bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Essential Role for Zinc-Triggered p75NTRActivation in Preconditioning Neuroprotection
Authors: Lee Jin-Yeon , Kim Yu-Jin , Kim Tae-Youn , Koh Jae-Young , Kim Yang-Hee
Published: October 2008

Ischemic preconditioning (PC) of the brain is a phenomenon by which mild ischemic insults render neurons resistant to subsequent strong insults. Key steps in ischemic PC of the brain include caspase-3 activation and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) cleavage, but upstream events have not been clearly elucidated. We have tested whether endogenous zinc is required for ischemic PC of the brain in rats. Mild, transient zinc accumulation was observed in certain neurons after ischemic PC. Moreover, intraventricular administration of CaEDTA during ischemic PC abrogated both zinc accumulation and the protective effect against subsequent full ischemia. To elucidate the mechanism of the zinc-triggered PC (Zn PC) effect, cortical cultures were exposed to sublethal levels of zinc, and 18 h later to lethal levels of zinc or NMDA. Zn PC exhibited the characteristic features of ischemic PC, including caspase-3 activation, PARP-1 cleavage, and HSP70 induction, all of which are crucial for subsequent neuroprotection against NMDA or zinc toxicity. HSP70 induction was necessary for protection, as it halted caspase-3 activation before apoptosis. Interestingly, in both Zn PCin vitroand ischemic PCin vivo, p75NTRwas necessary for neuroprotection. These results suggest that caspase-3 activation during ischemic PC, a necessary event for subsequent neuroprotection, may result from mild zinc accumulation and the consequent p75NTRactivation in neurons.
The Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factor Olig2 Is Critical for Reactive Astrocyte Proliferation after Cortical Injury
Authors: Chen Ying , Miles Darryl K. , Hoang ThaoNguyen , Shi Jian , Hurlock Edward , Kernie Steven G. , Lu Q. Richard
Published: October 2008

The mechanisms underlying the formation of the glial scar after injury are poorly understood. In this report, we demonstrate that after cortical injury Olig2 is upregulated in reactive astrocytes coincident with proliferation of these cells. Short-term lineage tracing studies with glial subtype-restricted transgenic reporter lines indicate that Olig2-expressing cells in the astroglial but not the oligodendroglial lineage are the essential source of reactive astrocytes. In addition, corticalOlig2ablation results in a decrease in proliferation of reactive astrocytes in response to injury. Cell-type-specific mutagenesis indicates thatOlig2ablation in GFAP+ astrocytes and their precursors rather than in neuronal or oligodendroglial cells is responsible for the reduction of reactive astrocyte proliferation. Thus, our studies suggest that Olig2 is critical for postinjury gliosis.
Saccadic Modulation of Neural Responses: Possible Roles in Saccadic Suppression, Enhancement, and Time Compression
Authors: Ibbotson Michael R. , Crowder Nathan A. , Cloherty Shaun L. , Price Nicholas S. C. , Mustari Michael J.
Published: October 2008

Humans use saccadic eye movements to make frequent gaze changes, yet the associated full-field image motion is not perceived. The theory of saccadic suppression has been proposed to account for this phenomenon, but it is not clear whether suppression originates from a retinal signal at saccade onset or from the brain before saccade onset. Perceptually, visual sensitivity is reduced before saccades and enhanced afterward. Over the same time period, the perception of time is compressed and even inverted. We explore the origins and neural basis of these effects by recording from neurons in the dorsal medial superior temporal area (MSTd) of alert macaque monkeys. Neuronal responses to flashed presentations of a textured pattern presented at random times relative to saccades exhibit a stereotypical pattern of modulation. Response amplitudes are strongly suppressed for flashes presented up to 90 ms before saccades. Immediately after the suppression, there is a period of 200–450 ms in which flashes generate enhanced response amplitudes. Our results show that (1) MSTd is not directly suppressed, rather suppression is inherited from earlier visual areas; (2) early suppression of the visual system must be of extra-retinal origin; (3) postsaccadic enhancement of neural activity occurs in MSTd; and (4) the enhanced responses have reduced latencies. As a whole, these observations reveal response properties that could account for perceptual observations relating to presaccadic suppression, postsaccadic enhancement and time compression.
Interaction of Chemical Reactive Species – Investigated with Spin-Lattice Relaxation and NOE Measurements
Authors: Oßmann A. , Berger S.
Published: October 2008

The paper describes attempts to detect interactions or encounter complexes between reacting molecules, although the individual molecules might not succeed in forming a reaction product. As an example, the Diels-Alder reaction is chosen, and the technique employed comprises NMR T
1 and NMR NOE measurements. In the case of the intermolecular Diels-Alder reaction both methods were not successful, in the intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction NOE results are able to predict the stereochemical outcome.
Unusually Slow Intermolecular Proton-Deuteron Exchange in Porphycene
Authors: Fita Piotr , Urbanska Natalia , Radzewicz Czeslaw , Waluk Jacek
Published: October 2008

The rates of the intermolecular exchange of two internal protons by deuterons have been determined for alcohol solutions of porphycene and its 2,7,12,17-tetra-t-butyl derivative using femtosecond pump-probe polarization spectroscopy. The process is very slow, requiring approximately twenty hours to substitute both protons by deuterons in more than 90% of the molecules dissolved in bulk EtOD or BuOD at 293 K. Equal rates were found for the exchange of the first and the second proton.
The Competition of the Loss of a Beta Fluoride and Hydron Transfer Between Carbon and Oxygen During Exchange and Elimination Reactions
Authors: Koch Heinz F. , Koch Judith G. , Mishima Masaaki , Iacono Pasquale , Wedgwood Nicole M.
Published: October 2008

Reactions of methanolic sodium methoxide with the series p-CF3C6H4C
i
HClRX [RX is -CH2Cl, -CH2F, -CHClF, -CHF2, -CF2Cl or -CF3] are reported to probe reaction mechanisms for dehydrohalogenation reactions compared to hydron exchange. All of the dehydrochlorinations and dehydrofluorinations from CH2F occur by a two step mechanism via a hydrogen-bonded carbanion intermediate. Dehydrofluorinations from CHF2 occurs via a carbanion no longer stabilized by a hydrogen bond and the fluoride ion is eliminated faster than proton transfer from methanol. Reactions from the CF3 occur from a similar intermediate but exchange of the benzylic proton is faster than the dehydrofluorination. Reactions of ethanolic sodium ethoxide are also reported with the series p-CF3C6H4C
i
HFRX [RX is -CH2F, -CHF2, -CF2Cl or -CF3]. Density functional calculations using B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) were used to probe the compounds and intermediates.
Infrared Absorption Spectra in the Hydroxyl Stretching Regions of Gaseous Tropolone OHO Isotopomers
Authors: Redington Richard L. , Redington Theresa E. , Sams Robert L.
Published: October 2008

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) absorption spectra in the 2000 to 3500 cm–1 range are reported for the gaseous 16
O,
16
O- and 18
O,
18
O-isotopomers of tropolone[OH(OD)] at 25 oC. The spectral doublet component separations are near 20 and 19 cm–1 for 16
O,
16
O- and 18
O,
18
O-Tp(OH), respectively, and near 7 and 6.5 cm–1 for 16
O,
16
O- and 18
O,
18
O-Tp(OD). The spectra suggest the tautomerization tunneling mechanisms in these states are complex multidimensional processes including the participation of IVR. In general, the OHO isotope effects demonstrate a mixing of O atom displacement coordinates into the intramolecular dynamics for most of the vibrational states observed in the fundamental CH/OH(OD) stretching regions.
NMR Study of Blue-Shifting Hydrogen Bonds Formed by Fluoroform in Solution
Authors: Golubev Nicolai S. , Denisov Gleb S. , Macholl Sven , Smirnov Sergei N. , Shenderovich Ilja G. , Tolstoy Peter M.
Published: October 2008

Low-temperature (193 K) 1H, 13C and 15N NMR spectra of blue- and red-shifting H-bonded complexes formed by fluoroform with various proton acceptors were measured. Experimental NMR parameters were plotted versus the ab initio calculated H-bond strength (MP2/6–31+G(d, p); interaction energy varies from ~5 up to 25 kJ · mol−1 in the series). We show that experimental 1H and 15N shieldings, as well as the H/D isotope effect on 13C shielding change monotonously with the calculated H-bond strengthening. The 13C chemical shift and the CH scalar coupling change non-monotonously and the extremum points are situated approximately in the region of transformation from blue- to red-shifting H-bonds. The most informative NMR feature is the H/D isotope effect on 15N shielding which changes its sign upon transformation from blue- to red-shifting H-bonds.

To rationalize these observations, ab initio calculations of 13C and 15N shieldings as functions of C···H and C···N distances were performed for complexes of CHF3 with acetonitrile (blue-shifting) and pyridine (red-shifting). The coupling of the vibrations of the covalent and hydrogen bonds has been accounted for by direct computation of the distance C···N = f(C···H) dependence. We demonstrate that the unusual sign of the H/D isotope effect on 15N chemical shift across a blue-shifting H-bond can be explained as a result of the inversion of the dynamic coupling of two vibrations.
The Effect of Environment on the Dynamics of Proton Dissociation in Water
Authors: Radozkowicz Limor , Project Elad , Gepshtein Rinat , Nachliel Esther , Huppert Dan , Gutman Menachem
Published: October 2008

The effect of the local ordering of water molecules, adjacent to the molecular surface, on the dynamics of excited state proton transfer to bulk was monitored with the pyranine-γ-CD inclusion complex as a model. The bound pyranine (a commonly used photoacid) exhibits slower dissociation dynamics, with activation energy of the proton dissociation reaction that is significantly higher than that of the reaction of the free pyranine. To understand the source of these modulations of the rate constants, the interaction of the pyranine with the water was investigated by molecular dynamics calculations. The solvation patterns of both; the pyranine and γ-CD, differ in the complex from that of the free compounds. In the case of the pyranine´s hydroxyl, the inclusion in the torus of the γ-CD reduces the number of water molecules in its immediate vicinity and their ordering, thus accounting for the variation in the rates of the proton transfer reactions. On increasing the temperature, the water of the pyranine´s hydroxyl third solvation shell, but not those of the first and the second shell, lose their strict orientation, thus facilitating the dissociation of the pyranine.
Ortho-Nitrobenzaldehyde 1:1 Water Complexes. The Influence of Solute Water Interactions in the Vertical Excited Spectrum
Authors: Leyva Veronica , Corral Ines , Gonzalez Leticia
Published: October 2008

The intermolecular hydrogen bonding interaction of a water molecule with the caging group ortho-nitrobenzaldehyde (o-NBA) has been studied by means of quantum mechanical methods. The o-NBA chromophore presents two functional groups, NO2 and CHO, interconnected by an intramolecular hydrogen bond. Both groups compete for the interaction with the solvent molecule, leading to eleven possible stable isomers that are very close in energy. The effect of the binding water on the electronic properties of o-NBA has been analyzed in structural terms as well as using the atoms-in-molecules theory of Bader. Binding energies for all complexes are reported, and in general they range from 5 to 13 kJ/mol. Special attention has been paid to the effect of the water molecule on the vertical excitation energies of o-NBA. Upon water complexation the absorption spectrum of o-NBA shifts to higher energies and it is characterized by three bands of comparable intensities as those recently measured for o-NBA in gas phase.
Where are Protons and Deuterons in KH
p
D1
–

p
CO3? A Neutron Diffraction Study
Authors: Fillaux Francois , Cousson Alain
Published: October 2008

The crystals of potassium hydrogen carbonate (KHCO3) and the KDCO3 analogue are isomorphous. They are composed of hydrogen or deuterium bonded centrosymmetric dimers (HCO3
–)2 or (DCO3
–)2. The space group symmetry of KH
p
D1
–

p
CO3 (p ≈ 0.75) determined with neutron diffraction is identical to those of KHCO3 and KDCO3. This is at variance with a random distribution of H and D nuclei. These crystals are macroscopic quantum systems in which protons or/and deuterons merge into macroscopic states.
Mechanisms of Double Proton Transfer. Theory and Applications
Authors: Smedarchina Zorka , Siebrand Willem , Fernandez-Ramos Antonio , Meana-Paneda Ruben
Published: October 2008

An analytical two-dimensional (2D) potential-energy surface based on two equal hydrogen bonds coupled by a correlation term, recently introduced [J. Chem. Phys. 127 (2007) 174513] to describe the dynamics of double proton transfer, is reviewed and generalized. It is then applied to the evaluation of proton transfer dynamics in a number of realistic systems, namely several molecules and dimers that exhibit various degrees of correlation between the motions of the two protons. The three parameters required to generate this 2D potential are derived from electronic structure and force field calculations, such that they include implicitly the effect of coupled skeletal modes. It follows that explicit introduction of such coupled modes is not required to obtain the basic relations that define the stationary points of the 2D surface, and thereby the reaction mechanism. Based on these relations, a detailed analysis is reported of a variety of systems exhibiting double proton transfer, including, apart from previously investigated porphine and porphycene, representing weak correlation, and the formic and benzoic acid dimers, representing strong correlation, two newly investigated systems which shed light on the hitherto not represented intermediate correlation category, namely naphthazarin, and the 4-bromopyrazole dimer.
Towards Toroidal Hydrogen Bonds
Authors: Barth Ingo , Manz Jörn , Perez-Hernandez Guillermo , Sebald Peter
Published: October 2008

We present hydrogen bonds with toroidal densities of the protons, called toroidal hydrogen bonds, in systems with cylindrical symmetry e.g. triatomic molecules AHB or ions AHB+ or AHB–. These may be prepared by excitation of the degenerate bending vibrations and related pseudorotation such that the hydrogen atom (or the corresponding proton) is no longer located on the symmetry axis between atoms A and B, but – classically speaking – it rotates around that axis. Quantum mechanically, the toroidal hydrogen bond is represented by an excited nuclear eigenstate with nuclear wavefunction and corresponding nuclear density which have toroidal shapes around the central nodal line which conincides with the AB symmetry axis. The properties of these bonds are analyzed, including the pseudorotational angular momentum. Toroidal hydrogen bonds may be excited by means of circularly polarized infrared (IR) laser pulses. The results are demonstrated exemplarily for the oriented model system FHF–, by means of combined quantum chemistry calculations of the potential energy and dipole surfaces (adapted from L. González, G. Pérez-Hernández, J. González-Vázquez, (2008), submitted), calculations of the vibrational and pseudorotational states in the frame of Watson’s isomorphic Hamiltonian for linear molecules (J. K. G. Watson, Mol. Phys. 19 (1970) 465), and quantum dynamics simulations of the laser driven nuclear dynamics, analogous to recent applications to CdH2 (I. Barth, J. Manz, P. Sebald, Chem. Phys. 346 (2008) 89).
Hydrogen Tunneling in Glucose Oxidation by the Archaeon Thermoplasma acidophilum
Authors: Anandarajah Kandiah , Schowen K. Barbara , Schowen Richard L.
Published: October 2008

The thermophilic archaeon Thermoplasma acidophilum, with an optimal growth temperature in the region of 60 °C, has evolved a D-glucose dehydrogenase, dependent on NADP+ and accepting only the β-anomer of D-glucose, that exhibits a temperature dependence of the rate constants k
cat/K
mβ for 1-h-β-D-glucose and 1-d-β-D-glucose that indicate two modes of quantum tunneling in the hydride-transfer reaction from substrate to NADP+. Near the optimal temperature for the organism, tunneling seems to occur in a prepared configuration that has most logically been designed by molecular evolution. At lower temperatures, a discontinuity in the temperature dependence of the catalytic rate constant is observed and is thought to arise from a protein structural transition. Below the transition temperature, tunneling appears to occur by a mechanism involving sequential configurational searches for a tunneling state, as is more commonly observed in non-enzymic reactions.
DFT Calculations of 51V Solid-State NMR Parameters of Vanadium(V) Model Complexes
Authors: Gutmann Torsten , Schweitzer Annika , Wächtler Maria , Breitzke Hergen , Buchholz Axel , Plass Winfried , Buntkowsky Gerd
Published: October 2008

Two cis-dioxovanadium(V) complexes and three monooxovanadium(V) complexes with different coordination numbers and ligand spheres, serving as model complexes for vanadium haloperoxidases, were studied by 51V solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The most important 51V solid-state NMR parameters (quadrupolar coupling constant C

Q
, asymmetry of the EFG tensor η

Q
, isotropic chemical shift δ

iso
, chemical shift anisotropy δ

σ
, asymmetry of the CSA tensor η

σ
and the Euler angles α, β and γ) describing the quadrupolar and chemical shift anisotropy interactions were determined theoretically with DFT methods employing the B3LYP functional and experimentally using genetic fitting algorithms. Calculations of δ

iso
values were treated with different referencing values of VOCl3 computed with different-sized basis sets using the “counterpoise method”. The calculated C

Q
values were discussed in terms of the quadrupolar moment Q. Absolute tensor orientations of CSA and EFG tensors were computed by DFT. These orientations were found to correlate to structural features of the model complexes.
Investigation of Localized Catalytic and Electrocatalytic Processes and Corrosion Reactions with Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM)
Authors: Pust Sascha E. , Maier Wiebke , Wittstock Gunther
Published: October 2008

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) has developed into a very versatile tool for the investigation of solid-liquid, liquid-liquid and liquid-gas interfaces. The arrangement of an ultramicroelectrode (UME) in close proximity to the interface under study allows the application of a large variety of different experimental schemes. The most important have been named feedback mode, generation-collection mode, redox competition mode and direct mode. Quantitative descriptions are available for the UME signal, depending on different sample properties and experimental variables. Therefore, SECM has been established as an indispensible tool in many areas of fundamental electrochemical research. Currently, it also spreads as an important new method to solve more applied problems, in which inhomogeneous current distributions are typically observed on different length scales. Prominent examples include devices for electrochemical energy conversion such as fuel cells and batteries as well as localized corrosion phenomena. However, the direct local investigation of such systems is often impossible. Instead, suitable reaction schemes, sample environments, model samples and even new operation modes have to be introduced in order to obtain results that are relevant to the practical application. This review outlines and compares the theoretical basis of the different SECM working modes and reviews the application in the area of electrochemical energy conversion and localized corrosion with a special emphasis on the problems encountered when working with practical samples.
Racial and Educational Homogamy: 1980 to 2000
Authors: Fu Xuanning , Heaton Tim B.
Published: October 2008

Two recent trends in marriage imply different consequences for the degree of heterogeneity in American society: Increasing racial intermarriage indicates higher levels of social integration, while continued educational homogamy potentially enlarges socioeconomic inequality. This article analyzes census 5 percent Public Use Micro Samples data from 1980 to 2000 and examines the two trends simultaneously. Results suggest that racial homogamy has gradually declined but remains as the strongest pattern. Educational homogamy shows a diverse pattern of change, with an overall flat or slightly declining trend, and the best educated and the least educated are both more homogamous than those who have intermediate levels of education. Those who intermarry by race tend to have higher levels of education, and there is a modest positive relationship between racial and educational heterogamy.
Race, Income, and Environmental Inequality in the United States
Authors: Downey Liam , Hawkins Brian
Published: October 2008

This article asks whether the relationship between neighborhood and household income levels and neighborhood hazard levels varies according to neighborhood and household racial composition. Using a national, census tract-level data set, the authors find that black, white, and Hispanic households with similar incomes live in neighborhoods of dissimilar environmental quality, that the association between neighborhood and household income levels and neighborhood hazard levels varies according to neighborhood and household racial composition, and that increases in neighborhood and household income levels are more strongly associated with declining hazard levels in black neighborhoods and households than in white neighborhoods and households. These findings contradict Wilson's claim that the significance of race has declined in the modern industrial period and demonstrate that environmental racial inequality is not the product of racial income inequality. In addition, these findings suggest that the impact of higher incomes on black/white proximity to environmental hazards has less to do with increases in white geographic mobility (relative to black geographic mobility) than with the ability of higher income blacks to escape the highly polluted, disorganized, and deteriorated neighborhoods to which so many low-income blacks are confined.
Drosophila Myt1 Is the Major Cdk1 Inhibitory Kinase for Wing Imaginal Disc Development
Authors: Jin Zhigang , Homola Ellen , Tiong Stanley , Campbell Shelagh D
Published: October 2008

Mitosis is triggered by activation of Cdk1, a cyclin-dependent kinase. Conserved checkpoint mechanisms normally inhibit Cdk1 by inhibitory phosphorylation during interphase, ensuring that DNA replication and repair is completed before cells begin mitosis. In metazoans, this regulatory mechanism is also used to coordinate cell division with critical developmental processes, such as cell invagination. Two types of Cdk1 inhibitory kinases have been found in metazoans. They differ in subcellular localization and Cdk1 target-site specificity: one (Wee1) being nuclear and the other (Myt1), membrane-associated and cytoplasmic. Drosophila has one representative of each: dMyt1 and dWee1. Although dWee1 and dMyt1 are not essential for zygotic viability, loss of both resulted in synthetic lethality, indicating that they are partially functionally redundant. Bristle defects in myt1 mutant adult flies prompted a phenotypic analysis that revealed cell-cycle defects, ectopic apoptosis, and abnormal responses to ionizing radiation in the myt1 mutant imaginal wing discs that give rise to these mechanosensory organs. Cdk1 inhibitory phosphorylation was also aberrant in these myt1 mutant imaginal wing discs, indicating that dMyt1 serves Cdk1 regulatory functions that are important both for normal cell-cycle progression and for coordinating mitosis with critical developmental processes.
Use of clozapine in Brazilian patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Gomide Laura , Kummer Arthur , Cardoso Francisco , Teixeira Antonio Lucio
Published: October 2008

Clozapine has been used as an attempt to manage levodopa complications in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). To investigate the use of clozapine in this context in a Brazilian sample, a retrospective chart review was carried out at the Movement Disorders Clinic from the Federal University of Minas Gerais. This study enrolled 43 PD patients who used or were in use of clozapine. Patients had a mean age of 64 years and a mean UPDRS score of 55. Clozapine was indicated for dyskinesias in 17 patients, for psychosis in 15 and for both reasons in 11. The average maximum dose was 70 mg/day. Twenty six patients used it for a mean of 3.5 years. Twenty nine presented an improvement of their condition, 9 remained clinically stable. Twenty subjects interrupted the use of clozapine, being 9 due to adverse effects. Clozapine may play a role in the management of motor and psychiatric complications in PD, but it is associated with low tolerability.
Quetiapine for the prevention of migraine refractory to the combination of atenolol + nortriptyline + flunarizine: an open pilot study
Authors: Krymchantowski Abouch V , Jevoux Carla
Published: October 2008

BACKGROUND: Migraine is a prevalent neurological disorder. Although prevention is the mainstream treatment, some patients are refractory to standard therapies. AIM: To evaluate the use of quetiapine (QTP) in the preventive treatment of refractory migraine, defined as previous unresponsiveness to the combination atenolol + nortriptyline + flunarizine. METHOD: Thirty-four consecutive patients (30 women and 4 men) with migraine (ICHD-II) and headache attacks on less than 15 days per month not overusing symptomatic medications were studied. The main inclusion criterion was the lack of response (<50% reduction in attack frequency) after ten weeks to the combination of atenolol (60 mg/day) + nortriptyline (25 mg/day) + flunarizine (3 mg/day). The patients started on QTP as the sole treatment in a single daily dose of 25 mg, titrated to 75 mg. After ten weeks, headache frequency, consumption of rescue medications and adverse events were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty nine patients completed the study. Among completers, 22 (75.9%; 64.7% of the intention-to-treat population) presented >50% headache reduction. The mean frequency of migraine days decreased from 10.2 to 6.2 and the average consumption of rescue medications decreased from 2.3 to 1.2 days/week. Adverse events were reported by 9 (31%) patients. CONCLUSION: Although limited by the open design, this study provides a pilot data to support the use of quetiapine in preventive treatment of refractory migraine.
Characteristics of patients assisted at an ambulatory of dementia from a university hospital
Authors: Tascone Lyssandra dos Santos , Marques Rita de Cássia G. , Pereira Elaine Cristina , Bottino Cássio M.C.
Published: October 2008

OBJECTIVE: To present socio-demographic characteristics, mean scores of tests and scales applied to patients with dementia and discuss the relationship between test scores, clinical diagnoses and the severity of dementia. METHOD: Patients (n=113) were diagnosed according to the DSM-IV criteria, and the diagnostic work-up included physical and neurological examination, auxiliary exams, cognitive and functional tests, and the evaluation of neuropsychiatric symptoms. RESULTS: Mean age was 74.0 years. Alzheimer's disease (AD) was diagnosed in 62.8% of the patients, AD and vascular dementia in 8.8%, other dementias in 14.2%, and mild cognitive impairment in 2.7%. At least one neuropsychiatric symptom was diagnosed in 96.9% of the sample. There were significant differences on cognitive and functional performance between the groups classified according to dementia severity. CONCLUSION: Neuropsychiatric symptoms were quite common in patients with dementia, being more frequent as severity increased, and those symptoms were associated with functional impairment in the patients.
Low frequency (0.5Hz) rTMS over the right (non-dominant) motor cortex does not affect ipsilateral hand performance in healthy humans
Authors: Weiler Fernanda , Brandão Pedro , Barros-Filho Jairo de , Uribe Carlos Enrique , Pessoa Valdir Filgueiras , Brasil-Neto Joaquim Pereira
Published: October 2008

Reduction of excitability of the dominant primary motor cortex (M1) improves ipsilateral hand function in healthy subjects. In analogy, inhibition of non-dominant M1 should also improve ipsilateral performance. In order to investigate this hypothesis, we have used slow repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and the Purdue Pegboard test. Twenty-eight volunteers underwent 10 minutes of either 0.5Hz rTMS over right M1 or sham rTMS (coil perpendicular to scalp). The motor task was performed before, immediately after, and 20 minutes after rTMS. In both groups, motor performance improved significantly throughout the sessions. rTMS inhibition of the non-dominant M1 had no significant influence over ipsilateral or contralateral manual dexterity, even though the results were limited by unequal performance between groups at baseline. This is in contrast to an improvement in left hand function previously described following slow rTMS over left M1, and suggests a less prominent physiological transcallosal inhibition from right to left M1.
Control of psychomotor agitation and aggressive behavior in patients with autistic disorder: a retrospective chart review
Authors: Novaes Camila Marinho , Pondé Milena Pereira , Freire Antonio Carlos Cruz
Published: October 2008

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of pharmacotherapy on the symptoms of psychomotor agitation and aggressive behavior in a sample of patients with autistic spectrum disorder. METHOD: The charts of all patients with a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder, receiving care for psychomotor agitation and/or aggressive behavior in two psychiatric outpatient departments between 2001 and 2006, were reviewed. The Clinical Global Impression-Severity and -Improvement scales (CGI-S and CGI-I) were applied to the data retrieved from the charts. RESULTS: The majority of the 26 patients included were treated with second-generation antipsychotics. A positive, statistically significant correlation was found between the implementation of pharmacotherapy and a reduction in CGI-S scores (p<0.05). Treatment response in patients with no mental retardation was better than in those mentally retarded (p<0.05). The majority of patients in whom clinical improvement was found following implementation of treatment had participated in at least one form of intervention therapy in addition to the principal treatment (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Second-generation antipsychotics seem to reduce psychomotor agitation and aggressive behavior in patients with autistic spectrum disorder; however, further studies are required to evaluate the side effects of these drugs in relation to their beneficial effects.
Quality of life of children with cerebral palsy treated with botulinum toxin: are well-being measures appropriate?
Authors: Assis Taísa R. Simões de , Forlin Edilson , Bruck Isac
Published: October 2008

AIM: To analyze quality of life (QOL) of children with cerebral palsy (CP) treated with botulinum toxin type A (BTXA). METHOD: Two QOL evaluation tools, translated into Portuguese, were used: Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI) and Child's Caregiver Questionnaire (CCQ). Questionnaires were answered by caregivers on two occasions. Patients were divided into 3 groups: I - patients who had been previously treated with BTXA and who underwent a session of BTXA; II - patients who used BTXA for the first time; III - patients previously treated with BTXA but did not in this interval. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients were evaluated. In group I (n=26) the functional ability had improvement for all types of CP (p=0.04), and tetraplegic increased interaction/communication (p=0.02). In group II (n=14) positioning improved (p=0.02). Group III (n=28) showed no change in QOL. CONCLUSIONS: PODCI and CCQ are able to capture outcome in children with CP.
Multiple sclerosis outcome and morbi-mortality of a Brazilian cohort patients
Authors: Alves-Leon Soniza Vieira , Malfetano Fabíola Rachid , Pimentel Maria Lucia Veluttini , Estrada Claudio Luiz Duque , Pereira Valéria Coelho Santa Rita , Liem Assuncíon Martinez , Novis Sérgio Augusto Pereira
Published: October 2008

We studied the clinical and evolution characteristics of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients followed since the onset of HUCFF/UFRJ in 1978. The diagnosis of MS was based on Poser's et al. and MC Donald's et al. criteria. From 188 patients, 122 were included. Eighty-five were females. The mean age onset was 32.2 years-old (range 6.0 to 61.0±10.3), mainly Caucasians (82/67%). The relapsing-remitting course (MSRR) was more frequent (106/86.8%). Monosymptomatic onset was significantly more frequent in Caucasians than in Afro-Brazilians (p<0.05). Seventeen patients had benign form of MS and these patients presented association with MSRR when compared with severe form (p=0.01). The mortality rate was 2.12% (4 patients died). This study was similar to other Brazilian series with regard to sex and age, and lack of correlation between EDSS and number of relapses; it confirmed south-southeast African-descendants gradient distribution and association between first mono-symptomatic relapses and Caucasian; we found lower frequency of benign forms.
Neurological complications of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT): a retrospective study in a HSCT center in Brazil
Authors: Teive Hélio A.G. , Funke Vaneuza , Bitencourt Marco A. , Oliveira Michel Michels de , Bonfim Carmen , Zanis-Neto José , Medeiros Carlos R. de , Zétola Viviane F. , Werneck Lineu César , Pasquini Ricardo
Published: October 2008

We present the neurological complications evaluated in a series of 1000 patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Central nervous system (CNS) neurological complications, particularly brain hemorrhages, were the most common, followed by seizures and CNS infections. An unusual neurological complication was Wernicke's encephalopathy. Less frequent neurological complications were metabolic encephalopathy, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome, brain infarct and movement disorders. The most common neurological complication of the peripheral nervous system was herpes zoster radiculopathy, while peripheral neuropathies, inflammatory myopathy and myotonia were very rarely found.
Two Babinski signs in seropositive (HAM) and seronegative tropical spastic paraparesis
Authors: Leon-Sarmiento Fidias E. , Calderon Andres , Hernandez Hernan G.
Published: October 2008

Tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP) may or may not be associated to HTLV-I antibodies and is usually characterized by clinical and pathological spinal cord abnormalities at thoracic levels. We present here five Brazilian patients who had typical chronic idiopatic spastic paraparesis; two of them were HTLV-I seropositive (HAM) and three HTLV-I seronegative (TSP) - associated-myelopathy. Three out of these five patients also displayed clinical supraspinal involvement, indeed, platysma muscle hypotrophy or atrophy (the Babinski plus sign). These findings support the view that clinical involvement in HAM and TSP is wider than the spinal cord abnormalities usually considered. Possible non-infectious co-factors (e.g., mycotoxins) may be involved in disease pathogenesis in a multistep process of viruses, toxins and environment which may account for serological differences found in this group of patients.
Cross-cultural adaptation of the Innsbruck health dimensions questionnaire for neurosurgical patients (IHD-NS)
Authors: Santos Camila Batista dos , Carvalho Simone Carneiro Ahualli de , Silva Maria Fernanda Gouveia da , Fuentes Daniel , Santana Pedro Augusto , Furlan André Beer , Aguiar Paulo Henrique Pires de
Published: October 2008

The goal of this study was to accomplish the cross-cultural adaptation of a quality of life instrument, specific for neurosurgical patients, called Innsbruck Health Dimensions Questionnaire for Neurosurgical Patients (IHD-NS). Thirty patients participated in this study, male and female, all having been submitted to brain tumor surgery more than twelve months before, and whose ages ranged from 26 to 66. After the process of translation/back translation and the elaboration of the Brazilian version of the instrument, the patients were assessed and reassessed within a one-month period. Statistical analyses evinced the preservation of the internal consistency, high agreement levels and highly significant intra-class correlation, allowing for the belief in the quality and reliability of the Portuguese version, named Questionário de Dimensões de Saúde para Pacientes Neurocirúrgicos de Innsbruck - DSI (NC).
Multiple intracranial meningiomas: diagnosis, biological behavior and treatment
Authors: Lynch José Carlos , Ferreira Leandro Alcy Sales , Welling Leonardo , Schulz Renata Cardoso
Published: October 2008

Multiple intracranial meningiomas (MIM) are a rare pathology when not associated with neurofibromatosis. The prevalence rate of those tumors varied from 2.3 to 8.9% of all intracranial meningiomas. OBJECTIVE: To present, analyze and discuss the cases of seven patients diagnosed with multiple intracranial meningiomas, describing their clinical and histological characteristics, as well as their biological behavior. METHOD: The patients records, surgical descriptions, imaging studies and the histopathological exams were retrospectively reviewed. This is the largest series of MIM publisted in Brazil. RESULTS: This sample consists of five women and two men. The age varied from 42 to 84 (average 53.8). Twenty-two meningiomas were identified and varied from 1.5 to 192 cm³, with an 62.8 cm³ average volume. The number of procedures varied from 1 to 5 per patient. No surgical death occurred in this series. CONCLUSION: Despite the multiplicity of tumors, number of recurrences, the new tumors, repeated operations and re-operations, radiotherapy and a number of postoperative complications, the patients experienced a long survival in conjunction with a fairly good quality of life.
Genotypic characterization of virulence factors in Escherichia coli strains from patients with cystitis
Authors: Tiba Monique Ribeiro , Yano Tomomasa , Leite Domingos da Silva
Published: October 2008

Adhesins (P-fimbriae, S-fimbriae, type 1 fimbriae and afimbrial adhesin), toxins (α-hemolysin and cytotoxic necrotizing factor type 1), iron acquisition systems (aerobactin) and host defense avoidance mechanisms (capsule or lipopolysaccharide) have been shown to be prevalent in Escherichia coli strains associated with urinary tract infections. In this work, 162 Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains from patients with cystitis were genotypically characterized by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. We developed three multiplex PCR assays for virulence-related genes papC, papE/F, papG alleles, fimH, sfa/foc, afaE, hly, cnf-1, usp, cdtB, iucD, and kpsMTII, all of them previously identified in UPEC strains. The PCR assay results identified 158 fimH (97.5%), 86 kpsMTII (53.1%), 53 papC/papEF/papG (32.7%), 45 sfa (27.8%), 42 iucD (25.9%), 41 hly (25.3%), 36 usp (22.2%), 30 cnf-1(18.5%) and 10 afa (6.2%) strains. No strain was positive for cdtB. In this work, we also demonstrated that adhesins may be multiple within a single strain and that several virulence genes can occur combined in association.
American tegumentary leishmaniasis: langerhans cells in montenegro skin test
Authors: Nogueira Marcia Ferraz , Sotto Mírian N. , Cucé Luiz Carlos
Published: October 2008

This work analyzed the histopathology and epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) of Montenegro skin test (MST) in patients with American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) in order to in situ characterize and compare the immunological reaction of the two major clinical forms of ATL, localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL). MST histopathology of both LCL and MCL showed superficial and deep perivascular inflammatory infiltrate composed mainly of lymphocytes and histiocytes. Epidermal LC population was higher in MST biopsies taken from LCL patients when compared to MCL group, at 48 and 72 hours after antigen inoculation. Increased number of epidermal LC displayed in MST biopsies of LCL patients represents specific cellular immunity against parasites. The decrease of LC in MST biopsies of MCL patients does not necessarily indicate a worse specific cellular immunity in this clinical form of leishmaniasis.
Rickettsial spotted fever in capoeirão Village, Itabira, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Vianna Manoella Campostrini Barreto , Horta Maurício Claudio , Sangioni Luis Antônio , Cortez Adriana , Soares Rodrigo Martins , Mafra Cláudio Lisias , Galvão Márcio Antônio Moreira , Labruna Marcelo Bahia , Gennari Solange Maria
Published: October 2008

The present study investigated the infection by spotted fever rickettsia in an endemic area for Brazilian spotted fever (BSF; caused by Rickettsia rickettsii) in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Human, canine and equine sera samples, and Amblyomma cajennense adult ticks collected in a rural area of Itabira City, Minas Gerais State were tested for rickettsial infection. Through Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) we demonstrated the presence of antibodies anti-R. rickettsii in 8.2%, 81.3% and 100% of the human, canine and equine sera, respectively. None of the 356 tick specimens analyzed were positive for Rickettsia by the hemolymph test or Polymerase Chain Reaction technique (PCR) for the htrA and the gltA genes. Our serological results on horses and dogs (sentinels for BSF) appoint for the circulation of a SFG Rickettsia in the study area, however in a very low infection rate among the A. cajennense tick population.
Valor prognóstico da espessura tumoral no carcinoma epidermóide de boca e orofaringe
Authors: Amar Ali , Rapoport Abrão , Carvalho Marcos Brasilino de
Published: October 2008

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o significado prognóstico da espessura tumoral no carcinoma epidermóide de boca e orofaringe. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados retrospectivamente 112 pacientes atendidos entre janeiro de 1990 e dezembro de 1994, dos quais foram selecionados 84 casos com amostras teciduais disponíveis. A medida da espessura foi realizada à microscopia óptica com ocular milimetrada, considerando a maior medida perpendicular à superfície. RESULTADOS: A incidência de metástases ocultas foi de 7% nos tumores menos espessos do que 3mm e 50% naqueles com espessura igual ou superior a 5mm. As margens cirúrgicas estiveram comprometidas com maior freqüência nos pacientes com espessura tumoral maior ou igual a 5mm, mas a espessura não identificou os pacientes com maior risco de recidiva local. CONCLUSÃO: A espessura tumoral auxilia a identificar os pacientes com carcinoma epidermóide de boca e orofaringe com maior risco de metastatização oculta.
Cirurgia da obesidade mórbida por videolaparoscopia
Authors: Tinoco Renam Catharina , Tinoco Augusto Cláudio de Almeida , El-Kadre Luciana Janene , Tinoco Luiz Antônio , Crespo Leandro Faria , Haddad Marcos Oliveira
Published: October 2008

OBJETIVO: Demonstrar nossa experiência com a gastroplastia em Y de Roux por videolaparoscopia (GYRL), usando pequena bolsa gástrica e anastomose jejunal com grampeador circular. A gastroplastia com desvio em Y de Roux é uma das operações mais comuns para o tratamento da obesidade mórbida. Técnicas por laparoscopia têm sido relatadas, mas descrevem maior tempo operatório e maiores complicações quando comparadas com a cirurgia aberta. A abordagem por videocirurgia continua a ser um desafio mesmo para os cirurgiões mais experientes. MÉTODO: De setembro de 1999 a maio de 2001, 102 pacientes foram submetidos à gastroplastia em Y de Roux. A anastomose jejuno-jejunal foi feita a uma distância de 100cm a 150cm de acordo com o índice de massa corporal (IMC). Uma análise prospectiva identificou o índice de fístula e de estenose pós-operatória e a conduta em uma série consecutiva de pacientes, submetidos a GYRL com anastomose gastrojejunal realizada com grampeador circular 25mm ou 28mm. Nos últimos dez casos esta anastomose foi executada com sutura manual. RESULTADOS:. A média etária foi de 37,5 anos (17-62) e a média de IMC foi de 50,3kg/m² (35-78). O tempo operatório variou de 55min a 210min com média de 119min. O tempo médio de internação foi 4,3 dias (2-10). Dois pacientes superobesos tiveram a cirurgia convertida para o procedimento aberto por dificuldades técnicas. Houve dois óbitos (1,9%), ambos por embolia pulmonar. Houve uma fístula (0,9%) da anastomose gastrojejunal tratada conservadoramente. Quinze pacientes (14,7%), desenvolveram estenose na anastomose e necessitaram de dilatação endoscópica. Nove pacientes sofreram uma única dilatação e seis receberam duas a quatro dilatações e permaneceram sem disfagia. Vinte pacientes foram avaliados após um ano e mostraram uma média de IMC 33,4kg/m² (24-44). CONCLUSÃO: A GYRL com anastomose gastrojejunal com grampeador é segura e efetiva. Ocorreram estenoses que foram tratadas com dilatação endoscópica, mas, com o uso do grampeador circular de 28mm ou sutura manual, não mais aconteceram. Os dois óbitos ocorreram em superobesos, em que a intervenção foi convertida para procedimento aberto e evoluíram com embolia pulmonar irreversível.
Isquemia e reperfusão hepática total associada ao estado de choque hemorrágico controlado: efeitos no seqüestro de neutrófilos no íleo terminal e cólon sigmóide do rato
Authors: Fontelles Mauro José , Mantovani Mario
Published: October 2008

OBJETIVO: Estudar os efeitos da isquemia e reperfusão hepática total sobre acúmulo de neutrófilos no íleo terminal e cólon sigmóide de ratos, em condições de normalidade e submetidos ao estado de choque hemorrágico controlado. MÉTODO: 32 ratos Wistar, machos, foram divididos em quatro grupos de oito animais cada: grupo Sham, submetido aos procedimentos padrões com um período de 60 minutos de observação; grupo Choque, submetido a choque hemorrágico controlado (PAM = 40mmHg, 20min) seguido de reposição volêmica (Ringer lactato + sangue, 3:1) e reperfusão (60min); grupo Pringle, submetido à isquemia hepática total (15min.) e reperfusão (60min); grupo Total submetido a choque hemorrágico controlado (20min) seguido de reposição volêmica (Ringer lactato + sangue, 3:1), isquemia hepática (15min) e reperfusão (60min). Após o sacrifício dos animais, procedeu-se à contagem de neutrófilos nos segmentos intestinais. RESULTADOS: Na contagem de neutrófilos no íleo terminal, apenas o grupo Choque diferiu dos demais (p<0.001) os quais não diferiram entre si (Sham 1.33 ± 0.55, Choque 5.48 ± 2.65, Pringle 2.47 ± 1.38, Total 2.44 ± 0.56) e, no cólon sigmóide, o grupo Choque diferiu apenas do grupo Sham (p = 0.021), sem diferença entre os demais (Sham 0.66 ± 0.44, Choque 2.08 ± 1.11, Pringle 1.04 ± 0.71, Total 1.21 ± 1.03). CONCLUSÃO: Diferentemente do estado de choque hemorrágico controlado, a isquemia hepática de 15 minutos, seguida de 60 minutos de reperfusão, não causou acúmulo significativo de neutrófilos no íleo terminal e cólon sigmóide.