bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are Extrasynaptic GABAAReceptors Important Targets for Sedative/Hypnotic Drugs?
Authors: Houston Catriona M. , McGee Thomas P. , MacKenzie Georgina , Troyano-Cuturi Kevin , Rodriguez Pablo Mateos , Kutsarova Elena , Diamanti Efthymia , Hosie Alastair M. , Franks Nicholas P. , Brickley Stephen G.
Published: March 2012

High-affinity extrasynaptic GABAAreceptors are persistently activated by the low ambient GABA levels that are known to be present in extracellular space. The resulting tonic conductance generates a form of shunting inhibition that is capable of altering cellular and network behavior. It has been suggested that this tonic inhibition will be enhanced by neurosteroids, antiepileptics, and sedative/hypnotic drugs. However, we show that the ability of sedative/hypnotic drugs to enhance tonic inhibition in the mouse cerebellum will critically depend on ambient GABA levels. For example, we show that the intravenous anesthetic propofol enhances tonic inhibition only when ambient GABA levels are <100 nm. More surprisingly, the actions of the sleep-promoting drug 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisothiazolo-[5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol (THIP) are attenuated at ambient GABA levels of just 20 nm. In contrast, our data suggest that neurosteroid enhancement of tonic inhibition will be greater at high ambient GABA concentrations. We present a model that takes into account realistic estimates of ambient GABA levels and predicted extrasynaptic GABAAreceptor numbers when considering the ability of sedative/hypnotic drugs to enhance tonic inhibition. These issues will be important when considering drug strategies designed to target extrasynaptic GABAAreceptors in the treatment of sleep disorders and other neurological conditions.
Quantitative Proteomic and Genetic Analyses of the Schizophrenia Susceptibility Factor Dysbindin Identify Novel Roles of the Biogenesis of Lysosome-Related Organelles Complex 1
Authors: Gokhale Avanti , Larimore Jennifer , Werner Erica , So Lomon , Moreno-De-Luca Andres , Lese-Martin Christa , Lupashin Vladimir V. , Smith Yoland , Faundez Victor
Published: March 2012

The Biogenesis of Lysosome-Related Organelles Complex 1 (BLOC-1) is a protein complex containing the schizophrenia susceptibility factor dysbindin, which is encoded by the geneDTNBP1. However, mechanisms engaged by dysbindin defining schizophrenia susceptibility pathways have not been quantitatively elucidated. Here, we discovered prevalent and novel cellular roles of the BLOC-1 complex in neuronal cells by performing large-scale Stable Isotopic Labeling of Cells in Culture (SILAC) quantitative proteomics combined with genetic analyses in dysbindin-null mice (Mus musculus) and the genome of schizophrenia patients. We identified 24 proteins that associate with the BLOC-1 complex, many of which were altered in content/distribution in cells or tissues deficient in BLOC-1. New findings include BLOC-1 interactions with the COG complex, a Golgi apparatus tether, and antioxidant enzymes peroxiredoxins 1–2. Importantly, loci encoding eight of the 24 proteins are affected by genomic copy number variation in schizophrenia patients. Thus, our quantitative proteomic studies expand the functional repertoire of the BLOC-1 complex and provide insight into putative molecular pathways of schizophrenia susceptibility.
Dorsoventral Differences in Intrinsic Properties in Developing CA1 Pyramidal Cells
Authors: Marcelin Béatrice , Liu Zhiqiang , Chen Yuncai , Lewis Alan S. , Becker Albert , McClelland Shawn , Chetkovich Dane M. , Migliore Michele , Baram Tallie Z. , Esclapez Monique , Bernard Christophe
Published: March 2012

The dorsoventral and developmental gradients of entorhinal layer II cell grid properties correlate with their resonance properties and with their hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) ion channel current characteristics. We investigated whether such correlation existed in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells, where place fields also show spatial and temporal gradients. Resonance was absent during the first postnatal week, and emerged during the second week. Resonance was stronger in dorsal than ventral cells, in accord with HCN current properties. Resonance responded to cAMP in ventral but not in dorsal cells. The dorsoventral distribution of HCN1 and HCN2 subunits and of the auxiliary protein tetratricopeptide repeat-containing Rab8b-interacting protein (TRIP8b) could account for these differences between dorsal and ventral cells. The analogous distribution of the intrinsic properties of entorhinal stellate and hippocampal cells suggests the existence of general rules of organization among structures that process complementary features of the environment.
Lost in Transition: Aging-Related Changes in Executive Control by the Medial Prefrontal Cortex
Authors: Caetano Marcelo S. , Horst Nicole K. , Harenberg Linda , Liu Benjamine , Arnsten Amy F. T. , Laubach Mark
Published: March 2012

Neural correlates of aging in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) were studied using an operant delayed response task. The task used blocks of trials with memory-guided (delayed alternation) and visually-guided (stimulus-response) responding. Older rats (24 months) performed at a slow pace compared with younger rats (6 months). They wasted time engaged in nonessential behaviors (e.g., licking on spouts beyond the period of reward delivery) and were slow to respond at the end of the delay period. Aged mPFC neurons showed normal spatial processing. They differed from neurons in younger rats by having reduced modulations by imperative stimuli indicating reward availability and reduced activity associated with response latencies for reward collection. Older rats showed reduced sensitivity to imperative stimuli at three levels of neural activity: reduced fractions of neurons with changes in firing rate around the stimulus, reduced correlation over neurons at the time of the stimulus as measured with analysis of population activity, and reduced amplitudes of event-related fluctuations in intracortical field potentials at the time of the imperative stimulus. Our findings suggest that aging alters the encoding of time-sensitive information and impairs the ability of prefrontal networks to keep subjects “on task.”
Spatial Firing Correlates of Physiologically Distinct Cell Types of the Rat Dentate Gyrus
Authors: Neunuebel Joshua P. , Knierim James J.
Published: March 2012

The dentate gyrus (DG) occupies a key position in information flow through the hippocampus. Its principal cell, the granule cell, has spatially selective place fields. However, the behavioral correlates of cells located in the hilus of the rat dentate gyrus are unknown. We report here that cells below the granule layer show spatially selective firing that consists of multiple subfields. Other cells recorded from the DG had single place fields. Compared with cells with multiple fields, cells with single fields fired at lower rates during sleep were less bursty, and were more likely to be recorded simultaneously with large populations of neurons that were active during sleep and silent during behavior. We propose that cells with single fields are likely to be mature granule cells that use sparse encoding to potentially disambiguate input patterns. Furthermore, we hypothesize that cells with multiple fields might be cells of the hilus or newborn granule cells. These data are the first demonstration, based on physiological criteria, that single- and multiple-field cells constitute at least two distinct cell classes in the DG. Because of the heterogeneity of firing correlates and cell types in the DG, understanding which cell types correspond to which firing patterns, and how these correlates change with behavioral state and between different environments, are critical questions for testing long-standing computational theories that the DG performs a pattern separation function using a very sparse coding strategy.
Functional Features of Trans-Differentiated Hair Cells Mediated by Atoh1 Reveals a Primordial Mechanism
Authors: Yang Juanmei , Bouvron Sonia , Lv Ping , Chi Fanglu , Yamoah Ebenezer N.
Published: March 2012

Evolution has transformed a simple ear with few vestibular maculae into a complex three-dimensional structure consisting of nine distinct endorgans. It is debatable whether the sensory epithelia underwent progressive segregation or emerged from distinct sensory patches. To address these uncertainties we examined the morphological and functional phenotype of trans-differentiated rat hair cells to reveal their primitive or endorgan-specific origins. Additionally, it is uncertain how Atoh1-mediated trans-differentiated hair cells trigger the processes that establish their neural ranking from the vestibulocochlear ganglia. We have demonstrated that the morphology and functional expression of ionic currents in trans-differentiated hair cells resemble those of “ancestral” hair cells, even at the lesser epithelia ridge aspects of the cochlea. The structures of stereociliary bundles of trans-differentiated hair cells were in keeping with cells in the vestibule. Functionally, the transient expression of Na+andIhcurrents initiates and promotes evoked spikes. Additionally, Ca2+current was expressed and underwent developmental changes. These events correlate well with the innervation of ectopic hair cells. New “born” hair cells at the abneural aspects of the cochlea are innervated by spiral ganglion neurons, presumably under the tropic influence of chemoattractants. The disappearance of inward currents coincides well with the attenuation of evoked electrical activity, remarkably recapitulating the development of hair cells. Ectopic hair cells underwent stepwise changes in the magnitude and kinetics of transducer currents. We propose that Atoh1 mediates trans-differentiation of morphological and functional “ancestral” hair cells that are likely to undergo diversification in an endorgan-specific manner.
Action of the Noradrenergic System on Adult-Born Cells Is Required for Olfactory Learning in Mice
Authors: Moreno Melissa M. , Bath Kevin , Kuczewski Nicola , Sacquet Joëlle , Didier Anne , Mandairon Nathalie
Published: March 2012

We have previously shown that an experience-driven improvement in olfactory discrimination (perceptual learning) requires the addition of newborn neurons in the olfactory bulb (OB). Despite this advance, the mechanisms which govern the selective survival of newborn OB neurons following learning remain largely unknown. We propose that activity of the noradrenergic system is a critical mediator providing a top-down signal to control the selective survival of newly born cells and support perceptual learning.

In adult mice, we used pharmacological means to manipulate the noradrenergic system and neurogenesis and to assess their individual and additive effects on behavioral performance on a perceptual learning task. We then looked at the effects of these manipulations on regional survival of adult-born cells in the OB. Finally, using confocal imaging and electrophysiology, we investigated potential mechanisms by which noradrenaline could directly influence the survival of adult-born cells.

Consistent with our hypotheses, direct manipulation of noradrenergic transmission significantly effect on adult-born cell survival and perceptual learning. Specifically, learning required both the presence of adult-born cell and noradrenaline. Finally, we provide a mechanistic link between these effects by showing that adult-born neurons receive noradrenergic projections and are responsive to noradrenaline.

Based upon these data we argue that noradrenergic transmission is a key mechanism selecting adult-born neurons during learning and demonstrate that top-down neuromodulation acts on adult-born neuron survival to modulate learning performance.
Mikrowellenbasierter Massendurchflusssensor auf Basis von zweidimensionalen linkshändigen Leitungsstrukturen
Authors: Penirschke Andreas , Angelovski Aleksandar , Jakoby Rolf
Published: March 2012

In diesem Beitrag wird eine Anwendung eines kompakten Massendurchflusssensors auf Basis von resonanten “Kompositen Rechts-/Linkshändigen” Leitungsstrukturen (CRLH) mit erhöhter Empfindlichkeit im Vergleich zu herkömmlichen, mikrowellenbasierten Sensoren zur Bestimmung des Massenstroms in pneumatischen Förderanlagen vorgestellt. Das Konzept besteht aus einer periodischen Struktur von in Reihe geschalteten Kondensatoren und parallel geschalteten Induktivitäten mit makroskopisch negativer Permeabilität und Permittivität — den sogenannten Metamaterialien. Die simultane Erfassung der Geschwindigkeit und der Feststoff/Luft-Konzentration aus einer einzigen Messung ermöglicht die Messung des Massendurchflusses in Echtzeit. Die Anordnung einer oder mehrerer CRLH-Leitungsstrukturen zu einer Spiralform, eröffnet weiterhin die Möglichkeit, die Verteilung des Durchflusses über dem Förderrohrquerschnitt des Materials zu bestimmen, um die Genauigkeit des Sensors zu erhöhen. Zur Überprüfung des Sensorkonzeptes wurde ein Prototyp aufgebaut und in einem dedizierten Messsystem vermessen. Mögliche Anwendungsgebiete dieser Sensoren sind die Bestimmung des Massendurchflusses von Luft/Feststoff-, Luft/Flüssigkeit- und Flüssigkeit/Feststoff-Mischungen in der industriellen Prozessüberwachung.
Laserbasierte Charakterisierung und Kalibrierung von radiometrischen Detektoren für rückführbare Messungen
Authors: Schuster Michaela , Nevas Saulius , Sperling Armin
Published: March 2012

Rückführbarkeit ist von entscheidender Bedeutung für die weltweite Vergleichbarkeit von Messungen im Bereich Photometrie und Radiometrie. Hier soll zum Einen die Notwendigkeit einer rückführbaren Kalibrierung erläutert und zum Anderen die hierfür eingesetzten Lasermessplätze der PTB mit ausgewählte Messungen zur spektralen Empfindlichkeit von radiometrischen Empfängern und zur Charakterisierung von Spektroradiometern vorgestellt werden.
India in 2011
Authors: Chadda Maya
Published: March 2012

The year 2011 was marked by several important developments: a massive uprising of the people, spearheaded by a powerful civil society movement for the reform of India's corrupt and criminalized democracy; an attempt by the central government to reform antiquated land acquisition laws for public use; a growing disillusionment with the United Progressive Alliance government; the slowing down of India's eight-year-long run of rapid growth; and a growing convergence of interests between India and other powers in the region, except China.
Indonesia in 2011
Authors: Kimura Ehito
Published: March 2012

Corruption and political infighting continued to dominate the headlines in Indonesia in 2011. While lawmakers and political parties continued to be deeply unpopular, new developments dragged President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's popularity down to all-time lows. Religious violence ticked upward and took new forms. Meanwhile, the economy posted strong gains, and the government continued to look for ways to raise its profile on the international stage.
South Korea in 2011
Authors: Katz Katrin , Cha Victor
Published: March 2012

The year 2011 saw South Korea deepen bilateral cooperation with the United States while building its status as a global player on the international stage. These developments were facilitated by broader regional dynamics—particularly with respect to Japan and China—that helped push Washington and Seoul closer together. Key issues with the potential to redirect South Korea's bilateral and global trajectories in the coming months include the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, the death of Kim Jong-il and policy toward North Korea, and election year politics in South Korea.
Mongolia in 2011
Authors: Narangoa Li
Published: March 2012

Mongolia has been successfully developing its external relations and mining sectors for some years, but 2011 marked a new stage in its success in these areas. The mining boom pushed economic growth to a new level; Mongolia is now one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
Carnival of Exception: Gabriele D'Annunzio's “Dialogues with the Crowd”
Authors: Skradol Natalia
Published: March 2012

The essay analyses several excerpts from Gabriele D'Annunzio's public speeches from the period of his reign in the town of Fiume as a self-appointed dictator. The concept of the “state of exception” as explored by Giorgio Agamben and Mikhail Bakhtin's notion of the carnival are applied to a reading of D'Annunzio's exercises in political rhetoric.
Adaptation of ghrelin and the GH/IGF axis to high altitude
Authors: Riedl Stefan , Kluge Michael , Schweitzer Katharina , Waldhör Thomas , Frisch Herwig
Published: March 2012

Objective

High altitude (HA) provokes a variety of endocrine adaptive processes. We investigated the impact of HA on ghrelin levels and the GH/IGF axis.

Design

Observational study as part of a medical multidisciplinary project in a mountainous environment.

Methods

Thirty-three probands (12 females) were investigated at three timepoints during ascent to HA (A: d −42, 120 m; B: d +4, 3440 m; C: d +14, 5050 m). The following parameters were obtained: ghrelin; GH; GH-binding protein (GHBP); IGF1; IGF2; IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) -1, -2, and -3; acid-labile subunit (ALS); and insulin. Weight was monitored and general well being assessed using the Lake Louise acute mountain sickness (AMS) score.

Results

Ghrelin (150 vs 111 pg/ml;P<0.01) and GH (3.4 vs 1.7 μg/l;P<0.01) were significantly higher at timepoint C compared with A whereas GHBP, IGF1, IGF2, IGFBP3, ALS, and insulin levels did not change. IGFBP1 (58 vs 47 μg/l;P<0.05) and, even more pronounced, IGFBP2 (1141 vs 615 μg/l;P<0.001) increased significantly. No correlation, neither sex-specific nor in the total group, between individual weight loss (females: −2.1 kg; males: −5.1 kg) and rise in ghrelin was found. Five of the subjects did not reach investigation point C due to AMS.

Conclusions

After 14 days of exposure to HA, we observed a significant ghrelin and GH increase without changes in GHBP, IGF1, IGF2, IGFBP3, ALS, and insulin. Higher GH seems to be needed for acute metabolic effects rather than IGF/IGFBP3 generation. Increased IGFBP1 and -2 may reflect effects from HA on IGF bioavailability.
Arrest of atherosclerosis progression after interruption of GH replacement in adults with congenital isolated GH deficiency
Authors: Araujo Vanessa P , Aguiar-Oliveira Manuel H , Oliveira Joselina L M , Rocha Hertaline M N , Oliveira Carla R P , Rodrigues Tânia M A , Nunes Marco A , Britto Isabella M P A , Ximenes Roberto , Barreto-Filho Jose A S , Meneguz-Moreno Rafael A , Pereira Rossana M C , Valença Eugênia H O , Oliveira-Neto Luiz A , Vicente Taisa A R , Blackford Amanda , Salvatori Roberto
Published: March 2012

Objective

GH replacement therapy (GHRT) in adult-onset GH deficiency (AOGHD) reduces carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and increases myocardial mass, with improvement of systolic and diastolic function. These observations have reinforced the use of GHRT on AOGHD. Conversely, we have previously reported that in adults with lifetime congenital and severe isolated GH deficiency (IGHD) due to a mutation inGHRHreceptor gene (GHRHR), a 6-month treatment with depot GH increased carotid IMT, caused the development of atherosclerotic plaques, and an increase in left ventricular mass index (LVMI), posterior wall, and septal thickness and ejection fraction. Such effects persisted 12 months after treatment (12-month washout – 12mo).

Methods

We have studied the cardiovascular status (by echocardiography and carotid ultrasonography) of these subjects 60 months after completion of therapy (60-month washout – 60mo).

Results

Carotid IMT reduced significantly from 12 to 60mo, returning to baseline (pre-therapy) value. The number of individuals with plaques was similar at 12 and 60mo, remaining higher than pre-therapy. LVMI, relative posterior wall thickness, and septum thickness did not change between 12 and 60mo, but absolute posterior wall increased from 12 to 60mo. Systolic function, evaluated by ejection fraction and shortening fraction, was reduced at 60mo in comparison with 12mo returning to baseline levels. TheE/Awave ratio (expression of diastolic function) decreased at 60mo compared with both 12mo and baseline.

Conclusions

In adults with lifetime congenital IGHD, the increase in carotid IMT elicited by GHRT was transitory and returned to baseline 5 years after therapy discontinuation. Despite this, the number of subjects with plaques remained stable at 60mo and higher than at baseline.
A Screen for Round Egg Mutants inDrosophilaIdentifies Tricornered, Furry, and Misshapen as Regulators of Egg Chamber Elongation
Authors: Horne-Badovinac Sally , Hill Joseph , Gerlach Gary , Menegas William , Bilder David
Published: March 2012

The elongation of tissues and organs during embryonic development results from the coordinate polarization of cell behaviors with respect to the elongation axis. Within the Drosophila melanogaster ovary, initially spherical egg chambers lengthen dramatically as they develop to create the elliptical shape of the mature egg. This morphogenesis depends on an unusual form of planar polarity within the egg chamber’s outer epithelial cell layer known as the follicle cells. Disruption of follicle cell planar polarity leads to the production of round rather than elongated eggs; however, the molecular mechanisms that control this tissue organization are poorly understood. Starting from a broadly based forward genetic screen, we have isolated 12 new round egg complementation groups, and have identified four of the mutated genes. In mapping the largest complementation group to the fat2 locus, we unexpectedly discovered a high incidence of cryptic fat2 mutations in the backgrounds of publicly available stocks. Three other complementation groups correspond to the genes encoding the cytoplasmic signaling proteins Tricornered (Trc), Furry (Fry), and Misshapen (Msn). Trc and Fry are known members of an NDR kinase signaling pathway, and as a Ste20-like kinase, Msn may function upstream of Trc. We show that all three proteins are required for follicle cell planar polarity at early stages of egg chamber elongation and that Trc shows a planar polarized distribution at the basal follicle cell surface. These results indicate that this new mutant collection is likely to provide novel insight into the molecular mechanisms controlling follicle cell planar polarity and egg chamber elongation.
Production of a Natural Antibody to the Mouse Polyoma Virus Is a Multigenic Trait
Authors: Andrews Erik , Velupillai Palanivel , Sung Chang Kyoo , Beier David R , Benjamin Thomas
Published: March 2012

MA/MyJ mice express a natural antibody to the highly oncogenic polyoma virus. C57BR/cdJ mice lack this antibody but mount an adaptive T-cell response to the virus. Analysis of F2 progeny of a cross between these strains reveals a pattern of inheritance of expression of the natural antibody involving two genes in an epistatic relationship.
Avaliação da concordância na aplicação da Escala de Braden interobservadores
Authors: Rogenski Noemi Marisa Brunet , Kurcgant Paulina
Published: March 2012

OBJETIVOS: Verificar a prevalência de úlcera por pressão nas unidades de internação de pacientes adultos do Hospital Universitário da Universidade de São Paulo (HU-USP) e verificar a concordância entre observadores na avaliação de risco, por meio da Escala de Braden. MÉTODOS: Estudo exploratório, quantitativo. Os dados foram coletados por seis colaboradoras treinadas que realizaram exame físico e avaliação de risco em 87 pacientes, avaliação esta considerada "padrão ouro". Os dados das avaliações feitas pelas enfermeiras, nos mesmos pacientes, foram coletados dos prontuários. RESULTADOS: verificou-se prevalência de 19,5% no hospital e 63,6% na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva, 15,6% na Clínica Cirúrgica, 13,9% na Clínica Médica e 0% na Semi-Intensiva. Quanto à concordância entre os observadores na avaliação clínica dos pacientes, a percepção sensorial, atividade, mobilidade e fricção/cisalhamento apresentaram fortíssima concordância. Umidade e nutrição, baixa concordância, sugerindo que esses subescores deverão ser discutidos para verificar as causas da controvérsia. CONCLUSÃO: Estudos de prevalência de úlcera por pressão possibilitam verificar a extensão do problema e fornecem subsídios para construção de estratégias e programas de prevenção.
Sinvastatina e lesão renal aguda isquêmica em ratos
Authors: Teshima Claudia Akemi Shibuya , Watanabe Mirian , Fonseca Cassiane Dezoti da , Vattimo Maria de Fátima Fernandes
Published: March 2012

OBJETIVOS: O estudo visou verificar a ação renoprotetora da sinvastatina em modelo animal de isquemia/reperfusão por 30 minutos. MÉTODOS: A isquemia foi obtida por meio do clampeamento dos pedículos renais bilaterais por 30 minutos, seguida de reperfusão. Ratos Wistar, machos foram usados pesando entre 250-300g, distribuídos nos seguintes grupos: SHAM (controle, sem clampeamento renal); Isquemia (isquemia renal por 30 minutos); Isquemia+Estatina (sinvastatina 0,5 mg/kg, via oral durante três dias). A função renal (clearance de creatinina, método de Jaffé), a osmolalidade urinária, os peróxidos urinários foram avaliados. RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostraram que a estatina melhorou a função renal, a osmolalidade urinária e reduziu a excreção de PU. CONCLUSÃO: Em síntese, o estudo confirmou o efeito renoprotetor da estatina, com ação antioxidante de proteção renal.
Carga de trabalho de enfermagem em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva de um hospital de ensino
Authors: Panunto Marcia Raquel , Guirardello Edinêis de Brito
Published: March 2012

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a carga de trabalho de enfermagem em uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) - adulto e descrever o perfil dos pacientes, nela, internados. MÉTODOS: estudo descritivo com o uso do Nursing Activities Score - NAS durante 33 dias em uma UTI com capacidade para 18 leitos. RESULTADOS: Foram 574 observações, obtidas do registro de 107 pacientes e a média da pontuação do NAS foi de 62,2%. CONCLUSÃO: O NAS constitui-se em um importante instrumento para mensurar a carga de trabalho de enfermagem em UTI, uma vez que contempla diversas atividades de enfermagem realizadas no dia a dia da assistência. Ressalta-se a importância de tornar sua aplicação parte do cotidiano do enfermeiro.
Fatores terapêuticos em grupo de suporte na perspectiva da coordenação e dos membros do grupo
Authors: Santos Leidiene Ferreira , Oliveira Lizete Malagoni de Almeida Cavalcante , Munari Denize Bouttelet , Peixoto Myrian Karla Ayres Veronez , Barbosa Maria Alves
Published: March 2012

OBJETIVO: Identificar os fatores terapêuticos presentes nas sessões de um Grupo de Apoio a Pais e Familiares de crianças hospitalizadas, na perspectiva dos participantes e da coordenação do grupo. MÉTODOS: Pesquisa descritiva, exploratória. Os dados foram obtidos por intermédio de um check list preenchido pelos familiares e pela identificação de fatores terapêuticos das coordenadoras do grupo. RESULTADOS: Os familiares indicaram a presença dos seguintes fatores terapêuticos no grupo: coesão, compartilhamento de informações, universalidade, fatores existenciais, desenvolvimento de técnicas de socialização, instilação de esperança, altruísmo, aprendizagem interpessoal e comportamento imitativo; as coordenadoras identificaram: coesão, compartilhamento de informações, universalidade e fatores existenciais. CONCLUSÃO: A identificação dos fatores terapêuticos é uma importante ferramenta que pode ser usada para avaliar se os membros estão se beneficiando de sua participação no grupo.
Validación al español de la escala de auto percepción de carga de cuidado
Authors: Arechabala María Cecilia , Catoni María Isabel , Barrios Silvia , Palma Eugenia
Published: March 2012

OBJETIVO: Validar al español la "Escala de Auto percepción de Carga" de Cousineau (2003) en su versión larga. MÉTODOS: La muestra estuvo formada por 161 pacientes sometidos a HDC. La escala se tradujo al español, se realizó una aplicación piloto en 10 pacientes y a continuación se elaboró el instrumento final que fue sometido al proceso de validación. RESULTADOS: La confiabilidad de la escala se mantuvo estable al ir eliminando cada uno de los ítems, fluctuando el Alpha de Cronbach entre 0.903 y 0.915. Por lo anterior, se decide mantener los 25 ítems originales en la versión en español. CONCLUSIÓN: La confiabilidad total del instrumento fue de 0.91, muy cercana a la obtenida en la versión original (0.93).
Community ecology in the age of multivariate multiscale spatial analysis
Authors: Dray S. , Pélissier R. , Couteron P. , Fortin M.-J. , Legendre P. , Peres-Neto P. R. , Bellier E. , Bivand R. , Blanchet F. G. , De Cáceres M. , Dufour A.-B. , Heegaard E. , Jombart T. , Munoz F. , Oksanen J. , Thioulouse J. , Wagner H. H.
Published: March 2012

Species spatial distributions are the result of population demography, behavioral traits, and species interactions in spatially heterogeneous environmental conditions. Hence the composition of species assemblages is an integrative response variable, and its variability can be explained by the complex interplay among several structuring factors. The thorough analysis of spatial variation in species assemblages may help infer processes shaping ecological communities. We suggest that ecological studies would benefit from the combined use of the classical statistical models of community composition data, such as constrained or unconstrained multivariate analyses of site‐by‐species abundance tables, with rapidly emerging and diversifying methods of spatial pattern analysis. Doing so allows one to deal with spatially explicit ecological models of beta diversity in a biogeographic context through the multiscale analysis of spatial patterns in original species data tables, including spatial characterization of fitted or residual variation from environmental models. We summarize here the recent progress for specifying spatial features through spatial weighting matrices and spatial eigenfunctions in order to define spatially constrained or scale‐explicit multivariate analyses. Through a worked example on tropical tree communities, we also show the potential of the overall approach to identify significant residual spatial patterns that could arise from the omission of important unmeasured explanatory variables or processes.
Product Costs as Decision Aids: An Analysis of Alternative Approaches (Part 2)
Authors: Balakrishnan Ramji , Labro Eva , Sivaramakrishnan K.
Published: March 2012

SYNOPSIS

In the first part of this two-part paper (Balakrishnan et al. 2012), we used a common platform to characterize four popular approaches for computing product costs. In this part, we compare the approaches along three dimensions: (1) the cost of system implementation and maintenance, (2) the ability to provide decision-relevant data, and (3) the provision of incentives to manage the demand for resources. As no system clearly dominates, we show how future approaches might blend the best features of current systems.
Corporate Reporting of Nonfinancial Leading Indicators of Economic Performance and Sustainability
Authors: Cohen Jeffrey R. , Holder-Webb Lori L. , Nath Leda , Wood David
Published: March 2012

SYNOPSIS

The call for disclosure of nonfinancial information has grown in response to the awareness that financial statements omit salient information about the company (Adams et al. 2011). This study follows earlier studies of nonfinancial disclosures of governance and corporate social responsibility information (Holder-Webb et al. 2008, 2009) and examines the public voluntary disclosure of a set of leading indicators of economic performance and sustainability of earnings provided during 2004 by a sample of 50 publicly traded firms across five industries. The results indicate that, among the sample firms, there remains a lack of rigorous and expansive disclosure of this type of information and that considerable variability exists in disclosure practice based on both industry and size. For example, companies disclose a wide variety of nonfinancial information both through mandatory filings such as 10-Ks and through alternative sources such as investor promotion materials and company websites, with the most frequent types of disclosures being concerned with information pertaining to market share and innovation. We conclude by discussing the role of this study within recent developments in integrative reporting (Adams et al. 2011) and suggest that these types of disclosures would benefit from the availability of assurance services.

Data Availability: All information used in this paper is available from public sources.
Description of quotient algebras in function algebras containing continuous unbounded functions
Authors: Abel Mati , Arhippainen Jorma , Kauppi Jukka
Published: March 2012

Let X be a completely regular Hausdorff space,
$$\mathfrak{S}$$
a cover of X, and
$$C_b (X,\mathbb{K};\mathfrak{S})$$
the algebra of all
$$\mathbb{K}$$
-valued continuous functions on X which are bounded on every
$$S \in \mathfrak{S}$$
. A description of quotient algebras of
$$C_b (X,\mathbb{K};\mathfrak{S})$$
is given with respect to the topologies of uniform and strict convergence on the elements of
$$\mathfrak{S}$$
.
Increased In-Shoe Lateral Plantar Pressures with Chronic Ankle Instability
Authors: Schmidt Heather , Sauer Lindsay D. , Lee Sae Yong , Saliba Susan , Hertel Jay
Published: March 2012

Background:

Previous plantar pressure research found increased loads and slower loading response on the lateral aspect of the foot during gait with chronic ankle instability compared to healthy controls. The studies had subjects walking barefoot over a pressure mat and results have not been confirmed with an in-shoe plantar pressure system. Our purpose was to report in-shoe plantar pressure measures for chronic ankle instability subjects compared to healthy controls.

Methods:

Forty-nine subjects volunteered (25 healthy controls, 24 chronic ankle instability) for this case-control study. Subjects jogged continuously on a treadmill at 2.68 m/s (6.0 mph) while three trials of ten consecutive steps were recorded. Peak pressure, time-to-peak pressure, pressure-time integral, maximum force, time-to-maximum force, and force-time integral were assessed in nine regions of the foot with the Pedar-x in-shoe plantar pressure system (Novel, Munich, Germany).

Results:

Chronic ankle instability subjects demonstrated a slower loading response in the lateral rearfoot indicated by a longer time-to-peak pressure (16.5% ± 10.1, p = 0.001) and time-to-maximum force (16.8% ± 11.3, p = 0.001) compared to controls (6.5% ± 3.7 and 6.6% ± 5.5, respectively). In the lateral midfoot, ankle instability subjects demonstrated significantly greater maximum force (318.8 N ± 174.5, p = 0.008) and peak pressure (211.4 kPa ± 57.7, p = 0.008) compared to controls (191.6 N ± 74.5 and 161.3 kPa ± 54.7). Additionally, ankle instability subjects demonstrated significantly higher force-time integral (44.1 N/s ± 27.3, p = 0.005) and pressure-time integral (35.0 kPa/s ± 12.0, p = 0.005) compared to controls (23.3 N/s ± 10.9 and 24.5 kPa/s ± 9.5). In the lateral forefoot, ankle instability subjects demonstrated significantly greater maximum force (239.9N ± 81.2, p = 0.004), force-time integral (37.0 N/s ± 14.9, p = 0.003), and time-to-peak pressure (51.1% ± 10.9, p = 0.007) compared to controls (170.6 N ± 49.3, 24.3 N/s ± 7.2 and 43.8% ± 4.3).

Conclusion:

Using an in-shoe plantar pressure system, chronic ankle instability subjects had greater plantar pressures and forces in the lateral foot compared to controls during jogging.

Clinical Relevance:

These findings may have implications in the etiology and treatment of chronic ankle instability. Level of Evidence: III, Retrospective Case Control Study
Osteoid Osteoma of the Talus Presenting as Posterior Ankle Impingement: Case Reports
Authors: Winters Keith N. , Jowett Andrew J. L. , Taylor Heath
Published: March 2012

Level of Evidence: V, Expert Opinion
Comparison of Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Physical Examination for Syndesmotic Injury after Lateral Ankle Sprain
Authors: de César Paulo César , Ávila Eduardo Muller , de Abreu Marcelo Rodrigues
Published: March 2012

Background:

Clinical assessment of syndesmotic injury usually consists of two tests: the ankle external rotation test and squeeze test. This study sought to determine the sensitivity and specificity of both for syndesmotic injury secondary to lateral ankle sprain.

Methods:

Fifty-six patients with sprained ankles underwent clinical examination for syndesmotic injury with the aforementioned tests. Clinical findings were compared against magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the ankle. Sprains were graded on anatomical and functional classification scales, and correlation and agreement between both scales were assessed.

Results:

The MRI prevalence of syndesmotic injury in patients with lateral ankle sprains was 17.8%. Sensitivity and specificity were 30% and 93.5% for the squeeze test, and 20% and 84.8% for the external rotation test, respectively. Using the anatomical scale for sprain grading, 40% of syndesmotic injuries occurred in Grade I, 40% in Grade II, and 20% in Grade III sprains. Ten percent of patients with syndesmotic injury had no lateral ligament injury on MRI, 70% had injury of the anterior talofibular (ATFL) ligament, and 20% had injury to the ATFL and calcaneofibular (CFL).

Conclusion:

The sensitivity of the squeeze test and external rotation test was low, suggesting that physical examination often fails to diagnose syndesmotic injury. Conversely, specificity was very high; nearly all patients with a positive test actually had syndesmotic injury. Severity of ankle sprain was not associated with prevalence of syndesmotic injury. Level of Evidence: II, Prospective Comparative Study
Critical Review of Self-Reported Functional Ankle Instability Measures
Authors: Donahue Matthew , Simon Janet , Docherty Carrie L.
Published: March 2012

Background:

Since functional ankle instability (FAI) lacks a “gold standard” measure, a variety of self-reported ankle instability measures have been created. The purpose of this study was to determine which ankle instability measure identifies individuals who meet a minimum acceptable criterion for FAI.

Methods:

Participants volunteered from a large university population which included 242 participants (104 males, 138 females; 21.4 ± 1.4 years). The predictor variables were seven ankle instability questionnaires: Ankle Instability Instrument (AII), Ankle Joint Functional Assessment Tool (AJFAT), Chronic Ankle Instability Scale (CAIS), Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), Foot and Ankle Instability Questionnaire (FAIQ), and Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS). The outcome variable (MC_FAI) was created based on the minimum acceptable criteria for FAI. This was established as at least one ankle sprain and an episode of giving way. Data were modeled using chi-square and multinomial logistic regression.

Results:

The regression model revealed all of the questionnaires were more useful at identifying participants who did not meet the minimum criteria for FAI (No MC_FAI = 95.7%, MC_FAI = 55.6%, overall = 84.6%). Based on the Wald criterion, the full model was reduced to the CAIT, AII, and FAAM. The reduced model revealed the CAIT (X 2 = 8.756, p = 0.003) and AII (X 2 = 31.992, p = 0.001) as the only variables that had a significant relationship with the outcome variable.

Conclusion:

The model illustrates no single measure was able to predict if individuals met the minimally accepted criteria for FAI. However, a significantly accurate prediction of ankle stability status was produced by combining the CAIT and AII.

Clinical Relevance:

Based on the results we recommend that researchers and clinicians use both the CAIT and AII to determine ankle stability status.
American Cancer Society, American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, and American Society for Clinical Pathology screening guidelines for the prevention and early detection of cervical cancer
Authors: Saslow Debbie , Solomon Diane , Lawson Herschel W. , Killackey Maureen , Kulasingam Shalini L. , Cain Joanna , Garcia Francisco A. R. , Moriarty Ann T. , Waxman Alan G. , Wilbur David C. , Wentzensen Nicolas , Downs Levi S. , Spitzer Mark , Moscicki Anna‐Barbara , Franco Eduardo L. , Stoler Mark H. , Schiffman Mark , Castle Philip E. , Myers Evan R. ,   ACS‐ASCCP‐ASCP Cervical Cancer Guideline Committee
Published: March 2012

An update to the American Cancer Society (ACS) guideline regarding screening for the early detection of cervical precancerous lesions and cancer is presented. The guidelines are based on a systematic evidence review, contributions from 6 working groups, and a recent symposium cosponsored by the ACS, the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, and the American Society for Clinical Pathology, which was attended by 25 organizations. The new screening recommendations address age‐appropriate screening strategies, including the use of cytology and high‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, follow‐up (eg, the management of screen positives and screening intervals for screen negatives) of women after screening, the age at which to exit screening, future considerations regarding HPV testing alone as a primary screening approach, and screening strategies for women vaccinated against HPV16 and HPV18 infections. CA Cancer J Clin 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Evaluation of Biofertilizers in Irrigated Rice: Effects on Grain Yield at Different Fertilizer Rates
Authors: Banayo Niño Paul Meynard , Cruz Pompe C. Sta. , Aguilar Edna A. , Badayos Rodrigo B. , Haefele Stephan M.
Published: March 2012

Biofertilizers are becoming increasingly popular in many countries and for many crops, but very few studies on their effect on grain yield have been conducted in rice. Therefore, we evaluated three different biofertilizers (based on Azospirillum, Trichoderma, or unidentified rhizobacteria) in the Philippines during four cropping seasons between 2009 and 2011, using four different fertilizer rates (100% of the recommended rate [RR], 50% RR, 25% RR, and no fertilizer as Control). The experiments were conducted under fully irrigated conditions in a typical lowland rice environment. Significant yield increases due to biofertilizer use were observed in all experimental seasons with the exception of the 2008/09 DS. However, the effect on rice grain yield varied between biofertilizers, seasons, and fertilizer treatments. In relative terms, the seasonal yield increase across fertilizer treatments was between 5% and 18% for the best biofertilizer (Azospirillum-based), but went up to 24% in individual treatments. Absolute grain yield increases due to biofertilizer were usually below 0.5 t·ha−1, corresponding to an estimated additional N uptake of less than 7.5 kg N ha−1. The biofertilizer effect on yield did not significantly interact with the inorganic fertilizer rate used but the best effects on grain yield were achieved at low to medium fertilizer rates. Nevertheless, positive effects of the biofertilizers even occurred at grain yields up to 5 t·ha−1. However, the trends in our results seem to indicate that biofertilizers might be most helpful in rainfed environments with limited inorganic fertilizer input. However, for use in these target environments, biofertilizers need to be evaluated under conditions with abiotic stresses typical of such systems such as drought, soil acidity, or low soil fertility.
Postoperative Radiation Therapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Thymic Malignancies
Authors: Gomez Daniel R. , Komaki Ritsuko
Published: March 2012

For many thoracic malignancies, surgery, when feasible, is the preferred upfront modality for local control. However, adjuvant radiation plays an important role in minimizing the risk of locoregional recurrence. Tumors in the thoracic category include certain subgroups of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as well as thymic malignancies. The indications, radiation doses, and treatment fields vary amongst subtypes of thoracic tumors, as does the level of data supporting the use of radiation. For example, in the setting of NSCLC, postoperative radiation is typically reserved for close/positive margins or N2/N3 disease, although such diseases as superior sulcus tumors present unique cases in which the role of neoadjuvant vs. adjuvant treatment is still being elucidated. In contrast, for thymic malignancies, postoperative radiation therapy is often used for initially resected Masaoka stage III or higher disease, with its use for stage II disease remaining controversial. This review provides an overview of postoperative radiation therapy for thoracic tumors, with a separate focus on superior sulcus tumors and thymoma, including a discussion of acceptable radiation approaches and an assessment of the current controversies involved in its use.
Benefit-Cost Analysis of Security Systems for Multiple Protected Assets Based on Information Entropy
Authors: Dai Jingjing , Hu Ruimin , Chen Jun , Cai Qing
Published: March 2012

This article proposes a quantitative risk assessment for security systems which have multiple protected assets and a risk-based benefit-cost analysis for decision makers. The proposed methodology consists of five phases: identification of assets, security unit and intrusion path, security unit effectiveness estimation, intrusion path effectiveness estimation, security system risk assessment and benefit-cost estimation. Key innovations in this methodology include its use of effectiveness entropy to measure the degree of uncertainty of a security system to complete a protection task, and the fact it measures risk like information theory measures the amount of information. A notional example is provided to demonstrate an application of the proposed methodology.
Lubrication Properties of Bio-Oil and Its Emulsions with Diesel Oil
Authors: Lu Qiang , Zhang Zhi-Bo , Liao Hang-Tao , Yang Xiao-Chu , Dong Chang-Qing
Published: March 2012

Bio-oil from fast pyrolysis of biomass is a low-grade liquid fuel, which can be upgraded through the emulsification with diesel oil. In this study, we prepared two rice husk bio-oil samples with different solid char contents and three bio-oil/diesel-oil emulsion samples with the bio-oil content of 10 wt%, 30 wt% and 50 wt%, respectively. The lubrication properties of these oil samples were evaluated by a four-ball tester. The morphologies of the worn ball surface were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The chemical states of the elements on the worn surface and non-worn surface were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS). The results showed that the bio-oil possessed better extreme-pressure, anti-wear and friction-reducing properties than the commercial diesel oil (number zero). The solid char particles in the bio-oil could improve its lubrication performance. Moreover, the lubrication ability of the emulsions would be enhanced with the increasing of the bio-oil content in the emulsions.