bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Field Apparatus for Measurement of Elastic Rebound and Final Set for Driven Pile Capacity Estimation
Authors: Oliveira J. R. M. S. , Nunes P. R. R. L. , Silva M. R. L. , Cabral D. A. , Ferreira A. C. G. , Carneiro L. A. V. , Giraldi M. T. M. R.
Published: October 2010

Many advances have been made on driven piles bearing capacity tests, such as the static and dynamic load tests. However, the cost and the time necessary to prepare these kinds of tests usually restrict their application to a small percentage of the piles. Consequently, the simple and low-cost ways to estimate the bearing capacity of driven piles, for instance, through the final set and the elastic rebound, can be used to control the majority of the piles, and then the results can be compared with more complex and accurate tests executed in fewer elements. This paper describes the development of an in situ tool to measure the elastic rebound and the final set without any direct contact with the pile. Afterwards, these values can be used to evaluate the bearing capacity based on the dynamic formulas proposed by many authors. The apparatus was tested in three different sites, with the results very close to those obtained with the conventional elastic rebound and the final set measuring method.
Jumper Kinematics on Terrain Park Jumps: Relationship between Takeoff Speed and Distance Traveled
Authors: Shealy Jasper , Scher Irving , Stepan Lenka , Harley Erin
Published: October 2010

The performance of individuals jumping tabletop features in terrain parks has not been widely studied. A field study was conducted to measure the takeoff speed and horizontal distance achieved by jumpers at two tabletop style jump features: A smaller jump at Snow Summit, CA and a larger jump at Mammoth Mountain, CA, USA. Analyses were also conducted to determine the effects of equipment type (skis versus snowboard) on jumper kinematics. Before each data collection session, the physical dimensions of the jump were measured and recorded. For consecutive jumpers, the speed parallel to the ramp was measured at the end of the takeoff by using a laser speed trap accurate to 0.11 m/s. The landing zone was marked at 3.0 m intervals with colored dye, beginning just past the flat deck portion of the jump. A high-definition video camera was used to record the landing of each jumper, and the landing point of the projected center of mass was determined by using photogrammetry, accurate to within 5 cm. The actual landing distances measured in the field were compared to predicted landing distances by using ordinary ballistic equations. A total of 280 jumps was observed on the two features: 105 on skis and 175 on snowboards. The correlation coefficients between the square of the takeoff speed and the landing distance for the smaller and larger jumps were 0.75 (R2=0.56) and 0.41 (R2=0.16), respectively. The measured landing distances differed significantly from those predicted by models using the ballistic equations of motion. The average landing distance beyond the knuckle was 2.4 m on the smaller jump and 2.1 m on the larger jump. For both features, skier and snowboarder jumpers did not differ in average landing distance.
Parlor Games: Italian Music and Italian Politics in the Parisian Salon
Authors: Smart Mary Ann
Published: October 2010

Among a community of Italian political leaders and artists who settled in Paris after the failed Italian revolutions of 1831 was Count Carlo Pepoli, author of the libretto for Bellini's I puritani. During his years in Paris, Pepoli also wrote the poetry for two song collections: Rossini's Soirées musicales and Mercadante's Soirées italiennes. Both collections are conceived as a series of picturesque images of Italian locales interspersed with pastoral scenes; they are also linked by allusions to a character named Elvira, perhaps a projection of the heroine of I puritani. This article explores the connections between the Rossini and Mercadante songs and their possible link to Bellini's opera, in relation to two distinct audiences: the Parisian salons of the 1830s, with their strong Italian expatriate presence, and the market of amateurs who purchased sheet music. In both contexts, the poetic content and musical style of the songs may have fostered favorable attitudes to Italy and to Unification, showing that even music composed for private and domestic uses could be politically influential.
Differences in the insulin tolerance test in patients with brain damage depending on posture
Authors: Kopczak A , von Rosen F , Krewer C , Schneider H J , Stalla G K , Schneider M
Published: October 2010

Objective

The insulin tolerance test (ITT) is the gold standard for the diagnosis of GH deficiency (GHD) and hypocortisolism. As hypopituitarism is a common disorder after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), the test is increasingly used in patients with pre-existing brain damage.

Design

A cross-sectional, observational study.

Methods

Fifty-six patients (41 TBI and 15 SAH) were tested with the ITT (0.15 IE/kg body weight, mean glucose 33 mg/dl). In 38 patients, the test was performed in a supine position; the other 18 patients were in a sitting position during the ITT.

Results

Hypocortisolism and GHD were more often diagnosed in a supine than in a sitting position (hypocortisolism: 55.3% supine versus 0% sitting, P<0.0001; GHD: 42.1% supine versus 11.1% sitting, P=0.03). Patients in a sitting position suffered more often from symptoms such as tachycardia (61.1% sitting versus 15.8% supine, P=0.001), trembling (22.2 vs 7.9%, NS), and sweating (66.7 vs 28.9%, P=0.007). There were no significant differences between the groups in drowsiness (72.2% sitting versus 65.8% supine, NS), dizziness (44.4 vs 44.7%, NS), and fatigue (33.3 vs 15.8%, NS). Because of somnolence, the hypoglycemic state could only be stopped with i.v. administration of glucose in 25 supine patients (66%). In contrast, none of the 18 patients (0%) tested in a sitting position got somnolent or was in need of i.v. application of glucose (P<0.001).

Conclusions

In patients with brain injury, posture might affect rates of diagnosing GHD and hypocortisolism and sympathetic symptoms in the ITT. These findings are exploratory and need replication in a standardized setting.
Glycosylation Genes Expressed in Seam Cells Determine Complex Surface Properties and Bacterial Adhesion to the Cuticle of Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Gravato-Nobre Maria J , Stroud Dave , O'Rourke Delia , Darby Creg , Hodgkin Jonathan
Published: October 2010

The surface of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is poorly understood but critical for its interactions with the environment and with pathogens. We show here that six genes (bus-2, bus-4, and bus-12, together with the previously cloned srf-3, bus-8, and bus-17) encode proteins predicted to act in surface glycosylation, thereby affecting disease susceptibility, locomotory competence, and sexual recognition. Mutations in all six genes cause resistance to the bacterial pathogen Microbacterium nematophilum, and most of these mutations also affect bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation by Yersinia species, demonstrating that both infection and biofilm formation depend on interaction with complex surface carbohydrates. A new bacterial interaction, involving locomotory inhibition by a strain of Bacillus pumilus, reveals diversity in the surface properties of these mutants. Another biological property—contact recognition of hermaphrodites by males during mating—was also found to be impaired in mutants of all six genes. An important common feature is that all are expressed most strongly in seam cells, rather than in the main hypodermal syncytium, indicating that seam cells play the major role in secreting surface coat and consequently in determining environmental interactions. To test for possible redundancies in gene action, the 15 double mutants for this set of genes were constructed and examined, but no synthetic phenotypes were observed. Comparison of the six genes shows that each has distinctive properties, suggesting that they do not act in a linear pathway.
Socially-Responsive Gene Expression in MaleDrosophila melanogasterIs Influenced by the Sex of the Interacting Partner
Authors: Ellis Lisa L , Carney Ginger E
Published: October 2010

Behavior is influenced by an organism's genes and environment, including its interactions with same or opposite sex individuals. Drosophila melanogaster perform innate, yet socially modifiable, courtship behaviors that are sex specific and require rapid integration and response to multiple sensory cues. Furthermore, males must recognize and distinguish other males from female courtship objects. It is likely that perception, integration, and response to sex-specific cues is partially mediated by changes in gene expression. Reasoning that social interactions with members of either sex would impact gene expression, we compared expression profiles in heads of males that courted females, males that interacted with other males, or males that did not interact with another fly. Expression of 281 loci changes when males interact with females, whereas 505 changes occur in response to male–male interactions. Of these genes, 265 are responsive to encounters with either sex and 240 respond specifically to male–male interactions. Interestingly, 16 genes change expression only when a male courts a female, suggesting that these changes are a specific response to male–female courtship interactions. We supported our hypothesis that socially-responsive genes can function in behavior by showing that egghead (egh) expression, which increases during social interactions, is required for robust male-to-female courtship. We predict that analyzing additional socially-responsive genes will give us insight into genes and neural signaling pathways that influence reproductive and other behavioral interactions.
H2A.Z (Htz1) Controls the Cell-Cycle-Dependent Establishment of Transcriptional Silencing at Saccharomyces cerevisiae Telomeres
Authors: Martins-Taylor Kristen , Sharma Upasna , Rozario Tania , Holmes Scott G
Published: October 2010

The establishment of transcriptional silencing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae requires progression through the cell cycle. We have previously found that transit through M-phase is necessary and sufficient to establish silencing at telomeres following induction of the Sir3 silencing factor. In this study we find that halting cell-cycle progression in either G1 or at the beginning of M-phase limits the ability of Sir3 to associate with a telomere-linked reporter gene and prevents the changes in histone modifications associated with gene repression. Deletion of genes coding for the histone variant H2A.Z (Htz1 in yeast) and histone acetyltransferase Sas2 abolish the cell-cycle progression requirement for the establishment of silencing. Cells blocked in telophase (but not at metaphase) are also able to establish silencing. We show that H2A.Z binds to the promoter of our telomere-linked reporter gene and that this binding diminishes in silenced cells. Finally, we observe a specific displacement of H2A.Z from chromatin in telophase-blocked cells, regardless of the silencing status of the reporter gene. These results suggest that the requirement for M-phase in the establishment of silencing may reflect a cell-cycle regulated relaxation of heterochromatin barriers.
Trans-Centromere Effects on Meiotic Recombination in the Zebrafish
Authors: Demarest Bradley L , Horsley Wyatt H , Locke Erin E , Boucher Kenneth , Grunwald David J , Trede Nikolaus S
Published: October 2010

We report that lack of crossover along one chromosome arm is associated with high-frequency occurrence of recombination close to the opposing arm's centromere during zebrafish meiotic recombination. Our data indicate that recombination behavior on the two arms of a chromosome is linked. These results inform mapping strategies for telomeric mutants.
The DNA Polymerase Activity ofSaccharomyces cerevisiaeRev1 is Biologically Significant
Authors: Wiltrout Mary Ellen , Walker Graham C
Published: October 2010

A cell's ability to tolerate DNA damage is directly connected to the human development of diseases and cancer. To better understand the processes underlying mutagenesis, we studied the cell's reliance on the potentially error-prone translesion synthesis (TLS), and an error-free, template-switching pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The primary proteins mediating S. cerevisiae TLS are three DNA polymerases (Pols): Rev1, Pol ζ (Rev3/7), and Pol η (Rad30), all with human homologs. Rev1's noncatalytic role in recruiting other DNA polymerases is known to be important for TLS. However, the biological significance of Rev1's unusual conserved DNA polymerase activity, which inserts dC, is much less well understood. Here, we demonstrate that inactivating Rev1's DNA polymerase function sensitizes cells to both chronic and acute exposure to 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO) but not to UV or cisplatin. Full Rev1-dependent resistance to 4-NQO, however, also requires the additional Rev1 functions. When error-free tolerance is disrupted through deletion of MMS2, Rev1's catalytic activity is more vital for 4-NQO resistance, possibly explaining why the biological significance of Rev1's catalytic activity has been elusive. In the presence or absence of Mms2-dependent error-free tolerance, the catalytic dead strain of Rev1 exhibits a lower 4-NQO–induced mutation frequency than wild type. Furthermore, Pol ζ, but not Pol η, also contributes to 4-NQO resistance. These results show that Rev1's catalytic activity is important in vivo when the cell has to cope with specific DNA lesions, such as N2-dG.
Fetal pain perception
Authors: Jakobovits Ákos
Published: October 2010

A szerző a magzat méhen belüli fájdalomérzéséről alkotott jelenlegi tudásunkat foglalja össze. A fájdalom meghatározása után a fájdalomérzés kialakulását, fizikális és biokémiai jeleit tárgyalja. Ezekből következtetni lehet a fájdalom okozta stresszreakció súlyosságára, mivel a magzat méhen belüli fájdalomérzését tárgyilagosan kimutató módszer nincs. Végül a világrajövetelt kísérő fájdalmakkal és a fájdalomcsillapítás kérdésével foglalkozik. Orv. Hetil,45,1854–1857.
Alterations in microRNA expression patterns in liver diseases
Authors: Lendvai Gábor , Kiss András , Kovalszky Ilona , Schaff Zsuzsa
Published: October 2010

Az utóbbi években egyre nagyobb érdeklődés övezi a mikro-RNS-eket, a génexpressziót többnyire negatívan szabályozó rövid RNS-molekulákat, amelyekből mintegy 1000-féle ismert jelenleg. Kimutatták, hogy a mikro-RNS-ek expressziója patológiás állapotokban megváltozik a normális szinthez képest, ezért ezt eredményesen lehetne alkalmazni a betegségek pontosabb diagnosztizálásában. Májban azonosítottak egy májszövetre igen karakterisztikus, a hepatocyták működéséhez szükséges mikro-RNS-típust (miR-122), amelynek expressziós szintje májsérülés következtében általában csökken. Biomarkerként való alkalmazása is felvetődik, mivel acetaminofen indukálta toxicitás során a miR-122 szintje csökken a májszövetben, ugyanakkor növekszik a plazmában, sőt, plazmából a hagyományos májfunkciós enzimteszteknél érzékenyebb kimutatást tesz lehetővé. A miR-122-expresszió szintén csökkenő tendenciát mutat a karcinogenezis progressziójával. Emellett stimulálja a hepatitis C-vírus replikációját és transzlációját, valamint befolyásolja az interferonterápia eredményességét. Újabban számos olyan további mikro-RNS vált ismertté, amelyek speciális mintázatának jellegzetes változása úgy tűnik, hogy jellemez egyes kóros folyamatokat. A cikk összefoglalja a gyógyszer és alkohol indukálta, a nem alkoholos eredetű májbetegségek, fibrosis, hepatitisvírus-fertőzések, cirrhosis és hepatocellularis carcinoma során tapasztalt jelentősebb miRNS-változásokat. Orv. Hetil,45,1843–1853.
Bilateral testicular tumors in a young male with congenital 11β-hydroxilase deficiency
Authors: Vajda Zsolt , Borbély Gergő , Jakab Zsuzsa , Riesz Péter , Rácz Károly
Published: October 2010

Congenitalis adrenalis hyperplasiában szenvedő fiúkban és férfiakban a herében tapintható csomóként jelentkező „adrenal rest tumor” jól ismert jelenség. Leggyakrabban 21-hidroxiláz-hiányos betegekben észlelik, azonban az elváltozás a congenitalis adrenalis hyperplasia ritkább formáiban, így 11-β-hidroxiláz-defektusban is előfordulhat. A here benignus és malignus daganataitól elkülönítésük fontos differenciáldiagnosztikai feladat, hiszen kezelésük merőben más, mint a valódi heredaganatoké. A szerzők 11-β-hidroxiláz-defektusban szenvedő fiatal férfi betegük kórtörténetét ismertetik, akinél tartósan elégtelen glükokortikoidszuppressziós kezelést követően mindkét herében tapintható csomóként észlelt „adrenal rest tumor” alakult ki, majd megfelelő hormonszuppressziós kezelésre az elváltozások gyors regressziót mutattak. Esetük tanulságait elemezve a szerzők áttekintik az „adrenal rest tumorok” patomechanizmusával, tünettanával, a kórisme és kezelés lehetőségeivel kapcsolatos mai ismereteket. Orv. Hetil,45,1863–1868.
Part II: Crystalline Fluorapatite-Coated Hydroxyapatite Implant Material: A Dog Study With Histologic Comparison of Osteogenesis Seen With FA-Coated HA Grafting Material Versus HA Controls: Potential Bacteriostatic Effect of Fluoridated HA
Authors: Nordquist William D , Okudera Hajima , Kitamura Yutaka , Kimoto Kazunari , Okudera Toshimitsu , Krutchkoff David J
Published: October 2010

Success of osteogenesis in bone graft procedures can be enhanced by inhibiting oral bacterial infections through the use of prophylactic bacteriostatic fluoride within the grafting environment. Ideally, the fluoride ion should be chemically sequestered and thus unavailable unless needed at times during the process of early infection. As fluoride within fluorapatite is tightly bound at neutral pH and becomes available only during acidic conditions, fluorapatite is an ideal store for the fluoride ion which becomes released for bacteriostasis only during an acidic environment found with incipient bacterial infection. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the histologic properties of new bone formed surrounding fluorapatite (FA)-coated microcrystalline hydroxyapatite (HA) grafting material with comparable bone formed following the use of control HA material (OsteoGen, Impladent, Ltd, Holliswood, NY). The results of histologic analysis within dog studies here showed no detectable difference in new bone following therapeutic grafting procedures using each of the above 2 mineral coatings.
Part III: Crystalline Fluorapatite-Coated Hydroxyapatite; Potential Use as a Bacteriostatic Agent for Both Pre-Implant Cases and Retreatment of Infected Implant Sites: A Report of 4 Cases
Authors: Nordquist William D , Krutchkoff David J
Published: October 2010

Four cases of peri-implant bone loss associated with undiagnosed necrotic pulps of adjacent teeth are reported. In two cases, bone was obliterated along sinus tracts (fistulas) that coursed between the implant and adjacent tooth. Endodontic treatment was completed on the adjacent teeth concurrent with periapical surgery to seal the tooth apex. The sinus tract (fistula) was excised, and the implant plus tooth surfaces were treated with a combination of concentrated citric acid and 4.3% sodium fluoride solutions. The third case involved peri-implant surgery with endodontic treatment on the adjacent tooth. A fourth case represented an infected socket augmentation which was surgically treated, augmented with microcrystalline fluorapatite in the range of a 300 µm to 400 µm cluster, and allowed to heal for 4 months followed by a trephine bone biopsy and subsequent analysis for bone growth around the fluoridated nonceramic microcrystalline hydroxyapatite (HA). An augmentation procedure employing fluoridated of resorbable HA was then completed. Histologic analysis showed healthy bone regeneration suggesting that therapeutic fluoride treatment and resultant fluorapatite were helpful in inhibiting reinfection following surgical treatment. All 4 infected implant sites were successfully managed and retained using the aforementioned treatment schemes, and there was no evidence of posttreatment infection in any of the 4 cases. It is proposed that fluoride treatment, through the use of 4.3% sodium fluoride and/or fluoridated hydroxyapatite (fluorapatite), shows promise as an adjunctive treatment component in inhibiting peri-implant infection and reinfection when managing ailing or failing implants.
Apolipoprotein E4 and Alzheimer's disease in São Paulo - Brazil
Authors: Almeida Osvaldo P. , Shimokomaki Carlos M.
Published: October 2010

Several recently published studies showed the existence of an association between the allele ε4 of the apolipoprotein E and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in developed countries. We examined this association in 55 patients with possible or probable AD and 56 elderly controls referred to outpatient clinics at the "Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo" and "Centro de Saúde Escola da Faculdade de Saúde Pública da Universidade de São Paulo". The allele ε4 was significantly more frequent among patients than controls (20.9% vs 8.9%, p=0.038). Thirty-six percent of the cases presented with at least one allele ε4 compared with only 17.9% of the controls (p=0.027). The presence of at least one ε4 allele increased by 2.63 times the risk of subjects being diagnosed as suffering from AD. All three ε4ε4 patients were male and had a pre-senile onset of the disease. There was no significant difference between senile and pre-senile cases (41.9% vs 29.2%, p=0.326) nor between men and women (36.0% vs 36.7%, p=0.959) regarding their risk of being ε4. The age at onset of symptoms did not differ among the different genotype groups, although ε4ε4 cases showed a consistent trend for earlier onset. When only patients with the diagnosis of "probable AD" were included in the analysis (n=43), we observed that 22.1% of the alleles were e4, a rate that was significantly higher than the 8.9% of controls (p=0.024). This study supports the association between the presence of the ε4 allele and AD and extend this finding to Brazilian patients. Nonetheless, the presence of this allele is not necessary nor sufficient for the development of the disease and it is possible that its contribution to the pathogenesis of the disorder depends on the subject's ethnic group.
Human neurocysticercosis: IgE in cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Melo Carmen Silvia de , Vaz Adelaide José , Nakamura Paulo Mutuko , Silva Marcos Vinicius da , Machado Aluízio de Barros Barreto
Published: October 2010

The detection of IgE is technically difficult because of its reduced concentrations in serum, and even lower concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In the present investigation we studied 86 CSF samples using an immunoenzymatic method with an anti-IgE-alkaline phosphatase conjugate and a fluorigenic substrate. The samples were from three groups: A) 29 patients with neurocysticercosis (NC), B) 36 patients with different neurologic disorders (neurosyphilis, neurotuberculosis, meningitis, tumors, hemorrhage) and C) 21 discharged individuals who had been hospitalized for bacterial meningitis. The results obtained were: A) 0.05 to 3.00 IU/ml (0.76±0.79), B) 0.00 to 1.50 IU/ml (0.23±0.34) and C) 0.05 to 1.25 IU/ml (0.34±0.34). The present results suggest that IgE appears to play a role in the pathogeny of NC and that efforts should be made to standardize a test for the detection of specific IgE antibodies.
Extração cerebral de oxigênio: um modelo prático e suas aplicações clínicas
Authors: Cruz Julio
Published: October 2010

A extração cerebral de oxigênio (ECO2) constitui uma medida fisiológica pratica, com múltiplas aplicações clínicas. Esta variável é calculada simplesmente como a diferença artério-jugular das saturações da oxi-hemoglobina (de sangue arterial e do bulbo jugular). Por se tratar de medida global, a ECO2 não permite detecção de alterações regionais do hemometabolismo cerebral. Todavia, sempre que se lidar com modificações predominantemente (não exclusivamente) globais, a ECO2 fornece informação fidedigna sobre o balanço (ou acoplamento) entre o consumo cerebral de oxigênio e o fluxo sangüíneo cerebral.
Considerações sobre o reflexo tônico cervical de Magnus: De Kleijn
Authors: Bearzoti Paulo
Published: October 2010

O reflexo tônico cervical de Magnus - De Kleijn é analisado levando-se em conta as psicologias do desenvolvimento de Gesell, Spitz e Piaget. É considerada sua natureza filogenética, realçado o significado favorável de seu desaparecimento em torno do terceiro mês de vida e enfatizada sua participação no desenvolvimento da criança.
Infecções de derivações liquóricas em crianças: revisão de 100 infecções em 87 crianças
Authors: Martins Roberto , Ciquini Jr. Orildo , Matushita Hamilton , Cabral Nilton Domingos , Plese José Píndaro Pereira
Published: October 2010

Estudo retrospectivo analisando quadro clínico e resultados terapêuticos de 100 episódios de infecções em 87 crianças submetidas a derivações liquóricas no período de 1982 a 1995.O quadro clínico mais frequente foi aquele secundário ao processo inflamatório e os agentes etiológicos mais comuns foram os estafilococos. A infecção ocasionada por agente Gram negativo mostrou maior gravidade e esteve mais frequentemente relacionada a falha terapêutica. As estratégias de tratamento incluíram desde o uso de antibióticos sistêmicos de forma isolada até a retirada do sistema de derivação e a utilização de antibióticos sistêmicos e intratecais. Os melhores resultados terapêuticos foram obtidos com: retirada da derivação e sua substituição por derivação ventricular externa associada a antibióticoterapia sistêmica. Em nossa experiência, essa conduta deve ser adotada como rotina para o tratamento desta grave complicação.
Acromegalia: aspectos diagnósticos e terapêuticos: análise de 18 casos
Authors: Rodrigues Flávio Freinkel , Violante Alice Helena Dutra , Kallás José Lourenço , Vaisman Mário
Published: October 2010

Os autores fizeram estudo retrospectivo de 18 pacientes com acromegalia, que foram diagnosticados, tratados e acompanhados pelos Serviços de Endocrinologia e Neurocirurgia do Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, no período de 1979 a 1985. A média de idade dos pacientes foi 43,2 anos (variação entre 15 e 63), as queixas clínicas iniciais se deveram principalmente às alterações somáticas (83,33%), em 50% dos casos tivemos manifestações secundárias à compressão tumoral e em 53,33% havia alterações neuro-oftalmológicas. A comprovação de hipersecreção de hormônio de crescimento foi feita por dosagens hormonais basais e por testes dinâmicos. A avaliação neuro-radiológica evidenciou expansão suprasselar em 61,11% dos casos e em 100% dos casos o acesso cirúrgico foi por via transesfenoidal. O objetivo principal deste estudo foi o de estabelecer critérios para o diagnóstico, discutir a conduta terapêutica e avaliar os resultados obtidos, comparando-os com outras séries da literatura.
Effect of maternal protein deprivation on morphological and quantitative aspects of the myenteric plexus neurons of proximal colon in rats
Authors: Leite-Mello Emeri V.S. , Stabille Sandra Regina , Miranda-Neto Marcílio H.
Published: October 2010

We have studied the morphological and quantitative aspects of the myenteric plexus neurons of the proximal colon in rats (Rattus norvegicus of Wistar strain) submitted to a protein deprivation during prenatal and lactation periods. Twenty pregnant dams were divided in four groups labeled according to the kind of nourishment they were given: Group NN, normal diet; Group DN, low protein diet during prenatal period, and normal diet during lactation period; Group ND, normal diet during prenatal period, and low protein diet during lactation period; Group DD, low protein diet during prenatal and lactation periods. Histological analyses were developed with proximal colon segments using the haematoxylin and eosin staining method. Membrane preparations were stained by Giemsa's method. The statistical analysis has demonstrated no significant difference among the means of neurons found in the four studied groups. It was noticed that the animals under protein deprivation during prenatal and lactation periods presented greater quantity of large and strongly basophilic myenteric neurons. This suggests that neurons have accumulated protein in the cytoplasm.
Achados anatomo-patológicos e ultraestruturais na mucopoussacaridose: relato de caso
Authors: Torres Luiz Fernando Bleggi , Noronha Lúcia de , Jacob Graciela Vanessa Vicelli , Antoniuk Sérgio
Published: October 2010

As mucopolissacaridoses (MPS) são doenças de acúmulo lisossomal em que ocorre defeito enzimático específico com consequente acúmulo de glicosaminoglicanos nos tecidos. Os autores relatam o caso de necrópsia de paciente do sexo masculino, com 10 anos de idade, com diagnóstico clínico e laboratorial de MPS. O exame de necrópsia revelou espessamento acentuado de meninges e das valvas cardíacas e hepatomegalia. O exame microscópico do encéfalo evidenciou acúmulo de histiócitos espumosos ao redor dos vasos e nas meninges, assim como neurônios contendo material citoplasmático condizente com gangliosídeo. Alterações sistêmicas como acúmulo de histiócitos espumosos em valvas cardíacas e fígado também foram evidenciados. O exame ultra-estrutural do encéfalo, fígado e baço demonstrou acúmulo de material grumoso no interior de vacúolos em histiócitos e hepatócitos, além de acúmulo de gangliosídeo nos neurônios.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in a child with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
Authors: Araujo Alexandra Prufer de Q.C. , Pereira Heloisa S. , Oliveira Ricardo H. , Frota Ana C. , Esperança José C. , Duarte Francisco
Published: October 2010

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is a rare viral-induced demyelinating disease associated to immunodeficiency. A 10-year-old boy with AIDS is reported, who developed subacute cerebellar signs and symptoms with multiple cranial nerve involvement and dementia. A computed tomography scan revealed a focal nonenhancing area of low attenuation in the cerebellum. On magnetic resonance imaging high signal lesions in T2 weighted sequences were shown. The biopsy of one of those lesions showed the typical histological findings of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. It seems important to consider this diagnosis in children with AIDS who present with progressive neurological features.
Acute orbital myositis: case report
Authors: Bittar Mirian S. , Garcia Maria L. , Marchiori Paulo E.
Published: October 2010

The case of 22-year old, white woman with bilateral orbital myositis following an acute upper respiratory tract infection is reported. The most important clinical findings were ocular pain, proptosis, restricted eye motility and swelling of the eyelids. The enlarged eye muscles were seen on orbital computerized tomography scan. The clinical findings of inflammatory orbital myositis and clinical response to corticotherapy are emphasized.
Análise do líquido cefalorraqueano e neuropatogênese da infecção pelo HTLV-I
Authors: Puccioni-Sohler Marzia
Published: October 2010

O mecanismo da mielopatia associada a infecção pelo HTLV-I (HAM), como ocorre o dano da medula espinhal e finalmente a destruição da mielina assim como do oligodendrócito não está definido. Por hipótese, a passagem de linfócitos infectados através da barreira hemato-encefálica atuaria como pedra alvo na patogênese da HAM. Um aumento da produção de citoquinas tais como o fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF alfa), potente imunomodulador, facilita a migração de linfócitos através da expressão de fatores de adesão molecular na superfície de células endoteliais. Por outro lado, a recente demonstração da elevada síntese intratecal do receptor solúvel para o TNF (sTNF-R) em pacientes com HAM tem contribuído para a melhor compreensão dos mecanismos da neuropatogênese da infecção pelo HTLV-I. Os novos conhecimentos sugerem que os efeitos deletérios do TNF alfa no sistema nervoso central podem ser o resultado do desequilíbrio entre a produção desta citoquina e do seu receptor inibidor (sTNF-R).
The intracarotid amobarbital procedure (Wada test) with two protocols combined, Montreal and Seattle
Authors: Leite Paulo J. M. , Pereira Rosana , Almeida Diogo F. , Sandmann Marcos C. , Souza Paulo César , Sandrinni Ronei , Kaneguzuko Jorge , Bittencourt Paulo Roberto M. de
Published: October 2010

The intracarotid amobarbital procedure was carried out in 8 male and 7 female candidates to temporal lobectomy, and a female candidate to frontal lesionectomy, aged 18-50 (mean 32.5) years. Language and memory were tested after injection in each hemisphere. Both were measured by the Montreal procedure. In 9 patients language and memory were evaluated with the Seattle procedure too. In 12 patients the left hemisphere was dominant for language; three had bilateral dominance. In I patient the Seattle procedure demonstrated the dominant hemisphere by relatively slowness of speech during the drug effect in the left hemisphere. Memory was defined to be in the left hemisphere in 12 patients, in the right in 2, bilateral in 1 and in another lateralization was not possible. In 1 patient memory dominance was determined by the Montreal protocol alone because of lack of cooperation. These early results indicate that the methods may be complementary for determination of language and memory dominance in epilepsy surgery candidates.
Clinical-neurologic, cytogenetic and molecular aspects of the Prader-Willi and Angelman Syndromes
Authors: Pina-Neto João M. de , Ferraz Victor Evangelista F. , Molfetta Greice Andreotti de , Buxton Jess , Richards Sarah , Malcolm Sue
Published: October 2010

The Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and the Angelman syndrome (AS) are human neurogenetic disorders involving the imprinting mechanism, at the 15q11-13 chromosome region. The predominant genetic defects in PW are 15q 11-13 deletions of paternal origin and maternal chromosome 15 uniparental disomy. In contrast, maternal deletions and paternal chromosome 15 uniparental disomy are associated with a different neurogenetic disorder, the AS. In both disorders, these mutations are associated with parent-of-origin specific methylation at several 15q 11-13 loci. We studied 5 patients suspect of PWS and 4 patients suspect of AS who were referred to the Medical Genetics Unit at the University Hospital of Medical School from Ribeirão Preto. Our objective was to establish the correct clinical and etiological diagnosis in these cases. We used conventional cytogenetics, methylation analysis with the probe KB 17 (CpG island of the SNRPN gene) by Southern blotting after digestion with the Xba I and Not I restriction enzymes. We studied in patients and their parents the segregation of the (CA)n repeats polymorphisms by PCR, using the primers 196 and IR4-3R. All the patients had normal conventional cytogenetical analysis. We confirmed 3 cases of PWS: one by de novo deletion, one by maternal chromosome 15 uniparental disomy and one case with no defined cause determined by the used primers. We confirmed 2 cases of AS, caused by de novo deletion at the 15q 11-13 region, and one case with normal molecular analysis but with strong clinical characteristics.
Cardiovascular autonomic tests in diabetic patients with gastroparesis
Authors: Araujo Leila M.B. , Freeman Roy , Broadbridge Christoferson
Published: October 2010

The aim of this report was to study the cardiovascular autonomic tests in the evaluation of diabetic patients with gastroparesis. Forty diabetic subjects were divided into two groups: one group with gastroparesis (GP, n=20) and another group paired by age and duration of diabetes without any complaint of autonomic neuropathy (DC, n=20) . They were evaluated clinically and submitted to a battery of five cardiovascular autonomic tests. The presence and severity of autonomic neuropathy were defined according to the number of normal cardiovascular tests. Each test had a score: zero ( normal ), one ( borderline ) and two ( abnormal ). The GP group showed a higher abnormal total score in the cardiovascular autonomic test than the group without any complaint (6.6 ± 3.0 vs. 2.7 ± 1.4, p <0.01). These data suggest that diabetic with gastroparesis presents more abnormal cardiovascular autonomic tests than diabetic without autonomic neuropathy and these tests should be included in the evaluation of diabetic patients with gastroparesis.
Fatores determinantes da letalidade após cirurgia para endocardite infecciosa
Authors: André Charles , Silva Marcos Martins da , Silva Eduardo Jorge Custodio da , Souza Márcia Araújo , Bastos Eduardo Sérgio , Novis Sérgio Augusto Pereira
Published: October 2010

Estudamos a influência de dados demográficos, fatores predisponentes, aspectos clínicos, variáveis operatórias sobre a evolução em 39 pacientes operados por endocardite infecciosa (EI). Utilizamos os testes t de Student, X²ou exato de Fisher em análises univariadas, regressão logística para determinação de fatores adversos independentes. O impacto do número destes fatores sobre a evolução foi estudado pelo teste exato de Fisher. Valvas mais afetadas: aórtica (20) e mitral (16); germes mais comuns: Staphylococcus aureus (12) e Streptococcus sp (10). Cirurgia de emergência e a presença de coma seis horas após a operação elevaram a letalidade (p=0,001 e p=0,0015), bem como infecção pelo S.aureus (p=0,023) e presença de complicações neurológicas (p=0,097). A concomitância de dois ou três destes fatores elevou particularmente a letalidade (>76,9%). Pacientes com EI devem receber cuidadosa avaliação quanto a indicação cirúrgica nas fases iniciais da doença, já que a concomitância de variáveis adversas e cirurgias em caráter de emergência elevam fortemente a letalidade por EI.
Caracterização de miopatias mitocondriais através da avaliação das atividades enzimáticas envolvidas no metabolismo energético
Authors: Pedroso Fábio Cesar , Campello Annibal P. , Werneck Lineu Cesar , Klüppel Maria Lúcia W.
Published: October 2010

Foi determinada a atividade das enzimas NADH desidiogenase, NADH citocromo e redutase, succinato desidiogenase, succinato citocromo e redutase, citocromo e oxidase e citrato sintase em mitocôndrias de músculo esquelético humano normal e doente (suspeito de miopatia mitocondrial). O grupo controle foi constituído de 13 indivíduos normais e que não faziam uso contínuo de fárrnacos. O grupo doente era constituído de 10 pacientes cujo diagnóstico anatomopatológico indicava suspeita de miopatia mitocondrial. Observou-se redução na atividade das enzimas em todos os pacientes: 7 com anormalidades em todas as enzimas ensaiadas; 2 com deficiências em todas as enzimas exceto na citocromo e oxidase; e 1 paciente com disfunção apenas na atividade da succinato desidiogenase e succinato citocromo e redutase. Este perfil possibilitou caracterizar múltiplas deficiências ou deficiência combinada da cadeia respiratória, além da disfunção na citrato sintase em 9 pacientes. Um dos casos constituiu exceção, sendo a deficiência enzimática restrita ao complexo II. Foi possível concluir que a metodologia usada é adequada e facilmente aplicável aos objetivos clínicos. Os resultados obtidos possibilitam a caracterização dos complexos enzimáticos mitocondriais deficientes, mostrando que tais enfermidades são originadas de disfunção no metabolismo energético.
Hemangioblastoma of the posterior fossa: the role of multimodality treatment
Authors: Georg Alvaro E. , Lunsford L. Dade , Kondziolka Douglas , Flickinger John C. , Maitz Ann
Published: October 2010

The authors made a review of a series of patients with hemangioblastomas of the posterior fossa treated between 1973 and 1993. A total of 32 patients were analyzed with 24 patients receiving resection, 8 patients receiving radiosurgery and 2 patients receiving conventional radiotherapy. The mortality in the patients with a resection was considered acceptable with 2 deaths (8%) and with a morbidity of 3 patients (12.5%). A review of the literature suggests that conventional radiotherapy with high doses (45-60 Gy) may have a role in the post-operative control of hemangioblastomas and in some cases could be employed even before the resection in order to facilitate the surgery. The radiosurgical treatment is regarded like adjuvant. Poor results were obtained with radiosurgery in large tumors where low doses (less than 20 Gy) were used. Because of the rarity and complexity of these tumors, mainly when associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease, a multicenter study could be useful with the assessment of the optimal utilization and combination of these treatment modalities.
Melanomas metastáticos intracranianos: análise de 13 casos
Authors: Araújo João Flávio Mattos , Sperlescu Alexander , Melacci Eduardo Barros , Balbo Roque José
Published: October 2010

Os autores apresentam análise retrospectiva de 13 pacientes com o diagnóstico de melanoma metástico intracerebral. A lesão primária foi detectada em 9 pacientes. A idade dos pacientes variou entre 28 e 84 anos. O tempo transcorrido entre o diagnóstico da lesão primária e a metástase cerebral variou entre 6 e 60 meses. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a craniotomia, com remoção da lesão. A mortalidade nos primeiros 30 dias foi zero. A sobrevida dos pacientes variou entre 2 e 55 meses. O tempo médio de sobrevida de todo o grupo foi 14 meses. Embora o tratamento cirúrgico não seja curativo, a sobrevida é significativamente prolongada. Os critérios para a indicação da cirurgia, radioterapia e quimioterapia são discutidos.
Guillain-Barré syndrome and head trauma: case report
Authors: Freitas Gabriel R. de , Freitas Marcos R. G. de , Ferreira Myriam C. L.
Published: October 2010

The authors report the case of a 29 years old male patient presenting classical Guillain-Barré syndrome following head trauma. Only one other similar case is described in the literature. Head trauma as a precipitating event of the disease is discussed.
Cisto enterógeno intrarraquiano: relato de caso
Authors: Hamamoto Osmi , Guerreiro Nilton E. , Nakano Hiroshi , Minconi Aldeliza , Tonholo-Silva Edward R.
Published: October 2010

Os autores relatam o caso de um paciente de 7 anos de idade, com quadro de dor cervical e tetraparesia progressiva há 2 meses, que apresentava lesão cística intrarraquiana de C4 a C6. Foi submetido a exerese da lesão por via anterior, através de corporectomia de C5-C6 e reconstrução com enxerto de crista ilíaca e placa metálica. O diagnóstico anátomo-patológico da lesão foi de cisto enterógeno. Aspectos relacionados a apresentação clínica, embriologiae tratamento dessa lesão são discutidos.
Adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma in a patient with HTLV-I/II associated myelopathy
Authors: Freitas Virgínia , Gomes Irenio , Bittencourt Achilea , Fernandes Dilson , Melo Ailton
Published: October 2010

Chronic myelopathy associated with T-lymphotropic virus type I (HAM) has been described as an endemic disease in several areas of the world, meanwhile there are few papers describing the association between HAM and adult T cell leukemia-lymphoma. We report the case of a man that, after four years of progressive spastic paraparesis and neurogenic bladder, developed a clinical picture of a lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by dermal and systemic envolvement, mimicking mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome.
Comparison of motor strength and function in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy with or without steroid therapy
Authors: Parreira Samara Lamounier Santana , Resende Maria Bernadete Dutra , Zanoteli Edmar , Carvalho Mary Souza , Marie Suely Kazue , Reed Umbertina Conti
Published: October 2010

OBJECTIVE: To compare muscle strength (MS) and motor function in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) receiving steroids for different times against the natural evolution of DMD described by Scott et al. METHOD: 90 patients with DMD (aged 5- 12 years), receiving steroids for one to seven years, were evaluated by Medical Research Council Scale (MRC) and Hammersmith motor ability score. The relation between MS and motor abilities measurement from our data and Scott's ones were ascertained statistically. RESULTS: The relation between patient's age and Hammersmith scores revealed decrease of 0.76 point per year for age against decrease of 2.23 points on Scott's study. The relation between MRC scale and patient's age showed decrease of 0.80 point per year of age against decrease of 3.65 points on Scott's study. CONCLUSION: In patients with DMD aged five to 12 years the progression of the disease is delayed by steroids and the motor function is less reduced than muscular strength.
Acoustic and hearing-perceptual voice analysis in individuals with idiopathic Parkinson's disease in "on" and "off" stages
Authors: Santos Luiza Lara M , Reis Larissa Oliveira dos , Bassi Iara , Guzella Clara , Cardoso Francisco , Reis César , Gama Ana Cristina Côrtes
Published: October 2010

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the voice quality of patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease, at the "on" and "off" moments of the disease. METHOD: Five individuals with Parkinson's disease and five of the control group were assessed. All of them underwent the recording of voice and speech. The acoustic parameters analyzed were: fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, harmonic noise proportion and index of tremor, besides performing the hearing-perceptual analysis by means of GRBASI scale. The findings were analyzed using statistics through t test and the level of significance adopted was p<0.05. RESULTS: There was no difference in the acoustic parameters in the three analyzed groups. In the hearing-perceptual analysis, patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease showed altered voice quality and the ones from the control group, neutral vocal quality. CONCLUSION: Patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease present rough, breathy and unstable vocal quality in both stages. In the acoustic analysis, there are no differences in the studied parameters.
Traditional biomarkers in narcolepsy: experience of a Brazilian sleep centre
Authors: Coelho Fernando Morgadinho Santos , Pradella-Hallinan Márcia , Pedrazzoli Mario , Soares Carlos Augusto Senne , Fernandes Gustavo Bruniera Peres , Gonçalves André Leite , Tufik Sergio , Bittencourt Lia Rita Azeredo
Published: October 2010

This study was thought to characterized clinical and laboratory findings of a narcoleptic patients in an out patients unit at São Paulo, Brazil. METHOD: 28 patients underwent polysomnographic recordings (PSG) and Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) were analyzed according to standard criteria. The analysis of HLADQB1*0602 allele was performed by PCR. The Hypocretin-1 in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) was measured using radioimmunoassay. Patients were divided in two groups according Hypocretin-1 level: Normal (N) - Hypocretin-1 higher than 110pg/ml and Lower (L) Hypocretin-1 lower than 110 pg/ml. RESULTS: Only 4 patients of the N group had cataplexy when compared with 14 members of the L group (p=0.0002). DISCUSSION: This results were comparable with other authors, confirming the utility of using specific biomarkers (HLA-DQB1*0602 allele and Hypocretin-1 CSF level) in narcolepsy with cataplexy. However, the HLADQB1*0602 allele and Hypocretin-1 level are insufficient to diagnose of narcolepsy without cataplexy.
Quality of sleep among university students: effects of nighttime computer and television use
Authors: Mesquita Gema , Reimão Rubens
Published: October 2010

This descriptive, cross-sectional study was based on subjective questionnaires that assessed nighttime habits of television viewing and Internet use during weekdays and perceived sleep quality among university students. Sleep perception was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The study group comprised 710 university students aged 17-25 years. Analysis of sleep perception in relation to internet use revealed that 58.06% of subjects who accessed the internet between 19:00 and 21:00 slept poorly; 71.43% between 19:00 and 22:00; 73.33% between 19:00 and 24:00; and 52.38% between 19:00 and 03:00 (p=0.0251). Concerning the relationship between television exposure and perceived sleep, the groups did not differ from each other (p=0.9303). This study showed that internet use between 19:00 and 24:00 increases the risk of poor sleep among young adults, in comparison with television viewing times.