bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photopheresis in solid organ transplant rejection
Authors: Marques Marisa B. , Tuncer Hande H.
Published: April 2006

Photopheresis has become a key component in the therapeutic armamentarium of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma, graft‐versus‐host disease following stem cell transplant, and allograft rejection of solid organs such as heart. Although it is considered a new treatment modality in its present form, the field of phototherapy dates back thousands of years. In this review, the reader will learn more about the history of photopheresis and how it became a therapeutic alternative for patients with solid organ transplants. An extensive literature search will highlight the evidence‐based benefits of photopheresis (or lack thereof). A discussion of the mechanism of action of photopheresis and the technical aspects of the procedure will also be covered. Since photopheresis may be the best tolerated form of immunomodulation, current promising, albeit preliminary data on its efficacy warrant further investigation and understanding. J. Clin. Apheresis 21:72–77, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Endodermal differentiation of murine embryonic carcinoma cells by retinoic acid requires JLP, a JNK‐scaffolding protein
Authors: Kashef Kimia , Xu Hua , Reddy E. Premkumar , Dhanasekaran Danny N.
Published: April 2006

Retinoic acid (RA) is a morphogen that induces endodermal differentiation of murine P19 embryonic carcinoma cells. RA‐induced differentiation of P19 cells has been used as a model system to define the differentiation programs of pluripotent stem cells. Using this system it has been shown that Gα13—the α‐subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein G13—and its activation of JNK‐module are critically required for the endodermal differentiation of P19 cells. However, the mechanism through which Gα13 is linked to JNK‐module is unknown. Here, we report that RA stimulates the expression of JNK‐interacting leucine zipper protein (JLP), a newly identified JNK‐scaffolding protein and its critical role in RA‐mediated endodermal differentiation. Our results indicate that there is a physical association between JLP and Gα13 in RA‐stimulated P19 cells. More interestingly, silencing JLP abrogates RA‐mediated endodermal differentiation of P19 cells analogous to the effects seen with the silencing of Gα13 or JNK. Therefore, our studies presented here identify for the first time, a novel role for a newly identified scaffolding protein in RA‐mediated endodermal differentiation, providing a new signaling conduit to transmit signals from RA to JNK module. J. Cell. Biochem. 98: 715–722, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Degradation of insulin‐like growth factor‐I receptor occurs via ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway in human lung cancer cells
Authors: Carelli Stephana , Di Giulio Anna Maria , Paratore Simona , Bosari Silvano , Gorio Alfredo
Published: April 2006

Insulin‐like growth factor‐I receptor (IGF‐IR) is often overexpressed in malignant tumors, and is involved in the establishment and maintenance of malignant phenotypes. Tyrosine kinase receptor endocytosis is commonly triggered by ligand binding and occurs via clathrin‐coated vescicles that transfer the receptor to the lysosome system for degradation. Our study aims at the evaluation of the mechanisms involved in IGF‐IR downregulation in neoplastic (Npl) and non‐neoplastic (non‐Npl) cells. Exposure to insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) of human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines (A549 and H1299) triggers IGF‐IR ubiquitination and internalization processes that require energy and are preceded by the phosphorylation of receptor tyrosines. Differently from other plasma membrane substrates of the ubiquitin system, IGF‐IR is degraded mostly by the proteasome in these tumor cell lines. The degradation is inhibited by lactacystin and unaffected by lysosomal inhibitors such as bafilomycin A1 and NH4Cl. IGF‐IR is processed in a similar manner also in fresh specimens of human lung tumors, while it requires active lysosomal functions in non‐Npl human lung tissues. These results suggest that the degradation routes of ubiquitinated IGF‐IR diverge in normal and Npl cells, and further support the involvement of IGF‐IR signaling in cancer. Such a different route for IGF‐IR processing might take place sometime during development, since both proteasome and lysosome pathways are active in fetal lung human fibroblasts, IMR90 cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 208: 354–362, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inclusion of the (T) triples correction into the linear‐r12 corrected coupled‐cluster model CCSD(R12)
Authors: Fliegl Heike , Hättig Christof , Klopper Wim
Published: April 2006

The recently developed singles‐and‐doubles linear‐r12 corrected coupled‐cluster model CCSD(R12) has been extended by inclusion of triples corrections in exactly the same manner as in the popular CCSD(T) model. The resulting model is denoted CCSD(T)(R12). An orthonormal auxiliary basis set is used for the resolution‐of‐the‐identity approximation to calculate the three‐ and four‐electron integrals needed in the linear‐r12 Ansatz. CCSD(T)(R12) reaction energies are calculated for a test set of 15 chemical reactions involving 23 small molecules. The CCSD(T)(R12), CCSD(R12), and MP2‐R12 results are compared with experimental data obtained by correcting experimental enthalpies of reaction for zero‐point vibrational energies and finite temperature contributions. Conventional MP2, CCSD, and CCSD(T) results are presented for comparison. An estimate of the basis set limit is obtained by an aug‐cc‐pV(Q + d)Z/aug‐cc‐pV(5 + d)Z CCSD(T) extrapolation for a subset of 12 reactions. All CCSD(T) results are compared with the extrapolated values, and the errors are analyzed for the CCSD(T) and CCSD(T)(R12) models in various basis sets. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
What Are You Reading?
Authors: Pao Angela
Published: April 2006

In one way or another, most of my recent readings have focused on diasporic and ethnic-minority literatures, experiences, and performances. From the late spring through midsummer, the readings I did in the context of a migratory experience in Europe produced new perspectives on questions of displacement, marginalization, and cross-cultural connections. I was invited to teach a graduate course on a departmental exchange with the Comparative Literature program of the University of Lisbon, and I designed a course called “Crossing Continents: Multiethnic Literatures of Europe and North America.” The course, taught in spring 2005, focused on understanding ways in which the critical paradigms used by literary and cultural critics in the United States might be extended profitably to the examination of immigrant and racial-minority cultures in Western Europe, and how diasporic and postcolonial models of migration developed by European scholars could expand the dimensions of U.S. ethnic studies.
Arthur Miller's America: Theatre & Culture in a Time of Change
Authors: Mason Jeffrey D.
Published: April 2006

In the fall of 2000, to honor Arthur Miller's eighty-fifth birthday, the University of Michigan sponsored an international symposium on the playwright's work, and Enoch Brater has now edited a volume based on selected presentations from that event. In plain terms, the book includes Brater's chronicle of Miller's days at the university, playwright Frank Gagliano's thoughts on adapting Timebends for the stage, Toby Zinman's interview with actor Patrick Stewart on playing Lyman Felt in The Ride Down Mt. Morgan, Brater's interviews with composer William C. Bolcom on his opera version of A View from the Bridge and with Miller himself via satellite hookup, an afterword by critic Mel Gussow, and fourteen scholarly essays that form the body of the volume.
Shakespeare and the American Nation
Authors: Scheil Katherine West
Published: April 2006

The combination of Shakespeare and American Studies has recently proven to be fertile ground for scholarly inquiry. In Shakespeare and the American Nation, Kim C. Sturgess shows that the subject has not yet been exhausted. Following the work of Lawrence Levine's Highbrow/Lowbrow: The Emergence of Cultural Hierarchy in America (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1988) and Michael D. Bristol's Shakespeare's America, America's Shakespeare (New York: Routledge, 1990), Sturgess's intriguing book examines how nationalistic appropriations of Shakespeare accorded him the status of a hero in American culture in a climate of strong anti-British sentiment.
Riot and Great Anger: Stage Censorship in Twentieth-Century Ireland
Authors: Maresh Karin
Published: April 2006

Joan FitzPatrick Dean's Riot and Great Anger: Stage Censorship in Twentieth-Century Ireland is a welcome addition to Irish theatre studies. Although there is a plethora of scholarship available on specific theatrical riots in Ireland, and several studies detail the censorship in Ireland of publications, film, and television, no other single work documents in its totality the tradition of theatrical disorder and stage censorship in twentieth-century Ireland.
Comparisons of zooplankton community size structure in the Great Lakes
Authors: Yurista Peder M. , Kelly John R. , Miller Samuel E.
Published: April 2006

Zooplankton mean size and size spectra distribution potentially reflect the condition of trophic interactions and ecosystem health because they are affected by both resource availability and planktivore pressure. We assessed zooplankton mean size and size spectra using an optical plankton counter (OPC) on 35 site visits among lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario (2002–2003). The surveys were conducted in both nearshore regions (5–20 m depth) and on associated transects to offshore regions either greater than 8 km from shore or greater than 100 m depth. The survey sites were distributed across a gradient of land use disturbance in watersheds adjacent to the nearshore regions. The mean size, biomass density, statistical size distribution, and normalized biomass size spectra of zooplankton were determined from OPC measurements for all locations. Significant differences among lakes were observed in mean size, biomass, and the parameters of size spectra distributions for both nearshore and offshore regions. Significant differences within lakes were observed in some parameters that also allowed for significant discrimination between nearshore and offshore zooplankton communities in lakes Michigan (mean size, biomass, one spectral parameter), Ontario (mean size, three spectral parameters), and Superior (one spectral parameter). Similarly, some parameters allowed for discrimination between offshore epilimnion and hypolimnion waters in lakes Michigan (mean size, biomass, and four spectral parameters), Huron (biomass), and Ontario (two spectral parameters). The use of OPC technology and parameters that characterize spectral shape may have potential as an efficient and economic way for developing a size‐based zooplankton metric to discriminate among zooplankton communities in the Great Lakes.
Extraction of coherent bursts from turbulent edge plasma in magnetic fusion devices using orthogonal wavelets
Authors: Farge Marie , Schneider Kai , Devynck Pascal
Published: April 2006

A new method to extract coherent bursts from turbulent signals is presented. It uses the wavelet representation which keeps track of both time and scale and thus preserves the temporal structure of the analyzed signal, in contrast to the Fourier representation which scrambles it among the phases of all Fourier coefficients. Using orthogonal wavelets, turbulent signals can be decomposed into coherent and incoherent components, which are orthogonal and whose properties can thus be studied independently. Diagnostics based on the wavelet representation are also introduced to compare the statistical properties of the original signals with their coherent and incoherent components. The wavelet-based extraction method is applied to the saturation current fluctuations measuring the plasma density fluctuations at the edge of the tokamak Tore Supra, Cadarache, France. This procedure disentangles the coherent bursts, which contain most of the density variance, are intermittent and correlated with non-Gaussian statistics, from the incoherent background fluctuations, which are much weaker, non-intermittent, noise-like and almost decorrelated with quasi-Gaussian statistics. We conjecture that the coherent bursts are responsible for turbulent transport, whereas the remaining incoherent fluctuations only contribute to turbulent diffusion.
Interaction-induced dipole moment of the Ar–H2 dimer: Dependence on the H2 bond length
Authors: Hinde Robert J.
Published: April 2006

We present ab initio calculations of the interaction-induced dipole moment of the Ar–H2 van der Waals dimer. The primary focus of our calculations is on the H2 bond length dependence of the dipole moment, which determines the intensities of both the collision-induced H2 υ=1←0 fundamental band in gaseous Ar–H2 mixtures and the dopant-induced H2 υ=1←0 absorption feature in Ar-doped solid H2 matrices. Our calculations employ large atom-centered basis sets, diffuse bond functions positioned between the two monomers, and a coupled cluster treatment of valence electron correlation; core-valence correlation effects appear to make negligible contributions to the interaction-induced dipole moment for the Ar–H2 configurations considered here.
Ion orbits in a cylindrical Langmuir probe
Authors: Taccogna Francesco , Longo Savino , Capitelli Mario
Published: April 2006

It has been suggested that in weakly collisional sheaths, potential wells and barriers could appear due to ion-neutral momentum and charge transfer collisions. These can cause the presence of repulsed and trapped ions in the region surrounding a negatively biased Langmuir probe, invalidating the commonly used orbital-motion-limited theory of ion current. This is still an open question concerning also the charging and shielding of dust grains, and at present, no fully self-consistent treatment exists. For this reason, a particle-in-cell/test-particle Monte Carlo simulation of the dynamics of an argon plasma in the region surrounding an attracting cylindrical probe at medium gas pressure has been developed. The results of the present simulation for different probe potentials and discharge pressures demonstrate the complex structure of electric potential around the probe and the failure of collisionless theories.
Models of radiation yield from wire array implosion at 1MA Zebra generator
Authors: Esaulov Andrey
Published: April 2006

The snowplow and thin shell models that have the analytical solutions in zero dimensions are linked with the ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) and radiation MHD codes to calculate the radiation yield from the imploding wire array loads at 1MA Zebra generator. Radiation MHD simulations show that the strong radiation cooling affects plasma dynamics at all stages of the implosion and drives plasma into the radiative collapse at the final stage of the implosion. Being applied to the implosion of an Al wire array with the mass per unit length 3.82μg∕mm, these simulations show that the thermalization of the kinetic energy can be essentially completed when the radius of the imploding pinch shrinks below ∼10μm. If we assume such a perfect compression, then the plasma energy gain will be 10kJ with total radiation yield of about 5kJ, while the emitted radiation spectrum will be blackbody-like with an equilibrium temperature of 200eV. The only effective mechanism of energy coupling for the imploding plasma, driven by the magnetic piston, is the inductive work of the magnetic field due to the motional impedance. However, the mechanism of anomalous plasma heating, acting in the plasma fraction that was left behind the collapsing current sheath, can couple additional energy into the plasma and can explain the variety of radiation performance features. An adequate model of the radiation yield should consider the stagnating z pinch as an object with strong density and temperature gradients.
Influenza: exposing the true killer
Authors: Van Epps Heather L.
Published: April 2006

In the early 1930s, Richard Shope isolated influenza virus from infected pigs. Shope's finding was quickly followed by the isolation of the influenza virus from humans, proving that a virus—not a bacterium, as was widely believed—caused influenza.
OBTAINING NUCLEI FROM CHAINS OF NORMAL SUBGROUPS
Authors: LEWIS MARK L.
Published: April 2006

In this paper, we reexamine the foundation of Isaacs' π-theory. One of the key concepts in Isaacs' π-theory is the construction of the characters Bπ(G) for a π-separable group G. The key to determining which characters lie in Bπ(G) was the construction of a nucleus for each irreducible character χ. In this paper, we present a different way of finding a nucleus for χ which is based on a chain of normal subgroup [Formula: see text]. Using this nucleus, we obtain the set of characters [Formula: see text]. We investigate the properties that [Formula: see text] has in common with Bπ(G).
Repression of Cap-Dependent Translation Attenuates the Transformed Phenotype in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Both In vitro and In vivo
Authors: Jacobson Blake A. , Alter Michael D. , Kratzke Marian G. , Frizelle Sandra P. , Zhang Ying , Peterson Mark S. , Avdulov Svetlana , Mohorn Riikka P. , Whitson Bryan A. , Bitterman Peter B. , Polunovsky Vitaly A. , Kratzke Robert A.
Published: April 2006

Aberrant hyperactivation of the cap-dependent protein synthesis apparatus has been documented in a wide range of solid tumors, including epithelial carcinomas, but causal linkage has only been established in breast carcinoma. In this report, we sought to determine if targeted disruption of deregulated cap-dependent translation abrogates tumorigenicity and enhances cell death in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). NSCLC cell lines were stably transfected with either wild-type 4E-BP1 (HA-4E-BP1) or the dominant-active mutant 4E-BP1A37/A46 (HA-TTAA). Transfected NSCLC cells with enhanced translational repression showed pronounced cell death following treatment with gemcitabine. In addition, transfected HA-TTAA and HA-4E-BP1wt proteins suppressed growth in a cloning efficiency assay. NSCLC cells transduced with HA-TTAA also show decreased tumorigenicity in xenograft models. Xenograft tumors expressing HA-TTAA were significantly smaller than control tumors. This work shows that hyperactivation of the translational machinery is necessary for maintenance of the malignant phenotype in NSCLC, identifies the molecular strategy used to activate translation, and supports the development of lung cancer therapies that directly target the cap-dependent translation initiation complex. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(8): 4256-62)
Sex-Determining Region Y Box 4 Is a Transforming Oncogene in Human Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Liu Pengbo , Ramachandran Sumathi , Ali Seyed Mohamed , Scharer Christopher D. , Laycock Noelani , Dalton W. Brian , Williams Holly , Karanam Suresh , Datta Milton W. , Jaye David L. , Moreno Carlos S.
Published: April 2006

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed noncutaneous neoplasm and second most common cause of cancer-related mortality in western men. To investigate the mechanisms of prostate cancer development and progression, we did expression profiling of human prostate cancer and benign tissues. We show that the SOX4 is overexpressed in prostate tumor samples compared with benign tissues by microarray analysis, real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry. We also show that SOX4 expression is highly correlated with Gleason score at the mRNA and protein level using tissue microarrays. Genes affected by SOX4 expression were also identified, including BCL10, CSF1, and NcoA4/ARA70. TLE-1 and BBC3/PUMA were identified as direct targets of SOX4. Silencing of SOX4 by small interfering RNA transfection induced apoptosis of prostate cancer cells, suggesting that SOX4 could be a therapeutic target for prostate cancer. Stable transfection of SOX4 into nontransformed prostate cells enabled colony formation in soft agar, suggesting that, in the proper cellular context, SOX4 can be a transforming oncogene. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(8): 4011-9)
Tumor-Induced Expansion of Regulatory T Cells by Conversion of CD4+CD25− Lymphocytes Is Thymus and Proliferation Independent
Authors: Valzasina Barbara , Piconese Silvia , Guiducci Cristiana , Colombo Mario P.
Published: April 2006

The CD25− and CD25+ CD4 T-lymphocyte compartments are tightly regulated. We show here that tumors break such balance, increasing the number of CD4+CD25+ T cells in draining lymph node and spleen but not contralateral node of tumor-bearing mice. Tumor injection in thymectomized and CD25-depleted mice shows that CD4+CD25+ T-cell expansion occurs even in the absence of the thymus and independently from proliferation of preexisting CD25+ T cells. These newly generated cells are bona fide regulatory T cells (T reg) in terms of Foxp3 expression and suppression of CD3-stimulated or allogeneic effector cell proliferation. Transfer of congenic Thy1.1 CD4+CD25− T cells, from mice treated or not with vinblastine, into tumor-bearing or tumor-free mice and analysis of recovered donor lymphocytes indicate that conversion is the main mechanism for acquiring the expression of CD25 and Foxp3 through a process that does not require proliferation. Although conversion of CD4+CD25− T cells for generation of T regs has been described as a natural process that maintains peripheral T-reg population, this process is used by the tumor for immune escape. The prompt recovery of T regs from monoclonal antibody–mediated CD25 depletion in tumor-bearing mice suggests attempts able to inactivate rather than deplete them when treating existing tumors. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(8): 4488-95)
Atlantic Hurricane Season of 2004
Authors: Franklin James L. , Pasch Richard J. , Avila Lixion A. , Beven John L. , Lawrence Miles B. , Stewart Stacy R. , Blake Eric S.
Published: April 2006

The 2004 Atlantic hurricane season is summarized, and the year’s tropical and subtropical cyclones are described. Fifteen named storms, including six “major” hurricanes, developed in 2004. Overall activity was nearly two and a half times the long-term mean. The season was one of the most devastating on record, resulting in over 3100 deaths basinwide and record property damage in the United States.
Radar and Damage Analysis of Severe Bow Echoes Observed during BAMEX
Authors: Wheatley Dustan M. , Trapp Robert J. , Atkins Nolan T.
Published: April 2006

This study examines damaging-wind production by bow-shaped convective systems, commonly referred to as bow echoes. Recent idealized numerical simulations suggest that, in addition to descending rear inflow at the bow echo apex, low-level mesovortices within bow echoes can induce damaging straight-line surface winds. In light of these findings, detailed aerial and ground surveys of wind damage were conducted immediately following five bow echo events observed during the Bow Echo and Mesoscale Convective Vortex (MCV) Experiment (BAMEX) field phase. These damage locations were overlaid directly onto Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) images to (i) elucidate where damaging surface winds occurred within the bow-shaped convective system (in proximity to the apex, north of the apex, etc.), and then (ii) explain the existence of these winds in the context of the possible damaging-wind mechanisms.

The results of this study provide clear observational evidence that low-level mesovortices within bow echoes can produce damaging straight-line winds at the ground. When present in the BAMEX dataset, mesovortex winds produced the most significant wind damage. Also in the BAMEX dataset, it was observed that smaller-scale bow echoes—those with horizontal scales of tens of kilometers or less—produced more significant wind damage than mature, extensive bow echoes (except when mesovortices were present within the larger-scale systems).
Reaction Behavior of Cumulene in Diels–Alder and Friedel–Crafts Reactions
Authors: Asakawa Tomohiro , Iinuma Mie , Furuta Takumi , Fujii Satoshi , Kan Toshiyuki , Tanaka Kiyoshi
Published: April 2006

Diels–Alder and Friedel–Crafts reactions of [3]cumulene 1 were investigated. Although the Diels–Alder reaction with cyclopentadiene selectively occurred on the C2, 3 double bond to give tetrasubstituted allenyl products, the Friedel–Crafts addition of electron-rich heteroaromatics and subsequent protonation cleanly occurred on the C3, 4 double bond to afford tetrasubstituted conjugated dienes.
Efeitos neuromoduladores do bromazepam quando indivíduos são expostos a uma tarefa de aprendizagem motora: eletrencefalografia quantitativa (EEGq)
Authors: Salles José Inácio , Bastos Victor Hugo , Cunha Marlo , Machado Dionis , Cagy Maurício , Furtado Vernon , Basile Luis Fernando , Piedade Roberto , Ribeiro Pedro
Published: April 2006

Os efeitos sedativos do bromazepam no desempenho cognitivo têm sido amplamente investigados. Várias abordagens têm sido implementadas no intuito de avaliar a influência do bromazepam em sujeitos submetidos à tarefa motora. Neste contexto, o presente estudo objetiva avaliar as alterações eletrofisiológicas em sujeitos expostos à tarefa de datilografia e tratados com bromazepam (6 mg). Os dados do EEGq foram gravados simultaneamente à tarefa. Em particular, a potência relativa na banda delta (0,5-3,5 Hz) foi analizada. O tempo de execução e erros durante a tarefa foram considerados variáveis comportamentais. O grupo experimental (bromazepam 6 mg) demonstrou melhor desempenho e valores de potência relativa mais elevados que o grupo controle (placebo). Estes resultados sugerem que menor nível de ansiedade favorece o desempenho motor.
Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia as a cause of trigeminal neuralgia: the role of microvascular decompression. Case report
Authors: Kraemer Jorge Luiz , Pereira Filho Arthur de Azambuja , David Gustavo de , Faria Mario de Barros
Published: April 2006

Our purpose is to report a case of trigeminal neuralgia caused by vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia treated with microvascular decompression. A 63-year-old man sought treatment for a recurrent lancinating left facial pain in V2 and V3 trigeminal territories. The computed tomography angiography revealed a mechanical compression of the left trigeminal nerve due to vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia. The patient was submitted to a left suboccipital craniotomy. Shredded Teflon® was introduced in the conflicting neurovascular area, achieving a satisfactory decompression. The patient’s pain resolved immediately. Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia is a rare cause of trigeminal neuralgia and a successful outcome can be achieved with microvascular decompression.
Complicações intracranianas das otites médias crônicas supurativas em crianças
Authors: Miura Maurício S. , Krumennauer Rita C. , Lubianca Neto José F.
Published: April 2006

Apesar de sua significativa diminuição após o advento dos antibióticos, as complicações intracranianas das otites médias ainda representam uma situação de risco, uma vez que a taxa de mortalidade permanece alta, chegando a 36%. Entre as formas mais comuns estão meningite, abscesso cerebral, abscesso extradural e tromboflebite do seio lateral. Um alto índice de suspeição é fundamental para seu diagnóstico e manejo precoces. É importante a identificação de casos atípicos que podem estar mascarados pelo uso de antimicrobianos. OBJETIVO: Apresentamos seis casos de complicações intracranianas por otite média em crianças e adolescentes ocorridos no período de dois anos no Serviço de Otorrinolaringologia do Complexo Hospitalar Santa Casa (CHSC). FORMA DE ESTUDO: relato de série.
Achados otomicroscópicos e histológicos da miringoesclerose induzida em ratos: estudo crítico de um modelo experimental
Authors: Santos Patrícia F. , Leal Mariana C. , Peixoto Cristina , Caldas Neto Silvio , Rosas Silvania Tavares Paz
Published: April 2006

A miringoesclerose é caracterizada por hialinização da lâmina própria da membrana timpânica. Trabalhos experimentais têm utilizado a otomicroscopia ou a histologia para estudar a miringoesclerose em animais, porém sem correlacionar precisamente estes dois métodos de avaliação. OBJETIVO: Este estudo procura avaliar a acurácia da otomicroscopia no diagnóstico de miringoesclerose em modelo experimental com ratos. FORMA DE ESTUDO: experimental. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foi induzida miringoesclerose por inoculação transtimpânica de Streptococcus pneumoniae em 25 ratos Wistar, que foram examinados quinzenalmente por otomicroscopia e sacrificados após oito semanas, tendo suas membranas timpânicas examinadas por histologia. RESULTADOS: Da confrontação das alterações otomicroscópicas com os achados histológicos, houve uma sensibilidade de 80% e especificidade de 75%. CONCLUSÃO: Pelos resultados obtidos neste estudo, a otomicroscopia não representou um bom método para avaliar a miringoesclerose neste modelo experimental.
Antibióticos em tonsilectomias: terapêutico ou profilático? Necessário ou abusivo?
Authors: Piltcher Otávio Bejzman , Scarton Fabiana Bortoncello
Published: April 2006

A adenotonsilectomia é uma das cirurgias mais comumente realizadas na população pediátrica e adulta jovem. A morbidade pós-operatória de tal procedimento cirúrgico é importante incluindo odinofagia, disfagia, otalgia, febre, halitose, perda ponderal e redução da aceitação por via oral. Após a tonsilectomia, com ou sem adenoidectomia, a colonização da loja tonsilar aberta pela flora bacteriana oral causaria uma exacerbação da reação inflamatória local, piorando a dor pós-operatória. A hipótese de que a redução da população bacteriana na ferida cirúrgica aberta possa diminuir a inflamação local, promover o processo cicatricial e acelerar a recuperação pós-operatória determinou inúmeros estudos que abordaram a relação entre o uso perioperatório de antibióticos e a morbidade pós-operatória da adenotonsilectomia. Apesar desses estudos se definirem como avaliadores do uso profilático cirúrgico de antibióticos nessas cirurgias, não houve seguimento das normas de antibioticoprofilaxia cirúrgica internacionalmente aceitas, sendo que a maioria utiliza antibióticos por sete dias pós-operatórios. Através de uma revisão crítica da literatura, os autores discutem os prós e contras do uso de antibiótico nas tonsilectomias ou adenotonsilectomias, assim como a correta definição para sua utilização.
Sobrevivência de populações de Aedes albopictus: idade fisiológica e história reprodutiva
Authors: Fernández Zoraida , Forattini Oswaldo Paulo
Published: April 2006

OBJETIVOS: Estudar a sobrevivência de populações de Aedes albopictus de ambientes rural e urbano, em diferentes condições de alimentação, e analisar sua idade fisiológica e a história reprodutiva. MÉTODOS: Foram coletadas larvas de Ae. albopictus no Vale do Paraíba (localidade urbana), e no Vale do Ribeira (localidade rural), Estado de São Paulo. As fêmeas que emergiram foram alimentadas com açúcar ou com sangue e observadas diariamente anotando a data da morte de cada uma e outras variáveis relacionadas com a reprodução. Os ovários foram dissecados seguindo a técnica de Polovodova, e a avaliação do desenvolvimento folicular segundo Christophers e Mer. Foram construídas tábuas de vida e analisadas estatísticamente as taxas de sobrevida. Para análise dos dados foi utilizado o Stata 7.0. RESULTADOS: Foi observada discordância gonotrófica nas duas populações de Ae. albopictus. As fêmeas oníparas desenvolveram sacos terminais. As nulíparas apresentaram ovários normais e em alguns casos foram observadas dilatações. As fêmeas alimentadas com açúcar apresentaram maiores taxas de sobrevida. Não foi detectada diferença estatística na taxa de sobrevida entre as duas populações avaliadas. CONCLUSÕES: A idade fisiológica e o estado de paridade de Ae. albopictus não foram definidas pela análise dos ovaríolos porque estes apresentaram sacos terminais em vez de dilatações. O tipo de alimento ingerido influenciou na sobrevivência das fêmeas de Ae. albopictus.
Outpatient health service utilization and associated factors: a population-based study
Authors: Mendoza-Sassi Raúl , Béria Jorge U , Barros Aluísio J D
Published: April 2006

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors that lead people to visit a doctor in Brazil and assess differences between socioeconomic groups. METHODS: A cross-sectional study comprising 1,260 subjects aged 15 or more was carried out in southern Brazil. Demographic, socioeconomic, health needs and regular source of care data were analyzed concerning visits to a doctor within two months from the interview. Adjusted prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using Poisson regression. RESULTS: Adjusted PR showed that women having stressful life events, health insurance, and a regular doctor increased the outcome. A dose-related response was found with self-reported health, and the probability of visiting a doctor increased with health needs. Analysis in the chronic disease group revealed that uneducated lower income subjects had a 62% reduction in the chance of visiting a doctor compared to uneducated higher income ones. However, as it was seen a significant interaction between income and education, years of schooling increased utilization in this group. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest the existence of health inequity in the poorest group that could be overcome with education. Specific measures reinforcing the importance of having a regular doctor may also improve access in the underserved group.
Aedes albopictus may not be vector of dengue virus in human epidemics in Brazil
Authors: Degallier Nicolas , Teixeira José Marcus Sócrates , Soares Sidinei da Silva , Pereira Regilene D , Pinto Santuzza C F , Chaib Antonio de Jesus Melo , Vasconcelos Pedro F C , Oliveira Enilce
Published: April 2006

Over 60,500 dengue cases were reported in the state of Espírito Santo (ES), Brazil, between 1995 and 1998. The study's purpose was to identify whether Aedes albopictus was transmitting the dengue virus during an epidemic in the locality of Vila Bethânia (Viana County),Vitória, ES. From April 3 to 9, 1998, blood and serum samples were collected daily for virus isolation and serological testing. Four autochthonous cases were confirmed through DEN 1 virus isolation and two autochthonous cases through MAC ELISA testing. Of 37 Ae. aegypti and 200 Ae. albopictus adult mosquitoes collected and inoculated, DEN1 virus was isolated only from a pool of two Ae. aegypti female mosquitoes. The study results suggest that Ae. albopictus still cannot be considered an inter-human vector in dengue epidemics in Brazil.
Occurence of Giardia lamblia in children of municipal day-care centers from Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil
Authors: Guimarães Semíramis , Sogayar Maria Inês L.
Published: April 2006

Considering that the number of day-care centers for pre-school-age children has expanded rapidly in developing countries, and that these institutions presenting conditions that facilitate the transmission of many enteric agents, a parasitological survey was carried out in three municipal day-cares from Botucatu: two in the urban area (one in downtown area and the other one in the city periphery area) and the third in the rural area. Three separate stool specimens were collected from 147 children ranging from 0 to 72 months old and 20 staff members. Each stool specimen was processed by Lutz and zinc sulfate flotation methods. The frequency of giardiasis observed among children of downtown, periphery and rural day-cares was 69.6%, 52.7% and 69.6%, respectively. Only one employee was positive for G. lamblia. The examination of three stool specimens increased the positivity for G. lamblia: from the ninety three final positive examinations, 24 (25.5%) and 8 (8.5%) were positives only after examination of the second and third samples, respectively. Others intestinal organisms like Ascaris lumbricoides (20.4%), Trichuris trichiura (19.0%). Hymenolepis nana (8.8%), Entamoeba coli (22.4%) and Blastocystis hominis (32.0%) were frequently found in the children. There was no significant association among localization of the day-cares, sex of the children and the levels of G. lamblia infection. According to the age, G. lamblia was found mainly in children between 12 to 47 months old.
A longitudinal study of enterobiasis in three day care centers of Havana City
Authors: Angel Núñez Fidel , Hernández Miriam , Finlay Carlos M.
Published: April 2006

Pinworm infection was prospectively studied during one year in 469 children attending three day care centers. Each child was examined at six months intervals using up to three perianal swabs with adhesive tape. Those found infected were treated with mebendazole. At the beginning of the study we found a prevalence of 28% that dropped to 13% and 12% in the following study periods. The reinfection rate was twice the incidence rate in both study periods. We also found a small percentage (10%) of the children reinfected in most or all study periods. There was a high correlation between reinfection and perianal itching. Our results add further knowledge to the epidemiology of intestinal parasites in day care centers.
Effects of ivermectin on Culex quinquefasciatus larvae
Authors: Freitas Ricardo Miguel Costa de , Faria Mágda de Abreu , Alves Stênio Nunes , Melo Alan Lane de
Published: April 2006

The effects of ivermectin, a semi-synthetic drug widely used for treatment of livestock parasitic diseases, were observed on Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. Toxic effects and mortality evaluation were carried out after 5, 15, 30 and 60 minutes of exposure to 1, 5 or 10 ppm of ivermectin solutions. Observations were made 24 and 48 hours after the beginning of the experiment, and loss of mobility, progressive paralysis and high mortality of larvae were recorded. The observed effects of ivermectin on the mosquito larvae is probably correlated with chloride channel activation on cell membranes.
O saber científico registrado e as práticas de mensuração da informação
Authors: Bufrem Leilah , Prates Yara
Published: April 2006

Este trabalho identifica e discute estudos quantitativos no âmbito das pesquisas em informação. Explora a literatura sobre a investigação científica em ciência da informação e aborda os termos utilizados para definir suas atividades de mensuração. Realiza um levantamento de referências de artigos da área em três fontes bibliográficas especializadas internacionais, no período de 1994 a 2001, com recorte específico relacionado às atividades de mensuração. Utiliza, para tanto, a Base de Dados METRI, construída em WinIsis, especificamente para atender a propósitos deste estudo. Relaciona a definição da nomenclatura atribuída aos estudos quantitativos e sua aplicabilidade na pesquisa em informação. Identifica o surgimento de novos termos e o emprego deles decorrentes da utilização de suportes diferentes e das características distintas da informação.
Uso de softwares para o gerenciamento de bibliotecas: um estudo de caso da migração do sistema Aleph para o sistema Pergamum na Universidade de Santa Cruz do Sul
Authors: Couto Fabiano
Published: April 2006

Apresenta um dos primeiros processos de migração ocorrido entre os principais softwares pagos disponíveis atualmente no mercado brasileiro. Estão descritas as etapas da conversão do sistema Aleph para o sistema Pergamum, bem como as principais dificuldades enfrentadas e as soluções encontradas. O processo de transferência ora apresentado mostra-se um case que poderá servir como base para futuras conversões.
Estrutura da vegetação arbustivo-arbórea colonizadora de uma área degradada por mineração de caulim, Brás Pires, MG
Authors: Araújo Fernanda Sguizzatto de , Martins Sebastião Venâncio , Meira Neto João Augusto Alves , Lani João Luiz , Pires Ismael Eleotério
Published: April 2006

O presente estudo teve por objetivo conhecer a estrutura fitossociológica da vegetação arbustivo-arbórea colonizadora em uma área degradada por mineração de caulim no Município de Brás Pires (20°55'S e 43°09'W), MG, visando selecionar e indicar espécies mais adaptadas para recuperação de áreas degradadas semelhantes. A amostragem fitossociológica contou com 50 parcelas contíguas de 10 m X 10 m, totalizando 0,5 ha. Estiveram passíveis de inclusão todos os indivíduos com circunferência do tronco a 1,30 m do solo (CAP) igual ou superior a 10 cm. O levantamento resultou em 1.010 indivíduos pertencentes a 47 espécies, distribuídos em 39 gêneros e 23 famílias. Destacaram-se em valor de importância Piptadenia gonoacantha, Luehea grandiflora, Anadenanthera peregrina, Cecropia glaziovii, Cecropia hololeuca e Xylopia brasiliensis. A análise da distribuição dos indivíduos em classes de diâmetro revelou uma comunidade em plena regeneração, com representação em todas as classes diamétricas.
Desbravamento, agricultura e doença: a doença de Chagas no Estado de São Paulo
Authors: Silva Luiz Jacintho da
Published: April 2006

Faz-se uma reconstrução do processo de surgimento, disseminação e desaparecimento da endemia chagásica no Estado de São Paulo, interpretando-se as informações epidemiológicas existentes, dentro de uma perspectiva histórico-materialista. Parte-se dos conceitos clássicos que procuram explicar a distribuição da doença, demonstrando sua insuficiência. Com a incorporação de conceitos e métodos de análise utilizados em Geografia, chega-se a uma compreensão do que foi o processo de evolução da doença em São Paulo, e quais os seus determinantes, mostrando que se tratou de um processo peculiar ao Centro-Sul brasileiro, num período histórico bem determinado. A doença de Chagas, ainda que uma endemia de expressão nacional, não pode ser vista como um todo indistinto, existindo diferentes padrões epidemiológicos em períodos históricos diferentes.
Tabagismo no domicílio e doença respiratória em crianças menores de cinco anos
Authors: Gonçalves-Silva Regina M. V. , Valente Joaquim G. , Lemos-Santos Márcia G. F. , Sichieri Rosely
Published: April 2006

A fumaça do tabaco no ambiente doméstico é o principal irritante do trato respiratório de crianças. Avaliaram-se os fatores associados aos sintomas e às enfermidades respiratórias, assim como a principal fonte de exposição ao tabagismo no domicílio de 2.037 crianças menores de cinco anos atendidas para vacinação em 10 dos 38 postos de saúde de Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil (aproximadamente duzentas crianças por posto). Exposição ao tabagismo, a morbidade respiratória e as características sócio-demográficas foram obtidas por entrevista com o responsável pela criança. A prevalência de sintomáticos respiratórios foi de 59,9%, sendo maior para os que convivem com fumantes. A asma/bronquite foi a patologia que esteve mais fortemente associada com o tabagismo, sendo as variáveis que permaneceram associadas em modelo logístico hierarquizado: nível socioeconômico (OR = 2,93; IC95%: 1,57-5,45), escolaridade (OR = 1,46; IC95%: 1,08-1,98) e ocupação da mãe (OR = 1,68; IC95%: 1,04-2,74), distrito sanitário (RP = 1,47; IC95%: 1,06-2,02), faixa etária (OR = 3,38; IC95%: 2,31-4,95) e sexo da criança (OR = 1,46; IC95%: 1,09-1,94), aleitamento natural (OR = 1,66; IC95%: 1,15-2,40) e tabagismo dos moradores (OR = 1,58; IC95%: 1,18-2,11). Crianças pertencentes aos níveis socioeconômicos mais baixos e expostas ao tabagismo dos moradores do domicílio apresentam maior associação com a doença respiratória.
Utilization of HIV/AIDS treatment services: comparing injecting drug users and other clients
Authors: Melo Angelita Cristine de , Caiaffa Waleska Teixeira , César Cibele Comini , Dantas Ricardo Vieira , Couttolenc Bernard François
Published: April 2006

This study compared healthcare utilization by injection drug users (IDUs) and non-IDUs. Data were abstracted from patients' medical records, admitted on HIV/AIDS treatment centers, between 1986 and 2002, forming a non-concurrent cohort study. Variables included: sociodemographics, HIV/AIDS exposure group, healthcare utilization (consultations, procedures, and prescriptions). Descriptive analyses included age-period and cohort effects. Out of 170 patients, with an average age of 30 years, 39.4% were IDUs, 71.8% were males and had low levels of education. At the first consultation, 86.5% neither received an ARV prescription nor had a request for CD4 or viral load. Injection drug users, as compared to non-IDUs, were less likely to receive ARV prescriptions and requests for CD4 lymphocyte and viral load counts, even though the number of consultations did not differ between the two groups. Healthcare utilization increased in calendar-year in the non-IDUs group, parallel to the implementation of the Brazilian health policy of universal care. However, this favorable trend was not observed among IDUs. Differential outcomes for HIV/AIDS among IDUs, towards worse prognosis, suggest difficulties in terms of adherence and follow-up of ARV therapy in this population.
Advocacy and coverage of needle exchange programs: results of a comparative study of harm reduction programs in Brazil, Bangladesh, Belarus, Ukraine, Russian Federation, and China
Authors: Burrows Dave
Published: April 2006

To prevent or mitigate an AIDS epidemic among injecting drug users (IDUs), effective activities need to be implemented on a large enough scale to reach and assist sufficient numbers of drug users and thereby change their risk behaviors related to drug use and sex. Recent work by UNAIDS on "high coverage sites", adopting the above strategies, has shown that one of the key elements in achieving high coverage is ongoing and sophisticated advocacy. High coverage harm reduction sites were studied through literature search and site visits, including key informant interviews, review of service statistics, and data analysis, in order to document the steps that led to scaling up, the way coverage was defined in these sites, and the lessons learned from their efforts. Syringe-exchange programs can achieve high coverage of IDUs. Monitoring to determine regular reach (those who are in regular contact with harm reduction services) should be added to uniform data collection carried out by harm reduction programs. Advocacy is crucial to achieving high coverage.
Estrutura e dinâmica da regeneração natural de uma mata de galeria no Distrito Federal, Brasil
Authors: Oliveira Elaina Carvalho Lemos de , Felfili Jeanine Maria
Published: April 2006

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as mudanças na estrutura e composição florística da regeneração natural na mata de galeria do Gama, localizada na Fazenda Água Limpa, no Distrito Federal, durante o período de 13 anos (1986-1999) e detectar padrões associados entre ambientes de borda e interior de mata. Foram alocadas 151 parcelas permanentes de 10×20 m ao longo de dez linhas, para amostrar a vegetação arbórea. Cada parcela conteve sub-parcelas de 5×5 m (arvoretas) e de 2×2 m (mudas) para a amostragem da regeneração natural (juvenis). Foram amostradas dez parcelas adicionais na condição de borda de mata para comparação da diversidade florística entre a borda e o interior da mata. As famílias predominantes foram praticamente as mesmas para as categorias de arvoretas e mudas: Myrtaceae, Melastomastaceae, Proteaceae e Lauraceae. Metrodorea pubescens A. St.-Hil. & Tul. e Amaioua guianensis Aubl. obtiveram maior densidade relativa nos dois estágios. As espécies da borda foram praticamente as mesmas daquelas amostradas no interior da mata, sendo que apenas algumas espécies, como Bauhinia rufa e Campomanesia eugenioides, não ocorreram no interior da mata. A classificação por TWINSPAN separou duas comunidades distintas tanto para as parcelas de borda como para as parcelas do interior da mata, formadas por espécies de acordo com seu requerimento por água. A mata do Gama não tem sofrido distúrbios e a grande maioria das espécies estava presente nas duas categorias de tamanho, com poucas exceções, indicando estabilidade na composição florística e estrutura ao longo do tempo, apesar de uma redução na densidade das populações.
Briófitas de mata paludosa, município de Zacarias, noroeste do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil
Authors: Peralta Denilson Fernandes , Yano Olga
Published: April 2006

Na Mata Paludosa foram encontradas 84 espécies de briófitas, sendo 44 de musgos pertencentes a 36 gêneros em 22 famílias e 40 de hepáticas, pertencentes a 18 gêneros e 13 famílias. Destas espécies, 15 são citadas pela primeira vez para o Estado de São Paulo.