bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polyinosinic-Polycytidylic Acid Limits Tumor Outgrowth in a Mouse Model of Metastatic Lung Cancer
Authors: Forte Giovanni , Rega Alessia , Morello Silvana , Luciano Antonio , Arra Claudio , Pinto Aldo , Sorrentino Rosalinda
Published: April 2012

Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C), a TLR3 ligand, is currently being tested in human clinical trials as an adjuvant to anti-cancer vaccines and in combination with other therapies. However, little is known about its activity in established pulmonary metastasis. The aim of our study was to elucidate the effect of poly I:C (1, 10, or 100 μg/mouse) in a mouse model of B16-F10–induced metastatic lung cancer. Lung tumor growth was arrested after a single administration of poly I:C. This was associated with higher influx of mature dendritic cells (DCs), which drove toward a Th1-like, Th17-like, and cytotoxic immune environment. The interference with IFN type I receptor signaling by means of a specific mAb reversed poly I:C-mediated tumor regression due to lower presence of myeloid DCs, cytotoxic DCs (CD11c+CD8+), NKT cells, CD8+ T cells, and Th1-like cytokines. Moreover, the adoptive transfer of poly I:C-activated bone marrow-derived DCs into tumor-bearing mice resulted in activities similar to those of the systemic administration of poly I:C on lung tumor burden. In conclusion, our data prove that poly I:C has potential anti-tumor activity in a mouse model of established pulmonary metastasis. The activation of DCs and the production of IFN type I are responsible for an effective T cytotoxic immune response against metastatic lung cancer progression after poly I:C treatment.
Identification of cyst nematodes from South Africa with the aid of the scanning electron microscope (SEM)
Authors: Swart Antoinette , Tiedt L.R.
Published: April 2012

A technique for the preparation of heteroderid cysts for scanning electronmicroscopy of internal structures are discussed. The results were good enough for publicationand the process relatively fast.
Spatial and temporal distributions of total and methyl mercury in precipitation in core urban areas, Chongqing, China
Authors: Wang Y. M. , Wang D. Y. , Meng B. , Peng Y. L. , Zhao L. , Zhu J. S.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. The spatial and temporal distribution patterns of mercury (Hg) in precipitation were investigated in the core urban areas of Chongqing, China. During the period form July 2010 to June 2011, total mercury (THg) and methyl mercury (MeHg) concentrations in precipitation were analyzed from three sampling sites. Our results suggest that the volume-weight mean THg and MeHg concentrations in precipitation were 30.67 ng l−1 and 0.31 ng l−1, respectively. The proportion of MeHg in THg ranged from 0.1% to 7.6% with a mean value of 1.3%. THg and MeHg concentrations showed seasonal variations, while the highest THg value was measured in winter. Contrarily, the highest MeHg concentration was observed in autumn. Additionally, a geographically gradual decline of THg concentration in precipitation was observed from the city center to the suburb, then to the exurb. 5 mm rainfall might be a threshold for the full wash-out capability. Rainfall above 5 mm may have a diluting effect for the concentrations of Hg. Moreover, the current research implies that the coal combustion and motor vehicles could be the dominant sources for Hg in the precipitation.
Summer ammonia measurements in a densely populated Mediterranean city
Authors: Pandolfi M. , Amato F. , Reche C. , Alastuey A. , Otjes R. P. , Blom M. J. , Querol X.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. Real-time measurements of ambient concentrations of gas-phase ammonia were performed in Barcelona (NE Spain) in summer between May and September 2011. Two measurement sites were selected: one in an urban background traffic-influenced area (UB) and the other in the historical city centre (CC). Levels of ammonia were higher at CC (5.6 ± 2.1 μg m−3 or 7.5 ± 2.8 ppbv) compared with UB (2.2 ± 1.0 μg m−3 or 2.9 ± 1.3 ppbv). This difference is attributed to the contribution from non-traffic sources such as waste containers, sewage systems, humans and open markets more dense in the densely populated historical city centre. Under high temperatures in summer these sources had the potential to increase the ambient levels of ammonia well above the urban-background-traffic-influenced UB measurement station. Measurements were used to assess major local emissions, sinks and diurnal evolution of NH3. The measured levels of NH3, especially high in the old city, may contribute to the high mean annual concentrations of secondary sulfate and nitrate measured in Barcelona compared with other cities in Spain affected by high traffic intensity. Ancillary measurements, including PM10, PM2.5, PM1 levels (Particulate Matter with aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10 μm, 2.5 μm, and 1 μm), gases and black carbon concentrations and meteorological data, were performed during the measurement campaign. The analysis of specific periods (3 special cases) during the campaign revealed that road traffic was a significant source of NH3. However, its effect was more evident at UB compared with CC where it was masked given the high levels of NH3 from non-traffic sources measured in the old city. The relationship between SO42− daily concentrations and gas-fraction ammonia (NH3/(NH3+NH4+)) revealed that the gas-to-phase partitioning (volatilization or ammonium salts formation) also played an important role in the evolution of NH3 concentration in summer in Barcelona.
On the robustness of aerosol effects on an idealized supercell storm simulated with a cloud system-resolving model
Authors: Morrison H.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. A cloud system-resolving model (the Weather Research and Forecasting model) with 1 km horizontal grid spacing is used to investigate the response of an idealized supercell storm to increased cloud droplet concentrations associated with polluted conditions. The primary focus is on exploring robustness of simulated aerosol effects in the face of complex process interactions and feedbacks between the cloud microphysics and dynamics. Simulations are run using sixteen different model configurations with various microphysical or thermodynamic processes modified or turned off. Robustness of the storm response to polluted conditions is also explored for each configuration by performing additional simulations with small perturbations to the initial conditions. Differences in the domain-mean accumulated surface precipitation and convective mass flux between polluted and pristine conditions are small for almost all model configurations, with relative differences in each quantity generally less than 15%. Configurations that produce a decrease (increase) in cold pool strength in polluted conditions also tend to simulate a decrease (increase) in surface precipitation and convective mass flux. Combined with an analysis of the dynamical and thermodynamic fields, these results indicate the importance of interactions between microphysics, cold pool evolution, and dynamics along outflow boundaries in explaining the system response. Several model configurations, including the baseline, produce an overall similar storm response (weakening) in polluted conditions despite having different microphysical or thermodynamic processes turned off. This occurs because of compensation by other process interactions, illustrating network-like behavior of the system. These results highlight the difficulty of foreseeing impacts of changes to model parameterizations and isolating process interactions that drive the system response to aerosols. With hail initiation turned off or the hail fallspeed-size relation set to that of snow, the model produces an invigoration instead of weakening of the storm in polluted conditions. Overall, these findings are robust, in a qualitative sense, to small perturbations in the initial conditions. However, there is sensitivity in the magnitude, and in some cases sign, of the storm response to polluted conditions with small perturbations in the temperature of the thermal used to initiate convection (less than ±0.5 K) or the vertical shear of the environmental wind (±5%). It is concluded that reducing uncertainty in simulations of aerosol effects on individual deep convective storms will likely require ensemble methods in addition to continued improvement of model parameterizations.
Global and long-term comparison of SCIAMACHY limb ozone profiles with correlative satellite data (2002–2008)
Authors: Mieruch S. , Weber M. , von Savigny C. , Rozanov A. , Bovensmann H. , Burrows J. P. , Bernath P. F. , Boone C. D. , Froidevaux L. , Gordley L. L. , Mlynczak M. G. , Russell III J. M. , Thomason L. W. , Walker K. A. , Zawodny J. M.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. SCIAMACHY limb scatter ozone profiles from 2002 to 2008 have been compared with MLS (2005–2008), SABER (2002–2008), SAGE II (2002–2005), HALOE (2002–2005) and ACE-FTS (2004–2008) measurements. The comparison is performed for global zonal averages and heights from 10 to 50 km in one km steps. The validation was performed by comparing monthly mean zonal means and by comparing averages over collocated profiles within a zonal band and month. Both approaches yield similar results. For most of the stratosphere SCIAMACHY agrees to within 10% or better with other correlative data. A systematic bias of SCIAMACHY ozone of up to 100% between 10 and 20 km in the tropics points to some remaining issues with regard to convective cloud interference. Statistical hypothesis testing reveals at which altitudes and in which region differences between SCIAMACHY and other satellite data are statistically significant. We also estimated linear trends from monthly mean data for different periods where SCIAMACHY has common observations with other satellite data using a classical trend model with QBO and seasonal terms in order to draw conclusions on potential instrumental drifts as a function of latitude and altitude. Since the time periods considered here are rather short these trend estimates are only used to identify potential instrumental issues with the SCIAMACHY data. As a result SCIAMACHY exhibits a statistically significant negative trend in the range of of about 1–3% per year depending on latitude during the period 2002–2005 (overlapping with HALOE and SAGE II) and somewhat less during 2002–2008 (overlapping with SABER) in the altitude range of 30–40 km, while in the period 2004–2008 (overlapping with MLS and ACE-FTS) no significant trends are observed. Since all correlative satellite instruments do not show to a very large extent statistically significant trends in any of the time periods considered here, the negative trends observed with SCIAMACHY data point at some remaining instrumental artifact which is most likely related to residual errors in the tangent height registration of SCIAMACHY.
Biological productivity in the Mauritanian upwelling estimated with a triple gas approach
Authors: Steinhoff T. , Bange H. W. , Kock A. , Wallace D. W. R. , Körtzinger A.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. Due to their high biological productivity coastal upwelling regions are important for biogeochemical cycles in the ocean and for fisheries. Upwelled water is not only enriched in nutrients but also supersaturated with respect to atmospheric CO2 and N2O and undersaturated for O2. We present a novel approach to estimate carbon based net community production (NCP) using surface ocean data for CO2, O2 and N2O from three cruises to the Mauritanian upwelling region (Northwest Africa) that were conducted in different seasons. Through combination of the saturation patterns of CO2, O2 and N2O effects of air–sea gas exchange and NCP could be separated. NCP values ranges from 0.6 ± 0.1g C m−2 d−1 during times of weak upwelling to 1.6 ± 0.4 g C m−2 d−1 during strong upwelling. The estimated NCP values show a strong relationship with a wind derived upwelling index, which was used to estimate annual NCP.
Modelling mid-Pliocene climate with COSMOS
Authors: Stepanek C. , Lohmann G.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. In this manuscript we describe the experimental procedure employed at the Alfred Wegener Institute in Germany in the preparation of the simulations for the Pliocene Model Intercomparison Project (PlioMIP). We present a description of the utilized community earth system models (COSMOS) and document the procedures which we applied to transfer the Pliocene Research, Interpretation and Synoptic Mapping Project (PRISM) mid-Pliocene reconstruction into model forcing fields. The model setup and spin-up procedure are described for both the paleo and preindustrial (PI) time-slices of PlioMIP experiments 1 and 2, and general results that depict the performance of our model setup for mid-Pliocene conditions are presented. The mid-Pliocene as simulated with our COSMOS-setup and PRISM boundary conditions is both warmer and wetter than the PI. The globally averaged annual mean surface air temperature in the mid-Pliocene standalone atmosphere (fully coupled atmosphere-ocean) simulation is 17.35 °C (17.82 °C), which implies a warming of 2.23 °C (3.40 °C) relative to the respective PI control simulation.
Characterization of spatial coseismic response of groundwater levels in shallow and deep parts of an alluvial plain to different earthquakes
Authors: Parvin M. , Tadakuma N. , Asaue H. , Koike K.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. Coseismic changes in groundwater levels have been investigated in many places throughout the world, but most studies have focused on the effects of one large earthquake. Few studies have looked at the spatial patterns of level changes in response to several earthquakes, or at the relationship of the patterns to shallow and deep groundwater in the same area. The aim of this study was to investigate these patterns and to construct a model of hydraulic responses. We selected the Kumamoto City area in southwest Japan, a region with one of the richest groundwater resources in Japan, as our study site. Data from hourly measurements of groundwater levels in 54 wells were used to characterize the coseismic spatial responses to four large earthquakes that occurred in 2000, 2001, 2005, and 2008. Although the distance to the epicenter (12 to 2573 km), and seismic energy (Mw = 4.8 to 8.0) of these earthquakes varied, systematic groundwater level changes were observed in the range of 0.01 to 0.67 m. The zones where coseismic rises were observed were generally wider for deep groundwater than for shallow groundwater. We observed general trends in the changes in groundwater levels, and calculated pressure changes, in the deep groundwater, but the coseismic increases or decreases in compressive stress in the shallow groundwater were variable, depending on the distance to the earthquake epicenter. We developed a conceptual model of the mechanism underlying this phenomenon and also investigated the importance of Togawa lava, consisting of porous andesite and forming a main aquifer, in determining the pattern of groundwater level change.
Temporal and spatial distribution of the meiobenthic community in Daya Bay, South China Sea
Authors: Tang L. , Li H. X. , Yan Y.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. Spatial and temporal biodiversity patterns of the meiobenthos were studied for the first time in Daya Bay, which is a tropical semi-enclosed basin located in the South China Sea. The abundance, biomass, and composition of the meiobenthos and the basic environmental factors in the bay were investigated. The following 19 taxonomic groups were represented in the meiofauna: Nematoda, Copepoda, Polychaeta, Oligochaeta, Kinorhyncha, Gastrotricha, Ostracoda, Bivalvia, Turbellaria, Nemertinea, Sipuncula, Hydroida, Amphipoda, Cumacea, Halacaroidea, Priapulida, Echinodermata, Tanaidacea, and Rotifera. Total abundance and biomass of the meiobenthos showed great spatial and temporal variation, with mean values of 993.57 ± 455.36 ind cm−2 and 690.51 ± 210.64 μg 10 cm−2, respectively. Nematodes constituted 95.60 % of the total abundance and thus had the greatest effect on meiofauna quantity and distribution, followed by copepods (1.55 %) and polychaetes (1.39 %). Meiobenthos abundance was significantly negatively correlated with water depth at stations (r=−0.747, P<0.05) and significantly negatively correlated with silt-clay content (r=−0.516, P<0.01) and medium diameter (r=−0.499, P<0.01) of the sediment. Similar results were found for correlations of biomass and abundance of nematodes with environmental parameters. Polychaete abundance was positively correlated with the bottom water temperature (r=0.456, P<0.01). Meiobenthos abundance differed significantly among seasons (P<0.05), although no significant difference among stations and the interaction of station × season was detected by two-way ANOVA. In terms of vertical distribution, most of the meiobenthos was found in the surface layer of sediment. This pattern was apparent for nematodes and copepods, but a vertical distribution pattern for polychaetes was not as obvious. Based on the biotic indices and analyses of their correlations and variance, the diversity of this community was likely to be influenced by environmental variations.
Shortening Ocular Pain Duration following Intravitreal Injections
Authors: Rifkin Lana , Schaal Shlomit
Published: April 2012

Purpose.

To determine ocular pain duration after routine in-office intravitreal injection and to determine whether topical eyedrops are beneficial in increasing patient comfort.

Methods.

Forty injection-naïve patients receiving routine intravitreal injections of bevacizumab for age-related macular degeneration were randomized into 3 groups: group 1 (control, no drops), group 2 (generic artificial tears), and group 3 (ketorolac tromethamine 0.4% eyedrops). Those who received topical medications were given a Visual Analog Pain score survey and asked to record their pain on a scale from 0 (no distress) to 10 (unbearable distress) daily until a score of 0 was achieved, at which point they were instructed to discontinue use of their given drops. Self-reported pain scores were assessed.

Results.

Pain after routine intravitreal injection lasts on average between 3 and 7 days. Patients receiving topical ketorolac eyedrops reported the fewest average number of pain days (2.25±1.22) vs patients receiving artificial tears (3.54±1.13) or those who received no postprocedure eyedrops (5.13±1.25); p<0.05. At most, patients receiving ketorolac eyedrops reported 3 days of recordable pain. Those who received artificial tears reported at most 5 days of recordable pain, and patients who did not receive any postprocedure eyedrops reported at most 7 days of recordable pain.

Conclusions.

Pain after intravitreal injection is generally mild, may be reduced by postinjection topical ketorolac eyedrops, and lasts less than 1 week.
Impact of Preanalytical Handling and Timing for Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Isolation and RNA Studies: The Experience of the Interinstitutional Multidisciplinary BioBank (BioBIM)
Authors: Palmirotta Raffaele , De Marchis Maria Laura , Ludovici Giorgia , Leone Barbara , Savonarola Annalisa , Ialongo Cristiano , Spila Antonella , De Angelis Francesco , Ferroni Patrizia , Della-Morte David , Guadagni Fiorella
Published: April 2012

Multicenter studies and biobanking projects require blood transportation from the participating center to a central collection or diagnostic laboratory. The impact of time delays between venous blood collection and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolation prior to RNA extraction may affect the quality and quantity of isolated nucleic acids for genomic applications. Thus, standard operating procedure (SOP) optimization for the treatment of biological samples before RNA extraction is crucial in a biological repository. In order to define SOPs for whole blood preservation prior to RNA extraction, we sought to determine whether different blood storage times (0, 3, 6, 10, 24, and 30 hours) prior to PBMCs isolation and storage at –80°C, could affect the quality and quantity of extracted RNA. After spectrophotometric quantification, the quality and integrity of RNA were assessed by agarose gel electrophoresis, RNA integrity number and real time-PCR (RT-PCR). Across the different time points we did not observe significant differences within the first 24 hours of blood storage at room temperature, while a significant loss in RNA yield and integrity was detected between 24 and 30 hours. We conclude that time delays before PBMCs isolation prior to RNA extraction may have a significant impact on downstream molecular biological applications.
Resisting Bellamy: How Kautsky and Bebel Read Looking Backward
Authors: Toth Csaba
Published: April 2012

Scientific socialism as developed by the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), the world's largest workers' party, and the Second International, basically a creation of German socialists, viewed utopianism as empirically unverifiable. The publication, wide circulation, and enormous success in Germany of Edward Bellamy's Looking Backward therefore posed a strong challenge to the leaders of the SPD, Karl Kautsky and August Bebel, and it attracted their criticism on several occasions. Such high-level condemnations of Bellamy call for an explanation. The SPD, freshly out of illegality in 1890, scored a decisive victory over Bismarck, and the party's big electoral gains led to utopian hopes among the rank and file. In this expectant milieu, Looking Backward was interpreted as a model for immediate action. However, socialist leaders saw it differently. Kautsky and Bebel reasoned that the immediatism of the American utopia flagrantly violated the ineluctable tendencies of history, recklessly rushed historical destiny, and put the achievements of the socialists at risk. It was not without irony that Kautsky found the absence of utopianism one of the SPD's greatest accomplishments. It was into this utopian vacuum that right-wing futuristic blueprints increasingly moved, portraying Caesaristic leadership, interclass harmony, world power, and racial exclusivity to a rapidly expanding audience. By rejecting future gazing, as exemplified by their rebuff of Looking Backward, socialist leaders failed to wage an extended cultural campaign for hegemonic influence over sectors other than the working class. Their claim that they essentially had no ideals to realize and their adherence to the strategy of fatalistic waiting for the collapse of capitalism came at a high price, as their inaction in face of and even support of colonialism and World War I would reveal.
Avaliação morfológica de células endoteliais cultivadas
Authors: França Carolina Nunes , Amaral Jônatas Bussador do , Izar Maria Cristina de Oliveira , Fonseca Francisco Antonio Helfenstein
Published: April 2012

Introdução: A origem de células endoteliais cultivadas tem sido alvo de investigações. Essas células podem ser originadas não só a partir de progenitoras endoteliais verdadeiras, mas também de monócitos, que igualmente são capazes de aumentar o processo de angiogênese. Além disso, estudos mostram que progenitoras endoteliais apresentam características que são próprias de monócitos. Objetivo: Neste estudo, objetivou-se avaliar morfologicamente células endoteliais cultivadas, que são chamadas de early células progenitoras endoteliais. Métodos: As células mononucleares do sangue periférico foram cultivadas por nove dias, e durante o cultivo foram realizadas imagens em microscópio invertido e em confocal. Resultados: Observou-se a presença de populações celulares que se apresentaram com um aspecto alongado e que estiveram sempre associadas em pequenos agregados (colônias). Conclusão: Ainda são necessários muitos estudos buscando a padronização de técnicas mais sensíveis para obtenção, identificação e quantificação de CPEs cultivadas.
Exercícios físicos diminuem a dor, a depressão e melhoram a qualidade de vida de pessoas com fibromialgia.
Authors: Steffens Ricardo De Azevedo Klumb , Brandt Ricardo , Felipe Juliana Souza , Andrade Alexandro
Published: April 2012

Objetivos: Investigar na literatura os efeitos do exercício físico na Fibromialgia (FM) em relação às variáveis dor, depressão e qualidade de vida. Métodos: Realizou-se uma pesquisa nos indexadores SciELO, Medline e PubMed com as palavras-chave fibromyalgia and exercise, em artigos publicados nos ultimos 20 anos, de janeiro de 1991 a fevereiro de 2011. Resultados: Em relação à variável dor, tanto as atividades aeróbias como os exercícios de resistência muscular localizada mostraram efeitos benéficos na fibromialgia. Quanto ao efeito sobre os níveis de depressão, os exercícios (QiGong, aeróbios e de força) se mostraram favoráveis à sua diminuição. Referente à variável qualidade de vida, verificou-se a melhora dessa variável com a prática de exercícios aeróbios, de força e de flexibilidade, mostrando seus efeitos positivos para os pacientes com fibromialgia. Conclusão: O exercício físico ajuda no tratamento da fibromialgia, influenciando de maneira positiva e diminuindo a dor, a depressão e melhorando a qualidade de vida da população acometida dessa doença.
Violência sexual contra crianças e seus aspectos relevantes para o profissional de saúde: relato de caso clínico
Authors: Figueiredo Márcia Cançado , Frassetto Paula De Moraes , Guimarães Lizandra Ferrari , Boaz Cristina Maria
Published: April 2012

Introdução: Violência doméstica, entre elas abuso sexual, é considerada um problema de saúde pública, visto que sua prevalência é alta. Objetivos: Demonstrar quais sinais e sintomas o profissional da saúde pode identificar no paciente e relacionar a maus-tratos, com ênfase em abuso sexual. Métodos: Relato de uma experiência clínica odontológica de uma criança do sexo feminino portadora da Síndrome de Kearn-Sayers vítima de abuso sexual no ambiente domiciliar. Resultados: A paciente apresentou comportamento atípico para a idade, com muito choro e gritos, cerrava os dentes e negava qualquer tipo de instrumento posto em sua boca para exame. Conclusão: O profissional pode perceber sinais e sintomas apresentados pelos pacientes vítimas de maus-tratos/violência, pois esses indivíduos apresentam comportamento atípico.
Spatial distribution and epidemiological profile of scorpion accidents in Natal/RN
Authors: Lima Ádila Lorena Morais , Lima Juraci Alves de , Souto Maria Cristiana Da Silva , Lopes Tarcio Fúlvio da Costa , Torres Úrsula Priscilla da Silva , Maciel Álvaro Campos Cavalcanti
Published: April 2012

Introduction: Scorpion poisoning constitutes a public health problem due to the high number and severity of cases. Objective: To map the areas of occurrence of accidents caused by scorpions in Natal/RN. Methods: An epidemiologic study with an ecological descriptive approach was conducted. It uses data registered in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases, which were processing in Excel spreadsheet, and subsequently the areas were mapped with Arcview 3.2 software. Results: We identified 1,698 cases of scorpions poisoning throughout the year, and the spatial distribution revealed that the West region was the most affected. The incidence was higher in females, which accounted for a total of 1,103 accidents, corresponding to 65% (X2: 10.87, p = 0.02). The age group between 21 and 30 years was the most affected. Conclusion: The identification of critical areas for accidents caused by scorpions is vital for making decisions and implementing prevention and control measures.
Laserterapia associada ao corticoide no tratamento de inflamação pulmonar em ratos
Authors: Teixeira Lopes Francisco Leomar , De Moura Lima Andrezza Isabel , Dos Santos Alves Wellington
Published: April 2012

Introdução: DPOC é uma enfermidade respiratória caracterizada por obstrução crônica do fluxo aéreo, que não é totalmente reversível. Objetivos: Verificar o efeito do LBP associado ao corticoide no tratamento do enfisema pulmonar induzido em ratos. Método: Foram divididos 20 ratos em cinco grupos de quatro animais (G1, controle; G2, papaína; G3, papaína + corticoide; G4, papaína + laser; G5, papaína + laser + corticoide). Instilou-se papaína intratraqueal nos grupos G2 ao G5 e aguardaram-se dez dias para gerar inflamação, posteriormente trataram-se os animais por dez dias com LBP AsGa 830nm e corticoide. Para análise dos resultados, realizou-se histopatologia. Resultados: O grupo tratado com corticoide (G4) não teve melhora da inflamação. Já o tratado com corticoide associado ao uso do LBP (G5) obteve melhora significativa da inflamação, de enfisema grave para leve. Conclusão: A indução do enfisema pulmonar com papaína pôde ser comprovada, e o LBP associado ao corticoide atenuou a inflamação.
Métodos de avaliação e tratamento da hanseníase: uma abordagem fisioterapêutica
Authors: Vieira Suenimeire , Silva José Adolfo Menezes Garcia , De Almeida Neto Antônio Francisco , Dibai Filho Almir Vieira , Gomes Cid André Fidelis de Paula
Published: April 2012

Introdução: A hanseníase é uma doença infectocontagiosa de evolução lenta. Objetivo: Neste estudo, realizou-se um levantamento da literatura acerca dos métodos de avaliação e tratamento fisioterapêutico para a hanseníase. Métodos: Esta revisão foi realizada por meio de uma busca nas bases de dados Lilacs, PubMed e PEDro. Foram incluídos estudos publicados no período de tempo compreendido entre os anos de 1990 e 2010, em língua portuguesa e inglesa. Resultados: Encontraram-se 73 artigos na base de dados PubMed, 8 na Lilacs, e 1 na PEDro. Após serem aplicados os critérios de inclusão e exclusão, restaram 19 artigos. Desses estudos, não foi possível o acesso a seis textos. Assim, obteve-se uma amostra final de 13 artigos. Conclusão: Ainda se verifica uma pequena produção científica envolvendo métodos de avaliação e tratamento pertinentes ao fisioterapeuta, mesmo com a expressiva atuação clínica desses profissionais em indivíduos acometidos pela hanseníase.
Prevalência de jovens universitários tabagistas e suas inter-relações
Authors: Ribeiro Victor Barbosa , Ireno Michele Santos de Melo , Martins Fábio Luiz Mendonça , Lima Vanessa Pereira de
Published: April 2012

Introdução: O tabaco é a droga mais consumida no mundo e sua utilização por adolescentes e adultos jovens tem aumentado. Objetivos: Identificar a prevalência do tabagismo em jovens universitários e sua associação com o hábito de consumirem bebidas alcoólicas e de praticarem exercício físico. Método: Foram entrevistados 360 universitários, de ambos os gêneros, idade entre 18 e 24 anos, tendo sido avaliados com relação ao hábito tabágico, nível dependência nicotínica e a outros hábitos associados. Resultados: Encontrou-se uma prevalência de tabagistas de 6,9%, não ocorrendo diferença entre os gêneros. A maioria dos fumantes não realizava exercício físico e apresentava grau baixo e muito baixo de dependência nicotínica. Foi identificada relevante associação entre o hábito de fumar e o consumo de bebidas alcoólicas. Conclusão: É necessário desenvolver programas que incentivem a cessação do hábito tabágico, assim como a divulgação de informações sobre os malefícios do tabaco e bebidas alcoólicas.
Avaliação da qualidade de sono em idosos não institucionalizados
Authors: Nunes da Silva José Mário , Martins Costa Ayrton Cayser , Waquim Machado Wancley , Lopes Xavier Christiane
Published: April 2012

Resumo
Introdução. O sono é um dos principais responsáveis pela recuperação física e mental do organismo. Dormir bem possibilita às pessoas terem um bom desempenho em suas atividades diárias. A qualidade do sono está diretamente ligada à sua produção diária, porém muitos idosos não consideram esse dado. Objetivos. Avaliar a qualidade do sono de idosos não institucionalizados de Teresina (PI) e identificar problemas relacionados ao sono. Método: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, descritivo e observacional realizado no Bairro Vila da Paz, em Teresina (PI), com 65 idosos, em que foram utilizados instrumentos específicos para avaliação da qualidade do sono (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index – PSQI) e instrumentos elaborados pelos pesquisadores para caracterização sociodemográfica e dos hábitos de vida e da história clínica da amostra. Resultados: Do total de participantes, 63% (n=41) possuíam má qualidade de sono. Conclusão: A qualidade do sono é fator importante para a saúde e o bem-estar geral dos idosos.
Desempenho motor de escolares com e sem transtorno de déficit de atenção/hiperatividade (TDAH)
Authors: Da Silva Juliana , Contreira Andressa Ribeiro , Capistrano Renata , Beltrame Thaís Silva
Published: April 2012

Introdução: O Transtorno de Déficit de Atenção/Hiperatividade (TDAH) caracteriza-se por atividades excessivas ou dificuldades para sustentar a atenção e a persistência em tarefas do cotidiano, acarretando prejuízos em múltiplas áreas da vida do indivíduo. Objetivo: Comparar o desempenho motor de escolares com e sem indicativo de TDAH. Métodos: Participaram 39 crianças (9 a 12 anos), de ambos os sexos, matriculados em uma escola de São José (SC), sendo 20 com TDAH, e 19, sem. Para indicar o TDAH, utilizou-se o Manual Diagnóstico Estatístico de Transtornos Mentais; e para avaliação motora, o Movement Assessment Battery for Children. Resultados: Não houve associação do transtorno do desenvolvimento da coordenação e o TDAH. Entretanto, verificou-se um desempenho significativamente superior das crianças sem TDAH na categoria destrezas manuais (p=0,001) e desempenho motor total (p=0,034). Conclusão: Sugere-se a utilização de avaliações para triagem nas escolas e implementação de atividades motoras voltadas à população com e sem TDAH.
Coordenação motora de idosas
Authors: Katzer Juliana Izabel , Antes Danielle Ledur , Corazza Sara Teresinha
Published: April 2012

Introdução: O envelhecimento causa alterações físicas, motoras e cognitivas nas pessoas. Para minimizar esses efeitos, o idoso deve manter-se ativo fisicamente e assim melhorar os elementos motores fundamentais, como a coordenação motora, para garantir boas condições de saúde. Objetivo: Avaliar a coordenação motora de idosas praticantes e não praticantes de exercícios físicos. Métodos: Participaram 50 idosas, com idade média de 65,91±2,05 anos, sendo 25 ativas (G1); e 25, não ativas (G2). Para avaliar a coordenação motora, utilizou-se o teste de habilidades manuais de Andreotti e Okuma5. Resultados: Os tempos médios para executar a tarefa foram 7,72±1,79 segundos (G1) e 9,28±2,51 segundos (G2). O teste de coordenação motora apresentou diferença significante (Z= -2,354, p
Discordância na percepção da imagem corporal avaliada por meio da escala de silhuetas de forma crescente e aleatória
Authors: Paludo Ana Carolina , Ronque Enio Ricardo Vaz , Blasquez Gabriela , Goncalves Lidia Raquel Ferreira , Serassuelo Junior Hélio
Published: April 2012

Introdução: Utilizar um instrumento que avalie adequadamente a insatisfação corporal pode permitir um diagnóstico e tratamento precoce de adolescentes. Objetivo: Verificar a possível concordância nos resultados da escala de silhuetas em formato crescente e aleatório. Métodos: Participaram do estudo 238 adolescentes do sexo feminino, com idade entre 15 e 17 anos. Avaliaram-se medidas de massa corporal e estatura para cálculo do índice de massa corporal. Aplicou-se a escala de silhueta proposta por Stunkard et al.7, de forma crescente e, posteriormente, de forma aleatória. Para isso, foram aplicados os testes de McNemar e o índice Kappa. Resultados: Houve diferenças significantes entre as duas formas de aplicar a escala de silhuetas (p
Frequência de instabilidade lateral crônica do tornozelo de atletas de basquetebol: análise com o questionário FAOS
Authors: Macedo Christiane De S. Guerino , Guergoleto-Junior Célio , Alonso Carolina Saenz , Guirro Rinaldo Roberto de Jesus
Published: April 2012

Objetivo: Avaliar a frequência de instabilidade do tornozelo em atletas de basquetebol e sua relação com dor, outros sintomas, atividades de vida diária (AVD), função relacionada ao esporte e qualidade de vida. Método: Entrevistaram-se 88 atletas de basquetebol, gênero masculino, idade 22,15 (DP=5,02), participantes em competição esportiva, aplicando-se o questionário FAOS. Dividiu-se a amostra, considerando o score da variável “função relacionada ao esporte”, em grupo 1 (entre zero e 79 pontos) e grupo 2 (de 80 a 100 pontos), e, posteriormente, pela idade e pela posição de jogo. Resultados: Identificaram-se 69 (78,4%) jogadores com queixas referentes ao tornozelo relacionadas ao esporte. Todos os parâmetros avaliados pelo FAOS apresentaram diferença entre os grupos 1 e 2. A avaliação pela idade não evidenciou diferença significativa. Armadores apresentaram maiores sintomas que alas; e ala-pivôs informaram maiores queixas de AVDs que alas. Conclusão: Observaram-se elevada frequência de queixas relacionadas ao tornozelo dos atletas entrevistados e diferenças no resultados em relação à suas posições de jogo.
Electrically Tunable Nanoporous Carbon Hybrid Actuators
Authors: Shao Li‐Hua , Biener Juergen , Jin Hai‐Jun , Biener Monika M. , Baumann Theodore F. , Weissmüller Jörg
Published: April 2012

A novel nanoporous carbon/electrolyte hybrid material is reported for use in actuation. The nanoporous carbon matrix provides a 3D network that combines mechanical strength, light weight, and low cost with an extremely high surface area. In contrast to lower dimensional nanomaterials, the nanoporous carbon matrix can be prepared in the form of macroscopic monolithic samples that can be loaded in compression. The hybrid material is formed by infiltrating the free internal pore volume of the carbon with an electrolyte. Actuation is prompted by polarizing the internal interfaces via an applied electric bias. It is found that the strain amplitude is proportional to the Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) mass specific surface area, with reversible volume strain amplitudes up to the exceptionally high value of 6.6%. The mass‐specific strain energy density compares favorably to reported values for piezoceramics and for nanoporous metal actuators.
Sirenomelia and caudal malformations in two families
Authors: Gerard Marion , Layet Valérie , Costa Teresa , Roumazeilles Yves , Chenal Pierre , Cailliez Daniel , Gerard Bénédicte
Published: April 2012

We report on two families with co‐occurrence of sirenomelia and caudal malformations. In the first family, the mother had undergone surgery for a short form of imperforate anus. Her first pregnancy was terminated because of bilateral renal agenesis with oligohydramnios. Her second pregnancy was interrupted because of sirenomelia. The second family was referred to us because of caudal malformation in their two children. The parents' spinal radiographs were normal. The first pregnancy resulted in a girl with imperforate anus, absence of S3‐S5 and coccyx, abnormal pelvic floor, and an almost bifid anteriorly located bladder. The second pregnancy resulted in a baby girl with sirenomelia. No diabetes was present during the pregnancies in either of these two families. These families confirm the hypothesis that major genes are responsible for the embryogenesis of the caudal part of the embryo, with variable expression, as has been already described in sirenomelia mouse models (CYP26A1, BMP7/tsg). Molecular studies are underway in these families and in sporadic cases in our laboratory to explore the genetic basis of sirenomelia in humans. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Childhood socioeconomic status and adult brain size: Childhood socioeconomic status influences adult hippocampal size
Authors: Staff Roger T. , Murray Alison D. , Ahearn Trevor S. , Mustafa Nazahan , Fox Helen C. , Whalley Lawrence J.
Published: April 2012

Objective:

To investigate in older adults without dementia the relationships between socioeconomic status (SES) in childhood and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐derived brain volume measures typical of brain aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods:

Using a cross‐sectional and longitudinal observation approach, we invited volunteers without dementia, all born in 1936, and who were participants in the 1947 Scottish Mental Survey, for MR brain imaging; 249 of 320 (77%) agreed. We measured whole brain and hippocampal volumes and recorded childhood SES history, the number of years of education undertaken, and adult SES history. Mental ability at age 11 years was recorded in 1947 and was also available.

Results:

Analysis shows a significant association between childhood SES and hippocampal volume after adjusting for mental ability at age 11 years, adult SES, gender, and education.

Interpretation:

A significant association between childhood SES and hippocampal volumes in late life is consistent with the established neurodevelopmental findings that early life conditions have an effect on structural brain development. This remains detectable more than 50 years later. ANN NEUROL 2012;
Polyesters with small structural variations improve the mechanical properties of polylactide
Authors: Odelius Karin , Ohlson Madelen , Höglund Anders , Albertsson Ann‐Christine
Published: April 2012

Improving the properties of biodegradable polymeric materials is needed to obtain materials competitive with current bulk plastics. Low‐molecular weight polyesters with small differences in their backbone were synthesized using a straight‐forward method and were subsequently blended with polylactide (PLA). The materials showed an improved ductility of up to 100% points and otherwise retained material properties. The changes in mechanical properties were shown to match the miscibility range of the materials and can be predicted by the solubility parameters of the materials up to a polyester content of roughly 10% w/w. The thermal stability of all the low‐molecular weight polyesters was higher than that of PLA, and most 25% w/w blends showed a thermal degradation behavior similar to that of neat PLA. Low‐molecular weight polyesters were demonstrated as being potential enhancers of the properties of PLA, while the materials degradability was maintained. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
EFFECTS OF PLANT FLAVONOIDS ON Manduca sexta (TOBACCO HORNWORM) FIFTH LARVAL INSTAR MIDGUT AND FAT BODY MITOCHONDRIAL TRANSHYDROGENASE
Authors: Vandock Kurt P. , Mitchell Martin J. , Fioravanti Carmen F.
Published: April 2012

The reversible, membrane‐associated transhydrogenase that catalyzes hydride‐ion transfer between NADP(H) and NAD(H) was evaluated and compared to the corresponding NADH oxidase and succinate dehydrogenase activities in midgut and fat body mitochondria from fifth larval instar Manduca sexta. The developmentally significant NADPH‐forming transhydrogenation occurs as a nonenergy‐ or energy‐linked activity with energy for the latter derived from either electron transport‐dependent NADH or succinate utilization, or ATP hydrolysis by Mg++‐dependent ATPase. In general, the plant flavonoids examined (chyrsin, juglone, morine, quercetin, and myricetin) affected all reactions in a dose‐dependent fashion. Differences in the responses to the flavonoids were apparent, with the most notable being inhibition of midgut, but stimulation of fat body transhydrogenase by morin, and myricetin as also noted for NADH oxidase and succinate dehydrogenase. Although quercetin inhibited or stimulated transhydrogenase activity depending on the origin of mitochondria, it was without effect on either midgut or fat body NADH oxidase or succinate dehydrogenase. Observed sonication‐dependent increases in flavonoid inhibition may well reflect an alteration in membrane configuration, resulting in increased exposure of the enzyme systems to the flavonoids. The effects of flavonoids on the transhydrogenation, NADH oxidase, and succinate dehydrogenase reactions suggest that compounds of this nature may prove valuable in the control of insect populations by affecting these mitochondrial enzyme components.
Using psycholinguistic features for profiling first language of authors
Authors: Torney Rosemary , Vamplew Peter , Yearwood John
Published: April 2012

This study empirically evaluates the effectiveness of different feature types for the classification of the first language of an author. In particular, it examines the utility of psycholinguistic features, extracted by the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) tool, that have not previously been applied to the task of author profiling. As LIWC is a tool that has been developed in the psycholinguistic field rather than the computational linguistics field, it was hypothesized that it would be effective, both as a single type feature set because of its psycholinguistic basis, and in combination with other feature sets, because it should be sufficiently different to add insight rather than redundancy. It was found that LIWC features were competitive with previously used feature types in identifying the first language of an author, and that combined feature sets including LIWC features consistently showed better accuracy rates and average F measures than were achieved by the same feature sets without the LIWC features. As a secondary issue, this study also examined how effectively first language classification scaled up to a larger number of possible languages. It was found that the classification scheme scaled up effectively to the entire 16 language collection from the International Corpus of Learner English, when compared with results achieved on just 5 languages in previous research.
Enhanced taxane production and secretion from Taxus baccata cell culture by adding dimethylsulfoxide
Authors: Kajani Abolghasem Abbasi , Moghim Sharareh , Mofid Mohammad Reza
Published: April 2012

The ability of an aprotic solvent, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), to induce taxane synthesis and release from cell suspension culture of Taxus baccata was examined. The results showed that applying DMSO in optimal conditions not only led to enhancement in taxane excretion from the cells but also led to improvement in taxol synthesis. Maximum yields for taxol [3.34 mg/g dry cell weight (DCW)] were achieved by adding 5% DMSO to the culture at the late‐exponential phase of cell growth (day 14) and culturing for 21 days, which was 2.26‐fold of that for the control (1.48 mg/g DCW). However, adding 5% DMSO did not affect the yield of 10‐deacetyl baccatin III and baccatin III. This condition also resulted in maximum extracellular taxane (4.86 mg/L); this value was 2.82‐fold higher than that in the control (1.72 mg/L). We demonstrated that the late‐exponential phase of cell growth could be the best time to add elicitor for maximizing the yield of taxol. Adding DMSO at earlier times (days 1 and 7) or in other concentrations (1% and 3%) had negative effects on taxane synthesis. Overall results suggest that DMSO has good potential to enhance synthesis and release taxol from cell suspension culture of T. baccata L.
Incorporating temporal features of repeatedly measured covariates into tree‐structured survival models
Authors: Wallace Meredith L. , Anderson Stewart J. , Mazumdar Sati , Kong Lan , Mulsant Benoit H.
Published: April 2012

Tree‐structured survival methods empirically identify a series of covariate‐based binary split points, resulting in an algorithm that can be used to classify new patients into risk groups and subsequently guide clinical treatment decisions. Traditionally, only fixed‐time (e.g. baseline) values are used in tree‐structured models. However, this manuscript considers the scenario where temporal features of a repeated measures polynomial model, such as the slope and/or curvature, are useful for distinguishing risk groups to predict future outcomes. Both fixed‐ and random‐effects methods for estimating individual temporal features are discussed, and methods for including these features in a tree model and classifying new cases are proposed. A simulation study is performed to empirically compare the predictive accuracies of the proposed methods in a wide variety of model settings. For illustration, a tree‐structured survival model incorporating the linear rate of change of depressive symptomatology during the first four weeks of treatment for late‐life depression is used to identify subgroups of older adults who may benefit from an early change in treatment strategy.