bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Induction Docetaxel, Cisplatin, and Cetuximab Followed by Concurrent Radiotherapy, Cisplatin, and Cetuximab and Maintenance Cetuximab in Patients With Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Argiris Athanassios , Heron Dwight E. , Smith Ryan P. , Kim Seungwon , Gibson Michael K. , Lai Stephen Y. , Branstetter Barton F. , Posluszny Donna M. , Wang Lin , Seethala Raja R. , Dacic Sanja , Gooding William , Grandis Jennifer R. , Johnson Jonas T. , Ferris Robert L.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

We incorporated cetuximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), into the induction therapy and subsequent chemoradiotherapy of head and neck cancer (HNC).

Patients and Methods

Patients with locally advanced HNC, including squamous and undifferentiated histologies, were treated with docetaxel 75 mg/m2day 1, cisplatin 75 mg/m2day 1, and cetuximab 250 mg/m2days 1, 8, and 15 (after an initial loading dose of 400 mg/m2), termed TPE, repeated every 21 days for three cycles, followed by radiotherapy with concurrent cisplatin 30 mg/m2and cetuximab weekly (XPE), and maintenance cetuximab for 6 months. Quality of life (QOL) was assessed using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Head and Neck. In situ hybridization (ISH) for human papillomavirus (HPV), immunohistochemistry for p16, and fluorescence ISH for EGFR gene copy number were performed on tissue microarrays.

Results

Of 39 enrolled patients, 36 had stage IV disease and 23 an oropharyngeal primary. Acute toxicities during TPE included neutropenic fever (10%) and during XPE, grade 3 or 4 oral mucositis (54%) and hypomagnesemia (39%). With a median follow-up of 36 months, 3-year progression-free survival and overall survival were 70% and 74%, respectively. Eight patients progressed in locoregional sites, three in distant, and one in both. HPV positivity was not associated with treatment efficacy. No progression-free patient remained G-tube dependent. The H&N subscale QOL scores showed a significant decrement at 3 months after XPE, which normalized at 1 year.

Conclusion

This cetuximab-containing regimen resulted in excellent long-term survival and safety, and warrants further evaluation in both HPV-positive and -negative HNC.
Modeling Spatial and Temporal Set-Based Constraints During Conceptual Database Design
Authors: Currim Faiz , Ram Sudha
Published: November 2010

From a database perspective, business constraints provide an accurate picture of the real world being modeled and help enforce data integrity. Typically, rules are gathered during requirements analysis and embedded in code during the implementation phase. We propose that the rules be explicitly modeled during conceptual design, and develop a framework for understanding and classifying spatiotemporal set-based (cardinality) constraints and an associated syntax. The constraint semantics are formally specified using first-order logic. Modeling rules in conceptual design ensures they are visible to designers and users and not buried in application code. The rules can then be semiautomatically translated into logical design triggers yielding productivity gains. Following the principles of design science research, we evaluate the framework's expressiveness and utility with a case study.
Determinants of circulating asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginines in patients evaluated for acute dyspnea
Authors: Codognotto Marta , Piccoli Antonio , Rubini Camilla , Cianci Vito , Vettore Gianna , Mion Monica M. , Artusi Carlo , Plebani Mario
Published: November 2010

Background: The relationship between asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) plasma concentrations and acute heart failure is unknown. We evaluated ADMA and SDMA in patients with acute dyspnea.

Methods: We studied 57 dyspneic subjects (50–95 years), with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2, presenting to the emergency department. Troponin I, N terminal-proBNP (NT-proBNP), ADMA, and SDMA were measured. Electrocardiogram, chest X-ray and lung ultrasound were performed. Patients were classified into cardiogenic dyspnea and non-cardiogenic dyspnea, and were also classified on the basis of renal function according to their eGFR.

Results: Two-way analysis of variance demonstrated that ADMA and SDMA did not differ for type of dyspnea, but increased in renal dysfunction. NT-proBNP significantly increased both in cardiogenic dyspnea and renal dysfunction. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that after adjustment for troponin and dyspnea, the only variables which significantly correlated with SDMA plasma concentrations were renal function (β=–0.47, p<0.001) and NT-proBNP (β=0.28, p=0.02).

Conclusions: Neither type of dimethylarginine showed cardiogenic dyspnea to be a determinant for plasma concentrations. Renal dysfunction was a confounder for both ADMA and SDMA.
Übereinstimmung und Neugier als Voraussetzung der Entwicklung: Bewegungsorganisation von Neugeborenen in Autonomie und Verbindung
Authors: Aßmann Birthe
Published: November 2010

Wachstumsbewegungen des Embryos sind gekennzeichnet von Phasen, in denen sich der Mensch ,zusammenzieht und solchen in denen er sich ,ausdehnt. Diese Bewegungsformen können mit dem Bedürfnis nach Autonomisierung bzw. Kontakt und Verbindung assoziiert werden, die auf psychologischer Ebene bis ins Erwachsenenalter reichen. Die Dynamik dieser Grundbewegungsimpulse kann in spontanmotorischen Bewegungen von Neugeborenen als Selbstorganisationsprozesse wieder erkannt werden, wenn Kinder in Resonanz mit ihnen sind. Während Resonanz zwischen innerer und äußerer Dynamik zu positiven Übereinstimmungserfahrungen und einer gesunden Dynamik von Neugier und Integration sowie eines positiven Selbst und Sozialbewußtseins führt, ruft Dissonanz eine gestörte sensomotorische Entwicklung und darauf aufbauenden affektiv-kognitiven Schemata hervor.
Kung Fu: Mehr als nur dynamische Bewegungen
Authors: Gerstner Ansgar
Published: November 2010

Dieser Aufsatz stellt Grundgedanken der chinesischen Philosophie vor, die in den chinesischen Kampfkünsten von Bedeutung sind. Er erläutert wie diese die Herangehensweise an das Kämpfen prägen.
Q192R polymorphism of the paraoxonase-1 gene as a risk factor for obesity in Portuguese women
Authors: Veiga Luísa , Silva-Nunes José , Melão Alice , Oliveira Ana , Duarte Leone , Brito Miguel
Published: November 2010

Introduction

Obesity became a major public health problem as a result of its increasing prevalence worldwide. Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is an esterase able to protect membranes and lipoproteins from oxidative modifications. At the PON1 gene, several polymorphisms in the promoter and coding regions have been identified. The aims of this study were i) to assess PON1 L55M and Q192R polymorphisms as a risk factor for obesity in women; ii) to compare PON1 activity according to the expression of each allele in L55M and Q192R polymorphisms; iii) to compare PON1 activity between obese and normal-weight women.

Materials and methods

We studied 75 healthy (35.9±8.2 years) and 81 obese women (34.3±8.2 years). Inclusion criteria for obese subjects were body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 and absence of inflammatory/neoplasic conditions or kidney/hepatic dysfunction. The two PON1 polymorphisms were assessed by real-time PCR with TaqMan probes. PON1 enzymatic activity was assessed by spectrophotometric methods, using paraoxon as a substrate.

Results

No significant differences were found for PON1 activity between normal and obese women. Nevertheless, PON1 activity was greater (P<0.01) for the RR genotype (in Q192R polymorphism) and for the LL genotype (in L55M polymorphism). The frequency of allele R of Q192R polymorphism was significantly higher in obese women (P<0.05) and was associated with an increased risk of obesity (odds ratio=2.0 – 95% confidence interval (1.04; 3.87)).

Conclusion

L55M and Q192R polymorphisms influence PON1 activity. The allele R of the Q192R polymorphism is associated with an increased risk for development of obesity among Portuguese Caucasian premenopausal women.
Aerosol Inhalation From Spacers and Valved Holding Chambers Requires Few Tidal Breaths for Children
Authors: Schultz André , Le Souëf Timothy J. , Venter André , Zhang Guicheng , Devadason Sunalene G. , Le Souëf Peter N.
Published: November 2010

OBJECTIVE:

The goal was to determine the number of breaths required to inhale salbutamol from different spacers/valved holding chambers (VHCs).

METHODS:

Breathing patterns were recorded for 2- to 7-year-old children inhaling placebo from 4 different spacers/VHCs and were simulated by a flow generator. Drug delivery with different numbers of tidal breaths and with a single maximal breath was compared.

RESULTS:

With tidal breathing, mean inhalation volumes were large, ranging from 384 mL to 445 mL. Mean values for drug delivery with an Aerochamber Plus (Trudell, London, Canada) were 40% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 34%–46%) and 41% (95% CI: 36%–47%) of the total dose with 2 and 9 tidal breaths, respectively. Mean drug delivery values with these breath numbers with a Funhaler (Visiomed, Perth, Australia) were 39% (95% CI: 34%–43%) and 38% (95% CI: 35%–42%), respectively. With a Volumatic (GlaxoSmithKline, Melbourne, Australia), mean drug delivery values with 2 and 9 tidal breaths were 37% (95% CI: 33%–41%) and 43% (95% CI: 40%–46%), respectively (P = .02); there was no significant difference in drug delivery with 3 versus 9 tidal breaths. With the modified soft drink bottle, drug delivery. Drug delivery was not improved with a single maximal breath with any device.

CONCLUSION:

For young children, tidal breaths through a spacer/VHC were much larger than expected. Two tidal breaths were adequate for small-volume VHCs and a 500-mL modified soft drink bottle, and 3 tidal breaths were adequate for the larger Volumatic VHC.
Multilingual translation vs. English-fits-all in South African media
Authors: Gottlieb Henrik
Published: November 2010

After the demise of apartheid, the ANC government in South Africa elevated nine African languages to the status of official languages, on a par with the two official languages during the apartheid regime (1948–1991), Afrikaans and English. With eleven official languages in this vast country, the home of some 50 million people, one may expect a high level of translational activities, as is seen in, for instance, the EU, with 23 official languages - one of which happens to be English. However, although English plays an important role in the European media, it has an all but dominant role in South African media. To the extent that translation is found in South African media, it tends to be either between English and Afrikaans or from an African language
into
English, not
from
English into an African language. This paper establishes a theoretical framework distinguishing between varying degrees of visibility in (media) translation, and exemplifies various translational phenomena typical of the special conditions found in South Africa, with the local use of English as a
de facto
lingua franca reinforced by the global success of Anglophone culture.
Biological properties of a naturally attenuated infectious bursal disease virus isolated from a backyard chicken flock
Authors: Velhner Maja , Mitevski Darko , Potkonjak Dubravka , Stojanović Dragica , Kovačević Mira , Petrović Tamaš , Aleksić-Kovačević Sanja
Published: November 2010

The biological properties of an infectious bursal disease (IBD) virus isolated from bursas collected during an outbreak in a village chicken flock in Macedonia are described. The mortality rate was 50%. Two viruses coexisted in the bursas of infected chickens (IBDVwt and IBDVtc). The virus termed IBDVtc grows on chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells from the first passage. Specific pathogen free chickens inoculated with IBDVtc at passage level 4 did not develop any clinical signs of disease. Some discrete bleeding on the leg muscles was seen and the bursa of Fabricius revealed pathological lesions similar to those caused by classical strains. However, the bursa recovered quickly (bursa lesion score 2) by 14 days post infection (PI). We also found evidence of bursal repopulation by means of perinuclear antigen staining. Strong CD3 influx was evident at 4 days PI, and at 33 days PI the CD3+ cell finding was comparable to the control. The mean antibody titre was 9.2 log
2
at 14 days PI. The amino acid composition of VP2 in IBDVwt (222 Ala, 242 Ile, 253 Gln, 256 Ile, 279 Asp, 284 Ala, 294 Ile and 299 Ser) is described. The same sequence was found in IBDVtc, except for two point mutations, at Gln253→His and Ala284→Thr. Such amino acid substitution is responsible for partial attenuation and the ability of the strain to replicate in cell culture. None of the commercial vaccine viruses has a similar arrangement of amino acids in the variable domain of IBDV. This strongly suggests that IBDVtc originates from a very virulent strain. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a concomitant infection of chickens with highly pathogenic IBDV and its mutant counterpart.
Vertebral osteomyelitis and meningomyelitis caused by Pasteurella canis in a dog — Clinicopathological case report
Authors: Csébi Péter , Jakab Csaba , Jánosi Katalin , Sellyei Boglárka , Ipolyi Tamás , Szabó Zoltán , Arany-Tóth Attila , Németh Tibor
Published: November 2010

A clinicopathological case study of vertebral osteomyelitis caused by
Pasteurella canis
in a 2.5-year-old male Jack Russell Terrier is presented. The case was characterised by a chronic course with signs of spinal pain and acute paraplegia. The diagnosis was established by radiography, myelography, post-myelographic CT examination, and laboratory tests including routine blood work and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology, and confirmed by postmortem pathological and microbiological examinations. Diagnostic imaging showed severe osteolysis, ventral spondylosis and spinal cord compression at the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae. The blood tests revealed mild leukocytosis and anaemia, while CSF cytology showed lymphocytic and mononuclear pleocytosis. Necropsy demonstrated severe osteomyelitis and meningomyelitis, but the source of infection could not be established. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first description of canine vertebral osteomyelitis caused by this organism.
Haemangiomas, leiomyosarcoma and myeloma caused by subgroup J avian leukosis virus in a commercial layer flock
Authors: Sun Honglei , Qin Mei , Xiao Yihong , Yang Feng , Ni Wei , Liu Sidang
Published: November 2010

An outbreak of simultaneously occurring haemangiomas, leiomyosarcoma and myeloma was observed in a commercial layer flock in China. The sick chickens were extremely thin and dehydrated. Scattered haemangiomas were found on the claws, breast and wings. At necropsy, haemangiomas and some other nodular tumours were also found in the internal organs. In addition, diffuse enlargement of the liver and spleen appeared in some birds. Histopathologically, haemangiomas were typically cavernous haemangiomas and haemangioendothelioma. In the diffusely swollen liver and spleen, multifocal or widespread marrow tumour cells filled with ball-like acidophilic particles in cytosol were observed, which are the characteristic pathological changes of avian myelocytomatosis. The nodular tumour cells formed by muscle bundles were of variable size, irregular shape, poorly differentiated and malaligned. Immunohistochemistry for vimentin, cytokeratin, actin (smooth muscle) and actin (sarcomeric) and Masson’s staining confirmed the different cell lineage of the nodular tumour, thus leading to the diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma. The seroprevalence of avian leukosis subgroup J (ALV-J) antibodies was 13.46% (7/52), while ALV-A/B and reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) antibodies were not detectable. The DF-1 cells inoculated by virus extracted from liver samples from 24 infected chickens were cultured and the group-specific antigen (GSA) was identified by ELISA. All samples were positive for ALV, which was further identified as ALV-J by immunofluorescence assay (IFA). PCR analysis revealed that three isolates of ALV-J proviral sequence were close to the HPRS-103 prototype strain and other Chinese field strains isolated in recent years, while one isolate (DP01) had a lower homology with them. This is the first report that ALV-J infection caused the simultaneous occurrence of haemangiomas, leiomyosarcoma and myeloma in a commercial layer flock.
Development of bovine embryos cultured in CR1aa and IVD101 media using different oxygen tensions and culture systems
Authors: Somfai Tamás , Inaba Yasushi , Aikawa Yoshio , Ohtake Masaki , Kobayashi Shuji , Konishi Kazuyuki , Nagai Takashi , Imai Kei
Published: November 2010

The aim of the present study was to optimise the culture conditions for the
in vitro
production of bovine embryos. The development of
in vitro
fertilised bovine oocytes in CR1aa supplemented with 5% calf serum and IVD101 culture media were compared using traditional microdrops and Well of the Well (WOW) culture systems either under 5% or 20% oxygen tension. After 7 days of culture, a significantly higher blastocyst formation rate was obtained for embryos cultured in CR1aa medium compared to those cultured in IVD101, irrespective of O
2
tensions and culture systems. The blastocyst formation in IVD101 was suppressed under 20% O
2
compared to 5% O
2
. Despite their similar total cell numbers, higher rates of inner cell mass (ICM) cells were observed in blastocysts developed in IVD101 medium than in those developed in CR1aa, irrespective of O
2
tensions. There was no significant difference in blastocyst formation, total, ICM and trophectoderm (TE) cell numbers between embryos obtained by microdrop and WOW culture systems irrespective of the culture media and O
2
tensions used. In conclusion, CR1aa resulted in higher blastocyst formation rates irrespective of O
2
tension, whereas IVD101 supported blastocyst formation only under low O
2
levels but enhanced the proliferation of ICM cells.
A simple miracle of water
Authors: Korsós Anita , Rudas László , Zöllei Éva
Published: November 2010

A krónikus orthostasisintolerancia, a posturalis tachycardia szindróma (POTS) az autonóm neuropathiákkal rokon kórkép. A felegyenesedett testhelyzetet kísérő állandó panaszok a páciensek életminőségét jelentősen rontják. Egy jellegzetes eset bemutatásával azt demonstráljuk, hogy 500 ml csapvíz megitatásával a felegyenesedésre adott keringési válasz stabilizálható. Az egyszerű terápiás eszközzel tartós panaszmentesség érhető el. Orv. Hetil., 2010,
46,
1904–1907.
Carcinoid tumors
Authors: Pregun István , Bodoky György , Rácz Károly , Tulassay Zsolt
Published: November 2010

A szerzők a carcinoid tumorokkal kapcsolatos legfontosabb klinikai gyakorlati ismeretekről adnak áttekintést. A carcinoid daganatok neuroendokrin sejtekből származó, többségében lassan növekvő ritka tumorok, azonban gyorsan metasztatizáló, agresszív formában is jelentkezhetnek. Epidemiológiai adatok szerint gyakoriságuk nő, amit részben a diagnosztikus módszerek fejlődése okozhat. A daganatok gyakran tünetmentesek, máskor carcinoid szindróma vagy egyéb endokrin szindrómák tünetei lehetnek jelen. A korai diagnózist biokémiai markerek (szérum-kromogranin-A, vizelet-5-hidroxi-indolecetsav) és speciális képalkotó módszerek segítik. A daganatok jelentős részét a betegség előrehaladott stádiumában ismerik fel; ezekben az esetekben sebészi módszerekkel nem érhető el teljes gyógyulás, bár a daganat megkisebbítésének sebészi vagy intervenciós radiológiai lehetőségeit ilyenkor is számításba kell venni. A carcinoid tumorokhoz társuló klinikai tünetek kezelésének jelenleg leghatásosabb eszközei a szomatosztatin-analóg készítmények, amelyek a tünetek megszüntetésén/enyhítésén kívül tumorgátló hatásuk révén akár hosszú éveken keresztül kivédhetik a daganatok növekedését vagy ritkán daganatregressziót válthatnak ki. A kemoterápiás készítményeket elsősorban metasztatikus, agresszív, gyorsan növekvő, illetve pancreas neuroendokrin daganatok esetén alkalmaznak, klinikai vizsgálatokban új kemoterápiás lehetőségként a temozolomid és a thalidomid adásával szereztek kedvező kezdeti tapasztalatokat. Progresszív, előrehaladt stádiumú daganatban szenvedő betegek részére hatékony új terápiás lehetőség a
131
I-MIBG,
90
Y-DOTA-TOC és
177
Lu-DOTA-TOC radionuklid kezelés. Kezdeti tapasztalatok állnak rendelkezésre a tirozinkináz-gátlók, tirozinkináz-ellenes antitestek és a „mammalian target of rapamycin” (mTOR) gátlók alkalmazásáról, amelyek közül a hatékonynak bizonyuló készítmények a jövőben szélesebb körű alkalmazást nyerhetnek. Orv. Hetil., 2010,
46,
1885–1894.
The Feminization of Anthropology
Authors: Philips Susan U.
Published: November 2010

The author describes her early experiences as a woman in the field of linguistic anthropology.
Will Ms ever be as frequent as Mr?
Authors: Baker Paul
Published: November 2010

In order to investigate frequency and context of usage of gender marked language, four equal sized and equivalently sampled corpora of British English in a range of written genres (press, fiction, general prose, learned writing), from 1931, 1961, 1991 and 2006 were compared. Terms that were investigated included male and female pronouns, man, woman, boy and girl, gender-related profession and role nouns such as chairman, spokesperson and policewoman, and terms of address such as Mr and Ms. Some reductions in frequencies of male terms were found over time, particularly in terms of decreases of male pronouns and Mr. However, equal frequencies did not necessarily equate with equal representation. A qualitative analysis of man and woman found that while there had been some reductions in gender stereotypes, others were being maintained (such as a lack of adjectives like successful or powerful being applied to words like woman). Additionally, the term girl was still more likely than the term boy to refer to adults, and it was oft en used in a disparaging or sexual way. The article concludes with a discussion of the sort of linguistic strategies that appear to have been successful in terms of equalising gender representation.
Bringing Sexuality to the Table
Authors: Wagner Sarah N.
Published: November 2010

In their 1995 study, “The ‘Father Knows Best’ Dynamic in Dinnertime Narratives,” Ochs and Taylor observed patterns of male dominance in conversations between heterosexual parents of nuclear families. The playing out of these imbalanced gender roles, the researchers cautioned, has a socializing effect that can be seen in the behavior of their young children. The paper presented here reexamines these power dynamics through an analysis of the discourse between lesbian parents with children. The author examines the linguistic tools used in the negotiation of power, both in comparison to Ochs and Taylor’s findings and for their own unique characteristics. This analysis reveals that in these seven families, like those in Ochs and Taylor’s research, one parent evaluates others’ speech and actions considerably more often than the other. However, the parents did not occupy the other roles examined in the original study in the same way. In particular, the role of primary recipient seems to be less powerful here than in the original study, while the role of elicitor appears to allow women a more effective means by which to attain and maintain control. A high incidence of joint elicitation and narration by the parents, and an active attempt to include children in the conversations were also found. These findings point to two conclusions: (1) the use of evaluative comments is not necessarily a gendered power tactic; (2) a high level of conscious decision making by lesbian parents seems to explain some of these differences in form. Future research should examine the influence of power rather than gender differences in speech acts. In so doing, we might more fully understand the nature of powerful language and which speech groups have access to that means of discourse.
Facial nerve electroneurography: variability in normal subjects
Authors: Medeiros Jovany Luis Alves de , Nobrega João Antonio Maciel , Andrade Luiz Augusto Franco de , Juliano Yara
Published: November 2010

Twenty normal individuals were submitted to facial nerve electroneurography using different techniques in order to determine the most accurate to obtain the latencies and amplitudes of the compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) of the facial muscles. First of all it was determined in which muscle or muscle group highest amplitude CMAP could be recorded with the lowest variability between sides and in test-retest. Different techniques were studied in order to determine which could give the best results. This was shown to be an arrangement of bipolar surface electrodes fixed to a plastic bar. The records with higher amplitude where obtained from the nasolabial fold muscles. Therefore 65 normal volunteers were examined using this technique and recording the potentials obtained over the nasolabial fold muscles. Normal values were determined (latency lower than 4.5 ms and amplitude larger than 2 mV - 95% confidence limits).
Chorea: clinical correlates of 119 cases
Authors: Mendes Maria Fernanda , Andrade Luiz Augusto Franco De , Ferraz Henrique Ballalai
Published: November 2010

Chorea is a clinical syndrome characterized by abnormal involuntary arrhythmic movements, randomly distributed in time, affecting mainly the distal parts of the limbs. There are many diseases associated with chorea but the distribution of the etiologies vary too much in different parts of the world. We intended to study the etiologies of chorea in a Movement Disorders Unit of a university hospital-based outpatient clinic in Brazil. We studied the records of 119 patients with chorea based in the diagnostic criteria of the World Federation of Neurology. Sydenham's chorea (SC) was the most frequent cause of chorea (51.3%) of our sample. Other common causes were Huntington's chorea (18.5%) and chorea post-stroke (9.2%). SC is not commonly seen in developed countries nowadays but is not rare in Brazil. SC patients generally have the clinical manifestation of it in the first 20 years of age and girls are more affected than boys and this feature was observed in our sample. Based on our own experience and in the review of the literature we propose an etiological classification of chorea.
Genetics in multiple sclerosis: twin studies
Authors: Rezende Patrícia Almeida De , Arruda Walter Oleschko
Published: November 2010

The authors make a review and critical analysis of twin studies in multiple sclerosis (MS). The concordance rate among homozygotic twins is significantly greater than in heterozygotic twins. The average herdability in MS is about 28%; no single gene was identified as a sole risk factor for the development of the disease. MS may be considered a poligenic disease triggered by environmental factors in a genetically predisposed individual.
The shape of the human lumbar vertebral canal
Authors: Zarzur Edmundo
Published: November 2010

Literature on the anatomy of the human vertebral column characterizes the shape of the lumbar vertebral canal as triangular. The purpose of the present study was to determine the precise shape of the lumbar vertebral canal. Ten lumbar vertebral columns of adult male cadavers were dissected. Two transverse sections were performed in the third lumbar vertebra. One section was performed at the level of the lower border of the ligamenta flava, and the other section was performed at the level of the pedicles. The shape of the lumbar vertebral canal at the level of the pedicles tends to be oval or circular, whereas the shape of the lumbar vertebral canal at the level of the lower border of the ligamenta flava is triangular. Thus, the shape of the human lumbar vertebral canal is not exclusively triangular, as reported in the literature. It is related to the level of the transversal section performed on the lumbar vertebra. This finding should be taken into consideration among factors involved in the spread of solutions introduced into the epidural space.
Síndrome de S.U.N.C.T. Relato de um caso precedido de trauma ocular
Authors: Piovesan Elcio Juliato , Kowacs Pedro André , Werneck Lineu Cesar
Published: November 2010

Relatamos o caso de um paciente com cefaléia neuralgiforme unilateral de curta duração associada a hiperemia conjuntival e lacrimejamento ipsiloterais (sindrome de S.U.N.C.T.) precedida de trauma ocular ipsolateral. Não encontramos na literatura associação similar. Até que a fisiopatologia da S.U.N.C.T. seja esclarecida, não podemos definir se houve relação causai entre o trauma e a síndrome ou se são epifenômenos.
Multiple sclerosis or multiphasic disseminated encephalomyelitis? A new question about an old problem: case report
Authors: Maranhão-Filho Pérciles A.
Published: November 2010

A 42 year-old woman developed paraplegia that resolved in six months, followed by sudden right hemiparesis and dysphasia two years later. The clinical work-up, including CT and MR scans, visual evoked potentials, CSF examination and cerebral biopsy suggested the posibility of either multiple sclerosis or multiphasic disseminated encephalomyelitis. The differential diagosis between both conditions is discussed.
Peripheral neuropathies in childhood: a neuropathological approach
Authors: Chimelli Leila
Published: November 2010

Peripheral neuropathies affect children more often than the young and middle age adults, but less frequently than the elderly. They differ from those in the adults because of the high incidence of hereditary neuropathies, including those associated with metabolic and degenerative disorders of the central nervous system; the low incidence of toxic neuropathies and those associated with systemic disorders; and a lower incidence of chronic acquired polineuropathies. Nerve biopsies are indicated if the diagnosis has not been made with clinical and electrophysiologic studies and other methods, and should only be performed in laboratories with appropriate techniques for the study of the nerve. It is important to know the normal development of the nerve, the thickness of the myelin sheath and the distribution of small and large fibers, according to the age. The main morphological aspects of the most frequent neuropathies in children - acquired (inflammatory, demyelinating) and hereditary (sensory-motor, sensory-autonomic, ataxic, and those associated with metabolic and degenerative disorders), are reviewed.
Meningiomas: estudo epidemiologic e anátomo-patológico de 304 casos
Authors: Torres Luiz Fernando Bleggi , Madalozzo Luiz Ernani , Werner Betina , Noronha Lúcia de , Jacob Graciela V. Vicelli , Medeiros Bruno C. , Vialle Emiliano N.
Published: November 2010

No presente estudo, foram pesquisados os tumores do sistema nervoso central (SNC) diagnosticados na cidade de Curitiba entre 1990 e 1994. Realizaram-se 2371 biópsias de SNC das quais 1340 casos eram neoplasias primárias. Dentre as neoplasias primárias de SNC 304 (22,6%) eram meningiomas. Duzentos e nove meningiomas ocorreram em mulheres (68,7%) e 95 ocorreram em homens (31,3%). As idades variaram de 3 a 90 anos, com média de 45,8 anos. Duzentos e oitenta meningiomas localizavam-se no cérebro, 10 na medula espinhal, 9 no cerebelo e 5 na emergência de nervos cranianos. Na classificação histológica verificou-se que 294 (96,7%) eram do tipo clássico, 6 malignos (ou anaplásicos), 3 atípicos e 1 papilar. No grupo dos meningiomas clássicos 267 eram meningoteliais, 10 psamomatosos, 5 fibroblásticos, 5 microcísticos, 5 transicionais e 2 angiomatoses. Os autores concluem que as neoplasias meníngeas representaram o grupo mais freqüente de tumores primários do SNC e apresentaram características epidemiológicas e anátomo-patológicas similares às da literatura mundial, na qual é dada ênfase à dificuldade de estabelecer critérios biológicos e histológicos de malignidade neste grupo de tumores.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: a survey of 14 patients
Authors: Marchiori Paulo E. , Yasuda Noboru , Azevedo Helga C. A. , Órfão Mônica , Callegaro Dagoberto , Yamamoto Fábio I. , Scaff Milberto
Published: November 2010

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a transmissible disease of the nervous system causatively related to the presence of an abnormal prion protein, with dementia, myoclonic jerks, and periodic EEG activity. Fourteen patients (7 females and 7 males) ranging from 26 to 76 years of age (median 59 years) were evaluated between 1974 and 1995 at the Neurologic Clinic of São Paulo University School of Medicine. The average duration of the disease was 12 months (3.5 - 34 months). Early clinical findings were: behaviour changes in 7 patients, dementia in 4, visual disturbances in 4, vertigo in 2, tremor in 9, and dystonia in one. Advanced symptoms were dementia and myoclonus in all patients. Pyramidal tract dysfunction was found in 6, cerebellar ataxia in 2, seizures in 3, nystagmus and vertigo in 4, and peripheral nervous system involvement in 2. Atypical clinical forms were found in 5 patients. Periodic EEG activity was found in 10 patients. Cerebrospinal fluid evaluation showed pleocytosis in 1 patient, higher protein content in 2, and higher gamma globulin level in 2. In 10 patients anatomopathological evidence in the central nervous system confirmed the clinical diagnosis by presenting with status spongiosus. All except one patient presented with the sporadic form of the disease.
Anticorpos antifosfolípides em 66 pacientes com infarto cerebral entre 15 e 40 anos
Authors: Siqueira Neto José Ibiapina , Santos Antonio C. , Fábio Soraia R. Cabette , Sakamoto Américo C.
Published: November 2010

Os anticorpos antifosfolípides (aFLs) constituem grupo heterogêneo de imunoglobulinas que tem sido relacionado com alterações na coagulabilidade. Indivíduos com títulos elevados teriam maior probabilidade de desenvolver tromboses de repetição, tanto arterial como venosa, e por conseguinte infarto cerebral (IC). Os testes para detecção mais utilizados em estudos clínicos são o inibidor lúpico e a anticardiolipina. Têm-se relatado maiores percentuais de positividade nesses testes em pacientes jovens com IC. Neste estudo procuramos investigar a prevalência desses anticorpos em pacientes com IC entre 15 e 40 anos em nosso Serviço. Examinamos 66 pacientes para presença de aFLs e obtivemos 16,65% de resultados positivos. Confirmamos diagnóstico de síndrome do anticorpo antifosfolípide primária em três (4,55%) casos. Concluímos que a pesquisa de rotina para aFLs em pacientes jovens com IC está indicada neste grupo de pacientes, mas correlacioná-los com o episódio isquêmico nem sempre é possível.
Epilepsia do lobo temporal: tratamento cirúrgico
Authors: Rassi Neto Aziz , Campos Carlos J. Reis de , Muszkat Mauro , Ferraz Fernando P.
Published: November 2010

Os autores apresentam 32 pacientes com crises epilépticas não controladas ou intratáveis mesmo fazendo uso de medicamentos em doses adequadas. O eletrencefalograma mostrou descargas paroxísticas focais na região temporal em todos os casos. O material foi dividido em dois grupos. O primeiro é composto de 18 pacientes em que os exames por neuroimagem (ressonância magnética e tomografia computadorizada craniana) mostraram imagens compatíveis com lesões expansivas cerebrais (como gliomas, malformações artério-venosas, tumor epidermóide); foi realizada exérese da lesão em todos os casos, associada à área irritativa adjacente que foi identificada pela eletrocorticografia intraoperatória, em seis casos; só foi possível a exérese dessas áreas irritativas nos casos em que elas se localizavam em zonas não eloquentes. O segundo é composto de 14 pacientes nos quais a ressonância magnética não mostrou imagem compatível com processo expansivo cerebral; o exame histopatológico mostrou esclerose mesial temporal em nove casos e cérebro normal em cinco; todos os casos deste grupo foram submetidos a lobectomia temporal. Observamos que os casos com lesões expansivas cerebrais apresentaram melhor evolução em relação ao controle das crises epilépticas do que os casos sem estas lesões, pois 15 (83,4%) dos 18 casos do primeiro grupo evoluíram sem crises e 10 (71,4%) dos 14 casos do segundo grupo também evoluíram sem crises após a cirurgia.
Concentração de bixina e lipídios em sementes de urucum da coleção do instituto agronômico (IAC)
Authors: Carvalho Paulo Roberto Nogueira , Silva Marta Gomes da , Fabri Eliane Gomes , Tavares Paulo Eduardo da Rocha , Martins Antônio Lúcio Mello , Spatti Leandro Rodrigo
Published: November 2010

Existe uma extensa variedade genética no urucum que são conhecidas por denominações como "focinho de rato", "cabeça de moleque", "peruana", "bico de pato", "amarela", "piave" entre outras. Todas são caracterizadas por propriedades como porte da planta, período de produção, forma e cores das cachopas, deiscência, etc. A última década tem sido marcada por um melhoramento genético, buscando maior produtividade e, principalmente, maior teor de pigmentos. O Instituto Agronômico (IAC) comporta no Polo Regional Centro Norte, (Pindorama, SP), uma coleção de plantas de urucum, com mais de 25 acessos, que em trabalhos anteriores foram avaliadas quanto às suas características agronômicas. Contudo, os teores de bixina e lipídeos, que também são características importantes das sementes de urucum, pois afetam diretamente o rendimento industrial, não foram estudados. Este estudo teve como objetivo a validação de uma metodologia analítica de determinação de bixina e a caracterização da coleção do IAC quanto aos teores de bixina e lipídios. Os resultados indicaram que no método proposto houve linearidade na faixa de trabalho utilizada para a análise de sementes de urucum. Os limites de detecção e quantificação foram de 0,31 e 0,63 g de carotenóides totais expressos como bixina por 100 g de semente, respectivamente. O método foi preciso mas sensível a alterações na massa de amostra, tempo de extração e no coeficiente de absorção (). As árvores existentes na coleção possuem altos teores de bixina na semente, variando (em base seca) de 3,12 ± 0,06% a 6,26 ± 0,06%. Os teores de lipídios variaram de 1,97 ± 0% a 3,98 ± 0,09%. Não foram observadas correlações entre as concentrações de bixina e de lipídios.
Estado nutricional em nitrogênio da grama esmeralda avaliado por meio do teor foliar, clorofilômetro e imagem digital, em área adubada com lodo de esgoto
Authors: Backes Clarice , Villas Bôas Roberto Lyra , Lima Claudinei Paulo de , Godoy Leandro José Grava de , Büll Leonardo Theodoro , Santos Alessandro José Marques
Published: November 2010

A intensidade da cor verde da folha pode ser alternativa para estimar a concentração de N na planta, devido à relação entre o teor de clorofila e o de N no tecido foliar. Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar índices da cor verde da grama esmeralda obtidos da análise da imagem digital e pelo uso do clorofilômetro para predizer o estado nutricional em N fornecido pelo lodo de esgoto. O experimento foi instalado e desenvolvido em uma propriedade comercial de grama esmeralda, localizada na cidade de Itapetininga (SP). O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições e cinco doses de lodo de esgoto: 0, 10, 20, 30 e 40 Mg ha-1, base seca. As doses de lodo aplicadas correspondem a 100, 200, 300 e 400 kg ha-1 de nitrogênio disponível. Foram avaliadas as concentrações de N e a intensidade de coloração verde da folha pelo uso do clorofilômetro (ICV) e por meio da análise da imagem digital (G, H e ICVE) aos 45, 105 e 165 dias após a aplicação do lodo. Os valores de intensidade obtidos foram correlacionados com a concentração de N na lâmina foliar e com a taxa de cobertura do solo determinada nas mesmas épocas. A aplicação de doses de lodo de esgoto proporcionou aumento dos índices de cor verde e da concentração de N nas folhas da grama esmeralda. A concentração de N na lâmina foliar pode auxiliar a adubação nitrogenada em cobertura, pois proporcionou altas correlações com a taxa de cobertura do solo. O matiz (H) obtido com a imagem digital e a intensidade de cor verde da folha (ICV) obtida com o clorofilômetro correlacionaram-se com a concentração de N e com a taxa de cobertura do solo e, dessa forma, podem servir como índices na recomendação da adubação nitrogenada.
Fungos micorrízicos arbusculares e rizobactérias promotoras de crescimento na aclimatização de zingiber spectabile
Authors: Oliveira João Ricardo Gonçalves de , Moraes Thiago Alberto de Lima , Melo Natoniel Franklin de , Yano-Melo Adriana Mayumi
Published: November 2010

Microrganismos benéficos exercem importantes funções para a sobrevivência e o desenvolvimento de plantas micropropagadas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMA) e rizobactérias promotores de crescimento de plantas (RPCP), isolados e/ou combinados (em dupla inoculação) na aclimatização de Zingiber spectabile Griff. O experimento foi realizado em casa de vegetação utilizando tubetes de 300 mL e pó da casca de coco (Amafibra®) como substrato. O delineamento foi do tipo inteiramente casualizado com dois tratamentos de inoculação com FMA [Glomus etunicatum (Ge) e a mistura de G. etunicatum com Gigaspora margarita (Ge/Gm)], dois tratamentos de inoculação com RPCP [Bacillus thuringiensis (HPF14) e B. pumilus (HPS6)], quatro tratamentos com a combinação destes microrganismos [Ge+HPS6, Ge+HPF14, Ge/Gm+HPS6 e Ge/Gm+HPF14], e o tratamento-controle (não inoculado), em oito repetições. Após 90 dias de cultivo foram avaliados: percentual de sobrevivência, altura, área foliar, biomassa fresca e seca da parte aérea (BFA e BSA) e radicular (BFR e BSR), colonização micorrízica (CM) e conteúdo de macro e micronutrientes na parte aérea. A coinoculação (Ge/Gm+HPS6) favoreceu significativamente a micorrização em relação aos demais tratamentos, e resultou em maior BFA em relação às plantas submetidas à inoculação com HPF14. Embora a sobrevivência das mudas na aclimatização tenha sido de 100%, de modo geral o desenvolvimento de Z. spectabile inoculado com HPF14 isolado e/ou combinado com os FMA é inferior ao observado para as plantas controle. O resultado sugere que o uso dos microrganismos promotores do crescimento de plantas deve se feito com cautela, considerando a relação custo/benefício da aplicação.
Quitosana no controle pós-colheita da podridão mole em caqui 'rama forte'
Authors: Cia Patrícia , Benato Eliane Aparecida , Pascholati Sérgio Florentino , Garcia Ely Oliveira
Published: November 2010

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o efeito da quitosana, aliada ao processo de destanização, no controle de Rhizopus stolonifer em caqui 'Rama Forte' e sobre o crescimento micelial do fungo in vitro. Caquis foram submetidos ao processo de destanização com CO2 (70% / 18 horas), em tambores herméticos, sendo em seguida submetidos à inoculação com suspensão de esporos de R. stolonifer (3x10(5) esporos mL-1). Após inoculação, os frutos permaneceram por 2 horas a 25 °C, quando foram imersos em quitosana (0; 0,5; 1,0; 1,5 e 2,0%), por 1 minuto. Os frutos foram mantidos a 25 °C / 80% UR e avaliados quanto à severidade e incidência da podridão mole, durante cinco dias. Após o período de armazenamento, avaliaram-se a coloração de casca, a firmeza e o índice de adstringência. In vitro, avaliou-se o crescimento micelial em placas contendo meio BDA incorporado com quitosana ou ácido cítrico. Os resultados mostraram que a quitosana, a 1,5%, reduz a severidade e a incidência da podridão mole em caquis e não influencia no processo de perda de adstringência, firmeza e na coloração de casca. In vitro, a quitosana inibe completamente o crescimento micelial de R. stolonifer, em concentração tão baixa quanto 0,5%.
Tendências e variações climáticas em séries anuais de precipitação pluvial do Estado de São Paulo
Authors: Blain Gabriel Constantino
Published: November 2010

O objetivo do trabalho foi detectar tendências e variações climáticas em oito séries de totais anuais de precipitação pluvial do Estado de São Paulo. A fim de obter melhor adequação entre as probabilidades dos erros tipo I e II, as análises foram realizadas do ponto de vista paramétrico e não paramétrico. Nas localidades de Jundiaí e Pindorama foram detectadas marcantes elevações no regime anual dos totais de precipitação. A mesma característica foi observada na localidade de Monte Alegre do Sul, embora com menor significância do que nessas duas primeiras séries. Nas localidades de Campinas, Cordeirópolis, Mococa e Ribeirão Preto não houve indícios de alterações climáticas. Na localidade de Ubatuba foi detectada queda no regime dessa variável meteorológica.
Representações sociais de mulheres mastectomizadas e suas implicações para o autocuidado
Authors: Silva Sílvio Éder Dias da , Vasconcelos Esleane Vilela , Santana Mary Elizabeth de , Rodrigues Ivaneide Leal Ataíde , Leite Teodolina Valente , Santos Lucialba Maria Silva dos , Sousa Ralrizônia Fernandes , Conceição Vander Monteiro da , Oliveira Jackline Leite de , Meireles Wanda do Nascimento
Published: November 2010

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivos identificar as representações sociais de mulheres mastectomizadas sobre a mama e analisar as implicações dessas representações sociais no autocuidado. Tratou-se de um estudo qualitativo segundo o referencial Teoria das Representações Sociais. Para coleta de dados empregou-se duas técnicas: a associação livre de idéias e a observação livre. Para a análise das informações empregou-se a técnica de análise temática. A pesquisa teve como resultado duas unidades temáticas: a mama e suas representações sociais de mudança no corpo e representações sociais de mulheres mastectomizadas: implicações sobre o cuidado de si. No estudo, observou-se que as mulheres objetivaram o cuidado das mamas por meio da realização do autoexame.
Caracterização das internações psiquiátricas para desintoxicação de adolescentes dependentes químicos
Authors: Mombelli Mônica Augusta , Marcon Sônia Silva , Costa Jaquilene Barreto
Published: November 2010

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi caracterizar as internações de adolescentes hospitalizados para desintoxicação em um hospital público do Oeste do Paraná e correlacionar as variáveis sócio-demográficas com o uso de drogas ilícitas. Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo a partir de consultas em 81 protocolos de admissão dos adolescentes dependentes químicos internados no período de março de 2007 a abril de 2008. A maioria das internações foi de adolescentes do sexo masculino (79%). As drogas consumidas com maior frequência foram o crack (87,6%) e a maconha (85,2%), sendo que, 79% dos adolescentes usam tais drogas de forma concomitante. Identificaram-se fatores que levam ao consumo abusivo de drogas, como o acesso fácil, abandono escolar, o uso de drogas na família e a falta de motivação para o tratamento.
Percepção dos enfermeiros sobre os resultados dos indicadores de qualidade na melhoria da prática assistencial
Authors: Franco Juliana Nogueira , Barros Brícia Pompeo Amaral , Vaidotas Marina , D'Innocenzo Maria
Published: November 2010

As estratégias de controle da qualidade assumem um significado importante para os enfermeiros, tornando-os mais envolvidos e competentes para aperfeiçoarem a qualidade do cuidado prestado. Esse estudo teve como objetivo diagnosticar a percepção dos enfermeiros de um hospital privado sobre os processos de qualidade em enfermagem aplicados à melhoria da assistência. É um estudo descritivo-exploratório cuja amostra foi de19 enfermeiros. Resultados demonstraram que os mesmos consideraram a utilização dos resultados dos indicadores um instrumento estratégico, e que sua percepção corrobora a prática de melhoria assistencial por meio da utilização de ferramentas e indicadores de qualidade com ênfase no registro de falhas no processo como possíveis sugestões de melhoria da qualidade.