bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decolorization of two synthetic dyes using the purified laccase of Paraconiothyrium variabile immobilized on porous silica beads
Authors: Mirzadeh Seyedeh-Shaghayegh , Khezri Seyed-Mostafa , Rezaei Shahla , Forootanfar Hamid , Mahvi Amir Hossein , Faramarzi Mohammad Ali
Published: January 2014

Background

Decolorization of hazardous synthetic dyes using laccases in both free and immobilized form has gained attention during the last decades. The present study was designed to prepare immobilized laccase (purified from Paraconiothyrium variabile) on porous silica beads followed by evaluation of both free and immobilized laccases for decolorization of two synthetic dyes of Acid Blue 25 and Acid Orange 7. Effects of laccase concentration, pH and temperature alteration, and presence of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT) as laccase mediator on decolorization pattern were also studied. In addition, the kinetic parameters (K

m
and V

max
) of the free and immobilized laccases for each synthetic dye were calculated.

Results

Immobilized laccase represented higher temperature and pH stability compare to free one. 39% and 35% of Acid Blue 25 and Acid Orange 7 was decolorized, respectively after 65 min incubation in presence of the free laccase. In the case of immobilized laccase decolorization percent was found to be 76% and 64% for Acid Blue 25 and Acid Orange 7, respectively at the same time. Increasing of laccase activity enhanced decolorization percent using free and immobilized laccases. Relative decolorization of both applied dyes was increased after treatment by laccase-HBT system. After nine cycles of decolorization by immobilized laccase, 26% and 31% of relative activity were lost in the case of Acid Blue 25 and Acid Orange 7, respectively.

Conclusions

To sum up, the present investigation introduced the immobilized laccase of P. variabile on porous beads as an efficient biocatalyst for decolorization of synthetic dyes.
Cross-country differences in the association between diabetes and disability
Authors: Assari Shervin , Lankarani Reza Moghani , Lankarani Maryam Moghani
Published: January 2014

Purpose

This study tested possible cross-country differences in the associations between diabetes and activities of daily living (ADLs), and possible confounding / mediating effects of socio-economic status, obesity, and exercise.

Methods

Data came from Research on Early Life and Aging Trends and Effects (RELATE). The study included a total number of 25,372 community sample of adults who were 40 years or older. We used data from community based surveys in seven countries including China, Mexico, Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, and Uruguay. Demographics (age and gender), socio-economic status (education and income), obesity, exercise, and ADL (bath, dress, toilet, transfer, heavy, shopping, meals) were measured. Self-reported data on physician diagnosis of diabetes was the independent variable. We tested if diabetes is associated with ADL, before and after adjusting for socio-economics, obesity, and exercise in each country.

Results

Based on Model I (age and gender adjusted model), diabetes was associated with limitation in at least one ADL in Mexico, Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, and Uruguay, but not China. Based on Model II that also controlled for education and income, education explained the association between diabetes and limitation in ADL in Mexico and Uruguay. Based on Model III that also controlled for exercise and obesity, in Cuba and Brazil, exercise explained the link between diabetes and limitation in performing ADLs. Thus, the link between diabetes and ADL was independent of our covariates only in Chile and Barbados.

Conclusions

There are cross-country differences in the link between diabetes and limitation in ADL. There are also cross-country differences in how socio-economic status, obesity, and exercise explain the above association.
The effect of opium addiction on thyroid function tests
Authors: Gozashti Mohammad Hossein , Mohammadzadeh Elham , Divsalar Kouros , Shokoohi Mostafa
Published: January 2014

Background

A number of abnormalities has been identified among drug addicted users especially heroin addicts. However, there are a few studies to assess the opium effects on thyroid hormones. the aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of opium on the thyroid function tests.

Method

In this case–control, 50 male addicts, aged 20–50 years, with history of addiction to opium lasting more than two years, and 50 male non-addicts as control group were randomly selected. 10 cc blood sample was taken for measurements of TSH, total T4 and T3, free T4 and T3, and T3 resin uptake (T3RU) and 50 cc urine sample for opium testing.

Results

The univariate analysis revealed that there was not a significant association between opium and serum levels of T4 and TSH, but compared with control group, a slight increase in total T3 and a decrease in T3RU were observed among addicts (P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, opium was also found to exert a lowering effect on serum free T4 level after adjusting of age and cigarette smoking (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The findings of the present study demonstrated that opium can influence on thyroid function by increasing total T3 and decreasing T3RU and free T4 levels.
Investigation of the optimal material type and dimension for spallation targets using simulation methods
Authors: Feghhi Seyed Amir Hossein , Gholamzadeh Zohreh , Tenreiro Claudio
Published: January 2014

Accelerator-driven systems are extensively developed to generate neutron sources for research, industrial, and medical plans. Different heavy elements are utilized as spallation targets to produce spallation neutrons. Computational methods are efficiently utilized to simulate neutronic behavior of a spallation target. MCNPX 2.6.0 is used as a powerful code based on Monte Carlo stochastic techniques for spallation process computation. This code has the ability to transport different particles using different physical models.

In this paper, MCNPX has been utilized to calculate the leaked neutron yield from Pb, lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE), W, Ta, Hg, U, Th, Sn, and Cu cylindrical heavy targets. The effects of the target thickness and diameter on neutron yield value have been investigated via the thickness and diameter variations between 5 to 30 cm and 5 to 20 cm, respectively. Proton-induced radionuclide production into the targets as well as leaked neutron spectra from the targets has been calculated for the targets of an optimum determined dimension. The 1-GeV proton particle has been selected to induce spallation process inside the targets. The 2-mm spatial FWHM distribution has been considered for the 1-mA proton beam.

Uranium target produced the highest leaked neutron yield with a 1.32 to 3.7 factor which overweighs the others. A dimension of 15 × 60 cm is suggested for all the cylindrical studied spallation targets. Th target experienced the highest alpha emitter radionuclide production while lighter elements such as Cu and Sn bore the lowest radiotoxicity. LBE liquid spallation target competes with the investigated solid targets in neutronic point of view while has surpass than volatile liquid Hg target.
Procalcitonin testing for diagnosis and short-term prognosis in bacterial infection complicated by congestive heart failure: a multicenter analysis of 4,698 cases
Authors: Wang Weijia , Zhang Xiuming , Ge Na , Liu Jing , Yuan Huimin , Zhang Peng , Liu Wei , Wen Dongmei
Published: January 2014

Introduction

Procalcitonin (PCT) is a biomarker for the clinical diagnosis of bacterial infection that is more specific and earlier than fever, changes in white blood cell count, and blood cultures. Congestive heart failure is an important cause of endotoxin resorption from the intestine, which significantly increases PCT expression in noninfected patients with heart failure. The diagnostic performance and cut-off value of PCT in patients with bacterial infection complicated by congestive heart failure needs to be confirmed.

Methods

A total of 4,698 cases from different cities in China, including those with different classes of congestive heart failure, bacterial infection, bacterial infection complicated by heart failure and healthy individuals, were chosen for the diagnostic value analysis of PCT and screening candidate predictors of mortality in subjects with bacterial infection complicated by congestive heart failure.

Results

Patients with simple heart failure had significantly higher PCT levels than normal controls (P < 0.01), whereas patients with bacterial infection complicated by congestive heart failure had significantly higher PCT levels than those with simple infection (P < 0.01). Although it was useful for the diagnosis of infection (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve >80%), the positive predictive value of PCT decreased significantly with increasing severity of heart failure (P < 0.05), and the cut-off value of PCT concentrations for infection complicated by classes II, III and IV heart failure were 0.086, 0.192 and 0.657 μg/L, respectively. Heart failure degree, PCT level, and age were the candidate predictors of mortality in patients with bacterial infection complicated by congestive heart failure.

Conclusions

These data suggest that complicated heart failure elevates the PCT level in patients with bacterial infection. Thus, the results of the PCT test must be analyzed correctly in consideration of the severity of heart failure. Close attention should be paid to cardiac function and PCT expression in aged patients with infection complicated by congestive heart failure.
Foundation News
Authors: Blythe Natalie
Published: January 2014

Each year, the SEG Foundation brings together its generous donors—both individual and corporate—for a celebration of the year's programmatic and individual successes. But in 2013, the Foundation shook its program up a bit. In addition to its regular format, the audience received a special treat as the Foundation featured a powerful video showing the wide-ranging and long-lasting impact of SEG and SEG Foundation programs on its youngest members.
Reviews
Authors: Stockwell John W.
Published: January 2014

Finding Oil—The Nature of Petroleum Geology 1859–1920, by Brian Frehner. ISBN-13: 978-0803234864, 2011, University of Nebraska Press, 248 p., $45 (electronic version available)
State of the Net
Authors: Farley Isaac
Published: January 2014

As foreshadowed in previous “State of the Net” columns, the SEG staff has been hard at work growing the Digital Library. I am pleased to begin 2014 with a handful of announcements about new, valuable online content available to you. SEG has partnered with the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists (ASEG) to bring Exploration Geophysics and the ASEG Extended Abstracts from the last 12 years to the Digital Library and all SEG members. Exploration Geophysics (available at http://library.seg.org/journal/exgeef ), a joint publication of ASEG, the Society of Exploration Geophysicists of Japan (SEGJ), and the Korean Society of Earth and Exploration Geophysicists (KSEG), “presents significant case histories, advances in data interpretation, and theoretical developments resulting from original research in exploration and applied geophysics.” All 44 volumes of Exploration Geophysics are now free and fully available online to SEG members.
Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system for studying non-cell-autonomous mechanisms in protein-misfolding diseases
Authors: Nussbaum-Krammer Carmen I. , Morimoto Richard I.
Published: January 2014

Caenorhabditis elegans has a number of distinct advantages that are useful for understanding the basis for cellular and organismal dysfunction underlying age-associated diseases of protein misfolding. Although protein aggregation, a key feature of human neurodegenerative diseases, has been typically explored in vivo at the single-cell level using cells in culture, there is now increasing evidence that proteotoxicity has a non-cell-autonomous component and is communicated between cells and tissues in a multicellular organism. These discoveries have opened up new avenues for the use of C. elegans as an ideal animal model system to study non-cell-autonomous proteotoxicity, prion-like propagation of aggregation-prone proteins, and the organismal regulation of stress responses and proteostasis. This Review focuses on recent evidence that C. elegans has mechanisms to transmit certain classes of toxic proteins between tissues and a complex stress response that integrates and coordinates signals from single cells and tissues across the organism. These findings emphasize the potential of C. elegans to provide insights into non-cell-autonomous proteotoxic mechanisms underlying age-related protein-misfolding diseases.
Crystal Structure and Physical Properties of a Dithiolene Complex Crystal with Adamantane Supramolecular Rotator
Authors: Yan Yin-Nan , Kubo Kazuya , Noro Shin-ichiro , Akutagawa Tomoyuki , Nakamura Takayoshi
Published: January 2014

Supramolecular cation salt of adamantane rotator with a dithiolene complex, (fluoroadamantylammonium+)([18]crown-6)[Ni(dmit)2]− (1) was synthesized. The fluorine atom of the adamantane unit showed a large thermal factor elongated latitudinally, suggesting molecular rotation in the solid state. Crystal 1 exhibited a large dielectric response by applying an AC field along the a axis.
Case Report: Severe bilateral amyotrophic neuralgia associated with major dysphagia secondary to acute hepatitis E
Authors: Moisset Xavier , Vitello Nicolas , Bicilli Elodie , Courtin Romain , Ferrier Anna , Taithe Frederic , Lahaye Clément , Hssain Ali Ait , Garrouste Cyril , Pierre Clavelou
Published: January 2014

Introduction:Several acute neurological syndromes can be triggered by immune events. Hepatitis E virus (HEV), an emerging infectious disease, can be one of these triggers.

Case report:We report the case of a 36-year-old man that presented nausea and a dull abdominal pain for a week and then felt an acute neuralgic pain involving both shoulders that lasted for 8 to 10 hours. Immediately after, the patient presented a severe bilateral muscular weakness of the proximal part of both upper limbs, corresponding to an amyotrophic neuralgia. Two days after the shoulder pain, the patient presented a dysphagia necessitating tube feeding.  A blood sample confirmed hepatitis caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV; genotype 3F). Oral feeding resumed progressively after five months. The patient was fully independent for the activities of daily living but was still unable to work after six months.

Conclusion:Amyotrophic neuralgia and hepatitis E are both under-diagnosed. It is noteworthy that HEV can trigger amyotrophic neuralgia. Antiviral drugs, oral steroids and intravenous immunoglobulins can be proposed, but the optimal treatment has  not yet been determined.
A novel osseointegrated percutaneous prosthetic system for the treatment of patients with transfemoral amputation
Authors: Brånemark R. , Berlin Ö. , Hagberg K. , Bergh P. , Gunterberg B. , Rydevik B.
Published: January 2014

Patients with transfemoral amputation (TFA) often experience problems related to the use of socket-suspended prostheses. The clinical development of osseointegrated percutaneous prostheses for patients with a TFA started in 1990, based on the long-term successful results of osseointegrated dental implants.

Between1999 and 2007, 51 patients with 55 TFAs were consecutively enrolled in a prospective, single-centre non-randomised study and followed for two years. The indication for amputation was trauma in 33 patients (65%) and tumour in 12 (24%). A two-stage surgical procedure was used to introduce a percutaneous implant to which an external amputation prosthesis was attached. The assessment of outcome included the use of two self-report questionnaires, the Questionnaire for Persons with a Transfemoral Amputation (Q-TFA) and the Short-Form (SF)-36.

The cumulative survival at two years’ follow-up was 92%. The Q-TFA showed improved prosthetic use, mobility, global situation and fewer problems (all p < 0.001). The physical function SF-36 scores were also improved (p < 0.001). Superficial infection was the most frequent complication, occurring 41 times in 28 patients (rate of infection 54.9%). Most were treated effectively with oral antibiotics. The implant was removed in four patients because of loosening (three aseptic, one infection).

Osseointegrated percutaneous implants constitute a novel form of treatment for patients with TFA. The high cumulative survival rate at two years (92%) combined with enhanced prosthetic use and mobility, fewer problems and improved quality of life, supports the ‘revolutionary change’ that patients with TFA have reported following treatment with osseointegrated percutaneous prostheses.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:106–13.
Revision cartilage cell transplantation for failed autologous chondrocyte transplantation in chronic osteochondral defects of the knee
Authors: Vijayan S. , Bentley G. , Rahman J. , Briggs T. W. R. , Skinner J. A. , Carrington R. W. J.
Published: January 2014

The management of failed autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) and matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) for the treatment of symptomatic osteochondral defects in the knee represents a major challenge. Patients are young, active and usually unsuitable for prosthetic replacement. This study reports the results in patients who underwent revision cartilage transplantation of their original ACI/MACI graft for clinical or graft-related failure. We assessed 22 patients (12 men and 10 women) with a mean age of 37.4 years (18 to 48) at a mean of 5.4 years (1.3 to 10.9). The mean period between primary and revision grafting was 46.1 months (7 to 89). The mean defect size was 446.6 mm2(150 to 875) and they were located on 11 medial and two lateral femoral condyles, eight patellae and one trochlea.

The mean modified Cincinnati knee score improved from 40.5 (16 to 77) pre-operatively to 64.9 (8 to 94) at their most recent review (p < 0.001). The visual analogue pain score improved from 6.1 (3 to 9) to 4.7 (0 to 10) (p = 0.042). A total of 14 patients (63%) reported an ‘excellent’ (n = 6) or ‘good’ (n = 8) clinical outcome, 5 ‘fair’ and one ‘poor’ outcome. Two patients underwent patellofemoral joint replacement. This study demonstrates that revision cartilage transplantation after primary ACI and MACI can yield acceptable functional results and continue to preserve the joint.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:54–8.
Treatment of non-traumatic rotator cuff tears
Authors: Kukkonen J. , Joukainen A. , Lehtinen J. , Mattila K. T. , Tuominen E. K. J. , Kauko T. , Äärimaa V.
Published: January 2014

We have compared three different methods of treating symptomatic non-traumatic tears of the supraspinatus tendon in patients above 55 years of age. A total of 180 shoulders (173 patients) with supraspinatus tendon tears were randomly allocated into one of three groups (each of 60 shoulders); physiotherapy (group 1), acromioplasty and physiotherapy (group 2) and rotator cuff repair, acromioplasty and physiotherapy (group 3). The Constant score was assessed and followed up by an independent observer pre-operatively and at three, six and twelve months after the intervention.

Of these, 167 shoulders were available for assessment at one year (follow-up rate of 92.8%). There were 55 shoulders in group 1 (24 in males and 31 in females, mean age 65 years (55 to 79)), 57 in group 2 (29 male and 28 female, mean age 65 years (55 to 79)) and 55 shoulders in group 3 (26 male and 29 female, mean age 65 years (55 to 81)). There were no between-group differences in the Constant score at final follow-up: 74.1 (sd 14.2), 77.2 (sd 13.0) and 77.9 (sd 12.1) in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively (p = 0.34). The mean change in the Constant score was 17.0, 17.5, and 19.8, respectively (p = 0.34). These results suggest that at one-year follow-up, operative treatment is no better than conservative treatment with regard to non-traumatic supraspinatus tears, and that conservative treatment should be considered as the primary method of treatment for this condition.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:75–81.
The surgical management of spinal deformity in children with a Fontan circulation
Authors: Evans S. , Ramasamy A. , Marks D. S. , Spilsbury J. , Miller P. , Tatman A. , Gardner A. C.
Published: January 2014

The management of spinal deformity in children with univentricular cardiac pathology poses significant challenges to the surgical and anaesthetic teams. To date, only posterior instrumented fusion techniques have been used in these children and these are associated with a high rate of complications. We reviewed our experience of both growing rod instrumentation and posterior instrumented fusion in children with a univentricular circulation.

Six children underwent spinal corrective surgery, two with cavopulmonary shunts and four following completion of a Fontan procedure. Three underwent growing rod instrumentation, two had a posterior fusion and one had spinal growth arrest. There were no complications following surgery, and the children undergoing growing rod instrumentation were successfully lengthened. We noted a trend for greater blood loss and haemodynamic instability in those whose surgery was undertaken following completion of a Fontan procedure. At a median follow-up of 87.6 months (interquartile range (IQR) 62.9 to 96.5) the median correction of deformity was 24.2% (64.5° (IQR 46° to 80°) vs 50.5° (IQR 36° to 63°)).

We believe that early surgical intervention with growing rod instrumentation systems allows staged correction of the spinal deformity and reduces the haemodynamic insult to these physiologically compromised children. Due to the haemodynamic changes that occur with the completed Fontan circulation, the initial scoliosis surgery should ideally be undertaken when in the cavopulmonary shunt stage.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:94–9.
Autologous (non-vascularised) fibular grafting with recombinant bone morphogenetic protein-7 for the treatment of femoral head osteonecrosis
Authors: Papanagiotou M. , Malizos K. N. , Vlychou M. , Dailiana Z. H.
Published: January 2014

This preliminary study evaluates a combination of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-7 and non-vascularised autologous fibular grafting (AFG) for the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

BMP-7/AFG combination was applied in seven pre-collapse femoral heads (five Steinberg stage II, two stage III) in six patients. Pre- and post-operative evaluation included clinical (Harris hip score (HHS), visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain) and radiological assessment (radiographs, quantitative CT) at a mean follow-up of 4 years (2 to 5.5).

A marked improvement of function (mean HHS increase of 49.2) and decrease of pain level (mean VAS decrease of 5) as well as retention of the sphericity of the femoral head was noted in five hips at the latest follow-up, while signs of consolidation were apparent from the third post-operative month. One patient (two hips) required bilateral total hip replacement at one year post-operatively. In the series as a whole, quantitative-CT evaluation revealed similar densities between affected and normal bone. Heterotopic ossification was observed in four hips, without compromise of the clinical outcome.

In this limited series AFG/BMP-7 combination proved a safe and effective method for the treatment of femoral head osteonecrosis, leading to early consolidation of the AFG and preventing collapse in five of seven hips, while the operative time and post-operative rehabilitation period were much shorter compared with free vascularised fibular grafts.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:31–5.
Exam Corner – January 2014
Authors: Khanduja V.
Published: January 2014

The FRCS (Tr & Orth) examination has three components: MCQs, Vivas and Clinical Examination. The Vivas are further divided into four sections comprising Basic Science, Adult Pathology, Hands and Children’s Orthopaedics and Trauma. The Clinical Examination section is divided into Upper and Lower limb cases. The aim of this section in the Journal is to focus specifically on the trainees preparing for the exam and to cater to all the sections of the exam. The vision is to complete the cycle of all relevant exam topics (as per the syllabus) in four years.
Visual Wood Product Trends in North American Nonresidential Buildings
Authors: Gaston Christopher W.
Published: January 2014

An exploratory Web survey was implemented in 2012 of 250 architects in North America that specialize in nonresidential building design. Approximately one-third of the respondents had used architectural elements defined as solid wood heavy timbers, glue-laminated timber, and other engineered beams or posts, which are visually exposed. These members can be structural or nonstructural.

Results showed that these visual wood products are used in virtually all types of nonresidential buildings and are growing in popularity. This coincides with an overall growth in popularity for wood interior finish in these buildings. It was also found that there is a link between the architectural elements and interior finish with a desire to match species, color, and character.

The use of wood as an architectural design element has gone a long way in North America in increasing its popularity in nonresidential construction, especially showcase public structures such as educational and recreational buildings. Because the nonresidential building sector has been identified as the sector with a large growth potential for wood, this trend is encouraging. Combined with advances in structural engineered products and building systems, improved engineering and architectural training in wood, and continued efforts to expand the allowance for wood solutions in the building codes, this may be an indication of potential increases in the use of wood products, both nonstructurally and structurally.
Forest Certification in Bolivia: A Status Report and Analysis of Stakeholder Perspectives
Authors: Espinoza Omar , Dockry Michael J.
Published: January 2014

Forest certification systems are voluntary, market-based initiatives to promote the sustainable use of forests. The assumption is that consumers prefer sustainably sourced wood products. One of the major drivers for the creation of forest certification was to prevent deforestation in tropical forests. However, after 20 years of certification, only 10 percent of the global forest area is certified, mostly in temperate regions. Only 2 percent of tropical forests have been certified, and deforestation proceeds at alarming rates in those same areas. Africa and Latin America are the only regions with a net loss of forest area in the 2000 to 2010 decade. In this article, the status of forest certification is analyzed, and challenges and opportunities are evaluated using the case of Bolivia. After an initial period of successful implementation of certification, the area of Bolivian forest under certification has fallen sharply, and deforestation has actually increased in the 2000 to 2010 period, compared with the previous decade. This research uses qualitative research methods to uncover the reasons for the rapid initial growth of certification in Bolivia, its subsequent decline, and prospects for the future of certification in this South American country from the perspectives of people living and working in Bolivia's forestry sector. Participants concurred that a strong regulatory framework and international support were key factors to the initial success of certification in Bolivia. Benefits from certification commonly cited were improvement in the standard of living of timber-reliant communities, better markets for certified products, and an improvement in the image of the forest products industry.
A Reflection on Multicultural Education Policy and the Current State of Education in Korea
Authors: Ryu Bangran
Published: January 2014

While the discussion on multiculturalism and multicultural education continues in academic circles, there is little deep reflection on this education policy in the current school system, which is an underlying premise of the current study. The literature review is divided between the policies whose purpose is primarily pedagogic and those which are aimed to aid teenagers from multicultural backgrounds. This study, rather than addressing the systemic problems within education in general, critically examines the question as to whether or not these policies focus on providing support for the particular groups. An ancillary aim of this study is to assess how well the ideal of diversity is respected in the general civic education of students, with the aim of promoting multiculturalism not as a mere trend, but as one of the fundamental ideas buttressing the Korean education system. This study argues that the school system ought to focus more on the respect for the diversity of individual students, while also ensuring the principle of anti-discrimination in education. Finally, this study argues that a systemic groundwork must be provided to ensure a genuinely democratic education in which students gain firsthand experiences with the procedures of debates, decision-making, and implementation. Such democratic education is indispensable for greater social integration and community-building.
A Study on Adolescents' Cultural Right Recognition towards Immigrated Minority Groups
Authors: Kim Kyoung Eun , Yoon No-ah
Published: January 2014

This study is based on an awareness of the problems regarding enjoyment of cultural rights of new immigrated minorities like international marriage immigrants, foreign labors and the North defectors. Research problems of this study are how does cultural rights acceptance towards immigrated minorities?, what factors are influencing adolescents' cultural rights acceptance? and what is the implication for multicultural education? Major findings are as follows; Students considered the arrangement of escape clause for cultural identity more important than cultural expression at the public places. Intergroup acceptance level of immigrated minorities was high in order of international marriage immigrants, foreign labors, the North defectors. Result of multi regression showed that significance probability and explanation power was high in order of positive and negative sentiments, academic achievement, stereotypes. Meanwhile, stereotype feature caused different meaningfulness according to sub-factor. Findings of this research are expected to provide useful implication for multicultural education in multicultural society. Changing the way we understand immigrated minorities from recipients of distribution of rights to actual subject of rights are needed. Thus we need to develop new curriculum that included plans on increasing positive empathetic response and regulating negative emotions.
Representações sociais do corpo: um estudo com adolescentes do Município do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
Authors: Passos Michelle Delboni dos , Gugelmin Sílvia Ângela , Castro Inês Rugani Ribeiro de , Carvalho Maria Claudia da Veiga Soares
Published: January 2014

A adolescência é uma das fases da vida em que as alterações corporais parecem assumir uma importância fundamental. Com o intuito de nos aproximarmos dos conflitos experimentados pelos adolescentes com as mudanças corporais, este estudo objetivou conhecer as representações sociais sobre o corpo entre estudantes do nono ano do ensino fundamental das redes privada e municipal do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Os participantes tinham entre 13 e 18 anos de idade, e estudavam em escolas localizadas em bairros com mais alto e mais baixo valores do Índice de Desenvolvimento Social. Usamos a técnica de grupo focal para a produção da representação social do corpo. Iniciamos os grupos com a evocação de cinco palavras quando ouviam a palavra "corpo". Para o tratamento das evocações, utilizamos o programa EVOC e, para complementar, análise de conteúdo temática. Grande parte dos adolescentes falou da beleza como sinônimo de corpo bonito e descreveram um modelo de beleza: o corpo definido por músculos para os jovens e o corpo magro e curvilíneo para as jovens.
Narrativas de mulheres sobre a assistência recebida em um centro de parto normal
Authors: Jamas Milena Temer , Hoga Luiza Akiko Komura , Reberte Luciana Magnoni
Published: January 2014

A perspectiva das mulheres que receberam assistência em um centro de parto normal, foco deste estudo, deve ser considerada para avaliar e melhorar a qualidade desse serviço. Diante disso, objetivou-se explorar a experiência relativa à assistência ao parto recebida em um centro de parto normal. Como método de pesquisa, utilizou- se a análise indutiva e interpretativa das narrativas de 17 mulheres, que resultou nas seguintes categorias descritivas: distintas experiências no atendimento recebido na chegada ao hospital; diversidade de experiências em relação às práticas de autocuidado e aos procedimentos realizados pelos profissionais; divergência de opiniões relativas à presença do acompanhante; satisfação com o acompanhamento contínuo, com o relacionamento interpessoal estabelecido pelos profissionais e com as orientações fornecidas. A assistência ao parto foi avaliada positivamente pelas mulheres, e este resultado fornece sustentação à política pública de expansão dos centros de parto normal.
Adaptação transcultural de um instrumento para avaliar o envolvimento de idosos em atividades prazerosas
Authors: Ferreira Heloisa Gonçalves , Barham Elizabeth Joan
Published: January 2014

O prazer experimentado ao se envolver em atividades é fator fundamental para o bem-estar do idoso. No Brasil não existe ainda um instrumento para avaliar envolvimento de idosos em atividades prazerosas. Foi localizado na literatura internacional um instrumento americano (The California Older Person's Pleasant Events Schedule - COPPES) que avalia a frequência de envolvimento de idosos em atividades prazerosas e o prazer experimentado em cada uma delas. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi submeter o COPPES às etapas de uma adaptação transcultural (equivalência semântica, conceitual, cultural, idiomática e operacional) para a população brasileira. Os principais resultados mostram: (a) uma equivalência semântica satisfatória entre a versão traduzida e a versão original do instrumento; (b) os itens são pertinentes ao contexto cultural brasileiro e avaliam a dimensão proposta pelo instrumento original. A nova versão do COPPES poderá contribuir para ações focadas na promoção de bem-estar entre idosos brasileiros.
Análise das barreiras à utilização de trombolíticos em casos de acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico em um hospital privado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
Authors: Fonseca Luiz Henrique de Oliveira , Rosa Maria Luiza Garcia , Silva Arthur Carvalho , Maciel Renan Marchesi , Volschan André , Mesquita Evandro Tinoco
Published: January 2014

O acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico (AVCi) é uma importante causa de sequela e morte. A correta utilização do trombolítico enfrenta várias barreiras. O objetivo foi discutir as barreiras à terapia trombolítica em pacientes que chegam, com sintomas de AVCi agudo, à emergência de um hospital privado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Coorte retrospectiva de pacientes entre 2009 e 2011. Foram admitidos 257 pacientes com suspeita de AVCi. Dos pacientes com diagnóstico confirmado (156), 11,5% (18) foram trombolisados. Dos 30 pacientes com diagnóstico de AVCi, dentro da janela terapêutica e com NIHSS na faixa para trombólise, 20 não foram trombolisados, 9 por barreiras administrativas (45%). Neste trabalho o percentual de trombólise foi superior ao observado nos Estados Unidos, mas barreiras impediram o tratamento de 45% dos pacientes com indicação à trombólise. Imagina-se que na rede pública brasileira a situação seja ainda mais desfavorável.
Condições de trabalho nos ônibus e os transtornos mentais comuns em motoristas e cobradores: Região Metropolitana de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, 2012
Authors: Assunção Ada Ávila , Silva Luiz Sérgio
Published: January 2014

A prevalência de transtornos mentais comuns (TMC) contribui para a carga mundial de doenças. O objetivo foi descrever a prevalência de TMC numa amostra de motoristas e cobradores da Região Metropolitana de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, e verificar se as condições do trânsito e as condições internas aos ônibus estavam associadas ao desfecho. Os respondentes foram 1.607 trabalhadores. A amostra não probabilística foi estimada de acordo com as quotas do efetivo distribuído nas empresas de ônibus (n = 17.470). As entrevistas face a face utilizaram o questionário digital. Trânsito ruim perdeu significância estatística na análise multivariável; renda mais elevada e condições de trabalho e de segurança inadequadas mantiveram-se associadas ao desfecho. Comportamentos nocivos e situação vulnerável de saúde foram associados com TMC. Abordar a saúde dos trabalhadores dos ônibus urbanos é uma rara contribuição que pode amparar a elaboração de políticas públicas dirigidas às populações metropolitanas.
Equivalência semântica, de itens e conceitual da versão brasileira do Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale for Youth (NEWS-Y)
Authors: Lima Alex Vieira , Rech Cassiano Ricardo , Reis Rodrigo Siqueira
Published: January 2014

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o processo de tradução e adaptação transcultural da versão brasileira do questionário Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale for Youth (NEWS-Y). Foram realizadas traduções independentes para o português da versão original do NEWS-Y e respectivas retrotraduções para o inglês. A análise da adaptação semântica e conceitual foi realizada por um grupo de especialistas. A versão traduzida do NEWS-Y foi aplicada em amostra de oito adolescentes de ambos os sexos e apresentou fácil compreensão. Após discretas modificações apontadas nos processos de tradução, o grupo de especialistas considerou que a versão para o idioma português do NEWS-Y apresentou equivalências semântica e conceitual. A versão traduzida do NEWS-Y necessitou de poucos ajustes para garantir a adaptação conceitual, de itens e semântica. Sugere-se que estudos complementares sejam realizados para analisar as outras etapas da adaptação transcultural da versão do NEWS-Y em português no contexto brasileiro.
A rare non-Robertsonian translocation involving chromosomes 15 and 21
Authors: Baruffi Marcelo Razera , Souza Deise Helena , Silva Rosana Aparecida Bicudo , Ramos Ester Silveira , Moretti-Ferreira Danilo
Published: January 2014

CONTEXT: Robertsonian translocations (RT) are among the most common balanced structural rearrangements in humans and comprise complete chromatin fusion of the long arm of two acrocentric chromosomes. Nevertheless, non-Robertsonian translocation involving these chromosomes is a rare event. CASE REPORT: We report a de novo unbalanced translocation involving chromosomes 15 and 21. The newborn was the daughter of a 29-year-old mother and a 42-year-old father. The couple was non-consanguineous. Clinical findings led to the diagnosis of Down syndrome (DS) with severe congenital heart defects (persistent arterial duct, and complete atrioventricular septal defect), as well as low birth length and weight (< 5th and < 10th percentile, respectively, based on specific measurement curves for DS). Conventional cytogenetic analysis revealed the karyotype 46,XX,der(15)(15pter→15q26.2::21q11.2→21qter). The translocation was confirmed by means of fluorescence in situ hybridization. The parents had normal karyotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Differently from RT, in our case a rare event occurred involving the distal segment of 15q and the proximal segment of 21q. Only two reports of this translocation, involving chromosomes 15 and 21 but different breakpoints, have been described so far. The association between 21q duplication and 15q deletion makes it difficult to separate the effect of each chromosome, but might also be responsible for increasing the growth retardation, as detected in our case. Cytogenetic analysis on DS patients is mandatory not only to confirm the diagnosis, but also to assess the risk of recurrence at genetic counseling, as well as to evaluate the contribution of other chromosome aberrations in the final phenotype.
Transcranial direct-current stimulation induced in stroke patients with aphasia: a prospective experimental cohort study
Authors: Santos Michele Devido , Gagliardi Rubens José , Mac-Kay Ana Paula Machado Goyano , Boggio Paulo Sergio , Lianza Roberta , Fregni Felipe
Published: January 2014

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Previous animal and human studies have shown that transcranial direct current stimulation can induce significant and lasting neuroplasticity and may improve language recovery in patients with aphasia. The objective of the study was to describe a cohort of patients with aphasia after stroke who were treated with transcranial direct current stimulation. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective cohort study developed in a public university hospital. METHODS: Nineteen patients with chronic aphasia received 10 transcranial direct current stimulation sessions lasting 20 minutes each on consecutive days, using a current of 2 mA. The anode was positioned over the supraorbital area and the cathode over the contralateral motor cortex. The following variables were analyzed before and after the 10 neuromodulation sessions: oral language comprehension, copying, dictation, reading, writing, naming and verbal fluency. RESULTS: There were no adverse effects in the study. We found statistically significant differences from before to after stimulation in relation to simple sentence comprehension (P = 0.034), naming (P = 0.041) and verbal fluency for names of animals (P = 0.038). Improved scores for performing these three tasks were seen after stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that excitability of the primary motor cortex through transcranial direct current stimulation was associated with effects on different aspects of language. This can contribute towards future testing in randomized controlled trials.
Profile of patients attended as psychiatric emergencies at a university general hospital
Authors: Padilha Vitoria Mantoan , Schettini Carolina Silva Said , Santos Junior Amilton , Azevedo Renata Cruz Soares
Published: January 2014

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of psychiatric conditions in clinical settings is high, particularly in emergency services. This is a challenge for healthcare professionals and an essential element in the functioning of the mental health network. The objective here was to describe the sociodemographic and clinical profile and the practices among patients treated psychiatrically in the Emergency Unit. DESIGN AND SETTING: Descriptive and quantitative study, conducted at Hospital das Clínicas (HC), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp). METHODS: Sociodemographic data, reasons for attendance, diagnostic hypotheses and practices were analyzed. RESULTS: Psychiatric staff attended 1,835 cases over the study period, corresponding to 1465 patients. The patients were predominantly women (53.7%) and white (79.6%); their mean age was 37 years and 41.3% lived with their parents. The commonest reasons for attendance were depressive symptoms (28.1%), agitation (23.6%) and problems with psychoactive substances (19.5%). The commonest diagnoses were psychoactive substance-related disorders (23%) and depressive disorders (18.5%). 31.6% of the patients were referred to healthcare centers and 29.2% to specialized outpatient clinics, while 8.2% were hospitalized. CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasizes that it is important for professionals working in emergency service to have information about the patients' profile and the main reasons that lead them to seek psychiatric care, and to establish a diagnosis that will allow proper management at the emergency service and case referral.
Neuraxial anesthesia for orthopedic surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Barbosa Fabiano Timbó , Castro Aldemar Araújo , Sousa-Rodrigues Célio Fernando de
Published: January 2014

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Taking the outcome of mortality into consideration, there is controversy about the beneficial effects of neuraxial anesthesia for orthopedic surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of neuraxial anesthesia versus general anesthesia for orthopedic surgery. DESIGN AND SETTING: Systematic review at Universidade Federal de Alagoas. METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Issue 10, 2012), PubMed (1966 to November 2012), Lilacs (1982 to November 2012), SciELO, EMBASE (1974 to November 2012) and reference lists of the studies included. Only randomized controlled trials were included. RESULTS: Out of 5,032 titles and abstracts, 17 studies were included. There were no statistically significant differences in mortality (risk difference, RD: -0.01; 95% confidence interval, CI: -0.04 to 0.01; n = 1903), stroke (RD: 0.02; 95% CI: -0.04 to 0.08; n = 259), myocardial infarction (RD: -0.01; 95% CI: -0.04 to 0.02; n = 291), length of hospitalization (mean difference, -0.05; 95% CI: -0.69 to 0.58; n = 870), postoperative cognitive dysfunction (RD: 0.00; 95% CI: -0.04 to 0.05; n = 479) or pneumonia (odds ratio, 0.61; 95% CI: 0.25 to 1.49; n = 167). CONCLUSION: So far, the evidence available from the studies included is insufficient to prove that neuraxial anesthesia is more effective and safer than general anesthesia for orthopedic surgery. However, this systematic review does not rule out clinically important differences with regard to mortality, stroke, myocardial infarction, length of hospitalization, postoperative cognitive dysfunction or pneumonia.
A Re-View of Ambivalence in Bipolar Disorder Research
Authors: Liebert Rachel Jane
Published: January 2014

Constructed as a barrier to treatment adherence, ambivalence is typically pathologized in qualitative research on “bipolar disorder”—seen as something to be feared and eradicated. Here, I critically review this position, arguing that it is constructed through a “lens of risk” that problematically presumes people have a chronic mental illness that requires lifelong pharmaceutical intervention. I then draw on the accounts of three young women who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder to demonstrate how people’s concerns, questions, and dreams could instead be seen as a site of expertise about diagnostic and treatment practices; in turn using their ambivalence to stitch together an alternative analytic “lens of desire” through which to re-view accounts of bipolar disorder. Overall this article is thus both a commentary on mainstream research practices in psychology and an experiment with how we mightlookdifferently; believing that perhaps the real risk associated with people’s ambivalence is its ability to force us—psychologists and psychiatrists—to question the ways in which we do madness.
Learning or Hurting? Students With Disabilities Being Improperly Disciplined: Current Laws and Policies, Barriers, and Proposed Solutions
Authors: O’Neal Amanda
Published: January 2014

Children with disabilities are being abused at the hands of their teachers denying them of a free and appropriate education to which they are legally entitled. Teachers have been using the word “discipline” loosely to justify abusive behavior toward students in their classroom. This article is divided into three sections. First, the article will discuss the current laws that govern special education and the use of discipline techniques in the classroom. Furthermore, this article will present legal claims students can bring against their teachers including federal claims as well as common law claims. In addition, various teacher ethics guidelines pertaining to the treatment of students will be presented. Second, this article will explain the many barriers a student faces when trying to receive a proper remedy for the harm they have endured. Last, the article proposes a variety of solutions to all barriers children face in getting an adequate education free from abuse.