmental origins hypothesis” are poorly understood. This review focuses on the likely involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD). We describe permanent effects of transient environmental influences on the developmental establishment of epigenetic gene regulation and evidence linking epigenetic dysregulation with human disease. We propose a definition of “epigenetic epidemiology” and delineate how this emerging field provides a basis from which to explore the role of epigenetic mechanisms in DOHaD. We suggest strategies for future human epidemiologic studies to identify causal associations between early exposures, long-term changes in epigenetic regulation, and disease, which may ultimately enable specific early-life interventions to improve human health.
Magnaporthe as a Model for Understanding Host-Pathogen Interactions
Authors: Ebbole Daniel J.
Published: June 2007

The rice blast pathosystem has been the subject of intense interest in part because of the importance of the disease to world agriculture, but also because both Magnaporthe oryzae and its host are amenable to advanced experimental approaches. The goal of this review is to provide an overview of the system and to point out recent significant studies that update our understanding of the biology of M. orzyae. The genome sequence of M. oryzae has provided insight into how genome structure and pathogen population genetic variability has been shaped by transposable elements. The sequence allows systematic approaches to long-standing areas of investigation, including pathogen development and the molecular basis of compatible and incompatible interactions with its host. Rice blast provides an integrated system to illustrate most of the important concepts governing fungal/plant interactions and serves as an excellent starting point for gaining a broad perspective of issues in plant pathology.
Old Inequalities, New Disease: HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Heimer Carol A.
Published: June 2007

It is especially the social aspects of the disease that make HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa different—and worse—than HIV/AIDS in the United States or Europe. By making Africans more vulnerable to economic and sexual exploitation, poverty first increases the likelihood that they will be infected. By making them unattractive customers for pharmaceuticals, poverty also puts therapies out of the reach of most Africans who need them. This review examines research on the integration of sub-Saharan Africa into the international worlds of the pharmaceutical trade, public health, and medical research. It finds that the pull of these institutions diminishes but does not disappear as we move from the realms of trade treaties to the clinics where testing and treatment occur and, finally, to the daily lives of people living with HIV.
The Niche as a Theoretical Tool
Authors: Popielarz Pamela A. , Neal Zachary P.
Published: June 2007

For several decades, the concept of the niche has enriched sociological theory. The niche represents the position or function of an entity, such as an organization or population of organizations, within a larger community environment. Using the concept of the niche allows researchers to go beyond classifying entities to understanding (a) their life chances under different and changing environmental conditions and (b) how they interact under the competitive conditions induced by a finite environment. We briefly review the intellectual history of the niche concept as it came from bioecology to sociology. The bulk of the article reviews the two major streams of sociological research that use the niche concept: the population ecology of organizations and McPherson's ecology of affiliation. Finally, we survey commonalities between these approaches and highlight new directions, including applications that take the niche concept well beyond its origins in organizational studies.
Moral Views of Market Society
Authors: Fourcade Marion , Healy Kieran
Published: June 2007

Upon what kind of moral order does capitalism rest? Conversely, does the market give rise to a distinctive set of beliefs, habits, and social bonds? These questions are certainly as old as social science itself. In this review, we evaluate how today's scholarship approaches the relationship between markets and the moral order. We begin with Hirschman's characterization of the three rival views of the market as civilizing, destructive, or feeble in its effects on society. We review recent work at the intersection of sociology, economics, and political economy and show that these views persist both as theories of market society and moral arguments about it. We then argue that a fourth view, which we call moralized markets, has become increasingly prominent in economic sociology. This line of research sees markets as cultural phenomena and moral projects in their own right, and seeks to study the mechanisms and techniques by which such projects are realized in practice.
Embeddedness and the Intellectual Projects of Economic Sociology
Authors: Krippner Greta R. , Alvarez Anthony S.
Published: June 2007

In this review, we explore how the concept of embeddedness has shaped—and been shaped by—the evolution of the subfield of economic sociology. Although embeddedness is often taken as a conceptual umbrella for a single, if eclectic, approach to the sociological study of the economy, we argue that in fact the concept references two distinct intellectual projects. One project, following from Granovetter's (1985) well-known programmatic statement, attempts to discern the relational bases of social action in economic contexts. Another project, drawing from Polanyi's [1944 (2001) , 1957 , 1977] social theory, concerns the integration of the economy into broader social systems. Critically, these two formulations of embeddedness involve different views of the relationship between the economic and the social. The implication is that the obstacles to theoretical integration in economic sociology, while not insurmountable, are greater than is typically acknowledged.
The Global Diffusion of Public Policies: Social Construction, Coercion, Competition, or Learning?
Authors: Dobbin Frank , Simmons Beth , Garrett Geoffrey
Published: June 2007

Social scientists have sketched four distinct theories to explain a phenomenon that appears to have ramped up in recent years, the diffusion of policies across countries. Constructivists trace policy norms to expert epistemic communities and international organizations, who define economic progress and human rights. Coercion theorists point to powerful nation-states, and international financial institutions, that threaten sanctions or promise aid in return for fiscal conservatism, free trade, etc. Competition theorists argue that countries compete to attract investment and to sell exports by lowering the cost of doing business, reducing constraints on investment, or reducing tariff barriers in the hope of reciprocity. Learning theorists suggest that countries learn from their own experiences and, as well, from the policy experiments of their peers. We review the large body of research from sociologists and political scientists, as well as the growing body of work from economists and psychologists, pointing to the diverse mechanisms that are theorized and to promising avenues for distinguishing among causal mechanisms.
Legged robots — an overview
Authors: Liu Jing , Tan Min , Zhao Xiaoguang
Published: June 2007

Legged robots, as one kind of mobile robots, can be used for tasks too dangerous or difficult for human to perform, eg, planetary exploration, disaster salvation and anti-terrorism action. Consequently, the issues of legged robots, including mechanical structure, stability analysis and control algorithms, have become an important research direction in the field of robotics in recent years. This paper surveys the current status with respect to legged robots, and describes the existent research approaches in terms of mechanical structure, stability analysis and control algorithms of legged robots. To conclude, this paper proposes the problems to be solved and discusses the future development of legged robots.
Pulmonary sequestration of cardioplegia administered via the aortic root during aortocoronary bypass surgery
Authors: McFarlane Tamra , Kleinloog Robert , Bennett Margot
Published: June 2007

A semi-quantitative method was devised of tracing blood flow through the heart and lungs at the time of cardioplegia delivery and circulatory arrest of the heart during coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). There were no previous studies confirming or disputing an accepted `observation' by cardiac surgeons that cardioplegia solution does enter the lung parenchyma during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). This study was conducted as part of a larger (n = 142) double-blind, randomised, controlled, clinical research study. Objective: The objective was initially to establish the efficacy of measures to prevent cardioplegia entering the lungs and, subsequently, to determine whether cardioplegia indeed circulates through the lung parenchyma or merely accumulates and `pools'. Method: A prospective study on 20 consecutive patients (5 per group) admitted for CABG was made. Technetium (Tc-99m), a radioactive isotope, was added to the cold blood cardioplegia solution prior to cardioplegia delivery in order to track flow of cardioplegia solution.

An independent nuclear medicine radiographer measured the samples with the use of a `Curimentor' dose calibrator for presence and quantity of radiation in the samples. Decay was factored into the results. The Tc-99m tracer samples were also analysed using Gamma Acquisition and Analysis on the Genie 2000vdm Well Counter to confirm the presence and quantity of Tc-99m. Results: In the four groups, it was confirmed that the pulmonary artery (PA) vent is 90—100% effective in retrieving any cardioplegia solution not drained by the atriocaval cannulae. Conclusions: The PA vent is effective in preventing cold blood cardioplegia solution from entering the lungs. Any cardioplegia that does enter the lung parenchyma during CPB circulates through the lungs and can be retrieved by a vent in the left atrium. This method may be useful in other studies that require investigation. Perfusion (2007) 22, 93—103.
Low dose ketamine: a therapeutic and research tool to explore N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated plasticity in pain pathways
Authors: Chizh Boris A.
Published: June 2007

Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic that has been used in the clinic for many years. At low, subanaesthetic doses, it is a relatively selective and potent antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. It belongs to the class of uncompetitive antagonists and blocks the receptor by binding to a specific site within the NMDA receptor channel when it is open. Like other compounds of this class, ketamine can cause hallucinations or other untoward central effects which limit its use in the clinic. Nevertheless, because of the evidence on the importance of NMDA receptor-mediated pLasticity in chronic pain, low doses of ketamine have been explored in a wide range of pain conditions. The majority of studies with ketamine have shown efficacy; however, it has not been possible to separate safely the pain relief from the side effects of the drug. Hence, clinical use of ketamine as a pain treatment is very limited. Nevertheless, ketamine has served as a useful tool to provide a compelling rationale for developing other NMDA antagonists. Some of the new compounds of this class, particularly those acting at the NR2B subtype of the NMDA receptor, have shown promise in preclinical and clinical studies.
Imaging of striatal dopamine release elicited with NMDA antagonists: is there anything there to be seen?
Authors: Rabiner Eugenii A.
Published: June 2007

Increased release of striatal dopamine, indexed with in vivo imaging of the D2 receptor, has been reported following an acute challenge with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist ketamine in humans. Replications of this result have not been consistently successful. The aim of this manuscript is to evaluate in vivo imaging examination of NMDA antagonism on striataL dopamine release in published reports of humans and pre-clinical species. The literature is evaluated in conjunction with insights on the effect of NMDA antagonism on dopamine release, elicited from microdialysis and tissue turnover studies, and suggestions for future studies are made.
Sunitinib (Sutent®): A novel agent for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Chouhan Jyoti D , Zamarripa Daniel E , Lai Phillip H , Oramasionwu Christine U , Grabinski Jodi L
Published: June 2007

Objective. To provide a review of the clinical data supporting the use of sunitinib (Sutent®), a multitargeted, small molecule, tyrosine kinase inhibitor, with focus on its approved indication for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma in patients with metastatic disease requiring drug therapy.Data sources. A MEDLINE search of the medical literature was conducted using the terms ‘sunitinib’ and ‘SU11248’. References from the articles were reviewed and relevant sources were included. Data summary. The introduction of dual tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitors is a novel approach to treating advanced metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) by preventing angiogenesis and tumor growth. Based on its ability to inhibit several targets involved in angiogenesis and endothelial cell proliferation, sunitinib offers patients with mRCC an alternative for treatment. A recent Phase III study evaluating sunitinib as first-line therapy showed a significant difference when compared to interferonalfa (IFN-α) for a progression-free survival of 11 months in the sunitinib arm and 5 months in the IFN-α arm (hazard ratio 0.42; 95% CI 0.32–0.54; P50.001). Two Phase II trials determined sunitinib was effective as second-line therapy in mRCC patients who failed previous cytokine treatment. Partial response rates were 40% (95% CI 28%–53%) and 34% (95% CI 25%–44%). Multiple ongoing trials are currently underway to evaluate sunitinib for first-line therapy in mRCC. J Oncol Pharm Practice (2007) 13: 5–16.
Cross-reactivity between paclitaxel and hazelnut: a case report
Authors: Bukacel Denise G. , Bander Regina , Ibrahim Rami B.
Published: June 2007

A 73-year-old Caucasian woman with metastatic bladder cancer developed hives, itching, difficulty in breathing, and general ill-feeling during the first 10 min of her first infusion of paclitaxel. Paclitaxel was discontinued and the symptoms resolved after intravenous diphenhydramine and hydrocortisone treatment. Upon discussion with the patient, she described the sensation as similar to her reaction to hazelnuts. The patient's only other allergy was to azithromycin, which presented as hives. A PubMed literature search revealed that paclitaxel is found in the components of the hazelnut tree and its nuts. While a nut-protein allergy cannot be ruled out, a cross-reaction between paclitaxel and hazelnuts is a possibility. Patients who describe an allergy to hazelnuts must be carefully observed while being treated with paclitaxel. The hazelnut allergy may not be a nut-protein allergy at all, but rather an allergy to the components of paclitaxel that reside in the hazelnut itself.
Clinical relevance of anti-drug antibodies with interferon beta-1b therapy in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Cantillon M. , Antonijevic I.
Published: June 2007

Interferon beta-1b (IFNβ-1b; Betaferon®/Betaseron®) is an effective treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). It was the first immunomodulatory therapy to receive approval for this indication in 1993 in the USA and in 1995 in Europe. It remains the only high-dose, high-frequency treatment with proven efficacy in patients with a clinical demyelinating event, RRMS and SPMS. Several large controlled studies have been performed, including 16 years follow-up of patients, providing a unique data set to evaluate long-term safety and efficacy. Results obtained from several studies have shown an inconsistent impact of neutralizing antibodies (NAb) to IFNβ-1b, unlike NAb to other IFNβ therapies. Although patient heterogeneity and the use of different NAb assays are involved, this reflects intrinsic differences between the respective IFNβ-1b versus IFNβ-1a molecules as well as their sensitivity to NAb effects. When evaluating the occurrence and the impact of NAb during different IFNβ therapies, standardization is a necessity. Three phase III trials of IFNβ-1b, in which the same assay methodology was applied, suggest that NAb to IFNβ-1b are transient, mostly of low to moderate titre and have no effect on disability progression with only limited effect on relapse rate. Two controlled studies showed better efficacy of high dose, high frequency beta-interferon treatment even in NAb-positive patients over low dose, low frequency beta-interferon treatment in NAb-negative individuals. Given the overall clinical efficacy of IFNβ-1b, the inconsistent data regarding the effect of NAb to IFNβ-1b on treatment outcome, and the unpredictable course of disease in a given patient, treatment decisions should be based on patient response to therapy, not on NAb status. This position is endorsed by current regulatory and neurology association guidelines and is reflected in the package insert information. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: S21—S27 http://msj.sagepub.com
Stabilization and activation of p53 induced by Cdk5 contributes to neuronal cell death
Authors: Lee Jong-Hee , Kim Hea-Sook , Lee Sung-Jin , Kim Kyong-Tai
Published: June 2007

The p53 tumor suppressor protein is a key regulator of cellular functions including responses to numerous stress signals, and triggers apoptosis in many cell types, including neurons. The major mechanisms known to regulate p53 stabilization and activation include phosphorylation and ubiquitin ligase-mediated proteasomal degradation. Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5), a proline-directed serine/threonine kinase, is most active in the central nervous system and plays a variety of roles in neuronal degeneration. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that Cdk5 interacts with p53 and increases its stability through posttranslational regulation, leading to accumulation of p53, particularly in the nucleus. We show that Cdk5 phosphorylates p53 on Ser15, Ser33 and Ser46 in vitro, and that increased Cdk5 activity in the nucleus mediates these phosphorylation events in response to genotoxic and oxidative stresses. Cdk5 mediates disruption of the interaction between p53 and Hdm2 (also known as Mdm2), and prevents Hdm2-induced p53 ubiquitylation and downregulation. Cdk5 additionally enhances phosphorylation-dependent binding of the p300 coactivator, inducing acetylation of p53. Cdk5-stabilized p53 protein is transcriptionally active, resulting in the induction of pro-apoptotic genes and subsequent mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in response to genotoxic or oxidative stress. Collectively, these novel findings help define the mechanisms underlying neuronal apoptosis occurring as a result of Cdk5-mediated p53 stabilization and transcriptional activation.
Problemas de saúde mental entre jovens grávidas e não-grávidas
Authors: Caputo Valéria Garcia , Bordin Isabel Altenfelder
Published: June 2007

OBJETIVO: Estimar a prevalência de problemas de saúde mental em adolescentes primigestas e comparar seu perfil de saúde mental com o daquelas sexualmente ativas que nunca engravidaram. MÉTODOS: Estudo de corte transversal, comparativo entre dois grupos de adolescentes de 13 a 17 anos, em Marília, Estado de São Paulo, 2003-2004. A amostra incluiu 207 primigestas atendidas em programas de pré-natal de serviços públicos municipais urbanos e 308 estudantes de escolas estaduais, sexualmente ativas, que nunca engravidaram. Foram aplicados um instrumento de rastreamento para problemas de saúde mental em adolescentes (versão brasileira do Youth Self-Report) e um questionário sobre fatores de risco para gravidez na adolescência. A análise estatística incluiu testes de qui-quadrado, exato de Fisher, U de Mann Whitney e modelos de regressão logística. RESULTADOS: Adolescentes grávidas e não-grávidas não diferiram quanto à prevalência do total de problemas de saúde mental (24,6% vs. 27,3%; p=0,50). Comparado às adolescentes não-grávidas, o grupo das primigestas apresentou maior prevalência de sintomas de ansiedade/depressão (24,2% vs. 15,3%; p=0,01) e sintomas de retraimento/depressão (13,0% vs, 4,5%; p<0,001), além de maior número de fumantes (21,3% vs. 11,0%; p=0,002). Estas diferenças foram confirmadas em modelos de regressão logística, controlados para escolaridade da mãe. CONCLUSÕES: Foram mais freqüentes os sintomas de ansiedade e depressão e uso de tabaco em adolescentes primigestas em comparação com as adolescentes não-grávidas. Esses problemas requerem especial atenção dos serviços de pré-natal a fim de evitar possíveis prejuízos para a saúde das mães e de seus filhos.
Nível de atividade física e fatores associados em adultos no Município de Joaçaba, Santa Catarina, Brasil
Authors: Baretta Elisabeth , Baretta Marly , Peres Karen Glazer
Published: June 2007

Estimou-se a prevalência de inatividade física na população adulta do Município de Joaçaba, Santa Catarina, Brasil, e os fatores associados. Foi realizado um estudo transversal de base populacional domiciliar, com indivíduos de 20 a 59 anos, de ambos os sexos (n = 579). Utilizou-se o Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ), na forma curta, para estimar o nível de atividade física. Foram realizadas análises descritivas e regressão de Poisson. A taxa de resposta foi de 99,6%. A prevalência de indivíduos classificados como inativos fisicamente foi de 57,4% (IC95%: 53,4-61,4). A presença de inatividade física apresentou-se associada positivamente a indivíduos que não trabalhavam ou não eram aposentados, àqueles com renda familiar superior a mil reais mensais, idade superior a trinta anos, presença de índice de massa corporal maior ou menor que o padrão normal e a indivíduos que auto-avaliaram dificuldades de locomoção, independentemente do sexo. A prevalência de inatividade física encontrada foi menor que nos outros estudos de base populacional já realizados no país. Os resultados podem auxiliar a implantação de políticas públicas que estimulem a população à prática regular de exercícios.
Impact of the Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccination program on HIB meningitis in Brazil
Authors: Miranzi Sybelle de Souza Castro , Moraes Suzana Alves de , Freitas Isabel Cristina Martins de
Published: June 2007

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae type b (HIB) in Brazil on the morbidity, mortality, and case fatality of HIB meningitis, using the Ministry of Health database and population data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística - IBGE). Impact was evaluated through a time series analysis (1983-2002), using regression forecasting (RF) by dividing the time series into two periods: (a) historical (1983-1998) and (b) validation (1999-2002). Impact of the vaccination was positive, although more significant for incidence and mortality than for case fatality rates.
Infecção natural de Lutzomyia longipalpis por Leishmania sp. em Teresina, Piauí, Brasil
Authors: Silva Jackellyne Geórgia Dutra e , Werneck Guilherme L. , Cruz Maria do Socorro Pires e , Costa Carlos Henrique Nery , Mendonça Ivete Lopes de
Published: June 2007

No Brasil, o controle do vetor Lutzomyia longipalpis é uma das principais estratégias utilizadas para limitar a expansão da leishmaniose visceral americana. Entretanto, poucos são os estudos sobre a infecção natural destes flebotomíneos por espécies de Leishmania. Um estudo sobre a infecção natural de Lu. longipalpis por Leishmania sp. foi realizado no bairro Bela Vista, Teresina, Piauí, um dos principais focos urbanos da leishmaniose visceral americana no Brasil. Entre fevereiro de 2004 e janeiro de 2005 realizaram-se 180 capturas usando-se armadilhas luminosas do tipo CDC. Foram dissecadas e examinadas, em média, dez fêmeas por captura para detecção de formas evolutivas de Leishmania sp., identificando-se 1.832 exemplares de Lu. longipalpis e seis de Lu. whitmani. Vinte (1,1%) espécimes, todas de Lu. longipalpis, estavam infectadas com as formas procíclica e nectomonada de Leishmania sp., localizadas, principalmente, na porção posterior do trato digestivo. O maior percentual de insetos infectados foi encontrado quatro meses após o período de maior precipitação pluviométrica, sugerindo que variáveis climáticas podem contribuir para a predição não apenas da abundância destes dípteros, mas também do seu grau de infecção natural.
Indicadores de morbimortalidade hospitalar de tuberculose no Município de São Paulo
Authors: Galesi Vera Maria Neder , Almeida Margarida Maria Mattos Brito de
Published: June 2007

INTRODUÇÃO: O tratamento de tuberculose é realizado atualmente nos serviços ambulatoriais, ficando a internação recomendada para os casos de maior gravidade ou com problemas sociais. No Município de São Paulo, contudo ainda tem sido internado um número expressivo de doentes de tuberculose. OBJETIVO DO TRABALHO: Estudar as características sociodemográficas e clínico-epidemiológicas dos doentes internados com tuberculose, residentes no Município de São Paulo em 2001. METODOLOGIA: Utilizando como fonte de dados o sistema de informação em tuberculose do Estado, (EPI - TB) programa de registro, acompanhamento e análise de notificações e dados de população do Deinfo/ SEMPLA e FIPE, foram calculados indicadores de morbimortalidade segundo variáveis existentes nas fichas de notificação dos doentes internados. RESULTADOS E DISCUSSÃO: No município de S.Paulo, no ano de 2001, foram internados 2.473 doentes com tuberculose. O coeficiente de internação desses doentes foi de 23,5 casos por 100.000 habitantes, o coeficiente de mortalidade encontrado foi de 4,1 por 100.000 habitantes, tendo ocorrido 485 óbitos e sendo a taxa de letalidade de 17,4%. A taxa de coinfecção Tb/HIV foi de 32,7% entre os internados e de 12,5% entre os não internados, indicando que a epidemia de Aids exerceu forte influência tanto na magnitude quanto na gravidade da situação desses doentes, sendo a maior letalidade (48,4%) a da forma disseminada/miliar, com a maioria de casos em doentes HIV positivos. Entretanto, se excluirmos os casos dos portadores de HIV, a taxa de letalidade ainda se mantém alta, 15,1%, mostrando também a gravidade da tuberculose. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados mostraram indicadores com valores preocupantes, ficando evidente a importância do acompanhamento dos mesmos para monitorar a situação da tuberculose. RECOMENDAÇÕES: As vigilâncias epidemiológicas municipais devem estabelecer fluxos e estratégias de acompanhamento dos doentes internados com tuberculose principalmente nos grandes centros urbanos, para garantir a continuidade do tratamento e modificar o cenário encontrado.
Going Home
Authors: Alcalde M. Cristina
Published: June 2007

In this essay, I draw on my fieldwork in Lima, Peru to critically explore the power relationships within my own feminist research and practice and illustrate what feminist research in one's own society might include. I pay special attention to my roles as academic and advocate and reflect on how power asymmetries based on race, educational status, and class were both reproduced and reshaped during my fieldwork, and how my feminist research agenda and partial insider status were directly tied to the creation and continuation of these power asymmetries. As I illuminate potential dilemmas, rewards, and difficulties that may result from feminist research in one's own society, I foreground the potential for effecting social change from within, the researcher's social responsibility and engagement in the field, and the blurring of boundaries between insider and outsider.
Race, Tribal Nation, and Gender
Authors: Ramirez Renya
Published: June 2007

Too often there is the assumption in Native communities that we as indigenous women should defend a tribal nationalism that ignores sexism as part of our very survival as women as well as our liberation from colonization. In contrast, in this essay, I assert that race, tribal nation, and gender should be non-hierarchically linked as categories of analysis in order to understand the breadth of our oppression as well as the full potential of our liberation in the hope that one day we can belong as full members of our homes, communities, and tribal nations. Indeed, both indigenous women and men should develop a Native feminist consciousness based on the assumption that struggles for social autonomy will no longer include the denial of Native women's gendered concerns and rights.
Functionalization of industrial polypropylene films via the swift‐heavy‐ion‐induced grafting of glycidyl methacrylate
Authors: Chawla S. , Ghosh A. K. , Avasthi D. K. , Kulriya P. , Ahmad S.
Published: June 2007

Swift‐silver‐ion irradiation was explored as a means of forming chemically active sites on the surface of biaxially oriented polypropylene films. The active species, formed in air, was used to induce the graft copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate in an aqueous solution. The surface structure, crystallinity, morphology, and hydrophilicity of the grafted samples were characterized with Fourier transform infrared, UV, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and contact‐angle measurements. Glycidyl methacrylate could be grafted onto biaxially oriented polypropylene after swift‐heavy‐ion irradiation without an additional initiator. The contact angle of the modified films decreased with the grafting percentage of glycidyl methacrylate on the polypropylene. The swift silver ions induced significant grafting only in small regions (i.e., the latent tracks) of the polymer. Furthermore, as the fluence of swift heavy ions increased beyond an optimum value, the overlapping of the latent tracks reduced the grafting yield. The observed findings could be very useful in developing an initiator‐free grafting system. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Brief report: A clinical tracking system for helping see the forest through the trees
Authors: Karan Orv C. , Harrington Susan S. , Broday Steven F.
Published: June 2007

Adults with developmental disabilities who display behavior disorders repressent some of our field's biggest challenges. Those who provide direct support for such individuals are sometimes frightened and often frustrated by the occurrence of these behaviors parrticularly if neither they nor the agencies for whom they work have been successful in alleviating them. Under such circumstances the agency may secure the services of a consultant. At such times the consultant may find it diffcult to obtain information [from which to generate plausible hypothese and design interventionl plans] that is not unduly influenced by the emotions of the moment. This article describes a stop‐gap system that can be used under such circumstsances to gather and analyze valuable longitudinal behavioual ecological data. The basic assumptions and strategies of this system are explained and illustrated through three case studies.
Brief report: Building choice opportunities within a robot‐assisted occupational program: A case study
Authors: Lancioni Giulio E. , Bellini Domenico , Oliva Doretta
Published: June 2007

Choice opportunities were built within an existing robot‐assisted occupational program. The new version of the program (with choice opportunities) was then employed with a low‐functioning, multiply handicapped man who had previously been trained in the old version of the same program (the one with no choice opportunities). The results have shown that the man responded “purposefully” to choice situations and maintained highly accurate activity engagement. The importance of providing choice opportunities to people with severe and multiple handicaps and the cost and benefits of the program used in this study are discussed.
An electronic guidance system for multihandicapped blind persons: Evaluating its effectiveness and likableness
Authors: Lancioni Giulio E. , Oliva Doretta , Bracalente Sandro
Published: June 2007

An electronic guidance system was used to help two multihandicapped blind persons move and carry out activities within a large setting. Both subjects had previously been exposed to a robot‐assisted program. The electronic guidance system consisted of three parts: a control unit, infrared light sources, and a portable device. The portable device provided the subjects with direction feedbacks concerning the activity places. Data showed that both subjects learned to use the device and thus could profitably engage in mobility and activity. When allowed to choose between the new system and the robot, one subject preferred the robot, the other the new system. A group of parents, who were shown video‐tapes of the two subjects while working with the new system and with the robot, preferred the new system. Efficacy, likableness and cost of this system and of the robot are discussed.
Abuse and neglect of adults with mental retardation in different residential settings
Authors: Furey Eileen M. , Niesen Jill J. , Strauch James D.
Published: June 2007

Eighty‐two per cent of all cases of abuse or neglect of an adult with mental retardation substantiated by the Abuse Investigation Division of the Connecticut Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities over a five‐year period occurred in the victim's residence. Chi square analyses revealed that there was significantly more abuse in institutions and group homes and significantly less in the individual's own home. Furthermore, analyses revealed that there was significantly more personal neglect in group homes and community training homes and significantly less in own homes. The results were discussed and recommendations made regarding ways of reducing abuse and neglect.
Graduated exposure plus feedback in the treatment of speech anxiety
Authors: Lawm Gerald D. , Schwartz Cynthia , Houlihan Daniel , Cassisi Jeffrey E.
Published: June 2007

This study investigated the effectiveness of a graduated exposure procedure, combined with peer feedback, in the treatment of speech anxiety. Subjects were assigned to one of two conditions: (a) graduated exposure/shaping plus feedback or (b) no‐treatment control. Results indicated that the graduated exposure/shaping plus feedback treatment group demonstrated significantly greater speech anxiety reduction than the no‐treatment control group at post‐ and follow‐up assessment.
Occupational stress and burnout amongst staff working with people with an intellectual disability
Authors: Aitken Christopher J. , Schloss Janice A.
Published: June 2007

The Occupational Stress Inventory (Osipow & Spokane, 1987) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach, 1982) were used to assess the levels of occupational stress and burnout amongst staff providing services to people with an intellectual disability both in an institutional and community settings. Data were analyzed to determine the effects of direct client contact, staff mental health, and working environment (institution vs. community). While levels of burnout and occupational stress were not high overall, staff working in an institutional setting scores more highly.
Suicidal threats and behavior in a person with developmental disabilities: Effective psychiatric monitoring based on a fundamental assessment
Authors: Sturmey Peter
Published: June 2007

A psychiatric monitoring procedure was designed to better manage and treat suicidal behavior and threats in a person with moderate mental retardation, and psychiatric disorders. During the baseline suicidal threats and behavior were managed by assigning the person a counselor available to discuss his problems, keeping him in eyesight at all time, admission to the state school infirmary, counseling from his physician, and admission to a Multiple Disabilities Unit (MDU) located in a state hospital located 2 hr drive away from the state school in which he lived. A functional assessment indicated that these behaviors were not related to depressed mood or a depressive disorder. Rather, they were socially mediated operant behaviors in a person with poor impulse control, in which the attempts to manage the behaviors by the interdisciplinary team might have been counter‐habilitative. A psychiatric surveillance procedure was based upon this functional assessment. The procedure consisted of increasing the number of apparently pleasurable activities available on the living area, asking for a no harm agreement following suicide threats or attempts, social isolation for 12–36 hr immediately contingent upon failure to give a no harm agreement, and release from social isolation contingent upon a no harm agreement. Data showed that this procedure was completely successful in reducing admissions to the MDU over a 7 month period. The social isolation was typically used once a week for approximately 25 hours over the 7‐month period. It was noted that considerable savings were made by not using admissions to the state hospital over a 7‐month period. Functional assessment can form the basis of developing and evaluating a variety of procedures relating to challenging behavior in persons with dual diagnosis including management of suicidal threats and behavior.
A system of program evaluation and the use of feedback as a means of improving service delivery
Authors: Smith Dawn M.
Published: June 2007

Agencies providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities must demonstrate quality programing as evidenced through a high level of staff compliance to organizational, licensing, and accreditation standards. In addition, economic and practical considerations impose the need for cost‐effective procedures for evaluating and improving staff performance. This study utilized a combination of checklists, as an evaluative tool to measure staff performance, and private feedback to improve staff performance. A multiple baseline design was used to determine the effects of providing staff with (a) orientation training, (b) task‐analyzed checklists of job skills, (c) private feedback from the agency trainer, and (d) private feedback from their immediate supervisor. Results indicate that training alone does not ensure competency; checklists alone do not ensure competency; private feedback from trainers improves competency; and private feedback from direct supervisors improves competency even further.
Chromatography of amino acids and short peptides. New advances
Authors: Cserháti T.
Published: June 2007

The newest results in the application of various chromatographic methods (gas–liquid chromatography, liquid chromatographic techniques, electrically driven systems) for the separation and quantitative determination of amino acids and short peptides in pure state and in complicated matrices are compiled. The results are concisely described and critically evaluated. The future trends of the chromatographic analysis of amino acids and short peptides are briefly discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Studien über den Mechanismus chemischer Reaktionen, XXI. Über Bildung und Öffnung N‐haltiger heterocyclischer Ringe durch katalytische Oxydo‐Reduktion am Beispiel des Hexamethylenimins, Piperidins und Pyrrolidins
Authors: Kindler Karl , Matthies Dieter
Published: June 2007

Bei der Umwandlung von Hexamethylendiamin in Hexamethylenimin durch katalytische Oxydo‐Reduktion entstehen als Nebenprodukte Polyamine, darunter das 1.6‐Bis‐hexamethylenimino‐hexan aus 3 Moll. Imin unter Öffnung eines heterocyclischen Ringes; analog gewinnt man aus Piperidin 1.5‐Dipiperidino‐pentan und aus Pyrrolidin 1.4‐Dipyrrolidino‐butan.
Über Organometall‐Komplexe, XIII. Reaktionen von konjugierten Diinen mit Metallcarbonylen
Authors: Hübel Walter , Merényi Robert
Published: June 2007

Disubstituierte Butadiine lassen sich durch Erhitzen mit Metallcarbonyl‐Verbindungen, insbesondere mit Kobaltcarbonylen, in substituierte symmetrische und unsymmetrische Tris‐[alkinyl‐(1)]‐benzole überführen, deren Reaktionen und UV‐Spektren beschrieben werden. Die Trimerisierung von Diacetylen ergibt dagegen polymere Reaktionsprodukte. 1.3.5‐ und 1.2.4‐Triäthinyl‐benzol wurden jedoch durch Desilylierung der entsprechenden Tris‐[trimethylsilyl‐äthinyl]‐tris‐trimethylsilyl‐benzole erhalten. ‐ Die Kobaltkomplexe Co2(CO)6(C6H5C2C2C6H5), [Co2(CO)6]2 (C6H5C2C2C6H5) und die beiden Tris‐[dikobalthexacarbonyl‐äthinyl]‐benzole wurden dargestellt. —Eisencarbonyle ergaben mit Diphenylbutadiin Komplexverbindungen vom Typ Fe2(CO)6(RC2R′)2, Fe2(CO)7(RC2R′)2 und Fe(CO)4(RC2R′)2 mit R = C6H5 und R′ = C⋮C·C6H5.
Furan‐Verbindungen, I
Authors: Puranik Gurubasav Sangayya , Rajagopal Srinivasa
Published: June 2007

Die Synthese von [Furano‐2′.3′:3.4‐xanthon], dem Xanthon‐Analogon des bekannten Furano‐flavons Karanjin, wird beschrieben.
Aminoalkohole, XVIII. Darstellung und konfigurative Zuordnung der diastereomeren DL‐3.4‐Dimethyl‐2‐phenyl‐morpholin‐dione‐(5.6)
Authors: Drefahl Günther , Hartmann Manfred , Skurk Axel
Published: June 2007

DL‐Ephedrin und DL‐pseudo‐Ephedrin werden mit Oxalsäurederivaten unter Konfigurationserhalt zu den diastereomeren DL‐3.4‐Dimethyl‐2‐phenyl‐morpholin‐dionen‐(5.6) umgesetzt. Durch Reduktion mit Lithiumaluminiumhydrid entstehen daraus die epimeren DL‐N‐[β‐Hydroxy‐äthyl]‐ephedrine. Die Darstellung von DL‐cis‐3.4‐Dimethyl‐2‐phenyl‐morpholin aus DL‐Ephedrin wird beschrieben.