bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optogenetic Excitation of Central Amygdala Amplifies and Narrows Incentive Motivation to Pursue One Reward Above Another
Authors: Robinson Mike J.F. , Warlow Shelley M. , Berridge Kent C.
Published: December 2014

Choosing one reward above another is important for achieving adaptive life goals. Yet hijacked into excessive intensity in disorders such as addiction, single-minded pursuit becomes maladaptive. Here, we report that optogenetic channelrhodopsin stimulation of neurons in central nucleus of amygdala (CeA), paired with earning a particular sucrose reward in rats, amplified and narrowed incentive motivation to that single reward target. Therefore, CeA rats chose and intensely pursued only the laser-paired sucrose reward while ignoring an equally good sucrose alternative. In contrast, reward-paired stimulation of basolateral amygdala did not hijack choice. In a separate measure of incentive motivation, CeA stimulation also increased the progressive ratio breakpoint or level of effort exerted to obtain sucrose reward. However, CeA stimulation by itself failed to support behavioral self-stimulation in the absence of any paired external food reward, suggesting that CeA photo-excitation specifically transformed the value of its external reward (rather than adding an internal reinforcement state). Nor did CeA stimulation by itself induce any aversive state that motivated escape. Finally, CeA stimulation also failed to enhance ‘liking’ reactions elicited by sucrose taste and did not simply increase the general motivation to eat. This pattern suggests that CeA photo-excitation specifically enhances and narrows incentive motivation to pursue an associated external reward at the expense of another comparable reward.
Dopamine Modulates the Neural Representation of Subjective Value of Food in Hungry Subjects
Authors: Medic Nenad , Ziauddeen Hisham , Vestergaard Martin D. , Henning Elana , Schultz Wolfram , Farooqi I. Sadaf , Fletcher Paul C.
Published: December 2014

Although there is a rich literature on the role of dopamine in value learning, much less is known about its role in using established value estimations to shape decision-making. Here we investigated the effect of dopaminergic modulation on value-based decision-making for food items in fasted healthy human participants. The Becker-deGroot-Marschak auction, which assesses subjective value, was examined in conjunction with pharmacological fMRI using a dopaminergic agonist and an antagonist. We found that dopamine enhanced the neural response to value in the inferior parietal gyrus/intraparietal sulcus, and that this effect predominated toward the end of the valuation process when an action was needed to record the value. Our results suggest that dopamine is involved in acting upon the decision, providing additional insight to the mechanisms underlying impaired decision-making in healthy individuals and clinical populations with reduced dopamine levels.
Synaptic Strength Is Bidirectionally Controlled by Opposing Activity-Dependent Regulation of Nedd4-1 and USP8
Authors: Scudder Samantha L. , Goo Marisa S. , Cartier Anna E. , Molteni Alice , Schwarz Lindsay A. , Wright Rebecca , Patrick Gentry N.
Published: December 2014

The trafficking of AMPA receptors (AMPARs) to and from synapses is crucial for synaptic plasticity. Previous work has demonstrated that AMPARs undergo activity-dependent ubiquitination by the E3 ubiquitin ligase Nedd4-1, which promotes their internalization and degradation in lysosomes. Here, we define the molecular mechanisms involved in ubiquitination and deubiquitination of AMPARs. We report that Nedd4-1 is rapidly redistributed to dendritic spines in response to AMPAR activation and not in response to NMDA receptor (NMDAR) activation in cultured rat neurons. In contrast, NMDAR activation directly antagonizes Nedd4-1 function by promoting the deubiquitination of AMPARs. We show that NMDAR activation causes the rapid dephosphorylation and activation of the deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) USP8. Surface AMPAR levels and synaptic strength are inversely regulated by Nedd4-1 and USP8. Strikingly, we show that homeostatic downscaling of synaptic strength is accompanied by an increase and decrease in Nedd4-1 and USP8 protein levels, respectively. Furthermore, we show that Nedd4-1 is required for homeostatic loss of surface AMPARs and downscaling of synaptic strength. This study provides the first mechanistic evidence for rapid and opposing activity-dependent control of a ubiquitin ligase and DUB at mammalian CNS synapses. We propose that the dynamic regulation of these opposing forces is critical in maintaining synapses and scaling them during homeostatic plasticity.
Controlling NMDA Receptor Subunit Composition Using Ectopic Retention Signals
Authors: Stroebel David , Carvalho Stéphanie , Grand Teddy , Zhu Shujia , Paoletti Pierre
Published: December 2014

Ligand-gated ion channels (LGICs) mediate fast synaptic transmission in the CNS. Typically, these membrane proteins are multimeric complexes associating several homologous subunits around a central pore. Because of the large repertoire of subunits within each family, LGICs existin vivoas multiple subtypes that differ in subunit composition and functional properties. Establishing the specific properties of individual receptor subtypes remains a major goal in the field of neuroscience and molecular pharmacology. However, isolating specific receptor subtype in recombinant systems can be problematic because of the mixture of receptor populations. This is the case for NMDA receptors (NMDARs), a large family of tetrameric glutamate-gated ion channels that play key roles in brain physiology and pathology. A significant fraction of native NMDARs are triheteromers composed of two GluN1 subunits and two different GluN2 subunits (GluN2A-D). We developed a method based on dual retention signals adapted from G-protein-coupled GABA-B receptors allowing exclusive cell surface expression of triheteromeric rat NMDARs while coexpressed diheteromeric receptors (which contain a single type of GluN2 subunit) are retained intracellularly. Using this approach, we determined the functional properties of GluN1/GluN2A/GluN2B triheteromers, one of the most abundant NMDAR subtypes in the adult forebrain, revealing their unique gating and pharmacological attributes. We envision applicability of the retention signal approach for the study of a variety of heteromeric glutamate-gated ion channel receptors with defined subunit composition.
Human Scalp Potentials Reflect a Mixture of Decision-Related Signals during Perceptual Choices
Authors: Philiastides Marios G. , Heekeren Hauke R. , Sajda Paul
Published: December 2014

Single-unit animal studies have consistently reported decision-related activity mirroring a process of temporal accumulation of sensory evidence to a fixed internal decision boundary. To date, our understanding of how response patterns seen in single-unit data manifest themselves at the macroscopic level of brain activity obtained from human neuroimaging data remains limited. Here, we use single-trial analysis of human electroencephalography data to show that population responses on the scalp can capture choice-predictive activity that builds up gradually over time with a rate proportional to the amount of sensory evidence, consistent with the properties of a drift-diffusion-like process as characterized by computational modeling. Interestingly, at time of choice, scalp potentials continue to appear parametrically modulated by the amount of sensory evidence rather than converging to a fixed decision boundary as predicted by our model. We show that trial-to-trial fluctuations in these response-locked signals exert independent leverage on behavior compared with the rate of evidence accumulation earlier in the trial. These results suggest that in addition to accumulator signals, population responses on the scalp reflect the influence of other decision-related signals that continue to covary with the amount of evidence at time of choice.
Modality-Spanning Deficits in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Functional Networks, Gray Matter, and White Matter
Authors: Kessler Daniel , Angstadt Michael , Welsh Robert C. , Sripada Chandra
Published: December 2014

Previous neuroimaging investigations in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have separately identified distributed structural and functional deficits, but interconnections between these deficits have not been explored. To unite these modalities in a common model, we used joint independent component analysis, a multivariate, multimodal method that identifies cohesive components that span modalities. Based on recent network models of ADHD, we hypothesized that altered relationships between large-scale networks, in particular, default mode network (DMN) and task-positive networks (TPNs), would co-occur with structural abnormalities in cognitive regulation regions. For 756 human participants in the ADHD-200 sample, we produced gray and white matter volume maps with voxel-based morphometry, as well as whole-brain functional connectomes. Joint independent component analysis was performed, and the resulting transmodal components were tested for differential expression in ADHD versus healthy controls. Four components showed greater expression in ADHD. Consistent with oura priorihypothesis, we observed reduced DMN-TPN segregation co-occurring with structural abnormalities in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex, two important cognitive control regions. We also observed altered intranetwork connectivity in DMN, dorsal attention network, and visual network, with co-occurring distributed structural deficits. There was strong evidence of spatial correspondence across modalities: For all four components, the impact of the respective component on gray matter at a region strongly predicted the impact on functional connectivity at that region. Overall, our results demonstrate that ADHD involves multiple, cohesive modality spanning deficits, each one of which exhibits strong spatial overlap in the pattern of structural and functional alterations.
Live Imaging of Endogenous PSD-95 Using ENABLED: A Conditional Strategy to Fluorescently Label Endogenous Proteins
Authors: Fortin Dale A. , Tillo Shane E. , Yang Guang , Rah Jong-Cheol , Melander Joshua B. , Bai Suxia , Soler-Cedeño Omar , Qin Maozhen , Zemelman Boris V. , Guo Caiying , Mao Tianyi , Zhong Haining
Published: December 2014

Stoichiometric labeling of endogenous synaptic proteins for high-contrast live-cell imaging in brain tissue remains challenging. Here, we describe a conditional mouse genetic strategy termed endogenous labeling via exon duplication (ENABLED), which can be used to fluorescently label endogenous proteins with near ideal properties in all neurons, a sparse subset of neurons, or specific neuronal subtypes. We used this method to label the postsynaptic density protein PSD-95 with mVenus without overexpression side effects. We demonstrated that mVenus-tagged PSD-95 is functionally equivalent to wild-type PSD-95 and that PSD-95 is present in nearly all dendritic spines in CA1 neurons. Within spines, while PSD-95 exhibited low mobility under basal conditions, its levels could be regulated by chronic changes in neuronal activity. Notably, labeled PSD-95 also allowed us to visualize and unambiguously examine otherwise-unidentifiable excitatory shaft synapses in aspiny neurons, such as parvalbumin-positive interneurons and dopaminergic neurons. Our results demonstrate that the ENABLED strategy provides a valuable new approach to study the dynamics of endogenous synaptic proteinsin vivo.
GLOBIN-5-Dependent O2Responses Are Regulated by PDL-1/PrBP That Targets Prenylated Soluble Guanylate Cyclases to Dendritic Endings
Authors: Gross Einav , Soltesz Zoltan , Oda Shigekazu , Zelmanovich Veronica , Abergel Zohar , de Bono Mario
Published: December 2014

Aerobic animals constantly monitor and adapt to changes in O2levels. The molecular mechanisms involved in sensing O2are, however, incompletely understood. Previous studies showed that a hexacoordinated globin called GLB-5 tunes the dynamic range of O2-sensing neurons in naturalC. elegansisolates, but is defective in the N2 lab reference strain (McGrath et al., 2009; Persson et al., 2009). GLB-5 enables a sharp behavioral switch when O2changes between 21 and 17%. Here, we show that GLB-5 also confers rapid behavioral and cellular recovery from exposure to hypoxia. Hypoxia reconfigures O2-evoked Ca2+responses in the URX O2sensors, and GLB-5 enables rapid recovery of these responses upon re-oxygenation. Forward genetic screens indicate that GLB-5's effects on O2sensing require PDL-1, theC. elegansortholog of mammalian PrBP/PDE6δ protein. In mammals, PDE6δ regulates the traffic and activity of prenylated proteins (Zhang et al., 2004; Norton et al., 2005). PDL-1 promotes localization of GCY-33 and GCY-35, atypical soluble guanylate cyclases that act as O2sensors, to the dendritic endings of URX and BAG neurons, where they colocalize with GLB-5. Both GCY-33 and GCY-35 are predicted to be prenylated. Dendritic localization is not essential for GCY-35 to function as an O2sensor, but disruptingpdl-1alters the URX neuron's O2response properties. Functional GLB-5 can restore dendritic localization of GCY-33 inpdl-1mutants, suggesting GCY-33 and GLB-5 are in a complex. Our data suggest GLB-5 and the soluble guanylate cyclases operate in close proximity to sculpt O2responses.
Behavior of Aberrant Chromosome Configurations in Drosophila melanogaster Female Meiosis I
Authors: Gilliland William D , Colwell Eileen M , Lane Fiona M , Snouffer Ashley A
Published: December 2014

One essential role of the first meiotic division is to reduce chromosome number by half. Although this is normally accomplished by segregating homologous chromosomes from each other, it is possible for a genome to have one or more chromosomes that lack a homolog (such as compound chromosomes), or have chromosomes with multiple potential homologs (such as in XXY females). These configurations complete meiosis but engage in unusual segregation patterns. In Drosophila melanogaster females carrying two compound chromosomes, the compounds can accurately segregate from each other, a process known as heterologous segregation. Similarly, in XXY females, when the X chromosomes fail to cross over, they often undergo secondary nondisjunction, where both Xs segregate away from the Y. Although both of these processes have been known for decades, the orientation mechanisms involved are poorly understood. Taking advantage of the recent discovery of chromosome congression in female meiosis I, we have examined a number of different aberrant chromosome configurations. We show that these genotypes complete congression normally, with their chromosomes bioriented at metaphase I arrest at the same rates that they segregate, indicating that orientation must be established during prometaphase I before congression. We also show that monovalent chromosomes can move out on the prometaphase I spindle, but the dot 4 chromosomes appear required for this movement. Finally, we show that, similar to achiasmate chromosomes, heterologous chromosomes can be connected by chromatin threads, suggesting a mechanism for how heterochromatic homology establishes these unusual biorientation patterns.
A Rapid One-Generation Genetic Screen in aDrosophilaModel to Capture Rhabdomyosarcoma Effectors and Therapeutic Targets
Authors: Galindo Kathleen A , Endicott Tiana R , Avirneni-Vadlamudi Usha , Galindo Rene L
Published: December 2014

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is an aggressive childhood malignancy of neoplastic muscle-lineage precursors that fail to terminally differentiate into syncytial muscle. The most aggressive form of RMS, alveolar-RMS, is driven by misexpression of the PAX-FOXO1 oncoprotein, which is generated by recurrent chromosomal translocations that fuse either the PAX3 or PAX7 gene to FOXO1. The molecular underpinnings of PAX-FOXO1−mediated RMS pathogenesis remain unclear, however, and clinical outcomes poor. Here, we report a new approach to dissect RMS, exploiting a highly efficient Drosophila PAX7-FOXO1 model uniquely configured to uncover PAX-FOXO1 RMS genetic effectors in only one generation. With this system, we have performed a comprehensive deletion screen against the Drosophila autosomes and demonstrate that mutation of Mef2, a myogenesis lynchpin in both flies and mammals, dominantly suppresses PAX7-FOXO1 pathogenicity and acts as a PAX7-FOXO1 gene target. Additionally, we reveal that mutation of mastermind, a gene encoding a MEF2 transcriptional coactivator, similarly suppresses PAX7-FOXO1, further pointing toward MEF2 transcriptional activity as a PAX-FOXO1 underpinning. These studies show the utility of the PAX-FOXO1 Drosophila system as a robust one-generation (F1) RMS gene discovery platform and demonstrate how Drosophila transgenic conditional expression models can be configured for the rapid dissection of human disease.
Music and 25% glucose pain relief for the premature infant: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Cardoso Maria Vera Lúcia Moreira Leitão , Farias Leiliane Martins , Melo Gleicia Martins de
Published: December 2014

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the total Premature Infant Pain Profile scores of premature infants undergoing arterial puncture during music and 25% glucose interventions, and to assess their association with neonatal and therapeutic variables.METHOD: a randomized clinical trial with 80 premature infants; 24 in the Experimental Group 1 (music), 33 in the Experimental Group 2 (music and 25% glucose), 23 in the Positive Control Group (25% glucose). All premature infants were videotaped and a lullaby was played for ten minutes before puncture in Experimental Groups 1 and 2; 25% glucose administered in Experimental Group 2 and the Positive Control Group two minutes before puncture.RESULTS: 60.0% of premature infants had moderate or maximum pain; pain scores and intervention groups were not statistically significant. Statistically significant variables: Experimental Group 1: head and chest circumference, Apgar scores, corrected gestational age; Experimental Group 2: chest circumference, Apgar scores, oxygen therapy; Positive Control group: birth weight, head circumference.CONCLUSION: neonatal variables are associated with pain in premature infants. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials: UTN: U1111-1123-4821.
Strengths and weaknesses of Problem Based Learning from the professional perspective of registered nurses
Authors: Cónsul-Giribet María , Medina-Moya José Luis
Published: December 2014

OBJECTIVE: to identify competency strengths and weaknesses as perceived by nursing professionals who graduated with a integrated curriculum and competency-based through Problem Based Learning in small groups.METHOD: an intrinsic case study method was used, which analyzes this innovation through former students (from the first class) with three years of professional experience. The data were collected through a questionnaire and discussion groups.RESULTS: the results show that their competency level is valued in a very satisfactory manner. This level paradoxically contrasts with the lack of theoretical knowledge they perceived at the end of their education, when they started working in clinical practice.CONCLUSIONS: the teaching strategy was key to motivate an in-depth study and arouse the desire to know. In addition, Problem Based Learning favors and reinforces the decision to learn, which is that necessary in the course of professional life.
Nasal septum injury in preterm infants using nasal prongs
Authors: Bonfim Suely de Fátima Santos Freire , Vasconcelos Maria Gorete Lucena de , Sousa Nayara Francisca Cabral de , Silva Daiana Vieira Câmara da , Leal Luciana Pedrosa
Published: December 2014

OBJECTIVE: to assess the incidence and risk factors associated with nasal septum injury in premature infants using reused and new nasal prongs.METHOD: the study was a cohort from an open therapeutic intervention. The sample included 70 infants with a gestational age inferior to 37 weeks, who used nasal prongs and were hospitalized at the neonatal service of a hospital in Recife-PE, in the Northeast of Brazil. The data were collected in patient files through the assessment of the application of the device and of the nasal septum. Multinomial Logistic Regression and Survival analyses were applied.RESULTS: the incidence of nasal injury corresponded to 62.9%. In the multiple analysis, only the length of the infant's treatment was a determinant factor for the occurrence and severity of the injuries.CONCLUSION: the type of nasal prong does not serve as a risk factor for the nasal injury. The high incidence of nasal injury indicates the need to adapt the nursing care with emphasis on prevention.
The reasons of the nursing staff to notify adverse events
Authors: Paiva Miriam Cristina Marques da Silva de , Popim Regina Célia , Melleiro Marta Maria , Tronchim Daisy Maria Rizatto , Lima Silvana Andréa Molina , Juliani Carmen Maria Casquel Monti
Published: December 2014

OBJECTIVE: this research aimed to understand the motivation for reporting adverse events from the perspective of nursing staff in the work environment.METHOD: qualitative study that used the phenomenology of Alfred Schutz for reference, which offers a systematic approach to understand the social aspects of human action. Data were collected by open interviews with 17 nurses and 14 technicians/assistant nurses in a university hospital.RESULTS: motivation was revealed through six categories: all types of occurrences must be reported; the incident report is an auxiliary instrument to health care provision management; the culture of punishment in transition; nurses as the agents responsible for voluntary reporting; sharing problems with higher management and achieving quality in the work process.DISCUSSION: it was unveiled that, when reporting adverse events, team members perceived themselves to be in a collaborative relationship with the institution and trusted that they would receive administrative support and professional security, which encouraged them to continue reporting. Reporting allows health care professionals to share responsibilities with managers and encourages corrective actions.FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: the study revealed the nursing staff's motivation for adverse event reporting, contributing to reflections on institutional policies aimed at patient safety in health care.
Implementation of the nursing process in a health area: models and assessment structures used
Authors: Huitzi-Egilegor Joseba Xabier , Elorza-Puyadena Maria Isabel , Urkia-Etxabe Jose Maria , Asurabarrena-Iraola Carmen
Published: December 2014

OBJECTIVE: to analyze what nursing models and nursing assessment structures have been used in the implementation of the nursing process at the public and private centers in the health area Gipuzkoa (Basque Country).METHOD: a retrospective study was undertaken, based on the analysis of the nursing records used at the 158 centers studied.RESULTS: the Henderson model, Carpenito's bifocal structure, Gordon's assessment structure and the Resident Assessment Instrument Nursing Home 2.0 have been used as nursing models and assessment structures to implement the nursing process. At some centers, the selected model or assessment structure has varied over time.CONCLUSION: Henderson's model has been the most used to implement the nursing process. Furthermore, the trend is observed to complement or replace Henderson's model by nursing assessment structures.
Consultorias em Sustentabilidade: polarizações e representatividades de um mercado crescente
Authors: Botta Elisa Nogueira Novaes , Donadone Julio Cesar
Published: December 2014

O presente estudo pretende contribuir com o entendimento do surgimento e crescimento do mercado de Consultorias em Sustentabilidade no Brasil, bem como suas formas de organização. Ilustradas por um banco de dados e entrevistas, são apresentadas as principais características destas empresas brasileiras, bem como as formas de relacionamento com as consultorias internacionais. Ao final, apresenta-se uma cartografia dos polos de influência desse marcado, indicando algumas representatividades.
Visita domiciliar: estratégia de aproximação à realidade social?
Authors: Noro Luiz Roberto Augusto , Torquato Sara Melo
Published: December 2014

O estudo teve por objetivo conhecer a percepção dos alunos do curso de Odontologia sobre o aprendizado na área da saúde bucal coletiva e seu envolvimento com a comunidade, vivenciado nas atividades práticas. A população do estudo, de natureza quantitativa transversal e descritiva, correspondeu a 104 alunos cursando o último ano do curso de Odontologia da Universidade de Fortaleza, em 2008. Dados foram coletados por meio de questionário semiestruturado, aplicado em entrevista. Para 36,2% dos alunos, as visitas domiciliares contribuem para o reconhecimento da realidade social. O benefício para a comunidade seria resultante das ações de educação em saúde, segundo 19,2% dos alunos. Entretanto, 36,2% dos alunos não reconheceram nas visitas domiciliares qualquer importância para sua formação e 53,2% apontaram que estas atividades têm pouca contribuição para os moradores da comunidade. As visitas domiciliares devem prover atividades que extrapolem a coleta de dados, permitindo que o vínculo do aluno com a família se desenvolva na lógica da humanização do atendimento. Professores de todas as áreas de conhecimento devem pensar em propostas que extrapolem o atendimento clínico como conjunto de procedimentos técnicos para uma proposta em que essas atividades causem efetivamente impacto na saúde bucal, primando por um maior vínculo com essa população.
Life Satisfaction in Women With Breast Cancer1
Authors: Fonseca Solange , Lencastre Leonor , Guerra Marina
Published: December 2014

It is well known that breast cancer carries many psychosocial consequences. For a deeper understanding of this topic, this study aims to analyze the relationship between life satisfaction, meaning in life, optimism, body image and depression in 55 women with breast cancer, organized into two groups: mastectomized and submitted to conservative surgery. The variables were characterized based on the results from the Auto-Actualização-SentidoVida [Self-Actualization-Life Meaning] sub-scale, the Escala de Otimismo [Optimism scale], the Body Image Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Escala de Satisfação com a Vida [Life satisfaction scale]. Meaning in life and optimism were positively correlated with life satisfaction. Higher depression and body image disturbance appeared associated with lower life satisfaction. Body image disturbance was higher in mastectomized women. It was concluded that women submitted to conservative surgery do not have more life satisfaction than mastectomized women, requiring equal attention in terms of preventing depression and promoting positive variables.
Self-Regulated Learning in Students of Pedagogy1
Authors: Marini Janete Aparecida da Silva , Boruchovitch Evely
Published: December 2014

Self-regulated learning is the process by which students plan, monitor and regulate their own learning. The aim of this study was to investigate relationships between motivation to learn, implicit theories of intelligence and self-handicapping strategies, and to examine the association of these variables in the prediction of the use of learning strategies in students of Pedagogy. The sample consisted of 107 Pedagogy students of two private universities of a city of São Paulo state. Data were collected using four Likert-type scales. Multivariate linear regression analyses revealed that participants with higher scores in the Learning Strategies Scale also presented significantly higher scores in intrinsic motivation and fewer reports of use of self-handicapping strategies. Higher scores in metacognitive strategies were significantly associated with both intrinsic an extrinsic motivation and with fewer reports of use of self-handicapping strategies. Results are discussed in terms of the contribution of Psychology to teacher education.
Pain and Distress in Inpatient Children According to Child and Mother Perceptions
Authors: Matsuda-Castro Ana Claudia , Linhares Maria Beatriz Martins
Published: December 2014

The present study aimed to examine the associations between pain experiences in children with respect to self-perceptions and mother perceptions and stress indicators. The study sample included 30 hospitalized children of 6-12 years of age and the children’s mothers. The Faces Scale-Revised, Child Stress Scale, and Inventory of Stress Symptoms for Adults instruments were used. A data analysis is performed via descriptive statistics and correlation analyses. The results showed that higher pain intensities in children was associated with higher stress, psychological and psychophysiological reactions in children. Higher pain intensities in children also increase mothers’ perceptions of pain in children. Seventy percent of the mothers studied in the sample presented clinical indicators of stress. Psychological support during child hospitalization should address the management of pain and stress in children and stress in mothers.
History of wheat cultivars released by Embrapa in forty years of research
Authors: Caierão Eduardo , Scheeren Pedro Luiz , Silva Márcio Só e , Castro Ricardo Lima de
Published: December 2014

In forty years of genetic breeding of wheat, Embrapa (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation) has developed over a hundred new cultivars for different regions of Brazil. Information regarding identification of these cultivars is often requested from Embrapa breeders. Data on year of release, name of pre-commercial line, the cross made, and the company unit responsible for indication of the cultivar are not always easily accessible and are often scattered throughout different documents. The aim of this study was to conduct a historical survey of all the wheat cultivars released by Embrapa, aggregating the information in a single document. Since 1974, Embrapa has released 112 wheat cultivars, including 12 by Embrapa Soybean - CNPSo (Londrina, PR), 14 by Embrapa Cerrado - CPAC (Brasília, DF), 9 by Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste - CPAO (Dourados, MS), and 77 by Embrapa Wheat - CNPT (Passo Fundo, RS).
Genetic divergence among Brachiara humidicola (Rendle) Schweick hybrids evaluated in the Western Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Assis Giselle Mariano Lessa de , Santos Cléia Florentino dos , Flores Patrícia Silva , Valle Cacilda Borges do
Published: December 2014

The objectives of this study were to detect genetic variability among genotypes of Brachiara humidicola, study the genetic diversity and identify redundant variables in the discrimination of hybrids. Fifteen genotypes were evaluated for morphological, agronomic and nutritive characteristics in a randomized block design with six replications, in Rio Branco, Acre. Analysis of variance was performed, followed by the Scott-Knott test. Different techniques of multivariate analysis were used to study genetic diversity. Significant differences in plant performance were observed for agronomic and morphological characteristics, but not for nutritive value. There was consistency between the different clustering techniques. Four redundant characteristics were identified that can be discarded. The existence of divergent and superior hybrids that can be used in recurrent selection (sexual) programs or can be released as new (apomictic) cultivars after testing for animal response was confirmed. The lack of genetic variability in bromatological traits indicates the need for differentiated selection strategies.
Estimation of genetic parameters and verification of early selection efficiency in baru (Dipteryx alata)
Authors: Santos Alisson Moura , Rosado Sebastião Carlos da Silva , Oliveira Adelson Nascimento
Published: December 2014

This study aimed at verifying the efficiency of early selection, and estimating the genetic parameters in Dipteryx alata. The 66 half-sib families were obtained from three seed provenances at the Brazilian Savannah of the state of Minas Gerais. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design with 3 replications and 5 plants per plot. Data diameters at breast height (DBH) and total height (TH) were taken at the ages of 64, 125 and 138 months. REML/BLUP methodology was applied in the D. alata different provenances and progenies. Analysis indicated significant genetic variability (P < 0.01) between and within provenances. Both traits, DBH and TH, presented high narrow sense heritability for the ages analyzed. High genetic correlation occurred between DBH and TH traits, and between ages (age-age); thus, it allowed indirect selection, as well as early selection with high genetics gains.
Inheritance of different fiber colors in cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.)
Authors: Carvalho Luiz Paulo de , Farias Francisco José Correia , Lima Marleide Magalhães de Andrade , Rodrigues Josiane Isabela da Silva
Published: December 2014

Most of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fibers produced in the world are white, in spite of the lint and fiber of tetraploid cottons (G. barbadense), exhibiting various shades of green and brown. Cotton fiber color is a genetically inherited trait resulting from the presence of pigments intermingled with cellulose. Inheritance of fiber color is relatively simple, with high heritability, but in wild accessions it is still unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the inheritance of fiber color in G. barbadense accessions representing different shades of brown. We crossed wild G. barbadense accessions and G. hirsutum cultivars (with white fiber) and obtained the F2 generations, and BC1 and BC2 backcrosses. It may be concluded that fiber color is controlled by one gene, with partial dominance of the brown color over white, except for the grayish color of the PI 435267 accession, which showed the white to be partially dominant.
Occurrence of Mycoplasma synoviae on commercial poultry farms of Pernambuco, Brazil
Authors: Barros Mércia R. , Nascimento Elmiro R. , Silva José Sérgio A. , Pinheiro Júnior José W. , Santos Sandra B. , Machado Leandro S. , Silva Rita Cássia F. , Mota Rinaldo A.
Published: December 2014

The state of Pernambuco is the largest producer of eggs in the North and Northeast of Brazil and second one in the broiler production. Mycoplasmas are important avian pathogens, which cause respiratory and joint diseases that result in large economic losses. The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) in broilers and commercial laying hens in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Tracheal fragments were analyzed from 55 healthy broilers, 35 broilers with respiratory signs and 30 commercial laying hens with respiratory signs, from 24 commercial poultry farms, each sample was composed of a pool of five birds. The bacteriological exam, PCR and nested PCR were used for the detection of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS). All samples were negative in bacteriological isolation. In the PCR analyses, seven samples from birds with respiratory signs were positive for MS and one was positive for MG, the latter of which was confirmed as the MG-F vaccine strain. The occurrence of MS in chickens with respiratory signs may indicate inadequate sanitary management on poultry farms, favoring the propagation of mycoplasmosis.
Bronchoalveolar lavage as a tool for evaluation of cellular alteration during Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infection in cats
Authors: Ribeiro Vitor M. , Barçante Joziana M.P. , Negrão-Correa Déborah , Barçante Thales A. , Klein André , Lima Walter S.
Published: December 2014

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a procedure that retrieves cells and other elements from the lungs for evaluation, which helps in the diagnosis of pulmonary diseases. The aim of this study was to perform this procedure for cellular analysis of BAL fluid alterations during experimental infection with Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in cats. Fourteen cats were individually inoculated with 800 third stage larvae of A. abstrusus and five non-infected cats lined as a control group. The BAL procedure was performed through the use of an endotracheal tube on the nineteen cats with a mean age of 18 months, on 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 and 270 days after infection. Absolute cell counts in the infected cats revealed that alveolar macrophages and eosinophils were the predominant cells following infection. This study shows that the technique allows us to retrieve cells and first stage larvae what provides information about the inflammatory process caused by aelurostrongylosis.
Origens e ramificações do plexo braquial no cachorro-do-mato Cerdocyon thous (Linnaeus, 1766)
Authors: Souza Junior Paulo , Carvalho Natan C. , Mattos Karine , Santos André L.Q.
Published: December 2014

Este estudo teve o objetivo de descrever a origem e ramificação dos nervos de vinte plexos braquiais de cachorro-do-mato (Cerdocyon thous). Dez animais da espécie, obtidos post mortem por atropelamento em rodovias, foram utilizados para o estudo, de acordo com a autorização do IBAMA/SISBIO nº33667-1. Depois de coletados, os cadáveres foram fixados em solução de formaldeído a 50% e conservados por pelo menos 14 dias em solução de formaldeído a 10% antes das dissecções. Após remoção da pele, incisões na musculatura peitoral e afastamento dos membros, acessou-se o espaço axilar e os nervos do plexo tiveram seu trajeto dissecados individualmente até sua inserção muscular. Para melhorar a visualização dos ramos ventrais cervicais e torácicos que originavam cada nervo, removeram-se a musculatura que encobria os forames intervertebrais, os processos transversos e os corpos vertebrais ventralmente, expondo inclusive a medula espinhal. Registros fotográficos e desenhos esquemáticos documentaram a origem e ramificação dos nervos. Os vinte plexos braquiais foram resultantes das conexões entre os ramos ventrais dos três últimos nervos espinhais cervicais (C6, C7 e C8) e do primeiro torácico (T1). Estes ramos derivaram os nervos supra-escapular, subescapular, axilar, musculocutâneo, radial, mediano, ulnar para a musculatura intrínseca e os nervos braquiocefálico, toracodorsal, torácico lateral, torácico longo, peitoral cranial e peitoral caudal para a musculatura extrínseca do membro torácico. Constatou-se que os ramos ventrais de C7 foram os que mais contribuíram na formação de nervos (61,5%), seguido de C8 (55,4%), de T1 (41,2%) e de C6 (30,8%). O teste t de comparação entre as médias, ao nível de significância de 5%, não demonstrou diferenças na origem do plexo quando comparados os antímeros e os sexos. Do total dos 260 nervos dissecados, 68,8% foram originados pela combinação de dois ou três ramos, enquanto apenas 31,2% tiveram formação por um único ramo. A combinação entre C8 e T1 foi a que mais formou nervos para o plexo (23,8%) nesta espécie. Quando comparadas a origem, ramificação e área de inervação do plexo braquial do C. thous com outras espécies domésticas e silvestres, verificou-se maior semelhança com o cão doméstico. Os resultados deste estudo podem embasar o diagnóstico de disfunções neuromusculares, as técnicas de bloqueios anestésicos e análises morfofuncionais comparativas envolvendo esta espécie.
Systematization, distribution and territory of the caudal cerebral artery on the brain's surface of the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
Authors: Carvalho Amarílis Díaz de , Campos Rui
Published: December 2014

Thirty Meleagris gallopavo heads with their neck segments were used. Animals were contained and euthanized with the association of mebezonium iodide, embutramide and tetracaine hydrochloride (T 61, Intervet ) by intravenous injection. The arterial system was rinsed with cold saline solution (15°C), with 5000IU heparin and filled with red-colored latex. The samples were fixed in 20% formaldehyde for seven days. The brains were removed with a segment of cervical spinal cord and after, the dura-mater was removed and the arteries dissected. The cerebral carotid arteries, after the intercarotid anastomosis, were projected around the hypophysis, until they reached the tuber cinereum and divided into their terminal branches, the caudal branch and the rostral branch. The rostral branch was projected rostrolateralwards and gave off, in sequence, two collateral branches, the caudal cerebral and the middle cerebral arteries and the terminal branch was as cerebroethmoidal artery. The caudal cerebral artery of one antimere formed the interhemispheric artery, which gave off dorsal hemispheric branches to the convex surface of both antimeres. Its dorsal tectal mesencephalic branch, of only one antimere, originated the dorsal cerebellar artery. In the interior of the cerebral transverse fissure, after the origin of the dorsal tectal mesencephalic artery, the caudal cerebral artery emitted occipital hemispheric branches, pineal branches and medial hemispheric branches, on both antimeres. The caudal cerebral artery's territory comprehended the entire surface of the dorsal hemioptic lobe, the rostral surface of the cerebellum, the diencephalic structures, the caudal pole and the medial surface of the cerebral hemisphere and in the convex surface, the sagittal eminence except for its most rostral third. Due to the asymmetry found in the caudal cerebral arteries' ramifications, the models were classified into three types and their respective subtypes.
Influence of Insulin-like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) on the survival and the in vitro development of caprine preantral follicles
Authors: Costa Sanely L. , Costa Eduardo P. , Pereira Emílio C.M. , Benjamin Laércio A. , Rodrigues Marcelo T. , Mendes Vívian R.A. , Silva Talita F.
Published: December 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the insulin-like growth factor -I (IGF-I) on survival, activation (transition from primordial to primary follicles) and growth of caprine preantral follicles cultured in vitro. Fragments of ovarian cortex were cultured for one and seven days in the absence or presence of IGF-I (0, 50 and 100ng/ml). The non-cultured and cultured tissues were processed and analyzed by histology and transmission electron microscopy. The culture for one day in a medium with 100ng/ml of IGF-I showed 86.7% of morphologically normal follicles. These results were similar (P>0.05) to the percentage of normal follicles found in the control (96.7%). It was also found that this medium increased the percentage of follicular activation (developing follicles) with one day of culture. The oocyte and follicular diameters remained similar to the control by culturing for one day in a medium containing 100ng/ml of IGF-I. The ultrastructural analysis did not confirm the integrity of the follicular fragments in a medium containing IGF-I (100ng/ml) after one and seven days of culture. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the addition of 100 ng/ml of IGF-I in the culture medium enables the development of preantral follicles of goats with one day of culture. However, it is not sufficient to maintain the follicular integrity and the follicular survival rate after seven days of culture.
Age-Related Changes in Nanoparticle Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics: Influence of Chronological Versus Functional Age
Authors: Hurria Arti , Blanchard M. Suzette , Synold Timothy W. , Mortimer Joanne , Chung Cathie T. , Luu Thehang , Katheria Vani , Rotter Arnold J. , Wong Carol , Choi Anthony , Feng Tao , Ramani Rupal , Doan Caroline M. , Brown Jaycen , Somlo George
Published: December 2014

Purpose.

This study evaluated age-related changes in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Methods.

Forty patients received nab-paclitaxel (100 mg/m2 weekly for 3 weeks followed by a 1-week break) as first- or second-line chemotherapy. Blood samples were collected for analysis, and response was assessed every two cycles. Planned statistical analyses included linear regression to examine the relationship between age and pharmacokinetic variables (ln clearance [CL] and ln area under the curve [AUC]) and two-sided two-sample t tests to evaluate age differences in pharmacodynamic variables. The association between chemotherapy toxicity risk scores and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variables including grade ≥3 toxicity were examined post hoc.

Results.

Of 40 patients enrolled, 39 (98%) were evaluable (mean age: 60 years; range: 30–81 years). A partial response was achieved in 31%, and 38% had stable disease. There was a borderline positive association between age and 24-hour ln AUC (slope = 0.011; SE = 0.006; p = .055). Grade 3 toxicity was experienced by 26% (8% hematologic, 18% nonhematologic). There were no differences in age based on the presence of grade 3 toxicity (p = .75), dose reductions (p = .38), or dose omissions (p = .15). A significant association was noted between chemotherapy toxicity risk score category and presence of grade 3 toxicity (toxicity rate by risk score category: low, 5 of 30 patients; medium, 3 of 6 patients; high, 2 of 3 patients; p = .041).

Conclusion.

A borderline significant relationship exists between age and 24-hour AUC, but no differences were noted for pharmacodynamic variables (grade 3 toxicity, dose reductions, or dose omissions) based on age. There is an association between toxicity risk score and grade ≥3 chemotherapy toxicity and pharmacokinetic variables. The treatment is well tolerated across all age groups.
Radial consolidation clay behaviour under haversine cyclic load
Authors: Razouki Sabah Said
Published: December 2014

The behaviour of a soft clay deposit during free-strain radial flow consolidation to vertical drains with no smear under haversine cyclic loading is presented and discussed thoroughly in this paper. The solution for the consolidation process was achieved using an implicit finite-difference technique assuming a constant coefficient of radial flow consolidation. The effect of vertical drain spacing and the frequency of cyclic loading on the consolidation process is studied thoroughly. The time variation of excess pore water pressure and effective stress at the impermeable boundary of a unit cell of a prefabricated vertical drain is presented for different values of relative drain spacing. Different periods of cyclic loading are considered to show the effect of the frequency of loading on the consolidation process. The findings indicated that an increase in the frequency of haversine cyclic loading causes an increase in the number of cycles required to achieve the steady state. The effective stress at the impermeable boundary of a unit cell of a prefabricated vertical drain increases with time but with some fluctuations without changing sign. These fluctuations become more pronounced for increasing values of cycle length, causing an increase in the maximum effective stress.
Mechanical properties of reactive powder concrete with ultra-short brass-coated steel fibres
Authors: Xia Hongyan , Wang Wenbin , Shi Zhongqi
Published: December 2014

The mechanical properties (compressive strength, quasi-static fracture behaviour under three-piont loading, and fracture energy) of reactive powder concrete with ultra-short brass-coated steel fibres (12, 6 and 3 mm) were investigated. Steel fibre length had a small impact on the compressive strength of reactive powder concrete. Nevertheless, the quasi-static fracture behaviour showed clearly lower load-carrying capacity after the peak load with decreasing steel fibre length, indicating the decreased toughness of reactive powder concrete with shorter steel fibres. Obtained by integrating the area under the load–deflection curve, the fracture energy sharply decreased about 50% when reducing steel fibre length from 12 to 3 mm. These results will give guidance for the fabrication and study of reactive powder concrete–metal sandwich protective structures with high ballistic performance, low weight and low fabrication cost in the future.